Oxygen and Experts

You know when you meet someone, and spend a little time together, and you get that sense of kismet? Well, that's how I felt when I met Mackenzie, my colorist. And guess what she did...she clued me into an exciting conference happening tomorrow in Bellevue. The keynote speaker is Ben Williams, PhD, a rockstar in the brain cancer world. He's a man who cured his glioblastoma well over a decade ago by doing a variety of standard treatments, off label drugs, and supplements. There are, I believe, seven different speakers, and two different video chats (one with my new nutritionist Jeanne Wallace, PhD and the second with Dr Charles Cobb - the man doing the research with Valcyte). I'm very excited to learn about the most up-to-date drugs, treatments, and all-over care. The conference is an all day affair, starting at 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. The entire thing is free, and they even provide lunch (can't wait to see what they serve...my nutritional voice is skeptical, yet hopeful). Unfortunately, since it's happening on a Friday, Dan can't join me, but my parents got really excited and asked if they could drive over from Wenatchee and come with me. I guess it actually works out pretty well since my parents don't work on Fridays anyway, and it will give me an excuse to give them hugs. If you want to attend, check out the Chris Elliott Fund website, they are hosting. I just can't believe how fortunate I am that I get to attend this, and meet so many influential people in the brain cancer network. This. Is. Huge.

I'm so excited about this!!! It's going to be exhausting, and I'd better record a bunch of it or I'll forget most of it (maybe they'll have transcripts later?). I just love it when people send me information about brain tumor stuff, I am SO grateful. It's impossible to keep up-to-date on all the goings on. I feel like I have all these helpers, like an army. You guys are like my own brain tumor seals, or those super awesome reconnaissance peeps. That what's you guys are. Totally stealth. Totally amazing.

Also, I am very excited to share that I have my first hyperbaric oxygen session on Monday. I will have three consecutive sessions on three consecutive days, then the following day (Thursday) is my Dopa Pet scan and MRI scan down at UCLA. The oxygen therapy is very exciting. Cancer hates oxygen, so the more oxygen you take in, the more you starve the cancer. That's one of the reasons why walking, and meditation are so beneficial. Mentally, I'm looking at my sessions as lung massages. Very fun! Even Professor Seyfried touts the benefits of HOCs along with a low carb diet.

One Example of a Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber

Ok, I'm off on my walk to the blood lab again, apparently they didn't draw enough blood for all of my panels the other day. Ugh. More needles. Oh well, at least I don't have to pay for their mistake. Well, I guess my veins have to pay for it, but whatever. Not the end of the world, and I guess it forces me out for a walk, so maybe it's a good thing. :)

I Love A Good Pun

After a billion phone calls, and emails, a few dialed-in dates, then a few fall-throughs, we have solidified all four UCLA appointments. Phew! Now we can book our flights and figure out where we're staying. Dan insists on taking off work to join me, which is going to be really nice. Just holding his hand lowers my stress levels. 

Also, today, my aunt Anne took me to a new dermatologist. (I like to shop around for doctors as you well know.) I really liked this woman, but of course she found five new moles that she wanted to biopsy. (I politely declined.) I don't know how to handle this new world of skinning people alive. Is it necessary?

Truthfully, I can't take on another area of my life that demands so much attention, it's frying my brain. I think I'm going to table the whole "mole" situation for a bit.

When I got home from the dermatologist, and spent some time with my badass aunt, I noticed that my blood results were back. Things look mostly good, except for high serum phosphorus and low serum alkaline phosphatase. Oh, and of course a maddingly high cholesterol level. What the heck?!? Apparently that whole low carb thing didn't make me immune as the experts say. Bollocks. 

I'll be talking to the doctors over the phone in the morning and they'll explain all the bloody results. For now I will rest, which will be easy to do after my food coma. I made us my favorite dinner tonight, pure comfort food...

Shirataki (yam - no carb) noodles

Chicken breast 

Coconut milk (full fat)

Turmeric

Chili powder

Granada curry

Fresh cracked pepper

Purple onion

Garlic

Broccoli

Cilantro

It's my figgitty fav dinner. Simmer the chicken in the coconut milk with all the spices until the meat is cooked. Remove the chicken breast. Add the broc, gar, and red.o and cook for a few with the noodles. Then dish up, piling on the fresh chopped cilantro to garnish. Piece of chicken if you know what I mean. It's easy, and delicious. Don't skimp on the spices though, that's what I recommend.