What should I be doing?

Carmichael Cathy · 03-26-2011, 01:08 AM

So I was diagnosed with Stage 2A Hers 2 positive, estrogen progesterone positive, (triple positive) breast cancer a year ago. I underwent a double masectomy, had 6 rounds of chemo with herceptin and will finish one year of herceptin in May. In addition, I am on Femara. Is there anything else I should be doing? I want to beat this, and so far so good, but just want to know if there is anything else I should be doing. Thank you!

Becky · 03-26-2011, 09:08 AM

I am over 6 years out and was also diagnosed at Stage 2A. One thing I do is take vitamin d3. Since you are still going to your cancer center, you should have your onc test your d3 levels in your blood and if you do not have adequate levels (and many of us don't), you should supplement. The normal range is 32-100 (I can't remember the units after the numbers). I take 4000iu per day of vitamin d3 and my reading is only 46 so this was a definite problem for me before. I also take Omega 3 (fish oil capsules) as most people are also low on this too. These 2 things plus eating right and exercising regularly (just walking will do) really can help. And they are good for you anyway.

LoisLane · 03-26-2011, 02:12 PM

Hi Cathy i agree with Becky. Eating well and exercise are important. I walk my dog about 1 mile a day but I really need to step it up for the cardio exercise. I do walk at a pretty good pace but I still think I need more cardio. I have joined a gym, do the bike there, some weights etc. Mind you I have so many aches and pains some days it seems to make it a little worse. Oh well aches and pains we can handle that is small potatoes to all the stuff we have been through. I also take Vitamin D 3000IU a day and Calcium 1500 a day (oncologist said to make sure I take the calcium because Femera can cause some bone loss) I do have osteopenia as well. I tried to really remember to eat my veggies (even though I really dont like many )and dont eat too much red meat. I also buy organic milk and read my labels now much more carefully than I did before. I dont eat any soy products and drink green tea which I like anyway. I limit my wine consumption I really love to drink wine and I would say I might have two glasses of that per week or not even that. Anyway I wish you all the best, keep positive, I know it is such a pain in the ass to go through this but we can only go forward. Best wishes Lois.

sassy · 03-26-2011, 05:06 PM

Hi Cathy,

I am 6 years out from a IIIA triple positive dx.

Ditto to everything Becky and Lois have said. Bone loss is a significant concern. If you have not had a bone scan, I would recommend, especially for a base line. I take daily calcium with D, but also have been on Zometa annually for several years, and will be switching to bi-annually beginning next month.

Sounds like you are on the right track!

Best wishes,

Carmichael Cathy · 05-13-2011, 04:19 PM

Thank you so much for your responses! My oncologist tested my Vitamin D levels and they were low! Thank you for the suggestion. I am on Vitamin D and calcium now and am walking even though my joints are sore from either the Femara, Herceptin or both, I'm hoping it's the Herceptin because I only have one more treatment! Yay! So far everything is going well. I did put on a lot of weight from the chemo, so I'm trying to drop that, but it's been difficult. Thanks again!

BonnieR · 05-13-2011, 10:05 PM

Cathy, I remember asking my onc this same thing and she replied that I should be getting on with my life. So I am trying to live it to the fullest and with gratitude.
Regarding the joint pain, it could be the Femara. I eventually switched to Aromasin and got relief. The AIs can be switched around if needed.
Keep the faith.