Pity party weight gain...need help.

Bren-8 years is awesome, congrats girl

Raider Girl-So sorry you are feeling down.  This damn disease.  I lost my dad to prostate cancer-there every step of the way with him and there when he took his last breath.  I laid on the floor beside his bed the last two nights of his life so he would know I was there.  You are right-when we get this diagnosis....it isnt enough that it is gone for now.  We want to be assured its not coming back and they cant give us that.  I honestly-for me-dont want to let cancer have that hold on me.  I am determined to get through this and live every day of my life with as much gusto as I can.  I am pissed, mad, angry and all those words-my life is forever changed.  but I will be damned if I want to waste another minute on this crap....ya know????  I think we just have to push through-and get really mad-to get through.  For me anyway-that is how I deal.  We are all different...but each of us are here for the same reason and can relate to each other and support each other.  Hugs, hugs, hugs my friend.

Had to go out for work today-was actually driving for 4.5 hours.......packed me a small bag of strawberries, some stalks of celerey and a can of low sodium almond nuts-ate just a handful.  Got home and was down another 4 ounces   Ate a small salad a bit ago and am good till dinner now.  This was hard to get started but once you start seeing progress-it is motivating to keep pushing forward.  It makes me actually crave good healthy food...hope I can keep it up.  Gonna try really hard.

Hi Guys,

I am so happy today (still pudgy though) as I am leaving for San Diego Saturday morning.  Can't wait to see my family.  I had hoped to be able to drop these extra 10 lbs before I went ... geez ... I had plenty of time, as I got the tickets in December!!  It would be really easy to beat myself up over this.

Raidergirl ... hope you're feeling better.  You've been through quite a bit the last year or two, especially with your mother's death. My dad died a couple years ago of esophageal cancer.  I was with him almost until the end.  My sister and his wife were with him when he died.  It was so hard on us ... my dad wanted to end his life and would talk to us about helping him speed things along.  His wife was in a state of denial, so my sis and I took care of everything.  It broke my heart.

Vettegirl ... I am really proud of you.  It's hard work to change your eating habits and stick to them.  You rock!

Beachbum ... How's the snow looking on the lake?  It's 69 here today, but very windy.  I checked the weather in San Diego for next week and the temps will be in the 70's.  How perfect is that!  I miss my grandsons so much ... my suitcase of full of surprises for them!

hugs

Bren

I was 40 lbs. lighter initially.   I had gained a little weight just into my second trimester of a pregnancy but not much.   I then had a miscarriage and cancer dx.

Fast forward to BMX, zoladex for medically induced menopause, and AI's. =====.  BAM =====.  40 POUNDS.

I'm using MFP.   I'm under 1200 calories a day (usually 7-900).   I've done as much activity as my body will allow, ( c.p. pain, etc)

Yet I GAINED 4 LBS THIS WEEK.

DAMN MEDS

Hi Gals,

I'm back from San Diego.  Had a fabulous time with my family and grandsons.  I'm down about 5 lbs and have 10 more to go to reach my goal.  My daughter-in-law had lost 25 lbs.  She's 5' 11 1/2" and now weighs 152 lbs.  She looked so beautiful and it was a great weight for her.  She was wearing size 8's and 10's now.  She has been going to the gym every morning before she leaves for work.  Not sure if she is restricting her calories and by how much though.

At the rate I'm going it will take a few months to lose this extra 10.  Oh well ... one day at a time.

Hope everyone is doing well.

hugs

Bren

Hi Bren, we are expecting the sun to show up after the fog lifts off the Lake. I hope so, I want to go for a walk and get some pictures down by the beach. And I need a walk, a very long walk to try to get rid of this extra fat. Congrats on the weight loss! Cheryl

TessaW,

The weight gain hit me in 2003 the same way it hit you. It became a nightmare that has had no end. Every health care provider I saw about it was in denial about it.

At age 52 when I was dx'd, I had no history of ever having gained weight that I was unable to lose just by eating less/exercising more. By that I mean, if I gained an extra 5 pounds, I could lose it within a week or so by just exercising 3 times a week for a half-hour and avoiding extra calories. My physical exam form at time of diagnosis lists my weight as 156 pounds, height 5' 7".

Tx slowed my metabolism severely and it has been an endless struggle ever since. I am convinced that is what is preventing any recurrence for me -- the cause, whether it be the chemo plus the tamoxifen or just the tamoxifen, is uncertain. I believe that it is possible that the slowdown of the metabolism simply prevents cancer cells from dividing fast enough. At the same time, weight gain creates more fat, which then increases the risk for recurrence.

At first I went to my cancer center's dietitian for help. My breath was analyzed and a daily caloric intake established for me. I received dietary and exercise information that I already knew, that would have worked fine for my pre-tx condition but did not work for post-tx. The dietitian was otherwise very good, but simply had no awareness at all that applied to menopausal slowdown of metabolism.

Then I saw my NP and got a referral to see an endocrinologist. However, endocrinologists are very busy helping people with thyroid problems and diabetes, and although I was seeking help for this in the big city of Seattle, none of the endocrinologists would see me. At this time I was walking 4 miles a day, alternating with jumping rope 30 minutes a day, with no weight loss. I finally booked with one who very reluctantly agreed to see me. Although I had sent him in advance my records (including recent thorough labs, physicals, my dietitian's notes, and my NP's notes from my annual physical), he retested me with labs. I met with him and he indicated that the dietary intake as shown by labs was ideal. His recommendation was that I should devote 2 full hours every day 7 days a week to exercise such as weight training, while maintaining the diet I was doing (vegetables, some fruits, whole grains, etc.)

Does that sound like the life we can successfully lead, day in and day out?

I had researched the information about using metformin (which is in trials for several cancers including breast cancer, to see if it helps prevent recurrences by helping with weight management). I asked the endocrinologist for a prescription for it, and got it. I take a very low dose of it by my own preference, which doesn't help much and would probably help more if I took more of it.

The problem remains a nightmare for me, over a decade since bc tx. To me it is inhumane for health care providers not to provide thorough advance counseling about this, as well as for the extreme loss of sensuality and sexuality.

A.A.

RaiderGirl, you always make my day! I asked my RO about a few lung nodules and possible mets and if Gammaknife would take them out. And she told me "we don't chase them, they can be anywhere". Oh, it's not like I gave her a catchers glove, just millions of dollars of fancy equipment and scans to locate them............and my life. WTH?

Ok how's the weight going? I feel like I could eat cardboard and I would still add weight. I'm getting pretty freaked out because I cannot drop anything no matter what. I am reducing my meds, all of them have weight gain as a SIDE-A-F&*K. The Docs all look at me like I am crazy because the weight gain is making me nuts. Anyone else have a similar problem? Ugh! There has to be an answer. I asked one of the chemo nurses, and she actually told me "well YOU are still here". Oh I guess chemo did its job.............we are just supposed to make the best of all this crap. Not good enough, treat the patient not the tumor, it's long gone. Cheryl

Hi Guys,

Beachbum and Jennie ... have to agree with you ... It's not always enough that we're "still here."  My PCP didn't even notice I had lost 45 lbs. two years ago.  I have quit taking meds that cause weight gain as well.  My PCP wants me to take Flexeril for my shoulder/neck pain ... and I won't take it.  It makes me really hungry! 

Raidergirl ... good to see you.  Hope you're feeling better.  TWO hours of exercise per day is just not an option.  Only somebody who was rich or retired could do that!

hugs

Bren

Hello ladies.  Bren-glad your trip was awesome.  I have been doing the two step forward, three step back dance lately.  Lose two pounds, gain three back-spend three days losing those same three pounds back and Never get ahead.  Very frustrating!  A lot of it is my own fault-I take that back-SOME of it is my own fault-had a few drinking nights and then I eat stupid.  I wanted to share something with you that has me interested-the GM (General Motors) 7 day detox diet-google it.  It is very interesting and almost like an elimination diet and then add things back in.  Very doable and very healthy-you must like fruits and veggies.  Day one-was eat all fruits except bananas-as much as you want basically.  Day two-start with a baked potatoe with a pat of butter and then it is just Veggies all day.  Day three-fruits and veggies-no banannas or potatoes.  I am on day three today.  I am down 4.5 pounds in two days.  They say most people lose 10-17 in a week on this.  It is only 7 days which makes it all the better too-not a long term diet, but you can use it intermittenly-which is what I think I will do.  The rest of the diet is online-google the GM diet if you are interested.  One of my employees gave it to me-she lost ten pounds in a week on it and all her family members also lost weight.  I like it.  And I love that it is budging my scale   I hit ONEderland today-finally back in under 200-at 199.4 today.  I am 5'9-wear a size 12 right now.  I will let you know in a couple of days how I am doing.  I am only doing 5 of the 7 days as I have a fine dining event Sat nite.  I have surgery next week, and after I am healed again-I will try this again.  I also use my Nutri Bullet and make shakes on this diet-those are filling and give you lots of energy.  Tomorrow is bananas, skim milk, and make a cabbage soup day   So-banana shakes for me.  I dont feel hungry and I am actually sleeping better.  I like that it tells you exactly what to eat-I need structure.

Vettegirl .. fabulous news!!  Sounds like the new plan is really working for you.  Keep up the good work.  I'm stuck at 6 lbs down from my high point.  The scale is not moving.  I have 8 more to lose ... at least I'm not gaining!  I'm not very good with diets ... just not disciplined enough I guess.  Cutting my calorie intake works when I stick to it.  And that's the problem.  Sticking to it.  When I get really tired or run down, I want sugar!

Keep us posed on your progress ... so happy for you.

hugs

Bren

Hi Gals ... I'm still chubby and I'm still eating jelly beans.

hugs

Bren

I swear I'm eating less and blowing up like a balloon. I blame it on the Femara. Looks like lots of us will be buying new clothes. Now I want some jelly beans, though! The power of suggestion is really real!

LOL!