I finished chemo the end of Aug 14 and radiation the 16th of Oct 14..I lost about 20 pounds going thru everything and my ONC did not seem too concerned about that. To be clear I was a little heavy so I do not mind at all but then I read that weight loss is a sign of cancer and wonder why I have not put it back on even with my appetite mostly coming back. Has anyone else experienced this after treatment ..I feel pretty good and don't want to read too much into it...I would love to hear your comments...thanks ladies...Kathy

I would not be concerned at all with losing weight while undergoing treatment. Many of us have (I lost 10 lbs and I was not overweight to begin with). If you feel you were over weight to begin with, I would look at this as a positive side effect to treatment, and continue with a healthy eating and exercise regimen to keep your body at an ideal weight. 

Best Wishes,

Lisa

What type of chemo are you on?  The first time I had Cytoxan/Taxotere and lost some weight from the surgery and chemo.  Nothing tasted good and all I could eat was bland food.  The second time I had Gemzar/Carboplatin and had no digestive issues.  I ended up gaining about 10 pounds.  Sometimes the steroids they give you to help with the nausea can cause weight gain.  

Donna

thanks everyone - Penny 

I think we've all grown-up with the idea in our minds that when someone has chemo, they're nauseous and possibly vomiting a lot. Nowadays, the anti-emetics (anti-nausea drugs) are so good that I had 1 small wave of nausea after my first chemo and that was it, no further nausea or vomiting. The chemo drugs will impact each person differently, one person gains weight while someone else on the same drugs loses weight. Each person is unique and therefore experiences chemo differently. I agree with Susanb - drink lots of water to keep yourself hydrated, exercise every day if you can, eat as nutritiously as possible and don't worry about weight gain now, that is something you can consider after all of treatment is finished, it's not a priority right now. 

 If I may be so bold - I suspect that right now, your weight is something that you feel you can control right now in the midst of everything that's happening to you, leaving you feel like you have no control at all? I did that too in the very beginning but quickly found that chemo took over and weight was no longer an issue, my health was, the gift that each day was as was my wonderful husband and family. Focus on the positives that each day gives you, for the fact that you woke up this morning, that you were able to take a breath of air, etc. Take care of you right now so that you can beat the cancer. Keep posting here, we've all been there and will do our best to support you as best we can. Take a deep breath, take another deep breath, see how much better that feels? We're here for you Penny. You can do this!

Thank you for your post. My weight should not even be a worry, but that is what I am focused on.  I feel guilty worrying about it too.  I am so glad my cancer was caught so early and I am moving forward quickly with an action plan.  I actually stopped and stumbled when the weight conversation occurred with my MO.  I couldn't believe it.  I am sure he thought if very sad that that was my focus.  I am grateful to wake up, and live.  The word "control" is probably the best way to describe what I am trying to do.  The fact that I literally have no control (and have had none since the screening mammogram came back questionable).  I live in a controlled world (happily), so this has been bad.  Maybe that is what I am supposed to be learning.  I don't know.  I do know that I am not "connecting" with my MO, he makes statements and when I ask to expand, he moves on not really working with me to help me understand things.  Making decisions and assumptions without really letting me be part of the process.  I don't know, I am tired of the worry and I really appreciate all of the responses on this site.  Thank you for listening to my fear and helping me understand what I am walking towards. 

Penny :) 

Speaking from my perspective, I would say it's essential that you connect with your MO. I am able to have any conversation with mine and will suggest things, ask questions until I am satisfied. You should not have to leave his office without understanding anything. Is someone able to go to your appointments with you? For me, we took a tape recorder so that we could listen to what was discussed so that I didn't have to take notes at the same time. You need to be a part of the decision-making process at every step. Perhaps another MO is needed here? Is there another one at the centre where you're receiving treatment? I don't know how the system works in the US so I might be barking up the wrong tree here.

I apologize if I made you feel guilty about controlling your weight. I totally get what you're doing, honestly. No judgement passed here. You're at a time where everything has gone hay-wire, nothing is the same as it was, your whole life just got thrown into a blender at high speed and you're trying to catch a breath of air in there somewhere. When do you start chemo? Or are you having surgery first? The waiting part of diagnosis was the most difficult for me because I was 'let's go, get this treatment going because this cancer is growing inside of me, let's kill it, yesterday!" 

Of course you're tired, your brain is working on over-drive. Sleeping is probably disrupted and you feel groggy before the day even starts. You're normal and know that we've all been there. We're here to help support you as best as we can, so go ahead and ask your questions. There are some wonderful people here who helped me when I was initially diagnosed and started treatment. Keep on posting, don't be afraid of any thoughts or feelings you're having, they're you and they're normal. Much strength for each day, ok?

J

I agree with Jacklin about you should feel comfortable with your Onc.  I've seen 6 oncologists throughout the years.  I switched to one onc when my first one took a sabbatical.  She was in the same practice and I thought it would be easier than switching to another cancer center.  I did not connect with her at all.  She was very dismissive and cold.  The last visit with her, she didn't even examine me - had my clothes on the entire time.  Just typed at her computer, then left.  I fired her and moved on to a top oncologist at another facility.  Best decision ever.  The top breast oncologist was warm and funny and spent as much time with me as I needed.  My advice - if you don't feel comfortable with your medical team, find another one.  I viewed my doctors as a team.  They needed to be understanding and willing to answer all my questions.  If they were arrogant and dismissive, I didn't have a place for them.  There are too many wonderful doctors who are caring and considerate to consider staying with one who treats you badly.  It's ok to fire them and find a better one.

Donna  

Thanks for the advice.  Even before the beginning of treatment I can do that?  My oncologist has NEVER examined with w/o clothes on.  Stares at his computer and makes assumptions on my care.  Answers questions very basically.  I am supposed to start in a few weeks and am afraid delaying will be bad for me.  I didn't know there were breast oncologist.  Maybe I need to do more research.

I will keep you posted - Thanks!!! Penny 

You'd have to get an appointment with a new oncologist quickly in order not to delay treatment.  That may be difficult, but you can explain your situation and they could try to get you in sooner.  You would most likely have to gather all your medical records to be sent to the new doctor prior to the visit.  Breast oncologists are specialized oncologists for breast cancer.  

Here's a couple of links that might help you:

http://www.nccn.org/members/network.aspx" rel="nofollow - http://www.nccn.org/members/network.aspx

http://www.nccn.org/patients/guidelines/cancers.aspx#breast-stage1_2" rel="nofollow - http://www.nccn.org/patients/guidelines/cancers.aspx#breast-stage1_2

Donna wrote what I was trying to say much better. The oncologist should be a part of the team and if you don't like him/her, please get a new one asap. And yes, there are breast oncologists. This might not be as important now as treatment tends to be 'standard' ACT, but I would highly recommend finding a surgeon with a specialty in breast surgery. 

Please move quickly as Donna suggested, time is of the essence when one is dealing with TNBC. I hope you find a new MO soon.

I rarely post as I feel checking in only sporadically helps me put it in the past & yet keep abreast (pun intended) of the latest developments for TN.  I am grateful for the wonderfully informative women here, who offer a wealth of information and insight - Donna being especially knowledgeable.  

That said, as you can see from my signature, in just a few days I will be 3 years from diagnosis.  Yay me!!!  I feel very blessed and fortunate to be here.  I've had "scares" that had to be investigated, so it's important to stay vigilant, but not let it lessen your joy of life.

Re weight.  I'll be 70 in early March, but have always been extremely active.  Chemo did not stop me!  I was either at the gym, or on my treadmill at home, at yoga & pilates classes exercising every single day through all treatment.  Yep, my butt was draggin' some days, and I was unable to perform at the high level I had before.  But it made me feel SO much better.  It gave me the control or that's the way I felt.  There was a study that came out about 18 months or so after I finished treatment that said women undergoing bc chemo who exercised regularly fared better tolerating chemo & after than those who did not.  As someone said, everyone is different, but I was never nauseated.  I was told I could either gain, lose or stay the same.  I lost about 4 lbs. but 3 yrs later, gained back 2 of those - so I'm at 115 lbs, 5' 2 1/2".  If you haven't done it already, you should check out the breastcancer.org website.  They publish studies (that's how I found out about the one mentioned above) & they also have an excellent TN thread of super supportive ladies.  The chemo threads also had great info.  Having said this, I fully realize that chemo is not the time to start an exercise program if you aren't used to doing it.  But for someone like me who is a daily exerciser, it just makes me feel great physically, mentally & emotionally.

Yes, as Donna said, get a bc oncologist asap that you can relate to; also get a good radiologist onc who specializes in bc & of course, a breast surgeon w/same credentials.  

Wishing you well on your journey.  You are wise to get the chemo.  As Donna says, don't take any chances with TN.  I had always been scared of the idea of chemo (aren't most people).  On the morning I left for my first chemo treatment, I had a huge smile on my face.  I asked my husband to take a pic of me smiling and texted it to my adult kids w/the message that I was happy to start my treatment.  And I was.  I am grateful to chemo.

Paula

Penny :) 

Blessings.

Diagnosed 9/2013 Stage 3B IDC, Triple Neg, AND Stage 0 DCIS, ER/PR+.  4 Rounds Dose Dense A/C, 2 Rounds Dose Dense Taxol, 2 Rounds Dose Dense Abraxane, 33 Rounds Radiation.  Bilateral Mastectomy with reconstruction.