Chemo Starting August 2018
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blue sky might not have internet connection already? ! I have portable phone charger- it’s hrlpful on the north east when Nor- eastern comes!!! Hope she is ok!!! And not in evacuation zon
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Elizabeth 9!! God bless you for giving these siblings a loving home !!! People like you should live forever!!! Sorry you have a family history ... hope you beat that crap !!!
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@santabarbarian I'm going to check your stuff in "'Callin all TN's"; check out your complimentaries... I was taking lots of supplements but was told to stop as too many antioxidants are contraindicated to chemo (ends up protecting those bad cells). Bugger!
@sunshine89 I go every two weeks vs every three; it's called "dose dense". It's given to those with high risk cancer (I'm triple negative so it's aggressive) and premenopausal (I'm 42). It has a favourable long-term survival rate for TNBC. Fingers crossed, right?!
@bluesky get the heck outta there! Call EMS; FD or Police. Better now than later!
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Kwilli- can you please post - what did you stop taking? I m taking probiotics and vitamin D
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Elizabeth9 -- God Bless You -- you are very inspiring. When will your test results be known? I'm praying for you and your family. And thank you for the recommended books -- I had never thought of looking for them. If they are anything like this awesome blog -- full of support, guidance, and hope -- bring them on..
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@Bostoniangal25 called JuicePlus. It’s less supplement; though. It’s dehydrated fruits/veggies that contain the macronutrients your body needs and work on a cellular level. Also was taking omega3/6/9 capsule (plant based).
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KWilli & Bostonian,
Try to verify the info you are getting... I consulted a MD, integrative specialist who has been doing integrative cancer care for 30 years. There are lots of misconceptions about these things. I am on quite a few supplements at the recommendation of this MD (and I ran all of them by my Oncologist, and he has approved them all). I am on a whole program of food based super nutrients. Oncs often do not know much about nutrition or complimentary medicine, though at least mine was aware of the supplements and their being benign.
The Integrative cancer care specialist, however, was very clear about benefits of super nourishment, actively pushing your self in exercize, doing green powder, reishi powder, etc.
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Hello! I was on Juice Plus as well before chemo. My oncologist was very familiar with it, and while she likes it, she said not to take it during chemo, as it’s antioxidant level would mess with the effectiveness of the Taxotere/Carboplatin.
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kwilli, cefinks santabarbsrian- Holly Molly https://bolthealthsupplements.com/products/juice-plus-orchard-blend-garden-blend-capsules-3-2-oz-1-bottle-each-120-capsules?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI54Dd2fK33QIVCp-fCh33QgzUEAQYASABEgKHTPD_BwE 400$ for 4 months supplenent- that a lot of money . The company should and must Usp verified before selling it ...-well ordinary organic produce wouldn’t give us as much antioxidants? Like blueberry and broccoli?
I saw my neighbor buys a juice in a bottle -50$ per bottle- I m skeptical about it- I have 5 family members - so who should drink that juice 250$ for 5 bottles - for me the whole industry is sketchy
I believe in taking vitamins sepRately , because some vitamins like iron and vitamin C don’t go together
I also was buying similar juice plus in tablets in Vitamin world but cheaper .
I wish most md would study more about antioxidants
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Mine doctor from mass general also said exercise is great, but I can eat anything , they don’t have a nutritionist for B c patient only for those who have throat or lung cancer, but this is at Danvers location, Boston has more to offer even free massage or acupuncture during infusion...
Thsnk you for sharing your supplements, ladies!!! Have to think for later to look for juice plus😉after chemo and find a cheaper somewhere
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Good morning ladies... Thank you so much for your concern!! My parents picked my daughter, my dog, and I up in their RV and we headed inland. We are safe.
I've been down for the count pretty much the entire time. I managed a little walk yesterday, but that was all she wrote.
Do any of you ladies fear becoming anorexic? I feel best first thing in the morning. I put off eating as long as possible because I know I were I'll feel horrible as soon as I do. I go until I feel very weak and finally give in to a little food, but just enough that I don't pass out. I despise the way food feels inside me anymore. I don't know how to describe it. It feels like I have a rock inside me the moment I swallow anything and I can't wait to get it back out of my system. Almost like a lump in my throat and goes all the way down to my chest. I'm even having a hard time with water. The thought of any meat makes me cringe. The only thing I have a semi-appetite for is bland carby food. I have never EVER had a problem with eating before in my life. I LOVE food.
Between this, the extreme fatigue, the uti I have developed, the severe chemo brain, and the numbness/tingling. My muscle mass is already about half what it was. I am seriously considering telling the doctor I'm done with chemo. I can't do it. This crap is killing me quicker than the cancer would. I can't deal with it and certainly don't see me doing this another 4 times. And what gets me the most is this is not me. I'm usually very optimistic and positive about everything.
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Bluesky, I’m glad you are safe but sorry you are still feeling so poorly. I am also struggling with food and stomach problems, my 2nd infusion next Thursday. It’s hard, but I just keep telling myself it’s only 4 or 5 months of my life, I can do this. I have been eating bland food but try to throw in some comfort items like mashed potatoes, angel hair pasta in broth, jello with whipped topping. I don’t eat much but enough to keep me going. I’m also forcing myself to walk. It is a slow pace but I seem to feel better after. We are here for you, just keep trying. Watch a comedy, a silly show, or anything that normally lifts your spirits. Have you considered anti-depressant? Just some thoughts. Keep up the fight, my thoughts are with you
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SarahNova,
Glad you are back on line. I am off to round three of tchp tomorrow. You may need to go back in for hydration at the infusion center next round. My oncologist sent me back in three days after round two, and then four days later again. That made a big difference in how quick I was able to get back up and running. We both have chemo every three weeks, the hydration made it so that I was only down about 7 or 8 days. I have been able to eat just about anything this past 13 days. Right after chemo I can't keep myself hydrated or eat, but I can handle this much better when I can at least get the two week of normal before I have to do it again. I wanted to stop treatment, but the extra hydration has helped me want to go on. I will talk to you soon, hang in there you are 1/3 of the way now. Hughope1.
J bluesky, I am glad you got out of there.0 -
Hi Everyone. It is so nice to find you all here together again today! Hope all the US coast friends have everything nailed down ahead of the storm.
I have a question... is anyone else hungry? I haven’t been nauseous almost at all, but as soon as my stomach gets a little empty it cramps. I’m just sooo hungry instead of not keeping food down. Every time I turn around I’m ravishingly, starving hungry.
It is a little concerning as I constantly fight being pudgy. My oncologist noted that my height and weight don’t match. Eating extra food is going to put weight on that I won’t be able to get rid of. I’m eating organic fruits and veg mostly - but it is hot fudge sundaes that I dream of morning noon and night.
Any idea how to get rid of hungry?
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bluesky, please don’t quit - you young- you have to live for your daughter!!! Call your doc and tell them about every single SE / they have to help you to overcome/ maybe meds to increase your appetite ..steroids made me hungry
So glad your family is safe!
KellyAnne, ridiculous, it’s steroids I bet, just try nuts, more lean proteins like beans tofu eggs, eating fruits and veggies is great, but makes you hungry I will post a link about food myths and breast cdncer
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https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/lisaschwartzmd.com/7+Myths+Quiz+answers.pdf
Kelly-Anne here the link about the food
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Yay I am glad to hear you are safe jbluesky!
Bostongirl, The Ross Report on Cancer has a lot of suggested cheap sources for vitamins, many available on Amazon Prime.
I too am eating a lot less than normal. I describe it as "cancelled digestive tract" and it's no fun. Plus, many of my formerly go-to foods are now off my list, like dairy. I do allow myself a couple of pieces of toast and a couple of soft boiled eggs during the worst of it.
Magnesium Citrate was suggested to me as a good switch for Colace w senna, to get things going. I take it at night, along with my Melatonin. Also, I find putting a hot pad on my belly helps things a bit.
This is what I have found tolerable to eat on bad days.... sushi (made w brown rice), vegetable soup w/ fresh ginger in it, gazpacho... stuff that is light and yet strong-flavored to override that metallic taste in my mouth, and that is soft and easy to eat. The other day I had a finely-chopped salad w/ turkey, blue cheese, and romaine and that was very good. For some reason small amounts of almond butter on a seed cracker (Mary's brand) go down easily too. For me Thai or Japanese food feels clean and wholesome.
In the am, I do a smoothie with 1/2 C unsweetened nutmilk kefir (Califia brand), some plain cocoanut based yogurt (Cocoyo), 1/3 C berries, some ice, 1 T flax seed, 1 scoop organic whey isolate protein powder (Tera's), tsp organic reishi powder (Om Reishi), and 1 scoop green juice powder (Super Greens). It goes down very easily and has a lot of nutrition and probiotic elements.
To rebuild gut flora you also need some indigestible fiber, like is in brown rice, as a "PRE biotic" ... feeds the microbiome in the gut.
With the smoothie, I take my supplements: Vitamin D3- 5000 IU, Curcumin 3000mg x 2, Alpha Lipoic Acid 100mg, EPA wild-caught fish oil capsule 1640 mg, B6 100mg, Vitamin C 1000mg x 2, Quercetin 1500mg, Hawthorne extract, 1/2 tsp x 2.
Also on Metformin 500 x 2 (I requested it, and Onc approved it) and baby aspirin every other day. Metformin & Melatonin (start small, take at same time of night, and work your way up to 20mg) both have clear lower-recurrence data to support their use.
The day prior to chemo, I add 750 mg L Glutamine for 3 days (day before, day of, day after.)
The Taxotere comes out of you in your poop. That's the pathway of the detox... So it is important to support that. Walking helps too but make sure you are not too far from a bathroom!
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good morning everyone, I’m new to the site and the forum. I’m 28 and was diagnosed with stage 2 triple negative in June 5 weeks after giving birth to my first baby. I had a double mastectomy end of June and started chemo in August. Tomorrow is my last round of AC I’m super anxious and nervous. Anyone start taxol yet? Sending lots of love everyone’s way
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PS I agree re getting an IV to reduce SEs. It helped me a lot too.
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cefinks santabarbrian bostoniangal : I agree that Juice Plus is expensive; however, it's recommended by my Registered Holistic Nutritionist (who is also one of my best friends); my whole family has used it for the past two years and what's crazy is none of us have had anything more than a minor cold that lasted less than 4 days. I have a 12yr old and an 8yr old; they go back to school and none of the germs! I'm stockpiling the capsules so I can double up when chemo is over. The capsules are the whole fruit and veg dehydrated and crushed to powder. Juice in a bottle is just a sugar bomb; no fibre at all. My husband and I are both skeptical; yet we've been so healthy we don't want to stop. Pretty ironic that I have cancer now!
I have read a bunch of studies that show the contraindication of too many antioxidants that protect the cancer cells; it's the exact opposite of what the chemo is trying to do. Right now; whole foods and walking are my best pals. bluesky : Yay! You're safe! That's so great to hear. I'm sorry you aren't feeling well.
kelly-anne : I, too, fight the pudge. Although having cut out drinking wine when I was dx'd; I dropped 10lbs! Ravenous hunger hits me like crazy on day 5 and 6; almost like running into a brick wall. It happened when I was pregnant too. Steroids can raise glucose levels; causing hyperglycemia. Scary stuff. Maybe less fruit?
hughope1 : good luck with tomorrow and may your SE's be non-existent!
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Hiii Bostoniangle25, thank you so much for sharing your products i will go for some skin care shopping soon...
kelly-Anne, i also feel so hungry for one week after chemo...Even i wake up at night to eat something...but i dnt eat much i try to eat small chunks 5 6 times a day...
@smansmom welcome, and i heard that taxol is much more easy thn AC ... dont worry you already have done hard part
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@sunshine89 thank you! I don’t know about having the hard part over but we’ll see! Hopefully tomorrow won’t be so bad. Has anyone else experience extreme runny nose on AC? Or is this just my allergies hah
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i have done 2 cycles of AC so far but i didnt experience runny nose so far ... i already have done AC+T 4 years ago this is my second time...and believe me if you have done surgery and AC thn everything else is easy including radiations...All the best for tomorrow's infusion...Alot of prayers for you...i am 29 years old...we are of almost same age right now :
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oh how I love this juice plus talk! I have never taken it regularly but my grandmother who passed away a year ago at the age of 98 swore by it for 20 years! She was the healthiest person I knew. I think after chemo I will have to get some. Always have thought it would be good for my kiddos.
Bluesky glad you are inland. Hang in and remember this will all be over in a couple of months. Your daughter needs you to move ahead.
Hughope will be thinking about you tomorrow. My MO hasn’t mentioned going in for fluids but I am going to ask. I have been sleeping so much and I know not getting enough hydration.
I haven’t had a runny nose but just the opposite everything is dry.
Something I ate this round which I never had or wanted before was brown rice in chicken broth. It was easy on my stomach and filling.
Sending love and good vibes out to all of you...
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Hello Bluesky — please don’t give up!!! I agree IV serums help SO much.
SarahNola — I also had brown rice and broth this week when I was trying to settle my stomach. It helped so much, that it got me craving chicken noodle soup. Luckily I’m on day 8 and had enough energy to make some last night. Yumm.
I’ll have to try boiled eggs on bad days!
My friend is a Juice Plus distributor and BIG proponent. Even has the indoor garden (tower) by them. Pretty cool. I’ll get back started on it when I’m done with chemo.
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@sunshine89 is this a recurrence for you? Ugh my heart goes to you, I wanna give you a hug! And I really hope you’re right that the hard parts are over. I was told no radiation for me. In Theory after tomorrow only 12 taxol treatments left.
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Santabarbsrian- thsnk you do much for your time- that so cool I will take a pic and will buy done stuff for me!!👍🙏❤️
Smansmom- sorry for you being here, do you have a history? What triggered yours tumor to grow- scary! I m 41 and have 3 kids- no history , genetic test negative, maybe stress triggered mine?!
Ladies , metallic taste in the mouth could be fixed by Metaqil by Amazon!!!
It interesting if I can dehydrat my own veggies and fruits?
I have oven dehydrator , just thoughts... juice plus it s absolute choice we’ll if it lasts the whole month- it’s not bad, some jars will last 2-3 weeks only...
I heard Sambucol is good for immune system, they have even gummies for kids!
Sunshine- hope you will get some glowing products !!!
Mine third TC next Wednesday!!! Wish Hugh hope and other girls- good luck!!
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@bostoniangal25 I’m sorry we’re all here too ;( no family history at all. Triple negative with negative brca testing, it’s so unreal. I can’t make any sense of it. I can’t imagine stress making cancer start but I guess anything is possible. How about you
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Hello Everyone, Up watching the storm hit the coast and waiting for my chemo this morning. This is my half way mark. Nothing like steroids to keep you from sleeping.
I am so glad that Bluesky got out of their.
SarahNova, now that I know I can't stay hydrated on my own, my doctor sets me an appointment automatically about 3-5 days after chemo. he likes me to go to the infusions center instead of waiting till I get in trouble, that way they can use my port, and process is much quicker. "In and out in about an hour." If you go to hospital it takes several hours.
I am down just like you have been. So don't wait, some of us just can't stay hydrated on our own that first week. I get too sick and then won't eat. After fluids, the taste in my mouth starts getting better and I can usually get back to some type of normal for the last two weeks before I have to do it again.
Talk to you soon ladies and God Bless you all.
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smandmom- no family history no brca positive no other gene positive... how did they find out yours/ by exam- did you find a lump ?
Mine was thickness of skin and enlarged breast- but on routine exam the nurse practitioner didn’t feel nothing!
Nothing make sense at all - stupid cancer!
Hughope- good luck today!!! ❤️❤️
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