Forum Discussion
Thank you and Hello
I’ve been a member of this unique club since diagnosis in Jan 2019 and as some have written, chose not to be an immediate contributor. I feel moved today to say hello and say a humble thank you to those contributors who have provided some of the most thoughtful, uplifting and honest advice that to members in such angst and crying out for additional support.
My journey todate ...
Mammogram taken in November and would you believe I was rung on Dec 17 to say follow up required to which I said yes sure I’ll come in tomorrow and have a further mammogram. The response floored me - no we are closed tomorrow for Christmas but I’ll pop you in on Jan 10. So I gave my happy Christmas back ... what was the point of telling me prior to Christmas ...
Biopsy confirmed ILC 3cms so Lumpectomy surgery and SNL Biopsy 31 Jan with unclear margins and clear lymph nodes. Further lumpectomy and armpit drain last week with reported clear margins. Unfortunately I am producing fluid at a rate of knots so 3 drainings later I now have an infection and purple armpit. My surgeon and GP are just lovely and so responsive - even ticking the bulk bill box when I’m going private!.. But it’s wait wait wait as we all experience that is the absolute worst ! and having spent most of my life a woman in control of most things - WTF !!
So, I’ve done a real head spin on my diet since diagnosis, not that it was bad or that I wasn’t into exercise. Was able to get to the gym 2 days after my first lumoectomy without issue. But I’ve rehashed what I can and can’t eat so many times having made the mistake of referring to DR Google. No red meat, no almonds, yes almonds, no soy, yes soy, no tomatoes, only organic, no dairy, no sugar, no alcohol, no fuji, apples, only walnuts in shells... the list goes on and on contradicting on... in the meantime I’ve almost destroyed the only real stable aspect in my life - my wonderful supportive partner of 18 years.
I guess we all process in different ways and mine has been to desperately try and control my physical state. Just letting go is 3 simple yet very condescendingly complex words.... I am trying to go with 1 step at a time and at times so scary ...
I marvel at those of you juggling work, juggling children responsibilities or having no immediate support around you and yet you are getting there...
I see my Oncologist for the first time bright and early Monday morning and I hope for minimally invasive treatment ....
1 step at a time and thank you again ... and yes the club sucks but hey whilst we have joined how lucky are we to have found this space to support one another 💕
My journey todate ...
Mammogram taken in November and would you believe I was rung on Dec 17 to say follow up required to which I said yes sure I’ll come in tomorrow and have a further mammogram. The response floored me - no we are closed tomorrow for Christmas but I’ll pop you in on Jan 10. So I gave my happy Christmas back ... what was the point of telling me prior to Christmas ...
Biopsy confirmed ILC 3cms so Lumpectomy surgery and SNL Biopsy 31 Jan with unclear margins and clear lymph nodes. Further lumpectomy and armpit drain last week with reported clear margins. Unfortunately I am producing fluid at a rate of knots so 3 drainings later I now have an infection and purple armpit. My surgeon and GP are just lovely and so responsive - even ticking the bulk bill box when I’m going private!.. But it’s wait wait wait as we all experience that is the absolute worst ! and having spent most of my life a woman in control of most things - WTF !!
So, I’ve done a real head spin on my diet since diagnosis, not that it was bad or that I wasn’t into exercise. Was able to get to the gym 2 days after my first lumoectomy without issue. But I’ve rehashed what I can and can’t eat so many times having made the mistake of referring to DR Google. No red meat, no almonds, yes almonds, no soy, yes soy, no tomatoes, only organic, no dairy, no sugar, no alcohol, no fuji, apples, only walnuts in shells... the list goes on and on contradicting on... in the meantime I’ve almost destroyed the only real stable aspect in my life - my wonderful supportive partner of 18 years.
I guess we all process in different ways and mine has been to desperately try and control my physical state. Just letting go is 3 simple yet very condescendingly complex words.... I am trying to go with 1 step at a time and at times so scary ...
I marvel at those of you juggling work, juggling children responsibilities or having no immediate support around you and yet you are getting there...
I see my Oncologist for the first time bright and early Monday morning and I hope for minimally invasive treatment ....
1 step at a time and thank you again ... and yes the club sucks but hey whilst we have joined how lucky are we to have found this space to support one another 💕
35 Replies
- Hi there. 17th December was the day I found my breast lump in 2015 but I managed to get a biopsy on the 19th organised through the emergency dept (as I knew everything was closing down) i didn't get my results until the 29th due to public holidays so that was very stressful. I had to attend a funeral in this time of my sister in law who had died of cancer and just not tell anybody as it wasn't the appropriate time. It was an extremely difficult tine. Once results back it all happened quickly after that.
I guess they informed you in case you had a planned holiday...which many people do at this time and wanted you to be available as soon as they re-opened.
If they called you on this date and you were away...well you'd have been asking why they didn't notify you before Xmas. It's always tricky knowing whats the right call.
I must say I hadn't heard this version of almonds...only soy. In the end I just follow the concept of fresh foods are best where possible. That includes freshly cooked so I know what's in it. (I do freeze my own cooking though)
I'm trying to reduce my animal fats intake as the aramatose inhibitors has pushed my cholesterol up so that has been tricky as most alternatives are soy or beans. Moderation is key I guess. I developed lactose intolerance after chemo...so that has made me rethink my dairy. Some days my head just hurts with all the do's and don'ts abd conflicting advise.
I might add...no specialist has ever suggested I restrict my diet in potential phytoestrogens, which I find interesting given all the warnings on google. - Well, I am bad. I like the honey roasted, French vanilla, salted caramel, cinnamon, and dark choc coated. I do like the dry roasted, but definitely NOT my first choice.
- Goes to show how insular, paranoid and giving myself a head strain..... when you @kmakm mentioned dry roasted almonds I got scared of trans fats so thought when I finish the last batch I’ll make the next lot myself !!! ....
Hey at least I have some strength to just stop and laugh at myself and what the hec - lets have a few milk chocolates along the way and @Zoffiel - no shells xx - Dry roasted is my favourite way to eat them.
If they're not covered in milk chocolate that is! - Dear @Scoops, I'm an almond fan too. I'm a South Australian in exile (NSW). An aunty and uncle had an almond farm at Willunga. Every Christmas we would be given a big bag of almonds. Years later I worked in the Almond Cooperative factory in Edwardstown for six months.
for your treatment plan and diet! - Welcome @scoops. Getting diagnosed too close to Christmas is a bitch...as is cancer, of course.
- Hi there @Scoops...sorry you've had to join this club, but my goodness, the company is rather good here. Dr Google, judiciously used, can be helpful to decipher medical jargon and reputable sites can give clarification too. But you can and will also get the biggest mind fornification imaginable if trying to deconstruct what you ate, what you wore or washed your hair in or used to clean hour home with, to find out what evil thing you did to cause this. My theory is that the Cosmic Clowns sit wherever it is that the sit, and play with a diabolical deck of cards. if they dish out the joker to you...well this is where you find yourself. Eat a reasonable varied diet, drink in moderation, (in my case only moderately moderate at times), try not to smoke, exercise to your limits not to your pain limits, and have fun where you can. Good luck with your treatment. Ally.
- Thanks @kezmusc for forwarding those articles through ...
and @arpie - you mentioned falling over drunk - a friend upon sharing with me recently her BC journey recalls walking into her morning Chemo session with the heaviest of hangovers and had to have a saline drip first to address the over embibing shall we say !!! ... And 6 years later she gleefully recalls her cheeky ways ..... - Hi @Scoops,
Welcome lovely.
I think everybody goes through the what did I do? What did I eat wrong to cause this thing. I agree with the everything in moderation as @Afraser says. (Excluding chocolate, I have no moderation on that). Dr Google is very confusing and you will do your head in with worry about what to eat/not eat. And you are right. It is trying to gain some kind of control. There's enough to worry about without overthinking how much phytoestrogen is in a couple of almonds.
A couple of articles if you are keen to read them.
https://www.cancerdietitian.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/15-Cancer-Nutrition-Myths-Debunked.pdf
https://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2014/03/24/dont-believe-the-hype-10-persistent-cancer-myths-debunked/
Good luck on Monday.
xoxoxoxo - Hi Scoops. Almonds are so high in fibre and other good stuff it would be a shame to stop eating them. I eat eight a day and have never been told they were a no go food. The only foods the world health organisation has found that is a big no no is bacon and salami but I love both so still eat them in moderation.
