Jane a Follower of my blog is fi ...

How thrilling can that be? We're all excited for her and know she is an excellent voice for this cause. Jane, do you know any famous movie stars yet?

As many know, the battle in the UK against RCC was exacerbated when the government agency that determines who gets treatment and who doesn't decided that kidney cancer treatments are no longer "cost effective." Thousand s would be left to die sans treatments other than HDIL-2 and, in true fighting spirit (which I really admire), the Brits took to the streets to shout their anger at the system.

It made the health people look up and take notice and reconsider their action. Hopefully, the film Jane is in will have a huge impact ont how governments all over look at RCC.

Every now and then someone will ask me how I feel. "You look good," they'll say.

I have to bite my tongue to keep from going on the poor me road and telling them about the pains and physical changes that have taken place since December 8, 2006.

Lately, thanks to college, I have been fortunate to learn things that are helping me in the fight against the Beast. The professors are more than eager to help me in my battle.

A chiropractor who is well versed in the workings of muscle tissue has been teaching me how the muscles that were damaged by the surgery need to be treated in order to speed recovery. She has not cracked any bones and has helped relieve so much of the pain it is amazing.

The chiro taught me that the muscles in the mid-section, or the core, are responsible for holding us up when we stand or walk (that's the core in the photo). They flex and work in opposite directions to maintain the balance we need to remain upright.

Cut through any of those muscles and things happen that can cause all sorts of misery thus, the various pains many RCC patients feel. My belly was cut right up the middle to the sternum then straight across to the right so you can imagine the damage.

One other thing, operating tables and hospital beds are not ergonomically designed. The tables are just that, tables with a pad and, after laying on one for six or eight hours with your belly cut open your entire body will suffer all kinds of stress and trauma that could take years of recovery.

Many RCC patients have the traditional surgery with the belly muscles being cut. That's tantamount to cutting a bunch of bungee cords. Once they are cut, scar tissue adheres to surrounding tissue called the fascia which encloses the muscle fibers. That inhibits the muscles' natural movement and, bada-bing, you have pain. Thankfully, the Da Vinci method is becoming more and more popular so hopefully it will soon replace the traditional method completely.

Once muscle tissue is cut in the front, the muscles in back and on the sides are forced to work harder to compensate for the lack of strength that is required to stand and walk. In addition, if one muscle group, such as the abs, is affected, the inhibition can transfer to other muscle groups causing discomfort in other parts of the body.

New knowledge makes it possible to correct all the trauma in any muscle group but, as you can imagine, it hurts...a lot. The result, however, is worth all the discomfort because after a few months of massages and flexing you will feel much better.

The therapist will have to break the scar adhesions (thus the pain) so the muscles can move the way they should. Once that is done, they can be massaged to relieve the tension allowing them relax. Then will you be able to exercise them to restore their strength.

The trick is to begin the treatments as soon as possible after the surgery so the muscles are able to return to their pre-surgery state. Once they heal from the cuts, they can then be exercised to restore their strength.

As always, discuss treatments with your doctor before beginning any physical treatments or exercise program. Be absolutely certain your body can handle the stress of exertion because, as I said, it will hurt and you will be limited in your motion. One word of warning: most doctors poo-poo anything they don't consider "scientific" although they will encourage exercise and a good diet. In their minds, chiropractors or massage therapy are not acceptable treatment options.