Cancer - diet and exercise

For those that have had cancer, what was recommended for diet and exercise?

I had a PET scan last week and it’s a high possibility that I have cancer (thymoma). I have a biopsy schedule for Sept 23. In the meantime, I’ve had a really hard time processing it all and I feel like the only thing I can control is my diet and exercise. I’ve severely limited sugar and I know to eat a “balanced” meal - but is there something better I should be doing?

The nurse also told me to continue to walk so I’ve been good about walking at least 30 minutes each day and I’m going to add yoga so my body doesn’t have as many issues bouncing back after surgery. Physically I feel fine, other than occasionally getting winded, but my heart and lungs are healthy. Should I be taking it easy (just walking and yoga) or should I add in low impact stuff, too?

I just can’t believe this is happening. :(

Cancer - diet and exercise

I don’t have anything to say but I hope everything is okay and that you get through this easily and quickly!

Cancer - diet and exercise

No advice, but just wanted to offer you good thoughts and prayers.. Hang in there.

Re: Cancer - diet and exercise

I don't have any advice but wanted to send you hugs

Re: Cancer - diet and exercise

Sorry to hear this and that you are going through this.

I’d talk to your doctor on what is recommended but it sounds like you are doing well already with the walking.

Re: Cancer - diet and exercise

Sending you hugs and wishes for the speediest recovery through this.

Re: Cancer - diet and exercise

I am so sorry.

Re: Cancer - diet and exercise

No advice just and

Cancer - diet and exercise

So sorry!

Re: Cancer - diet and exercise

I don't know about the diet/exercise, but I wanted to say I am so sorry to hear what you're dealing with. It is so hard to process hearing cancer. Be strong. In addition to consulting your doctor, when you're ready, perhaps there is a support group online for now I guess, or a message board where people who are further along the path can give advice?

Cancer - diet and exercise

Keep on doing what you’re doing. Eat what you enjoy.

Sept. 23 is a cruelly long time to wait. They can’t get you in sooner?

I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this. Hugs to you and hang in there!

Cancer - diet and exercise

Thanks everyone!

Sept 23 is a long way but thymoma is typically slow growing so I guess they figure I could wait a while and they’d save the other spaces for people with more urgent needs. Who knows?

I joined a FB group of people with thymoma, but really it just freaked me out. Too many stories of reoccurances, difficulty with recovery from surgery, etc. Everyone is different (health and positive attitudes) so I decided to stop looking at that page bc it was making it worse for me.

Thankfully I have a friend that is a radiation oncologist and another friend that’s a PA so I’ve been able to ask questions along the way.

Re: Cancer - diet and exercise

I'm sorry you are going through this.
Sounds like you are doing the right things.
I would just add to increase your protein intake, as it helps with recovery after surgery.

Keep your metabolic numbers low, as well as blood pressure. It is good to keep walking or moving, as you've been doing.

Basically, you want to be in as good health as you can be, going into this.

Best of luck to you.

Re: Cancer - diet and exercise

Posted by queensgal

Sorry to hear this and that you are going through this.

I’d talk to your doctor on what is recommended but it sounds like you are doing well already with the walking.

Re: Cancer - diet and exercise

Sorry to hear this. Definitely speak with your doctors as your diet and exercise will probably depend on your specific diagnosis and your treatment protocol.
I know some cancer patients are told to eat organic as much as possible.
For now just eat as clean as possible and do what you can in terms of walking etc.
Best of luck to you!

Re: Cancer - diet and exercise

sorry to hear, sending positive vibes. Cancer is a hard and devastating word to hear. So many MD have trouble even saying the words. Hoping the results are neg. I just had another scare so I understand.

Staying in a positive frame of mind helps as does support.

Message edited 9/8/2020 10:23:43 PM.

Re: Cancer - diet and exercise

I don't have first hand experience but I know one of my friends went totally organic, dropped all red meat and uses alkaline water through Phountain to
promote alkalinity.

I think doing yoga is great. It puts you in a good mind frame in addition to the positive physical effects.

Good luck to you. I hope the biopsy yields negative results.

Cancer - diet and exercise

The biopsy just got moved to this Friday. I'm scared, but I'd rather start the process than to drag it out even longer.

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Re: Cancer - diet and exercise

Re: Cancer - diet and exercise

So sorry to hear that you are going through this. Take it one day at a time and don't overwhelm yourself with information. There have been so many advances made in cancer treatment and new options available, hang in there. It's good that you will be able to process some of this in therapy, wishing you much strength during this.

Re: Cancer - diet and exercise

Cancer - diet and exercise

Try to stay healthy so if you need more treatment than just surgery, you have energy. Unhealthy eating etc. didnt CAUSE your cancer ....its always a good idea to try to eat healthy, incorporate more vegetables etc., keep your energy level up and try to get good sleep. Get some xanax to help you through this time -- it was necessary after my diagnosis and I still take it on occasion because although I'm done iwth active treatment, the C word lives with you forever. I hope it isnt C, but if it is, find doctors you feel very comfortable with and trust and that -- more than anything -- is the most important thing you can do for yourself.

Cancer - diet and exercise

I'm really sorry to hear that you're going through this. Glad to hear they moved up biposy date!

Re: Cancer - diet and exercise

Best of luck to you, funkybutt. Let me preface this by saying I am not a doctor, not a nutritionist, I am a bird brain with a communications degree, BUT my father had lung cancer many years ago, a type with a 10 percent 5 year survival rate and he wound up living 18 years and didn’t die of cancer, and he credits that to fresh juicing. Do your research and trust your doctors of course and I’m sure I’ll get slammed, but it’s one of those “can’t hurt” things and in his case, he did beat a death sentence. I juice carrots regularly and have my whole life. Who knows what his success is really attributable to. Best of luck to you, truly!

Message edited 9/10/2020 6:38:36 PM.