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Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (HR+PR+HR2-)

Breast Cancer | Last Active: May 8 11:47pm | Replies (12)

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@oliviasj

Hi Angie, thank you for your response. I really appreciate it. I’ve already changed my diet —just adding more veggies and fruits. I’ve always enjoyed veggies and fruits so just eating more. I can honestly say my diet was not horrible Before this.
Not big on red meat or processed foods. I was exercising almost daily but now increased my exercise although I find it hard to concentrate. I’m eating lots of fruits and vegetables and I’m eating organic chicken. I’m staying away from sugar as much as possible. I’m trying to lose weight because I know that cancer cells live in the fat cells. Losing weight I believe is the most important thing. I don’t have a whole lot of weight to lose but I do have some of course, probably about 20-30 pounds. I’m a psychologist. I have been working in the mental health field for decades. I love my job. The thought of me not working even just for a month is hard to fathom but I know rationally I need to slow down. Being a psychologist, I am well aware of the powerful connection between body and mind; of course, being on the other side of the fence is shocking at this time. Diagnosis is very new, so I’m trying to adjust to a new normal. You are saying I need to support my immune system which I wholeheartedly agree. I’ve already started taking a multivitamin. What else can I do to support my immune system?

Thanks for your help!!

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Replies to "Hi Angie, thank you for your response. I really appreciate it. I’ve already changed my diet..."

I am sorry that this turned out this way, I had hopes that this wasn’t cancer. I agree that doing what you can to make your body as healthy as you can and support your immune system is important. That being said, I believe that talking to an oncology nutritionist is best. Suddenly changing everything in your diet might not be helpful at this point because that has its own side effects.
Also if you are having other treatments besides surgery, heavy antioxidants can be counterproductive. My oncologist said within reason eat as healthy as you want, but don’t load up antioxidants because they might be counteracting the drugs you are taking to fight the cancer.
Also please remember skinny people get breast cancer too. Don’t shame yourself you have enough to think about right now. Somehow the stress and the treatments have a way of taking off a few pounds. Also I walked a lot to help keep stress and side effects to a minimum which always helps too.
Once this cancer is staged they will put together a treatment plan for you. Can you ask to talk to a nutritionist before your surgery? Do they have a patient navigator at your cancer center?

Yes, you said it — it really is a new normal. I like to believe it’s one that has the potential to be even better than the old one.
In my case, cancer was a huge question mark that led me on a deep internal journey.

Of course, any decision should be discussed with your doctors, but supplements can often be helpful. If you're starting hormonal therapy, they may recommend calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, and omega-3 — those are the ones I’m currently taking, with my oncologist’s approval.