My journey
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Tasneem
Member Posts: 20 ✭
Hi all
I had my mastectomy in the first week of September just 3 months ago and I am pleased to inform you all that I am back to normal. I know everyone's journey is different and all cancers are not the same. However, just sharing with you all the things I did for getting back to normal may help some of you.
When I was diagnosed with cancer in late August 2017 the radiologist who examined my mammogram and CT scan as well as all the doctors painted a pretty grim picture. My family was devastated and seeing the reaction of some of my friends I decided not to tell anyone anymore. I remained positive all along. I am 62 and I am grateful that I have lived so far and knowing that death is inevitable no matter how long I live, this cancer never bothered me. I have never lost a nights sleep over this. This attitude helped my family a lot and they started accepting the reality.
My husband & I started researching information on the causes of cancer and with his co-operation I made a number of changes to my diet and lifestyle. I gave up sugar completely, went out in the Sun to get my vitamin D, also took Vitamin D3 with Magnesium. Also every morning I made a juice with carrot, beetroot, celery, ginger, lemon and almonds and drank this.
After the operation I continued this regime, reduced carbs, took walks to loose weight and followed all the exercises the physio prescribed after the operation. Fortunately, I did not have to go through chemotherapy or radiotherapy. However, as I am estrogen receptor positive I was told to go on harmone therapy. The oncologist gave me all the information on its side effects which included thinning of bones and endometrial cancer. Again after researching on this subject I looked at ways of naturally reducing my estrogen levels and decided not to go on the harmone therapy. On my follow up checkup the oncologist showed me a graph that indicated the benefit of going on the harmone therapy which was minimal - around 5% or less. The graph indicated that 90% of breast cancer patients survived for 10years without any adjuvant treatment and 85% survived for 20years without any adjuvant treatment. Those who took the treatment lived 5% or less longer. To me quality of life mattered more so I am glad I have chosen this path. I have lost 7kgs weight so far and feel really good.
I hope everyone of you find your own path to a good and fast recovery as i have done.
I had my mastectomy in the first week of September just 3 months ago and I am pleased to inform you all that I am back to normal. I know everyone's journey is different and all cancers are not the same. However, just sharing with you all the things I did for getting back to normal may help some of you.
When I was diagnosed with cancer in late August 2017 the radiologist who examined my mammogram and CT scan as well as all the doctors painted a pretty grim picture. My family was devastated and seeing the reaction of some of my friends I decided not to tell anyone anymore. I remained positive all along. I am 62 and I am grateful that I have lived so far and knowing that death is inevitable no matter how long I live, this cancer never bothered me. I have never lost a nights sleep over this. This attitude helped my family a lot and they started accepting the reality.
My husband & I started researching information on the causes of cancer and with his co-operation I made a number of changes to my diet and lifestyle. I gave up sugar completely, went out in the Sun to get my vitamin D, also took Vitamin D3 with Magnesium. Also every morning I made a juice with carrot, beetroot, celery, ginger, lemon and almonds and drank this.
After the operation I continued this regime, reduced carbs, took walks to loose weight and followed all the exercises the physio prescribed after the operation. Fortunately, I did not have to go through chemotherapy or radiotherapy. However, as I am estrogen receptor positive I was told to go on harmone therapy. The oncologist gave me all the information on its side effects which included thinning of bones and endometrial cancer. Again after researching on this subject I looked at ways of naturally reducing my estrogen levels and decided not to go on the harmone therapy. On my follow up checkup the oncologist showed me a graph that indicated the benefit of going on the harmone therapy which was minimal - around 5% or less. The graph indicated that 90% of breast cancer patients survived for 10years without any adjuvant treatment and 85% survived for 20years without any adjuvant treatment. Those who took the treatment lived 5% or less longer. To me quality of life mattered more so I am glad I have chosen this path. I have lost 7kgs weight so far and feel really good.
I hope everyone of you find your own path to a good and fast recovery as i have done.
2
Comments
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We all have to muddle through with the information and resources that we have. Long walks can never be a bad thing and my diet could certainly improve, though historically I've never had much will power when it comes to consumables.
I hope things go well for you.2 -
Tasneem, your attitude is amazing!!! I'm so glad you've found what works for you. All the very best. Xx1
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Thankyou Mollygirl & Zoffiel. I wish you all the very Best. May the New Year bring Good Health, Peace and Happiness for all.1
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Hi Tasneem, glad to read you are doing so well ! I have to date not posted on this forum but have been very grateful to read everyone' s stories, makes me realize how fortunate I have been with my own cancer to date and also to gain some very helpful information along the way. I have just finished week three of radiation with one week left to go and then I am also due to start the dreaded Tamoxifen which like most of us I'm not looking forward to. My diet is very healthy and I get daily exercise and have given up alcohol as i understand that increases estrogen levels but I would be very interested to hear of any other ways you have discovered that help to control estrogen and also progesterone levels. Thanks0
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Hi Mezzie
Glad you are doing well and nearly towards the end of your radiation therapy. Some of the things I have learnt to keep my oestrogen levels down are to keep away from dairy products such as milk, cream etc. However, if it is fermented then it is beneficial and does not increase oestrogen. Also avoid soya products and sugar and reduce carbs. Eating cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, kale, brussels sprouts, bokchoy etc reduces oestrogen. Also I have discovered Kefir which is a yoghurt like drink that has far more probiotics then yoghurt is very helpful. For many years I suffered from constipation which I feel is one of the factors that has contributed to my cancer. Now with this change in diet and taking kefir everyday is helping me a lot. I have the kefir culture and make it at home. Also cancer cells are said to feed on sugar so avoid sugar. Hope this helps.
Wish you a speedy and complete recovery.2 -
Lots of research has been done and there is no special diet that will prevent breast cancer developing or advancing. I wish it were so (in reality we'd all be on it) What is recommended is that we all follow a healthy diet, keep our weight down, as body fat does produce estrogen, and there are studies that moderate exercise can reduce recurrence. Why? They don't know.
https://www.bcna.org.au/health-wellbeing/physical-wellbeing/healthy-eating/
There was also a huge study of soy products and it was found that moderate serves like 1 to 2 per day had no impact on estrogen cancers.
https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/22342/cancer-information/cancer-risk-and-prevention/healthy-weight-diet-and-exercise/soy-foods/
https://wiki.cancer.org.au/policy/Position_statement_-_Soy,_phyto-oestrogens_and_cancer_prevention
Whilst eating well, and exercising will help and not hinder. The standard care remains that estrogen inhibitors are still the best way forward for most ladies with an ES cancet and side effect issues for most are liveable and osteoporosis risk factors can be managed...again with diet, exercise including weights and additional suppliments and medications. It is a risk with aging anyway I guess. My bone density has improved the 12 months on an inhibitor. Go figure.
https://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/about-us/news-personal-stories/breast-cancer-diet-recurrence-top-four-myths-dispelled
Our journies are all individual and we all make our own choices in our treatment. Australia has some of the best statistics in the world for breast cancer survival...and that is because of the standard treatments which are offered, the intent is that we all have the best chance of survival. 5% diffetence doesn't sound much, but if you are in that 5% it is significant. All the best. Kath x
Actual statistics from the BCNA forum 2017.
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I am finding it just too difficult to live without chocolate.....
BUT I do go to the gym regularly now. I consider that a trade off 
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The user and all related content has been deleted.1
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Thank you @primek for the links- evidenced based for me all the way.0
