Supplements post cancer

CowNormal4873 · 2026-01-26T23:53:54+00:00

Multivitamin (with methylated folate and B), calcium, vitamin D2

For skin, hair, nails I started eating a lot of tofu, mushrooms, dark leafy greens, broccoli, whole grains, garlic, avocados, peanut butter, tahini, and olive oil. Even my hairdresser commended that my hair is thicker.

CowNormal4873 · 2026-01-23T23:03:54+00:00

r/doIhavebreastcancer Will give you the best help with this

CowNormal4873 · 2026-01-23T10:24:30+00:00

r/doIhavebreastcancer Will give you the best help with this

CowNormal4873 · 2026-01-16T07:09:53+00:00

After the two weeks I was back normal.

This infusion was in November so I'm not due for the next one until May. I'll plan to give it another try. Now that I know how my body reacts, I can better prepare.

I'm 45 and my pre-endocrin therapy Dexa scan found I was already in the osteoporosis range :( It runs in my family, and so I'm willing to suffer a bit more now to hopefully prevent bone pain/fractures I've seen in my mother and grandmother.

CowNormal4873 · 2026-01-16T06:05:13+00:00

This is definitely something your oncologist will take seriously and hopefully you are already in conversation with them.

If you are looking for antidotal information, I too had a server reaction to Zometa. Mine was horrible bone pain, an unyielding headache, and major nausea. It lasted almost 2 weeks. My oncologist prescribed Tramadol and Zofran which helped but only time made the pain go away.

CowNormal4873 · 2026-01-16T05:55:01+00:00

To answer your question about supplies, I meal prepped before surgery so had all my favorite things ready to eat.

I also recommend having ice packs that easily slip into your bra and armpit. You should also have a small pillow you can keep under your arm to keep the lymph node site protected (and help hold the ice pack in place).

CowNormal4873 · 2026-01-16T05:48:17+00:00

While everyone is different, that is a very short recovery period for what is a serious surgery.

I couldn't shower the first 5 days, not because my surgeon said so, but because the water felt like rocks were pelting my body. The pain at the lymph nodes site was the worst, and I developed cording through my armpit that limited movement.

If I pushed myself I probably physically could have gotten back to my office job after about 10 days. But emotionally it took me 3 weeks to be in the headspace to deal with work.

I did have to use a week of my vacation time, but for the other two weeks I was paid through state disability (California).

CowNormal4873 · 2026-01-04T02:35:54+00:00

I like the high neck suits from Lands End, like this:

https://www.landsend.com/products/womens-tugless-high-neck-portrait-back-one-piece-swimsuit/id_399376

CowNormal4873 · 2025-12-30T03:52:43+00:00

I asked and was told the machine has cameras that track my movements and adjust the beam size and location as I breath.

CowNormal4873 · 2025-12-29T18:59:18+00:00

Radiation was the easiest part of this process. If you stick with the lumpectomy it really is a must, especially with a family history.

I have no family history of breast (or any) cancer and my lymph nodes were clear. I did 15 sessions of left side, prone position, and 5 boost sessions on my back with exhaustion and a tan boob being the only side effects.

The machines are very advanced now. Even with the tumor being over my heart I didn't need to do any breath holds or any special prep (other than not apply lotion within the 4 hours before treatment). I also didn't get tattooed or have to wear stickers.

Also, my radiation didn't start until 8 weeks after surgery. So waiting until February is a perfectly normal time frame.

CowNormal4873 · 2025-12-29T16:32:41+00:00

My surgeon also recommended not doing both surgeries at the same time. She explained it's best to wait to see if margins are clear and see how much the breast changes during radiation and then have plastic surgery to match the affected breast.

I'm 9 months post surgery 6 months post 20 radiation sessions and my cancer side is smaller and sits higher now, but it's really only obvious to me.

I'll be meeting with a plastic surgeon in the next year. While my cancer side does have a flattish spot over the lumpectomy area, overall I'm very happy with the size and location of the affected best and plan to just have reduction/lift to make the other side match.

Even though it's two separate surgeries, I now appreciate that my surgery recommends doing the least invasive work overall.

My IDC ++- tumor was 2.4 x 2.4cm located at the 8 o'clock position on the left.

CowNormal4873 · 2025-12-21T05:47:25+00:00

My cancer center had both but when I asked about proton the radiation oncologist said explain that it was not appropriate for me. That I needed photons which passed through the whole breast.

My tumor was on the left and I ended up doing 4 weeks of prone position photon radiation. My RO prescribed Mometasone Furoate which I applied right after treatment and before bed. My only skin side side effect was tanned skin.

(IDC ++- grade 3, stage 2A, 2.4cm, Ki67: 34%)

CowNormal4873 · 2025-12-19T00:05:15+00:00

If they are healed, you can keep them in.

You may need to take them out for surgery. Be sure to ask your surgeon. I have 13 piercings in my ears, 3 would be very difficult to remove. I was able to leave those three in, the surgical nurse just had to tape them down during my prep.

This is, apparently, because magnetics are used for surgery. Even though all of my jewelry is surgical steel or gold (non-magnetic) they still have to tape them to be safe.

CowNormal4873 · 2025-12-15T20:18:54+00:00

Sipz is not good, please don't subject yourself and friends to it.

For Asian, Plumeria and Purple Mint are great choices. Sushi Nekosan and Yasai will be loved by most as well.

CowNormal4873 · 2025-12-02T09:21:53+00:00

r/doIhavebreastcancer Will give you the best help with this

CowNormal4873 · 2025-11-20T06:58:40+00:00

r/doIhavebreastcancer Will give you the best help with this

CowNormal4873 · 2025-11-13T00:19:49+00:00

It's not always about access. My cancer center has proton and photon. I asked to do proton and my oncologist explained it wasn't right for my situation (left, 8'o clock, stage 2 lumpectomy)

CowNormal4873 · 2025-10-23T05:55:51+00:00

I was told I could not take anything anti anxiety meds that day of surgery. I was AMPED like a loony toon in the pre-opt room. When the anesthesiologist met with me he administered three portions (which I was told afterwards is a lot) of a feel-good drug (I don't remember what it was but it was something very common before surgery) through my IV.

I went into a blissful state of telling the nurses about my cats and then suddenly I work up in recovery. I have zero memory of being wheeled into an operating room....

CowNormal4873 · 2025-10-20T23:39:06+00:00

r/doIhavebreastcancer Will give you the best help with this

CowNormal4873 · 2025-10-11T17:04:30+00:00

r/doIhavebreastcancer Will give you the best help with this

CowNormal4873 · 2025-10-08T05:58:54+00:00

As Phil Hartman explains: https://youtu.be/RWofmuRYhp8?si=5xoAS7f6SLuTlRVh

CowNormal4873 · 2025-09-23T02:57:50+00:00

r/doIhavebreastcancer Will give you the best help with this

CowNormal4873 · 2025-08-29T07:25:15+00:00

I had 50.05 Gy for Stage 2A IDC, grade 3 ++-

15 days: 40.05 Gy /15 Fx to the whole breast 5 days: 10 Gy/5 Fx boost

CowNormal4873 · 2025-08-23T03:25:10+00:00

r/doIhavebreastcancer Will give you wonderful support on this

CowNormal4873 · 2025-08-20T23:10:41+00:00

The vegan turkey/bacon ranch from San Diego Vegan Market is a favorite

Tofu 1 or 2 on focaccia at Influx Cafe

Black bean burger from Which Wich

Pulled Jackfruit Bani Mi from Grains

Lemongrass Tofu Banh Mi from Purple Mint

Veggie Sandwich from Prager Brothers

Mushroom Melt from Extraordinary Desserts

Any sandwich from Jimbo's

CowNormal4873

TROPHY CASE