Monday, October 14, 2013

I'm Back!!!

Chicken Vegetable Soup with Ginger Meatballs

Seems like it's been forever since I've checked in!
I had my third round of chemo last Thursday,
and got busy preparing for it
 earlier in the week.
I'm going to include here a post that I just submitted
to a wonderfully supportive 
breast cancer survival group
that I now belong to on Facebook.
While you may think that this is not important to read,
I think it is!
Everywhere we look, there are people battling cancer
and going through chemotherapy.
Just think about it for a second!
If you (and I) can make their journey
even one bit easier,
wouldn't that be great???
So please read the following,
and then file it wherever you deem best!

I want to share a remarkable recent experience with you all. I think most of you have already gone through chemo, so this may not be of interest to you, but you may know someone who will be going through it in the future. I have just had my third of six infusions. When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, two of my good friends (one who is in treatment for colon cancer and the other a breast cancer survivor) lent me several books on diet and nutrition. I stored them on my kitchen counter for several weeks and then decided to read them two weeks ago while we were vacationing at the beach. I had had my second chemo infusion and noticed that I was remarkably more tired than after the first....everyone told me that the effects were cumulative and I would feel worse after each infusion. So, I accepted that. After reading one of the books that my friends had lent me, I thought I would give the post chemo diet suggestions a try - it couldn't hurt, right? I made ginger syrup so that I could easily prepare homemade gingerale if I felt a bit queazy after chemo. I also made a batch of carrot/fennel/orange soup (fennel is good for the urpy tummy). The author of this book, Rebecca Katz, has many very good and sound suggestions, and I found them intriguing. She also recommended a delicious Chocolate/Banana smoothie....made with almond milk and almond butter (lots of energy when you have none!). I sipped on the homemade gingerale, dined on the carrot/fennel soup, and enjoyed two yummy chocolate banana smoothies on days two and three. I HAD MORE ENERGY THIS GO ROUND OF CHEMO THAN LAST TIME!!! I am a believer! I suppose it only makes sense that if your body (liver) is busy detoxifying all of the chemo poisons, it shouldn't have to detoxify the foods we are ingesting too (processed foods, mainly). So, while it took a couple hours to prepare the vegetable stock and the ginger syrup, I felt like I was giving myself some goodness.....and I was! Today, day four post chemo 3 infusion, I made a batch of Chicken Vegetable Soup with Ginger Meatballs for lunch. There will be enough leftover for my next infusions - it can easily be frozen. Tonight we dined on roasted free range organic chicken and Mashed Ginger Sweet Potatoes with Grated Fresh Nutmeg.....delish!!! I don't mean to be evangelizing, and forgive me if I am preaching to the choir, but if you are just embarking on your chemo journey, you may want to look into Rebecca Katz's "The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen" and "One Bite at a Time". I don't think you will be disappointed....and I'm almost positive your chemo journey will be less of a drudge.
I am stepping down from my soap box now - but I am smiling at how darned good I feel! 

I have felt GREAT -
more energy than I had hoped for!
We have walked the boys every morning


and I have even finished knitting my
Stones and Stripes Shawl!


Who ever would have thought that life would be so good
during chemo?
Thank you, Rebecca Katz!!!


thanks for stopping by -
and reading this post!

peace and good health to you and yours!

7 comments:

Cate Rose said...

Congrats to you, Judy! So glad you're feeling so good after the third infusion! Hope you have a great week. xoxo

Judy Sall Fiber Art said...

Hi, Judy! Thanks so much for sharing this info. I have one friend about mid-way through chemo, another who will start next week. I plan to send your link to both of them. I am a very strong believer that nutrition is vital to our good health, whether going through cancer treatment or just going through our days. I hope you continue to do well!
Judy

Jeannie said...

That is such good news that the diet is helping with the urpy stomach and the energy slumps. Seems like it might be good for all of us to add a little bit of new nutrition to our diets. The shawl is gorgeous!!! I love the lacy edging. Are you wearing it to your show opening? Be well!

Jane LaFazio said...

great news, Judy, and, indeed the recipes sound and look delish. so glad you're doing okay.xo

Carol said...

Wow, Judy, your courage, enthusiasm and common sense should be bottled! I'm seriously considering taking on your ginger regime, it sounds so good. I'm so pleased you are doing so well, love & hugs xxooxx

deanna7trees said...

your food advice is good for everyone, not just those fighting cancer. good post.

Maggi said...

You really do share wise words with us all. I'm so glad that the new dietary regime is working well. Chemo aside, the recipes sound like they are well worth investigating anyway.

Congratulations on finishing the shawl, it looks beautiful.