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  • FrancesC
    FrancesC Member Posts: 346
    edited June 2011

    Hi I am drinking alkaline water too,  apparently highly antioxidant

  • FrancesC
    FrancesC Member Posts: 346
    edited July 2011
    hi all, back from onco.  triple -ve. setting in the port on 8 jul as he wants breast surgeon to give the greenlight on my recovery from surgery first.  Seeing Breast surgeon on 5 Jul, dentist on 6 July. Taxotere and Cyclophosphamide every 2 weeks, 6 cycles staring 11 July.  Step by step moment by moment
  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited July 2011

    Sounds like you have a good tx plan in place.  That was a relief to me and helped me feel in control again.  Let us know how things go, we're here with you every step.

  • FrancesC
    FrancesC Member Posts: 346
    edited July 2011

    Yes Jennifer, feels a little relieved and better now.  Still crying occassionally subconsciously and wondering just why oh why, especially when I am all alone when everyone is asleep or away.

    Also penned in tx plan and rad plan against holiday plan.  Prior to dx, we have planned a trip to Barcelona and Rome from 18 Nov for 10 days.  Will be the gals first trip to Spain and Italy.  This shall be my added motivation to get better.

  • FrancesC
    FrancesC Member Posts: 346
    edited July 2011

    Karina - I read this on flaxseed:-

    The lignans in flaxseed are phytoestrogens, plant chemicals mimicking the effects of estrogen in the body: Phytoestrogens hook onto the same spots on cells where estrogen attaches. If there is little estrogen in the body, for example after menopause, lignans may act like weak estrogen. However, when natural estrogen is abundant, lignans may reduce the hormone's effects by displacing it from cells; displacing estrogen in this manner might help prevent those cancers that depend on estrogen, such as breast cancer, from starting and developing. (This is also, in part, how soy is believed to work in breast cancer prevention, although the phytoestrogens in soy are isoflavones.)

    http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=e0498803-7f62-4563-8d47-5fe33da65dd4&chunkiid=21714 

  • Karina121293
    Karina121293 Member Posts: 370
    edited July 2011

    Frances, thanks for the info. It was very helpful.

    Good luck with your treatment. Sounds very organized tx plan. I am nearly done with treatment and I still cry now and then, and sometimes it helps me to pull myself together and do the next step. Sometimes I look back and can't believe I have been thru so much...

    Strength and patience.

    Hugs,

    Karina 

  • FrancesC
    FrancesC Member Posts: 346
    edited July 2011

    Thanks Karina. Its 11.36 pm here.  tearing again.Cryhate it...

  • lkc
    lkc Member Posts: 1,203
    edited July 2011

    Hi Frances. I am a huge fan of flaxseed, for Hormone negative women. I would caution however not to start this until after completion of systemic chemotherapy as it prolongates our natural " clotting ability.

    Shortly  after I was diagnosed I researched flaxeed  extensively and  for me this way key.

    You'll be ok Francis, Take one day at a time , and as I say for us Stage III gals the tx is notched up quite abit. You'll get through it. Come here often for support. we'll help uou.

  • FrancesC
    FrancesC Member Posts: 346
    edited July 2011

    Hi Linda

    Oh dear since I was dx I have been doing the flaxseed and cottage cheese as well as adding flaxseed oil to my salads, juice etc.  I start chemo next week and am putting port this friday.  DOc will be doing a blood test on me to see my clotting ability prior to port installation. So you reckon I should stop? 

  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited July 2011

    Frances, so sorry this is happening to  you again. My story is similar. On my right side late 2004 was TN. Did lumpectomy, chemo, rads. Then early 2009 on my left side - 100%ES+   Did bmx, chemo, rads and now Arimidex and Zometa. I did have a port the second time and it was much easier with the port. I was nervous but doc was great. I was lightly sedated, doc spoke to me the whole time and I didn't even know it was going in. As others have said, slightly uncomfortable for a week or so and then you get used to it. No question about it - chemo sucks big time. I had FEC first time and TC second time. It's almost 2 years since I finished rads. It is taking me longer to fully recover as I was so shocked by second dx. But overall, ok. As others have said, so much support here from everyone.

  • FrancesC
    FrancesC Member Posts: 346
    edited July 2011

    Hi hrf, thznks for sharing and encouragement. My port going in on Friday and Onco said it is good to go immediately and hence chemo right after weekend.  The support here is excellent and I have drawn up a list of things to prepare for the first chemo.  Fear of the unknown and yeah chemo sucks big time.  I almost died from SE last time.

  • Karina121293
    Karina121293 Member Posts: 370
    edited July 2011

    Ikc, I am huge fan of flax too. Do you think it's contradicted at all, if I am er+, though I have had ooph ??? 

    Karina 

  • lkc
    lkc Member Posts: 1,203
    edited July 2011

    Francis and Karina.

    I don't completely understand the mechanism of inhibition of flax with Hormone positive ladies.

    I don't think it will hurt, but not sure of the benefit.

    Please speak with your doctors for their take.

  • FrancesC
    FrancesC Member Posts: 346
    edited July 2011
  • FrancesC
    FrancesC Member Posts: 346
    edited July 2011

    I had my hair cut real short yesterday.  Spoken to my onco and he also suggested using cold caps during chemo.

  • AnacortesGirl
    AnacortesGirl Member Posts: 1,758
    edited July 2011

    Frances,

    I've got to say that the anticiipation of losing my hair was probably the worse part of this ordeal.  Hair is important!  That is neat that your onc is suggesting cold caps.  They are not often used in the US.

    For me, I accepted the fact that the hair was going.  But the best day was when I got a wig that I really liked.  When my husband shaved my head (it had been shedding for two weeks and was very thin and scraggly) it felt like a huge relief.  I put my wig on and felt much better.

    If you go with cold caps I hope they work well for you!

  • FrancesC
    FrancesC Member Posts: 346
    edited July 2011

    Thanks AnacortesGirl, I dont know what to expect of coldcaps and hope it works.  I am also preparing myself mentally to let go the the hair. 

  • Karina121293
    Karina121293 Member Posts: 370
    edited July 2011

    Ikc, thanks, I think I will still take flax and cottage cheese periodically.'Something" inside me says so..  It's good for joints and so many other things anyway.

    Frances, good luck with your chemo, hope the cold cups help. For me it is still a struggle not to have hair, but last week finally got the wig I like. Let us know how you doing.

    Hugs,

    Karina 

  • FrancesC
    FrancesC Member Posts: 346
    edited July 2011

    Hi Karina - I just have a serving of the flax and cottage cheese.  I enjoy it as a dessert now that I cut all processed sugar.  I add freshly juiced strawberry juice to it + blueberries + pumpkin seeds and raisins.  Yummy!  Thanks for your well wishes.  It is port installation day tomorrow and surgeon called for a GA so after this yummy treat for myself I will have to fast.

  • elmcity69
    elmcity69 Member Posts: 998
    edited July 2011

    frances, good luck on the port surgery. i had one, and it made chemo easier - pinched a bit when accessed, but then it was smooth sailing. and the actual procedure to "install" it was also easy.

    hope you enjoyed your treat! it does sound yummy.

  • FrancesC
    FrancesC Member Posts: 346
    edited July 2011

    hi elmcity - I just got back from port insertion.  Still feeling terrible from the GA.  Pain was terrible when I woke up.  It is more bearable now.  At least this is done.  Next step - chemo.

  • Karina121293
    Karina121293 Member Posts: 370
    edited July 2011

    Frances, have no experience with port, but glad  it's out of the way. Get some rest and best of luck with chemo!!!! How many will you be having before surgery???

  • FrancesC
    FrancesC Member Posts: 346
    edited July 2011

    Hi Karina, I am living step by step now.  Just woke up and am having my baked salmon now as I go through the forum.  My upper body is hurting right now. left side due to the lumpectomy I had on 23 June and right chest due to the port.  At least I can say it is balanced now:)

    Chemo starts coming Monday - my next step.  Thus far I have been told 6 rounds of TC every 2 weeks but onco says he may change course as we progress.  He may also add in Platinum (???) another chemo drug.

    Thanks for your well wishes.   

  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited July 2011

    Glad to hear the "installation" went well, on to the next step.

  • FrancesC
    FrancesC Member Posts: 346
    edited July 2011

    Hi Jennifer I like your picture  - WE CAN DO IT!

  • Karina121293
    Karina121293 Member Posts: 370
    edited July 2011

    Frances, Platinum chemo includes Cisplatin and Carboplatin, which are very effective. I had both of them and good news is I didn't have severe SE. Google Platinum Chemo and you will find lots of info.

     Karina

  • FrancesC
    FrancesC Member Posts: 346
    edited July 2011

    thanks Karina for the info.  I will google when onco calls for it.

  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited July 2011

    Hugs, Frances.  I am so sorry you are dealing with this crap again.  I don't have anything to add to what everyone else has said, but I'm thinking of you and hoping that you will be well soon.

  • FrancesC
    FrancesC Member Posts: 346
    edited July 2011

    Thanks SpunkyGirl -  I really appreciate your thoughts and well wishes.  Chemo tomorrow! Mixed feelings - want to go but dont want to go!  Urrghh

  • FrancesC
    FrancesC Member Posts: 346
    edited July 2011

    Hi I am still hurting badly where port was inserted on Friday.  How long does this pain last?  the pain is worst than the lumpectomy I went through!

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