Hi all. Wanted to introduce myself, this is the proper etiquette, yes?
The basics- I'm 33, and was diagnosed with breast cancer in June. I had a lumpectomy and chemo- yep, I'm bald, but it is growing back slowly but surely! I will be getting weekly treatments through the end of this year, and will soon have radiation to contend with.
To add insult to injury, I've really packed on the pounds! I've never been really thin (except a brief interlude in my 20's!), but I was happily hovering at a size 10 and 140 pounds. Now I'm up to a 16 and 180 pounds. This is common among breast cancer patients, but especially dangerous for us. I have a form of cancer that is fed by estrogen, and the more fat on the bod, the more estrogen to feed cancer. Or so says my surgeon (Dr. Axelrod, she's awesome, co-wrote that Rosie book).
Anyone else with cancer or serious illness on SBD?
I started the SBD on Monday. So far so good. Although I'm really missing fruit, cookies, and chocolate! I saw SF cookies at the store last night and almost caved. What are your thoughts on that kind of stuff- SF cookies and chocolates?
I've stocked up on SF Jello, SF Fudgebars, and ricotta. But any other thoughts on sweets? I poked around in recipes and didn't have much luck.
Also, I've been eating a lot of hummus. For instance, yesterday I had about 5oz and a plate of veggies for lunch yesterday. Acceptable?
Also, I really want to make a salmon quiche to eat for lunch. Any thoughts?
I can't wait to get into the swing of things here. TIA!
Glad you joined us Lucky! I have to make this quick!! Sex and the City is starting soon!!! I love that show!!
So sorry to hear about your cancer, my girlfriend had the same thing, or close to it..she was sporting a lovely wig for awhile and I was actually surprised at how good it looked! She has been cancer free for at least 5 yrs now! I wish you well with the rest of your chemo and radiation.
Hi, Lucky! Welcome to the Beach... we're so glad to have you here. You've really been through it, hon. I'll put you on my prayer list.
I don't know that anyone else here is ill, but certainly a lot of us are doing this because we're concerned about our health. And it's about time for SOME of us! (that would be me)
Have you bought the book? I'm trying to think of what else you can have in the way of sweets. I can't find my book... just looked all over.
I usually have a diet pop when I have a sweet craving. Diet Royal Crown Cola.
Salmon... where the heck is my book... I know you can have tuna...
Don't eat too much hummus...
And don't eat farmed salmon. I can tell you THAT much! (new study... full of cancer-causing agents)
I'll take a look and see what I can find. In the meantime, anyone else?
Yep, got the book and the little Good Carbs Good Fat. I just can't follow the meal plans- I'm no chef. But I'll cut down on the hummus. It is just so easy!
I've been eating tons of salmon, I always liked it, but since the diagnosis, I've really upped my consumption. I also heard those recent reports on the carcinogens (sp?) in farm-raised salmon. Apparently, they are only "bad" in salmon from Northern Europe (ie Chilean farm-raised only has slightly higher dioxin levels than wild salmon.) I've been ordering wild alaskan salmon from www.vitalchoice.com. Their canned salmon is absolutely amazing delish.
Well, I've only got another week to go, I can make it on ricotta, fudgebars, and jello!
What's SF?
Oh, for cryin' out loud. Sugar free. duh.
Yes... they're fine. Just watch your calorie intake.
You can also have some unsweetened chocolate on Phase I.
Most of us don't follow the menu plans. This "diet" is so easy. (well, relatively easy ) And, yes, I love hummus, too. I usually eat the entire container.
Lisa, for a sweet replacement I love (and I know people are tired of hearing this) Madagascar Red Vanilla tea by Celestial Seasonings. It is supposed to be a good antioxidant - although I don't know how much one can get from a cup of tea. I add a pack of Splenda and it is good, and satisfies my sweet tooth. You can have dark chocolate in limited amounts on Phase 2 - but once you go through Phase 1, you probably will not want it as much as you do now. I'm usually happy with fruit, and that is unlike me.
I bought Z Carb candy bars at Walgreens yesterday. My husband and I split one last night and it was GOOD. No sugar alcohols. It does have erythritol, but it has no laxative effects, unlike other sugar alcohols. It was really good. Another good sweet is a tablespoon each of natural peanut butter, light cream cheese, and a sprinkle of Splenda. Heat it up and enjoy. Yum!
Glad to have you here. I'm sorry about the cancer, and I'll send you warm thoughts and prayers that you keep it at bay! I didn't know that the extra weight fed the estrogen and the cancer - one more reason for me to get this weight off!
Oh Thanks so much for the welcomes and ideas! I'm a tea junkie, and I love red tea, so I'll look for that one! Another combo is to put one bag of green mint in with Twinlings black Vanilla for a totally yummy pot of tea. I'm supposed to be drinking lots of green tea, but I don't really love the taste, so I've been experimenting! Any tea experts know if the black kills the green's antioxidant effects? I know it is quite delicate.
That peanut butter combo might hit the spot- it is one of my faves. Glad I'm making another big grocery run tonight. After a year of not cooking, my room-mate thinks I've gone nuts. The kitchen is brimming with fresh veggies, extracts, and new cooking supplies. Anybody have recs on a mini-food processor??
"Z Carb" you say? I'll look for that. I was a little worried about those sugar alcohols and their wacky intestinal effects!
On the estrogen and cancer, remember a few years ago when they were talking about the Her-2 this and that and how it was a big first step towards a cure? As far as I understand it, that is part of the estrogen thing- they know estrogen feeds cancers with certain indicators. So, I'm now to avoid all phytoestrogens, too. No more soy or flax for me! And then having extra fat on the body makes the body produce more estrogen, and it just adds to the incredibly long list of health risks related to being even just pudgy. The good news for me is that this is one of the more agressive forms of bc (common for young women), but with this new info, they've been having lots of luck with hormone therapy. Hope I don't have it all confused. Too much info? So sorry!
I'm off to chemo now with my little bag of veggies and hummus. Wish me luck resisting the cookie tray! (can you believe the only food they have out for us is cookies, pretzels, and PBJ??? and no cafeteria!)
I'm just starting Week 2 on the Beach. Nice to "meet" you and am sorry to hear about cancer but glad you are doing OK with the treatments. I have a dear friend in Austria who is battling cancer and also Big Rich's aunt has had breast cancer for several years. Big Rich was my first dh and TeddyBear is my dh now and both of us are on the Beach.
LRLisa, nice to meet you and welcome to the Beach you will get lots of support and ideas here and not just about diets. So sorry to hear about your cancer but you have a great attitude. So pull up a towel and join us for some sun and sand and great friendships. Don't forget your sunscreen.
Welcome Lisa!! You sound like you have a strong spirit and a great attitude! Considering everything youve been through that is so amazing. I'll add you to my prayers and pray that your condition continues to improve!!
As far as tea, I bought Green Tea but I just cant seem to get it down, lol. Hot tea just isnt my thing I guess.
And hummus? Everyone seems to rave about it but I guess I'm the only one who hasnt tried it yet.
Just gotta ask- you a Tarheel? I lived in Chapel Hill 20 years, and planning my return!
Yeah, green tea isn't my fave, but try it chilled mixed with other teas. Pretty good. But what I wouldn't give for some REAL sweet T and BBQ.
I'm going to need LOTS of help sticking to this. Having a bad night- only lost 2lbs and my roommate's oreos are calling to me from the cabinet, along with the chocolate napoleon sitting in the case at the Diner down the street, and the caramel popcorn from Popcorn Indiana around the corner.
O dear.
Last edited by luckyredlisa; 01-19-2004 at 10:22 PM.
I'm definitely in Tarheel Country!! (But I attended NC State University so I never call myself a Tarheel). Actually I'm about 25 minutes from Chapel Hill. That's neat, most people have no clue where I am. Did you go to Carolina? (BTW, I'll be 33 in May so we're close in age.)
Instead of the oreos, how about a nice glass of water? Ugh, I know but try to ignore them, lol. Would your roommate be willing to go on the SBD w/ you? If so, then the oreos can be the first to get thrown out. Otherwise, could you ask her to hide the goodies or lock them in a cabinet? Anything to help you til your cravings subside.
And thanks for the tea ideas! I have type1 diabetes so I've never been big on sweet tea anyways. (However, I always ask my husband if he'd like some tea w/ his sugar!)
Unfortunately, my roomie REFUSES to try SB! Not to be totally evil, but, damn, girl needs to! She's one of those people who don't think others notice when her clothes are 2 sizes to small with rolls of fat spilling out everywhere. When I was a 10 and she was a 16 (wearing a 14), she HONESTLY thought we were the same size. I digress.
I think I'm going to ask her to hide the oreos. I put them on the top shelf of the pantry.
Tried water. Didn't quite hit the spot! LOL Tried making some mint tea. Not quite. I made myself a little ricotta thingie. It is helping.
Yep, I went to Carolina, and my parents both teach there. And not to be too cheesy, but my heart is really there. I love NYC, and I've got a few more years of lawyering on my back, but I got Carolina on my mind!
HI! Newbie tromping out onto the Beach
I have to make this quick!! Sex and the City is starting soon!!! I love that show!!
Welcome to the Beach... we're so glad to have you here. You've really been through it, hon. 
I'll put you on my prayer list.
) And, yes, I love hummus, too. I usually eat the entire container. 
Actually I'm about 25 minutes from Chapel Hill. That's neat, most people have no clue where I am. Did you go to Carolina? (BTW, I'll be 33 in May so we're close in age.) 
