Have you given up alcohol?

Alive4Five

I just have to ask... out of curiosity... have any of you ladies enjoyed, and I mean, really liked, sour-mash whiskey?? Like, Jack Daniels?

I could never do the Daniels....yeck! 

Always enjoyed my wine... and a bit of a Canadian blended whiskey, and Crown Royal... and.....

PontiacPeggy

I have always wanted to like whisky but I just don't

Theda

I stopped a few days before the surgery and for six weeks afterwards, it was not even on my mind. Now I am back to my evening glass of wine, sometimes two (I am French, best excuse ever). I used to like going out on weekends and have a few drinks while dancing, but since being homebound due to scar that keeps opening every few days, no dancing and no cocktails for me. But you can bet that as soon as I can leave my couch and start excercising again, the dancing and cocktails will be back.  Giving up the wine, nope, not happening. I don't like sweets, I eat pretty healthy, but wine is part of what I consider quality of life.

Alive4Five

Theda - Hi! ~ Welcome ~ 

I have to say, the percentage of those who feel as you do, about how wine is an intricate part of our life's picture... It's very interesting to me. Because, I "feel" as you, and the others. 

I see nothing wrong with a glass/two at night. In fact, back in the day, it was even 'prescribed'; if you will; by Physicians of the day to people who suffered with digestive issues, stomach problems...

To me, it's all about one's own decision and self-discipline in it's use. And to be completely honest, I would enjoy it -- again. BUT.. again... my DH, and his inability to. You never know, things change everyday! Right!? 

Check in with us... we all care about one another here! ~ And here's hoping that scar stops opening up on you. Gosh, I know..so sorry you are going through this! 

CapeTownBM1

Hi there. I love Jack Daniels Old No. 7. I drink it with Lime Cordial and ice. Priceless. I do not drink it all the time.  It is a treat for me.  Took me almost 2.5 years to finish a 1 litre bottle. Best wishes

Theda

Thanks Alive4five for the welcome

I think it is also a cultural thing, growing up with a family where wine is part of lunch and dinner, you don't really think about it. I never had some during the day because I don't like it, but the dinner wine is nice, slowly sipping it has this "I am done with the day" effect. 

I guess having a a husband that doesn't hold his liquor is limiting, haha. I had a boyfriend for 5 years who was Austrian and not drinking, so I gave up my evening wine without thinking about it and switched to herbal tea.

I think it is about common sense, everything in moderation and whatever makes you feel good and is part of your idea of quality of life.

The scar thing is annoying but I am trying to be patient, the important thing is that I am cancer free and hopefully will not need additional treatment. Reconstruction is tricky and I was aware of the risks. At least, the results are beautiful.

Alive4Five

Hahaha! Just had to!

PontiacPeggy

Love it!

Alive4Five

PontiacPeggy - You Look AmAzing!   

Yes! lol, I think a bit of wine does have it's benefits... I mean you gals who partake appear to have very positive indications of not only enjoyment of; I would say the different tastes of wine   lol,  AND how it affects each person...and to some extent, in a positive way! 

Now I'm not talking about you multi-bottle daily or weekly people.... although, HAhhaha! after having been-there-done-that, it still brings great and funny memories that I can still laugh about and enjoy! ~And once again, to each their own! 

Theda

This one made me laugh^^

PontiacPeggy

HAHAHAHA!!!

skbrown

I am a beer girl and have been wondering about having to give up my beer.  I did not drink when I took the pain meds after the surgery, but am back to drinking until I start radiation or chemo.  Then I will decide, or rather my body will tell me, if I should give it up for a while.  I am ER+, PR+ and Her2 had to be repeated.  so chemo is questionable right now.  I do love my beer.  Hubby does not drink. 

Hopeful82014

I don't consider it 'giving up' alcohol - I quit consuming it a number of years ago when I was dealing with gastric issues and find that I really consider it a hardship. I will have the rare glass of wine on a VERY special occasion but that's it. I don't make a big deal out of it but at this point in my life I don't need the calories. I also have very strong concerns about alcohol's relationship to cancer - not that it did me any good to avoid it, of course.

PontiacPeggy

I'm still drinking a glass of wine 3 or 4 times a week.  I enjoy it.  I rarely drank until about 2 years ago (we aren't going to talk about college which was 50 years ago!), then I got the wine bug.  Never more than 1 glass.  I did add folic acid to my supplements since I read that if you drink it might be a good idea.  And I don't plan on quitting.

CidneyI

I dont consider myself a heavy drinker but I did like a glass of red wine before bed a few nights a week and would drink socially on the weekends. Since completing my rads, I stopped buying beer and wine and decided to only have a drink or two on the weekends, nothing like I use to. I am sure my local liquor store guy has a missing sign with my picture posted on his store window! Anyhoo, my oncologist told me my liver was slightly enlarged and that was a big wake up call as well.

On top of cutting back on my alochol intake, I had to give up coffee about two months ago, a lot of changes going on with my body!

 I have decided to live my life a little cleaner, cut out 95% alochol, start to cut out sugar as much as I can and make healthy choices when it comes to food.

Last weekend, hubby and I went for Mexican food - I order a single chicken enchalida with no cheese, no sour cream, no beans, no rice just the red sauce and pico. My hubby looked at me like I had lost my mind!

PontiacPeggy

Cidneyl, glad it is working for you.  Did your oncologist say why they thought your liver was slightly enlarged and that you should do something about it?  If so, what?  I still have a glass of red wine with dinner several nights per week and don't plan on giving it up.  I still use sugar on my morning cereal.  Otherwise I think I eat reasonably healthy.  My weight is good (let's hope the Arimidex doesn't change that) - I've never been overweight.  

SelenaWolf

skbrown ... I still continue to drink, moderately, mostly wine and the odd beer.  A girl's gotta live.  But I will tell you this; the one time I enjoyed a glass (maybe two) of wine during chemo, I got extremely ill, so - perhaps - play it cautiously during treatment until you know how your body is going to react.

PontiacPeggy

SelenaWolf, I understand that chemo screws things up royally.  From all that's been posted here, drinking is a very individual choice - as it always has been.

CidneyI

PointacPegg - the oncologist just told me I should stop drinking because my liver was slightly enlarged. I asked if I could just cut back and he gave me a look that conveyed - NO, stop drinking! I dont want to end up with liver cancer so I have decided to just have a drink or two on weekends only with dinner or lunch when we go out. The positive side will be my health of course and all the money I will save on not buying booze to have at home now!

PontiacPeggy

Cidneyl, I'm all for moderation in everything.  Not that I always manage that.  Sounds like you've found a happy medium.