To break or not to break

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Comments

  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    snommintj said:

    Skipping chemo
    It sounds as though you have a good bit of accumulation in your system. Skip it. Your chemo will still be there after christmas.

    Hi John how are you ? I been thinking in you lately
    How is your current situations after Guatemala,s expedition ?.
    Hope everything have improved !
    Hugs amigo mio!
  • This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • scouty
    scouty Member Posts: 1,965 Member
    Tough Decision
    Anne,

    You are smart to ask for opinions but ultimately listen to your gut as Kerry says. Mine had been telling me to take a break for a month or so cuz my body was giving out before I finally decided to. I planned a 2 month break but decided to fight with all sorts of alternatives during that time to see how they worked. Testing 2 months later showed no changes in my tumors (I was inoperable too with mets to my liver and left lung) and my CEA actually dropped from 5.1 to 3.5! I never had another chemo treatment and kept up my alternatives and my results just kept getting better and better. I just celebrated my 6th year since my last chemo anniversary!

    I remember rescheduling one of my chemo treatments from a Thursday to the following Monday so I could attend my nieces out of state wedding and my onc going crazya about it. I just looked at him and asked him if he really thought that my cancer cells knew the difference between a Thursday and a Monday! He rolled his eyes, signed the papperwork and told me to enjoy the wedding. John is right, the chemo will still be there when you go back in early Jan.

    If you do decide to take the break, be kind to yourself and your body by building it up as much as you can. I did do some sweets over Christmas but only after eating come complex carbs.
    And I'd like to say it was nice of your onc to suggest it and that in itself should tell you something.

    Lisa P.
  • Buckwirth
    Buckwirth Member Posts: 1,258 Member
    Treatment and Breaks
    Take the break.

    In 2003 my mother was dx'd with pancreatic cancer. She had surgery, was to weak for chemo, but went straight into radiation. To this day, I do not know that the radiation bought her any more time, but I do know that it did not buy quality time. She wanted to travel, and I can't help but think that had we skipped the radiation therapy there would have been enough time for her to have enjoyed one last trip.

    If we are stage IV the odds are stacked against us. Find the time to enjoy our families and savor life now. A small break from treatment also gives the body some time to heal, making us that much stronger when we return to the fight.

    Good luck. Whatever choice you make, it will be the right one.
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    snommintj said:

    Skipping chemo
    It sounds as though you have a good bit of accumulation in your system. Skip it. Your chemo will still be there after christmas.

    180
    I am starting to do a 180 here - I may take the break + then have my next chemo on the 30th. I can wait till next week to make the final decision. Thanks for the input!
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    Sundanceh said:

    Darlin' Annie
    Do yourself a favor and take a week off and that way you can feel as good as you can for the holidays. No one wants to feel crummy on Christmas day - I don't either and had my chemo pushed back a week 'cause I want to see if I can feel human, even just briefly.

    The way I see it if one weeks make a difference in my life and death - then I'm dead anyway and why are we doing chemo and radiaton on me, you know.

    John eluded it as well - cancer and chemo will still be there for you and me as the calendar rolls on - sometimes we have to take back from cancer a little bit of ourselves - and the recharge and refocus will help keep you going.

    I just finished another infusion - told my onc to start me back up on the 29th, so New Year's won't be good, but I decided to play for Christmas...gives me about a 10-day break. And all I want for the holidays is just to "feel" what it's going to be like to "feel good" again.

    No worries here - which ever way you go will be right, just food for thought.

    So glad you got your card and knick-knack with it - hope that brightens your spirits some this holiday season - and for all of your future holidays:)

    -Santa Craig

    Santa Craig
    Thanks for giving me your thoughts. I think what was throwing me off was I really won't be able to take 1 week; it will be at least two b/c of Christmas. My husband came home for a late lunch + we discussed it, I am leaning now towards taking a break. I am pretty whipped + apparently my kids are asking "why do they keep giving Mom chemo?" I do want to have a good Christmas + it is more important to me than New Year's, which I like on the quiet side anyway.
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Kathy
    It is so good to hear from you! Thanks for your thoughts. Your perpective is really valuable. I have not had a good appetite since the antibiotics. My onc has ordered hydration starting tomorrow for the next 4 days.
  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    Anne:
    How about getting the next chemo next week and then taking a break. I agree with John, the cancer and chemo will be there and letting your body rest a bit is a good idea. I know when George had a chemo break it did him a world of good.

    Take care - Tina
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    scouty said:

    Tough Decision
    Anne,

    You are smart to ask for opinions but ultimately listen to your gut as Kerry says. Mine had been telling me to take a break for a month or so cuz my body was giving out before I finally decided to. I planned a 2 month break but decided to fight with all sorts of alternatives during that time to see how they worked. Testing 2 months later showed no changes in my tumors (I was inoperable too with mets to my liver and left lung) and my CEA actually dropped from 5.1 to 3.5! I never had another chemo treatment and kept up my alternatives and my results just kept getting better and better. I just celebrated my 6th year since my last chemo anniversary!

    I remember rescheduling one of my chemo treatments from a Thursday to the following Monday so I could attend my nieces out of state wedding and my onc going crazya about it. I just looked at him and asked him if he really thought that my cancer cells knew the difference between a Thursday and a Monday! He rolled his eyes, signed the papperwork and told me to enjoy the wedding. John is right, the chemo will still be there when you go back in early Jan.

    If you do decide to take the break, be kind to yourself and your body by building it up as much as you can. I did do some sweets over Christmas but only after eating come complex carbs.
    And I'd like to say it was nice of your onc to suggest it and that in itself should tell you something.

    Lisa P.

    Lisa
    Thanks for your comments + perspective. I have thoroughly enjoyed your story + sometimes go to your "about me" page for inspiration. I am now leaning towards the break; I am getting strong messages from my family that they think this would be good. Do you have any suggestions for a high protein drink to help me through the days when it is hard to eat? Thanks again!
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    Buckwirth said:

    Treatment and Breaks
    Take the break.

    In 2003 my mother was dx'd with pancreatic cancer. She had surgery, was to weak for chemo, but went straight into radiation. To this day, I do not know that the radiation bought her any more time, but I do know that it did not buy quality time. She wanted to travel, and I can't help but think that had we skipped the radiation therapy there would have been enough time for her to have enjoyed one last trip.

    If we are stage IV the odds are stacked against us. Find the time to enjoy our families and savor life now. A small break from treatment also gives the body some time to heal, making us that much stronger when we return to the fight.

    Good luck. Whatever choice you make, it will be the right one.

    Buckwirth
    Thanks so much!
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    geotina said:

    Anne:
    How about getting the next chemo next week and then taking a break. I agree with John, the cancer and chemo will be there and letting your body rest a bit is a good idea. I know when George had a chemo break it did him a world of good.

    Take care - Tina

    Tina
    Thanks very much for commenting. I think I will probably take a break next week + then come back strong for the next one. You take good care! I think about you + George a lot.
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    geotina said:

    Anne:
    How about getting the next chemo next week and then taking a break. I agree with John, the cancer and chemo will be there and letting your body rest a bit is a good idea. I know when George had a chemo break it did him a world of good.

    Take care - Tina

    Darling Annie
    wow lots of advice.....do you know what kiddo???

    I'd be takin a wee break but then I am a Christmas/freakoo lover.....

    good luck with decision....it will be correct for you....

    hugs and snowy kisses

    mags
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    maglets said:

    Darling Annie
    wow lots of advice.....do you know what kiddo???

    I'd be takin a wee break but then I am a Christmas/freakoo lover.....

    good luck with decision....it will be correct for you....

    hugs and snowy kisses

    mags

    Mags
    I love Christmas too, + have family coming from as far away as Winnipeg -that's my nephew, his wife + three kids (one of whom I've never met). I am now leaning towards taking a break + enjoying Christmas to the max. No snow here!
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    plh4gail said:

    I know, I feel the same. I
    I know, I feel the same. I am used to being a busy body, baking everyone's favorites, shopping, playing, decorating. My little one's are 9 and 10 and go up to 25. My 25 year old is the one who really looks after me. Calls me everyday from work and then stops by too. My little one's now know that instead of the normal active activities, we will more than likely comfy up to a movie, play a board game, or sometimes I will lay on my son's bed and watch them play video games. I think these activities are all things they have come to appreciate because it is a different kind of closeness. My oldest looks closely for a sign of a "good" day and will have me out of the house for whatever I'm up for, Target,grocery store, eating out.....I have 2 others in between also that live out of state, 18 and 23 that check in with me regularly.

    So, I started going on about myself and my family, but this is about you. I just wanted you to know that I know how you feel and that change is hard for us, but I think our families are very adaptable and accepting. They will be grateful andf proud of you for doing your best.

    Take care, Gail

    Gail
    I was teary when I read this. I too used to be so busy, with our business, home, two kids, renovations etc. Now I do a very small fraction of what I used to do. I still work, mostly from home, but don't do much around the house at all. My kids are 17 + 22, so don't need a lot of physical care, but I still want to be there for them. I cannot believe you have a 25 year old.you don't look much older than that yourself. It sounds like you are doing a great job connecting to all of your children.
  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    Hun
    If it were me, I'd be taking that break. It's Christmas, it as Craig alluded, really isn't a life or death decision. Enjoy the Christmas with the family. Give the ol' body a little break. I feel that if we remember how good it feels to feel good, that gives us more incentive for the next rounds.
    Wishing you the best, no matter the decision.
    Winter Marie
  • Buckwirth
    Buckwirth Member Posts: 1,258 Member
    AnneCan said:

    Lisa
    Thanks for your comments + perspective. I have thoroughly enjoyed your story + sometimes go to your "about me" page for inspiration. I am now leaning towards the break; I am getting strong messages from my family that they think this would be good. Do you have any suggestions for a high protein drink to help me through the days when it is hard to eat? Thanks again!

    High Protein Drink
    I use Muscle Milk powder.

    In the morning I put it in the blender with my coffee to make a hot mocha.

    In the afternoon (once the evil oxali has worn off) I blend it with ice and lots of peanut butter for delicious milk shake.

    It also comes as a ready to drink, which is very palatable.

    http://www.musclemilk.com/
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    Buckwirth said:

    High Protein Drink
    I use Muscle Milk powder.

    In the morning I put it in the blender with my coffee to make a hot mocha.

    In the afternoon (once the evil oxali has worn off) I blend it with ice and lots of peanut butter for delicious milk shake.

    It also comes as a ready to drink, which is very palatable.

    http://www.musclemilk.com/

    Buckwirth
    Thanks,

    I will see if it is available in Canada.
  • scouty
    scouty Member Posts: 1,965 Member
    AnneCan said:

    Buckwirth
    Thanks,

    I will see if it is available in Canada.

    Curious, why a protein drink?
    I never really concentrated on protein because I was much more interested in building up my red and white blood cell counts. Mostly I went on a 90/10% alkaline diet(google chemical pH balance of foods to see which ones are what), juiced and ate foods targeted to help achieve those goals.

    And stay away from ensure and boost until you really can't stomach anything else. The reason why they have so many calories is because they have loads of sugar and should not be used unless you are desperate. Not to mention that if you are decently hydrated they usually give people diarrhea. They do help with dehydration and weight gain but I personally think you would do better with a smoothie made with frozen fruit of your choice, frozen vanilla yogurt, lowfat milk, vanilla whey protein powder or like Buckwirth says peanut butter, choc whey protein powder, frozen banana (just peel and freeze in a baggie) and low fat milk in a blender.

    With your infection and other side effects, boosting you immune system should help you immensely. You can google boosting your immune system with foods or supplements to see what might tickle your appetite and wallet.
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    scouty said:

    Curious, why a protein drink?
    I never really concentrated on protein because I was much more interested in building up my red and white blood cell counts. Mostly I went on a 90/10% alkaline diet(google chemical pH balance of foods to see which ones are what), juiced and ate foods targeted to help achieve those goals.

    And stay away from ensure and boost until you really can't stomach anything else. The reason why they have so many calories is because they have loads of sugar and should not be used unless you are desperate. Not to mention that if you are decently hydrated they usually give people diarrhea. They do help with dehydration and weight gain but I personally think you would do better with a smoothie made with frozen fruit of your choice, frozen vanilla yogurt, lowfat milk, vanilla whey protein powder or like Buckwirth says peanut butter, choc whey protein powder, frozen banana (just peel and freeze in a baggie) and low fat milk in a blender.

    With your infection and other side effects, boosting you immune system should help you immensely. You can google boosting your immune system with foods or supplements to see what might tickle your appetite and wallet.

    I guess
    I don't neccessarily need a high protein drink recipe, but one with protein. Yours looks good + does have protein with the milk + whey protein. I am going to try it this weekend -need to order a few of the ingredients. Thanks so much! The Ensure idea was really my husband's - he has been worried about me not getting enough nutritionally.
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member

    Hun
    If it were me, I'd be taking that break. It's Christmas, it as Craig alluded, really isn't a life or death decision. Enjoy the Christmas with the family. Give the ol' body a little break. I feel that if we remember how good it feels to feel good, that gives us more incentive for the next rounds.
    Wishing you the best, no matter the decision.
    Winter Marie

    Thanks Winter Marie!
    I think you may be right!