Posted on 09/13/2022 8:14:39 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
So sorry to hear your friend is gone. We just lost one in the last 2 weeks to metastatic breast cancer. Appeared to be doing fine after a tough time (port got infected, then sepsis, issues with tolerating chemo plus some other stuff). After chemo & a partial mastectomy, scans were clear, she was home after a long hospital stay & very optimistic. Her doctor was shocked when she ‘suddenly’ had it in her liver, bones & brain (”this shouldn’t be happening now” he said), ... all over really. Her backbone/spine turned to “dust” as another friend described it. Very sad - this woman was beloved by many, a tireless worker for the church & a particular women’s group, both on a local and national level. And if you’re wondering, yes she “was” - couldn’t wait to get it so she could be ‘safe’ and travel.
I reversed pre-T2D/metabolic syndrome with diet. The only thing that was ‘strict’ was limiting carbs. You can still eat very well low carb & no calorie counting or deprivation required. The added benefit was losing 65 lbs in the process (and a lot of inflammation including some arthritis) - feel the best I’ve ever felt.
A1C gives you an average blood sugar over a 3 month period.
It is usually an add-on
Agree. Sadly agree.
It is my understanding that blood has the consistency of ketchup when there's a lot of sugar floating around in it.
Ketchup can't make it into the smaller capillaries, and so...
I had a single mastectomy in 2014, and am aware that very bad things still can happen. They tried to talk me into a lumpectomy because the cancer was minuscule. I’d heard horror stories about people who had done that with a relatively quick setback, so I opted for full mastectomy. Wish I had done the re construction thing, but did not as it didn’t seem important at the time.
For six months I did the low-carb thing because my sugar was at 108. I lost 20 pounds, and felt wonderful, but sugar only dropped to 104. I’ve been cheating a bit lately, eating keto buns, and a little “Carb Smart” ice cream. My problem is that I love, love, love potatoes and pasta but rarely have them any more.
Next blood panel is December so it’ll be interesting ...
The two things I miss most are bread (sourdough in particular) and potatoes.
My best friend had breast cancer in 2013. Her OB/gyn recommended a surgeon ... why this one, I don’t know. After hearing about her overall experience with him, he just seems ‘shady’ to me (I have significant experience with some ‘shady’ doctors so I trust my gut feelings). He took a biopsy and wanted to do a ‘lumpectomy’. A relative of this friend told her to go to a hospital where they had a ‘team’ approach, not one single surgeon. She took that advice and boy, what a difference. They did genetic testing on the tumor, came up with a plan of treatment - two types of chemo, mastectomy, then radiation. Her surgeon was fantastic - I met him twice (the day of mastectomy surgery & when she had her port taken out). She had no family in town, so I helped her out.
I will never forget the day she cried to me after realizing what a difference it made ... the one surgeon vs the team. Her tumor was staged at 2A and aggressive ... she probably would have had a metastasized cancer or died with just the lumpectomy approach. Her surgeon only removed one lymph node, so that was a blessing as well ... she was very concerned due to the lymphedema that can occur after surgery. She was going to have reconstruction surgery, but once she went through everything, the thought of more surgery was just too much. So far she appears to be doing fine.
You are among the <0.0001% of us. ;-)
I did consider reconstruction surgery about a year after mastectomy and saw a doctor who’s supposed to be some hot-shot plastic surgeon in the area.
Hubby and I saw the doctor who did an exam and then discussed the procedure/outcome. He asked about the size I wanted, then did a nudge-nudge-wink-wink to my husband about “bigger”. I couldn’t believe it. I was there due to cancer; I wasn’t some bimbo wanting a bigger rack. Hubby and I looked at each other and said nothing.
For many years I was assistant in a construction office in Alaska. I’m not a prude, and could hold my own with the guys. This was not happy hour after work on Friday night, but (allegedly) a professional medical appointment.
Perfectly choreographed, as I finished dressing, a saleswoman came in with a big calendar book. She sat down and demanded, “Tell me when you want to schedule your surgery.” I said, “I have to discuss it with my husband first but will let you know.” She SLAMMED the calendar closed and stalked out of the room.
On our trip home we were silent for a long time. Then he asked what I thought. I said, “I think I need a shower.” He agreed.
I never pursued reconstruction again, even with a different surgeon.
These videos might give you some ideas:
Why Food Order Matters (2022) | Jason Fung -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8TeVf6rR7k
How Vinegar helps Weight Loss
“The addition of acids like vinegar, lemon juice and fermented foods to carbohydrates can significantly reduce the insulin and glucose effect and therefore their fattening effect. Learn about the salivary amylase hypothesis of how this works.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Et0GY94ebBQ
Yes, I was T1 and am now T2, so I try to keep my BSL around 115-120. I still have Stage 2 mild kidney disease, and see an Opthamologist (MD) 2x/yr.
“The addition of acids like vinegar, lemon juice and fermented foods to carbohydrates can significantly reduce the insulin and glucose effect and therefore their fattening effect. Learn about the salivary amylase hypothesis of how this works.”
That’s interesting! Thanks for the link. I’ll watch it later. I especially like sauerkraut and I think that probably fits into this group.
Would a condition that kept red blood cells circulating for longer than 3 months affect this reading?
I have no idea. I imagine that would be pretty serious as those cells get worn out.
The book "How Not To Die" by Michael Greger M.D. and the book "The Dash Diet, Mediterranean Solution" helped me to craft an eating plan. Got both through thiftbooks.com.
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