alcohol consumption

Alot of this in the news lately...
my cancer was also estrogen + so I was told to NOT drink at all. When I talked to my Dr about it he talked to me about quality of life and enjoying a drink now and then. Before my diagnosis I drank red wine every night (with dinner) - so it has been hard not to have as much.
Alot in the news about this as well, I'm sure others on the board will have much more info on this - when I was having my chemo I did not want to drink at all - I had my chemo 'dense dose' - which was every 2 weeks instead of 3 so I barely started feeling better before I had to go again.
Talk with your Dr - he'll probably have some advice for you.
take care - do keep drinking lots of water to stay hydrated.
-Jenny

Ask Your Oncologist This Question.
You are taking strong toxic chemicals to fight your cancer. Why would you want to add another chemical to the mix? Your poor liver is having to deal with cytoxan & taxotere.

I would check with your oncologist about alcohol consumption during treatment.

Best wishes,

Doris

madsters1 said:

why?
Why? Because all of my hair is now in the sink!! I haven't drank alcohol in twenty years! Literally. So, you come home one afternoon and pull all your hair out into the sink, just like that. Then what? Pretend that life is normal. Go watch a movie or something while wearing that beautiful scarf for the next year?! How do you go from your hair just fell out to living as if nothing happened? Everyone else around me doesn't know how to do this cancer thing so they're just going on. Having a problem "just going on" with the smiley face that says "I'm okay". I'm not okay and this is definately NOT ok!!!

Nothing about cancer is okay.
This is a horrible disease that challenges every thing you have...physical, mental, emotional, spiritual...everything.

And it feels insane that people just go on while you're falling apart. The hair thing is super hard. I live alone and my son happened to be over while my hair decided to fall in clumps and I was trying to act like it was no big deal (being the tough Mom), but I just couldn't hold it in.

Thank God for this cancer board and all the wonderful people here that understand exactly what we share. We're all in this together.

As for the alcohol, I think I slipped in one glass at a party between infusions with my Onc knowing, but for the most part, didn't drink alcohol.

Sending hugs,

Sylvia

madsters1 said:

why?
Why? Because all of my hair is now in the sink!! I haven't drank alcohol in twenty years! Literally. So, you come home one afternoon and pull all your hair out into the sink, just like that. Then what? Pretend that life is normal. Go watch a movie or something while wearing that beautiful scarf for the next year?! How do you go from your hair just fell out to living as if nothing happened? Everyone else around me doesn't know how to do this cancer thing so they're just going on. Having a problem "just going on" with the smiley face that says "I'm okay". I'm not okay and this is definately NOT ok!!!

If...
You haven't had alcohol in 20 years, why the question? We've all been in your shoes..some, including myself, dealing with a recurrence...it sucks big time!!! But I promise you'll get through this..it's no day at the beach but doable....losing your hair is a big deal for all of us...and again, it will grow back...losing your hair, as traumatic as it is, is a small price to pay for trying to save your life! I surprised myself at how quickly I became used to being bald..in the big scheme of things it's just part of treatment...and no, right now your life is NOT normal and won't be for quite some time....people who haven't walked this journey can't understand it and there's no use in trying to get them to understand...it's human nature...it reminds them, it could be them next and it scares them....and quite honestly they will go about their life in spite of what you're dealing with...again human nature.

I also think you are depressed....again we've all been there! Please ask your doctor for an anti depressant....no shame in needing help to cope with this....I would bet most on this board have or are taking something for depression...I had never taken anything before my diagnosis...

Wishing you the best and keep posting...we truly care!
Hugs, Nancy

Heatherbelle said:

Ugh - that is just the worst
Ugh - that is just the worst feeling. I dont think i've EVER felt as out of control as when my hair started falling out. I personally wasn't told NO ALCOHOL, i really don't think it was ever brought up. But during chemo, there were a few times where I did have a couple of drinks. Mostly I just didn't have a taste for it, but we had a night out for my 35th birthday with friends and family, and one night we went to a drag show/fundraiser for breast cancer, and I had a few beers.
If you ever feel like you need to vent or need someone to talk on here, please know that you can message me on here. I just hate that you have to feel that icky, scared, out of control feeling right now in your life
*hugs*
Heather

Madsters1-
I also had
Madsters1-
I also had cytoxan and taxotere, along with andriamycin, every 2 weeks.
xoxo

madsters1 said:

why?
Why? Because all of my hair is now in the sink!! I haven't drank alcohol in twenty years! Literally. So, you come home one afternoon and pull all your hair out into the sink, just like that. Then what? Pretend that life is normal. Go watch a movie or something while wearing that beautiful scarf for the next year?! How do you go from your hair just fell out to living as if nothing happened? Everyone else around me doesn't know how to do this cancer thing so they're just going on. Having a problem "just going on" with the smiley face that says "I'm okay". I'm not okay and this is definately NOT ok!!!

I specifically asked about
I specifically asked about alcohol, and was told one or two drinks once in a while was acceptable, however, on the chemo it just didn't taste so good! I have been off chemo for 8 weeks and had 2 drinks but they didn't taste much better so I will stick to diet Pepsi. Not much of a drinker anyways, but I sure do like a cold beer on a hot day!

You don't go on living as if nothing is happening, but you will find a way to go on living and enjoying your life as much as you possibly can. My hair is coming back in I just got it trimmed and styled and I look pretty good, but the day after this big new do, I found out I am starting chemo again either this week or next. So, I will deal with the hair loss for the third time, but I will look really good until that happens and wear my hats and scarves again to keep my head warm.

Those around you are trying to figure all of this **it out right along with you, they don't know what to say or do themselves but with some time and you letting them know what you need and want, it will all fall into place, not the same place as things were before, however it does work out.

Screw the smiley face, sometimes you are just going to have to be you and that may be tears, or humor, or just some time to say this is not ok and feel sorry for yourself. We have all been here and it does get better, and you will be amazed as you progress in the treatment that you can do it, you did do it, and you are stronger for all that you have been through.

Prayers and hugs,
Carol