CALLING ALL SURVIVORS .... AND THAT MEANS ALL OF US

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  • marejo
    marejo Member Posts: 1,356
    edited February 2009

    You know...you read and read and read about who does what etc. etc. etc. and in the end you wonder if it's all a big crap shoot.  I mean, don't get me wrong, we most definetly should take good are of ourselves but sometimes it all gets so sickening - should I eat this - should I eat that - should I take this - should I take that - you just want to chuck it all and say LIVE AND LET LIVE.  Right?  Don't get me wrong...I'm not having a sucky attitude or anything.  But, I just reread all the posts and that's what my mind was thinking.  We all try SOOOOOOOOOOOO hard to NOT have this crap ever come back into our lives but in the end I wonder how much control we really have.  Ya know?

    Oh well, on that note, I think I will go and have a couple Dove Dark Chocolates and a cup of green tea.Wink

    Love ya sisters

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  • artsee
    artsee Member Posts: 1,576
    edited February 2009

    AMEN my friend.......YOU and I both know who it is that's in control here!!!!

    Love ya back, Artsee

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  • marejo
    marejo Member Posts: 1,356
    edited February 2009

    Yep......we do.  The Bible is quite specific in Matthew somewhere we Jesus says "who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?"  (Matthew 6:27 - I just looked it up)  When I start stressing over EVERYTHING I often remind myself of that verse and it calms me.  What will be will be.....we need to spend our lives LIVING not worrying.  As my oncologist told me last week when we met "there comes a point in your life where you just have to let it go and start living.  Waiting for the tree branch to fall and hit you in the head isn't living."  Isn't that awesome?   AND SOOOOOOOOOO true.  Wink

    Hope your day is a happy one.

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  • artsee
    artsee Member Posts: 1,576
    edited February 2009

    Well then with all that being said....let's start living and to heck with all the bad stuff. I think I'll have another cup of tea.........

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  • marejo
    marejo Member Posts: 1,356
    edited February 2009

    Here here...........

    You know, I was thinking after I typed my last post and remember how hard it was for after I hit a year.  From then to year 2 was the toughest for me.  Really tough.  I laugh now...but it wasn't funny then...but everyday when my dh would come home from work I had cancer somewhere.....GEEZ, that year I had everything from brain cancer to toe cancer.  It sounds funny to type this here but that's how paranoid I was about EVERYTHING.  While going through treatment, you are DOING something but when treatment is all over you sit and "wait and watch for symptoms" (as our oncs. tell us) well it can become OVERWHELMING.  Thankfully though, it does get easier.  It really does.  Each year you are away from diagnosis you really start to believe you just might beat this cancer and you don't think EVERYTHING is cancer.  It never completely leaves you and I guess that is normal.  Afterall, we are cancer survivors and as hard as it is to imagine, we all know that recurrence does happen so we need to be aware of what's going on in our bodies and get checked out anything we find "strange."

    So sip away artsee (envision my tea cup clinking yours) - pinkies up!

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  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 6,416
    edited February 2009

    Mary Jo.. THANK you! I needed that quote from the bible today. Big time!. So does another friend of mine.. and I am going to send it to her today... via e-mail. For unknown reasons.. I had forgotten that passage. THANK you for bringing  it up today.

    I will work out 5 days a week... but if it is only 30min...so be it. I will still eat my 5-9 servings of fruits and veggies a day... but if I get behind one day.. I will not be afraid... If I forget my multi or curcumin..etc.. vit one day.. I will not freak. I will try to continue to be a normal healthy woman.

    And if I have three glasses of wine one evening with friends..... I will try to remind myself that it is ok and not think I have killed myself.....as I am not er/pr+ anyway.. and now have no breast tissue to get it...:)

    Thanks Mary Jo.

    Laura

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  • FloridaLady
    FloridaLady Member Posts: 2,155
    edited February 2009

    Amen sister God is in control for sure!  My quote that God gave me was:  For the Lord gives wisdom, and from him come knowledge and understand. Proverb 2:06

    My son, preserve sound judgments and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life to you, and ornament to grace your neck. Proverb 3:21-22

    Flalady

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  • marejo
    marejo Member Posts: 1,356
    edited February 2009

    Hi Laura,

    That's exactly where I am at this point on my journey.  I, too, use to freak when I overdid it in some area.....like you thinking........I'm killing myself OR I'm giving myself cancer.  I've come to realize (in the past 3 1/2 years) that controling every aspect of my life was NOT my job and God didn't put me on this earth to fret over things that were out of my control.  That verse in Matthew always reminds me of that.  It brings comfort and peace.  Glad it was helpful to you today.......thank God that He brought it to me in order for me to share it here.  God is amazing huh?  He loves us and doesn't want us to be sad and scared..................so many times in the Bible He says "fear not!"

    Love to you Laura and thank YOU for your encouragement.

    Mary Jo

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  • Yazmin
    Yazmin Member Posts: 840
    edited February 2009

    Amen, marejo, Estepp, and Floridalady. This is so true. I am totally with you.

    But marejo (and by the way, thank you for this great thread), I don't feel we are doing "nothing" after formal treatment: I personally feel that's where we REALLY get involved into our own treatment: that's when we really get in the driver's seat to keep our new lifestyle resolutions on track, to make sure that we work out MOST (as opposed to ALL) the time, to stick with a highly healthful diet MOST of the time.

    What we are doing now, all the great tips we are getting from each other (like FloridaLady and so many others) is, I firmly believe, what is really going to help us beat the beast. For ever.

    Ladies, you are all doing so well! 

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  • mooma
    mooma Member Posts: 92
    edited February 2009

    Oh my gosh...I am so glad I found this thread!  I am 57 and for the past two years I have been the healthiest I have ever been my entire life!!  I couldn't believe it when I found out I had cancer!  Sometimes I feel like a maniac trying to get stress out of my life or eat the right foods...no, don't drink my wine!! Yikes! 

    I love that "fear not!", marejo.  That says it all!

    So what is it about wine?  I just read that in my doctors office a couple of weeks ago and freaked!  Is that a problem only if you are ER+?  I haven't even had that test yet! 

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  • marejo
    marejo Member Posts: 1,356
    edited February 2009

    Hi Yazmin.....Yes, you are right.  When formal treatment is done that is when we get involved....start taking care of ourselves and doing all we can to try to stay healthy but we were referring to was how the "total control" thing is not in our Hands.  At least that's what some of us believe.  It is our responsibility to care for ourselves the best that we can......most definitely.........but as was stated earlier....."who by worrying can add an hour to their life" - it's out of our hands.  So, we need to do all we can, yes, but we have to live our lives and be happy.  We can't take it upon ourselves to think we have the power to determine our destiny because I don't believe we have that power.  That's all me and Laura were talking about.

    Thanks for the great reminders as to all we can do to take care of ourselves and to help ourselves live better quality of lives.  Bless you.

    Mary Jo

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  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 6,416
    edited February 2009

    Ladies... first.. I admire you so much. I wish we could have a group hug!!! :)

    My dear friend Diana, will be doing her "scans" tomorrow.. you know the ones... to see if after all active treatments stops... is the cancer anywhere else... she has the cancer I have... the Her2+.. she is 31 with 4 little children... of course, she would be the first one to tell us.. ALL our stories are the same... we are all beautiful women with BC... and NON of us deserved it.. it was just " allowed" to happen for something better...but.. she is afraid tonight... I know it.

    Anyway... I have a blog for my customers and family and friends... I have post about Diana... but it really is about all of us. I posted for us all. That fear that only we know.

    Please check it out... and leave a message if you feel inclined...

    www.estepps.blogspot.com

    Gods Love ladies... this thread rocks!!!

    ps... we got to see our grandchildren again tonight... 2 and 1... sooooooooooooooooo cute..:)...

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  • kerrydee
    kerrydee Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2009

    I continue to read and would appreciate any and all help anyone is willing to share. Being a mother of four who works fulltime and goes to school parttime, I don't take care of myself half as well as I should. Luckily I will be graduating next Christmas because I am exhausted at 46.

    I had no idea about the licorice root. I recently read tempeh is also highly estrogenic too so I guess I wont be buying that anymore. I really do enjoy the licorice root tho.

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  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 6,416
    edited February 2009

    Mooma,

    I am off to bed... but looked back and saw you asked about wine.

    Test are not 100% sure... but they are REALLY leaning toward it, that drinking anything.. wine beer.. mixed drink.. whatever... if you have more than 1-2 a day.. and they are leaning toward 1, it can spike estrogen levels. The alcohol does.. . This has been proved with post menopausal women with er+pr+ BC.

    Now.. does that mean ladies who are not meno will have the same risks.. I have not idea... does it apply to her2 gals.. no. Does is apply to triple negs.. no. At least not in studies.

    So ladies.. who are er/pr+ should really either not drink.. or limit it to 1-2 drinks a day.

    I try to only have a few glasses of wine on the weekends. maybe... 2-6 glasses from Friday to Sunday... and I am not hormonal BC. Sometimes.. I have three glasses here at the house if we have friends here.. have done this my whole life ( adult life that is...lol).. so.. I am surprised I am not hormone + BC...

    Gods Love,

    Laura

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  • footprintsangel
    footprintsangel Member Posts: 43,890
    edited February 2009

    Hi Friends, I love your line, I am having b12 shots cause my white count and red count are low

    I am almost off Pepsi and trying to eat good, I don't eat alot of junk but since my chemo and on arimidex I gained some weight(lymphedema). My cholesterol is up  I am working out at the hospital, and 2days a week go to breathing workout class for my asthma. Marejo,Thanks I want to learn it all again. I was into this alot before I lost my mom and the next year go breast cancer.

    God loves you and so do I, Hugs,Debbie

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  • marejo
    marejo Member Posts: 1,356
    edited February 2009

    Just wanted to give everyone a big hug for Monday!  Stay focused on what's most important today!  Love all those around you and try to find the good all around you.

    Love to my "sisters"

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  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited February 2009

    I do know that licorice negates the effects of antibiotics, interacts with it.  Not sure if licorice root does the same.  I used to have a chart of drugs that interact with each other -- some place around here - google probably has a list.   

    Happy Monday and HUGS,   Nancy 

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  • Liz08
    Liz08 Member Posts: 470
    edited February 2009

    Ladies-

    when you respond... please note that there is "LizM100" which is me and there is a member named "LizM" without the 100. In a post a while back, I noticed that our names caused some confustion.

    We are 2 different members.

    The 100  in my screen name stands for a European birthday song in which we sing "to live 100 years" which we repeat a few times instead of using the words "Happy Birthday".  This is my goal...

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  • kerrydee
    kerrydee Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2009

    I had no idea. i had done previous searches but didnt pay attention to drug interactions since im only doing fish oil, alpha lipoic, lecithin and a multi-vitamin. II will have to take some time to delve into that again. right now im just trying to keep up with my homework.

    thanks for reminding me...

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  • kerrydee
    kerrydee Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2009

    i put 'challenge cancer and win' on my amazon list. It was 12 bucks. see a few others too but ill wait for referrals.

    this site is amazing. I wish I could read all the wonderful inspiration and advice right now but I will in time. there are so many views similiar to my own.

    Honestly I'm never felt such heartfelt warmth and motivation. Thanks for sharing everyone!

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  • Liz08
    Liz08 Member Posts: 470
    edited February 2009

    Mary Jo-

    I too want to thank you for starting this thread.  I truly enjoy it. The women that have posted here are amazing!  Thank you for your post about 1 year into your journey. About everything being cancer'; " from you brain to your toe". Right now I am going through that stage and it makes me feel better that I'm not the only one going through this.  Thank you again.  And a BIG hug to all you my sisters.

    Liz

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  • Dogmom7
    Dogmom7 Member Posts: 11
    edited February 2009

    Since my Dx, my vegetable garden has become even more important to me. We grow almost all our own produce and freeze, can, and dry things for the winter. We also have a cherry tree, grape arbor, and 2 apple trees, so I know my food is organic. Because I've been eating true organic foods, I believe my cancer was not as bad as it could've been. I would encourage everyone to garden. Even if you don't own land, many communities have places for people to "rent" garden space.

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  • Yazmin
    Yazmin Member Posts: 840
    edited February 2009

    Dogmon:

    You live such a wholesome lifestyle. I am jealooooooous.........

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  • artsee
    artsee Member Posts: 1,576
    edited February 2009

    We want some care pakages from you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  • FloridaLady
    FloridaLady Member Posts: 2,155
    edited February 2009

    I would love to have a garden but my yards is shade or burning Florida sun.  I going to try again this year but the last time just as things were doing good the temp would go to 80+ and kill everything...

    Flalady

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  • Liz08
    Liz08 Member Posts: 470
    edited February 2009

    Flalady-

    when I read your comment, you made me laugh Laughing becuase it reminded me of when my sister moved from CT down to southern Florida and tried to grow a garden just like she had in CT.  No matter how much she watered her garden, it still got "sun burned" in a manner of speaking and dried up.  I wonder if you could grow a garden from the fall till spring?  I know the days are much shorter and the sun is not as strong either....

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  • Hugopsalm91
    Hugopsalm91 Member Posts: 2
    edited February 2009

    Hi Mary Jo,  and all survivors

    My name is Trish i  am in New Zealand.  I was diagnosed in August with Her2+ recep neg

    Grade3 lymph and Grade 3 Cancer. 2 Tumours 5cm+ Also lymphatic and Vascular..   Not good.

    But i have changed my whole eating, am now vege and no sugar only 1 sweety a week. but its a pretty little sweety.  Maybe 1 sq of dark organic choc or 2 little bickies.  Sometimes only once a month.  I drink barley and wheatgrass every day, and no sugar, fat or meat.

    Lots of fresh salt air every day, or just fresh air,  The good thing since having my tumours removed i have not had asthma for 4 months, so thats a miracle in its self.

    Walking i think and breathing properly is really important too,  i also eat the apricot kernals 7 for my body weight every day with a piece of fruit.  I juice 5 carrots and 5 apples everyday as well.

    I replaced margerine with butter, and follow the Genesis diet.

    Funny thing is i have never looked or felt better in 5 years, honestly try the barley and wheatgrass girls, its disgusting but it is amazing, i have lots of energy.

     I have turned down chemo, radiation and herceptin, as i do not believe that this will add any time to my life.  As my onc, is not prepared to give me a yearly figure now just baseline of 50/50%

    I am like you Mary Jo  i believe God gives us a certain time, and if he exstends it is his choice.

    I keep away from negative people and do not doubt the goodness of God, through all this i have found that my children and husband a deeper love. That you never even take the weeds for granted,.  I hope all you beautiful women out there, hang on to hope, and believe life is for living, make the most of it. Think positive,   luv trishx

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  • FloridaLady
    FloridaLady Member Posts: 2,155
    edited February 2009

    Hugo,

    Great post and great job on your taking charge of your health and leaning on your faith.

    Flalady

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  • Hugopsalm91
    Hugopsalm91 Member Posts: 2
    edited February 2009

    thx Flalady,  not much support in nz,  You have been through so much.

    I will be praying for your healing, and your right it does suck you cant wear sandals.

    Really hope you are feeling well today  Trish 

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  • marejo
    marejo Member Posts: 1,356
    edited February 2009

    bump............

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