Moving over from the Waiting for Results Discussion

Lindymi

Hello, I was just diagnosed from an annual mammogram and diagnostic mammogram and biopsy 5/7/21 IDC, Left, 1.1cm ER+/PR+, HER2-

Next steps MRI, Surgeon consult 5/19/21 and then surgery end of June or early July. Still so many questions. Does the diagnosis often change after the MRI or actual surgery?

I am not a particularly healthy practice person (eating, exercise) and had been relying on good genes to cover for most of my vices, although recently had been working on some of them. Did anyone make huge lifestyle changes before surgery? I want to improve my outcome, but it also seem daunting to try and slay multiple dragons at once.

Thanks for your thoughts or experiences.

Aram

Hi Lindymi, I am sorry you are here. I just wanted to let you know the biggest risk factor for breast cancer is being a woman. Please don't assume you have caused this. There are many women on these boards that have lead a very healthy lifestyle and we are all still here.

The main change for me was to eliminate red meat from my diet. I was not a big fan of red meat even before, maybe having it once per week, but after diagnosis I try not to even have that.

Good luck with your treatment.

AliceBastable

I haven't changed a thing and I don't plan to.

Salamandra

I also didn't change anything (until I gained a bunch of weight that may or may not be related to hormonal treatment).

I believe there are some dietary interventions that are shown to help with side effects of chemo, but I believe that apart from that, everything is still hypothetical and in an investigation stage.

If there are health changes you were thinking of making anyway and this helps motivate you, why not. It's never a bad time to quit smoking or address alcoholism. If you have specific health issues and are concerned about how they might impact surgery, it's a great idea to discuss with a doctor. But please don't feel for a second that you brought this on, or that there is some magic formula of diet/fitness that could have prevented this or guarantees protection for the future. Please do not let this be a source of additional stress for you.

Sometimes fate just doesn't turn in our favor.

Spookiesmom

I’m with Alice. Haven’t changed and don’t plan to.

quinnie

lindymi: I also led a 'fairly' healthy lifestyle. I love desserts, big fat burgers and pasta but ate with moderation. I was diagnosed a year ago and during my BC journey my very healthy husband had a heart attack. It scared him to death so we do eat heart healthy now and he lost 40 pounds and I gained 5. I blame letrozole. Nothing can hurt if you lead a healthier life style but nothing I did caused me to have BC twice. I do have a huge family history but no genetic component. Try not to be too hard on yourself as you did not cause this.

exbrnxgrl

Healthy lifestyle here too, before dx. For a very brief period of time I followed a more restrictive diet, lots of juicing, no alcohol, sugar etc. I was unhappy and fighting with one of my daughters who was trying to keep me on track. I eat well about 80% of the time and indulge, reasonably, 20% of the time. Most importantly I’ve quit stressing about every bite or sip that passes my lips.

I eat little red meat and rely on chicken and fish as main proteins. I do eat cheese and yogurt and lots of fruit and veg. I am not overweight and practice yoga. I did all of this before my dx too and it didn’t prevent bc, but...I live an almost completely normal life and have been doing so at stage IV for almost 10 years.

Take good care

Redkitty815

First, I am so sorry that you’re here.

I made a number of lifestyle changes after my diagnosis, but have moderated these over time. Before diagnosis, I worked out a couple times a week, drank wine daily and ate lots of animal products (cheese, charcuterie, red meat). Immediately following my diagnosis, I went vegan, gave up wine and started working out almost every day. That lasted about a month-I was miserable. So I have kept the exercise habit and eat a more vegetable heavy diet, but I unapologetically splurge occasionally, including having wine.

I think if you try to wholesale change, you will not succeed. If you want to make changes to be healthier, perhaps choose 1 or 2 habits to change and then build from there. Studies show the most direct connection between exercise and recurrence and it has a ton of other benefits in terms of mental well-being. I found it really helpful to sign up for a distance challenge with a friend (There is an app called conqueror where you can choose your course and timeframe). Ultimately, this has to be about your health as well as your happiness.

Good luck!!!

AliceBastable

Lots of good advice here. I'd almost forgotten I quit smoking a few months after my lumpectomy, after almost a half century. But it was due to a different cancer - I had asked my doctors if smoking was tied to breast cancer, and they said no link has been found, at least to the high estrogen one I had. But other than that, no changes. 🤭

Rah2464

Lindymi sorry to hear of your diagnosis but it looks like you caught this early and very treatable.

I have always been an active person and ate fairly well. I went through a phase right after diagnosis of drastically changing my diet but now have moderated to where I feel I eat well 80% of the time. You are under so much stress, trying to take on too much in the way of dietary changes before surgery, well thats a lot to deal with. Be kind to yourself. This is a marathon, not a sprint. If you want to do some things to improve your health prior to surgery, try walking daily. The gentle exercise will reduce stress and strengthen your lungs and heart in preparation for your surgery. Then once the dust settles investigate with a nutritionist dietary changes you may want to try. Once you are healed up, there is a wonderful program offered by the YMCA called live strong. It is free for cancer patients and is a multiple week exercise course that is targeted to build your immune system. Wishing you all the best.

tntnsd

Hi Lindymi

I am so sorry that you have to be here with your diagnosis. I hope that you will find it easier with once you discuss the treatment plan with your doctors. Regarding the diet, I have not changed much since my diagnosis neither., other than more greens. I am eating red meat, but not like everyday... I do exercise regularly, just like before, because it helped keeping my mind cleared and my immune system. For me, it’s always good to move toward healthy lifestyle, but I wouldn’t do abruptly and stress out too much.

Hope you have support system at home to help you on this path