Starting Chemo in February 2016?
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Myra - oh my word! The ads! I get it. So sickening when it's the last thing one needs to be looking at.
As for food, carbs are winning. Namely, pasta and fresh ciabatta rolls. That's going to give me rolls! The kind that when you poke my tummy, I'll sound like the Pillsbury dough boy. I may relegate myself to the bedroom with raw nuts and fruit tonight, whilst I watch Super Tuesday # 3 results roll in. Roll...get it? I'm delerious.
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Piper- you are cracking me up! I think I'm delerious too! I have been entertaining myself setting up an avatar for myself through bitmoji today. Why?...Why not??
MLP3- I agree...do what your body wants you to do right now. Yes, I am normally a "no carb" girl, but have thrown in the towel this week. I think I'm going to celebrate the carbs tonight instead with a veggie stuffed baked potato!
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I have a very healthy lifestyle, are used to always give people advice, if they asked for it, with regards to diet and exercise. I feel like I can't do it anymore, because they're just going to be thinking that it didn't do so good for me anyway!!
I have such a bad headache I want to cry. I don't actually think it's from chemo I think it's from the weather, I always get bad headaches on damp overcast spring days but it's so depressing to get it right when I should be starting to feel better from chemo.
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None of us know if we'd have been worse off had we not exercised, attended to our diet, an reduced stress.
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I had really low D prob past few years plus iron and B12. I had a very stressful 6 months (Jan 2014-July 2014) in Germany when we didn't know if we were extending or returning home to the States. My lifestyle excludes smoking/drugs but I do EVERYTHING wrong-- sugar, alcohol, processed meats, packaged foods, hardly exercise, diet sodas, 30-40 lbs overweight, not enough sleep, stress, and sitting on my a$$ watching tv and Internet way too much. Didn't breast feed my kids past first 1-2 weeks after birth. Years of OTC cold and allergy meds. 20 years of hormonal birth control, maternal family history.....yep walking poster child for cancer. Trying to help out the statistics ladies!
I prob could have rubbed off most of my hair today in the shower from my buzz cut. May call my hair stylist and see if she can shave it tomorrow.
I would go out in public with my bald head when it gets warmer. Can't wait to see the looks at Costco
. I did joke that my new head cover yesterday reminded me of a turban and I needed to wear a kaftan a la 1970's
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Susan that is what I always think! Maybe it would've happened sooner, maybe it would've been more advanced. Anyway, regardless of getting cancer, I will never regret living a healthy lifestyle...I still believe it made me healthier, and it definitely makes me happier! I also know it reduces my risk of recurrence, so I am extra motivated to keep it up!
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Hausfrau don't beat yourself up. Or anyone for that matter. No blame please. I'm guilty too of doing it. I have used artificial sweetener for years. I was told by my RO it is not a smoking cancer, yet guilt eats me.
Also, I was told by docs we all have cancer cells, it's whether they grow or not. I know so many non smokers, perfect life styles people with throat cancer, stage IV lung, etc.
We are all different; all individual and thank goodness,here. WE are nowconnected.
LTF so sorry about that migraine. 😢
Blessed be my ladies
Piper 🎀
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love it Hausfrau!
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Piper I'm not beating myself up! Just stating the facts
I have not done anything to try to prevent cancer but at the same time my mom did mostly everything right or in moderation and got it....so I still feel it's a genetic predisposition. I just don't get how they come up with all of these statistics and yet most of the women on this board prove that most of those things were not a major factor. Hugs
Shannon
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Sorry Shannon. Projection on my part and a poor turn of phrase. Hugs
I know one of my aunts had a double mastectomy. Nothing in immediate family. Now, my girlfriends and sisters have been checked even earlier.
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Hi ladies,
I've heard the low Vitamin D --> Breast cancer connection and dug into the research a little. It definitely describes me. I was on 5000 units a day for 6 months prior to dx just to get mine up in the low "normal" range. My MO said to stay on it as low Vit D doesn't help chemo.
Piper I think you're my chemo twin...CARBS!!! Last year from March to December I was on a pretty strict super low carb diet, loving life, and over that year lost 50 lbs. When I started telling people I had cancer, I made of point of telling them I lost that weight, I was not wasting away from cancer. Then when I found out I was going to need chemo...that little twisted person inside my head went *bing!* Chemo=nauseaus=lose the last 10-15 lbs!! Only women would find that benefit in a potentially life threatening diagnosis...lol. Then, of course, I don't really get nauseaus - the friggin' steroids make me want to eat every cookie, potato, and piece of bread in sight that I'd been avoiding for the last year (on my quest to get uhm "healthy").
Soooooooooooooooooooooooo dumb.
Added a new blog post - a bit of a laundry list of my things I learned while having cancer "at work". Feel free to add to the mini rants if I missed some!
Lisa
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LOVE your blog chambo!!
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Hey now, I'm from Albuquerque.
My mom thinks it's all the Coke I drink, but then she's Chinese, so I'll be hearing about all her speculations forever. I love the woman, really I do. I'm angry for you, LTF & MLP3. Ugh! Nola- I so want a tshirt. Who's in, I'll go make up an order at CafePress.
Hanley- I'm doing neoadjuvant. My oncologist said I could have surgery 3 weeks after my last dose.
Okay, I'm going to throw a wrench in the schedule for my Thursday Sisters. My doctor wanted me to do a heart test tomorrow, so I'm going to go ahead and do treatment afterwards. Serenity, are you doing Wednesday (BTW, I love your sass)?
Myra- I'm sorry, sweetie, you have me cracking up over the toenail fungus and Taco Bell. I hope your taste buds return soon.
Piper- praying for positive results on your US or Mammo.
I'm all hopped up on steroids. Didn't someone say melatonin would be helpful for sleeping?
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too funny Asher, yes melatonin (or Tylenol pm) helps.
Chambo I love your blog and can so relate as I'm also working through this.
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Thanks, LTF. I'm gonna need it.
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Thanks, asher - I think cancer is loosening my filter! No slur against Albuquerque. Bugs Bunny was my travel agent and classical music instructor. Love the superpower shirt. When I emailed some coworkers that I would be away on a Friday for my MUGA scan, I wrote I would be back on Monday unless I developed superpowers. Unfortunately, I'm still working. Good luck tomorrow. I go on Friday.
Myra, MPL3 - It's weird how our taste buds change, but just say no to Taco Bell. Don't worry, it goes the other way around. I have been eating a little less meat and actually ate all my brussel sprouts even though I ran out of bacon. Still love eggs.
Chambo - Yay for low carb weight loss! I don't count carbs or calories. Instead I try to eat minimally processed foods (except for bacon). I avoid wheat for the most part though a well-made pastry will slip past. Not celiac or gluten-intolerant, but too much wheat makes me break out in fat. Doc gave me the OK to not take the steroids at home. Maybe I can keep from gaining steroid weight.
In other news, buzzed my hair. I've decided Idon't want to lose any more body parts.
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ok, I did it. I had some rotisserie chicken. OMG. it was so delicious, but that may be because I haven't had chicken in so long I have no idea what it's supposed to taste like. My body definitely was screaming for protein so who was I to ignore the plea?
and as far as the what we should/shouldn't eat arguments...if there's one thing I've discovered through this whole mess...everything I was so sure of before is now completely questionable. Nobody knows what makes our genes go haywire. I'm glad I've had and will continue to have ahealthy lifestyle. I think it makes a big difference in how I feel day to day... But foods that cause or prevent cancer? I'm calling bs
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Glad you found something tasty, Myra.And really, when we're just trying to find something that sparks off some sort of appetizing taste? I say eat what brings you happiness right now. Of course in sort of moderation. Except Girl Scout cookies. It's no holds barred on those babies while I have taste buds.
serenity- No offense taken about Albuquerque 😂 I'm sorry your superpowers didn't come. Maybe the next dose
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Morning
asher - love the shirt and memes. may I use them on FB? all the best for your heart test. Girl Guide cookies...We couldn't sell all of our boxes. Guess who bought over a case? this girl!!!
chambo - love the blog
Serenity STAT - here's to buzzed hair! (mine is getting whiter and I have an inverted mowhak. I pity da fool...! Mr. T is in me. And nope, no more body parts.
Myra- I started back slowly with protein. I introduced dairy back into my diet while pregnant. It took my body a while to like me. Before that, for my make up I was spending so much money on supplements being vegan. I want to be vegan again. I've given in to cravings as of late. They said I could have fruit but not raw vegetables. Something to do with e-coli potential while my immune system is low. Have you heard this? I LOVE RAW.
LTF - been thinking of you. I hope you have headache relief today.
I have this idea. You may think it's crazy and that is OKAY. We have been such a great group. I want to make us t shirts. I need colour/mock up ideas, sizes, etc. Don't worry about money. I will send them to you and find a great t shirt making place all from here. I really feel we are a fantastically tight group. It's just a thought. If we can't all be physically together to meet face to face maybe we can have a t shirt?
Piper.
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Asher-very cute post.
All- I crave eggs... I have always been a healthy eater with the occasional sweet tooth, but eggs seem to be easy for my tastebuds and my stomach and the smell of cooking them to tolerate. I drink so much water I could float a boat... I have always had bouts with steroids because of my pulmonary issues, so those sweetcravings come as no surprise and are not any easier lol.
I am off to #4 today... I have felt so good the past couple days and the weather has been so beautiful I do not want to go because I know I will be back in the rut. Argh.... BUT... This too shall pass and be nothing but a memory! Someday....
Best wishes ladies. Thanks for the laughs.
Elizabeth
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Piper,I asked my MO since salad is my go to meal. He said the Neulasta rebuilds your white blood cells to fight bacterial ( not viral) infection so it would be ok.I hate being nauseous as it is so I decided for myself id really rather not have a bout of extra food poisoning so I'm avoiding all processed, prewashed salads in bags and washing everything really well. That goes for precut fruit too.
Hey, good luck with the tests today. Let us know the results! Sending a hug or three.
Elizabeth, at least we know what to expect at this point! Hugs to you too!
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Piper- I hope you got a good flavor! I'm sorry. Those aren't cheap, either. Thinking of you with your test today, Piper. I'm all about a tshirt, but I insist on paying you.❤️
BTW, my MO said the same thing about raw fruits & veggies as Myra's did. I freak out here because we have these nasty snails that have parasites, 😳 So I dump our local and nonorganic in water mixed with some vinegar & let it sit a bit. Maybe your onco would be amenable to that?
Eliz- I'll be doing #2 with you today. You're just about done, eh? I agree the smell of some things after treatment can be hard on the gag reflex.
Who is doing treatment every 2 instead of three weeks?
Love & healing thoughts to you all
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chambo- I have always loved milk since I was a kid! So I know that's not an issue. Since going vegan, I bought some great vit D drops in peppermint oil at whole foods. They work great during chemo as the mint helps with nausea. As for the cravings... You might be craving salt to help retain fluid during chemo. I've been playing around with diet n steroids and no steroids the past month. First to I had steroids and craved salty chips and carbs. Second tx I asked for zero steroids and had zero cravings for that food. Only wanted fruit and dropped a few. Yippee! Maybe try celery and pnut or almond butter when the salty carb cravings hit?
Hausfrau- the Liz pic is priceless!! You also reminded me of my vice when I was in my 20's... Diet Coke. Haven't had it in 10 years but I loved it! Also, careful rubbing your buzz... I did it, wanting the last few Mohicans to vacate the field and I irritated my scalp. But I used some rose and witch hazel toner on it and it calmed down.
Ltf- cheer up my friend! It's been rainy and raw and gloomy here too. Can you curl up in bed with your fat cat and some tea...?
Nola- the veggie stuffed potato sounds yummy!
Piper- not only are you cracking yourself up... But me too! I was raw for two months and looked and felt amazing! But it was soooo hard. Lately I have periods where I'm raw during the day with fruits and veggies and eat sensibly vegan at night. But lately... I've abandoned some of those principles and I'm listening to my body. I have to say... I feel better! Still avoiding all dairy. Except eggs. I'll take a tshirt... Great idea😀
Asher- those sayings are fabulous! The shirt is spot on.
Serenity- since I'm off steroids this round, I feel better... My body feels better. I did have a tougher time with nausea than the first, but headaches were not as bad and I'm craving healthier foods like fruit.
Myra- CHICKEN!!! I'm right there with you. Since I added chicken and eggs back into my diet this past Sunday, I'm feeling better. I'm sure if I added my vegan protein sources I'd feel better too. But they are making me nauseated thinking about them. Except broccoli. But I'll still mostly vegan, no milk dairy sources and minimal processed foods. I think it's helping me heal faster, keeps my skin healthy and glowing... Even during treatment. And I feel better overall as a cleaner eater.
Elizabeth- good luck with number 4 today!!
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Question/dilemma- My very good friend is getting married tomorrow night. Second marriage for both. Started off as an elopement and grew to 30 people in an intimate setting in his antique home in Salem, MA. 2 small rooms and not much ventilation at all. His son is sick with a nasty bronchial cough and who knows who else will be. Her daughter works in a nursery school, she's a teacher working that day... My WBC's will be at their lowest today through Saturday.
I finally asked if it was ok to wear a mask. Of course they were all for it. But... I'm having my own struggles with it. I feel as though attention will be on me instead of her. I'll be that poor chemo girl with a mask on. I don't want to take away from my friends very special night. But I know she wants me there n I want to be there. I've known her, her kids and family for 23 years. Am I overthinking this?
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MLP - are you getting Neulasta or Neupogen? If you are, and as long as you are not holding the sick kid or giving hugs and kissses to the everyone - I think you will be fine with some good handwashing. My numbers actually go up in Nadir with Neulasta - so I trust it pretty well. I work at a community college - the land of walking petri dishes of germs - I just use extensive handwashing protocol and sanitizer wherever I go, and I seem to be missing the spreading of the germs. One night at a wedding should be fine if you are careful.
As for the foods - I lost my love of tomatoes!! Don't want them on a salad, don'tt want spaghetti sauce, ugh. It seems to be the only thing that just makes me say "no" - I didn't even eat them during Round 1 or 2, so I am not sure why, but the idea grosses me out right now. Maybe it is the potential for the acid to fry my tender tongue - who knows. I am going to stubbornly plant some anyway. The generally don't harvest around here until July, and I am hoping my love for them will be restored by then, or my hubster is going to eat a lot of tomatoes.
My MO definitely said to rewash ALL store bought produce of any kind (fruit or veggie), and to avoid the conveintly cut and re-bagged items, as they up the chance of bateria being introduced. He also said err on the side of over cooking meats - nothing left undercooked where salmonella/ecoli could play. Eggs are over hard instead of easy, chicken a little more thoroughly cooked, and what little beef I eat is to the well side of medium well
T-shirts for Fabulous Februaries? I!! am totally down with that - perhaps we can pay direct to the site for each person ordering? That would make your life easier.
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Asher- today is the last of the first round. I start on taxol once a week for 12 weeks March 30.
Good luck with #2 today!
All- thank you for all of your well wishes!
Hugs to all,
Elizabeth
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You all got so many more directions from your doctors than me! She told me to rest and take my meds when I'm not feeling well, live my life when I am, and practice commonsense with regards to hygeine and germs. That was pretty well it!
I am so depressed. I'm 9 days past taxotore and I think I should be feeling better now, I'm pretty sure I would be but it's so gloomy and overcast out, but I feel like crap. Headachy and tired and generally weak. I know it seems like it's probably the chemo, but I always feel this way this time of year. I hate spring because everybody's always so happy, and I usually spend 2-3 months feeling shitty. Of course it's more depressing now, because I feel shitty so much of the time anyway. I wish I could figure out how to wake myself up and feel better. The things I would normally do, like extra vitamin C and oil of oregano, I can't. I'm hydrating so much it makes me feel sick!
Mlp I would probably go (if I was doing Neulasta or neupogen and feeling good) but keep my distance from people, not be hugging are shaking hands and wash my hands a lot. I don't know that I would bother wearing a mask, from what I've heard they're not particularly effective anyway.
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no neulasta or any immune boosting shots for me. The third week in between treatments is to boost my immune system on its own. And with this week being my weakest...
My CBC the am before my first chemo I started at 2.36 wbc. The am of my second I started at 1.8 and other things had red flags that dropped since the first. So if this week I'm at my low... And then expose myself to someone who's sick... I could get to the danger level of 1.0 or a thousand. And hand washing like crazy won't stop me from picking up this viral bronchial bug that's going around. Only a mask will...
I was supposed to be in Florida this week for my dd collegiate lacrosse tournament and had to cancel last minute due to feeling lousy and tired after my second chemo and my lower WBC's. They didn't tell me not to fly, but didn't encourage it and told me to wear a mask if I did.
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