Stage 1/2 Completed Conventional Treatment - What Next?

DebRox

I am on the eve of finishing my last chemo treatment, which gives me anxiety, but wish to look forward to what changes I can make in my life to prevent cancer recurrence and live a long and fulfilling life.  First and foremost is providing my body the environment to fully recover and heal from the effects of chemo these past few months. 

I have visited with an Integrative Onc who helped me put together a plan to sucessfully complete chemo with very few side effects and keep my body as healthy as possible.  I plan on revisiting her a few weeks PFC along with a full comprehensive blood panel.  The goal will be to put together a plan to assist my body with full recovery from chemo and prevent recurrence in the future.

In the meantime I have been researching what I can do to prevent future recurrence.

I was and have always been active, exercising vigorously 5-6 days a week, until I had surgery.  I developed severe cording in my arm, which has prevented me from upper body workouts or really anything do to with the arms including yoga.  I have been limited to hiking and walking for the duration of chemo.  I look forward to having this issue resolved in the future so that I can resume the active lifestyle I once had.

I have stayed within my BMI my entire life, strive to eat healthy with few indulgences now and then.  I normally stay away from sugar as I just don't feel good when I consume it.  I do enjoy red wine, which I will say is a vice and main indulgence and drink on the weekends, my husband and I sharing approx 3 bottles over the course of the weekend. 

I have read the Anti-Cancer book and I realized that while I ate healthy in the past, I did not consume the variety of vegetables Dr. S-S recommended.  I have since incorporated a wide variety of vegetables over and above what I normally ate from cabbage to kale to beets to brocolli etc and aim for approx 9-12 servings per day.  I have practically eliminated bread out of my diet, maybe eating 1 slice of whole grain artisan bread every few days. I do eat a serving of greek yoghurt daily.  Regarding protein, I opt for eggs, cottage cheese, fish, chicken occasionally, beef rarely and rice and beans.

In terms of supplements, I am open minded and hope to add anti-cancer supplements into my daily regimen.  So far I have been investigating selenium, coQ10, grape seed extract, astragalus and tumeric along with the usual suspects, multi, fish oil, d3, melatonin, magnesium citrate, biotin and silica.

I have been participating in a Young Womens Support group which provides a sense of comfort and healing. I also plan on seeking counselling to deal with my emotions after BC. I find it has taken its toll, I feel empty and numb and seek to find me again. 

I have also looked at ways to minimize stress in my life and will be looking at making signficiant changes over the next year or so.  What was so important to me a few months ago is now meaningless. We live in a rat race and hope to scale back our lives.

So I leave with this question for you out there who have gone through treatment and are looking at building your life back up, whether it be physically or emotionally.  What have complementary practices have you incorporated into your life to prevent recurrence?

apple

your post is actually wonderfully helpful... spelling out what we can do to live with cancer and better yet survive it.  I was talking with a woman today who said that deep breathing can be very helpful..  just adding this because you didn't.

taniak

Hi Deb - sounds like we are at about the same point in our journey. I finished TC last week and am now on the search for recovery and non-recurrence.  I have asked my various oncologists about this and the only thing they say there is "proof" on is a low fat diet - I think less than 15 or 20% of caloires. Sounds like you are doing all the right things.

Vitamin D is a hot topic, but sounds like you are on that.  Assume you have had your levels tested?

While definitely more medical than lifestyle, I am considering taking a drug called metformin for the next number of years.  It is an anti-diabetic drug, but has shown alot of promise for keeping bc recurrence at bay.  Not sure if the mechanism is that it keeps inflammation down or something else. There is a large clinical trial out of Canada underway, but I got my doctor to prescribe this "off label" for me to be sure I am actually getting the drug.  I have alot of research on this and can send it or we can talk personally if you are interested in learning more.

The folks at MD Anderson recommend a daily baby (small dose of) aspirin and apparently have studies that have shown this to be effective.

I have a number of guided imagery CDs about coping with the post treatment emotions, which I am on the verge of pulling out.  If I find they are helpful I will send info along on those. 

I see from your profile you are in CA.  I am in the SF bay area. If you are close by, I could suggest some practitioners I have seen and programs I have done, and introduce you to some amazing survivors. Or I am very happy to drink red wine with you 

DebRox

Apple:  Thanks for the info on deep breathing.  I used guided imagery tapes and concentrate of deep breathing.  I was told that most women breathe from there chest versus their abs so I am focussing on feeling my abdomen expand and contract with each breath.  Hard to do as aren't we all told to suck in our stomachs! 

TaniaK:  I have reserached Metformin religiously since being dxd.  I have shown signs of pre-diabetes almost my entire adult hood.  Upon analyzying my bloodwork the past few years, my fasting glucose and A1C have been rising at a steady rate.  Still pre-diabetes, by not controlled with diet and exercise, this was ever so apparent at my last wellness exam March 11 at the same time my GP discovered the lump.  I was also gestational diabetic with both pregnancies.

There was a white paper that was published by the University of Toronto about a link to premenopausal women, IGF and increased levels of estrogren circulating in their bloodstreams, putting them at risk for BC.  I will have to dig to find the link to post it here, but it is very interesting.

I had my GP put me on metformin immediately.  Once chemo is complete, I am have an appointment with an Endocrinologist to sort out the glucose issue for one and all.  I wish to ensure I am on the correct dose of metformin, my fasting glucose levels are still high, taking 1000 mg metformin daily.  I keep a food log and watch my carb intake so this has to be monitored by an endo.

Anyways I would love to talk with you and share information about this, PM me.  I firmly believe with the research coming out, metformin will one day be included in cancer treatment!

My first trip after chemo will be a road trip up to Napa in September some time, we are in the OC, but Napa our favorite hangout.  Thanks for the info.

thenewme

Wow, DebRox,

It sounds like you're already doing some really good things!   Your post about breathing brings to mind a really helpful meditation technique I've been practicing lately!  I read a book called "Peace is Every Breath - A Practice for our Busy Lives" by Thich Nhat Hanh, and it's really been a valuable thing for me, the one who never thought I could possibly "meditate!"  

Lots of interesting info about Metformin in the current research!  I have a significant family history of diabetes, but no personal history - it's definitely an interesting possibility.

apple

DebRox... I am NOT a singer.  I work with a wonderful director now - who  'owns' the choir  that I work with., who has them do exercises for expanding their lungs, saying the diaphragm must go down as you breath in and the stomach consequently sticks out.  This mirrors some deep breathing exercises I have done in yoga.   Come to think of it, I've read many plugs for deep breathing for health.  in thru the nose - out thru the mouth.. feel your diaphragm push and pull.

I know I have come to take a few deep breaths before responding in frustration.. (i have preteens to teens)....honestly, they are impossible messy sometimes - tho great kids.  That pause in my communication really helps.