Any book recommendations???

The American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society can give you some wonderful information on diet, treatment, and other recommendations. There are several on-line organizations that can help, one that I have joined is the triple negative breast cancer foundation, you can find them on facebook. Personally, I tried much of the recommendations but found that each person is different. The most important is to keep hydrated, lots of fruits -- watermelon was a saving grace because it provided liquid, sweetness and could eat bite size chunks when was feeling sick to my stomach. A good book I just picked up is "Just Get Me Through This!: The Practical Guide to Breast Cancer" by Deborah Cohen, very motivating. I would also suggest to keep a day planner, which you can document how you feel, any symptoms, and any questions to ask your doctor. At first I would go in to the doctor's office and was asked how I was doing and my pat reply was good, then realize I forgot to mention this or than or ask a question, after the planner it was really helpful. I also recommend keeping a business card for each test, scan or procedure done. On the back of the card you can write the type of procedure and date, the front acts as a point of contact, a lot of times, the oncologist would send me for tests and then forget to let me know specific results or outcomes because of the delay from order to procedure to the date the results arrived into the office. The best piece of advice I can give you is to find a friend and allow them to be your sounding board to express all the bad feelings and frustrations to vent and let go.

outdoorgirl said:

Probably
not so much about diet,but I found the best book when I was first diagnosed was Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book-very good and helpful!!

The American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society has information on diet and health. Look at their website.

Leeza

KayNYC said:

lumpectomy next week
I read "Be a Survivor: Your Guide to Breast Cancer Treatment" by V. Lange, MD it was easy reading and very helpful. I read it on Monday when I returned home from my meeting with the surgeon who is doing my procedure next Wednesday.
Have you received your results yet? How was the first week post op?
Hugs,
K

I would have to recommend,
I would have to recommend, "Anti-Cancer, a new way of Life." This book is the bible of cancer. There are several other posts about this book on this board and several other boards. It explains so much, you will be speechless. Take care and good luck on your journey.

Hi Victoria
Hope you're doing well after your lumpectomy. Mine was last week, too. My path report was done in 2 days, all clear. Got my staples out today. Rad is next and tamoxifen pill. I went to the library and found lots of books and my sister gave me some too. "What to Eat When You Have Cancer" is good.

lynn1950 said:

Anti-Cancer, written by a
Anti-Cancer, written by a doctor who is a brain cancer survivor, helped me when I was ready. Most helpful during treatment was a set of booklets I received from the Susan B. Komen Foundation. The pamphlets contained questions to ask every step of the way. My best to you. xoxoxoxo Lynn

Victoria,
If you haven't already, be sure to call the American Cancer Society's 800 number and request any and all of their free booklets. I called them several times during my treatment -- I always found their Cancer Information Specialists to be so helpful and compassionate, and they sent me SO much helpful information, all completely free of charge.

As I was finishing treatment, I also read After Breast Cancer: A Common-Sense Guide to Life After Treatment, by Hester Hill Schnipper LICSW and After Cancer Treatment: Heal Faster, Better Stronger by Julie K. Silver, MD. The first focuses more on emotional recovery, the second on physical recovery, and both are written by medical professionals who are also themselves breast cancer survivors -- I highly recommend them.

And, as others have said, my oncologist has also recommended Anti-Cancer: A New Way of Life, by David Servan-Schreiber. That's next up for me.

Traci

aisling8 said:

Thank you all
for the wonderful help. I checked out every book the library has on the library shelf.

My pathology report was good, Stage I, grade 1, no nodes BUT (why oh why is there always a but), there were two tumors next to each other and even though together they don't add up to one centimeter, the oncologist ordered the OncDx test and we're waiting on those results to determine if I need chemo (yuk).

Meanwhile, things are good, but (another but...) I've got fluid buildup under my arm which is irritating. I had it aspirated once and I'm going to see the surgeon tomorrow anyway so I'm sure she'll do it again. Hoping she doesn't decide to put in a drain -- hard to go to work with a drain. (I'm a court reporter and it would bug the crap out of me).

Happy to hear you're doing well, Laurissa. And KayNYC, please please let us know how things go for you.

I appreciate each and every one of you.

Victoria

Day two post operative
Dear Victoria,
I am sore, numb and still somewhat swollen under my arm (node removal) but otherwise feeling pretty good today. I am of course, awaiting the pathology report. My surgeon took four nodes during the lumpectomy. The path done in the OR of the sentinel node was clear of cancer. I haven't needed as much analgesic as they have prescribed. I have been cutting the pill in half and taking it with a Tylenol. It seems effective and lasts about 6-8 hours. It was recommended that I remove the outer dressings today which I did. Taking a shower and washing my hair felt great. I only have the little strips left at both incision sites. They say that they will fall off on their own. The surgical site looks really good with no redness or pain. The swelling and numbness under the armpit are the only areas of discomfort. I just finished reading "Anti Cancer: A new way of life" I am a little tired but with such beautiful Spring-like weather, I may take a short walk with my husband this afternoon.I won't return to work until the week of 3/30. I have a visit with the surgeon on 3/29.
Did you get results on the OnxDx test? How is the fluid build up under the arm? Have you returned to work?
Hugs.
K

aisling8 said:

Hi KayNYC
Glad you're doing well. I am too. I went for my surgeon post-op visit and she aspirated 85 cc's from under my arm. That was Tuesday and fluid has returned. I don't want to complain too much because I really don't want a drain put in. Just waiting on the OncDx test. Have that appointment this coming Thursday assuming the results are back.

I decided not to go back to work till I know about chemo -- I'm simply too distracted. So in the meantime, it's lovely Southern California weather and I'm having a nice vacation!!

Hugs back to you,
Victoria

And I thank you Traci, that's a very good point about library books, checking to make sure I'm not reading outdated information. Thanks!!

Sounds like a good plan
Dear Victoria,
I return to the surgeon two days before I return to work. I am anxiously waiting for the path reports. My underarm area is still swollen but I don't feel like there is a "ball" under my arm, something my doctor warned me about. Sensation is beginning to return under my arm and I haven't needed an analgesic all day. I went for a lovely walk with my husband through the park on this first day of Spring. Good luck on the OncDX test. Enjoy the beautiful weather.
K