How well do we take care of ourselves?

Truthfully Honest.......
What do you eat for breakfast?

What do you eat for lunch?

What do you eat for dinner?

What do your snacks consist of?

How do you excercise and what time do you excercise?

What vitamins do you take?

Do you feel you have energy each day or feel sluggish?

Do you think of cancer most of the day, half of the day, a quarter of the day, or only when someone brings it up?

Do you cry once a day, twice a day, every other day, once a week?

Does your spouse/partner comfort you, leave you alone, or just tell you to shut the hell up?

What and where do you see yourself doing this time next year?

What can you do better to keep the beast from consuming your life?
-------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Coffee

2. Usually skip ...more coffee

3. Normally Fast food , sometimes a cooked meal, mostly leftovers

4. Pie, cookies, nuts, chocolate, ice cream...and more coffee

5. No specific exercise regimen, I simply stay active outside winter and summer...

6. No Vitamins at all

7. I feel like doodoo when I first get up, tired, sore, kinda like I've been horsewhipped, then after I am up for a while I seem to get my stuff together a little better...still have a little problem sitting very long makes my feet hurt pretty bad"neuropathy I guess...

8. Evidently everyday because I am on here everyday. It doesn't own me like it use to. I can go on with my life for now being NED for the time being. I don't dwell on it like I use to but its probably the NED that makes that happen for not being in the rush of treatment,scans, etc. that active bodies go through.

9. Every other day usually, something on tv, or anything is very sensitive to me now. I am also off all depression meds and it seems to bring emotion to the surface a lot easier than it did when I was on the meds, I think I feel better though as a flush of any emotion rather than holding it in I purge all feelings out by crying, it has been a good move on my part.

10. My spouse does all of he above, she comforts me, tells me to shut the hell up when Im whining, and never leaves me alone...LOL

11. I in my own time am working on a financial burden freedom for my wife and children. I am stashing as much back as I can when I can, (which is not often) I do not and will not, if I live long enough intend to leave my family in ruin. Thats what bothers me the most and upsets me the most ...

12. I will not let it consume or even bother me ....I have one life on this earth and 100 years from now no one will care. I am going to do (within reason) the same as I would do without the thoughts of cancer returning. Cancer is as small or as large as I allow it to be . It had its chance at taking over my life and did for a short period of time. It might kill me, but it will never, ever, take my life back. Its mine to enjoy anyway I see fit to, and nothing will ever change that again.....


Great Thread

Nana b said:

Hmmmm
I don't know if being on here makes me think of my cancer more or if it just brings comfort to a side of me that let's me relate to others.

Love your wife! Eat better:-)

Being on here allows me to think outside the box...
which is good for me in order to keep the sanity going. It also helps me to feel as if my life still counts for something. It gives me a reason or a feeling that I am doing a service that only we can give, which are answers to others that only one who has been through this can give. That in itself makes me feel good. It just changed the whole way I feel towards people and the way I feel about myself ...and Nana I do love my wife, and I will eat better, I'll have 2 bowls of ice cream next time instead of 1..........:) Your Bud, Buzz

Good Questions, Makes me think
What a good post- Really makes one examine the day to day and what needs to be done differently!
What do you eat for breakfast? Oatmeal, eggs and toast-no butter but a smig of honey or jelly during treatment

What do you eat for lunch? Depends, nothing really sounds good, sometimes if there are left overs in the frige. Sometimes it is crackers, sometimes it is fast food. Need to do better!

What do you eat for dinner? During treatments I do get down a 89cent McD's hamberger, no cheese (I am weird I do not like cheese at all!) After treatment hangover is gone I try to eat whatever. Last night was burritos (homemade not fast food-fast food puts cheese on the burrito and they look at me funny when I say no cheese!) and pears. I am going to try more salads-veggies etc.

What do your snacks consist of? Reduced fat Vanilla waffers. They are the best.

How do you excercise and what time do you excercise? OK, I got the lecture last night, DH said get on the treadmill even for five minutes, he was kind when he said it though.

What vitamins do you take? Well, I am suppose to take B12, D3, but no C or multi vitamin, but I forget-chemo brain.

Do you feel you have energy each day or feel sluggish? SLUGGISH!!! I guess I should take my Vitamins

Do you think of cancer most of the day, half of the day, a quarter of the day, or only when someone brings it up? I try not to, but feel still very new to this, so I think about it alot. I would prefer not, but I am not sure how not too.

Do you cry once a day, twice a day, every other day, once a week? Mostly once a day. It is like Buzzard said it is cleansing I think.

Does your spouse/partner comfort you, leave you alone, or just tell you to shut the hell up? Pretty much all of this. He is a big comfort most of the time but when I get bit___ well you know he just leaves me alone until I am tired of being alone and I get over myself. He will also remind me that I need to be grateful-and quit whinning.

What and where do you see yourself doing this time next year? I see myself as NED and living the good life-well I feel I already have the good life-a roof over my head, food and clothes.
I have a "micro business" and want to make it grow! Within the year I want to have the business out of the house and in an actually setting. Right now I am just virtual.

What can you do better to keep the beast from consuming your life? COUNT MY BLESSING INSTEAD OF SHEEP! Work on my business, love my family more. I need to take my vitamins and get on the treadmill. I also want to be able to ride my bicycle again-feel the wind in my hair. I want to go snow skiing, and go to Hawaii and bake my old bones on the beach!

Shayenne said:

Makes One Think...
How well we are actually coping with this as well. Good post, it's interesting to see what, who and how others are handling it.

What do you eat for breakfast? I may have some poached eggs on toast, raisin bran extra (I HATE raisins, but that's the only thing I can eat with raisins. Maybe some Oatmeal, some fresh juice.

What do you eat for lunch? A tuna sandwich, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a bagel

What do you eat for dinner? Spaghetti, meatloaf, lots of chicken dinners.

What do your snacks consist of? Wow.. mainly ice cream, some cinnamon streusel cakes, fruit and veggies tray. It's mixed.

How do you excercise and what time do you excercise? I hate exercise! But I keep moving, cleaning, and doing theater, which is also very physical, I do need to do some more upper body strength exercises though!

What vitamins do you take? I am taking Probiotics, Vitamin D3, Flaxseed Oil and Super B Complex

Do you feel you have energy each day or feel sluggish? SLUGGISH!! sometimes it's hard to just get out of bed, but once I do get up and move around, I start feeling better, some days I do actually feel great though, when I can be off chemo for that week, and I'm fine, but the chemo still runs me down abit!

Do you think of cancer most of the day, half of the day, a quarter of the day, or only when someone brings it up? Maybe half of the day, usually because I try to think of what will help kill it with what I eat, will this be a good day with it, or not....

Do you cry once a day, twice a day, every other day, once a week? Maybe once a week!

Does your spouse/partner comfort you, leave you alone, or just tell you to shut the hell up? He doesn't know I still cry, I do it to myself. But when he has caught me tearing up, he comforts me.

What and where do you see yourself doing this time next year? I hope to still be here!

What can you do better to keep the beast from consuming your life? Stop thinking of what my kids are going to be like when I'm gone, and just keep my mind focused on fighting this **** for as long as I can, I pray everyday, and just take things one day at a time, I will not let it consume me.

What do you eat for
What do you eat for breakfast? Usually 2 pieces of cinnamon toast (with splenda) and the spray butter – 2 cups coffee or a bowl of cereal with blueberries. I also have muffins made with the leftover juicing solids– On the weekends, vary from the norm.

What do you eat for lunch? I eat peanut butter (simply Jif) and honey often. It is filling and delicious and easy. Sometimes, I have sardines, homemade ziti (with no meat and mozzarella cheese only. I crave the tomato sauce and whole-wheat noodles.
What do you eat for dinner? We sometimes go out to a cafeteria or for Mexican food. Last night we went to K&W Cafeteria. I had collard greens, tossed salad with fat free dressing, Jalapeno cornbread, water with lemon, and Spanish mackerel (broiled). We also bake chicken or turkey often.

What do your snacks consist of? Chocolate! We buy the bars of dark choc and what a great snack. Also, almonds, triscuits, apples, and oranges, bananas or tangerines.

How do you exercise and what time do you exercise? I have begun a 10-week program through the hospital. They only charge me $$35.00 for the 10-weeks. We also walk our dog if it is not raining or too cold.
What vitamins do you take? - B12, B6, Calcium with Vitamin D
Do you feel you have energy each day or feel sluggish? I feel very sluggish until I go exercise. Then I feel great.
Do you think of cancer most of the day, half of the day, a quarter of the day, or only when someone brings it up? I think of cancer only when my hands and feet hurt or hear about cancer on TV. I try to put it out of my mind.

Do you cry once a day, twice a day, every other day, once a week? I don’t cry often. Worry is like a rocking chair: It will give you something to do, but it won't get you anywhere.

Does your spouse/partner comfort you, leave you alone, or just tell you to shut the hell up? My hubby is wonderful. He will offer suggestions for problems I am having. He goes with me to some of my appointments. Generally a great guy.

What and where do you see yourself doing this time next year? I hope that I will be working or volunteering on a regular schedule
What can you do better to keep the beast from consuming your life? I need to juice more often, keep the weight down, exercise, eat healthy and laugh more. Realizing the best life is the one lived to help others who are less fortunate.

Buzzard said:

Truthfully Honest.......
What do you eat for breakfast?

What do you eat for lunch?

What do you eat for dinner?

What do your snacks consist of?

How do you excercise and what time do you excercise?

What vitamins do you take?

Do you feel you have energy each day or feel sluggish?

Do you think of cancer most of the day, half of the day, a quarter of the day, or only when someone brings it up?

Do you cry once a day, twice a day, every other day, once a week?

Does your spouse/partner comfort you, leave you alone, or just tell you to shut the hell up?

What and where do you see yourself doing this time next year?

What can you do better to keep the beast from consuming your life?
-------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Coffee

2. Usually skip ...more coffee

3. Normally Fast food , sometimes a cooked meal, mostly leftovers

4. Pie, cookies, nuts, chocolate, ice cream...and more coffee

5. No specific exercise regimen, I simply stay active outside winter and summer...

6. No Vitamins at all

7. I feel like doodoo when I first get up, tired, sore, kinda like I've been horsewhipped, then after I am up for a while I seem to get my stuff together a little better...still have a little problem sitting very long makes my feet hurt pretty bad"neuropathy I guess...

8. Evidently everyday because I am on here everyday. It doesn't own me like it use to. I can go on with my life for now being NED for the time being. I don't dwell on it like I use to but its probably the NED that makes that happen for not being in the rush of treatment,scans, etc. that active bodies go through.

9. Every other day usually, something on tv, or anything is very sensitive to me now. I am also off all depression meds and it seems to bring emotion to the surface a lot easier than it did when I was on the meds, I think I feel better though as a flush of any emotion rather than holding it in I purge all feelings out by crying, it has been a good move on my part.

10. My spouse does all of he above, she comforts me, tells me to shut the hell up when Im whining, and never leaves me alone...LOL

11. I in my own time am working on a financial burden freedom for my wife and children. I am stashing as much back as I can when I can, (which is not often) I do not and will not, if I live long enough intend to leave my family in ruin. Thats what bothers me the most and upsets me the most ...

12. I will not let it consume or even bother me ....I have one life on this earth and 100 years from now no one will care. I am going to do (within reason) the same as I would do without the thoughts of cancer returning. Cancer is as small or as large as I allow it to be . It had its chance at taking over my life and did for a short period of time. It might kill me, but it will never, ever, take my life back. Its mine to enjoy anyway I see fit to, and nothing will ever change that again.....


Great Thread

Buzzard
I love your post!! Thank you

Life is funny sometimes
Brooks

dianetavegia said:

My answers
What do you eat for breakfast? Usually an egg on a whole wheat muffin with some (real) shredded cheese melted on top, coffee and orange juice. Some days, Raisin Bran. On Saturday hubby makes me Grits, Eggs, Whole Wheat Muffin and one piece of bacon. I don't always eat bacon, tho.

What do you eat for lunch? Usually fruit with hot tea during the winter and iced tea in the spring and summer.

What do you eat for dinner? NO red meats. Loads of veggies, whole wheat pasta and a tiny piece of baked or roasted chicken, turkey or fish. I'll have a piece of pork every few months. Our salads include peppers, mushrooms, beans, tomatoes, cukes, black olives, green olives, black beans or garbanzo beans, onions, scallions and we use oil and vinegar as dressing. If we have croutons, they're whole wheat/ low fat or fat free. We don't use iceberg lettuce but choose the darker greens or red leaf.

What do your snacks consist of? Ice cream a few times a month and Dove chocolates about once a week. A handful of raisins is my usual or baked tortilla chips with salsa and cheese.

How do you excercise and what time do you excercise? Walking! I've ordered Wii Walk which will be released in Jan. for those days it's too cold to go out. No set time.

What vitamins do you take? Centrum Women's Ultra Silver for women over 50. Calcium. D3. One 325mg Aspirin.

Do you feel you have energy each day or feel sluggish? Plenty of energy. I sleep like a baby now that I stopped watching shows like 'Trauma' just before bed!

Do you think of cancer most of the day, half of the day, a quarter of the day, or only when someone brings it up? Seldom and hate it when people bring it up. I find it will be on my mind more when someone here has bad news.

Do you cry once a day, twice a day, every other day, once a week? I am not a crier. I cried once when my brother was murdered and I cried when the gastro doing the colonoscopy told me he was sure the tumor was cancer.

Does your spouse/partner comfort you, leave you alone, or just tell you to shut the hell up? My precious, beloved husband is very supportive and helpful.

What and where do you see yourself doing this time next year? I'll be turning 60 in December 2010 and expect to be doing the same things that I'm doing now but wih MORE exercise.

What can you do better to keep the beast from consuming your life? Stop going to this and other websites so often.

I read not long after my DX about a healthy diet, vitamins and exercise helping prevent recurrence and I took it very seriously.

For what its worth, my responses to questions:
Breakfast=nutrition drink, followed about half hour later with 6 oz cup yogurt

Lunch=chicken, pasta,spaghetti/meatballs, Chinese
Dinner=same selections as lunch. We order in alot so girlfriend/caretaker doesn't have to cook much as she does everything else!
Snacks=nutrition drink(s), apple, candy,cereal (with or without milk)(Love ice cream but not now as doesn't mix with chemo for me-runs last time I had some)nuts, oatmeal,fruit cocktail. applesause
Exercise=just WAITING for surgeon to give OK to lift weightsagain. Still 25-30 pounds under pre-tumor weight.Started playing with 3 pound DBs but don't want to screw up stoma, etc.Will try to walk in street a mile/day if weather not bad and I hav energy.

QUESTION:If anyone's lifting weights after colostomy, how long did you wait beforestarting to lift?

Take a muktivitamin daily; was told to stop all supplements and stuff I used to take prior to Dx and treatment
Energy level=tired when I get up but when I get burst of energy I do things til mid-afternoon or so when I lose energy and feel wasted. Fatigue comes and goes
Think about cancer everytime I see my stomach,feel discomfot in ****/stoma.Actually think about it often if not doing spomething else.but especially when bag being changed or emptied...Still aint beat it yet
Haven't cried in a few weeks so thats good sign

Girlfriend is caregiver without whom I can't survive on my own. When I want to be by myself she knows thats how I am so she gives me my space. She's also learned when I go crazy on her and start ranting and raving, especially in public, its the chemo and my frustration of needing help and hving no strength,etc

Next year I hope to be NED ans doing whatever I want to do, having some weifght gain and immense increase in strength (ficus on strength now, not size anymore-too old to putr on muscles again-59)
Try to keep busy to keep cancer off my mind

Well, those are my answers, not much different from yours perhaps....Steve

I have changed a few things since DX:
What do you eat for breakfast? I eat a Fiber One Bar

What do you eat for lunch? I usually eat something like soup or salad or steamfresh veggies or steamfresh veggie meal, yogurt or a sandwhich

What do you eat for dinner? Working two jobs makes it difficult, but I will try and eat a peanut butter sanwhich or yogurt or a regular sandwhich

What do your snacks consist of? Applies or different fruits. Kashi bars, crackers, dry cereal, raisins, protein shakes

How do you excercise and what time do you excercise? I weight lift (1-1/2 hrs) and do 30 minutes of cardio 3 times week.

What vitamins do you take? Womens One-A-Day multivitamin w/calicum in AM and a Caltrate 600D and Folic Acid in the PM

Do you feel you have energy each day or feel sluggish? Energy, but working two jobs, I do get sluggish by Thursday.

Do you think of cancer most of the day, half of the day, a quarter of the day, or only when someone brings it up? In the beginning it was each day, but as time goes on, it seems to wonder away some, but NOT all.

Do you cry once a day, twice a day, every other day, once a week? The water works seem to happen more often and at a drop of a hat since DX (2006).

Does your spouse/partner comfort you, leave you alone, or just tell you to shut the hell up? My husband is my comfort.

What and where do you see yourself doing this time next year? Hopefully moving back to Northern Virginia or starting over fresh somewhere new

What can you do better to keep the beast from consuming your life? Enjoying every moment of life that God gave you without hesitation.

Interesting Thread
I won't answer the questions but I will tell you all that the answers change over time. I realize if I had answered these 5 1/2 years ago while I was on chemo, then 1, 2, 3, 4 after it how different the responses and attitude about them would be.

I know it is hard for those of you in the fight, just finishing or just starting treatments to comprehend but folks it is pretty interesting how you change in ways you never would think. I'm guessing that even Buzzard eats better today then he did before his diagnosis.

Don't worry too much about your diet, etc while on chemo but once you are off of it, treat yourself to a healthier life; it is nice waking up and feeling decent and ready for a good day.

Oh and the crying and thinking about cancer does subside over time too!!! I never thought it would but it has and I am really glad. AND if my spouse/partner EVER told me to shut the hell up about any of my cancer thoughts, they would immediately be my EX.

Just promise me one thing folks...............stay the good friends you have become. I cherish my beloved semi-colons that I met here when I needed them so much.

Lisa P.

:-(
Some of these answers make me so very sad that I'm speechless and cannot answer the questions.

wah.