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Andrea Barnett Budin · 02-06-2008, 07:37 PM

My wonderful nut onc (nutritional oncologist vs traditional oncs I also have) is my SUPPLEMENT MAN. *He* says that Black Cohosh, Isoflavones from Red Clover, Flaxseed Oil, Evening Primrose Oil are -- PHYTOESTROGENS. That they are a billionth the strength of real estrogen and are fine for me to take. I AM ER-/PR-. Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring plant estrogen-like. Not synthetic.

I am a hot flasher, hence the need for most of the above. But the Flaxseed Oil was suggested by my ophthamologist for my severely dry eyes (since my Taxotere experience). I cleared it first with my nut onc.

Turns out the Flaxseed and the Primrose have been shown in some studies to be beneficial, actually preventing bc, vs stimulating it.

How'd they come up with the spelling for ophthomologist anyway?? Very silly looking.

I don't/won't grind my Flaxseed. Too much like cooking. I resigned from that activity eons ago...
Andi

02-06-2008, 07:37 PM	#12
Andrea Barnett Budin Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: LAND OF YES! w/home in Boca Raton, Florida Orig from L.I., N.Y. Ever hovering IN THE NOW... Posts: 1,904	So Many Conundrums... My wonderful nut onc (nutritional oncologist vs traditional oncs I also have) is my SUPPLEMENT MAN. He says that Black Cohosh, Isoflavones from Red Clover, Flaxseed Oil, Evening Primrose Oil are -- PHYTOESTROGENS. That they are a billionth the strength of real estrogen and are fine for me to take. I AM ER-/PR-. Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring plant estrogen-like. Not synthetic. I am a hot flasher, hence the need for most of the above. But the Flaxseed Oil was suggested by my ophthamologist for my severely dry eyes (since my Taxotere experience). I cleared it first with my nut onc. Turns out the Flaxseed and the Primrose have been shown in some studies to be beneficial, actually preventing bc, vs stimulating it. How'd they come up with the spelling for ophthomologist anyway?? Very silly looking. I don't/won't grind my Flaxseed. Too much like cooking. I resigned from that activity eons ago... Andi __________________ Andi BB '95 post-meno dx Invasive LOBULAR w/9cm tumor! YIKES + 2/21 nodes. Clear mammo 10 mnths earlier. Mastec/tram flap reconst/PORT/8 mnths chemo (4Adria/8CMF). Borderline ER/PR. Tamoxifen 2 yrs. Felt BLESSED. I could walk and talk, feed and bathe myself! I KNEW I would survive... '98 -- multiple mets to liver. HER2+ 80%. ER/PR- Raging, highly aggressive tumors spreading fast. New PORT. 9 mnths Taxotere Fought fire w/fire! Pronounced in cautious remission 5/99. Taxotere weekly for 6 wks, 2 wks off -- for 9 mnths. TALK ABOUT GRUELING! (I believe they've altered that protocol since those days -- sure hope so!!) + good old Vit H wkly for 1st 3 yrs, then triple dosage ev 3 wks for 7 yrs more... The "easy" chemo, right?! Not a walk in the park, but not a freight train coming at 'ya either... Added Herceptin Nov '98 (6 wks after FDA fast-tracked it for met bc). Stayed w/Vit H till July '08! Now I AM FREE! Humbly and eternally grateful for this life-saving drug! NED since '99 and planning on keeping it that way. To hell w/poor prognosis and nasty stats! STOPPED VIT H JULY '08...! REMAIN STABLE... Eternally grateful...Yes is a world & in this world of yes live (skillfully curled) all worlds ... (e e cummings) EVERY DAY I BEAT MY PREVIOUS RECORD FOR # OF CONSECUTIVE DAYS I'VE STAYED ALIVE. Smile KNOWING you too can be a miracle. Up to me and God now...