Calling all TNs

Mumtobe

This day last year I was diagnosed with TNbc, today I am feeling great, what a year it has been. I am in France on holidays, starting back to work next week and have a beautiful healthy 8 month old baby girl. I put all my trust in God, he has the final say, NOT cancer!! May He be with you all xxx

bak94

Inspired-that is so interesting about the meat thing. Broccoli and coffee for breakfast! Yuck! I love broccoli, but it just won't do for breakfast!  I was vegetarian for a couple years but when I got diagnosed my mo said I needed to eat more proteins found in meat, so I started eating some, but I just don't like it! Don't think because I was vegetarian that I ate healthy. I ate way too many processed foods.

Kathy-I think I am just too shy! A bit ridiculous at the age of 46!

CS-I always love the pics you post! Your pup must be adorable! My animals are constantly entertaining me. My border collie mix Petey is crazy every time I take him for a walk, which is every day. He always finds a stick that is about 4-6 feet long and takes off running full speed with it, so everyone has to stay out of his path! He will then drop it and run in big circles and then Harley, my chihuahua, trys to stop him and usually gets a bit trampeled and I swear he sounds like a little girl screaming. Don't worry though, he just hops up and starts running again, he's just a bit of a drama queen! Ok, enough about my dogs.

kathyrnn

Luah - thanks for the link, new info is always interesting.



Mumtobe - wonderful to hear your good news. Please give your bundle of joy a kiss from me.



Bak and Dolce - I can tell you exactly what broccoli and coffee taste like for breakfast. (Though I tend to do it at night, because it takes time to prepare and clean the machine)

I started a diet change about a month ago based on the info I've read in several places that "Cancer Hates Cabbage". I started out juicing cabbage and broccoli every day. I put the juice in some V8 and microwave the pulp for about 30 sec and eat (the vegetables have to be near raw. Also they felt that the chewing released the nutrients from the vegetables. I forget what the exact nutrient was. Figure it can't be any more chewed than the pulp that comes out of a juicer. It was tolerable - but I'll tell you it cleaned me out so well I could have had a colonoscopy!!!

I did some more reading and found that the effect has been linked to all cruciferous (?sp) vegetables. (The only research I've found so far has only reported the positive effect in the ER+ BC's, but what the hell, some extra vegetables can't hurt me).

So into the juicer went, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, bok chow, and watercress. Again I drank the juice and ate the pulp. The only thing I can tell you about eating that combo is....it may not help, but it does make the thought of death an more agreeable thought. (Yuck! Yuck!) That night I woke up with abdominal pain. My stomach felt like that scene from the movie Alien!!!! Something was trying to claw it's way out!!!

I kept juicing but laid off on the pulp for a week. Last night I went back to both juice and pulp, but mixed the pulp into the juice (think vegetable slushie. It is not a joy, but it's easier to get down than eating the pulp.). No aliens last night....so I think I may be able to tolerate the combo this way.

It may do absolutely nothing for the cancer, but the extra vegetable nutrients in my diet can't hurt.....so I'm giving it a try, but I'll tell you it's only for the brave of heart!!!

slv58

Kathyrnn, if you have a blender, you may want to try that. I've been making protein smoothies for a few months now and quite like the taste. One scoop of protein powder, 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, 1/3 cup of fruit juice, 1/2cup of frozen fruit and a handful of kale, spinach, broccoli (I steam it for 3 minutes before freezing as it takes the bitterness completely out) or bok Choy. I'm not sure why, but after my DX I really craved dark green veggies, maybe I should listen to my body more!

slowloris

Cruciferous vegetables, spicy foods (Cayenne pepper), onions and mushrooms have all been said to have anti cancer properties. I remember seeing on Dr Oz (before my recurrence - wish I had paid more attention) that lima beans were one of the best for fighting bc specifically. I think they recommended 1/2 cup a day. I tried to since google that, but cant find the exact program, so I'm just going on memory.

I''ve been trying to gather info on metformin, so here's what I've found so far:

research trials for both chemo and metformin currently being done at columbia ny. A1C levels have to be < 6.5. They think those that have diabetes already don't have the same response. I think this is for recurrent or metestatic cancer.

There have been trials also for adjuvant, post surgical metformin use to see if it prevents recurrence. idk if they are still ongoing.

My recent cbc showed i had a low urea nitrogen level, which could be due to non alchoholic fatty liver disease. I had a us done before dx for ovarian pain,which showed I had a fatty liver. my A1C was also on the prediabetic scale. I Understand that Metformin is used for both conditions, so after I meet with mo in 3 wks , I will see pcp for annual exam and maybe she will prescribe it for me if I don't get into the clinical trial. I am currently on lipitor for high cholesterol, whichcan also help with nafl disease.

I hope everyone has a good weekend. Off to yet ANOTHER graduation party. My social schedule has never been busier!

Lori

bak94

You gals impress me, I need to get with the healthy eating. I do walk alot, but my diet has always been my downfall.

So I just about had a heart attack a few moments ago. I was sitting on my back porch replanting my medical plants. They are not doing too well, I certainly do not have a green thumb. Well, my property backs to a green belt and a park next to me, but I am pretty secluded by trees and plants. The very back part is not fenced, but I let the goaties roam around back there because they help with the maintenance and the kids at the park love them. Soon my goats came running back as they often do, they spook easily. Following the goats was a cop! yep, a cop in full uniform walikng into my backyard while I was transplanting my medical plants!!!! I just kept telling myself I am completely legal, I am legal, I have all the paperwork from my doc. I got up to greet him and he asked if those were my goats, I said yes, oh I am sorry they were roaming. He said no problem he just wanted to make sure they were close to home, and then he asked if everything was ok?! I said yep, then just started explaining more about the goats. He said no problem he wanted make sure they were ok! He was so nice, he then waved and took off! Whew! Well I am legal anyways, but I still get paranoid like I am doing something wrong. It's just a plant! Right? I don't think they are going to make it though. There goes my dreams of me making a nice subtle tea that wil help me sleep at night!

jenjenl

It takes sometime to master the growth of medical plants.  You'll get there....a few more trials.

Took the kids to the pool today - they had a blast.  I got some looks but my rash gaurd worked great and I was comfortable with my fake boob - I put it in an ahh bra.  I think there will be an early bed time for the kids.  Yummy pasta tonight but damn if I didn't eat 3 rolls...i can't resist bread. 

PeggySull

Has anyone started a Metformin topic thread here? There has been so much discussion I'm wondering if it doesn't warrant a separate area. What do you think?



Peggy

Stupidboob

Hey ladies.   Sorry I have not been around much.   I have been having some issues but I am trying.   You know how we can click on someones name and see everything that they posted, is there a way to see what we posted and the responses?

DorMac

Re: Metformin discussion, there is a topic under "Clinical Trials, Research, News and Study Results" called: 

Topic: Metformin-Anyone on this trial?

Doreen

Cocker_Spaniel

Kathy - I can do without a colonoscopy thanks so will just eat the green leafy veges that SLV58 eats.  I'm the other way round ladies I think well I got cancer so go for what you like. I've never been  into dieting, you wouldn't be able to see me, but I do have way too much sugar.  I can eat a bag of lollies at work every day, just sitting there chewing while I type.  I know, I know, too much sugar but what the heck. I just love roast dinners and fried chips and chippies (what do you call them, they are crisps in England and chippies here),  and anything else thats not good for you.  But the thing is will it make a difference now at my age. I really couldn't be bothered with all that juicing. Don't have time in the morning cause I'm usually running late anyway. I just think eat what you enjoy while you can and if I put on weight well so what, bigger ladies have lovely sunshine humour personalities and thats what counts not the weight.

BAK94 I really want to know what dog that is in your avatar.  He/she looks absolutely gorgeous.  I could just put my arms around it, give it a hug and take it home. 

It's the weekend ladies so forget your juicing  and healthy eating and just live it up.  

Cocker_Spaniel

InspiredbyDolce

Kathrynn and Bak:  I'm missing the coffee/broccoli thing.  Was that it the link I sent?  LOL  I stopped drinking coffee and diet coke and alcohol upon my bc diagnosis. 

I eat about 9 servings of fruits/veggies a day, like this:  Whole Vitamix Blender full of Kale and 1 cup of blueberries and 2 tbsp flax seed in the AM.

Lunch:  Steamed carrots/brocolli or at Dinner:  Steamed brocolli, carrots, red pepper, zucchini, squash and maybe spinach.

During the day for a snack:  Another whole red, or orange or yellow or green bell pepper cut into slices.  And 1 whole clove of garlic, eaten very fast, as it is hot, and you have to hurry and drink water.

I considered juicing, but the expense, time for little amount I didn't pick it up.  Now, I did read that the benefit of blending is the fiber.

So I do plan on making something in the blender other than this kale drink.  I tried a modified V-8 version a few weeks ago, and 1 sip had to get rid of it.

I have also heard of cabbage being especially helpful.  So I try to get cabbage, but it's not often at Trader Joe's, so I don't have it as much, but every day I do have kale or cauliflower.

I'll check out that forum and see if that's an active topic and report back to you all!

- Nutrition - Visit this site for nutrition info.  Type in a food and find out how many fat grams, sugar, carbs and overall nutrition profile it has!

"Self Nutrition Data - Know What You Eat"

InspiredbyDolce

Mumtobe:  Thank you for the wonderful update, and inspiring words. 

jenjenl

I am like a pendulum - I like to keep balance in the middle and to not swing to far one way or the other.  I don't get too worked up about all the foods and juicing but I did change my diet habits in general.  Examples:  i don't drink soda, i have a yogurt smoothie with fiber every morning, I eat crunchy cereal, i have whole wheat pasta/bread/rice, I eat less chocolate, I eat more veggies and have fun experimenting with new ones, I don't eat side items out of boxes.  I don't eat red meat often - for some reason ever since radiation i don't like red meat, however, when my DH cooks a filet mignon I most certainly eat it.   I just don't get into eat this or that bc of this or that.  Everything changes...like eggs over the last 10 years - 5 years they were bad for your cholesterol and now they are good.

Our changes were easy to make, fit with the budget and are overall healthier.  It has been hard to take my kids along the food journey....I consider them phase 2..LOL.  At this point in my life it's all about a balance.  The one thing I wish I had more desire and energy to do would be exercising.

We are off to the pool again today...the kids are loving it and it's been a lot of fun.  Vacation to Folly Beach, SC in 13 days - we will be there a week.  The best part of this vacation is being done with treatments and it's our 1st vacation in our marriage (8 yrs) that we are debt free.  I paid off the medical debt on Friday!!

My contractor is finally coming next week to build the deck and shed.  Now that we are staying here a few more years (we were supposed to move to Charleston in January...stupid cancer) I'm going to make the updates I wanted to.

I am going to ask my MO about metform (sp) and see what he says...I suspect if he thought it would benefit me he would already be giving it to me.  He's good about telling me studies.  Although I kinda don't want to take it based on the amount of time some people are spending on the potty.

Hope everyone has a fantastic Sunday.  Enjoy!!!

slv58

Debra, I have a vitamix also. Have you tried the taco soup recipe? My dh and I love it. I'm also looking or a good v8 recipe, would be great to be able to make your own.

susanella

Hi,

I was TN Grade 3 with a 1.9 cm tumor with 1 positive SN and 1 positive intramammary gland both with micromets (Stage IIa).  I had a lumpectomy and re-excision (clean margins) in Oct. 2011, followed by ACT, 25 rads, and 5 boosts.   I am very concerned since I never had a PET scan.  When I asked my BS about getting a PET scan, she discouraged me.  I finished dose dense ACT in March 2012 and rads (25 plus 5 boost) in May 2012. As it turns out, I was diagnosed with Stage I uterine cancer in Sept. 2012 (no lymph node involvement) and had a complete hysterectomy in Nov. 2012.  Maybe if I had had a PET scan before or after my BC surgery I would have found the uterine cancer even earlier.  Now I am worried that maybe there is something else my drs. missed.  Does anyone have any thoughts on when a PET scan should be ordered?  I seem to be one of the few (or maybe the only) TN BC patient who never had one.  Thanks.

Susanella

schatzi14

susanella...My MO doesn't order any extra tests (MRIs...Xrays...ultrasounds) unless he sees some symptoms to suggest further investigation. I mean other than the original testing before surgery and chemo.

encyclias

susanella, sometimes it is not the doctor's fault but rather the insurance company doesn't want to pay for the PET scan.  Back when I was first diagnosed in Oct, my MO wanted me to have one but understood the insurance company I had just wouldn't pay for it.  So I paid for it myself, with the imaging center giving me a good discount for self-pay.

All in all, I found a PET scan very useful above and beyond finding cancer in my body.  It told me I had about a 20-year-old 'silent' gallstone that was not causing any problems, diverticulosis in my intestines that were not causing any problems (but not to eat small seeds), and no sign of beginning Alzheimer's in my brain (I am 64 so it is a concern).  I am sure a PET scan can come with all types of potentially useful information for most people.  It was worth the money, and I plan next Oct to have another one; maybe this time my new Medicare will pay most of the bill.

However, they have a disclaimer that a PET scan , like a mammo, may not see very, very small cancers -- whether in your ovaries, or your colon, or even your breast.

kathyrnn

Slv - thanks for that recipe, gonna think about that for during chemo.



Slow - I actually love Lima beans, so that's one I won't mind adding.



Bak - loved the goat story. Not to be worrying, I just watched an episode of Cops, where they went and retrieved a woman's stolen medical plants. You're also way ahead of me. I'm not wasting another day of my life walking, unless it's a group activity with good friends where we'll be shooting the shit and laughing.



JenJen - glad you had a great day! Question please, what is a rash guard?



Stupidb00b - great to see you. *aims positive thoughts at your issues*. Can't help with your question, barely find my way around here.



Dolce - "broccoli and coffee" was a joke from Bak after reading the foods in the Insulin Index



Annie - not to be worrying, it's the only change I'm making. I realized I'm not eating enough veggies, so I found a way to find a way to cram 8 servings into one meal. After my healthy veggie shitty slush, I follow it up with an ice cream sandwich. I have no intentions of ever dieting again!! Also, my "sausage" will be coming from a package. We call them chips over this side of the pond.

Luah

Mumtobe: So glad to hear you're doing well. Enjoy your babe.

Bak94: Very funny story! I take it the cop never noticed the plants!

jenjen: I think I'm like you... I try to balance things out.

Right after my treatment ended, I was big time into all the anti-cancer foods (my family wasn't too impressed with the daily menus, lol), but a few years on now, I've relaxed my habits. I still try to walk/run/cycle 3-5 times a week, weight train, avoid high fat foods, up my veggie and fruit intake. And I happen to love roasted cauliflower, broccoli and brussel sprouts, so I get plenty of cruciferous veggies on a weekly basis. I take a multivitamin, vitamin D3, baby aspirin and curcumin. That's about as far I want to go with supplements. (And I do enjoy a glass of wine with dinner too.)   

Cocker_Spaniel

Ladies for nearly all of my life I have had the same diet.  I eat all veges,  broccoli, spinach, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower silverbeet you name it I have it except maybe brussel sprouts although my husband puts a couple on my plate and I eat them.  I have a little meat and some potatoes or some pasta.  I have never drank wine or beer. I don't drink fizzy pop but I do drink a lot of water.  I don't eat cakes, biscuits, chocolate, lollies, or icecream only on special occasions which is very few.  I'm am quite small and I lose weight easily which is worrying at times.  I have sugar in my coffee (I don't drink tea) but only because its tastes ghastly without it. I consider it a reasonably healthy diet yet I still got cancer.  The thought of eating pulp or juicing does not appeal to me.   If I have a weakness it's cheese which I love but I have cut right down on that because I have high cholesterol.  I really believe this is our lot in life and nothing we can do will change that.  So now I think if you feel like it then have it cause you only live once.           

kathyrnn

Annie - I'm right in the "I'm gonna eat what I damn well and want" boat right along with you girl. My VSS (vegetable shitty slushie) is not something I would even recommend anybody consider. It's my own lazy way of getting 8 servings of vegetables into my body at one one sitting. With the crapshoot this disease is.....I figure with my luck, my shitty little cancer cells are doing a conga dance right now.....because they love veggies! *mumbles under breath...little traitorous piece of shit cells*

GoWithTheFlow

LOLOLOL Kathrynn!

I'm there with you too ladies.  I eat what I want.  Sometimes my body wants fruits and vegetables, sometimes it wants cookies and ice cream.  I eat when I'm hungry, and I don't eat when I'm not.  I do find myself eating healthier than before, but that's what my body wants.  Last week I was "spoken to" by the hospital nutritionist because I lost 6 lbs. in two weeks.  Yea, the steroids from chemo are out of my body, I'm losing the weight I gained during chemo, my swelling is going down from my surgery, who cares?  She can bite me.  I DID explain I could live off my body fat for the next several months.  She didn't find that funny.  

I have found that since chemo, I've continued to eat smaller meals as many times a day as I'm hungry.

Lovelyface

Luah, how do you roast the cauliflower, broccli and brussel sprouts?  I know this is a pretty silly question (dah!), but maybe there is something you put on them that it tastes good???  I have tried to steam them, cook like a curry with tumeric sprinkled on them, but they don't taste good at all.  Roasting?  In the oven?

sweetpickle

Gowiththeflow- LOL you gave me a much needed chuckle today, thank you!

schatzi14

I'm with you girls that eat whatever you please. To me the QOL is far more important than worrying about whether every little thing you put in your mouth is the "wrong" thing.

BC has hit vegans...meat eaters and combinations galore. My motto is...everything in moderation. That's my story and I'm sticking to it

GoWithTheFlow

WOOHOO!!  6 down and 22 to go.  A friend met me at the RO's office and we went for lunch.  Looks like a storm might be coming in now which makes for a great nap, swim practice for my son later.  Have a good day ladies!

Fighter_34

Hi Ladies,

Just checking in all is going well. Nothing major is happening can you believe life is slowing down finally?? So use to being extra busy and now I am trying to learn how to relax.

I too have scaled back with all the vitamins and strict dieting. Just do the best you can do, but don't forget to live as well.

Finances, hey what I bring home every two weeks I enjoy it. Brought a new car a year ago. The dear hubby and I shared cars for years. I finally decided I wanted to be a big girl. I love my car by the way!!! I have my affairs in order I am teaching the kids to make wise decisions when it comes to money, and if they follow that path then all will be well.

OBX, Kathy, LuvRving, and Dawn ((((BIG HUGS))),,,hey hugs to everyone if you need one!!!

InspiredbyDolce

Hi Everyone!

Susanella,

I went to a couple of different Oncologists for opinions, and learned that some offer scans and some don't offer scans unless something warrants it.  You could cross reference the protocol your Oncologist is using with the National Cancer Center Network for Physician Guidelines, which is available to download from the internet.  If you go to download this, the one you want to download is the one titled For Physicians, not the one titled For Patients.  My general understanding is that some Onc's feel that symptoms or labs would be present before a scan might detect anything; or that a scan may not necessarily detect something especially if small; or that the scan might cause undue anxiety with a patient who is otherwise healthy; or that a scan could produce a false positive, leading to more tests and procedures.  While it is hard, I would balance the information that you find with the care and trust that you have with your medical team. However, if you aren't comfortable, and want more clarity, you can try what I call, the path of least resistance.  You might find another doctor on your team who could order the scan, if they felt warranted.  I've had to go through a couple of work arounds myself, and have a physician on my medical team order something for me, when another physician wouldn't. 

Bak, Thanks for explaining the coffee/brocolli breakfast joke to me.  LOL  How did I miss that?  I thought maybe it was a joke, but then I read it, and thought "oh oh, maybe this is something I should try, if they are also doing it."  LOL

Regarding the eating healthy conversation ... I have read on here, more than a few times from women, that said they've eaten healthy their whole life and exercised and still got bc.  I don't know how I would even feel about that.  My Genetic Counselor told me that 11-12% of women, as just being part of the general population will develop bc.  For me, I thought I had eaten healthy, and was always slender.  But, once I realized what healthy eating really was, I realized I was not eating healthy.  Even today, even with all my idiosyncrasies of healthy eating, there is room for improvement. 

For anyone who is using diet and exercise to try and prevent recurrence, I highly recommend it. For me, and my experience of bc, I felt that it was the introduction of something within the previous 2 years that induced this.  Why did I choose the 2 year mark? I don't know frankly, I just felt it was maybe a time in my life when I had a lot of changes in it, on a frequent basis.  Example:  I had started drinking coffee consistently every day, along with Diet Cokes.  So I cut them out cold turkey upon diagnosis.  Speaking of cold turkey, I had eaten a lot of turkey for the couple of years prior, so now I'm careful of limiting that as well meat consumption in general.

When I was going for genetic counseling, the Genetic Counselor said (and I've read this), although not sure I can get the point across in a short post.  That we have to have a minimum number of "incidences" for the cancer to develop.  The incidence (or element) can be environmental, diet, etc ... and that the more of these we have, called 'insults' the higher the likelihood for the cancer to develop.  An incidence isn't one time, it's grouped as a lifestyle.  The GC gave an analogy that it's like a bingo card, and the more items that are checked on it, the more connections towards the bc we have. One square might be labeled diet, another one smoking, another one something else.  I tried to find the link to the site referencing this, but haven't been able to find it.  It's very interesting to read and to click the images to see which factors increase risk ... and then the theory is that each one builds upon the other. I understand in general we can't control what happened, but I like to know what factors I can remove from this card.  I feel it empowers me to make better choices every day.

So for me, in my personal quest to achieve long-term health, I removed any elements that I became suspicious of ... I'm sure some of these are just fears, and some are probably very valid, but it helps me to take control of me.  I even ditched my laptop in favor of a desktop.  Yes, I was concerned that typing next to that each day, with my breast at even level with the laptop could have influenced this.  But I've changed with diet, exercise.  For me, what I could improve upon, I did.  If anyone is looking to make changes and needs help, here is a process to follow:  change starts with desire and a plan, then you must make a committment, then modify and replace existing pattern, and then nurture the new pattern until it becomes a habit.

I also recommend starting small and work your way up.  If you try a radical lifestyle change at once, you might feel deprived and quit on your goal. New habits are hard to form, and while I have them, there are still days when I have to really use a lot of mental power to reach my goals.  For those of you who know the inner struggle I'm talking about, here are some recommendations:  Start small, and add in new changes weekly, until you have modified all of the things that are important to you.  By doing this in small steps, you will receive constant positive reinforcement, which will help keep you motivated towards reaching your next goal.

I also recommend keeping a list on the fridge, even if you are a neat freak like me.  A list just helps you keep your eye on the target.  It doesn't have to be detailed or perfect, just something where you can track your overall goals, or even your small daily goals.  I have a note on my fridge that is replaced each Sunday and goes through Saturday, it's a weekly track of my workouts.  If I didn't have this, I would probably not know when I've started to fall behind on my goal for the week or know when I'm ahead of my goal for the week.  It's like keeping track of your money in the bank, so you always have your finger on the pulse. I've also decided I need one for fat and sugar grams, so new list is now on fridge.  For me, someone who really likes the sweets, it is putting me in control when I can view it regularly.  The smallest things have sugar in them, even the ones that seem simple and sugarfree, like salsa!

Here are two articles I just came across.  The first that says cancer is a preventable disease - I found it interesting as it lists what they have found to be helpful in maintaining health, and the second link is about cancer causes and risk factors.  It's not the link I wanted to share, but one I just came across that looked useful, even with regarding to the debate about cell phones.

Cancer is a Preventable Disease that Requires Major Lifestyle Changes 

Cancer Causes and Risk Factors

Hope everyone's week is off to a great start!