Regimen

Many people have asked what my regimen has been in addition to the chemo cocktails given at the treatment center. I decided I would elaborate more on what I've done on my own to help with my treatment process. 

First, I was already taking probiotic, magnesium and omega supplements as well as a multi-vitamin daily, long before my diagnosis. I will break those down later as I have maintained taking them thru the treatment process. I added dandelion extract supplement after a study was shared with me by someone in the medical field and how it relates to my exact diagnosis. I will also share that later.

Dietary changes were made after my diagnosis. While some of them slipped a bit, I have tried to do my best. After this long, I'm honestly getting lazy and just tired of eating the same stuff all the time.

A basic cancer diet plan emphasizes nutrient-rich foods, a balanced intake of protein, healthy fats and carbs and staying hydrated to support the body during and after cancer treatment. 

The only other thing I will say I've "done" is stayed active. I have been listening to my body and take breaks when needed, especially in the heat since I don't tolerate it well these days. Otherwise I'm still taking care of all the farm critters, household chores, helping Nathan with the yard work, especially since he hates weed eating. 

Dietary Changes

I tried to cut back on the carbs and sugar-filled snacks. I added more fruits and veggies in their place. I've been eating more bananas, strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, watermelon, salads, yogurt and beans in addition to my regular diet. Nathan has also been pushing more steak into my diet. Instead of once in a while, it has been at least once a week we are having steak. I have quite often eaten plain oatmeal with brown sugar and honey for breakfast. Granted the healthiest option with the sugar, but better than a bowl of Fruit Loops. 😛  This has not changed since my treatment. Also added into my diet have been protein shakes and snacks. Quest makes chips and crackers that are high in protein, which was a good alternative to my regular potato chip habit. It made me feel less guilty about eating them. Atkins has their version of peanut m&m's too so that was another good alternative. I found Walmart to have the best variety of protein snack and drink options. Plus their brand of protein shakes contain the most protein per shake that I could find. The only other thing I did was double my daily water intake. I typically drink 64oz of water daily. I doubled it to 128oz. Staying hydrated thru treatment is super important. 

I'll highlight reasons and benefits of various food options. 

Honey - Honey offers several potential health benefits, including acting as a natural cough suppressant, promoting wound healing, and potentially improving heart health. It's also been shown to have antibacterial and antioxidant properties.  

Oatmeal - a nutrient-rich food that's a good source of fiber, which can help lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Oatmeal also supports gut health and provides various vitamins and minerals.  

Steak - a complete protein, meaning it contains all 9 essential amino acids that the body can't produce on its own.  Protein is crucial for building and repairing tissues and producing hormones, enzymes and other vital chemical compounds. Steak is also a good source of iron, which is essential for carrying oxygen in red blood cells and overall energy levels. Steak is also packs with a variety of B vitamins, including B12, niacin, riboflavin and B6. These vitamins helps with energy metabolism, brain function, nerve health and red blood cell formation. If you are familiar with how chemo affects your body, you will understand how steak is super beneficial to help restore the body after the effects of chemo. It's also important to note that I do not eat the fat or gristle part of the steak - Nathan always cuts those parts out of my meat. Yes, he cuts my meat for me. I've never asked, just always something he's done for me. 

Bananas - a good source of potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6 and fiber. These all contribute to improved heart health and digestive health. Because bananas are a good source of fiber, they help to promote good digestion and regular bowl movements, and help prevent constipation. Constipation is often a side effect of chemo. 

Strawberries - they are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber which contribute to heart heath, immune function, digestive health and helps with inflammation.  

Blueberries - considered a nutritional powerhouse, they are packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that support brain health and heart health. Studies how they help improve memory and cognitive function, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and reduce heart disease. 

Salads - I'm no a fan of tomatoes, cucumbers or onions so the traditional "house salads" don't work for me. I tend to gravitate towards Caesar Salads. Doesn't sound like there would be much benefit from eating lettuce, cheese and dressing, however the romaine lettuce does offer health benefits, such as vitamins A & K as well as folate. Not to mention there's protein in the parmesan cheese and chicken, when added. I typically don't eat the croutons in my salads and I try to be mindful of how much dressing is added. Can't win 'em all, right? 😜

Beans - There's not too many beans that I don't like. The dietitian at VCU even confirmed to me that they are good for you, not that I needed to hear that, but often times traditional diets omit them from their "allowed to eat" diets for one reason or another. Beans are a great source of plant-based protein, fiber, iron, folate and antioxidants. They can contribute to good digestion, blood sugar control and heart health. Beans also act as prebiotics, providing beneficial bacteria in the gut, which can positively impact digestion, nutrient absorption and immune function. It also acts as a natural detoxifier, helping to flush out toxins and waste from the body. Ask my daughter... she wasn't feeling good, my response was always drink more water to flush out the cooties. Water also lubricates joints, potentially reducing stiffness and discomfort. (another typical side effect of chemo is joint pain) I could go on and on about water benefits, but I'll sum it up by saying that water is also good for skin hydration, preventing kidney stones and UTIs, helps regulate body temp, improves circulation, and helps to prevent headaches. Dehydration can be a trigger for headaches and migraines. 

Water - While people always say water is important, I'm pretty sure most people don't truly understand how so. Water is essential for proper digestion and absorption of nutrients from food.     

As with any food, moderation is key. Overdoing things can obviously have their own side effects, like too many beans might make the air unpleasant for those around you! Unless you are one of our labs, that might be embarrassing for you! 

I'll now share the supplements I take, starting with the one I added after diagnosis.

Dandelion Extract - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9486077/  This is a LONG article with a lot of technical and scientific gibber jabber but worth skimming thru. The conclusion section talks about how they confirmed the antitumor effects of dandelion extract on triple negative breast cancer and found that the dandelion extract could suppress tumor growth. It goes on to discuss how the in vitro tests could ultimately result in the blockage of cell membrane formation and tumor cell death. "Dandelion is a classic herbal medicine in treating mammary diseases and has been demonstrated to possess antitumor and lipid regulatory effects. In the present study, dandelion extract was confirmed to inhibit the proliferation and migration of TNBC cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner, and it could significantly suppress the tumor growth...."     

That being said, why not give it a shot? Couldn't hurt to try it. So, per a trusted recommendation, I purchased dandelion supplement (powder) from Bulk Supplements. I did a taste test in plain water and I could barely tell it was there. It just didn't dissolve well. I added it to my cinnamon hot tea. No noticeable flavor change there either. So, I started adding the 1/4 teaspoon dose to my morning coffee every day. At the time I placed my order, the capsule option was unavailable, but that is an option instead of the powder. They have a LOT of supplement options I may explore in the future. 

These next few supplements I've been taking for the last 10 years. I stay well, no colds or flu, never even caught Covid despite taking care of those around me who had it. I'll copy/paste their descriptions directly from the Plexus website. 

ProBio5 - helps keep intestinal yeast in balance, helps support healthy intestinal tract, supports healthy digestion, helps improve natural response to imbalance, promotes healthy bacteria and pH levels in the gut. Features include being nn-GMO, delivering 2 billion CFU per capsule, gluten free, no artificial colors, includes grape seed extract (potent source of antioxidants), fortified with vitamin C. I take 2 capsules daily at bedtime. If I've been around someone who has cooties, I'll increase it to 4 daily at bedtime, just for a system boost.

BioCleanse - this is the one I refer to as my magnesium supplement. It helps cleanse the gastrointestinal tract, reduce occasional gas and bloating, helps promote regular bowl movements, relieves occasional constipation, source of antioxidants, contains vitamin C. Studies also suggest magnesium supplementation may be associated with improved sleep quality in older adults. Key ingredients: Magnesium, Vitamin C, Citrus Bioflavonoids. I take 2 capsules at bedtime on the norm, but with chemo treatments, I increase to 3-4, depending on whether it was treatment day or how many days after. I adjust as needed to prevent constipation and gas build up from the additional fruit intake. 

MegaX - What I refer to as my Omegas. Plant based so no "fishy" taste as with some omega supplements. These gel caps help delivers a broad spectrum of Omega fatty acids, contains Ahiflower Oil, which contains Omega-3 stearidonic acids and is free of contaminants, mercury from fish or PCBs. Key ingredients are the Ahiflower Oil, Pomegranate Seed Oil (rich in punicic acid) and Avocado Oil (high in oleic acid). I take 2 gel caps at bedtime. 

Vitamin C - 1000mg tablet at bedtime. Again, if I've been exposed to cooties, I may increase this to 1 in the morning and 1 at bedtime.

XFactor - My multivitamin. I take 2 capsules in the morning.  It supports immune function, healthy bones and muscle function, helps support healthy blood pressure levels (already in normal range), supports energy-yielding metabolism, supports normal mental performance and thyroid function, supports eye health and night vision, promotes normal cognitive function, and helps reduce physical symptoms of menopause. Key ingredients include aloe vera inner leaf fillet powder (the inner fillet of aloe vera is responsible for the plant's benefits of enhancing the absorption of certain micronutrients) contains antioxidants, Folate -assists in the normal use of amino acids and proteins and Grape Seed extract, which offers cardiovascular and circulatory system support. 

I'm sure that was information overload.... that's why I did this as a separate entry so anyone could revisit this if needed.