Cancer Diet and Supplements, etc.

Hi SamsMom,  

Just wanted to say hello.  I had wigs, hats, and scarves, and used them all during chemo.  It depended a lot on how much I wanted to not attract attention.  I wore the wig if I wanted to be inconspicuous ( not often ), but most of the time I relied on hats and scarves.  They were just so much more comfortable.  

I'm afraid I'm not that informed about diets and supplements to take during chemo.  It seems that we are discouraged from taking certain ones, so best to check with the oncologist before taking anything.  Hope you get the help you need on that from others.

I know that the chemo drugs are chosen according to the characteristics of your breast cancer.  Your oncologist can explain to you why he/she has chosen a particular regimen for you.  Some of us get second opinions, too, to see if another oncologist would agree.  

There is a lot to learn at first.  Ask lots of questions!  Hugs.

Christy (AnacortesGirl),  I hope SamsMom doesn't mind, but I am going to use her thread to write to you.  I just wanted to say that I am hoping that your final MRI shows that the chemo did its job.  ILC usually doesn't go away completely, but I am anticipating that you had a fantastic response.  It's so great that you got a drug against EGFR/VEGF2 along with your mix.  You are absolutely hitting this with everything. Guess they will be letting you rest up and recover before surgery. Let us know how you are doing.  All the very best.  G.

Sams_MominGa -

I'm back to add a few more thoughts. 

Your chemo regimen really depends on two things.  First, how the cancer presents itself in your breast.  Each of us can have slight varitions (amount lymph nodes, which nodes, vascular invasion, amount of diffusion, etc.) that need to be evaluated by the onc.  Then he (or she!) is going to recommend a regimen that he's comfortable with and feels is appropriate to get the best results for your presentation.  But at this point it is very reasonable and very comforting to get a second opinion.  The onc should expect it.  You have all the diagnostic information so the 2nd onc can review and either concur with the first or propose a different regimen.  In both cases ask the oncs why they feel this is the best regimen.   This also gives you an opportunity to find out if you are really comfortable with the onc -- it's a long process and you need to have confidence that you can communicate with the doc and that they relate to your way of thinking and approach to treatment.

Consider a trial if it fits your approach.  I was dead set against a trial when I was initially dx'ed.  Since then I learned that you always get standard of care during a trial.  But, depending on the trial and the phase it is in, you may always get the investigational part of it or you may be randomized.  I'm in a phase II so everyone gets the investigation drug -- no blind arm where you don't know.

As for wigs.  It really depends on your chemo.  A lot of the drugs will cause you to lose your hair.  I got one wig through American Cancer Society's TLC catalog.  But it doesn't fit that good and the color & style weren't great for me.  Many insurances will cover the cost if you have a doc's prescription.  Mine doesn't.  I went to a wig store and they had lots to try on.  I settled for a synthetic and it cost me $125.  I've been very happy with it and get lots of compliments (people would walk up to me and tell me they liked my new style!).  But, I'm pretty tired of wearing a wig so sometimes I just go the scarf/ball cap route.  There are a lot of topics on hair and wigs on the boards.

Gitane -

Thanks for comments.  Unfortunately I didn't get my last chemo yesterday. Platelets were at 51.  So next Monday is either the last one or, if counts are still low, then I'm finished.  I've already met the trial requirements so my data will be included.  It was disappointing but the ladies in the stage 3 forum really cheered me up.  And I am looking forward to that last PET/MRI so I can find out how much the cancer has been reduced.  I'm sure it won't be a complete pathological response but it will be a lot less then the original dx.  I'm happy I did the trial.