Hello to all my Ovarian cancer friends:
BigJohnAZ had given us an update on his wife, Michele, and her chemo treatments. He didn't get a quick response and wondered if many women were on here. So I gave him different reasons why everyone who reads these letters, actually may not answer on line. He was asking about protein. It occurred to me that the links I intended to send to him would be good info for anybody that is "tired" and in need of enough energy to "get out of bed!" Chemotherapy laid me low, and I've been through two different chemo regimens as well as Cytoreductive Surgery. So here's my answer to John, and feel free to open his mail and read it! 
Loretta
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An answer to BigJohnAZ -
http://csn.cancer.org/node/303397#comment-form - New CA125 numbers UPDATE
“Dear John”
Your comment, “I really thought there would be more opinions on the matter. Maybe there are just not many on this page anymore????” I think all the women on this page, both the non-responders and responders, are keenly interested in knowing more about their own cancer, and also knowing how other women are tolerating their own treatments. They want to know if there are any “secrets to survival” that can be shared. They want to compare their physicians to other women’s physicians, and see if there are any additional treatments that they could benefit from. And then there are others who are like “peeping toms”—they want to see what’s going on, but they don’t want to “enter” into any discussions with others. Some women don’t have the ability to put their thoughts down on paper, as do others. But they’re smart. Lastly, they are a “compassionate lot!”
Actually I’ve not followed this board as long as some, although I’m totally familiar with cancer, both as a caregiver to my husband when he was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer, Stage III. That is another rare cancer with only an estimated 17% to ever see the 5-year survival mark, let alone 14 years and so we cherish our days together. Recurrence is always a possibility. And then we had a role reversal, and in 2012, I became the Stage IV cancer patient, and he became the caregiver. So you could say, we’ve known the worst and the best of both worlds.
Everyone on here no doubt knows that the Stage IV Ovarian Cancer patients can have Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS), but it is not intended to be curative. Rather it is specifically intended to remove as many “non-essential” organs as possible, to prevent further metastasis to those places, as well as to remove some of the cancer already present as well. We are given “palliative treatments” intended to give us prolonged periods of “progression free survival” (PFS). So there are multiple reasons as to why you might not receive a “Johnny-on-the-spot” response right away. Might I suggest that there are probably many more “readers” than there are “responders/posters” on this “page” and for good reason.
My cancer sisters here are in different stages of Ovarian cancer. And believe me, some of them are “stuck in a permanent funk”, unable to extricate themselves. They somehow imagine that no one else is suffering like they are, and no one will ever convince them otherwise. They are suffering from emotional distress, and severely depressed. Others are in great physical pain, drained of energy and possess little hope that things will ever get better.
Others are in chemotherapy treatments and being zapped of their last ounce of energy. Some are just emerging from the Operating room, and wondering “what just happened? They weren’t feeling this bad when they went into the Operating Room. They're wondering if they are ever going to feel “normal” again?
Still others are in dire financial straits and needing more treatment than they can afford. Some are facing the loss of their jobs, or wondering if they will ever be able to return to work.
And still others have doctors who aren’t that compassionate or “open” with them. Yet still others have no husband to help care for them like you care for Michele, and my husband cares for me.
More than one woman on this site is lonely. They’re facing an uncertain future, and “hanging on by a thread” with only a glimmer of hope that some “cure can suddenly be announced” that will change their world for the better. They feel like they are walking on the “high wire” with “no net underneath.” .
Others have been told that there is “nothing else that we can do for you. Go home and get your house in order.” For some that means, writing that will, saying goodbyes to those you love dearly, praying to God that you can find someone who will care for your very young children. In some instances others are wondering who will take care of their aged parents who suffer from dementia. They had promised their parents that they would "take care of them". Now they find themselves looking for someone to take care of them!
For some it means making amends to those with whom they’ve been estranged over some trivial matter. Most importantly in my own life is being able to have that one-on-one spiritual walk and talk with God Himself every hour of the day and making sure my “spiritual house” is in order. And also waking up to see the sun rise another day and enjoy family, friends, and helping others along the way.
I thought I would just give you an answer to your comment about maybe not many are on this site. But you also asked a question about protein, and it is very important. So rather than “spoon feed” each patient, I find that giving them a reference point that they can make their own is sufficient. You know they say, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime!” With that in mind, these links might be helpful for you so that you can “cook” up a variety of dishes for Michele that will be both delicious and protein-enriched all at the same time. So below my name are several references to sources of protein and its importance to our system.
Personally, my husband always made me a thick milk-shake every day with at least one scoop of whey isolate, (= 30 grams of protein in each scoop) and usually used “Boost” (another protein liquid) to make the ice cream just thick enough so that I could eat it with a spoon. He also broke up a Butterfinger candy bar and put that in there together with a big tablespoon of Peanut Butter. I wanted to have at least 60 grams of protein in my diet every day. I usually ate “cheese eggs” and bacon for breakfast. I don’t eat a lot of bread, but I’m not going to give up sugar simply because I like to cook all kinds of pie, cakes, homemade rolls and especially my family loves Macaroni and Cheese, made with Velveeta cheese and buttered bread crumbs on top. I actually didn’t have that much of an appetite but I ate at regular times each day and kept account of all that I did eat during the times I was in chemotherapy.
By the way, I too, was once able to “jump over skyscrapers and leap tall buildings in a single bound” like Superman. I was a cheerleader in high school and loved every minute of it. I really didn’t understand a lot about football and really didn’t know who even had the ball till the last man down, got back up and I could see “who had the ball!” And how I ever jumped 2 feet off the ground while arching my body in a “backward C” is beyond me. Now I consider it a major "feat" just to touch my toes! Now at age 77, I mostly just jump for joy these days. I couldn't begin to walk 2 miles a day, like Michele. However, at age 48, I was raising my second set of children, 3 boys and a girl, and believe me they kept me "jumping" all day long.
So kudos to the both of you. Keep up those 2-mile hikes, and they’ll have to change your name to “Little John”. And I did look up the cheerleading squad for the Kansas City Chiefs. I doubt that Michele’s picture is in this group, but that was quite an achievement!
So “read up and eat up” and enjoy each day. By the way, I love to cook and “The Pioneer Woman” is my favorite of the cooking shows on TV. Here’s that link: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/
There are step by step videos as well as recipes. She, like I, makes food “from scratch”. Now I don’t know where that expression came from, but it means “make it yourself instead of getting it out of a box, or just opening a can.” Of course, during chemo there might not be as much energy or appetite to do a big amount of cooking.
Loretta
Cheerleaders photo
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2. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002093.htm
“Food guide plate
By following the U.S. Department of Agriculture's food guide, called MyPlate, you can make healthier food choices. The new guide encourages you to eat more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy. Using the guide, you can learn what type of food you should eat and how much you should eat. You also learn why and how much you should exercise.
Information - Section
USING MyPlate
There are 5 major food groups that make up a healthy diet:
- Grains
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Dairy
- Protein foods
You should eat foods from each group every day. How much food you should eat from each group depends on your age, gender, and how active you are.
MyPlate makes specific recommendations for each type of food group…”
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3. https://www.verywell.com/high-protein-foods-and-the-amount-of-protein-in-each-2242514
High-Protein Foods and the Amount of Protein in Each
List of Foods High in Protein
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4. https://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/foods-highest-in-protein.php
The Top 10 High Protein Foods - Clear and Detailed Information for Your Best Protein Sources
Protein is a macro nutrient necessary for the proper growth and function of the human body. There is considerable debate over the amount of protein a person needs to consume per day, the current recommended daily intake (RDI) for protein is 46 grams for women aged 19-70, and 56 grams for men aged 19-70. Any excess protein is turned into energy by the body, and it is controversial whether this excess protein causes a strain on the liver. A deficiency in protein leads to muscle atrophy, and impaired functioning of the human body in general. High protein foods include meat, fish, cheese, tofu, beans, lentils, yogurt, eggs, nuts, and seeds. Below is a list of foods with the highest protein to calorie ratio, for more information, see the sections on protein dense foods, other protein rich foods, low calorie high protein snacks, and protein isolates.
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5. http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/proteins/incomplete-vs-complete-proteins.html
While all proteins you eat contribute to meeting your daily protein requirements, some proteins are better utilized by your body than others. Consuming complete protein in your diet is often beneficial, but it's not entirely necessary. Figuring out how to get the right balance proteins in your diet will help ensure you meet your body's needs.
How They Differ
The main difference between complete and incomplete proteins is that complete proteins contain all essential amino acids your body requires daily, and incomplete proteins only contain some essential amino acids. Your body breaks down the proteins you eat into amino acids, which build and repair tissues in your body, help digest food, provide energy, and perform numerous other body functions. Essential amino acids are also necessary for proper growth in children. Because complete proteins contain all essential amino acids, they are often referred to as high-quality proteins and easily utilized by your body.
Sources of Complete Protein
Animal sources of protein are complete proteins, and some plant foods contain all essential amino acids. Sources of complete animal proteins include milk, yogurt, cheese, meat, poultry, fish, seafood and eggs. Soy protein is a plant-based source of high-quality, complete protein. Grains that contain all essential amino acidsand are complete proteins include quinoa and amaranth, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Sources of Incomplete Proteins
With the exception of the complete plant-based proteins previously mentioned, other plant proteins are incomplete because they provide some, but not all, essential amino acids. Incomplete proteins are found in most grains, nuts, seeds, nut butters, green peas and legumes (such as lentils, chick peas, black beans, pinto beans and navy beans).
Pairing Incomplete Proteins
You don't have to eat complete proteins to get the essential amino acids your body needs.
6. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002467.htm notes that as long as you consume all essential amino acids over the course of a day, your body can properly utilize those amino acids. However, you do have to carefully plan your diet if you're eating mainly plant-based proteins.
7. University of Massachusetts notes that generally grains, nuts or seeds can be paired with legumes -- such as black beans and lentils -- to form complete proteins. Examples of such pairings include peanut butter on whole-grain bread, or brown rice with black beans.
Daily Protein Requirements
Chances are even if you're a vegetarian you're consuming at least some complete proteins, and a variety of incomplete proteins during the course of the day. If this is the case and you're meeting your total daily protein needs, your body is likely getting all the essential amino acids it needs. The recommended dietary allowance, or RDA, for protein is 56 grams for men, 46 grams for women, and 71 grams of protein daily for pregnant and nursing women. Active adults often benefit from exceeding these minimum daily needs.
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8. https://www.verywell.com/the-best-protein-sources-to-feed-your-muscles-3498455
“How Much Protein Do You Really Need?
The average person needs about .8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight (or .37 grams per pound) according to the US Department of Agriculture. This means that a person weighing 130 pounds would require about 48 grams of protein. This, of course, is increased for weight lifters looking to build muscle to 1.5 to 2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight.
Without the necessary amount of protein, your body may start to develop a number of symptoms including fatigue during everyday activities, loss in muscle mass, compromised immune function and a greater risk of injury…”
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