So.......I was doing so well with my LC, having good long periods of ‘normality’, enjoying more foods without a reaction, and putting on weight. Now I’m facing a breast cancer diagnosis. Sigh.
Thinking ahead to a mastectomy and possible radiation/chemo, I wonder how my body can cope with the stress, the onslaught of surgery and drugs and radiation, even the hospital stay and crap food.
Has anyone here faced cancer? How did your already compromised body handle it? This feels like more than I can bear.
Thank you.
Cancer and MC
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Cancer and MC
Hazel
Cancer and MC
I am so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Sounds like you’ve been doing quite well with your LC, and hopefully you’ll be able to stay strong and positive through the coming months. Fear and anxiety wreak major havoc on an already compromised immune system.
Sorry I can’t help with specific info on chemo, or even surgery/recovery, since I was lucky enough to need only a lumpectomy followed by radiation. Although I’d had MC symptoms intermittently for years I wasn’t actually diagnosed until 7 months after completing radiation. On the morning of my very last treatment, my colitis symptoms became unmistakable, and other issues seemed to worsen as well. So, difficult as it will be, its vital to do your best to try to keep your immune system as strong as possible during and after surgery and treatment.
Obviously it will be difficult, if not impossible to follow the customary dietary suggestions for breast cancer patients. I’d been seeing a local naturopath (nationally) known for her post-surgical regimen of supplements and immune-enhancing herbs, mushrooms, etc. But since I was already in an (undiagnosed) MC flare by then, they all just made things worse.
So you’ll just have to try to scope out on your own, which foods and supplements work best for you, pre and post-operatively, and during radiation and chemo. Hopefully others here will be able to offer more helpful advice.
My main recommendation though, would be to increase (or maintain) a high dosage of Vitamin D3. Prior to radiation treatments I’d been taking 1,000 IU of Vitamin D3 which was enough to maintain my serum levels at between 45 & 55 ng/mL for a few years. Soon after radiation ended my Vitamin D level had unexpectedly dropped to the mid-30’s, so I increased my dosage to 2,000, then 5,000 then 6,000 IU. As of last October—two years after treatments ended—while taking 6,000 IU, it decreased again to 34 ng/mL. So I increased it again to 10,000 IU. My oncologist will test it again next month—I hope it starts to increase.
Obviously radiation can take a significant toll on the body, and I’d guess that chemo, might be worse. Of course when coupled with non-absorption of nutrients due to colitis, problems are likely to be magnified further.
Sorry I don’t have more specifics to offer you. Try to stay positive and soon you’ll be counting the months, then years post treatment. I’m 2+1/2 years post-surgery now and cancer-free.
Sending hugs and positive thoughts your way. You will get through this!
Teri
Sorry I can’t help with specific info on chemo, or even surgery/recovery, since I was lucky enough to need only a lumpectomy followed by radiation. Although I’d had MC symptoms intermittently for years I wasn’t actually diagnosed until 7 months after completing radiation. On the morning of my very last treatment, my colitis symptoms became unmistakable, and other issues seemed to worsen as well. So, difficult as it will be, its vital to do your best to try to keep your immune system as strong as possible during and after surgery and treatment.
Obviously it will be difficult, if not impossible to follow the customary dietary suggestions for breast cancer patients. I’d been seeing a local naturopath (nationally) known for her post-surgical regimen of supplements and immune-enhancing herbs, mushrooms, etc. But since I was already in an (undiagnosed) MC flare by then, they all just made things worse.
So you’ll just have to try to scope out on your own, which foods and supplements work best for you, pre and post-operatively, and during radiation and chemo. Hopefully others here will be able to offer more helpful advice.
My main recommendation though, would be to increase (or maintain) a high dosage of Vitamin D3. Prior to radiation treatments I’d been taking 1,000 IU of Vitamin D3 which was enough to maintain my serum levels at between 45 & 55 ng/mL for a few years. Soon after radiation ended my Vitamin D level had unexpectedly dropped to the mid-30’s, so I increased my dosage to 2,000, then 5,000 then 6,000 IU. As of last October—two years after treatments ended—while taking 6,000 IU, it decreased again to 34 ng/mL. So I increased it again to 10,000 IU. My oncologist will test it again next month—I hope it starts to increase.
Obviously radiation can take a significant toll on the body, and I’d guess that chemo, might be worse. Of course when coupled with non-absorption of nutrients due to colitis, problems are likely to be magnified further.
Sorry I don’t have more specifics to offer you. Try to stay positive and soon you’ll be counting the months, then years post treatment. I’m 2+1/2 years post-surgery now and cancer-free.
Sending hugs and positive thoughts your way. You will get through this!
Teri
TeriM
“Sometimes the light’s all shining on me,
other times I can barely see.” Robert Hunter
“Sometimes the light’s all shining on me,
other times I can barely see.” Robert Hunter
Thank you so much, Teri, for offering your experience and positive thoughts. Congratulations on your success!
I am trying to enjoy this day, this moment, and to stay calm. As you said, fear and anxiety only make things worse with LC and the immune system. One step at a time; I have to get through the surgery and the initial hospital stay and first days of recovery. My gut cannot handle any kind of pain medication so I don’t know what I’ll do about pain. Will I be forced to take antibiotics? And hospital food is not healing food......or even something my gut could tolerate!
I will up my intake of Vitamin D to start with and investigate what other supplements I should take. Nutrition for my body I’ve figured out, I think.
I will get through this!
I am trying to enjoy this day, this moment, and to stay calm. As you said, fear and anxiety only make things worse with LC and the immune system. One step at a time; I have to get through the surgery and the initial hospital stay and first days of recovery. My gut cannot handle any kind of pain medication so I don’t know what I’ll do about pain. Will I be forced to take antibiotics? And hospital food is not healing food......or even something my gut could tolerate!
I will up my intake of Vitamin D to start with and investigate what other supplements I should take. Nutrition for my body I’ve figured out, I think.
I will get through this!
Hazel
Hi, Hazel. I can't be of help to you but wanted to let you know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Try to remember what you said about enjoying the day and the moment...I know that's difficult when you're faced with an overwhelming situation. I've wondered about a hospital stay, too. I would probably have my husband bring food in to me that I prepared ahead of time. Hugs to you.
Marcia
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My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style. - M. Angelou
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My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style. - M. Angelou
Hi Hazel,
I'm sorry you're having to deal with a cancer diagnosis. The area hospital that I have used in the past has gluten free meal options and the food is excellent. Unfortunately that hospital is no longer in network for my insurance, as of Jan 1.
Good luck. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us posted.
I'm sorry you're having to deal with a cancer diagnosis. The area hospital that I have used in the past has gluten free meal options and the food is excellent. Unfortunately that hospital is no longer in network for my insurance, as of Jan 1.
Good luck. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us posted.
Brenda
Oh, Hazel, I'm so sorry for your diagnosis.
This comes exactly one year after my breast cancer diagnosis. But I have DCIS, and just had a lumpectomy followed by radiation. No mastectomy, and no hospital stay.
For pain medication, I agreed to take Tylenol with codeine. It was sufficient for my needs, but I imagine a mastectomy will be more painful.
I had 6 and a half weeks of radiation, after two surgeries (an initial surgery, and a re-excision two weeks later to get clearer margins.) None of this seemed to affect my MC, much to my surprise. I didn't have any trouble with increased symptoms, and my appetite stayed about the same. Well, that's not quite true. Some foods that I really like were unappealing to me, like broccoli, so I just didn't eat them.
I had been on hormone replacement therapy before the cancer diagnosis, and I had to go off of that. Now my BMs are much more consistently solid than they were when I was still on HRT, so there is something to what people on this forum say, that HRT is not good for MC. I am on a low-dose anti-depressant to deal with the mood swings that the HRT was controlling.
Can you do what Marcia suggested, having someone bring you food while you are in the hospital? That seems like the best solution, if they allow it? You don't want to have a flare that can be prevented while you're dealing with something as stressful as cancer and a mastectomy.
Radiation caused a lot of fatigue for me after it was over. I did fine until about the last two weeks, when I started feeling tired, but it was after it was all over that the fatigue hit really hard. I had enough energy to get through what absolutely had to be done, but then I'd just hit a wall, and not be able to do anything else. Evening activities were out for quite a while. I finished radiation the end of April, and it wasn't until the end of December that I noticed that I was taking steps two at a time again, and just generally moving faster. It felt really good.
If they tell you to use aloe vera gel, or Aquaphor, be sure to start it the first day of radiation, and use it diligently every day. Don't wait until your skin starts to burn. My skin turned pink, but I didn't get any burns or sores, which I attribute to starting early with the aloe vera.
What stage is your cancer? It's a scary diagnosis, but there's a lot of good help out there. I saw an add for a support group at my surgeon's office. I didn't use it, because my DCIS seems well taken care of, and I had good support with family and friends. But in case you want to talk to someone who has gone through what you are facing, here is a link: https://imermanangels.org/
Please let us know how you are getting along, and any particular things I could pray for for you, if you would like prayer.
Love,
Martha
This comes exactly one year after my breast cancer diagnosis. But I have DCIS, and just had a lumpectomy followed by radiation. No mastectomy, and no hospital stay.
For pain medication, I agreed to take Tylenol with codeine. It was sufficient for my needs, but I imagine a mastectomy will be more painful.
I had 6 and a half weeks of radiation, after two surgeries (an initial surgery, and a re-excision two weeks later to get clearer margins.) None of this seemed to affect my MC, much to my surprise. I didn't have any trouble with increased symptoms, and my appetite stayed about the same. Well, that's not quite true. Some foods that I really like were unappealing to me, like broccoli, so I just didn't eat them.
I had been on hormone replacement therapy before the cancer diagnosis, and I had to go off of that. Now my BMs are much more consistently solid than they were when I was still on HRT, so there is something to what people on this forum say, that HRT is not good for MC. I am on a low-dose anti-depressant to deal with the mood swings that the HRT was controlling.
Can you do what Marcia suggested, having someone bring you food while you are in the hospital? That seems like the best solution, if they allow it? You don't want to have a flare that can be prevented while you're dealing with something as stressful as cancer and a mastectomy.
Radiation caused a lot of fatigue for me after it was over. I did fine until about the last two weeks, when I started feeling tired, but it was after it was all over that the fatigue hit really hard. I had enough energy to get through what absolutely had to be done, but then I'd just hit a wall, and not be able to do anything else. Evening activities were out for quite a while. I finished radiation the end of April, and it wasn't until the end of December that I noticed that I was taking steps two at a time again, and just generally moving faster. It felt really good.
If they tell you to use aloe vera gel, or Aquaphor, be sure to start it the first day of radiation, and use it diligently every day. Don't wait until your skin starts to burn. My skin turned pink, but I didn't get any burns or sores, which I attribute to starting early with the aloe vera.
What stage is your cancer? It's a scary diagnosis, but there's a lot of good help out there. I saw an add for a support group at my surgeon's office. I didn't use it, because my DCIS seems well taken care of, and I had good support with family and friends. But in case you want to talk to someone who has gone through what you are facing, here is a link: https://imermanangels.org/
Please let us know how you are getting along, and any particular things I could pray for for you, if you would like prayer.
Love,
Martha
Martha
I will keep you in my prayers. One step at a time and maybe you can freeze meals and bone broth ahead of time. I would have someone bring in the food after the first day of clear liquids or bone broth for clear liquids. Each day have some meals brought in. Stash meals in friends freezers or relatives for recovery at home. Make sure your Doctor knows about your diet.
Usually they try to stay away from antibiotics or 1 dose post op. Give the Surgeon an acceptable list of MC friendly antibiotics. Tell him about the colitis.
I hope this helps. I am a retired RN.
Usually they try to stay away from antibiotics or 1 dose post op. Give the Surgeon an acceptable list of MC friendly antibiotics. Tell him about the colitis.
I hope this helps. I am a retired RN.
Janie
Hazel,
Sorry to hear of the diagnosis, but I thought I would mention that the doctors (and everyone else) should respect your needs regarding the various treatments. I agree with Janie — make sure that they're aware that you have MC. For example, I would point out that I can't handle NSAIDs. The narcotics that they will give you for pain shouldn't cause any problems for your MC, especially if it's administered by IV.
I've had 4 hospital stays since 2005. I have never had a problem with hospital food. Most all hospitals use catered food, I would think, and most respectable food services can accommodate your dietary needs. If you will point out that you have food allergies and inform your nurse that you need to discuss your dietary needs with a dietitian or nutritionist (I've forgotten what they call the position at food services) early on, my experience has always been that a dietitian/nutritionist will come to your room to discuss the next day's menu and she or he will know which foods will be safe and help you make selections that will be safe for you to eat. And when they bring your food, it will have your name on it to make sure that it gets to the right place.
Considering what they are going to charge for your stay, there's no reason why you should get sick from the food.
Best of luck to you during your treatment and recovery.
Tex
Sorry to hear of the diagnosis, but I thought I would mention that the doctors (and everyone else) should respect your needs regarding the various treatments. I agree with Janie — make sure that they're aware that you have MC. For example, I would point out that I can't handle NSAIDs. The narcotics that they will give you for pain shouldn't cause any problems for your MC, especially if it's administered by IV.
I've had 4 hospital stays since 2005. I have never had a problem with hospital food. Most all hospitals use catered food, I would think, and most respectable food services can accommodate your dietary needs. If you will point out that you have food allergies and inform your nurse that you need to discuss your dietary needs with a dietitian or nutritionist (I've forgotten what they call the position at food services) early on, my experience has always been that a dietitian/nutritionist will come to your room to discuss the next day's menu and she or he will know which foods will be safe and help you make selections that will be safe for you to eat. And when they bring your food, it will have your name on it to make sure that it gets to the right place.
Considering what they are going to charge for your stay, there's no reason why you should get sick from the food.
Best of luck to you during your treatment and recovery.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Thank you all! It’s so good to have knowledgeable people with advice and support.
I haven’t been told details yet so I don’t know what stage I’m in. Just trying to think ahead since I have to deal with LC as well.
I’m in Canada so at least I don’t have to worry about health care. On the other hand, hospital food here is notoriously terrible. Clear fluids = jello, ginger ale, meat broth (I’m a vegetarian), and popsicles. I will talk to the ‘dietician’ but the choices are limited.
My surgeon will definitely hear about my issues!
I haven’t been told details yet so I don’t know what stage I’m in. Just trying to think ahead since I have to deal with LC as well.
I’m in Canada so at least I don’t have to worry about health care. On the other hand, hospital food here is notoriously terrible. Clear fluids = jello, ginger ale, meat broth (I’m a vegetarian), and popsicles. I will talk to the ‘dietician’ but the choices are limited.
My surgeon will definitely hear about my issues!
Hazel
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Hazel
sorry that you are dealing with this challenge.
one user that it may be worth contacting is Nancyl. if you contact her via PM i am sure she will reply.
She managed her MC and breast cancer treatment.
try to keep calm, (excess stress is not good for MC) and take each day as it comes. implementing yoga, meditation or some other relaxation activity on daily will be very helpful to the MC (and whatever else is going on)
take care
sorry that you are dealing with this challenge.
one user that it may be worth contacting is Nancyl. if you contact her via PM i am sure she will reply.
She managed her MC and breast cancer treatment.
try to keep calm, (excess stress is not good for MC) and take each day as it comes. implementing yoga, meditation or some other relaxation activity on daily will be very helpful to the MC (and whatever else is going on)
take care
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
HI Hazel,
From the few people that I've had interaction with regarding cancer the number one thing was to get your Vitd3 levels as close to 100 as possible before during and after chemo...and we all know to do that you need to balance that with adequate magnesium.....I'd maintain this protocol throughout all your treatments, the chemo will deplete a lot of your mag levels so external lotions and foot soaks on top of normal mag daily intake, and if you can't tolerate internal mag while all this is going on...then just do good external and foot soaks with the VitD. ;-)
Diet will be what you can tolerate, but less sugar to no sugar has been the protocol with those I've had conversations with.
The final thing would be to relax, go with the flow, make your needs heard and get rest when your body says to do so.
Think positive!
Hug
Erica
From the few people that I've had interaction with regarding cancer the number one thing was to get your Vitd3 levels as close to 100 as possible before during and after chemo...and we all know to do that you need to balance that with adequate magnesium.....I'd maintain this protocol throughout all your treatments, the chemo will deplete a lot of your mag levels so external lotions and foot soaks on top of normal mag daily intake, and if you can't tolerate internal mag while all this is going on...then just do good external and foot soaks with the VitD. ;-)
Diet will be what you can tolerate, but less sugar to no sugar has been the protocol with those I've had conversations with.
The final thing would be to relax, go with the flow, make your needs heard and get rest when your body says to do so.
Think positive!
Hug
Erica
To Succeed you have to Believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a Reality - Anita Roddick
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Hazel,
I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I am the person Gabes was referring too. I was diagnosed with breast cancer about three years ago. I did not have a mastectomy. Is that a definite for you? I had a series of scans, a lumpectomy (the spot was very deep) and then radiation. I was so lucky to find a phenomenal oncologist, thanks to Joe (a member here). So, anyways I did not have a hospital stay, only day surgery. I was able to drive myself for radiation (about 40 min.) most days. It did not have an effect of my LC and got through it with no issues.
It sounds like you are facing more than what I did. I am sure if you talk to someone at the hospital they will make sure you have some decent meals and usually they don't keep you a minute longer than they need too. The chemo. may be the bigger hurdle for you.
Oh, one of the things I did do while going through radiation was go for weekly acupuncture treatments. I am sure that helped and I would suggest it for you, especially with chemo.
Please keep me posted as to how you are doing and I will keep you in my prayers.
Nancy
PS: What part of Canada are you from, my husband is from NB.
I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I am the person Gabes was referring too. I was diagnosed with breast cancer about three years ago. I did not have a mastectomy. Is that a definite for you? I had a series of scans, a lumpectomy (the spot was very deep) and then radiation. I was so lucky to find a phenomenal oncologist, thanks to Joe (a member here). So, anyways I did not have a hospital stay, only day surgery. I was able to drive myself for radiation (about 40 min.) most days. It did not have an effect of my LC and got through it with no issues.
It sounds like you are facing more than what I did. I am sure if you talk to someone at the hospital they will make sure you have some decent meals and usually they don't keep you a minute longer than they need too. The chemo. may be the bigger hurdle for you.
Oh, one of the things I did do while going through radiation was go for weekly acupuncture treatments. I am sure that helped and I would suggest it for you, especially with chemo.
Please keep me posted as to how you are doing and I will keep you in my prayers.
Nancy
PS: What part of Canada are you from, my husband is from NB.
Hazel,
I dont really have any advice to add but I wanted to wish you all the best, you are in my thoughts, and I hope you will find some way to deal with the added stress. I find meditation, acupuncture, and yoga very helpful in dealing with stressful situations, the unknown, and anxiety.
Love, Patricia
I dont really have any advice to add but I wanted to wish you all the best, you are in my thoughts, and I hope you will find some way to deal with the added stress. I find meditation, acupuncture, and yoga very helpful in dealing with stressful situations, the unknown, and anxiety.
Love, Patricia
Be gentle with yourself. Be kind to yourself. You may not be perfect, but you are all you’ve got to work with.
- Bhante Gunaratana
- Bhante Gunaratana