Diet questions

[Chick44nzrn]

Hi everyone , I was a bit shocked to see my post asking questions and feedback about the place you though diet paid in recovery was headed “ ME” !!

No idea why that happened as I I’d never head a post like that .

I find predictor often embarrasses me and hope you don’t all groan when you saw that!

It listed before I noticed thenntoo late !

So it’s definitely not about “ME” it’s trying to gather any experience positive or otherwise as all the info at Bournemouth cancer centre says that more or less the jury’s out , and nothing really proven but I hear people adamant it’s impirtant . Any ideas?

Thanks so much

Denise

[Debs1962]

Hi all I can say is I have changed my diet since diagnosed with BC I now do not eat meat, and very little diary. I eat fish and lots of fresh veg and fruit, beans and pulses.

Deb

[Chick44nzrn in reply to Debs1962]

Thanks for that Debs. Yes similarly Having read lots about oestrogen etc I’m largely avoiding meat milk dairy and sugar .

Daily 6/8 veg fresh crunchy salads are refreshing as with Taxol mouth ulcers and sore throat etc make it. An uphill struggle to enjoy meals .

It makes sense to me although the brochures at the hospital appear to be wish washy about diet. At the cancer ward for example , when I had nutropenia the food was terribly unhealthy which was a surprise. I asked to see the nutritionist and was told there wasn’t one!!

The registrar dr who discharged me finally said there was” nothing proven “ when I asked his opinion.

However My choice is to do anything to improve general wellbeing and boost my immune system. !!

Am managing mentally fine during chemo. And have a few coping strategies up my sleeve having run psychiatric homes for years , so consider myself lucky .

Do keep in touch !

Warm wishes

Denise x

[PerformancePoet in reply to Chick44nzrn]

The closed mindedness of the medical profession around diet is shocking, although I’m pleased to say I’ve heard some small shifts from 15 years ago when I started this voyage.

What I’m also seeing is that it very much depends on your consultant and possibly the hospital you are under. My experience of the Marsden who claim they are Uk s leading cancer research hospital ( used to be routinely called the Royal Mars Bär by patients) is that they tow a very official nhs ( blinkered in my opinion) line which in my case has not always been of the best support to me.

Fx

[PerformancePoet]

Personally I’m adamant it’s important, but that’s my own experience.

I eat so far as possible a plant based diet ( living plant food even better!) and I break the rules to veganism ( altho defo no cruelty to animals!) as I am human. However, I truly believe that to principally cut out meat dairy all sugars processed and simple carbs and most gluten has fared me very well. I’ve had cancer three times - 2 recurrences, with NO spread. I am grateful for that. Keeping our digestive system happy and working smoothly supports the immune system - 90% of which is in the gut- to do its job properly.

The other thing I truly believe has made an enormous difference is tosort out my mental state and stress. We already know this has an effect in our overall health, and for me the impact always shows up in my gut ( as well as other areas) and so back to compromising the immune system.

There is a book called Radical Remission that’s well worth a look. And lots of videos on chrisbeatcancer.com and many other sites.

If you’d like to chat personally or explore the amazing stuff I did to sort out my stress and mental health please get in touch personally. PM me.

Fxx

[Chick44nzrn in reply to PerformancePoet]

Hello . Thank you for such a comprehensive reply which was very helpful . Great to know you have done well on your healthy diet !

Yes stress is a huge area for us all. . So far I’ve been managing well and having worked in mental health for nearly 30 years have learned some helpful ways to manage fear and stress of the “ What ifs”

And having the sword of Damocles hanging over our heads 34 hours daily !

Do keep in touch and again many thanks for taking time to reply !

Warm wishes

Denise x

[PerformancePoet in reply to Chick44nzrn]

You are welcome. It’s an area of true passion for me! I can talk in it for ages. Just less good at writing long responses!!

Just one thing I’d add , more really for others who might read in future (as you have your Mental Game sorted) : beware of ‘coping strategies’ for stress and the down days/fear. They can be very hard work and draining. There are simpler understandings out there which take the weight and struggle away altogether. Sadly not yet known in formal mental health settings but for anyone whose interested I’ll happily share in a voice call. Too much for messaging!! Fx

[phwcl4]

Totally agree with the other comments. I too have cut out dairy and soya and gluten. I do still eat meat but not very often and again have lots of fish and quorn. I had Oestrogen receptor postive BC so avoiding any food that can be classed as hormone dirupters has got to be worth a go. Also agree re the mental appraoch to this, stress I am sure played a massive part in why I became ill.

[Chick44nzrn in reply to phwcl4]

Yes so agree that like yours my bc started with a monumental tsunami of stress 18 months ago.

Interesting to read your diet is helpful as so believe mine is though I don’t do 100 percent ! Mainly cut out all sugars except maple syrup in porridge , have cashew milk. ( not soya) , lots of daily fresh crunchy salads , almost no red meat ( once a month a big treat) moderate amount free range eggs, mixed beans etc . It does make me feel good but doesn’t change the horrible Taxol side effects I get .

Again thanks for feedback ! Oddly it’s difficult to find full reinforcing of the importance of diet with the medical team.

Warm wishes

Denise x