Pinned Thread About How to Lower Recurrence after Chemo

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  • Mumtobe
    Mumtobe Member Posts: 159
    edited January 2013

    Sjessie12345 - I also love cheese and am finding it difficult to cut it out completely. I'm wondering is goats cheese 'better' than cheese made from cow's milk? This might sound silly but goats aren't used for their meat so they're not pumped with hormones etc...or are they?

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  • Mumtobe
    Mumtobe Member Posts: 159
    edited January 2013

    Also has everyone eliminated alcohol from their diet? I'm not finished treatment until March but I really missed having a glass of wine over Christmas - is alcohol free wine an option? As much as I try to avoid meat/chicken now, I absolutely refuse to sacrifice my Christmas day dinner of turkey and ham. Heck we have to live!!

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  • Lauren15
    Lauren15 Member Posts: 119
    edited January 2013

    I'm new to this thread and a bit confused.  Why would you need to cut out meat and chicken?  What if they are organic?  I would NEVER cut out that occasional glass of wine. :-)

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  • Sjesse12345
    Sjesse12345 Member Posts: 45
    edited January 2013

    Hi Mumtobe - I have not given up cheese completely I have altered how I buy though.  My bad habit was to buy a block then I would keep sneaking into the fridge and cutting off a big piece for a snack (and heck if I gave the cats a little piece well then I didn't have a whole one and would grab another).  A little trick I developed while on Weight Watchers in the past and that I have now started again is to buy the bags of pre-shredded Kraft cheeses, I know they're more expensive however, they are easier to measure when you are adding it to something and I find this way it lasts much longer and I'm not snacking on it, only using it to cook with and not in big amounts. 

    Lauren15 - As for meats, well I'm not a good one to ask about that, I have been lacto-ovo vegetarian for 20 years now, didn't stop the BC :(  Although I do eat dairy I actually prefer soy milk, just a taste preference there.  I am not currently drinking any alcohol but that is mainly because I am currently doing neoadjuvant chemo and just prefer not to right now, I'm sure once I'm done though I will have the occasional glass of red wine, never been a big drinker just sometimes with a nice dinner.

    The main changes I plan on making are exercise and junk food, I am a lapsed runner for a few years now and plan on getting back to it, I am currently trying to do my power walks right now to get through chemo.  Bought some drop-in passes for yoga too and plan on starting that next week.  My worst habit food-wise is chips/cheezies anything crunchy salty, I love them, haven't had any now for over 2 months (yay).  Also going to make a concious effort to cut out anything deep-fried, not that I ate a lot of that (usually when I go out as I don't even own a deep-fryer) but whenver I do eat that kind of stuff I feel like crap for hours so obviously my body was telling me to stop that.

    So that's my starting points, I will probably adjust and improve them as I go along, would love to hear more about what other people are changing.

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  • Sjesse12345
    Sjesse12345 Member Posts: 45
    edited January 2013

    Oh also, I forgot to mention, I asked my Onc about the Metformin and she has no problem with me going on it (she is running the clinical trial in my city), she would prefer I wait till after chemo though as that is what the people on the trial are doing.  She understood that I want the actual drug and didn't want to chance getting the placebo and she is fine with that.  She of course reiterated that there is no data yet on from the trial, I understand she has to say that as she is involved and it is still ongoing.

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  • marinakaplan
    marinakaplan Member Posts: 23
    edited January 2013

    Grace533 I started taking Metformin after I finished chemo, but at the same time as Herceptin (I'm on a clinical trial for Herceptin)

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  • Sjesse12345
    Sjesse12345 Member Posts: 45
    edited January 2013

    Marinakaplan- what trial are you on for the Herceptin? I asked my Onc about Herceptin last week and she didn't mention anything about any trial. I would be very interested in this.

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  • liv-
    liv- Member Posts: 521
    edited January 2013

    my favourite food in the whole wide world is cheese.  thought i could never give it up, easy solved, just dont buy it and never be tempted.

    its been about 6 months dont even think of it as there is none in my fridge anymore, whereas before would have cheese everyday.

    im also doing the metform along with 1000 other things on my list..

    no more!!!!  im taking about 30 tablets daily including chemo meds.

    xx

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  • Sjesse12345
    Sjesse12345 Member Posts: 45
    edited January 2013

    liv- Your Onc is ok with you taking the Metformin with the chemo?  Hmm, mine said to go on it afterwards but that is because that is what they are doing in the trial.  I am very tempted to start now as I've read in a few articles that it can help the chemo work better too.  What to do what to do....

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  • liv-
    liv- Member Posts: 521
    edited January 2013

    sjesse hello,

    i didnt get approval from onc but would recommend others do, havent  actually toldl him incase a trial comes up and he doesnt consider me because im on metformin.

    im not one for going by the book, never was and it hasnt changed since my diagnosis of bc.

    you know the saying, what doesnt kill you only makes you stronger and having bc is a tough opponent so ill give anything a go against the demon of a thing.

    xx

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  • Sjesse12345
    Sjesse12345 Member Posts: 45
    edited January 2013

    liv- I hear ya, I'm keep bugging my Onc about any possible trials too, I want to throw everything I absolutely can at this.  I pretty much told her I'm willing to do everything.  I'm like you in that I bring a whole list of things to ask her about, she has been very good with that.  Already have a bunch of stuff printed off for her for our appt. on the 5th ; ). 

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  • liv-
    liv- Member Posts: 521
    edited January 2013

    sjesse, me too i always go way over time when see my onc.

    sounds like you have a good one too that is willling to listen to your side of events, lets face it, if they knew all the answers we wouldnt be dying of cancer.

    good luck

    xx

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  • Mumtobe
    Mumtobe Member Posts: 159
    edited January 2013

    Ladies what is Metformin?

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  • Sjesse12345
    Sjesse12345 Member Posts: 45
    edited January 2013

    Mumtobe- Metformin is a cheap drug used by Type 2 diabetics. Here is an article about it re: cancer studies. The second link is for the clinical trial that is currently happening. The only problem with the trial is that you have a 50% chance of getting the placebo which is why some people are getting it from their family Drs.



    http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2012/feb2012_Can-Diabetes-Drug-Prevent-Cancer-Death_01.htm



    http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01101438

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  • Mumtobe
    Mumtobe Member Posts: 159
    edited January 2013

    Thank you Sjesse, I will be speaking to my onc when chemo is over.

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  • Bishops2003
    Bishops2003 Member Posts: 60
    edited January 2013

    Just read the entire thread and I love it! Great info-

    Are any of the 2009 ladies here to let us know how they are doing? My onc says 5 years is the magic number to get to without recurrence. Then 3N's are the same as any other BC patient in terms of recurrence.

    I love reading about preventative measures. My main interest is discovering cause because my entire life I lived all of the preventative measures and this bugger still got me at 32! ( vegetarian, organic, yoga and weights, runner, no family history, not African American or of Jewish heritage- why, why, why did I get this ????)

    I guess I just wanted to remind us all that we can only do our best-

    Blessings-

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  • Luah
    Luah Member Posts: 1,541
    edited January 2013

    Yup, here and still kicking around. Doing fine, touch wood. 

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  • Bishops2003
    Bishops2003 Member Posts: 60
    edited January 2013

    Great to hear! Any thoughts as to what has contributed to your continued health?

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  • Luah
    Luah Member Posts: 1,541
    edited January 2013

    Bishops, I try to eat healthy, exercise regularly, take a few supplements. That said, I still enjoy drinking wine and eating dark chocolate - even a cheeseburger now and again. Mostly, I think it comes down to genes or freakin' good luck, that's all. 

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  • liv-
    liv- Member Posts: 521
    edited January 2013

    luah same as me, everything in moderation.  i still have my drinks too.

    we are alive today and want to have some joy the same as before.

    theres no ryhme or reason to most survivors i know.  lots dont do anything by the book some do.

    its a numbers game but obviously eating pretty healthy and exercise can only do you good.

    cheers tittties up!

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  • QueenKong
    QueenKong Member Posts: 154
    edited January 2013

    I'm making changes in my diet and life style based on studies and advice. It's all so much and I find it diffucult to put it all together. I am struggling.

    Diet changes

    Japanese Green tea daily

    Organic steel cut oatmeal daily

    fruit such as blueberries with the oatmeal daily

    Yogurt - grass fed only

    change in sweetner but I'm not sure what (agave? I read better than read not, Urg!!!!)

    More fish

    More veggies like kale, broccoli & cabbage 

    juicing some (looking for good anti-cancer juice recipes)

    Adding ginger, garlic, tumeric, onions, black pepper to cooking

    less meats

    dark chocolate

    I'm trying to find out about hemp milk, anyone have any links for this? I read something but can't find anymore info

    no more coffee, no more alcohol

    pomgranent juice, ginger ale, kumbucha juice *sigh*

    *Exercise*

    I'm trying to increase but having a hard time. With the pneumonia gone it's better but it's so cold. I need more motivation or something to increase my exercise level. Why can I not get with the program & jog 5 miles a day? How do these women do it?

    Fat

    The fat thing is so confusing to me because we need healthy fats to metabolize vitamins. I'm trying to make sure all our meat is grass feed beef, pork is free range along with chicken and venison. I've greatly reduced meats in our diet even though I love steak so sad to give up. I can't figure out how to keep track of the fat.

    Whole grains & beans, so diffucult

    I need help with increasing beans & healthier grains like brown instead of white rice etc. I've got a picky eater young child I am working on too.

    Sleep

    I'm working on more better quality with no light interference sleep. It's hard in the city. I cover my alarm clock now with my head scraf at night. I should probably toss this lap top. :(

    I have horrible on going hot flashes that interfere with my sleep. I'm looking for help with this. I am woken up several times a night with them.

    Supplements

    vit D, krill, flax, multi, vit C

    I take melatonin sometimes and homeopathic aids for sleep

    I am not perfect. I love croissants, smoked salmon, cookies, chips. I am trying so hard to do better. I struggle. I forget. I make mistakes & have regrets. 

    I am not giving up sushi!

    *Sex*

    I need more. Do survivor's have active sex lives?

    *Massage*

    I think this is another key. 

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  • Bishops2003
    Bishops2003 Member Posts: 60
    edited January 2013

    Thanks for sharing Queen Kong :)

    Beyond physical health I want to ask the survivors about their mental health as the years pass. Are you paranoid and a cancer hypochondriac?

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  • liv-
    liv- Member Posts: 521
    edited January 2013

    sex - dark chocolate - red wine - are all good for you.

    Red wine, in moderation, has long been thought of as heart healthy. The alcohol and certain substances in red wine called antioxidants may help prevent heart disease by increasing levels of "good" cholesterol and protecting against artery damage

    http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/prevention/redwine

    ill take that trifecta for my treatment.

    xx

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  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited January 2013

    RE: BREAST BLEND

    http://www.dreliaz.org/recommended-product/for-breast-cancer/

    Just an FYI for TN.
    It is being touted for use for triple negatives ( FEB 2013 Prevention mag) as a Medical breakthrough.

    Claims that it supresses Triple Negative cancer and also reduces spread to lungs by 70%. I know it contains DIM, as well as other ingredients.

    Pls do your own careful/thorough research.

    Hope this helps someone !

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  • Bishops2003
    Bishops2003 Member Posts: 60
    edited January 2013

    Purple 32- what is DIM and have you taken this? Talked to an oncologist about it?

    I am always looking for good supplements but know that putting good things in a pill is easy. It's getting your body to absorb and use all the the good stuff that is difficult.

    Thanks for the link/info :)

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  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited January 2013

    DIM is a concentrated high potency form of cruciferous veggies ( like broccoli etc )   Search the natural forms and you will find MUCH info about it.  I do not take DIM as my  endo dr warned me that cruciferous veggies are 'goiterous" meaning this :
    IF you alreday have a goiter, and I do, such high doses are likely to make your thyroid goiter grow , which is bad.

    The forumula I mentioned is NOT just dim , but adds a mushroom supplement , quercetin and turmeric I believe.  Again, please research as you see fit, but I was excited to see this for my TN sisters .  It looked hopeful.

    Google, search the natural or alt forums/MANY there take DIM and then ask your drs.  They take the dim in place of arimidex or tamoxifen, generally speaking.

    Good Luck!

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  • Luah
    Luah Member Posts: 1,541
    edited January 2013

    I'm all for getting the good stuff through natural, whole food forms. Seems like that's what our bodies intend. So it's organic berries, mushrooms, greens and cruciferous veggies for me... I do take a curcumin supplement as I find that hard to get naturally.    

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  • Bishops2003
    Bishops2003 Member Posts: 60
    edited January 2013

    Anyone one metformin ? I Wang to find a study or convince my dr to let me have it off label.

    Blessings

    Shannon

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  • Sjesse12345
    Sjesse12345 Member Posts: 45
    edited January 2013

    Bishops2003 - See my message above from January 20th, I have 2 links there, the first one is an article about Metformin and cancer and the other is for the big clinical trial that is currently ongoing involving Canada, US, UK and Switzerland.  I brought these both to my family Doc a few weeks ago.  Now, as of this morning I got my hands on a prescription from her for it, filled it and ready to start taking it tomorrow morning.

    The reason I chose to go this route rather than the trial is that with the trial there is a 50% chance you can get the placebo and I wanted to make sure I got the real drug.  This is the same reason a lot of the ladies here who are on it outside the trial got it through their family Docs.  The only thing my family Doc made me do was run it by my Onc to make sure she was ok with it, my Onc (who is involved in the trials) understood that I didn't want to chance the placebo and agreed.  Of course, she had to reiterate to me that there was no clinical data on this yet but I understand that she has to say that, especially as she is involved in the trials.

    So, good luck! Smile

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  • Bishops2003
    Bishops2003 Member Posts: 60
    edited January 2013

    Wow! I am very excited for you. I hope my dr. Will write me a script as well. I would love to hear how you do on it. Side effects I have read about during off label use are loose stool, low b12, and fatigue. If it is not too much if an over-share I would live to hear how you do.

    Thanks,

    Shannon

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