Let's start a group!

Gorger

Hello, Hello! Brave Warriors!
I have had breast cancer twice. Once in 2001 and again in 2010. Don't be discouraged. I thought I was going to die in 2001 and here I am 12 years later. I am looking forward to starting this group. Weight and excercise are extremely important factors. Losing weight and getting in shape is key. Let's motivate each other and share ideas! :flowerforyou:

1953Judith

Thanks for the invite and for starting the group. I just joined. Finished my treatment at the end fo January 2008. I am working on taking care of myself so that should I ever need to do battle again, I am at my best and strongest.

Gorger

Hello girls! Thanks for joining! You are all amazing. If you have any questions, need support, or have ideas to share, please send a post or message.
I often look on a medical sites and there is one called PubMed. There I found that Blackberries help fight cancer.

jmclowser

I finished chemo 2 years ago. I've been trying to lose the weight ever since. BC isn't the reason for all of my weight, but it didn't do me any favors either. I am just now feeling like I can get the weight off. Like I can focus on it. My husband was diagnosed with CLL this past July. He was in the hospital and started chemo over New Years. I have to be able to take care of my family. I also have a 3 year old at home. I need all the support I can get. Thanks for starting this group.

Gorger

Hello! Thank you for sending the post. I am so inspired by your story. My daughter was 11 years old when I was first diagnosed. I was a single parent. I feared everyday that she would grow up without me, and then I kicked into gear- and told myself that I was , no matter what, going to make it until she was 21. Guess what? At 21 I got my BC back again. (It goes to show you the power of the mind and the will to live.) We are all in the right place here on MyFitnessPal because documenting food intake makes us realize a lot of things. I was told to keep fat intake to less than 20% of my daily calories. No matter which way I spin it I can't seem to do that, however, most peoples intake is 55% of their daily calories. So, it's a challenge, but well worth it. Thanks for joining. I need to take care of myself and you have encouraged me by the act of simply connecting. Let's be here for each other.

fancyladyJeri

Hello Ladies. Thanks Gorger for the Invite

I was diagnosed in June of 2011. 2 Lumpectomies later, I am doing fine. My 6 month checkup with my surgeon is in February. I am slightly nervous.

However, It is great to have another support group. I know I need to take care of myself and I am glad to provide support to others.

Jeri
Calgary, Alberta

Gorger

Welcome Fancy Lady!
Jeri you are beautiful in your photo. Very young looking, indeed.
I have read up on breast cancer for 11 years now.
Did you know that a baby aspirin a day stops breast cancer?
Anti-inflammitory foods and drugs such as Advil and aspirin help a lot. You can google that and you will see!
Don't fret about the check-up. I fretted for 10 years before it came back -and then finally got a mastectomy as it did come back. I could have had another lumpectomy but I couldn't stand the worry anymore.
Guess what? There was no cancer in the breast beyond the initial lump. And that was 10 years after the first lump. I worried for nothing:(
I really believe that the diet I was on abated the whole thing. I ate 10 fruits and vegetables a day for the first 3 years after my initial cancer. Excess weight creates excess estrogren.
Let's diet together. I have 9 pounds to lose. Let's do it. It's only 2 weeks of dieting and then it will be gone...we will feel like a million bucks when we accomplish our goals!

weemuse

I was diagnosed in Aug 2011 and have had 4 surgeries and 2 of 8 chemo treatments. Radiation, targeted therapy and hormone therapy will all follow in due course. I"m already about 15 lbs heavier than I want to be and I dread gaining those "chemo 15". An elliptical machine arrives at my place this week and that will begin my truly serious fitness regime.

1953Judith

Weemuse, I discovered my cancer after losing 35 pounds. Since the end of my treatment in January 2008, I have lost an additional 35 pounds, 20 more to go. I do take armidix to surpress estrogen. I take the aspirin a day also.

Meanwhile I have been trying to lose and work away my estrogen producing fat. I put one foot in front of the other during the treatment and now I am healthier than I've ever been. Good luck to you. I am here to provide support and hopefully a little light at the end of the tunnel.

fancyladyJeri

Thanks Gorger, so are so kind.

I am struggling with these last pounds. I really, really want to get rid of them. I've got a bad cold and I seem to be eating to try to cure it. Bad idea LOL I'm all for joining together to support each other.

Gorger

There is a book you can get from the library called the "Fat Resistant Diet". Someone told me the author wanted to call it the "Anti-inflammitory Diet", but the name wasn't all the catchy to sell books, apparently. I had three friends read the book and they are all very thin and trim now. It explains about fats and oils, something that is a very important factor. Olive oil and Canola oil and butter are better fats to eat. Margarine...well, my oncologist told me to throw it in the garbage.
My grandmother said "If the rats and mice won't eat the margarine, then neither will I". She lived to 101 years old.
I have a cold too. It's a very nasty cold. When I want comfort food I make Heart Smart Vegetable Soup. I posted the recipe in the receipe section of this site. Or you can google it. It's only about 50 calories a bowl so you can eat as much as you like without feeling the 'guilts'. It's just a can of diced tomatoes, a couple bullion cubes, a bit of water and all the vegetables you can find in your fridge with basil and a drop of hot sauce to taste, or cilantro etc. Very good for you.

Gorger

Gorger

Welcome:) fellow supporter. Thank you for joining our group.

pjholcomb

Thanks for starting this group. I was diagnosed with stage II infiltrating ductal carcenoma last February. In March I had a lumpectomy, April began with chemo (awful, inhuman, thought I would die!) and when I was done with that, had a full course of radiation. The radiation oncologist has a nutritionist on staff who told me that to be able to say that I have done EVERYTHING I can to keep the cancer from returning, I need to lose as much weight as I can and still be healthy. So here I am ... have lost 35 pounds with many, many more to go.

weemuse

That's quite a journey, Judith.. congrats on the incredible weight loss and for taking control of your health!!

Gorger

Welcome new member! It sounds like you are very much on the right track. Losing 35 pounds is very difficult and I congratulate you on hard work, effort and your success. My nutritionist also said the same thing to me: "Lose as much weight as possible without being excessively thin". Apparently it is because the estrogen seems to manifest itself in body fat. The less fat in our bodies, the less estrogen, I presume. That is exactly why I am here on MyFitnessPal. It's to hopefully increase my own survival and to get peer support, new friendships and ideas. Exercise and weight are a couple of the factors they know that directly affects BC. Also alcohol is another factor. (Darn! Just when we need to drink! hahah). Another thing my nutritionist told me was the amount of fat I eat is a factor. She said I need to decrease it. She told me about the WINS study that limits fat to 6 tsp a day and survival rates were higher. She told me that dietary Fiber Content of diet also helps. Estrogen gets eliminated through the bowels. I saw on the news that the latest idea is lots of protein, vegetables and not much in carbs. My oncologist told me that in order for the cancer to NOT go into my bones I am to increase my calcium to 1200 to 1500 mgs a day. Toxicity level is 2500 mg. said my nutritionist. It's a mixed bag of tricks, though because Calcium can cause Cardiac issues. You do one thing and it wrecks something else! hahaha Vitamin D is extremely important for my bones as well --for me she suggested 1000 I.U.s a day. I am looking for tips and tricks from everyone in our group on how they feel they are improving their health, what they are doing to increase their survival and any ideas they might have to share.
*I am not a medical professional, just a survivor... this is just a discussion group. (I have to put a disclaimer on here). haha hence I will use the words "presume" and "guess" etc. I think my cancer is genetic so I am treating my body like an elegant piece of glass. Any other ideas, thoughts and tips, my new friends? One friend mentioned PH....I'm looking forward to hearing more about
that. I'm in year 11 of my battle. I am doing well except for my eyes (another topic of discussion). Good old Tamoxifen!

calpollyana

Hi everyone! Glad to see this group here. My name is Rhonda, and I am a two year survivor. In 2009 I had a lumpectomy, 4 rounds of chemo and then radiation. I began tamoxifen in January of 2010. All of this has added to my weight gain, and I am working hard to lose the pounds and get in shape.
I also strive not to worry about recurrence. I guess I do all that I can on my end and that's all one can do. I try to juice vegetables once a day. This really gets the body's ph to a healthy level. I have upped my fiber intake and fruits and veggies.

I am very curious to know about your vision problems and the connection to tamoxifen. I have been taking it for two years.

Glad to meet all of you. We are warriors, indeed!

pjholcomb

Tamoxafin is going to effect my eyes???? :sad:

meames2

Hi,

Quick intro. Diagnosed May 2010. 3 surgeries ending in a bilateral by July. Chemo ended Nov. 2010. Radiation ended March 2011. Finished herceptin In July. Now just arimidex. Coming up on my 6 month check. Goal of 2012 to lose 60 pounds and eating healthier. Looking forward to connecting with you. Now must get up and get ready or work. More of an intro later.

Martha

Gorger

Welcome Rhonda.
Tamoxifen has some reports of causing cataracts. But that is easily treated. So, don't let that be a reason not to take the drug. A more worrisome side effect can be blood clots... and I remember my pharmacist telling me "don't cross your legs when you sit".

To answer your question, the eye problems all started when I developed a thing called bilateral nuclear sclerosis which is a little more unusual. If I ask the doctors whether or not the Tamoxifen had a direct cause and effect ... well...they kind of danced around with the answer. Nuclear sclerosis is a type of a cataract that is a hardening of the lens...more often seen in dogs then in humans. But judging from my photo, I can't really get away with saying, "Why me?"

Of course, the cataract was only the first step of my eye problems...the plot thickened. I almost went totally blind a few weeks ago. I'm going to continue my answer when I reply to pjholcomb's question and say hi to Martha tomorrow....

calpollyana

Gorger,

Wow! I am so sorry about your eyesight. Keep me posted on your prognosis, and I'll be praying for you today. ( I hope that's okay.)
What a raw deal, cancer then side affects to boot! Boo hiss... But I guess we're the lucky ones who are still here to complain about it! lol

Hope it's sunny where you are today,
Rhonda

Gorger

Tamoxafin is going to effect my eyes???? :sad:

Tamoxifen can contribute to cataracts- as what seems to have happened to me. But it decreases the risk of cancer recurrence and has other beneficial effects. Some studies say it builds bones- which is great- because afterwards they often put ER positive women on Letrozole, a drug that I am on now -that causes a decrease in bone density. (Often times they put you on both drugs for awhile). Letrozole seems to be the drug of choice over Tamoxifen these days but you can only take it if you are post-menopausal or if they do something to stop your ovaries from functioning. Even though I was on Tamoxifen for close to 4 years in my life I still have Osteopenia which is the beginning of Osteoporosis. I read in "The intelligent Patient Guide to Breast Cancer' that it can also reduce cholesterol and lipids in the blood. Had I known that I would be taking Letrozole, I would have made sure I consumed lots of calcium when I was on the Tamoxifen, while I had a chance to save some of my bone. My bone scan says I have lost about 10% in my lower spine and in my neck so I may have to take other meds to stop the bone loss and those drugs have lots of side effects. Weight bearing exercise also stops bone loss. Another reason to exercise, girls!
So...cataracts can be fixed... and the benefits to Tamoxifen may just outweigh the risks. I am a prime example of that because I stopped Tamoxifen early and I had a recurrence.
* Remember I am just a patient, not a medical professional- but I'm single and have nothing else to do except read boring medical journals. hahahah

Gorger

Hi,

Quick intro. Diagnosed May 2010. 3 surgeries ending in a bilateral by July. Chemo ended Nov. 2010. Radiation ended March 2011. Finished herceptin In July. Now just arimidex. Coming up on my 6 month check. Goal of 2012 to lose 60 pounds and eating healthier. Looking forward to connecting with you. Now must get up and get ready or work. More of an intro later.

Martha

Welcome Martha! You are a brave warrior indeed! ....And you are still working! Wow! You are an amazing example for all of us! You are my beautiful hero!

As for the potential blindness that I experienced....the cataract contributed to a thing called "Angle Closure Glaucoma".

fancyladyJeri

Great information. Thanks.

Gorger

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22254089

Here's an interesting Pub Med Article that says that Vitamin E Tocopherol can act as Chemopreventive Activity in Breast Cancer. Apparently, Gamma-tocopherol-rich mixture of tocopherols is a very promising cancer-preventive agent and warrants extensive future research. I'm thinking the foods that have it could be walnuts, avocados and canola oil. ( Read the article because it is the anti-inflammatory properties that are in the y and the o tocopherols that have an effect. (There are different types of Vitamin E). I don't believe they are talking about the cheap Vitamin E that you get in the drugstore. ... I remember that I found Vitamin E helped me with the breast pain that I had. But I bought the expensive stuff in the health food store. Any interesting thoughts about this girls?

Spamee

Hi!
I am new to MFP. I will be a 4 year Warrior March of this year. I had 8 surgeries in 2.5 years. (lumpectomy, bilateral mastectomy -Started Reconstruction - , Exchange Surgery-PS really messed that up! I had Severe Symmastia , I Had a hole in my heart that I had to have fixed, Hysterectomy, Stage 1 SGAP & Symmastia 'fixed' , stage 2 SGAP, and my last surgery was 15 months ago, Stage 2B SGAP.
I would just recover from a surgery...have about 1 month to work out a little, then it was time for another surgery.
My surgeries have left me in constant pain. I try to ignore the pain as much as I can & still work out...Hoping that as I get my strength back the pain will lesson.

I need to loose weight & also build some muscle back.

weemuse

So much to go through in a very short time! Remember that every surgery involving anesthesia also adds to chronic fatigue, making your workouts even more of a battle.

Spamee

thanks, thats good for me to keep in mind weemuse when I feel fatigued often. I had about 25+ hrs of Anesthesia

calpollyana

Hi! Glad you joined the group! You sure have been through the ringer. You must be a very strong person. Your still kickin' and fighting for an active and healthy life. I love it! I hope you have success here on mfp and continued health and healing.

Rhonda

weemuse

Just wondering if there are any books you found/find particularly helpful during your treatment. My two favourites are:

"Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book" (5th edition) by Dr. Susan Love.
"The Chemotherapy Survival Guide" (3rd edition) by Judith McKay and Tamera Schacher (both oncology nurses)

Kathy

Gorger

Just wondering if there are any books you found/find particularly helpful during your treatment. My two favourites are:

"Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book" (5th edition) by Dr. Susan Love.
"The Chemotherapy Survival Guide" (3rd edition) by Judith McKay and Tamera Schacher (both oncology nurses)

Kathy

Hi Kathy
In BC (British Columbia) they give a book free to all new Breast Cancer Patients. It is called "The Intelligent Patient Guide to Breast Cancer" written by Ivo Olivotto, Karen Gelmon, David McCready, Kathleen Pritchard and Urve Kuusk (they are all breast cancer Doctor specialists). It's totally excellent. If you can't find it where you are, we have a toll free cancer line and they will send it to you, probably for a donation if you are outside of BC. We also have toll free dietitians in BC etc. I am in Canada.