questions

Good morning. Happy New Year to you, as well.

My feet and hand numbness took about 7 months to completely go away. Now, understand this...I only did 3 treatments of Oxyiplatin ( sp?). I couldn't tolerate it. So, that said, I suppose it is very individual.

Tired? From the breat cancer? Not sure. Tired from radiation, certainly possible. Personally, I wasn't overwhelmingly tired, but it certainly did zap my over all energy. ( and kicked my butt a few times too)

Sugar? Maybe Em could weigh in on that one. I would say, brown is no better than white. Juices. I'm not sure about. I would think the better choice would be to stay away from them, but it depends on how you feel. If oj is the only liqiud you can get down, it is better than being dehydrated. But , I think in the end, sugar is sugar. Best to eat an orange or some grapes. That way you get the fiber and no "added" sugar.

Sex drive? What's that? Oh, wait, I remember that. All I can say, is that I'm waiting patiently for that one to return. ( I think the instant menopause did me in)

BTW, I had stage 3 Rectal, no lymph involved, 6 weeks chemoradiation, surgery 6/04, 6 more months of chemo. Presently and forever NED!!!!!!!

Best to you,

Barb

Hi There...and a belated Happy New Year!
Let's see if I can add a bit here.... I had nine sessions of chemo with Oxy and have been off chemo sice May...and I still feel strangeness in my fingers and feet. Probs with my feet did not kick in until after chemo ended; they feel as if I am walking on sand most of the time. As for my hands, it sort of comes and goes, but it hasn't gone away. You can do a little Online search using 'diabetic neuropathy' as the keywords. Also, I have heard that Vit B6 (200mg/day), magnesium (500mg/day) and Alpha Lipoic Acid (300-600mg/day) are helpful. None of the amounts listed are extreme, but check it out with your whomever you feel most comfortable with. A very good healthfood perofessional will not steer you wrong.
As for the sugar/cancer issue, cancer cells need a lot of food because they are reproducing very quickly. They want a system which is eating a lot of readily available stuff - which is usually junk.....This is pretty simplistic, but after about nine quarters aof chemistry, biochemistry and organic chemistry in addition to advanced nutrition classes during my bachelors, I sort of go with the simplest explanation.I am not considered a guru here at all, but I do trust my education and my research. The bottom-line is that after metabolism, a food's residue is either acidic or alkaline. A calorie is a measure of heat and what we eat burns in a specific way or pattern. We want an alkaline system - at least 80% of the time - because cancer cells have too hard of a time living in this environment. This is why Emily, Lisa any many on the site cry for a nutritional uproar - and rightfully so. Brown sugar is not good....but neither is food grown with chemicals or hormones or antibiotics. So this whole thing can be a bit overwhelming. I would think like this: Use unprocessed food; use organic foods and food products; use whole grains and as little sugar as possible. If you must have sugar in something, do not have it alone because it will shoot right into your system and be just what cancer cells will be searching for. White sugar and white flour are the biggest problems. As for chocolate, look for the purest possible; that means the amount of cocoa. 75% is about the best one can find. It is darkest and less sweet, but it really wonderful. You can google 'alkaline diet' for lots of help with diet info, and you can read Patrick Quillin's book: Beating Cancer with Nutrition. You can also boost your exercise to at least 30 minutes of cardio per day; you can also get off all red meat....but you didn't bring up these things, so I will jump off of those soapboxes.
As for juices, they are better than sodas - which are a huge and deadly no-no - but they do break down quite quickly in the bloodstream. To add another piece to the equation, think of a meal as a mix of proteins, fats and carbos. If you are to have a juice with your meal, make sure that you have enough protein and good fats to set the equation. Am I making sense? It is all in the mix...This (ratio) theory is from Dr. Barry Sears (The Zone diet ) which Is respectable and pairs very well with Dr. Quillin. It sets ones bloodsugar to have an efficient metabolism going. Many people do not aspire to be at a resonable weight with cancer, but I disagree.
As for the sex drive issue, oxy did a number on my hormones, but my patterns of decision-making (as in, they guy I chose to be involved with) was more of a problem for me. I just needed to change the guy, not the level of my sex-drive.....
Maybe the whole, huge thing has had an effect on how you feel. Adding breast cancer into the mix and you need an award. The sex-drive will return - maybe when you feel better and more calm about yourself. Take it easy and have some fun looking for healthy foods and some things which will help your hands and feet.....and then have some good sex....All the best - Maura