bc and wine

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katehudson25
katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
edited June 2014 in Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis

I have a 4mm idc tumor, well differentiated, and grade 1. I am going for a re-excision surgery and snb within the next two weeks. I like to drink wine. I drink more than 1 glass a night and I prefer Chardonnay to red wine. My doctor told me to stop. Drinking wine helps with the stress of bc, especially since I was just diagnosed 9 days ago. Does anyone who is recovering from bc drink wine too, without any problems?

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  • 37antiques
    37antiques Member Posts: 643
    edited July 2011

    Well, I didn't drink during the whole treatment process, so I don't know.  But, I think if the doctor says to stop there must be a valid reason.  I believe there was something floating around that said it wasn't good, but I can't remember the reason behind it.  Red or white, it didn't matter.  Can your doctor prescribe something to take the edge off for you instead?

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  • CoolBreeze
    CoolBreeze Member Posts: 4,668
    edited July 2011

    How much do you drink?  I think more than one glass a night is too much.  

    Maybe even one glass a night is too much, one glass a week is probably enough.  Just make Friday night your wine night.  Alcohol is linked to recurrance.

    I think most people can handle stress without alcohol, it's just a habit.  You can break it.   

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  • wahine
    wahine Member Posts: 8,231
    edited July 2011

    Hi, Join us in the drinking thread! We have cyber-drinks, have a Hot Tatties Lounge, parties, etc. Sorry about your dx, but glad you found bc.org. There are lots of very caring ladies here!

    Cheers!

    Kathy

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  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited July 2011

    Hi 37 antiques, Thank you for letting me know. I wish you well. Hugs!

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  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited July 2011

    Hi coolbreeze, Unfortunately I have other isssues besides bc. My husband and I separated a few years ago, AND THAT HAS BEEN ROUGH FOR ME. I was drinking more, but now I have cut down to 4 glasses a week. Is that too much?

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  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited July 2011

    Hi Cathy, such a cute post. I appreciate it. Hugs!

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited July 2011

    Hi Kate.....

    I don't think at all unusual to drink a wee bit more than usual during diagnosis.  However, I did quit for chemo.  Afterwards, I decided that good wine is one of the supreme pleasures in life.

    I didn't go through all this treatment to live a less than wonderful existence.  Good wine is part of this.

    So be careful during treatment.  Otherwise, my take is that you have bigger fish to fry.

    BTW - re-excition isn't a recurrence.  Just that they didn't do a large enough cut the first time.

    My first oncologist and breast surgeon differed on the wine subject BTW.  My breast surgeon drinks wine, and guess what her recommendation was???  So something to consider too.

    Good luck.  You will be just fine. - Claire

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  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited July 2011

    Hi Claire, Great Post. Thanks for letting me know.

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  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited July 2011

    Hi Claire, Great Post. Thanks for letting me know.

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  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 2,631
    edited July 2011

    You might want to get some diazepam, lorazepam or ativan from your oncologist.  You won't even feel like drinking wine because the medication will take the edge off.  Just be careful and stay home the first time you take an anti-anxiety pill until you know how your body responds to it.

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  • hdangelbaby
    hdangelbaby Member Posts: 731
    edited July 2011

    what's really worse though?

    glass of wine or mind altering medication?

    i say go with the wine!

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  • hdangelbaby
    hdangelbaby Member Posts: 731
    edited July 2011

    I agree with Claire. I like wine too. have a glass while i make dinner at night. i have one just about 5 days a week.

    good lord if it comes back again.. i don't want to regret giving up one vice i really enjoy.

    and hell, EVERYTHING causes cancer now and raises your risk..

    remember, a risk factor truly is the fact we are women... and we can't change that.. (well, i guess you could with some expensive surgery!!  lol)

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  • faithfulheart
    faithfulheart Member Posts: 544
    edited July 2011

    Hi there,

    I have a very good onc. I am Italian and love my red wine!!! My onc.says live your life, have a glass of wine at night,  just don't drink a bottle!!!  Only God knows if our cancer will return, don't beat yourself up. Do the best you can, you have been through alot!!!  you will figure out your balance.

    God Bless You,

    stephanie

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  • hdangelbaby
    hdangelbaby Member Posts: 731
    edited July 2011

    i wish there was a like button for posts like the last one!!!

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  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 2,631
    edited July 2011

    Kate - I never was a junk food junkie but then neither again was I one to only eat organic.  I made sure I ate my 4-5 groups of food daily as I was also cooking for children and they needed to eat healthy - plenty of vegetables, salads, along with protein, etc.

    What I did change was "do everything in moderation"  So I drank in moderation, ate certain foods in moderation - I just tried to balance out what I was putting in my body. 

    My ex-boss was the queen of organic food, yoga, pilates, she did everything right and still got BC.  There are no guarantees and nobody really knows why you get BC.

    To me - moderation is the key and having a glass of wine here and there is probably just fine.

    Disclaimer - Just my humble opinion

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  • faithfulheart
    faithfulheart Member Posts: 544
    edited July 2011

    Susan,

    Your right, they do have alot of studie's linking alcohol to bc. They have alot of things linking alot of things to bc!!! I hate to bring this to the table,  here's the reality, we have come a really long way

    with medicine over the years, but I am here to tell ya, if they really knew  what was causing it, we would have a cure!!!!  Stress has been linked to bc, so kate be sure to fit in some deep breathing, while having that glass of wine .Susan I am really not trying to minimize the seriousness of it all ,i just think sometimes we can just over think things way to much, and there's no enjoyment in that!!

    Maybe my take is a bit different do to my dx, I don't know , and thats just it, know one really knows!! I believe God does though and he wants us to be happy, live everyday and give thanks!!!!!

    Thats my uneducated opinion, oh and my friend was dx 11 years ago with a huge tumor and 11 pos nodes, drinks whenever she feels like it, she's doing great!!!!!!!!!!!! moderation is the key!!!!!!!!!!

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited July 2011

    My onc said you would virtually have to have liver damage from drinking for it to have any efftect. Everything in moderation!!!

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  • faithfulheart
    faithfulheart Member Posts: 544
    edited July 2011

    Yes, it is complicated!! You are soooooo right!

    I think it's hard, I personally was young when dx, 41, my mammo was completely normal 11 months prior, so figure that one out. No family history, no pos gene, just oops there it was!! I have 2 small kids, we take this journey one day at a time, and I think we all are doing the best we can!!!

    Hugss to all!!

    Stephanie

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  • oandtolivo
    oandtolivo Member Posts: 83
    edited July 2011

    Should I inflate my bubble now!   Everything these days is linked to cancer.  I'm grateful for everyday I have with my kids.

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  • littletower
    littletower Member Posts: 333
    edited July 2011

    I asked my onc this question, specifically about wine, and she said no more than 7 glasses a week. But, as someone else said, not 7 glasses in one day. I hated the taste during chemo but enjoy a good glass of wine. Any my motto is, life really IS too short to drink cheap wine. I only drink the good stuff and 4-6 glasses a week.

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  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited July 2011

    Hi Jancie, Thank you for letting me know, but I do not like to take medication if I don't have to. I hate the side effects.

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  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited July 2011

    Hi hdangelbaby, I agree with you. I think a glass of wine is better than mind altering drugs.

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  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited July 2011

    Hi faithfulheart, Your onc sounds great. Instead of a glass of wine each night I like to have 2 glasses on Friday night and 2 on Saturday night. Is it bad to drink 2 glasses in 1 night?

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  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited July 2011

    Hi Susank8, Thank you for posting that article. I have been drinking 2 glasses of wine on Friday night, and 2 on Saturday, but after reading your article I will stop drinking wine on Friday night. I don't think I will be able to give up having 2 glasses a week.

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  • painterly
    painterly Member Posts: 602
    edited July 2011

    From what I learned (from Dr. Ruddy's website who likes wine by the way) the problem is that the liver has to metabolize the alcohol and any bad estrogen floating about your body is put on hold while the liver does the alcohol first. Mmm

    Well, I have given up my wine during the week and have the 2 glasses on Friday and Saturday like KateH does. The way I see it, if I am eating all the foods that the liver loves, then the liver is healthy and strong to do its job when I have 2 glasses! That's my philosophy.

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  • PLJ
    PLJ Member Posts: 373
    edited March 2012

    I wouldn't drink during chemo...too much load on the liver.

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  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited July 2011

    Hi faithfulheart, That is a very intelligent post, and I thank you for it.

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  • painterly
    painterly Member Posts: 602
    edited July 2011

    I heard there is no "safe" amount of consumption. But I am ignoring it.

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  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited July 2011

    Hi, SuzieQ58, Thank you for your post, it makes me feel better about the 2 drinks of wine I had last night

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  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited July 2011

    Hi littletower, Thank you for letting me know what your onc said.

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