Have you made any changes in your life since dx?

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VinRobMom
VinRobMom Member Posts: 101
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
Have you made any changes in your life since dx?
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  • VinRobMom
    VinRobMom Member Posts: 101
    edited December 2009

    In the weeks since diagnosis (10/9) and until my lumpectomy on 12/21, I have felt the need to have some control, or at least feel as if I have control, over halting this disease.  So, I have started drinking black tea, am adding turmeric to a lot of my food, and am taking turmeric tablets and Vit D tablets.  Anyone else make changes since dx?

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  • Jules824
    Jules824 Member Posts: 85
    edited December 2009

    What are the benefits of turmeric? Im eating healthier and drinking more water. (I used to live on diet teas) I am in radiation so they said no vitamins, so Im eating and drinking the vitamins via foods and drinks. I lack excercise due to a chronic bad back also, but Im trying to take short walks and also Im trying to keep my mind busy by concentrating on Christmas instead of all of this.

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited December 2009

    I stopped drinking alcohol the night before my double mast. That's about all I did. Haven't had any in the whole year, even with 2 kids' weddings!

    Vitamins in your drink would count against what they said about supplements, wouldn't they?

    I, too, am interested in what tumeric is supposed to do....

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  • VinRobMom
    VinRobMom Member Posts: 101
    edited December 2009

    The following is from an article, one of many, that suggests that turmeric fights cancer and chronic pain.  It is being studied a lot now:

    "Several breast tumor cell lines, "including hormone-dependent and -independent and multidrug-resistant (MDR) lines," respond to antiproliferative effects of curcumin. Aggarwal et al examined cell lines "including the MDR-positive ones," and found they were all "highly sensitive to curcumin. The growth inhibitory effect of curcumin was time- and dose-dependent.... Overall our results suggest that curcumin is a potent antiproliferative agent for breast tumor cells and may have potential as an anticancer agent." (Anticancer Drugs. 1997 Jun;8(5):470-81). Other laboratories offer varying explanations but confirm the activity level of curcumin against breast , prostate and other cancers. See e.g., Ramachandran C, Miami 1999; Hidaka H, Japan, 2002(human pancreatic cells lines); Elattar TM, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2000(oral cancer cell-line)." 

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited December 2009

    From what I read after posting above, it has only been tested on lab mice that have been injected with breast cancer. It is used in tandem with Taxol for the best results so it really means nothing to me. There is SO much out there that is good and/or bad that you'd go crazy trying to find the right potion.

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  • VinRobMom
    VinRobMom Member Posts: 101
    edited December 2009

    All such studies start out using lab animals, but there are studies that have been done and that are underway in which human subjects are used.

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  • AuroraL
    AuroraL Member Posts: 33
    edited December 2009

    I am getting more regular exercise--I go to a yoga class 3-4 times a week and walk 2-3 times a week.  Before diagnosis I was only walking occasionally and going to yoga 2-3 times a week.  I am more aware of what I eat, and include more fruits,veggies, nuts and berries in my diet.  I think about not drinking wine, but alas I am not there yet.  (I have 3-4 glasses per week.)  I take vitamins regularly now.  Just a multivitamin and a calcium/vit d supplement.

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited December 2009

    The reason I said it means nothing to me is because of the Taxol, not the lab mice...Surprised

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  • Janets1
    Janets1 Member Posts: 57
    edited December 2009

    Like AuroraL, I am exercising much more consistently than I have in years. Because I give myself "permission" not to overdo it now, I actually find myself developing a much healthier approach to exercise. I feel I am doing it for strength and energy in order to combat the fatigue of rads, rather than to lose weight. If I don't feel like a strenuous workout, I am happy with 30 minutes of brisk walking. I know some of us have situations that make it harder to exercise - bad backs, other health issues, full time jobs, younger kids, etc. I lost my job a few months ago (thank god for COBRA and the stimulus kick-in) so I do have lots more time right now. Once I go back to work, I might not be so consistent - but for now it is really helping me cope.

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  • pj12
    pj12 Member Posts: 25,402
    edited December 2009

    What am I doing differently?  More exercise, walk   2-3 miles a day. Take calcium supplement. Drink green tea, no sodas, more water.  Eat more protein, less fat and sugar. Eat more fresh fruit. Drink wine only one or two glasses a week. Sleep 8-9 hours a night. Spend more time on the computer on BC.org :)  Spend less time on people who annoy me. Speak my mind more. Learned to say "no, I can't do that, help you, go there, etc. Build better friendships. Cleaned out my closet. Go to the Doctor A LOT more than I used to!

    pam 

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited December 2009

    I like the spin on exercise for strength rather than weight loss...that just might be the incentive I need.

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  • roseg
    roseg Member Posts: 3,133
    edited December 2009

    I think considering exercise for strength, fitness is way better than doing it for weight loss.

    The calorie burn from even a hard 30-60 minute session is easily wiped out by a bowl of Ben N'Jerry's. So you are unlikely to lose weight unless you diet.

    But you will feel better with that exercise and stay stronger. So ditch the notion of exercise = weight loss and just go for exercise = feel better! 

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited December 2009

    Part of my problem is I am very physically strong, so I don't need weight bearing exercises, but can't jump around due to high blood pressure (I was kicked out of 2 aerobic classes years ago because my pulse got too high! They wouldn't even let me use the pool! My resting pulse was 104), so what does that leave me? Spinning, pilates, yoga?

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  • roseg
    roseg Member Posts: 3,133
    edited December 2009

    If you try Spin go easy in the beginning. When I first started it my heart went off the wall and I thought I'd throw up.  Now I'm fine.

    Do you have problems being upside down? The big Yoga pose has your head lower than your heart. I have low blood pressure and can get dizzy standing up too fast, maybe that happens with high also?

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited December 2009

    Yikes! I thought spinning was "just" riding a bike and I picked the hardness...

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  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited December 2009

    Enjoying it more!!!!

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  • Connie07
    Connie07 Member Posts: 636
    edited December 2009

    I keep wishing and hoping and dreaming that I will experience a profound "Awakening". Something deeply spiritual and overwhelmingly positive. And when it's over, I'll be a much better person in that I will care about my wellness and fitness and the same for all my family, and I'll become a spokesperson for the huge amount of Joy in my life found after a bc dx.

    I'll not keep having to take pain pills and muscle relaxers and anti-inflamatory meds and still not be able to pick up my grandchild. I'll be slim and sexy and wear a size 8 and have a closet full of awesome clothes and fabulous shoes. I'll be recognized everywhere I go and have cool sunglasses to hide behind. My books will become best sellers, as this revelation will be so profound that everyone will want to know how it happened.

    And we will live happily ever after.

    ~Connie

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  • pk0199
    pk0199 Member Posts: 586
    edited December 2009

    I too am trying to lead a healthier lifestyle, food and supplements, exercising more. The main thing though it prioritizing my life and enjoying it more. I try not to take things for granted anymore. My biggest aim is to be happy and enjoy all that life has to offer. (okay will admit, some days I fail miserably at all those things, but tomorrow is another day!)

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