After having biopsies the breast consultant suspects locally advanced breast cancer as it's in my lymph glands. Discussing treatment fri. Anyone got any positive stories for me? 34 mum of 3
I'm sorry to hear that you're now in the club that none of us want to be in.
My world was blown apart last September. I'd noticed some unusual changes to my breast and was in a lot of pain both in my breast and in my armpit. Instinctively I knew that I had cancer and it was text book Inflammatory breast cancer. It's rare, aggressive and painful. It's also never diagnosed before stage 3 due to it's quick spread. My fingers were crossed wanting it to be stage 3 and not stage 4 but it wasn't to be.
As suspected it had spread to the lymph nodes under my arm, both lungs and there were 3 tumours on my liver. I was devastated but immediately turned into an investigator. I looked up the cancer, lifestyle changes, meditation to deal with the stress, got a 2nd opinion and was my own advocate because I had to fight for me.
The words stay positive we're the only words that were said to me and at times they angered me because until you've been told that you've got upto 2 years to live at the age of 51 you don't have a clue.
Unfortunately I got covid after my first chemo session and was rushed to hospital. I was then also diagnosed with sepsis which left me with long covid and significant damage to both lungs.
However I continued to fight and eat/live well whilst shouting long and loud about my treatment continuing. It was allowed after a negative covid swab. I've just completed my 6 th cycle of a total of 8 and fighting some nasty side effects from the chemo.
My son was upset about me looking like a cancer patient. I told him quite bluntly that I am a cancer patient so yes I will but I have used the cold cap to limit hairloss and been very fortunate to have only lost about 15-20% of hair which is unnoticeable. I also look fit and well due to the changes I've made to my lifestyle.
A couple of weeks ago I had my first scan since treatment had begun and was amazed ( as were the whole team involved in my care) to be told that the 11cm x 9cm tumour that had appeared in only a short time of 6 weeks had gone. Lymph nodes showed no signs of cancer. Both lungs are clear and 2 out of 3 tumours on my liver had gone and the remaining one had shrunk significantly.
I believe that the rest of my treatment will kill off that remaining tumour and I'll actually be cancer free. I now have a shot at a much longer life in which I get to grow older with my amazing, supportive husband. I'll get to meet my future grandbabies having watched my son's settle into adulthood.
I'm not under any illusions about my cancer. It's still stage 4 and I understand that there'll be rogue cells in my bloodstream just waiting to wake up and begin the fight to own my body once more. I will be on targeted drugs for the rest of my life.
I am however feeling very positive and know that my body is amazing in it's determination to get well once more.
I hope that you find my words inspiring, empowering and motivating. Remember that you're a warrior and you have to work with your body not against it whilst relying on your treatment plan and oncology team.
Oh my goodness you've just made me cry with sadness and joy for you. You are such a warrior and thank you for your courageous words. Can you advise me on exercise and any healthy vitamins to go in my favour? x
I'm so glad that you found my experience to be positive. As far as advising on vitamins and can only tell you what I currently take. I must stress that you MUST discuss it with your oncologist before you begin taking anything though as sometimes vitamins can work against your treatment. Also, there will always be negative articles on the same "amazing, cancer beating supplements" so please proceed with caution.
High dose of 1000 vit C
High dose of vit D
Echinechea
CQ10
I always include 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and turmeric in my daily diet. 1/2 tsp Cinnamon in porridge for breakfast and the other half in milk just before bed. A teaspoon of Turmeric in whatever I'm having for my evening meal. If that's not possible it goes into a smoothie or hot drink.
I have M.E long covid, asthma and on a strong chemotherapy regime so exercise isn't possible at the moment. I do try a little yoga for cancer which is free on YouTube but my mobility is severely limited and I needed a stairlift before the cancer. Walking would be my recommendation but don't push it as your body will need support to get through your treatment regime. Plenty of rest/sleep and lot's of water. I meditate with a free app if I'm having trouble sleeping or feel a little overwhelmed.
Your local library will have lots of books about eating for cancer. If you put that into a search engine then you'll be able to order from the library online and collect them. I found them really helpful.
I generally stick to a plant based diet but I'm not vegan so will have some fish or organic chicken on occasion. Although as I previously stated you can read both positive and negative articles on the internet so you have to make your own choices based on what you normally eat. There are conflicting articles regarding cutting out sugar, dairy, animal products and alcohol but having a little of what you fancy on the odd occasion is also fine.
These outline's are my own experiencs and I'm not medically or dietary trained. I'll also never know whether they've actually helped reduce the cancer but I feel much healthier for following them and like to think that I'm doing my bit to enhance and aid the treatment plan I'm on.
The last and most important message that I can give anyone in such a situation is to be as positive as you possibly can. Don't give up!! It's not possible to remain 100% 24/7 and I get fed up and sometimes angry when it's all some people say. Remember that its advice coming from someone who cares. But there will be times when you become overwhelmed, saddened or just plain terrified and it's ok to rant about it being unfair or cry into your pillow. You'll need an outlet to rid those demons.
I wish you all the best and let me know how things are going for you.
Take care. Stay safe. Be the warrior you are for your children.
