Doug Prouty's Battle for Health

Tuesday, October 31st

Chronic Pain

I have been fortunate in my life not to have experienced much chronic pain. A little lower back trouble, but that would come and go based on how much lifting I would do. My mom lives with pain daily. She has one knee that has been replaced and the other needs to be. Her shoulders are also a mess. And she has fought arthritis as long as I can remember. My dad tells me about waking up at night to her crying from the pain. My sister in-law, my friend Julie, workmates, and other friends, all have chronic pain that is debilitating at times.

The problem with having a tumor on your spinal column is that there are so many nerves that run between the vertebrae and travel through your body. I woke up at 5am this morning in pain, the same one that has been bothering me for about a month now. It can range from the right upper back, to my right tricep, to the elbow, the forearm and through the fingers. After returning from Safeway in search of a painkillers, I put the search terms “C7” and “nerve” into Google. The first hit, Spine Health, gave me this: “Pinched nerve at C7. This can cause pain/numbness that runs down the arm to the middle finger.” Other search results lead me to research the Radial Nerve.

I had a conversation yesterday with my radiologist to see if this pain is a side effect of radiation or an indication that the tumor is growing. After comparing my recent MRI with one taken before radiation, he felt that the radiation was successful and that the tumor was decreasing in size. However, the soft tissue of the tumor around the never could be hardening or their could be an inflammation causing pressure. We may look at cortisone shots in that area as a source of relief.

Mentally and physically, a person can handle sharp pain for a little while. But when it is consistent and there is no sign of relief in the future, it becomes a whole other animal. It affects your personality and your patience. To this point, I have avoided pain medication so that I can monitor the pain and keep my body free of toxins. But when you wake up in the middle of the night with tears in your eyes, all you care about is relief.

Doug on 10.31.06 @ 08:34 AM PST [link]

Friday, October 27th

Nach Deutschland!

A few posts back, I talked about going to Germany to see Dr. Robert Gorter about his dendritic cell therapy. I have been in email contact with the good doctor and here is a portion of one of his communiqués, “We have had significant responses in the treatment of patients, living with all kinds of cancers, with dendritic cell (DC) vaccinations in combination with hyperthermia. Also, the literature is positive in cases like you with colon carcinoma. Your form of cancer is not rare and therefore, I can say we had a lot of experience and significant responses.” Dr. Gorter works within the oncology department of the Medical Center Cologne.

Last night, we purchased airline tickets for Jeanette, Nick and myself, non-stop from San Francisco to Frankfurt. We will leave on November 28th and come home on December 12th. I need to be at the medical center in Cologne at 8am on the 30th for a blood draw and then return in a week or so for an injection. They do offer some alternative therapy in between (hyperthermia, etc.) but that is optional. So we will opt for travel. Our plans are to get Eurail passes and travel from Frankfurt to Cologne to Brussels to Antwerp to Amsterdam to Dusseldorf and back to Cologne.

I am really excited about this trip. Germany at Christmas time is a real treat. I think my favorite is the Kristkindlmarkts. These are little outdoor markets with lit up booths of toys, nutcrackers, marionettes, candles, mulled wine (Glühwein), roasted chestnuts and baked apples. They usually block off a street or alleyway. So you may be walking along bundled and staying warm when you come across this festive treat.

All this and a possibility of curing my cancer, now that is a vacation!

Doug on 10.27.06 @ 09:08 AM PST [link]

Wednesday, October 25th

The Glass is Half Full

Nick and I were having a discussion the other day about how bad cancer was and that he was hearing of too many people dying from it. Throughout Nick's life, I have always tried to point out the good things in every situation. And to teach him that our reactions to everything are always our choice. As Professor Dumbledor explained to Harry Potter when Harry worried that his gifts made him too much like Voldemort, “It is not our abilities that show who we truly are, it is our choices.”

So Nick says, “Dad, there are positives to having cancer?” Well, I guess if I am going to live my life by a Glass-is-Half-Full philosophy, what better way to test it. So here is my list of the positive aspects of having cancer. Feel free to comment with contributions.

Hardly a day goes by when Jeanette and I don’t take the time to express how much we love and need each other.

When people spend time with me, sometimes our time is treated like it may be our last together. Wouldn’t it be great if we did this with everybody, all the time?

My faith in God has been strengthened and I have been able to give up more control of the outcome.

You get to say what you are thinking even if it may be socially inappropriate. People cut you a break as you are going through a soul-searching, what-is-it-all-about phase.

You get to learn so much. I have read more on health and diet than you can imagine. And my newfound knowledge not only helps me, but those around me, to eat and live better.

I have been able to explore other avenues towards health such as yoga, meditation, music, massage, and various alternative cancer therapies.

Since I decided to leave work, I have been able to spend every afternoon with Nick and Alex, picking them up from school and helping with homework.

I would never have had the time to train and compete in triathlons and a half marathon.

I have much more time to work in the yard. Time spent in my gardens and on outside projects is not only healing, but also leaves behind beauty to be enjoyed by others.

We are planning a trip to Germany (for my treatment) that will give Jeanette and I a chance to spend two weeks alone with Nick and share with him the wonders of Europe. We were married in Austria and I have wanted to bring Nick to that part of the world.

I would never have created a blog where I get to share my thoughts, trials and successes with so many friends and family. And I get to read your words of support in the comments (hint).

Finally, I will never, ever, take a day, an hour or a minute of my life for granted.

Doug on 10.25.06 @ 10:50 AM PST [link]

Tuesday, October 24th

A Heat Wave

Hippocrates said: “Give me a fever and I’ll heal every illness.” My first experience with hyperthermia was when I went to Mexico for treatment. Their version is a pretty radical procedure where they heat up your own blood for hours, circulating it through a special machine.

Dr. Gorter, the doctor I will be seeing in Germany, uses hyperthermia as a supplemental treatment. Gorter states. “When you combine chemotherapy with fever therapy you’ll have fewer side effects from the chemo.” When, at the age of 26, he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer that had spread to his stomach and lungs, he decided to heal himself by taking very hot baths.

Yesterday, I installed a personal infrared sauna. I chose a product from SaunaGen and it was pretty reasonably priced. The workmanship was impressive and I was able to set it up in about an hour. Infrared is a safe and natural heat, which penetrates a couple inches into the body. And sweating is a great way help our cells eliminate toxins. So I have begun a regimen of at least two 30+ minute saunas a day.

Just another weapon in the battle…

Doug on 10.24.06 @ 09:49 PM PST [link]

Thursday, October 19th

A Fallen Comrade in Arms

I new he had been battling colon cancer for a little while when I got his call. Mike DeSa had just heard that I had gone through surgery and was on chemotherapy for the same affliction. It was the right person, making the right call, at the right time. We talked about our ordeals, treatment options and how our attitudes would keep the cancer from beating us. Mike was the Director of Human Resources at the Martinez school district when I got a job there in 1993. Soon after, when he became Superintendent of the Walnut Creek School District, I was at the county office and he had me computer train his entire office staff. We have connected professionally and personally off and on since.

Mike DeSa passed away yesterday morning of colon cancer. I had heard that he took a turn for the worst but then was back at work within a few days. The last time we had talked he was doing pretty well. I was envious because he was able to be on the pill form of 5FU, a chemotherapy drug, and my version required an IV and a pump that I carried for days at a time. He was still giving me advice and had discovered the Mangosteen Berry. He was drinking a commercial version called XanGo (www.xango.com) and was swearing by it.

Learning of Mike’s passing yesterday was tough. It comes at a time when I am questioning my body’s ability to beat this thing. If Mike was hanging in there, than so was I. It seems self-centered to think of my own worries upon the news of his death. But crying for a loss really is a selfish act. I know Mike himself is now comfortable and cracking jokes with the angels. I will miss him dearly.

My heart pours out to his family and friends. I counted myself as one of his friends and I know there were scores. We live close to each other and I would see him out running in the mornings. He was an inspiration for me to get back into working out. He had a great sense of humor and a quick smile that you rarely see in a Superintendent. As in my case, no matter what he had on his plate, he was never too busy to reach out and support someone. That just could be the definition of a true friend.

Goodbye Mike.

Doug on 10.19.06 @ 09:10 AM PST [link]

Tuesday, October 17th

Changing Horses

Tommy Castro is a San Francisco Bay Area blues musician. His song, “You Can’t Keep a Good Man Down” is slowly becoming my theme song. He has a line in the chorus that continues to ring true, “Its not how many times a man falls down, its how many times he picks himself up.”

So here I am, picking myself up once again. Yesterday I met with my Oncologist for our regular post PET scan appointment. As expected, he strongly encouraged me to get back on a chemotherapy regiment. And I am considering it. You know, I have had a lot of time to think about cancer and my death, but sometimes it punches me in the gut. When that happens, I consider any treatment that will keep me alive a little longer.

Anyway, it has forced me to reorganize and plan a new attack. The first thing I did was to tell my doctor that I was looking to go elsewhere. I have decided to work with Alta Bates Summit Medical Center. Unlike my current doctor who is on his own and can refer me to other support providers, Alta Bates in their words, “…offers a full-spectrum approach to cancer treatment encompassing the latest in medical technology, research, and psychosocial services.” These include nutrition, massage, Jin Shin Jyutsu, chemo, psych, etc.

The doctor I have chosen is Dr. Martha Tracy on Dwight Ave. in Berkeley. She is highly qualified (Harvard Med School Cum Laude), interested and open to “complimentary” treatments. And her interests are in Stem Cell and Bone Marrow transplant.

The other approach I have decided on is Dendritic Cell Therapy. This will require a few trips to Cologne, Germany (Not patentable, not available in the US!) for treatment. The first visit will be a vacation with Jeanette and Nick. Considering that Jeanette and I lived and got married in Vienna, Austria, I have wanted to take Nick over to Europe and open his eyes to that world. This looks like our chance, so we are planning a two-week trip around the beginning of December.

My next post will go into more detail on Dendritic Cell Therapy as I find it fascinating.

Also, scroll down to see a new photo of me on mile six of the half marathon - still smiling.

Doug on 10.17.06 @ 12:58 PM PST [link]

Saturday, October 14th

Reeling

I am reeling and seemed to have lost some hope. As long as I was exercising and feeling pretty strong, I thought that I could beat this. Now I worry that pushing my body has accelerated the disease. My neck hurts chronically and it feels like my lungs are short. But what hurts most is my heavy heart. How can I leave Jeanette, Nick and Alex. They need me and I am leaving them behind. My goal has been to make Jeanette’s life wonderful and I feel like I have failed her.

Thanks to you, friends and family, for your words of support and encouragement. So many of you have prayed and sent positive energy. I believe it has carried me. You have all helped to give me strength. I will continue to fight and will be open to all forms of treatment. I am in a place to accept anything to keep me with my family for whatever extra days I have. It just feels like I am coming to terms with the inevitable.
sad
Doug on 10.14.06 @ 08:03 AM PST [link]

Friday, October 13th

Emotions of Disappointment and Frustration

There were other emotions that Jeanette and I were feeling when we read the analysis of this last PET scan, but disappointment and frustration were the strongest. Well, I guess you can throw in fear and sadness also. We really believed that I have been doing the right things to help my body win this battle. I really thought this would be good news.

Frustration came because of the effort I have put in. There is the voracious reading of health books and web sites and thus the constant effort to correct my diet and add the right supplements. There were the weeks in Mexico trying alternative treatments. The daily exercise to get my body to a point where it can compete in endurance events that few of my healthy friends would take on. And how about the two weeks of radiation? Not only did it not slow the cancer, it has gotten much worse.

And the emotions of disappointment washed over us because increasingly, the future looks scary. Jeanette is smart, strong and independent (I find that so attractive!) and I know she can flourish without me. (Though we are more in love than ever and need each other deeply.) But our children need more than one parent. They probably need more than two. Alex is difficult to care for by yourself on a weekend let alone a lifetime. And Nick is a 12-year-old boy, building his self esteem, self image and opinions of the world.

Last night Nick asked me, “Why?” “Why did you get cancer and why is it getting worse?” I have a technical/cellular answer for him but it doesn’t hold a lot of water when he starts asking about other people and why their bodies haven’t developed cancer. And, “Why?” was the first question I had for all of the doctors involved from the start. None of these experts could give me an answer.

So what does the scan analysis say that is so heartbreaking? The doctor’s concluding impression reads like this: “Progressive disease. Increased metastatic disease is clearly shown to lungs and to retroperitoneum as well as a left thoracic inlet lymph node. The solitary C7 skeletal metastasis shows increased metabolic activity and extent, either representing progressive disease or a flare phenomenon post-radiation.” The rest of report contains the gory details.

I have an appointment with my Oncologist on Monday. He will point out that this is because I stopped chemo and reiterate the need to go back on. Because that is his expertise and all that is available here in the US. And I am left to question my choices: past, present and future.

Please, tell someone you love them.

Doug on 10.13.06 @ 05:24 AM PST [link]

Tuesday, October 10th

Why Go Organic?

We all buy a lot of produce from the supermarket. As we are usually in a hurry, it is the best we can do just to pick out the fruit that looks OK to us. Unfortunately, the produce that is the prettiest, cheapest and easiest to find, is usually not organic. Slowly, we are starting to see more and more organic products in our regular supermarkets. Even Safeway has released a whole new brand of organic products.

So why should you go through the extra effort and money to make sure your food is organic? The first reason is pesticides. Our produce is sprayed with pesticides to keep bugs from eating it before you do. Unfortunately, the thousands of different pesticides used are designed to kill living organisms. Developed during World War II as chemical warfare, pesticides are classified as either organophosphates or n-methyl carbamates. These chemicals are lethal to humans as exemplified during the 1984 Bhopal disaster in India where 16,000 died and a half million became chronically ill due to a leak. The US EPA estimates that over 100 pesticides in current use are possible carcinogens.

In 1995 the USDA tested 7,000 fruit and vegetable samples and found two out of three contained the residue of 65 different pesticides. As agencies work to ban certain pesticides like DDT, we then sell them to foreign countries. Fruits and vegetables produced with these banned chemicals are then sold back to the US consumer. And only 1 percent of fruits and vegetables imported to the US are tested for illegal pesticides.

Children are usually fed the most heavily sprayed fruits like apples and pears. Only a fraction of the weight of an adult, a two year old eating ½ an apple a day would exceed the government’s daily “safe” exposure level. Pesticides in our bodies gradually weaken our hormonal, reproductive, circulatory, immune and central nervous systems.

Because the soil contains rich nutrients and microorganisms, organic produce also has a higher nutritional value. A 2001 study found organic produce contained 27% more vitamin C, 21% more iron, 29% more magnesium and higher levels of all twenty one minerals. Organic berries contain up to 58% more polyphenolics than those grown conventionally.

A final reason is that many of the chemicals used are classified as "persistent chemicals" and will stay in our environment for years to come. More than 1 billion pounds of pesticides, or about 5 pounds per person, is applied to the US food supply each year. Everyone, even children and babies have about 250 different chemicals currently in their body that did not exist as early as 1945. These mainly come from agriculture. We are also concerned about farming run off. Our rivers, estuaries, bays and oceans are all polluted with fertilizers and pesticides. The EPA found that 100 million Americans are drinking water from pesticide-contaminated water supplies.

So spending a little extra (the costs are decreasing because more are buying) for organic goods sends a message to the farms and grocers and supports the farmer who is taking care of our environment.

Oh, you'll also live a longer and healthier life. Here's hoping for it!

Doug on 10.10.06 @ 02:15 PM PST [link]

Sunday, October 8th

A Half Marathon

half-marathon This summer I set two physical endurance goals for myself. One was to be competitive in an Olympic distance triathlon and the other was to finish a ½ marathon under an average of 8-minute miles. Today I can say that I have accomplished both.

This morning I competed in my first ½ marathon. My time was 1 hour and 40 minutes. That is a 7 hour and 41 minute average per mile and good enough to place 87th out of 480. So I was happy with that finish and the way my legs felt, I couldn’t have asked much more form this body.

I have an active imagination and during an hour and 40 minutes of running, quite a bit goes through your mind. Most of the time you are trying not to let the thoughts of doom sneak in there. “Is that pain in my thighs going to get worse and jeopardize my finish?” “Was that a twinge in my calf – a cramp coming on?” “I have never ran this far before, will I make it?” “Why does this guy next to me look so good this far into it?” “Can he hear me wheezing?” “Does cancer qualify as an excuse?” “No, no no – I must stay positive!”

Lets start from the beginning of the race and I’ll “walk” you through it. Before the race you walk and jog round a little trying to warm up your legs. You can usually find me waiting in line for the bathroom as well. Since I labor over it, I enjoy looking at what people have decided to wear. It is early and cool but will warm up as the race goes on. I choose a long sleeve running shirt, shorts and a pair of gloves. I also chose to run with an iPod (mostly to drown out my negative thoughts and my wheezing).

They give you a countdown to the start, and then the gun goes off. The first concern is that you don’t trip by running into someone else. When you are used to running alone, it is strange to be in a crowd running hard. The next thing you notice is the sound of everyone’s feet hitting the street. Hundreds of people together and the only sound they make are their shoes. I can’t compare it to anything else I have heard.

The first few miles your body spends some time adjusting to what you are doing to it. It was sleeping in a warm bed about an hour ago. Your breathing harder than expected but that settles down as you get into the third mile. At that point you start to find a pace that feels good to you. It becomes single file as some people are passing while you go by others. By mile six, you start to look forward to the half way mark and wonder if you can repeat what you have just gone through. This run took us through neighborhoods and you begin to see signs of life. People have come out to pick up their papers and realized that there is stream of runners going by. I waved at scores of kids in their jammies and found it was nice to break out a smile seven or eight miles into the race.

The ten mile point is a bit of a yard marker. First, because I had never run ten miles before and second because you realize that you only have three miles to go and you may actually be able to finish. It was at this point that some guy went by me wearing smelly deodorant or aftershave. Now, there is not much that is more important to you at this point than the air that you are sucking in. You wish your lungs were twice as big so you could just fill them up. So car exhaust is annoying but you figure it is an unavoidable annoyance. But a strong smelling deodorant should be grounds for disqualification! Of all the social situations you find yourself in, a half marathon is certainly one where you are allowed to smell bad. I mean, it’s expected! Anyway, I was looking for a reason to slow down a little, so I let that guy get far enough ahead so as to not foul my precious air.

The last couple of miles is an attempt to maintain your pace so your time doesn’t fall off. And you really begin to count down.
Two miles: I can make two more miles!
One and a half: That should be easy enough.
One mile: Isn’t that just 4 laps around a track?
Half mile: How come I can’t see the finish line?
Quarter mile: Has anyone’s legs ever exploded from running this distance?
And finally… Ahhhhh!!!! I can walk! Well as best I can with legs that feel like two big Charlie horses.

So now you know what it is like. Want to try one or was my description good enough?

Doug on 10.08.06 @ 12:11 PM PST [link]

Thursday, October 5th

A Visit to the Chiropractor

As I mentioned, the pain in my arm and chest were scaring me. I can tell it is a nerve issue because the pain increases when I move my head to a certain position. However, I am not sure why it is flaring up now. Is the tumor growing and pinching off the nerve, bringing back pain like I had prior to radiation? Or is the tumor going away and leaving a gap in the bone that lacks support?

Looking for relief, I decided to call my High School buddy Rod Van Buskirk who is a chiropractic doctor. Dr. Rod is a partner at Natural Life Chiropractic, 710 Grayson Rd., Pleasant Hill (925) 932-1786. He is a great person with strong expertise who I recommend highly. After catching up on my history and treatments, he decided not to work on me until he took x-rays. Those only took minutes and we were able to take a look. It showed the 7th vertebrate was different from the rest as it had a little dip out of it. Deciding to stay away from it, he adjusted my neck around the 3rd & 4th and the 9th and 10th vertebrae. He has a radiologist that he will send the x-ray off to for consult and we will meet again for a follow-up appointment next week.

Tonight I have a heating pad around my neck and hope for a little relief.

Doug on 10.05.06 @ 09:10 PM PST [link]

Wednesday, October 4th

Ein Krebs-Impfstoff aus Deutschland

“A Cancer Vaccine from Germany.” My friend Kathy just sent along a great article from Ode magazine regarding a vaccine against cancer http://www.odemagazine.com/article.php?aID=4350.

Dr. Gorter (educated in Germany and the United States), with help from other doctors in Germany and Austria, has developed a process of isolating a person’s dendrite cells from young white blood cells and then reintroducing them back into their bodies. These cells then mobilize the body’s own killer T-Cells to go after the cancer. The catch is that you have to go to Germany for the treatment as this country does not allow it.

This is directly in line with the way I feel we should be treating cancer. Besides, of course, a preventative approach for those who do not yet have cancer. A normal body successfully beats back cancer on a regular basis. We are learning that the body’s defenses can actually kill off cancer with a little help. The problem is that this country’s drug company controlled medicine will only allow drugs to be used.

Gorter states. “You can’t get a patent on it because dendritic cells are autologous [drawn from and reintroduced to a patient’s own body].” And worries that it will not be approved by influential authorities like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration because these treatments run counter to the pharmaceutical-based philosophy of the medical establishment. No one convinces you better of this than Kevin Trudeau in his book, Natural Cures ‘They’ Don’t Want You To Know About.

Well, who would have guessed that cancer would take me around the world! I have had the chance to spend time in beautiful Tijuana. Who knows, maybe Cologne, Germany will be next.

Doug on 10.04.06 @ 09:45 AM PST [link]

Tuesday, October 3rd

Two Dates Looming

As I turned the calendar to October, two dates quickly jump out at me. The first is this Sunday, October 8th. I will attempt my first ever ½ marathon. I have ran 8 to 9 miles before in a stretch but never attempted 13. Along with last week’s triathlon, this was a goal I set for myself near the beginning of the summer. I figure if I take it easy, I should be able to finish. Knowing me, I will want to push it a little.

The next date is October 12th. This is my next PET scan. It has been some time since I had my last one and much has happened since. I had just come back from the Mexican hospital and hadn’t given those treatments a chance to take affect. I also have started exercising vigorously, increased my supplement intake and swore off chemotherapy. Oh yah, you have to throw in the radiation treatments on the neck tumor. The hopes are that this tumor has decreased in size significantly, that the numerous lung tumors have started to disappear and that there are no new tumors anywhere else.

The last couple of weeks I have had some pain in my right tricep and pectoral muscle. Thinking it was some workout pain, I wasn’t too worried. Since it has been consistent for several weeks now, I am a little spooked by it. I am now thinking it is a pinched nerve from my vertebrae and I may need a chiropractic visit. That would be the good news. Still, these kinds of pains scare me as I head into a scan.

Wish me luck on both.

Doug on 10.03.06 @ 11:58 AM PST [link]

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Doug's Battle for Health

Life's too good to leave it unfinished!