Alcohol

[Becky]

I drink a couple of glasses of wine on weekend nights. If I go out to dinner, I will have a cocktail too. Didn't do anything during chemo because I felt my liver was busy enough as it was but on herceptin alone, I drank.

[Carol Carlson]

I was diagnosed in early March of '04. I did not have any alcohol after surgeries , chemo and rads. essentionally the entire year. Probably because the simple mention of alcohol turned my stomach. About 2-3 months after treatment, I had a glass of wine and it actually tasted good..
Since then I usually have a glass or 2 if we go out to dinner or if I get together with friends. I actualy asked my oncologist about it and she said I really didn't consume enough to be a concern and basically said, " The amonut of wine that you drink will not likely increase your chances of recurrace and did not seem at all concerned, and PCP is not at all concerned. So taking their lead, I do have a occasional glass or 2 of wine
on an occassional basis and don't really worry about it.
It's supposed to be so good for cardio-vascular status, depending on what article you read, I feel a little the same about breast cancer.
At age 67, I'm not going to fret about it. I'm a 4 year survivor and plan to be around a very long time . ( and I actually have a Hershey's candy bar with Almonds on occasion ) tsk. tsk
As someone postd previously, moderation is the key. AND I laugh more when I have wine which soooo healthly.
And that's my stand.
Carol

[Bev]

http://www.cancerpage.com/news/article.asp?id=11974
If this link takes, I think it might have more. My doc's only restrictions were not the day before or day of chemo. During chemo, alcohol wasn't terribly appetizing. It seems to me the studies aren't conclusive, so I still drink beer. I'm really guessing here, but it would seem that AI's would be more effective in mopping up excess estrogen created by alcohol consumption than tamoxifen, which would only matter if you're ER+.

I think this is another one of those you have to weigh and decide. I've decided not to let it worry me. BB

[Kim in CA]

I hate to admit this, but one of the high lights of my trip to Seattle each month, for my Her2 vaccine, was a margarita at the Sea Tac airport while waiting for our flight home. They have the Best margaritas I have ever tasted!

I never drank while on chemo, and don't drink on the days I get my Herceptin, but have an occasional glass of wine or ale when it suits me.

I also most definitely have an ice cold Corona after one of my endurance rides. It is a tradition that my riding girl friends and I take pretty seriously!

Hoping I'm not sounding too much like a lush! Kim

PS I never drink and ride at the same time!

[nancy dip]

for all the replies. It's Saturday 5.30pm here in Glasgow and I'll raise a guilt free glass to you all tonight! (Is it a side effect of this disease to need constant reassurance?!?) Nancy