Starting Chemo September 2015; join us!

Arista - Cytoxan works more during the resting phase of the cells. I'm guessing Adriamycin attacks the cells in an active phase (i.e. when they're dividing).

Cajun - She only mentioned the platins. I'm not sure if taxotere was even a part of it. And that there hadn't been enough studies done for her taste to confirm that was the case. You're getting the same treatment I am; and I'm being treated at the #4 Cancer Center in the US. I'm sure your doctor made a great recommendation. As far as some of these treatments are concerned, when my oncologist shared percentages (like the difference between success rates of Tamoxifen vs. Aromatase Inhibitors) there was only a few percentage points difference. None of it was worth worrying about as long as I went through the treatment at all. The odds expressed if I chose NOT to go through surgery, or chemo, or radiation, or skip the pills... well....

When was your kid born? Mine was June 6. He's getting a little talkative and parroting more words back - especially animal sounds. Definitely pushing boundaries. And yes, I despised being out of commission post surgeries. I even had to send Michael to stay with Grandma for three days just to make sure I didn't try to pick him up or try to nurse. It was less stressful for my husband too.

The problem I find with settling on a diet is while wanting to avoid estrogen stuff you also have to avoid fructose. Cancer feeds off both heavily. So if you go vegetarian you have to be careful to aoid the fructose and if you go keto you have to eat grass fed organic and avoid the hormones. It's like no matter what you eat or what treatment you get something will be negative.

So organic grass fed meat/chicken, wild caught salmon for the protein, veggies, whole grains seems to be the diet? Nothing else except maybe occasional treat of dairy something like non soy containing ice cream and such for ER+ people? I'm not a big fruit eater so cutting a lot of it out due to fructose is not a big issue for me. I just like cantelope, sweet cherries, strawberries, once in awhile a peach or nectarine. Love bananas and would keep that since it is great potassium source.

Thoughts on the "ideal" diet for ER+ high recurrence chances? So confusing.

My surgeon & oncologist said that what they found is that diet is most effective over the course of 10 - 30 years, but in the short term it's a blip; so he/she didn't tell me I should make any dietary changes (at least not JUST for the duration of treatment). I did avoid sugar in the weeks leading up to surgery though - it was a close one too; another half centimeter or even 1 lymph node involved and I probably would have been categorized as stage 3. No juice? I think I'd die if somebody hadn't pointed me toward prune juice for managing side effects. At the chemo teach they did say to minimize certain foods in order to manage side effects (i.e. alcohol for heartburn & dehydration, etc). My mom is on this "no soy" kick for avoiding extra estrogen.

As to soy, I agree that if you eat non-GMO whole soy (like tofu or edamame), it's not a risk as far as estrogen. It's all the soy by products and the soy that we consume through dairy and meat (what the animals eat), that IMO is problematic. I intend to keep eating whole soy and to some extent, you cannot avoid the oils, because they are in almost everything, so I just try to limit it. I eat no white or wheat flour either and stick to stick to sprouted things, like Ezekial bread.

One tip with bananas is to eat them as green as you possibly can to avoid the sugars.

Of course, then you read the MD Andersons's website saying that all sugar in moderation is fine. There couldn't be more conflicting advice about cancer out there!

I'm still trying to work towards an alkaline diet. My PH was 5.5, too low. I'm going to retest it soon.

Boy howdy it got quiet in here.

((((Aggiemegs))))

I'm sorry this round was worse! How frequently are you having your chemo?

Mine is once every three weeks. I usually have one bad week and two ok weeks.

I will say that I was really glad to go into work today. Being home all the time is too isolating for me. I need to interact with people. I want life to feel normal so badly..

Anyone else watch TV and notice all the wigs people are wearing?

I was dxd at 56, 57 now. I was given 2 options. The lighter one, sorry I dont know the drugs, but it was once every 3 weeks for 12 weeks. Or HEAVIER GUNS, dose dense, , every 2 weeks for 16 weeks, 4 AC and 4 taxol. I chose dose dense

Talk to your MO and ask why. I don't think it just depends on your ER status. If your post menopausal then I believe that's the med they give if you are to take meds after txs are done, which seems like everyone is taking something.

right AROMATASE Inhibitors are for post-menopausal women, but it is a hormone suppressing drug and would not be given to a triple negative patient. Which I almost am at only 34-40% positive PR and negative E

Hey Beautiful ladies!!

Yesterday was my 3rd round of AC and Neulasta today. Because of the steroids I had a very restless night and I was a bit tired today. Although I was feeling ok all day until a bit ago I got nauseous and very emotional

I noticed that the week of treatment is the hardest with SE and the week off i feel "normal" but man! this bites.

Im so glad im here to share and to find answers as well as a little understanding as noone knows what is like to go through this!

I still have a little bit of hair and I'm getting a wig tomorrow so I can shave my head on Friday. I was dreading this day but after reading all of your experiences I feel I ca do it!

Have a beautiful night and an easy day tomorrow!

hugs

I will go back and catch up at some point when things settle down, but I need y'all to know that I have NOT been having a good experience through this entire cluster****. It shouldn't take three emergency department visits for severe pain and fever to be admitted. I just 'fired' my doctor and the CMO may be looking after me herself if the other hospitalist is too booked. I'll give you the details later, but it's just been awful.

And unfortunately I had a fever of 102.2 yesterday afternoon that pretty much ruled out me going home tomorrow. And I woke up at midnight with another 102.2 fever... and this is all despite being on industrial antibiotics and (finally) narcotic pain relievers. I've been awake since then (it's now 2:45am) from the discomfort of the fever.

I'm starting to get concerned, honestly concerned. And I just can't get rest. I am getting incredibly discouraged and concerned here.

CarolinaAmy- I am so sorry you are going through this struggle. I know how discouraging it can be when people fail you and you have complications. You shouldn't have to be dealing with this on top of everything else. I hope they get something figured out to treat the infection and get you home.

Amy huge hugs to you gal. Hope you can rest easy today. We are all here for you my friend. And we will celebrate your last AC when you are better. And you will be better soon praying for you.