CALLING ALL SURVIVORS .... AND THAT MEANS ALL OF US
I thought it would be interesting to start a thread for all of us to share what we do differently - or what we do period - - for our health....... since being diagnosed with breast cancer. Have you changed things dramatically - a little bit - or not at all? Let's share....maybe we could all learn a little something.
I was diagnosed in June of 2005 with er/pr negative but her2 positive breast cancer. I had a large tumor...4.5 cm but thankfully the cancer went no where but the breast. Since my diagnosis I've read everything and have changed my life somewhat. Not dramatically though.
I've always been an exerciser so that is not anything new I do. I powerwalk/jog a little bit - I try to always do 4 miles a day - sometimes 6 in the summer time and even through busy, busy times I try to always get in AT LEAST a minimum of 2 miles per day. I also take supplements now and that is something I never did before. I don't believe I go overboard with those but take those that have been proven to be beneficial to us.....D3, CoQ10, fish oil, tumeric, grape seed extract and always my brocco sprouts (a healthy pinch as I was told) or I make sure I drink 2 cups of Brassica Tea with SGS (the high concentrate of SGS is what makes Brocco Sprouts so good for us) per day (at the advice of Lillie Shockney from the Johns Hopkins "Ask the Expert page") and I make sure to drink 3 - 4 cups of green tea a day. I also eat fresh blueberries or blackberries or raspberries (or all) just about every morning. I do try to eat healthy but the key word there is TRY. I do eat healthy EVERYDAY - BUT - I also eat things I know I shouldn't eat.
My philosphy is this.............eat healthy....exercise....do all we can to be healthy - but in the whole scheme of things - we still need to live and enjoy life. God gave us this life to enjoy, to spread His love but also He asks we care for ourselves.
So for I am a 3 1/2 year survivor and thankful for each and everyday.
I look forward to reading what you all do for good health.
Hugs to my "sisters"
Mary Jo
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I no longer smoke, have been smoke free for 2 yrs, Have been NED for 2 yrs too lol,.......I try to healthier, I try to avoid soy.....Being ER/PR+ Her2- I really try to avoid phytoestrogens.......I walk when I can I exercise everyday but that is part of my job or at least htat is the way I feel about it since I am on my feet 8 hours and do a lot of lifting and moving all day........I developed diabetes, and now I am on 8 different meds whereas before I was only in 1....So I have cut out a lot of sugar from my diet.......
MaryJo where can I find Brassica Tea with SGS? I would like to try it, too. I currently drink green tea and decaf coffee......
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Go to Brassicatea.com. You will be able to read about it and order through there.
Mary Jo
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I really haven't done anything differently since diagnosis and treatment. I had a very healthy lifestyle before. That's the real kicker for me. I ate right, exercised and was not overweight until going through chemo, dexamethasone, and chemopause. I did everything right before. There is nothing to do differently.
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I have adopted a vegan diet and take walks most every day. I am planning to purchase a juicer soon. I have given up most refined carbs (white rice, pasta) and sugar. I read tons of books on nutrition which I get from the library. This is a lifestyle change even my DH has embraced. We have both lost 20 pounds and feel like we are doing everything in our power to ward off disease.
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I try and ride my bike at least 2 miles 3 times a week. Don't always get to, but the effort is there. Most days its just a mile.I am watching more of HOW MUCH I eat and try and at least keep my weight stable. I have cut back on alot of my fats, although I did break down and bake some cookies today.....weakness can through...oh well.
Anyway, I try...and I do keep the "moderation" rule in my head.
Jennifer
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Vitamin D3, C, Fish oil,
Fruits and veggies
exercise with water aerobics and gym
starting to lose weight
I signed up to do the Avon walk in San Fran. i am training and wow...that is going to be big.
I am three years out Feb 10.....Yahoo!
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Changes...mostly vegetarian now. Try to exercise every day at least 30-60 minutes. Started my own little bucket list and have begun to do the ones that are financially feasible at this time. I went ziplining and it was a hoot. A wonderful experience.
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For me, I used to exercise 3 days a week my entire life. Now, I will 5 days a week( this will be hard at first to discipline myself..). I have eaten healthy for the past 11 yrs... I will continue that.. and add the supplements Mary Jo has shared... plus I added folic. I am not the type of BC that the drinking of alcohol was addressed... ( Mine was not hormonal and I am not post menopause)... but I have stopped drinking wine with dinner through the week. I only drink on Fri-Sat... and will not do more than that... but because I will still enjoy my wine on the weekends.. I have added the Folic just in case they find out my kind of cancer can be fueled by Wine.... I now have 2-3 fruits in a juicer a day... and I used to eat 2-4 servings of veggies a day... now it is 5-9... I eat most all veggies raw. I will never again eat fast foods... and red meet used to be once a week for me.. now it is once a month... I never was ito sugar... but I did have it indirectly..potatoes.. white rice... but stopped all that two yrs before BC.
I have added sprouts.. and Kale into my daily diet... collard greens too... all those for the Calcium... I put all in my daily large salad.
I have left stress behind. When I find myself.. falling back into my high stress , controlling type lifestyle... I just start praying ( my belief)... I have become so peaceful over the past few months. I LOVE the feeling. Stress... good or bad.. will not be allowed in my life anymore.
There are no more cleaners in my home like 409... or pine sol... as I am her2 and they link that to environmental.... I have changed over to vinegar and water for most all cleaning. ( Even though dh does most of the cleaning..the fumes are still in the home I live in)...
I will never again spray my yard for bugs or weeds myself... I did that for 22 yrs and always got it on my skin... no more...
I will make sure I stay away from second hand smoke... I never paid much attention to that before, as it never bothered me... but I suppose it could have hurt me too...
So... I suppose my life has changed.. and will change... but I still totally enjoy my life... If I had to give up seafood or veggies... that would be hard for me.. or..if I gave up wine on the weekends with friends.... sad... but I don't.
I think we have to balance.. if we are here 1 yr or another 40... we have to enjoy it... whatever that means for us!For me... I have to do everything I can... within my happiness level... to fight and win BC. So if, I am one, who gets it back or it turns to mets...I know and my family knows I did everything , in my power, to stop it.
Thank you Mary Jo for this Thread. I hope it stays active so we can all read and share what each of us are doing. I am going to check into the tea you drink. I drink 4-5 cups of green tea daily... and I would love to add another. I drink tea all day....:)
Laura
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I now exercise daily or every other day by powerwalking and using free weights. I eat much healthier-more fruits/ veggies and avoid most red meat and processed meats. Still love desserts. I make sure I get enough calcium and vitamin D daily and take my Arimidex faithfully. I try not to let the little things bother me and work at reducing stress as much as possible. I am also thankful that I am currently healthy and enjoy every day!
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I gave up wine [WHINE ], I started back at the gym, after a long absence [I was walking daily, but I needed to get back to a more vigorous regime]; am trying to give up sugar - but giving up wine daily made me into a sugarholic! I am trying really hard to supplant the sugar urges with fruit, so I am down to one cookie a day. But it is a pretty big cookie.
I am also limiting caffeine to one cup of coffee daily. I started taking more vitamins and supplements. Like Estepp, I am trying to find more harmony and less stress in my life. Finding comfort also in my faith...loving my two grandchildren [who are in this picture with DH and I] and seeking contentment....I hope to learn more in this journey....this is a great thread....
I
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Love this Marejo. I am working on "changing" things, so it is nice to come here and read what everyone did. My major change is I stopped drinking soda altogether and cut down on coffee intake and drink TONS of water. I also eat less fried/fatty foods, and eat more veges. ALSO, I work less and enjoy life more............the key to survival and true happiness that "kills" cancer in my case, happiness
Stress is horrible for the body, and I have learned to not worry about everything...........all things I have no control over anyway. I worried from the time I woke up, to worrying in my dreams. Cancer loves worry so screw it!Thanks for the wonderful tips, I will check here on a regular basis.
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I have made dietary changes, trying for more fruits and veggies and less processed carbs. I don't eat fried foods, or any sodas, cut coffee back to only on weekends. I, too, have an occasional glass of wine. I introduced green tea and lots of water with lemon. I do still eat some beef, but we buy only hormone free. That goes for milk also, which I only use on cereal.
I have increased the supplements; calcium, magnesium, D3, E, cucurmin, fish oil, glucosamine, C, also take two brazil nuts a day for the selenium. I have been drinking some tonic water to counter the muscle cramping from the tamoxifen.
Thanks for starting this thread, the ideas and support are great.
I am starting to exercise again and working on losing 20 pounds. I also have been being consistent in my prayer life and making sure to enjoy lots of time with my family. My job is too stressful and I am wondering how to address that. I have been trying to use more natural cleaning products for myself and my home. My total at Whole Foods increases every time I go.
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I haven't changed much physically. Although I am (finally) starting to try to be more active. We always ate fairly healthy.......or so we thought. Who knows whats really in the food we buy?
I think it's more head changes for me. I have no time for people I simply don't like. Used to hang out with some because I was afraid to hurt their feelings. I've dropped 'em like hot tomales. I try to enjoy each day as it comes. It's not always easy.........but for the most part doable.
I did NOT give up wine or whine.
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I spend A LOT of time on these boards.
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oh wow I soooo needed to come into here today and read. I am a long term survivor and I dont do stuff right, eating or drinking and definately not enough exercise. However in saying that I decided this year needs to be different and have been thinking about putting a flyer together to get a group of similar people together to see if they too would like to change things. I am considering documenting it all. Like Sharon above I am not going to give up wine or whineeeeeeeeeee, my motto is less whine and more wine, but I do need to cut down. I will keep you all posted.
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I ate healthy and did all the "right" things prior to Dx...all the things they say to do to prevent BC...and I still got it. I really don't do much different...still eat healthy, good weight, walk several times/week etc. But what is different...is all the the meds and supplements to deal with prevention of mets and side effects.
My 3 years since Dx is Feb 3d.
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Since my diagnosis of LCIS in 2005, I found out I have PTSD, and was getting a new medical diagnosis every 3-6 months.
I just got a new orthotic 2 weeks ago
from my NEW podiatrist, (after my FORMER podiatrist spent 1 year prescribing Do It Yourself Podiatry with a new orthotic - I ended up firing him!) so I've been able to walk 1 mile 2-6 days a week. That's more than I've been able to do in 2 years. (2 years ago I was jogging 4 miles a day.) I hope I'll be able to return to jogging. I cut out soy, and sometimes add flax seed.
I have to identify with sue_blue - I spent a lot of time on these boards.
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Mary Jo,
Thanks for starting this post. There is alot of good info here. I have been recently diagnosed. I know there are some thing I need to change. Diet Soda is a first.
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I was always a healthy eater and did exs as much as able. My only downfall is sugar. I can eat sweats for main meal, i love sweats sooooooooo much. It is hard to give up, so i eat moderatly. I used to drink wine once a week. For the past 6 months, i have had only one glass of wine and one margarita which is not bad. I take oscal, centrum silver, D3 and ofcourse tamox, all my onco recommended. I am thinking of fish oil, but is there mercury in fish oil?.One more thing, after my mother passed away suddenly, i gave up on God. I am back to accept death as part of living, and started praying which has given me peace of mind. I thank God every day for giving another opportunity to enjoy life with my beautiful family and friends.
I also do deep breathing exs(pranayam) almost every day. Believe it or not it gives a boost of energy to work full time and take care of my family.
This is a great site. I come here atleat once a week. I don't write much as i am not a good writer. Thanks.
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I´ve been stage IV nearly 9 years now and my onc is still surprised, I`m doing so well every time he sees me. I try to eat healthy, try to walk every day(but it´s hard with bone mets),I drink a few glasses of wine in weekends but mostley green tea and water. I try to enjoy life and my family. I work, but not so much, my husband has cut down working too so he can spend more time with me. We live on a farm, no animals now, ecept a dog and a cat but a beautiful garden that means a lot to me.
I´m on Aremidix and Bondronate but no chemo. I try not to worry so much but that´s the hard job.My doctor tells me "you must do everything right, just keep on doing what you are doing"
Annaswe (mets, bones, liver, lungs and brain)
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I have also been one of those who exercised and tried to eat right for many years. I still have beer or two on the weekends - can't give up everything! I have modified my diet to exclude soy. My nutrionist said if it was one of the first four ingredients, try to avoid that food. So, I go to Trader Joes and have found so many items that do not contain soy. I very rarely eat beef. I've used ground turkey for years for my meatballs, tacos, etc., and my kids prefer that over beef!!! Even my daughter's college roommates are now hooked on my turkey meatballs. LOL!
I try and eat salad every day and drink alot of water. I usually have one cup of green tea a day, but I definitely have my 2 cups of coffee in the morning to get me going.
What is CoQ10? I used to take fish oil pills but no longer as they contain soy. I did find a multivitamin that doesn't contain soy.
For those who can't live without the desserts, there is brownie mix called "No Pudge" that alot of supermarkets sell (and trader joe). It's a low fat brownie mix. All you add is fat free yougurt. It helps with the chocolate fix! I also make a chocolate cake mix with just pumpkin - mix it together, and it's a low fat dessert. Throw some choc pudding on it and it's a real treat.
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I was one of those people who did everything "right" but ended up with a bc diagnosis at 48. I was vegan for 8 years, not overweight, exercised, etc....
Now I still eat mostly vegan (but have chicken and fish a couple of times each week), I do T-Tapp and walk, walk, walk as much as possible. I am not taking Tamoxifen because it made me feel absolutely terrible all the time. I take Brevail, D3, CoQ10, Vitamin C and a good quality multivitamin. It is really hard to find stuff without soy in it, isn't it? I've switched to Almond and Rice milk as I used to be a big soymilk drinker.
Mostly, I try to keep a positive frame of mind (some days are better than others) and use visualization techniques to remain as upbeat as possible. I also have stopped letting my job overwhelm me. It is a very stressful job, but with the economy the way it is, I am lucky to have it. I just try now to not take it home with me. I accomplish what I can during the day and leave work at the office when I go home.
No one knows how much time they have remaining on this earth, I just keep trying to be grateful for what I have and for every day I have here.
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Curliq- so right about stress! As much as I have changed diet, and a number of other habits- dealing with stress is one that has made/makes a huge difference in my day to day survival. I think we, as women have a hard time with that- caring for children, homes, work, PTA, not saying no-sorry-can't do that. Some one else will pick up -----whatever it is, and things get done (the important things).
Be well ladies
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marejo: RE: The Brassica tea.....I need to buy that in decaffeinated, right?
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Hi drink the caffeine version but you can do whatever you like.
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Hey Marejo,
Great thread!
I was dxed may 05 er/pr neg and Her pos. lots of pos nodes too.
Ayway, I power walk,alwasy did, but now I don't have as many excuses.
I follow pretty much the principles of the breast cancer diet;I eat alot of Extra Virgin olive oil
I put it on everything.
I've reduced my coffee intke, but till have one cup in the am.
Daily red wine.and abit of dark chocolate.
I have flaxseed daily (since I am hormone neg)
My supps are D3, calcium, flaxseed oil, fish oil, tumeric, selium, milk thistle, Bcomplex, CoQ10 and C.
I reconnected with my faith and have reduced my stress big time
Think that's about it.
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