LapBand and chemo?

[HeatherO 7]

But yeah, I have no reason to think this wont be anythng more than a horrible memory by this time next year, a mere blip on the radar. And thank god I have done so much positive for my health over the past five years, it will stand me in very good stead.

Jacqui, I have also been following your posts for years now since before I was banded. I love your style, brutally honest and to-the-point while maintaining a good sense of humour. I have learned alot from you through this whole process and you are one of my all time favorite posters.

If there was ever a person who can carry through this bump in the road . . . it is you. You clearly have a lot of strength and the ability to persevere which not only got you past your goals, but continues to allow you to strive successfully for optimum health.

I too had a brief bout with cancer in 2005, but I can say now that it was just a blip on the radar and does not really impact my life that much now. However, I know the disbelief and stress I went through when I first found out were overwhelming.

My heart goes out to you for these difficult months to be endured. I wish you a speedy recovery and look forward to the day you can say that this is all behind you.

[Isa Bella 0]

Jacqui~ I Know what your going through & I will be praying for you. As so many have said you have the will power, mental & physical strength to get you thru this. I was diagnosed with Follicular Non-Hodgkins lymphoma 5 yrs ago. After I had my Hysterectomy I found a lump in my groin & was diagnosed wth a small hernia. Dr's thought I started exercising to soon after surgery. I was quite healthy 145 lbs ate pretty much a vegetarian diet & was quite active. Had completed the LA marathon 2 yrs in a row when suddenly the rug was pulled from under my feet in an instant. I went in for Hernia repair surgery & was told upon waking it was not a hernia & they wld run a biopsy. To make an already long story short. My cancer is incurable, there is no treatment. Im a stage 3 & was told anywhere from 4 to 12 yrs life expectancy (12 being stage 1) I did the math & I had 1 huge panic attack that seemed like it lasted for months. Telling my family was the most difficult thing I have ever had to do. I am a patient at City of Hope & have a great team of Dr's. My cancer is a slow growing cancer & was told I would most likely live a full long life. I get tested every 3 mths bcuz it can change to an aggressive cancer at any time. My faith, my family & friends support got me through this & you will get through this also. Listen to your body. Keep hydrated. Rest & eat healthy & nutrtious foods. High alkalien food (Greens), Cancer thrives on sugar. You will be in my prayers.

[Portola Suzanne 3]

Wow!!!!! There are not words to express how I feel right now after reading all of your posts. Jacqui I have marveled at your success and motivation and want to be just like you when I grow up (hee, hee). Please all of you take care of yourselves you have a courage I cannot comprehend. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers, please keep us updated on your status! Suzanne

[Jachut 487]

There's so many people out there that have had or are having similar experiences, its just so common now.

thanks to everyone for their good wishes and all my love to those who are also going through similar things.

The mind is an amazingly resilient thing really, I found it went through stages, a few days of despair, crying, being really emotional about it all, unable to sleep etc, then a few days of feeling real panic, then a sort of calm descended. The body naturally wants to heal itself, and the mind is an important part of that. It just doesnt let you wallow in that shock for too long. But I find although people (my mother, lol) are telling me to slow down, clear the calandar and concentrate on getting well, having something like work and fitness to focus on is just so important for me. I need a focus.

Overall I am really positive about this - and strangely, my sweet tooth is gone, lol. I dont want to eat ANYTHING that may do harm.

[Cocoabean 430]

Jaqui, who knows -- perhaps your healthier lifestyle the past five years have allowed your body to fight the cancer, and it would have grown faster and be more deadly with your old unhealthy lifestyle.

Without your positive changes and choices you might already have left this world.

One of the reasons I chose the band is that we can unfill if needed during medical treatment such as this. If you need more nutrtion during treatment, get unfilled, but not before. I agree with your decision!

I do hope you keep the board posted as your treatment progresses, and keep on being a positive influence around here!

[TracyNYC 4]

Wishing you the best. Make sure the two docs work together. Stay positive.

[Jachut 487]

Just an update - have gotten through six weeks of chemo and radiation feeling pretty darn good. Very very little nausea (just a mild bleugh feeling some days), absolutley no vomiting or diarrhoea, no need to unfill my band whatsoever.

It does have to be unfilled for surgery though, eeek.

But just the strain on your body, and not having a huge appetite during chemo, I have lost a couple of kilograms to hit 65, I thought it was my dream weight, right at the bottom of my healthy weight range but boy oh boy, I can finally say I'm damn skinny. Unfilling and regaining a few kg's will be a good thing.

It made me realise though, how many little treats I ate around the basic healthy meals - I've been conscious of eating well during my treatment and when I eat exactly as I'm supposed to, well, I lose weight. I dont need to lose weight so I've obviously got too much restriction for maintenance.

I'm healthy, feeling well and positive though and the treatment wasnt at all brutal. Surgery end of November.