Done with chemo, rads - now about those 10 pounds...

irishdreama

Wintermoon,

I had taxotere after the AC, but that was actually worse for me. Other than the constipation, mouth sores, headaches, and low white cell counts, I was ok on AC. With the taxotere, I gained weight, got neuropathy in my hands and feet, shortness of breath, and horrible pain in my hips, arms and legs. I actually passed out on my kitchen floor, and my 9 year old had to help me crawl to the couch. As bad as the AC was, for me, the taxotere was far worse, I still have to take a diuretic every morning, because my legs and feet still swell up if I don't, and still no feeling in the bottom of my feet, and I finished a year ago this past June. I guess it's true, that everyone's body handles the treatments differently.

Wintermoon623

irishdreama: I guess just like this disease, the treatment side effects are different for everyone.  I'm so sorry you had such a bad time with Taxotere.  I was on Taxol..so different sides I think.  I was warned about neuropathy (which concerned me because I am attached to my computer keyboard at work) but I never got it.  For me the worst thing of all was the Neulasta shot.  I felt like an 85 year old woman two days after that shot.  I tried all kinds of combined pain relievers but none of them really worked, I just had to wait out the pain and sometimes it lasted for four days.  My onc said I had terrific bone marrow and that was why my bones protested so much. I don't know.  Maybe she was just trying to make me feel better. A/C was bad for me in the beginning because I was arrogant enough to think I wasn't going to get nauseous and didn't take the anti-nausea meds soon enough.  Once I got knocked on my butt with the A/C I learned to take the meds BEFORE the nausea hit.  It helped a lot.

chj127

Irish & Winter - ditto what she said - eveyone is different with this stuff!  I also had Taxotere, but had 6 rounds because of my history.  My onc frequently gives AC followed by Taxol or TAC all together, but since I had had Adriamycin the first time 13 years ago, he said I couldn't have it again.  I had none of the neuropathy with the Taxotere.  I also had no problems at all from the Neulasta, when it seemed like most people did.  Lots of people also seemed to have nail problems, and my fingernails stayed pretty good, though my big toenails still look like they could still cause me problems even now.

Went out for a walk this morning, and had a big bowl of mango for breakfast, yum!  I'm off to a good start for today.  But I'll be leaving shortly to get my port out.  Hope it's as easy as they say!

CHJ 

BMac

Dear Irish, I too had an incident where I almost passed out.  I had three FEC cycles followed by three taxotere, which is when I started Herceptin.  I also took Dexamethasone the last three cycles and blamed the inability to move for 5 days the week after chemo on the Dex.  Now I'm thinking it was the Taxotere.  I look back and wonder how I ever got through it!

Wintermoon623

chj127: Congratulations on getting your port out!!!!  I can't wait to get mine out - onc says once I'm done with rads she'll schedule port removal.  I never had any problems with my port...in fact, I forget it's there sometimes, but for me the removal will signal the end of this journey...hopefully forever.

While I was on chemo...my fingernails grew like crazy and never changed color, but two toenails got a little dark.  Weird, huh?

I had pineapple and an egg this morning.  However, I met my boyfriend for coffee and we split a cranberry muffin....*sigh*.  Will have to take an extra long walk at lunchtime.

irishdreama

chj127-I had my port taken out when they did the bilateral mastectomy, so no problems there!

BMac-I think we got through it because we are STRONG women!

My fingernails turned a really ugly yellow, and grew curved upwards, but once the taxotere was done, they turned normal again, although they're still very brittle. I skipped breakfast-I never eat it-and had a tuna wrap for lunch-did have chips with it though, and a piece of apple pie. Curves for me again tonight. I have an appt. with my onc tommorrow morning, and I know I've gained a few pounds since my last visit. Bummer.

ellenoire

Irish, if you do not eat breakfast, your body will store fat.

 Break the fast is why we call it breakfast. Your body has fasted for 8-10 hours( since you should stop eating 3 hours before bed to make your body switch off in time for sleeping) and it thinks you are starving it. So, it will store fat to protect itself. 

 During the rest of the day you should not let more than 4 hours go without eating for the same reason.  

 Try to eat 5-6 smaller meals per day, all of them balanced with protein, fat and carbs and you will burn fat like crazy. 

chj127

Hey - yep, the port is out.  Other than a little sting when they put in the local (about 6 little stings, actually) I didn't feel anything except some weird pulling.  It was pretty easy, though it does hurt a bit now.  I'll get the little stitches out in a week.  I guess it will take about that long for me to realize it's really out and feel like there is nothing there.

On the way home, hubby & I stopped for a light lunch (1/2 sandwich & a small salad) which was good, but then we felt a need to celebrate with dessert.  We split a desert sampler - 4 little "shooters" with different kinds of cake & sauce.  It really wasn't a lot, but it was gooooooood!!

Yes, breakfast is good for you, I don't ever skip it.   

CHJ 

irishdreama

I know, eating breakfast is supposed to be a good thing, but if I eat breakfast, even something light, I'm hungry all day. It's like once I start, I can't stop. If I don't eat until lunch, I can have a normal lunch, normal supper, and maybe a light snack later.

BMac

Irish, my understanding is that you need to have protein at every meal.  Protein makes you feel full.  Carbs (the bad kind) will make you feel hungry soon after eating.  So an egg or cheese or low fat ham, some kind of protein should help at breakfast.

LorenaB

If I have a high fiber breakfast it keeps me full for longer than, say, a bagel or toast.  Usually I have oat bran made with some milk or a high-fiber dry cereal. 

magsandmattsmom

Yup fiber and protien help you feel full longer.  Weight Watchers uses fiber to figure it's points.  the more fiber - the less points for the most part.

ellenoire

Irish dreama, the fact that you are hungry when you eat breakfast is good! Good Food is good for you, it helps you burn fat, this is called thermogenesis.The process of burning fat with higher temperatures in your body. Or in other words upping your metabolism. If you are hungry, eat. If you eat a small balanced meal every 3-4 hours you should not get too hungry.This keeps the " furnace" stoked to burn the fat. If you forget to stoke the furnace, then it gets cold and stores fat.

 Don't eat a light breakfast, eat a balanced one. Fiber is important, but it is only carbs, you must have protein too ( an egg, some real yogurt, a little ham or steak)  

N 

chj127

I have to say that I try to eat a balanced diet (food groups) but never paid attention to protein.  Does skim milk count as protein?  I have that every morning.  I definitely get my fiber, though!

CHJ 

Wintermoon623

I try and have protein with every meal.  I find if I have an egg in the morning I can make it to lunch without feeling too hungry.  I think skim milk counts as protein. 

This morning I was running late and had to get to rads so I had bowl of Kashi cereal and a piece of multigrain toast with peanut butter...to get that protein in.  I don't eat any dairy so I have cereal with almond or rice milk.  I am a big supporter of breakfast but my 17 year old daughter cannot stand breakfast or breakfast type food so I let her have a piece of chicken or grilled cheese sandwich around 10 a.m. or so.  She can't seem to eat any earlier in the day.  I, however, wake up at 5 a.m. hungry!! 

shiny

Hi All,

(Watermoon, I am with you with the breakfast thing! I need food as soon as I wake, with protein on board, I lost 40 pounds after the kids were born, so here's hoping! Although, at 40, it's bit harder..)

I have just grabbed a few minutes from the kids and got my coffee. This is the thread that I need!

I am off on hols Saturday, for 2 weeks but am looking for something like this thread to keep me going as I get serious about weight loss and exercise. Total novice here!

 I finished chemo in late november, had double mast/SIEA recon late FEB 08, lots of bone/joint pain (which kept me on the couch!) but after a biopsy on distant node last week AND and a good result, I feel very motivated to get going!

So, see you back here after my hols! Good luck to you all! Well I guess it's luck, commitment, hard work, etc! Hope you get on well.

 Best vibes,

Shiny

ellenoire

Winter that is a good breakfast. I love the Kashi line.

CHJ- yes milk is protein, check the carton for how much.

  Noelle

irishdreama

So what if I just go with a carnation instant breakfast? Would that count? Unfortunately, I don't eat much dairy at all-don't like eggs, milk etc. so I take calcium citrate with vitamin D.

BMac

Irish I'm not familiar with the contents of carnation instant breakfast.  This is where you have to start reading labels.  Check for no. of cals and how much sugar and it should state if it has protein.  Get reading!

irishdreama

Yes, Ma'am!!  I'll check it out tommorrow!!!!

BMac

Yeah, listen to me.  After one of my rads I was waiting for my ride and was sooo hungry so I went to the little snack shop and bought an energy bar without reading the label.  Now I knew in my gut that something that was peanut butter and chocolate had to have a lot of calories....yeah, 300 cals!  What a nitwit I was.  Oh well, I'm not perfect by any stretch of the imagination.

irishdreama

Well, you learned a valuable lesson, and can now pass that on to those of us in need!!

magsandmattsmom

When I first joined Weight Watchers I took EVERYTHING out of my cupboard and wrote the points it was on it.  Boy was that an eye opener as to what was way bad bad bad.

Kayree

CHJ - congrats on getting the Port out!  I agree that fiber is really impt.  I know I need to up the fiber in my diet.  I eat fresh fruits and veggies, but I just can't seem to get the recommended amount.

Jill - You are so right about Weight Watchers.  It is amazing how we can be tricked into thinking something is ok to eat, but when you start reading the labels, it is sooo not good for you.  Weight Watchers really is an excellent program.  I tried that once before and it didn't take long at all to start eating right, exercising, and losing weight.  I should do it again, but haven't joined yet. 

I agree about eating a good breakfast, but sometimes I really just don't have time.  I'm running out the door at the last minute.  Lately, I just grab a banana and usually eat Yoplait FF Yogurt when I get to work.  It's better than nothing though.  Sandwiches seem to be the norm for me at lunch now.  I don't think I get enough protein though. 

Hope we all have good news to report at the next weigh in!  Karen

chj127

IT'S FRIDAY WEIGH-IN TIME!!

 I'll start: since last Friday, I have gained 1.5 pounds.  Oh, woe is me!  I started to type "whoa is me", which is what I need to do: whoa on all I have been eating!!  I am still in a rut, but today is a new day, eh??? 

You are all right about knowing what the heck you are eating.  I know how to read labels, for sure, and I just need to do it. I do best when I write down everything I eat, but I haven't been able to get started. A couple of times, I have started the day writing it all down, but then I get snacking and I ditch it by the late afternoon.  Today I'm going to do it no matter what!!

I guess I'll be able to get in some walking & exercise this weekend, though the stitches from the port removal are still bugging me.  I just need to stay out of the kitchen! 

How did everyone else do this week?  C'mon, motivate me!!

CHJ 

magsandmattsmom

I'll weigh soon but it won't be good.  I was good but I got crabby about my onc appt and then the brain mri so I ate bad bad bad!

 CHJ - I think that will be my saying now "WHOA IS ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"  I'll hear it when I'm tempted to eat!

ellenoire

Kayree, a banana and yogurt is a fine breakfast if you ate a low fat yogurt as opposed to a fat free one.

If your yogurt has sugar high in the list, and/ or gelatin or starch in it change brands. The organic yogurts like Stoneyfield are better to keep around the house, 1or 2% fat is fine in a yogurt. You need some fat in your meals.

Here is my fave breakfast on the run to keep in the fridge.

1c plain (no not vanilla) low fat yogurt, 1c frozen or fresh berries, 1/2 cup plain oatmeal. Layer oatmeal, berries and yogurt in that order in a big bowl overnight or for a few hours and stir. Add a small amount of brown sugar or real maple syrup to taste.   

 I weigh 144 today.

 Cheers, Noelle  

magsandmattsmom

Ellenoire - my 9 year old daughter loves to make what you described!  Well except for the brown sugar/syrup.  She calls it a smoothie

OK I weighed myself and held my breath and lo and behold I'm -1.5!!!!!!!!! Wahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ellenoire

I only suggest the sweeteners for people that cannot handle the plain yogurt. 

Sorry, I forgot to say how much I have lost... 2 lbs this week.

magsandmattsmom

Oh for breakfast stuff I do two things a lot - egg beaters with whole wheat toast and oatmeal.  NOT TOGETHER! but two different options.  I'm on thyroid meds and I'm not suppose to eat with I take them.  I've tried all options and taking them right away in the morning and eating at work seems to work best.  I usually end up with yogurt and oatmeal since both are easy at work.