We kept pushing for the genetic testing, and the hospital seemed to take quite a while to return the results. More than a couple of months later, when we finally did get the results from the hospital, we learned that their recommended treatment path of Temodar would have most likely been of no use. My son’s genetic markers showed that he was in the group that Temodar has little to no positive effect on.

We chose a different path of treatment for him, and I believe that has made a world of difference. I’m so thankful for the quick response of the Chris Elliott Fund in our moment of need. We aren’t done fighting this battle, but it is comforting knowing that we have partners like them in the fight. “

I hope this helps everyone who reads this. We really are so appreciative of the solid advice you have provided. I wish, hope, and pray for a cure every day, but in the meanwhile we will fight this thing the hard way. It is vital that people gift to the Chris Elliott Fund so that they can hire another Health Information Specialist so that they can continue to do the great work that they so and provide their services to those in need free.  Gift today at www.ChrisElliottFund.org.

Best regards,
Amanda

I am reaching out to ask for your help and support.  That is, in this week
of cyber-shopping to please consider a bit of cyber-GIVING.  You can do this
by clicking on the following link.
http://www.chriselliottfund.org/getinvolved/donate.html

Even a relatively modest sum can go a long way in supporting the work we do.

Wishing you the most joyous of holiday seasons!

- Dellann Elliott, Founder,
President & CEO, Chris Elliott Fund

Anyone who has just been diagnosed with cancer is particularly vulnerable to this type of thing. Their world has just been turned upside down, and they are suddenly exposed to a new place with odd language, and a journey ahead that is not going to be fun. So where do you turn and whom do you believe?

I was fortunate enough to be able to spend time with the father of one of my close friends, a physician whose practice includes cancer patients. He was able to explain what treatments I would mostly need and why. With this information, I was able to move forward.

Lacking this resource, I am not sure what I would have done. Cancer patients absolutely need a credible source of information that they can trust in navigating their journey ahead. Someone who understands their diagnosis and what it means, can explain options for treatment and what they mean, can refer them to help with practical matters such as finding transportation and insurance coverage. Help in counteracting all the misinformation out there. Not to mention being there for them.

This is what the Chris Elliott Fund (CEF) provides to brain tumor patients why it is so important. Contact us at Info@ChrisElliottFund.org with your questions or if you need a healthcare advocate for brain tumor treatment options. Blessings!

Claire Tinker
Grants Manager
206-283-2490

Compliments of MERCK ONCOLOGY “Eating Well Through Cancer”

Does this Sound Familiar?
• I have no appetite. Is there anything to help me?
• Should I eat hot or cold foods?
• What foods should I eat?
Your mouth normally will get sore 7 to 10 days following certain chemotherapy treatments. Remember to do your mouth care: 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt in a quart of tap water. Rinse and spit after each meal. Make a fresh solution each morning and discard at the end of the day. Try eating soft or pureed foods. Use a straw for all liquids or pureed foods. This is a good time to use plastic utensils to avoid the metallic taste. Eating foods at room temperature or cool are easier to handle when your mouth is sore. Raw foods tend to irritate your mouth and should be avoided. If you are still losing ground, talk to your physicians about the following appetite stimulants:
1-Liquid Megace – 800 mg/day x 30 days then decrease to 400 mg/day.
2-Megace 40 mg twice per day and Marinol 2.5 mg by mouth twice per day.
Remember, if you find one food that you can tolerate do not hesitate to eat it repeatedly. The mouth soreness is usually associated with a low white blood cell count. As soon as your counts rise, the soreness will resolve. Cephacol, Xylocaine, and pain medicines are sometimes needed to ease the mouth paib. I often have patients take a pain pill 30 minutes prior to meals to allow them to eat. If you have obvious sores on your lips, a small amount of Vitamin E can sometimes help. Puncture a 500 unit Vitamin E capsule and squeeze the contents on the ulcer 3 times per day.
If you have these problems, eating soft, bland foods and lukewarm or cool foods can be soothing. On the other hand, foods that are coarse, dry, or scratchy should be avoided. In addition, you may find that tart, salty or acidic fruits and juices, alcohol, and spicy foods may be irritating and should be avoided. Rinsing your mouth regularly with one teaspoon of baking soda and eight ounces of water or salt can help prevent infections and improve healing.
Points to Remember
• Avoid tart, acidic, or salty foods and drinks such as citrus fruit juices (grapefruit, orange, lime), pickled and vinegary foods, tomato-based foods, and some canned broths.
• Avoid rough-textured foods, such as dry toast, granola, and raw fruits and vegetables.
• Eat food that is cool or room temperature. Very hot or cold foods can cause discomfort.
• Limit alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco. These substances can dry out your mouth and throat and promote further irritation.
• Avoid spices such as chili powder, cloves, curry, hot sauces, nutmeg, and pepper.
• Season foods with herbs such as basil, oregano, and thyme.
• Use a straw for liquids.
• Try chewing sugar-free gum or suck on sugar free candies.
• Cut food into small pieces.
• Softer and easy to swallow foods include soft, creamy foods, such as cream soups, cheeses, mashed potatoes, pastas, yogurt, eggs, custards, puddings, cooked cereals, ice cream, casseroles, gravies, syrups, breakfast-type recipes, milkshakes, and nutritional liquid food supplements.
• Drink your meals with nutritious liquids.
• Practice good oral hygiene.
• Use oral anesthetics such as ulcerease. Ask your doctor for a
“stomatitis” (sore mouth) cocktail.
Xylocaine-equal parts; Maalox-equal parts; Benadryl-equal parts
Swish and swallow one teaspoon every four hours as needed for pain

Some Soft Foods to Include:
• Applesauce, bananas, watermelon, and other soft fruits.
• Cottage cheese, milk shakes, or smoothies. Scrambled eggs.
• Puddings, flavored gelatin, Cooked cereals such as oatmeal or cream of wheat.
• Mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese, or mashed vegetables.

Shopping List for Sore Mouth
• Bread, butter, eggs, honey
• Cream of wheat, grits
• Applesauce; fruit, no citrus (fresh, frozen, canned), vegetables (fresh, frozen, canned)
• Milk, cottage cheese, ice cream, frozen yogurt, cheese, yogurt
• Nutritional energy drink supplement
• Popsicles, puddings, flavored gelatins, frozen whipped topping

Please let us know at Info@ChrisElliottFund.org of your FAVORITE recipes for Sore Mouth and Throat. We’d love to share them! Blessings, Dellann Elliott, President & CEO, Chris Elliott Fund

The skilled surgeons at OHSU removed the tumor a couple days later and most of us felt it was a close call, assuming they had removed the tumor and Christy would be fine and make a full recovery. Only a few short weeks later she was diagnosed with Glioblastoma. Before her diagnosis, I don’t remember ever even hearing the word “Glioblastoma” and had no idea what it was. My wife received some information from a friend who had experience with this particular form of cancer. He introduced us to Dellann Elliott, CEO of the Chris Elliott Fund. Dellann gave me a lot of information, introduced me to exceptional health care providers, and quickly became a trusted resource.

The rest of the story belongs to Christy. It’s her journey and we are here to support her, which is why I’m walking this year, for the first time ever – to support friends and family fighting brain cancer. I walk because I want to be there for others when they get that call in the early morning hours and have no idea what Glioblastoma means, or how they should react to news that a dear friend has a malignant brain tumor.

Glioblastoma is a devastating disease that 22,000 people will be diagnosed with this year. Half of those diagnosed will live more than one year and less than 5% will make it past 5 years. As bleak as the statistics are, progress is being made but it depends on support. So while I’m walking to support Christy, I’m also walking to support the researchers, doctors and social workers that are working to cure this disease. I walk with team CEF because Dellann Elliott and the Chris Elliott Fund helped us find answers. I want to make that information available to everyone that needs it. I want to support the people that do not yet know they need, so when the time comes they have everything they need to fight this disease.

Please join us in the 2011 Seattle Brain Cancer walk. Go to www.chriselliottfund.org and look for the “Walk” link under the events tab (direct link).