Newly diagnosed

Hi everyone *waving*

Sandra and Renee,

Thanks for your replies 

Welcome Sandra and Renee,
Sorry you have a reason to be here but glad to welcome you here.
My oncologist told me not to have more than 20 grams of fat per day as far as diet goes. Also cancer likes acid and sugar is acid so if you can limit that and if you have to use a sugar substitute use Stevia. Make sure you exercise about 30 mins. per day.
Good luck to both of you.
Janet

Hi Ann, and thanks.

Sandra,

Hi Sandra and Renee...I am relatively new to this site but I have found the senior members to be so insiteful and knowledgeabe about our type of cancer.  I have been able to find support and some great advice here.  I am moving onto my fourth of 8 chemo treatements this week. Can't wait to be halfway!!  My Onc started my on Taxol four treatements  first then I will move on to four treatments of A/C.  Studies show this order of meds works best for survival rates for TNBC.. I would post the link I read but do not know how...sure another will do that if you are interested in it.    Again welcome to the club none of us wanted to be in.

Sandra,

Hi Sandra,

Sending you tons of positive and caring thoughts as you continue your TNBC treatment plan
so you have only healthy cells in your body.

Previously, I had posted some thoughts on chemo on another forum.
Posting for you in case any of this info may be helpful.

Remember: all side effects are possibilities and not probabilities.
As above posts re: nutrition and exercise and BCRA testing.
Have you seen the post "Chemo Tips"?
Click on forums>>click on "TNBC News, Resources & Tips.>> find topic "Chemo Tips"
Many good ideas here. As usual, check with you MD re: any supplements suggested.
Would also recommend checking with your MD on 2 of the things mentioned in chemo tips
(as believe there is a difference of MD opinions on some of the things mentioned)
   Check with your MD especially on: Colonics. Use of ice on nails.
For dry mouth: artificial saliva.   Biotene Oral Balance.
Really important to take anti-nausea meds as directed. Take PRN anti-nausea meds at first sign of
    any queasy feeling (at least until you learn how you respond to chemo).
If you plan on getting a wig, get before you start to loose hair.
Prior to taxol: check with your MD about starting Vit B 6 100mg daily one week prior to taxol start.
    Was told to continue for 6-12 months after last taxol dose. Some feel Vit B 6 decreases or prevents
    possible taxol side effect of peripheral neuropathy.
Make plans to have help "available" for most of 1st week after chemo.......then you will start to know what
     help you may need.   You may not need any help. You may need help on chemo day and for 2 days
     after. You may need help only on day 4 etc.   As usual every, one is different.   By having help
     available to call if needed the 1st week, it may help make the week easier. With 3 young children,
     it would be great if you could arrange help on a couple of days regardless of how you feel....
     just to be sure you can get some extra rest during chemo.
Hopefully, a caring and calming person can accompany and stay with you while you get chemo.
Might consider some "Good Luck" object to bring with you to chemo. Or some people have a chemo
      hat/cap or T-shirt.
Think of some positive affirmations or sayings for actual chemo infusion.
       Reportedly, it is better to say/think positive statement....no negatives or negative connotation words.
       Ex: better: I am healthy. All my cells are healthy. I will have a long healthy life and see my children
                            grow up and see my grandchildren.   My treatment plan is healing me.
              not:      I have "no cancer".     etc.
              Am sure many people have said: I have no cancer and have been healed. Again, reportedly,
                  it's better to say positive statements.
       Some people are not into positive affirmations......and that's OK.
       Disregard this info on positive affirmations if it does not seem right to you.
Give some thought of how you want to spend the chemo time:......as a busy mom: sleep!...... maybe
      a magazine or book.....maybe some handiwork if you knit or sew.....or write letters........if you bring
      music to listen to you may want to not bring your favorite songs (just in case chemo memories
      attach to favorite songs)........or other.    Can try different things during chemo time.
Take time to use the bathroom (have an empty bladder without chemo in it ) when you leave to go home
Hopefully, since your anti-nausea meds will be working, you will not need foods/drinks that you know
       help when you have a queasy stomach.   You might want to have such items in the house......and
       then you can use when next family member has a queasy stomach (not you!).
Some of the things mentioned here are also on the chemo tips post.
It has been suggested that when good friends/relatives asks: What can I do to help?......Have some
specific things that would be helpful for you.   Bring a meal over the night of chemo days. Help out with
rides for the children for their activities/school etc.   Think one of the best ideas I have heard: delegate
one of your best friends/relatives to be "your volunteer coordinator". Then, every time some one says:
How can I help? You can say: I'll give your name and phone/e-mail to my volunteer coordinator. That
way you let that one person know what you need and that one person sets up the help ( or some system
like this that would work for you and your family).

Once you have your first chemo, you can figure out what works best for you for the most healing
experience.

These are just some thoughts. Pick and choose what feels right for you. You know your needs best.

With very caring and positive thoughts to you,

Grateful for today................Judy

Wow, thanks Judy! I am going to print those tips and keep them on the fridge to remind myself of the good advice. My Vit D is very low, so I am taking supplements for that now. I like the positive affirmations... when I was told cancer had spread to 3 of the 29 nodes they took... I said, no, that means 26 of 29 nodes were healthy :-)