New to group

mdavis1880
mdavis1880 Member Posts: 5
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi all. I was diagnosed Dec 1, 2000 and have just finished my 3rd A/C treatment. I had lumpectomy, stage 1 to 2 tumor with no lymph node involvement. My biggest concern at the moment is my hair. I know that sounds shallow but I can't help it. It has not yet all fallen out. Did anyone else have this experience. Also I wonder if life will ever seem normal again. It seems all I want to hear about are long term survivors. I just need to know it is possible. Also I have changed my diet. No meat, no dairy, no sugar. I go to accupunture, am seeing an herbalist, and do yoga and meditation. Are there others out there that have went to these extremes. Thanks for any responses.

Comments

  • webaur
    webaur Member Posts: 104
    #2
    Hi! My name is Wendy. I was diagnosed just 4 weeks ago and had a modified radical mastectomy a few days later. My cancer is a Stage 3A, and I have just had one A/C (I, too, am new so I think that "A/C" means Adraimycin and Cytoxin). I had my hair cut real short just before I started chemo in "preparation"--I say its a nice transition between hair and no hair!! :-) I am not looking forward to losing my hair, either. It seems like it is just adding insult to injury!! I got a couple of wigs from our local Cancer Society office and some hats, too. (no charge) They are really great people!! My hairdresser styled the wigs for me (also no charge) so I am ready. My oncologist said that my hair would start to fall out about 2 weeks after the first treatment and be gone within a month. I can't wait!! :-( Anyway, how often do you go for your chemo? Mine is every three weeks. (You can check out my story a few entries down if you like. I won't bore you with it here!!) Life and Normal. I often wonder that myself. Except for being a little more tired than normal and when I go to change my clothes, I feel like life is pretty much normal. Although the definition of normal has changed. I haven't changed my diet much, either, except that I find I need to eat more to keep from having a pit in my stomach!! I am trying to eat correctly for the first time in many, many years. It is difficult. I have tried to stay off of caffeine, though, and to eat more fruit and vegetables. It is so hard! Anyway, you should find lots of support here. Just being a part of this for a couple of days, I have found lots of encouragement. Hang in there. Do you have the support of your family and friends? THAT really helps. You have mine...as well as my prayers. Take care and you can e-amil me anytime. Wendy in California.
  • cherdaetwyler
    cherdaetwyler Member Posts: 156
    #3
    Hi,
    Ii jsut had my 3rd A/C on tuesday and have enough hair that I do local shopping, volunteer work at resource center/food bank, and all around house stuff, yard stuff with
    bare head or whatever I feel like.
    actually I just look like my baby pictures, some see through to scalp spots, and my hair is still growing, where the bangs I cut 1 inch or less before the 2nd chemo when
    so much was falling out at a time, are now nearly 2 inches long which is about my normal growth rate.

    don't panic. it will all work out.
    I use a native american medicine man ( a Pueblo who learned from his grandmother)
    in addition to the prayers of my church and thousands of others in prayer chains accross the country.

    losts of good responses will be coming in...although it may take some of us a while to get used to this new fancy format.
    cher
  • nancys
    nancys Member Posts: 323
    #4
    Hello MDavis, Nancy here. I have finished my A/C for ductal carcinoma, 2cm tumor, lumptectomy, 1 lymph node involved, stage 2. I am going to have 3rd Taxol infusion the first Monday in March and then just "one left". Radiation will follow. I too, have read about the role diet plays in our cancer, meat especially. I have cut back on meat but have not stopped eating it all together. The dairy is the hardest to live without...cheese is my life...but maybe it is the reason I am fighting this fight FOR my life. Tell me a sample of what you are eating. I eat fruits and veggies and almonds everyday, but could do better. Does your Onco support the herbs you are taking. I plan to do that but not until after the chemo is completed. Write back. Will be anxious to hear from you. This new format will take some getting used to. Tried to get into an ongoing chat but would not let me in. Your friend, Nancy
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #5
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • pamtriggs
    pamtriggs Member Posts: 386
    #6
    Hi Mdavis. I am a 20 year survivor so you can hope. See webpage for full story but I am now in recurrance & fighting again. But hey I have had 20 very very good years totally symptom free so I am very grateful for my life & in those 20 years I felt normal (well as normal as I can be ha ha). It's a hard road but the support out there is truly amazing. There are a number of friends on this site who are very long term survivors so there's plenty of role models. Keep positive & any help you need - you got it. Love Pam
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #7
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • mdavis1880
    mdavis1880 Member Posts: 5
    #8
    webaur said:

    Hi! My name is Wendy. I was diagnosed just 4 weeks ago and had a modified radical mastectomy a few days later. My cancer is a Stage 3A, and I have just had one A/C (I, too, am new so I think that "A/C" means Adraimycin and Cytoxin). I had my hair cut real short just before I started chemo in "preparation"--I say its a nice transition between hair and no hair!! :-) I am not looking forward to losing my hair, either. It seems like it is just adding insult to injury!! I got a couple of wigs from our local Cancer Society office and some hats, too. (no charge) They are really great people!! My hairdresser styled the wigs for me (also no charge) so I am ready. My oncologist said that my hair would start to fall out about 2 weeks after the first treatment and be gone within a month. I can't wait!! :-( Anyway, how often do you go for your chemo? Mine is every three weeks. (You can check out my story a few entries down if you like. I won't bore you with it here!!) Life and Normal. I often wonder that myself. Except for being a little more tired than normal and when I go to change my clothes, I feel like life is pretty much normal. Although the definition of normal has changed. I haven't changed my diet much, either, except that I find I need to eat more to keep from having a pit in my stomach!! I am trying to eat correctly for the first time in many, many years. It is difficult. I have tried to stay off of caffeine, though, and to eat more fruit and vegetables. It is so hard! Anyway, you should find lots of support here. Just being a part of this for a couple of days, I have found lots of encouragement. Hang in there. Do you have the support of your family and friends? THAT really helps. You have mine...as well as my prayers. Take care and you can e-amil me anytime. Wendy in California.

    Thanks Wendy for your support and prayers. Yes I have a great family and friend network,
    and yes that does help. My chemo is every 3 weeks also. I will get 4 rounds. I only have one to go. Then on to radiation. I really hate wearing the wigs. I got a really good one. Most people can't even tell i have a wig on, but I still hate wearing it. I wish someone could tell me exactly how long before my hair grows back. Take care and I'll be praying for everyone.
  • mdavis1880
    mdavis1880 Member Posts: 5
    #9
    nancys said:

    Hello MDavis, Nancy here. I have finished my A/C for ductal carcinoma, 2cm tumor, lumptectomy, 1 lymph node involved, stage 2. I am going to have 3rd Taxol infusion the first Monday in March and then just "one left". Radiation will follow. I too, have read about the role diet plays in our cancer, meat especially. I have cut back on meat but have not stopped eating it all together. The dairy is the hardest to live without...cheese is my life...but maybe it is the reason I am fighting this fight FOR my life. Tell me a sample of what you are eating. I eat fruits and veggies and almonds everyday, but could do better. Does your Onco support the herbs you are taking. I plan to do that but not until after the chemo is completed. Write back. Will be anxious to hear from you. This new format will take some getting used to. Tried to get into an ongoing chat but would not let me in. Your friend, Nancy

    Hi Nancy. My diet constist of a soy shake for breakfast which includes 2 fruits 1 veggie, tofu, soy milk and flax seeds. The rest of the day I try for 6 more fruits and veggies, 1 serving of beans, 3-6 whole grains, lots of water and 4 cups of green tea. I am not taking herbs right now either, just some supplements. The herbs will come after chemo and radiation. Take care.
  • mdavis1880
    mdavis1880 Member Posts: 5
    #10
    pamtriggs said:

    Hi Mdavis. I am a 20 year survivor so you can hope. See webpage for full story but I am now in recurrance & fighting again. But hey I have had 20 very very good years totally symptom free so I am very grateful for my life & in those 20 years I felt normal (well as normal as I can be ha ha). It's a hard road but the support out there is truly amazing. There are a number of friends on this site who are very long term survivors so there's plenty of role models. Keep positive & any help you need - you got it. Love Pam

    Thank Pam and good luck to you. You beat it once I am sure you will do it again. Take care.
  • mdavis1880
    mdavis1880 Member Posts: 5
    #11
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    God bless you Bonnie, and I hope you have 20 more wonderful years. I think a lot of the long term survivors don't think about their cancer anymore (or rather its not top on their priority list) and are not involved in these dicussions and such. At least I hope that is what it is. Anyway Thanks for your support and prayers. Take care.
  • pamtriggs
    pamtriggs Member Posts: 386
    #12
    mdavis1880 said:

    Hi Nancy. My diet constist of a soy shake for breakfast which includes 2 fruits 1 veggie, tofu, soy milk and flax seeds. The rest of the day I try for 6 more fruits and veggies, 1 serving of beans, 3-6 whole grains, lots of water and 4 cups of green tea. I am not taking herbs right now either, just some supplements. The herbs will come after chemo and radiation. Take care.

    If your cancer is ER+ be very careful with the amount of soy you use & avoid flax seed. It has a natural substance in it the body converts to estrogen. You could be negating the effects of Tamoxifen etc. Love Pam

Discussion Boards