This is my first post, although I commented on others posts and love that we have a place to go and share.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer the first time at 34 years old. Since I was young and triple negative with only one node positive, I had a partial radical mastectomy and 6 months of grueling chemo and NO radiation. A little over 2 years ago (18 years after the first time I had cancer) I started having what we thought was chronic asthma attacks. They got worse and worse until I was unable to climb up a flight of stairs without stopping every 2 or 3 steps. I could no longer go to the gym or strangely enough sing (albeit badly) along with the radio. Finally, a new PA in my primary care office was looking over X-rays from an ER visit a couple of months prior and caught a moderate plural effusion. She sent me for new x-rays and there is was and then some; my lungs were being smushed! After multiple drains of my lungs, my left lung collapsed from a small hole in it (probably a puncture during one of the draining appointments). I was immediately hospitalized and eventually had thoracic surgery. No tumor was ever found, my diagnosis was from the fluid in the lungs that came back with the discovery of estrogen positive cancer cells. The cells were producing soft tissue around the lungs with kept the plural fluid from going in and out freely as was the norm.
Since then, I am being treated with Ibrance and Letrozol. Within a few months, I was almost back to normal. I was even back to the gym! The side effects were not nearly as bad as they were when I had it the first time; still annoying and sometimes hard to deal with. Mainly, the three I experienced were, tiredness sometimes later in the day, increase activity with my Crohn's (another whole story, ha!) and the worst of all THRUSH! Every month, my tongue turned nasty white and sometimes my throat was involved. The Ibrance made my appetite decrease and food tasteless at times, that with the thrush made eating a chore instead of enjoyable.
After starting a new job about 7 months ago with a guy I worked with years prior, told me he was doing the Keto diet and was able to stop his statin meds. He also mentioned that people use the diet for cancer. At that point I felt comfortable enough to tell him my cancer was back. He sent me tons of articles and videos online about how much success people were having with the diet and research that was being done on adding this diet in conjunction traditional cancer treatments.
Upon reading and listening to people much smarter than me, I decided to give it a go (and yes, my doctors knew, which I highly suggest anyone do when trying a new diet). I was 112lbs and 5'4" at the time which was 4 pounds up from my lowest during this latest cancer. I did lose the 4 pounds, which was ok with my doctor and have been stable now for 6 months. The amazing part is that the thrush is gone! I haven't had it in 6 months and no more bleeding and pain from the Crohn's (it seems I am in remission)!!
I am doing a clean keto diet which means I do not eat bacon and hamburgers (sans the buns) all the time. Most of what I eat is plant based and considered whole and organic. Lots of stuff made from almond flour and good fats. My new favorite food, however is chicken wings cooked in my air fryer. I also love my cauliflower pizzas too. Another thing I do, which researchers also think helps with fight cancer is intermittent fasting. There are different ways to do this type of fasting. I do a 14-15hr fast each day. No eating basically from 6:30-7:00pm to around 10-10:30am the next day.
Just wanted to put this out there and if anyone has questions or wants to read the research themselves, let me know. I can send links, but you can also google Dr. Seyfried’s book, Cancer as a Metabolic Disease. The book is meant to be used as a text book for med students, but there are tons of articles on his theories and the research he does.
PS. The picture is my keto pancakes (almond flour). Very tasty!
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Scampbell63
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It is actually supposed to be 70% Fat, 20% protein and 10% carbs. I basically keep my carbs to 30-40 grams a day at the most (that is soluble carbs, you can deduct fiber carbs to get net carbs). Wine varies in how many carbs in a glass. If you want a glass of wine, just eat less carbs during the day.
It does sound like a lot, but when you eat things made of almond flour, like keto bagels you get plenty of fat and it fills you up fast. I can only eat a half at a time and put organic butter on top. They are so good! If you are not the cooking or baking type, there are shops on Etsy that sell keto friendly baked goods you stick in the freezer until you are ready to use them. Tried some yummy pumpkin muffins and even scones made from almond flour. I also found a great recipe for chicken crust pizza and sausage cheddar biscuits!
Also, funny you say your weakness is chocolate. It is one of my food aversions since starting the chemo meds. Actually makes me sick to my stomach now...
Also, read up in the Keto Flu. I had it for the first week or so, it was not pleasant. It is your body's reaction to changing fuel sources. I also take a magnesium and potassium supplement to help with foot and leg spasms. Those helped a lot!
If you get a chance look at the research on this diet. The way the fats are used for fuel it will not clog arteries. It is used and not stored. My primary Doc was concerned about my cholesterol as well, so I had blood drawn. My numbers were always in the good range, but this time they were even better! My oncologist is not at all worried about my weight any more. I am thriving and my blood tests are great. My mom who also has cancer and is now 81, just told me about an article about a study that showed thinner people do better overall with cancer than their heavier counterparts
It is not like Adkins in that it does not want you eating mostly protein. It is eating plenty of good fats from nuts, avocados, organic butter, coconut oils, etc. Again, not for everyone, but again worth looking into the research on using it in the cancer fight. It is already used for children with seizures as a primary treatment.
Keto is not for everyone and someone with heart and cholesterol issues should not do any diet without doctors guidance.
Fellow Keto peep here! I have been keto on & off for three years, went hardcore in September & even more hardcore (LOL) since my recurrence. My Oncologist is 100% on board with me eating this way.
If anyone is considering this way of life, you definitely need to check out a few books:
Keto Clarity by Jimmy Moore
Keto for Cancer by Miriam Kalamian
Fight Cancer with the Ketogenic Diet by Ellen Davis
Sorry to hear yours came back too! I am hard core as well and feel really good! With that, working out and stress reduction in my life, I feel more in control of my treatment. Thanks for the reading material suggestions!
Thanks so much for this information. I'm glad you found something that's working for you! Triple Neg 18 years ago and you went into remission is phenomenal -- YEA!!!
I'm trying to do some intermittent fasting with the same hours you are suggesting. Only thing is when I workout first thing in the morning, I'm afraid I'll get hypoglycemic and crash. You mentioned the gym. How do you navigate that?
I am work mostly remote, so I am usually at the gym later in the afternoon. I would not risk fasting on days you go to the gym. According to my husband and the research he looked at, the best way to do intermittent fasting is intermittently. Maybe only do it on your off days.....
I went off keto for a few days last week b/c I have covid and someone at my doc office told me to eat rice. I did and my crohn's is really acting up. Some bleeding and pain. Lots of stress too b/c of covid and my mom passing, but went right back on and stating to see improvement.
After 3 yrs. of Keto, are you still supplementing magnesium and potassium? I recently started Keto (with Dr. approval) and the supplements are helping, but I'm wondering if I will need to keep taking them, and have you noticed any long term affects with Ibrance? I feel so much better on Keto, but I want to be safe. Thanks 😊
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Hi - I'm new here. Diagnosed with Lobular MBC -- mets to abdomen
New liver Mets and other results from scan
New to Ibrance and Fulvestrant
MBC and work/life changes
Where is my new normal?
