natural girls
Comments
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Shearbear-the AHCC is something that I have been really interested in. One of the docs I know is always promoting it as he says they use it as an actual chemo in Japan. He uses it in conjunction with nutrition for late stage cancer patients and is having great results.
Annette-I know what you mean about chocolate. I could mainline the stuff. It is the only drug I still take. Just remember, it is also an antioxidant. Drugs with no guilt, plus it does not affect my driving abilities.
Marianna-you are absolutely right about the gluten issues. Some of us also have problems with whole grains. I do not eat them much at all because I find I get cramps and bloating if I do. We all need to listen to our own guts. If it is speaking, we need to listen.
Chevyboy-You can order your own bloodwork from healthcheckusa.com then go get it drawn at the closest labcorp. This is what I do. Since I save on office visits to get requisitions, I can do them whenever I want, and their prices are great. They have hormonal panels too.
Eastcoastgirl-Have you read the iodine thread? Taking iodine is complicated. You have to understand the dosing, salt loading, etc etc. Dr. Brownstiens book is a must read before you start any iodine therapy. He explains why kelp is not a good source of iodine. All I can say is that the iodine protocol has changed how I feel. It has helped me to clean out my breast tissue and given me back my energy. Since I started iodine, I do not worry about bc anymore. I do not even look at my hormones because the iodine is chelating out the toxins. Toxins cause breast cancer, not hormones. Hormone inbalance will give cancer cells a boost, but the root cause is still toxins. That is why detoxing is so important.
Ruth-you are right that cancer starts with the digestive system. If it is working and our cells are being nourished, cancer cells will be flushed out and healthy cells will be able to ward off the attack of cancerous cells. I am organizing a speaker next month who talks about the Kelly-Gonzalez strategy of beating cancer with nutrition. He talks about this exact issue. He says that most of us feel our immune system is the first line of defense against disease, when it is actually our digestive system. He also explains that not everyone is suited to be a vegan, and that a vegan diet is actually unhealthy for most of us. That is why so many vegans look ill, with pale dry skin, and lack of energy. His talks are fascinating.
Food is medicine. When I started looking at food as my medicine, and changed my diet, I got well. Of course, with todays food, it is still hard to get all the nutrients we need, so that it why I rely on supplements to fill the void. But I have learned that I do not need as many as I use to think. When I switched to pharmceutical grade supplements, I was able to cut down the number I take.
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No I have not read that thread but I'm feeling overwhelmed already...oh my. I take so many supplements as it is......
Will the DIM throw me out of balance if I don't take Iodine?
Ok, just looked up the AHCC and I am very interested in what I read. I ordered Reishi Mushroom extract...is that the same thing??
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EastCoastgirl - I see that you are ER+ PR+ . I read on the foodforbreastcancer.com site that we ER+ should avoid Reishi. There is so much conflicting information out there. I was going to take a supplement from life extension that contained a variety of mushrooms but then noticed the primary one was Reishi so I have not started it. Check out the site and the link that pertains to what ER+PR+ should eat and what we should avoid.
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Eastcoastgirl,
You should be taking iodine anyway even if you're not taking DIM. It's one of the top three supplements for breast cancer: iodine, vitamin D, melatonin.
The article below is GREAT!
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Sherbear thanks for the astragalus. I actually continued doing research yesterday and ran across this and the more I read felt that this was probably what I needed to take.
I also read on Andrographis Paniculata does anyone know anything about this. It was also recommended for raising WBC, but the Astragalus looked like it was better. Will have to check out the AHCC.
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Not sure what mushrooms were in my supplement, but I know it was a blend with maitake ones and I'm sure reishi were probably in there too. I'm done with them now, but will talk to my ND about it as well. This whole estrogenic foods thing drives me nuts! I'm supposed to avoid avocados??? So annoying! For the love of god, I'm probably exposed to more estrogens consuming water out of a damn plastic bottle!!! Lol! Moderation is my code now, with anything.
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Sherry~ I find that the astragalus really helps, and I don't even take the maximum dose ever, but it's always an option if needed. Good to have on hand.
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BarbaraA: As we age our bodies produce less of the needed enzymes to break down our foods properly so that we can get the proper nutrients. I take 5 x 3 on an empty stomach.
JoanDavies: Wheat flour is an inflamatory food and they are finding this is a cause for many problems in the body. It's best to eat sprouted grains (Ezekiel bread is one).
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DH and I eat very little wheat mainly because he is allergic to wheat and it causes him intestinal problems like bloating and gastric reflux. So the less we eat the better he fills. I have a really good cookbook that i bought and use it regularly for pancakes etc. uses things like sorghum flour, potato flour, can't remember the others. If I think about it later when I get home I will post the name of the cookbook. I have to say that I notice a difference in how I feel eating a wheat free bread versus wheat bread. I don't have that bloated feel but feel full if that makes any sense.
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Sherryc,
Where do you find the sorghum and potato flours? I have tried buckwheat flour recently (which is, strangely, wheat free), and the whole family liked the pancakes. We used agave syrup, and the meal was delightful.
I'd like to try other types of flours. And, yes, totally agree about feeling better without the wheat. My skin looks better, my body feels better. When I do fall off the wagon, I know IMMEDIATELY that I've consumed wheat, the reaction is that strong. I get a slight stomach ache, lots of gas, and I will feel a bit woozy.
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Marianna-The place I buy my flours is Authentic foods here is the link
http://glutenfree-supermarket.com/
The cookbook I use is "1,000 Gluten-Free Recipes" by Carol Fenster I purchased it off of Amazon. I purchased a couple of other cookbooks but I like this one the best.
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sherryc: Thank you for sharing your cook book! I'm a cookbook addict. Last night I had a little heart to heart about the next "phase" of our healthy living choices and I mentioned removing wheat, and cutting back on meat and cheese. I think I'll add a little soy too. My meat and potatoes man scoffed but said...I'll try anything, just don't tell me what it is. Ha! What a man's man! I'm going to search out that cookbook!
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Sherryc: Thank you for the cookbook info--I collect them too and have quite a stack going, but I do use them all! I use almond flour and I was thinking of trying spelt flour. Anyone ever use this?
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Is anyone taking anything to replace Femara with?
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MBJ, we use spelt flour all of the time in place of regular. Really like it, use mostly the same proportions too. It's a little more dense, but I don't mind that at all. If we're having pasta, we only use spelt, kamut, or brown rice past as well (unless I'm at an Italian restaurant and want a treat!).
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Sherber, what is the astragalus used for?
Thanks too for the cookbook, I'll check online to order. As for Ezekiel break, I like the texture especially when toasted.
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MBJ - my best friend uses Spelt for her diabetic son, and has reduced his insulin needs by 50% with diet. She's writing a cookbook, and is bringing me a bunch of recipes this week. She brought over a spelt based "cake," and my kids sucked it down, lol.
I've been following this thread, it is so helpful, thanks everyone!0 -
I use Almond Flour alot. I get it from Honeyvillegrain.com They have the most finely blended and works wonderfully in many things. I also grind up whole oats in my blender and used that as well. I make all sorts of things with those two flours and most turn out quite nice. I have been doing this for years ....about 10-11 though. Started the no/low sugar, no white bread back then...have fallen off and gotten back on the wagon since then but still mainly eat well.
I use Agave for sweetening, or Grade B Maple syrup in cooked foods like muffins, breads, brownies, etc. Sometimes I'll add a bit of Stevia for extra sweetness so I don't have to use as much of the Agave,etc.
Almond mixed with Oat flour makes wonderful pancakes. Yum. My kids cannot tell the difference between those and "regular" flour pancakes.
Brown Rice Flour from Bob's Red Mill I use to thicken things like soups, gravies, etc. Works WONDERFULLY. I don't use cornstarch or eat anything with corn or peanut butter anymore because of the aflatoxins. So I try to avoid those two things.
Quinoa flour is also good. (so is just regular Quinoa!) That I get from Bob's Red Mill also...
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I have not used spelt flour so have no experience there. I love to use soy flour when sauteeing fish. Gives it a nice nutty flavor. Of course remember any of your nut flours need to be kept in the refrigerator so they do go ransid on you.
Girlfriday my husband was never much on alternative in eating but I have to say he has really come around. The cookbook I suggested has great pancake recipes, a wonderful cornbread recipe. And the bread recipe I use in the bread machine. If eating when you cook it is very good but it does not save well. I have not found any of the wheat free breads to hold up well after they are cooked.
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I have not replaced the Tamoxifin yet. I am now post menapause and need to find something as I have just had a second recurrance in my arm pit. I have tried most of the things mentioned on this blog and still ended up with another B-B in me. I am starting Chemo ( again) on Wednesday.
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Samsue: Here is the link to the Astragalus that I occasionally use. It supports immune function. I get it from my ND, she swears by it and I have to say, I did not get a single cold or flu all fall or winter and I was going through chemo at the time and declined the flu shot that my onc wanted to give me. That's just me though, maybe others have had different experiences, but now if I feel a little 'off', I take one pill a day for a few days, and I"m good (knock on wood!)
Edited to add link: (duh!)
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yes true on the flours. I keep all of mine in my fridge.
I went and picked up Melatonin...3mg lozenge. Starting with half of that to see how much I need.
Also bought Astragalus and AHCC. Wondering how in the world we take all these things?? I currently have (but don't take everyday...it's just too much!).....
Inositol w/IP6 powder
Quercetin w/Bromolain
Ubiquinol
Vitamin D
Krill Oil
Resveratrol
Another Resveratrol w/Vitamin K2
DIM
Calcium D Glucarate
Melatonin
AHCC
Astragalus
Floradix IronOh my...that just all seems crazy. I take the Vit D, Krill Oil, Aspirin daily. The others I just alternate days with. And not sure what can be taken together and not??? Anyone??
Some of these need to be taken on an empty stomach so it makes it hard to do them every day...so that's one reason I alternate days besides the fact that it's so many supplements.
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Merilee....so sorry you have had recurrence....and have to do chemo again.
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mwcal102 ~ I had a horrible reaction to Femara (which I'd very reluctantly tried), so I use I3C (Indole3Carbinole).
Oat flour is also delicious. I guess, technically, oats are not gluten-free. But it doesn't bother me the way wheat flour does, so I use it for just about everything. Deanna
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Thanks East Coast, It really does suck, but I am lucky I have not had any mets, and that I found it, and it could be surgically removed. I want to kick this cancer's ass once and for all.
As for the supplements during Chemo, My onc told me no anit-oxidents as it would also protect the cancer cells from the chemo and they think that is why m first chemo did not stick. I used them during my CMF. It is hard to figure out who to trust.
Luckily the human body has an amazing power to recover.
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Merilee: I'm so sorry you've got yet another battle on your plate! My rads doc told me no anti-oxidants too...at least nothing in addition to my multi. I think it's odd that the antioxidants will prevent the cancer from dying, and yet cancer cells are supposed to be weaker. The doses of everything they give us are strong enought to kill healthy cells, how could it matter? I totally agree with the "trust" issues! I'm curious though, and you don't have to share, but your caught your first primary BC so early...and had chemo, but you haven't listed a grade. And now you've got a second primary...have they oncotyped you? My oncotype was 4, so most likely chemo resistant, and my grade was 1, so I've been knocking on wood since my dx. I think maybe typing your tumor would give the docs a better plan of attack for you. Just a suggestion, I don't want to see you go thru more than you have to to!
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Merilee, I am so sorry to hear you have more battles ahead. Which chemo are you heading for? Lobular seems to be "peskier" than intraductal - less responsive to many therapies, but still treatable. Hang in there!
I find that I use several support groups here, depending on what I have going on. I joined the Taxotere is Terrible and have a good relationship with the women on that thread. I also joined the Bottle o' Tamoxifen when I started that, and still hang out there for support, even though I discontinued it after 6 weeks due to SEs. That's when chevyboy (I think) suggested I check this group out. And there is one thread for folks who are contemplating not doing any follow up at all.
In any case, there is a LOT of support here, so please keep coming back to ask questions, ventilate, and yes, even whine and complain a bit!! Know that there are so many of us here who struggle, who love our neighbors and sisters (even thouse we have never met), and who will walk with you when you need someone. Keeping you in my meditations: May you be loved, may you be free from fear, may you be at peace.
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Oh Merilee, I am so sorry you are having to go through chemo again. You must be beside yourself. Please keep us posted. You are in my prayers.
Love, Patty
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merilee- what a bite- but so glad you caught it early- will be right here fo ryou every step of the way in spirit and support
That sums up this whole damn BC- it sometimes is, as my onc told me the day she held my hand and gave me the diagnosis when I asked WHY...she said "bad luck". At first i thought that a flip answer and went scrambling into my research to find out why...turns out she was right in so many ways..once i accepted that it bacame easier to fight this, knowing there was no one right answer or right way - i have to gather as much knowledge as I can, listen to what the medical profession offers and make my choices.
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Merilee: So sorry you have to go through this again! I was told no antioxidants one day before and 2-4 days after chemo which is when the chemo really does it's job, then I could take whatever I wanted. I hope that this will be your last time dancing with the BC beast and know that you have wonderful support here on BCO! Big hugs to you!
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