Anyone starting chemo in Aug. 08?

 Copied and pasted from 'AOL ONLINE':

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ANTICANCER DIET

Seasonings:

Turmeric

Found in curry powder, this spice is the most powerful natural anti-inflammatory available today. It encourages cancer cell death, inhibits tumor growth, and even enhances the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Some research shows that turmeric is most effective in humans when it's mixed with black pepper and dissolved in oil (olive or canola, preferably). In store-bought curry mixes, turmeric represents only 20% of the total, so it's better to obtain ground turmeric directly from a spice shop.

How to Use It:

Mix a teaspoon of turmeric powder with a teaspoon of olive oil and a generous pinch of ground black pepper and add to vegetables, soups, and salad dressings. Use a tablespoon if you already have cancer. If it tastes too bitter for you, add a few drops of honey or agave nectar.

Ginger
Fresh ginger, or ginger root, is a powerful anti-inflammatory that combats certain cancer cells and helps slow tumor growth. A ginger infusion can also alleviate nausea from chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

How to Use It:

Add grated fresh ginger to a vegetable stir-fry or fruit salad. Or, make an infusion by slicing a 1-inch piece of ginger and steeping it in boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes; drink hot or cold.

Japanese Green Tea

Green tea is rich in compounds called polyphenols, including catechins (and particularly EGCG), which reduce the growth of new blood vessels that feed tumors. It's also a powerful antioxidant and detoxifier (activating enzymes in the liver that eliminate toxins from the body), and it encourages cancer cell death. In the laboratory, it has even been shown to increase the effect of radiation on cancer cells.

How to Drink It:

 Sip 2 to 3 cups a day within an hour of brewing. Green tea must be steeped for at least 5 to 8 minutes -- ideally 10 -- to release its catechins, but it loses its beneficial polyphenols after an hour or two.

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Enjoy!!!!

Thanks for the info' on Woolite, Bette.  I think I'll try that over the weekend.  When I bought my wig, they told me it only needed washing every 20 or so wearings.  I've worn it very infrequently -- a baseball cap just seemed more comfy to me -- and I haven't worn it for more than 2 or 3 hrs. at a time, like when we've gone out in the evening.  But now that it's turned so cold this week, I've been wearing it more.  (Just didn't want you all to think I've been wearing that thing since August without washing it!!! LOL!)

Roya, thanks for the anti-cancer diet info.  I bought some curcumin capsules in a health food store because I'm not crazy about the taste of tumeric.  Hopefully, they'll be just as good as cooking with it.  I've also added green tea to my diet, but I didn't know about the ginger.  Guess I'll have to remember to use that too now.     

How's everyone doing with their holiday stuff?  I was out shopping tonight and actually felt kind of "normal," (a great feeling!), although I still get tired more quickly than I would have pre-bc.    Deanna

Bette, how is the neuropathy in your feet healing?  Mine seems to be getting worse before it gets better.  My finger tips feel about the same.

I haven't started radiation quite yet, but since my mastectomy in June I've been using Adidas absorbent-deo.  It doesn't have aluminum and seems to work pretty well.

Way to go, Alibug!!  My DH would love me to do this. I am just not ready yet because of my work situation.  I am off for two weeks now, so I hope to get some growth without wearing the wig around the house!!

Have any of you joined Susan Love's "Army of Women"?  I sent out a message to all my girlfriends last night encouraging them to join.  Google it and you will see what I mean.

~misty

Oh, Jeannine-sorry to hear you are having a bad time wtih the joints.  How many more TXs do you have?  I get the hot flashes over night.  Last night, my DH was actually rubbing my cute 1/2" of hair and I started to get one. He couldn't believe how hot the top of my head got.  After a moment, it went away.  Have you been walking or working out?  I know it sounds painful, but you might get some relief if you stay active.  I hope they go away soon!!!!  Take care!!!!

~Misty

Oh, STacy, I am so sorry about your dog.  I'll be thinking about you.  Your new pic is great!!  Good for you for getting out there with golf.  I think any type of exercise will help you feel better.

Deanna, yes I am still coming out to Palm Desert on 4/1 (evening).  We'll touch base about this soon-haven't heard from Gail in a while.  

Hope everyone is getting ready for the holidays!!  Should be a good one this year.

`misty

Stacy  I'm so sorry about your dog.  We had to have our old dog put to sleep about a year and a half ago.  I stll expect to see her lying on the floor.

I went for my radiation set up this morning.  It went well and quickly.  I'm still not sure when I'm starting - I was given an appointment for the 1st one on Jan 7th, but by the time I got home there was a message saying they gave me the wrong date and to call back, I called and just got voicemail.  They're probably off for the holidays now!!

Hi y'all,  Just wanted to sign in. Been praying for all of us. Start my Herceptin only on Monday. Also starting Tamoxifen. i was told that Tamoxifen causes severe hotflashes. Is anyone here on that and what are you doing about the flashes? I was also asked if I wanted to be on a trial of bosphosphinates. Is anyone here in that trial and what are you experiencing for SE's/ Going to a friends tonight for Christmas Eve and staying home where my kids come to see me tomorrow. i want to wish everyone a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Love to you all, Corinne

Jeannine, don't hesitate to ask your doc for pain meds if you need them.  I asked for something and I got something similar to what you call Vicodin in the US.  I had already been using vitamin B and other remedies but sometimes we need more.  You should not have to suffer!!!!!I know that those can get very very intolerable!

Lisahugs, sending much love and many blessings to your little Ella...her very first Christmas!!!

Stacy, I am so sorry about the loss of your dog.  I agree with Deanna, in that it is really like losing a family member.

To all my bc sisters here ... Just stopping by to wish you all a beautiful Christmas (or Chanukah), and more than anything, the blessings of love and good health in the coming year  ~  Deanna

Hey All!!  A Merry Christmas to all of the wonderful women here.  I have enjoyed making so many new friends this year.

Corinne-You will love getting the Herceptin by itself-I treat it like going to a spa for 90 min.  I read, relax, and catch up with the nurses!  I have been on the Tamox for exactly four weeks.  I do get some hot flashes over night.  But, they are not too bad.  I wake up for a bit, but then fall back to sleep.  There are some nights I do not get them at all.  Good luck!!!  I go for my next Herceptin dose tomorrow.

~Misty

Merry Christmas everybody!  Hope you had a nice Christmas Day.  I've had a quiet one, stayed home with my daughter while hubby went visiting his side of the family.  Mine is coming here today.

Hubby's already invited everybody to our place for next year, we should be in a big new house by then!!

I've noticed achy muscles in  my legs the last few days, not sure if it's fromChristmas shopping or Taxotere, I hope it's not the flu coming on - didn't get my flu shot yet!!!  Jeannine, hope you feel better and maybe Las Vegas will dry out your cough - have fun!

 Bette, I hope you're doing better and were able to enjoy the day.  

Hello all!

Tom and I celebrated our Christmas today. We had breakfast out, picked up our wedding invitations (it's in print!) and came home to a long lazy afternoon of openiing presents and enjoying a meal together.

I had a minor meltdown on Christmas when I saw some pictures my brother took of me and family. I've changed so much! Significant weight gain, pale puffy face with no eyebrows. It's no wonder my mother didn't recognize me(who's that man  over there?)

Today I compounded the injury by deciding to measure myself to order some clothing online. I burst into tears and ran straight into Tom's arms, where I stayed, being comforted the rest of the evening.

We decided on a plan of action. He will start walking with me on a daily basis whenever he is here. I will use the fitness center on the off days. AND tomorrow I am going to weigh in and restart Weight Watchers Online. It worked really well for me two years ago. I am going to work it again.

Now that I am finished with the steroids, perhaps I can lose some of this puffiness. And Yes, sick as I was, I should have put on makeup and drawn on some eyebrows for the pictures.

Chemo is over. I have to look forward and do the best I can to overcome some of the effects it has had on me.

But I am definitely showing some peach fuzz. Straight down the middle of my head and on the sides. If it grows in that way I will have a natural "chemo mohawk"!