New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - newly diagnosed TNBC
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

newly diagnosed TNBC

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 567
Author
kati1983 View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: Jun 01 2019
Location: California
Status: Offline
Points: 15
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kati1983 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep 03 2019 at 12:26pm
Dear Laura,

Sorry it has taken me a minute to respond. I am dealing with my own treatment circus. 

I second on getting the ultrasound! It will make you feel better. I also had 12 weekly of Taxol and had little to no side effects. 

Sorry you have the bad taste in your mouth :/ Does drinking water help? I drank a ton of water with lemon when I was on A/C. I used a lemon essential oil and it helped a lot.

Ok, food! Let me see if I can explain this better. The food thing is hard because there is a lot of conflicting reports, but below is what works for me and is based off of lots of research and info from my integrative onco and acupuncturists. They are actually running a study right now to see how methionine restriction affects TNBC patients. 

It is hard for people to go full vegetarian right away if it is not something they are used to. What I did was slowly over time reduce the amount of meat I eat; at the beginning only a few times a week, now only a few times a month. In order to get the 46g of protein suggested each day I do a green smoothie in the morning with Hemp protein powder, always include a variety of nuts and seeds everyday as snacks or toppings and include grains and legumes like quinoa, millet, oatmeal, beans, organic tofu. 

When I do eat meat/seafood, I eat a very small portion, about 3 oz which is about 1/3 cup. For quick reference it's about the amount that will fit in the palm of your hand. 

SO to answer your questions, there is no clear answer Yes/No. My way for dealing with it has been to just limit the amount I eat and to 100% make sure when I do eat meat/fish, I know it is wild/organic/pasture raised/no antibiotic/etc. But you need to make sure you are eating other things to get protein so that you are not starving and unhappy. For reference, here is a PDF with general proteins of foods: https://www.todaysdietitian.com/pdf/webinars/ProteinContentofFoods.pdf

Here are a few recipes that I love because they are quick, easy and allow for meat to be included. Let me know if you have any other questions!!


I used powdered ginger and wasabi paste. I also will add in any veggies I have on hand; celery, carrots, etc. 

top w/ nuts, chia seeds, berries

I do half the cheese

That all being said, when you are on chemo sometimes you just need to eat what taste good to you. Don't be too hard on yourself!! You're body can't fight if it isn't fed. My husband used to set a timer for me to remind me to eat because I wasn't hungry most of the time, but I always felt 1,000 better after I did, especially when veggies and plants were involved.

xoxo
kati

Back to Top
Laurarev View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: Jun 16 2019
Location: New Jersey
Status: Offline
Points: 65
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Laurarev Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep 06 2019 at 1:08pm
Hello ladies! 
So, I went for the ultrasound yesterday. I could barely breathe the entire time I was waiting to be seen (which was about 2 hours!) the ultrasound tech definitely felt what I was talking about, and really took her time doing a thorough exam. She sent me back to the waiting room and said the doctor would talk to me in about ten minutes. That made me even more nervous, but as soon as I saw him he said everything looked ok. Ahhh, I could breathe. Thank God!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 We were in a room where my scans were up on the computer screen and he showed me and explained everything to me. He said there were three “suspicious lumps”. Two of them were definitely cysts because they show up black on the ultrasound (which means they’re filled with fluid). The third one is a mass, but he said it’s been there since 2011. It hasn’t changed in size or shape at all and was needle biopsied years ago. It’s calked a fibroadenoma. Jeez, I forgot that was even there! So good news for a change yesterday. I’ll take every bit I can get!! I hope you are all getting good news too. I hope you’re all feeling well and coping well with all of the stressors of life. I think of you all so often and pray for all of you. I am so fortunate to have found this forum and to have the wonderful support of literal strangers who have become friends. Thank you!!
Kati, I appreciate all the recipes! I’m definitely going to try some of them! Not too sure about the tofu. I’ve never tried it, so I’m not sure about the texture. Also I thought tofu is soy. Are we supposed to stay away from soy? 🤷🏻‍♀️
I hope whatever “treatment circus” that was going on with you has been resolved. 🙏🏻 Stay strong. ❌⭕️
😘
Back to Top
kati1983 View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: Jun 01 2019
Location: California
Status: Offline
Points: 15
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kati1983 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep 06 2019 at 7:18pm
SO happy to hear it was nothing!!! Those little victories make all the difference sometimes. 

From what I have been told and what I have read tofu is OK, especially since our cancer is not related to hormones. You can read more about it here: https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/soy-cancer.h18-1589046.html

That being said, everything in moderation! I wouldn't go eat a whole block of tofu and drink a bunch of soy milk all in one day. You can always substitute with organic, free range chicken too. In either case, just make sure your plate is 50% veggies!  If you decide to try tofu, make sure to get organic extra firm. The extra firm holds up better in stirfry and has a much better texture. I know tofu can be hard for people so here are a few more w/o. 






Back to Top
Laurarev View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: Jun 16 2019
Location: New Jersey
Status: Offline
Points: 65
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Laurarev Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep 09 2019 at 9:46am
Thank you so much for these recipes Kati!! They look great and I can’t wait to make some of them!! 
I go in for my 4th (and final!) round of AC today.  To say I am nervous would be an understatement. But I am also ready to get this show on the road! I have had so many terrible side effects from this chemo, and I know I am looking at at least a week to a week and a half of pain and suffering, but I can’t wait to be done with it. Then onto the 12 weeks of taxol. I am praying that won’t be as hard on me. 🙏🏻

Did any of you ever have pain around your port area? I still feel a lot of discomfort from the original port site (where there is no port, just a lot of scar tissue I guess); but in the area where I have the actual port it hurts. I feel like all I keep hearing from other people is that they barely notice it’s there and they don’t feel it at all. Mine actually hurts. And when I have heartburn (which is frequently) it hurts even worse. Anyone know why this may be?  

How are you all doing/feeling? 
I hope you all have a wonderful day:)

Laura 
Back to Top
sdlw211 View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: Sep 14 2019
Location: Auburn,WA
Status: Offline
Points: 4
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sdlw211 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep 14 2019 at 12:39pm
Hello everyone, my name is Susanne, age 70.  

I was recently diagnosed with TNBC with a grade 3 tumor, a week ago. I’m slowly coming to grasps with this diagnosis.  The nurse said grade 3 was an aggressive tumor/ Invasive BC. 

Never felt a lump...went in for my yearly mammogram,  they found a small 8 mm mass, sent for ultrasound, at the ultrasound the radiologist came in to talk to me...tells me he wants me to have a biopsy to check the mass so in two days I’m back for a core needle biopsy with an appointment to speak with a nurse in two day.  Somehow I knew there had to be a problem.  Had an IV contrast MRI yesterday and now in a few days I meet with my Team of doctors to learn my treatment.  

Not knowing has made me rather anxious recently.  It’s been hard sleeping since my mind doesn’t shut off...probably not enough sleep. Wonder if that’s normal? Actually, since July I’ve been more tired than normal so is it possible the cancer is tiring out? 

Sadly, the nurse said the next three to six months would be rough and she stated I needed to stop working. I’m a retired Elementary School Principal who now works part time at a local University as an Adjunct Faculty/ Supervisor for Student Teachers. They did not want me going into elementary schools. Boy, was that hard to take...

What recommendations do any of you have as I begin this battle? How does your life change in regards to doing your daily activities?Do you always take another person with you for treatments or doctor visits. Should I keep a journal through this journey? How do you tell grandkids.  Any help will be appreciated. 
Susanne

Back to Top
strongtogether View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: Aug 07 2019
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 88
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote strongtogether Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep 15 2019 at 7:27am
Welcome to the forum Suzanne. So sorry you have had to find it.
I would say that financially if you don't need to work, this is a good time to stop. Im sorry to be intrusive, but you have paid your dues to society. Both of my parents were teachers and if I had my way, you would all be set up financially well before you turned 65.
 Anyway - sorry to go on a tangent. 
Your nurse is right. Its going to be tough. But its doable. Everyone will tell you it is going to be grotty, there will be hard times, and there will be tears. But its doable. It can be cured. You have every reason to hope. 
 None of this is your fault. Its just something that has happened to you.
 Get a second opinion. Take a trusted person with you to the interviews. Ask for support. Ask for professional help from a psychologist. 
 Ask your friends and family for practical help. They love you and will do what you ask. 
Above all else, dont lose hope. You can get through this. This forum has some excellent advice and some really knowledgeable people. 
Stay strong. Love, flowers, and support to you from Australia, sister.


Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 567
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.01
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd.