Good morning, everyone. And what an absolutely gorgeous morning it is, with the sun shining so brightly.
That's really worrying, isn't it, Angie? The not knowing what caused it. Is a seroma an infection? I had one, but it went pretty, so I didn't bother digging into what it really is. I think the lesson for us all is to watch the temperature and not mess about if it's getting too high.
Sue, although I am feeling much, much better, the thought of alcohol at the moment turns my stomach, so I couldn't have a glass of wine even if I wanted one. But the bigger picture for me means that I probably will have to keep it to an absolute minimum in the future, if not give it up altogether.
If I can just bore you all for a moment with a quick summary of what happened to me, you will probably understand why I am thinking this way. And, possibly, I can help some of you avoid doing what I did.
When I was diagnosed with ER/PR positive breast cancer last September, I had just achieved a huge leap forward in my career. I have been putting myself under substantial pressure for many, many years trying to juggle work and family commitments (I had my children in my late 30s/early40s and also had to deal with illness and death of elderly relatives). I was overweight and drank more wine than I should have been drinking. I wasn't drinking every night, I wasn't drinking myself under the table and I could take it or leave it, so I thought that was okay. But, I suspect like a lot of middle aged professional women, I was using it as a stress reliever and I was overdoing it. So stress, obesity and alcohol - a lethal cocktail.
I sailed through my lumpectomy and radiotherapy, I was focused mainly on what was happening in my career and, in fact, surgery was scheduled to fit around the training I had to do. I learned nothing at all from the experience. I went straight back into the bear pit with barely a backward glance. The diagnosis of TNBC at my first annual checkup was a knockout blow to the jaw. I feel that my body is shouting "Look, I am telling you to slow down and take better care of yourself and this is what happens if you don't bloody well listen!!!".
I have given up work entirely during treatment. I thought I would miss it, but I don't. Oddly, in spite of everything - the chemo, nausea, everything - a sense of calm has descended upon me. I seem to be acutely aware of how fortunate I am, particularly in relation to family and friends, and I feel more "grounded", more in tune with the universe. I appreciate this sounds absolutely bonkers, but it seems as if my perception of my place in the world has shifted. In due course, I would really like a discussion about how cancer changes us and how we move forward, but this thread is probably not the best place for it.
Anyway, back to your question about alcohol. Everything you read about breast cancer states that alcohol should be kept to a minimum and that each extra drink over a certain limit (and I can't recall what that is) increases your risk. I have read and am reading everything I can get my hands on and I have yet to read an explanation as to WHY this is. I really think a full explanation would cause a mind shift in the population at large.
Some "experts", such as Chris Woollams in "The Rainbow Diet" suggest that a daily glass of red wine with a meal is a positive step, but my understanding is that is for people who are not going through treatment. I have lent the book to a friend, so can't check that. I have also read that for someone with a TNBC diagnosis, even small amounts of alcohol (three glasses of wine a week) has been associated with poorer outcomes.
In any event, applying basic principles of what alcohol does to the body and the pressure it places on the liver and kidneys and recognising that those organs are put under immense pressure as a result of the chemo, I suggest we should do what we can to help, rather than hinder our body to heal.
I'm not trying to tell people what they should do. I can see that the odd glass of wine now and again may be beneficial. Personally, I can't risk it. I had a wonderful time at the party last night without it and, in spite of the chemo, I have been sleeping heavily since I gave it up.
Gracie xx
