Trying hard to lose the pounds!!!!!!!!!

cowgirl

Thanks for the encouragement! Hardest stress I have had so far is this dx. I have lost somewhere near 20. I still have 22 more to go at least to hit goal.

My SIL and I talk about lifetime we are both so far that you don't want to plan on getting there yet.

I started trying to cut out the amount of salt in my program, then I will tackle sugar! I tried to do both and had a gain, so my leader told me to concentrate on one thing at a time.

There is a young girl in our group she had great weight loss with core, but I think for now I will stick on flex. I can do it in my sleep which helps, and I think the sugar thing would be hard now.

So glad to know you can lose weight after a dx! That means so much to me right now, I had just hit my stride when this all happened.

LJC

Calling all Divas, just a quick note, still on the dr merry-go-round won't really know anything about breast mass now for a few weeks. Taking so much time off from work and been busy here, haven't had time to read and post much.

Welcome Cowgirl, we're not only the bc support but the diet support group.

Patti, how did the reunion go??? Didn't realize you were going until now - I hope the shopping wasn't too depressing (it is for me). Hope you enjoyed yourself and even if you took a step back, you'll go forward two today.

beachcottage

Hey Divas the re-union party was great!!! It was buffet and to tell you the truth I was so busy socializing and catching up I barely ate a thing.....However...I had company over the weekend and could not resist the brownies!! ....Back on track.....It has been very damp here...I am achey and have not walked for a few days...Hope to see the sun soon......I have my usual three month onc visit tomorrow....Fingers crossed......

Hey Lois,Pat,Janet,Eileen and Cowgirl how are you doing? Send me some encouragement....
Sending you a big hug LOIS>>>>>I am hoping that things calm down for you soon.......
Hugs to all of you ......We must stick together on this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are the best!!!!!!!!!!! xoxo,Patti........................

Rosemary44

Hi All,



Since I'm on my own kind of diet I can get a little crazy with my olive oil treats. I'm beginning to actually like the stuff now. I am down 13 lbs, so far. 3 lbs a month, so by this time next year, I'll be down...wait, divide the 13, no times the 3 carry the one, I'll be back with that answer.



I wanted to share a dish I made up so I could have a more interesting way of getting in the oil. But I don't know if it's on WW to do this:



Fry up some onions, broccoli, fresh spinach and mushrooms in olive oil, and sprinkle on some teriyaki sauce right before serving. I serve it on brown rice.



Delicious, if I have to say so myself.



If anyone would have told me a year ago that I'd be eating olive oil everyday to lose weight, I would have laughed out loud.



For our purposes of using olive oil (to help lose weight), any kind will do but if you want to combine the bc and heart health research that's being done, I look for the less refined. Which I can't find anyway. So extra virgin will have to do. But this is the good news that came out recently:



"Scientists have discovered why eating a Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables and particularly olive oil can help to protect women from developing breast cancer.





The key is oleic acid, the main component of olive oil.





Dr Javier Menendez, of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, said oleic acid blocks the action of a cancer-causing oncogene called HER-2/neu which is found in about 30 percent of breast cancer patients.



"We have something now that is able to explain why the Mediterranean diet is so healthy," Menendez told Reuters.



Doctors and researchers had been aware that eating a Mediterranean diet reduced the risk of breast cancer and other illnesses such as heart disease. But until now they did not know how.



Types of Olive Oil by amount of oleic acid:



Extra virgin olive oil: virgin olive oil which has a free acidity, expressed as oleic acid, of not more than 0.8 grams per 100 grams, and the other characteristics of which correspond to those fixed for this category in this standard



Virgin olive oil: virgin olive oil which has a free acidity, expressed as oleic acid, of not more than 2 grams per 100 grams and the other characteristics of which correspond to those fixed for this category in this standard.



Ordinary virgin olive oil: virgin olive oil which has a free acidity, expressed as oleic acid, of not more than 3.3 grams per 100 grams and the other characteristics of which correspond to those fixed for this category in this standard."

beachcottage

Thanks Rosemary..I am going to try your recipe...It sounds great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xoxo,Patti

NYJanet

Hope all the diet divas had a great weekend.

Rosemary: The recipe sounds really good. I'm going to have to try it. And yes, it is a perfect recipe for WW. Even those of us on CORE because everything you listed are CORE foods, even the teriyaki. We are supposed to bring a recipe to tomorrow's WW meeting. I hope you don't mind but I think I'll bring that it sounds so good. It's really amazing what a little olive oil will do.

I also wanted to let you all know that you will all be on my back and in my heart this weekend. I am walking/running in the Revlon 5K Run/Walk for Women in NYC this weekend and the Diet Divas of BC.Org will have their names on my back. In addition to honoring my s-i-l (ovarian cancer)and a dear friend who passed away last year (brain cancer), I am walking to honor all of you who have been so wonderful, strong and caring. [Please pray for nice weather, the forecast is for possible rain.]

Together, we are all a bunch of losers!!

Janet

LJC

Janet - good luck with the walk and I'm praying for good weather for you. What a wonderful tribute to us all to have our names on your 'back' - I'll be thinking of you this weekend and I'll be there with you in spirit.

I wish I could say I was a loser, gained a pound this last week. But I'm getting back to healthy eating this week. I have the fixings for a chicken caesar salad today for lunch - fat free dressing. Yesterday was lean cuisine. So I'm trying - just need to get the motivation to get back on the old treadmill. I think 5 1/2 months is long enough for my feetsies to heal from the SF 3-day walk - don't you?????

Patti, glad you enjoyed the reunion. Thanks for the well wishes - need to call dr. today for ct scan results. Keeping my fingers crossed.

pconn03

Hi All Divas:
Just checking in to see how everyone is doing!!!

Lois - first off, I would like to say that above all, we are all praying for wonderful results from your CT Scan. Please let us know!!!

Janet - I am so touched that you will be representing us in the Revelon 5K Run/Walk this weekend. I am so proud of you - and humbled that you are honoring all of us along with your wonderful sister-in-law. Believe me that I will be praying for nice weather - at the very least, no rain (or snow)!!! God bless

Patti: First of all, how did the three month onc visit go the other day???? Grrrrrreeeeeeat, I hope!!! I'm so happy that the reunion went so well. Isn't it funny when you're at an event like that and you get so 'caught-up' in socializing that the food truly is secondary . . . I love it!!! I hope your achiness has abated and that you are back in the loop again.

Eileen and Cowgirl - how's it going??? Update us when you can.

Finally, I had my weigh-in today and I lost another 1 3/4 pounds. I am so happy. The Core is really working for me. I am still working out too - so remember, we CAN DO this !!!!
Hugs to all,
Pat

cowgirl

Okay I am doing fine, I missed my meeting because I had breast cancer clinic. God knows I would prefer to go to WW. I have been battling stinkin fatigue, didn't walk this weekend. Tomorrow I am forcing my lazy butt out there! I felt better when I walked and ran but I am going through the stage of "I am so mad I have BC stage".

Man did the doctors do a lot of pushing on me, I finally had to get some ibuprofen to ease the soreness. I did weigh in at oncology, and I was lighter than I have been in years, I wish I could have taken the slip to my leader.

I have a preferred leader so I will have to get my lazy butt up there Saturday morning to see her and weigh in!

I have been doing pretty good, just wish I knew if I were up or down!

I love the t-shirt idea in NYC, too cute!

Will report if I get my AP in or not! They sure do make a difference in your clothes!

LJC

Divas -
The prayers, good thoughts, well wishes and all that cheering worked - I got some good news tonight. I am sooooo relieved, the kidney mass was only a calcified kidney stone!!!!

I called the dr's office this morning to see if they had received the ct scan results, they hadn't and the girl said she'd call over to the hosp and have it faxed over if it was ready and to call back after 2:30. At 2:30 I called, I was shaking and my stomach was all in knots waiting for her to tell me if she got the report. She had but the NP was with patients and she'd leave it on her desk for her to call me back. By 6:00 this evening, I had given up hearing from her as I ate almost a whole bag of "Sweet & Salty Chex Mix" (my nervous/emotionally eating had set in) - move on to plan B - call again tomorrow.

At 7:15 pm my cell phone rings (I left that # in case she tried to call while I was driving home)and she gives me the good news. I almost started to cry.

The stone had never caused any problems for me - so who knew it was there!! Wasn't til after I got off the phone, of course, that I started thinking - bad thing to do - but I know the stone wasn't there 2 yrs ago because the CT guy checked my last scan. So my question is - how long does it take for a stone to calcify???? Anyone know????

One down, one more to go - see the surgeon on Monday about the "oval mass" in left breast.

Patti, Pat, Janet, Rosemary, Eileen and all my diva friends thanks for holding my hand and the prayers.

NYJanet

Lois - CONGRATULATIONS on the great news. Not sure how long it takes to calcify a kidney stone. My hubby had a stone a few years ago and it was extremely painful. He needed surgery to remove it. What are they going to do about yours? Regarding the Chex Mix, don't worry yourself over that. You definitely had reason to STRESS eat. Glad you got good news. - Janet

beachcottage

Hello My Dear Diva Friends....

First Lois I am so so happy and relieved for you my dear friend............Phew !! You deserve a big treat and I think I will have one to celebrate with you! My mother in law had a some stones a while back and they treated them externally with a device...I think it was like sonar...I will ask her......WE are still holding your hand darling and will be with you in spirit chanting and hoping that all goes well on Monday....

Pat you go girl! I am trying so hard.....I am going to do this.....Trying to Keep my spirits up and not let my slip ups sabotage my plans to get this weight off once and for all........How are the mommies to be doing? YOu must be so excited......

Janet I have not aske about your SIL in a while? HOw is she doing? Please tell her that we were asking about her and always have her in our thoughts and prayers......We will be on your back and in your spirit when you walk...Thank you for doing this ....IT means alot....

Rosemary sounds like you are doing well....I can't wait to try your veggie recipe...If you have any more please share them...I started a recipe swap thread ages ago in the moving on section and added a few low cal friendly recipes there last week....I asked Melissa to move the thead to this section....

Cowgirl sorry you have been fatigued and sore....MY right knee blew up over the weekend...The onc gave me mega dose of Ibuprofen and told me not to walk for now...It is not what I wanted to hear....I hope you get some relief soon so that you can get out there and walk...

Eileen where are you my friend? I know you are probally very busy with your children....Drop in when you can...We miss you....

Onc visit went well....I do not have blood results yet.....I go for mammo next week...Keep everything crossed ladies.............Oh I gained one pound since my last three monthe check up!

Diva's calling all diva's where are you?? xoxo,Patti

LJC

Patti, thanks for holding my hand. My brother went through some bouts with kidney stones. He had his 'blasted' with the ultrasound twice, but that didn't really help his and he did the medication. He finally had to have one of them removed by the "roto rooter" method. He didn't like that. But this one doesn't bother me so I don't think anything will be done, need to call though and get appt.

I've got everything crossed for you, you'll have good news on your onc visit and mammo. One pound since last visit is great - I wish I could say the same. Mine was about 10 x's that.

I think I just have too much stress right now, it's been hard getting back on track for me. Somebody slap me!! I have so many reasons why I need to lose this weight and get healthy, but can't focus right now.

pconn03

Lois - sooooooooooo happy for the good news on the kidney!!! Whoopee!!! As Patti said we are still holding your hand until we hear that your visit to the surgeon on Monday has the same wonderful results!!!

Patti: So sorry about your knee. It's always something isn't it. Once the knee gets a chance to re-coop, you should be fine again to do some gentle walks, right?? You and I are really close on our schedules, Patti. I go to the GYN on May5, have the yearly mammogram on May 9th and then see the surgeon on May 17th. Will be sooooo glad when they are all over. Both Julie and Meghan are doing great, thank God. I'm going into Milwaukee this weekend for the baby shower there for Julie. Should be fun. Her Godmother and I are driving in on Friday and coming back on Monday.

Janet, Eileen and Rosemary and Cowgirl - hope you are all doing great!!! Take care . . .
Blessings,
Pat

cowgirl

So okay I walked and ran yesterday it felt great! Kids acted out and my period started so today is not so good a day for my program. I spent the morning at the doctors office and schools. And now I am sooooo hungry! I am using that Slow Good Cookbook a lot, today is sloppy joes! I tried the smokin buzzard chili and it was great! I have to plan plan plan or I eat eat eat!

cowgirl

Alrighty got to walk and run a bit today, it releives so much stress when I can. Sloppy Joes were fab! Tasted like the good ones, even Hubby ate them. I put in some round steak,diced tomatoes, onion and garlic. I am going to serve it over brown rice. Crock pot cooking keeps me on track, I am so much better if I have something brewing all day!

I am going to weigh in tomorrow so we will see, I expect to have a gain.

beachcottage

hello divas.........going to my girlfriends sons wedding in two weeks...so i have to go shopping........................ARGH! I am off for my mammo soon.....keep everything crossed......

cowgirl you just got me in the mood for chili...yours sounds yummy...can you share your crock pot recipe?

Lois....Pat...Janet...Rosemary how was your weekend? I had a few minor slips over the weekend.....I am back on track now.....I think....I hope......I am taking some medication for psoriasis and one of the side effects are......Increased appettie! But the good new is ...that after i finish taking this medication and get some ultra violiet therapy ....my psoriasis should clear.....So I will just have to wire my jaw until then....
xoxo,Patti

LJC

Patti - got everything crossed for good mammo - I see surgeon today for my mass - praying for good news there!!!

I did fairly well eating wise until Saturday nite - had big fat burger and fries (fast food - but not the typical MacDonalds etc. - Farmer Boys charbroiled burgers). Of course, I think it was my 3rd fast food burger in 15 mos.!!!! So I ate rather light on Sunday, but was it healthy??? Don't think so. I had a bowl of Cheerios with the strawberry & banana, slice of sour dough toast and coffee. About 2:30 realized I hadn't had lunch (busy in my craft room) so I smashed an avocado, threw in some salsa and had lime flavored tortilla chips with guacamole. Wasn't hungry for dinner, but had to have something to take my medication so I repeated my breakfast. Only problem was it was about 7:30. This is the life of a single girl - only person I have to look after is myself and I don't think I do that very well!!!

Rosemary44

Sorry Gang,

I had company last week and had to prepare and stuff. I have to confess that after my company left, my husband and I went out and ate a steak! It was so good. Red meat is not on my diet, but I had to do it. I did eat a very healthy salad first so I'm sure that took away all the meat. I know I'm wearing the sour cream though.

I hope my veggie recipe is working for you. I do have another recipe but this is all I have that uses olive oil.

1/2 cup of olive oil
diced garlic gloves
fresh parsley
a little oregano
fresh lemon juice, mix all together and let it sit while your cooking.. then pour it all over that hot bar-b-que chicken right off the grill. Cover it and it will get more flavorful while it sits a bit.

I hope Janet had good weather for her run. I'm trying now to go back and read all the posts since I've been out of touch. I'm on a new stall, but at a lower weight so I can wait this out. I just love getting on the scale because I haven't seen this number for a couple of years or more.

Except for a few french fries here and there it sounds like we're all doing well. We can do it.

Rosemary44

Lois,

I was just reading about that kidney stone. You taking any calcium that's caltrate type? I've read where that type can cause stones. Since your brother has it also it could just be in the family tree. A big sigh of relief for you for sure. The things we have to worry about that we wouldn't have given a thought to before. I'm glad you got the good? news.

NYJanet

Ladies, I'm sorry to report that I didn't make the run/walk over the weekend. The weather here was really lousy (rainy and cool). Instead I did the 3.2 miles on the treadmill at the gym on Saturday afternoon with all of you in mind. Wasn't quite as inspirational as the walk would have been. Guess I'll just have to wait until next year.

Patti - Hope your mammo report came out good. Thanks for asking about my s-i-l. She is doing better but very frustrated as she is getting the run around about starting chemo from her docs at MD Anderson. She lives in Fla and they just sent her home with the prescriptions for two chemos and said "see you in 6 months." She is very upset as its been almost 2 months since her surgery and she should have started chemo by now. Her #'s are already going up. She is seeing a new onc. in Fla today so hopefully she will start soon. Anderson was great 2 years ago for her and now they seemed to have dropped her like a hot potato and don't seem to really care. I told her I'd try to get my bs at Sloan to recommend someone at Sloan for her to see but we can't be waiting too long. This just sucks!!

On the other hand I had my 6 month check up with my bs on Thursday all went well. Although turns out when I was allergic to the Tamoxifen 2 months ago my onc. at Sloan prescribed Evista. I had read that it was only for post menopausal woman and questioned my onc. She said it was for both. Turns out she was wrong. My bs almost blew a gasket when she found out I was on it. She said she would rather have me take Tamoxifen or nothing instead of something that has not been approved for premenopausal woman (which I am). She immediately emailed my onc. who then called me to say she was sending a new prescription for Tamoxifen. Should be an interesting appointment when I see her in June. Even with trying to stay on top of everything and questioning, turns out if it wasn't for my WONDERFUL bs I'd still be taking the wrong stuff.

So that about all I have to whine about today. That and the fact that I wasn't really good this weekend. For some reason I wanted to eat everything. I'm going to the gym tonight to try to burn it off and then come home and eat some watermelon. Hopefully it will help for tomorrow. If not, I'll just jump back on the "Good" train again. Why is this always such a struggle? Hope you all had a great weekend. - Janet

cowgirl

Beach Alrighty Here is my recipe:
1 3/4 lb of skinless boneless smoked turkey breast I used turkey ham cut into 1/2 inch pieces
4 slices of turkey bacon
2 zuchini ( I used one hate zuchs)diced
1 large yellow bell pepper seeded and diced(had only red and used two instead of one, love peppers)
1 large sweet onion
1 15 oz pink beans rinsed and drained(no idea what pink meant so I used pinto)
1 cup of water
3/4 FF salsa verde (used chilpolte salsa)
1 chipolte en adobo(didnt have used a little tabasco)
4 garlic cloves thinly sliced
2 TBSP chili powder(never use two only one have 3 wimpy kids)
1 TBSP cilantro
1 TBSP Cumin ( I add cumin in everything TexMex)
Then finally 2 TBSP cornmeal

You add it all except the cornmeal and cook it down for 4-5 hours on high or 8-10 hours on low. Twenty minutes before serving add cornmeal and cook on high 15 minutes.

This was from Slow Good, I have made about 4 recipes and all are good they have both core and flex too.

LJC- Yummmmm love avocado and salsa and baked chips!!!!!!

Rosemary we eat beef from time to time it is great! course we raise them so we think they are fab!

NYJanet- sorry about your family and your walk! Keep up the attitude and you will be fine!

So did my 1 1/2 mile today which felt good, took baby boy to Eye doctor so he is fine. Bigger boys got out of school early and went to work at the farm! They loved that!

So tomorrow I meet PS and miss yet another meeting, if I feel good I will go tomorrow night but last time I was too sore to leave home.

Rosemary44

Hi Janet,

I got a letter last year from MD Anderson saying that they're overwhelmed with patients and they won't be giving any second opinions anymore.

How to put this politically correct, they will only work with people who use all their facilities. Something like that. Maybe that's why your SIL felt put off by them?

Why I got that letter I don't know cause I don't use them. Your SIL must be feeling pretty low about all this. My prayers are for her.



Cowgirl, Oh sure beef is good now and again. It was very good last Sunday. What I left out was that I was at the Astros game and had to have to Nolan Ryan burger a couple of days before that. I watched ol Nolan start his career in N.Y. so you can see how I had to do it. Pretty tasty, but served up cold.

I saw a new number this morning that I haven't seen in years. Well I remember seeing it on the way up, and it's so nice to see it again.

LJC

Rosemary, I do take calcium supplements, will check what kind when I get home. Could be a family thing too because my Mom also had them.

Janet, sorry about the walk, but at least you got your exercise in on the treadmill - something I wish I could say I did.

Cowgirl, recipe sounds delish!!!!!

Well, I went to see my surgeon yesterday about the ominous left breast mass. He doesn't see anything on the films either nor could he detect any mass with an exam. So . . . .he's sending my films to a different radiologist and have him take a look. I'm pretty much thinking at this point that the radiologist made a mistake, which angers me that I went through a month of stressing out over this. If the other radiologist confirms what my onc and surgeon have said - no mass, I'm calling the radiology dept and tell them what happened very firm but nice. If I were a Jerry Springer type, I'd sue for punitive damages!

cowgirl

Well long story short, I came home and called my SIL to see if I could ride with her. I dumped my kids at an aunt's house and zoomed over to WW. I lost a pound, I wish it was more but then again I lost so I should not complain.

There are mistakes on every thing possible, I once had adnormal cells in my pap only I was pregnant so they didnt tell me. A year later they asked me about it, I was shocked and yet I have been clear ever since. Mix ups do happen, so maybe you are fine! Oh yeah my GF has Kidney stones she can not take any vitimins they turn into stones, she had one at 17 and several since then.

NYJanet

Cowgirl: Congrats on the lb. Remember sometimes slower is good that way your body learns to maintain the loss. (That's my thought anyway). "Slow and steady, steady and slow, that's the only way to go."(Quote for a Disney book when my daguther was little).

Rosemary: Thanks for the info about MD Anderson, very interesting. I emailed it to my sil.

Rosemary44

Lois,



I think what they really need is better mammography equipment. They see something on my left breast too that they refer to as benign. That's twice so far.



I asked to talk with the radiologist the last time I was there to find out exactly what it is. Oh, she's busy with another patient. I had to run out to go to another Dr.s appt, so I couldn't wait around.



I see stories about this new gamma camera, that date back 5 years. Ok, so where's the camera? It supposedly picks up the real hard to see tumors in dense breasts no less. That has to be good. Where is it? Don't you think that in 5 years we should be tripping over this camera by now?



Well when I went to see my Onc, I asked him why they aren't doing ultrasounds on me? I have dense breasts. You know they should be doing hand spins for us, but we have to beg for testing.



Thank God we have each other to talk about these things that upset us so. Did you have an ultrasound done? I'm going to have it done the next time I do the mammogram. I would have thought it would have been an automatic thing to do when they see something. Well I feel better now that we've spoken about all this. Thanks.

NYJanet

Rosemary & Lois: Do your docs recommend breast MRI's? Apparently they are very good at picking up problems in dense breasts. My breast surgeon had me have one last year prior to my surgery since my breasts are so dense. Then I had one on my 6 month check up and I'm scheduled for on in May for my yearly check up. Thereafter I will have one yearly in the spring and my mammo yearly in the fall. My surgeon says this way two different tests every six months just to be sure. So far I hadn't had any problems getting the approval from my insurance company. I've really learned lately, if we're not our own advocates, who will be!! Patti: How did your mammo go? - Janet

pconn03

Rosemary, Lois and Janet:
It's really something how the followups are different among us. I was dx in 5/03 and done with everything (chemo/rads) in December of 03. When I went in May of '04 for my mammogram, I had called and asked the surgeon who ordered the mammo if I shouldn't have an ultrasound too because that is how they really saw the tumor in the first place. She agreed and marked both the mammo and the ultra sound boxes on the form. However, when I went to have it done they said they did not do ultra sounds unless there was something suspicious so they just gave me the mammogram. They said the mammo was clear and so I didn't have to come back until May '05 (next week). I was upset that they wouldn't do the ultra sound and that I wouldn't be checked for another year but it's like fighting city hall. I have a yearly appt tomorrow with my GYN and if she feels anything suspicious (I don't expect her to, but IF) then I am going to have her order the ultra sound and I know she will. Wow, you're right Janet - if we don't advocate for ourselves, who will!!!

Patti: I echo Janet's question - how did your mammogram go. Please let us know so we can uncross all our toes, fingers and eyes!!!

Regarding WW - I went to both Milwaukee and Chicago this past weekend for my daughter Julie's baby shower and so needless to say put on a pound or two. But I'm back in the saddle of Core and Working Out so feel better about it.
Hope everyone else is doing well too.
God bless,
Pat

cowgirl

I have heard for years about ultrasound and MRI all I ever got was a mammogram. I think it is not accurate but then again better than nothing it caught mine!

I go see GYNO today yeehaaa, aaa not really. Main problem is going to the doctor so much it is out of town and there is food everywhere. I will had to decide before I go what to do!