Quote:
Originally Posted by compress ignite
You LOOK like you've gone from a late 40 something...
To an early 30s health fanatic!
(I thought Chemo was supposed to Wear you down?)
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Yes, Jimmy.. I'm still here in Arlington. Texas is my home. I'd only go back to Jersey to visit friends..
Funny thing is, that picture was October 8, 2010. I shaved my head that night. My first chemo session was December 14th - six sessions three weeks apart. I had nary a side effect. The worst that happened was the slightest heartburn & nausea the day after - not enough to keep me from eating like I was before all this happened - and a week after each session, my skin would break out, on my upper shoulders, chest and neck for about a week. I kind of went the opposite direction of the typical side effects. I think my stubbornness and strong will played a significant role. My hair GREW instead of falling out and I gained weight in the process. My oncologist cleared me to start working out in February just before my fourth chemo session. I struggled to even do TWO push-ups.
I'm certainly not a health fanatic but I am more aware of what I eat. I learned a lot about how my body processes food. I was up to about 205lbs and it all seemed to be in the "middle." I realized that the shakes I was drinking weren't as "harmless" as they seemed. 375 calories and 14g protein are all well and good to help bring my weight back up, but the 54g carbs/sugar were the killer, esp since I would sometimes drink them late at night, thinking;"It's 11pm and I'm hungry. I'm not gonna have a meal. I'll JUST drink one of these." Once I cut those out to a once-in-a-while thing and reduced my carb intake - REDUCED, not ELIMINATED ala Atkins, along with the walking and light exercising, I'm maintaining 190-193lbs. My appetite never really changed since high school until the onset of this, but is back to "normal." Yesterday for example:
BREAKFAST: Four scrambled eggs with cheddar, 4 strips of bacon and a greek yogurt.
IN-BETWEEN - an apple.
LUNCH - Turkey & cheddar on whole grain, pita chips with hummus.
IN-BETWEEN - Handful of strawberries and another yogurt.
DINNER - Broiled tilapia filets with red rice & black beans, spinach & tomato salad.
NAUGHTY - four large peanut butter cookies & a glass of milk. - I don't deny the junk lol. One day a week I will throw caution to the wind and allow "junk food" in the picture.