Breast Cancer

Chemotherapy and Himalayan pink salt     To prevent mouth sores, I gargled with a Himalayan pink salt and baking soda solution twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed. I can tell you I missed a dose once, and I had a terrible day afterward. I woke up in pain, couldn't breathe, and my chest was hurting. I was in so much pain that I was afraid to move and found it painful to breathe. Then I remembered that I hadn't used my solution the day before; I had used it about three times that day, and by evening, I started to feel better. Yes, rinsing or gargling with a baking soda and salt solution is a common and recommended practice during chemotherapy. Why is this helpful during chemotherapy? Chemotherapy can cause side effects such as mouth sores (oral mucositis). This can be painful and increase the risk of infection. Regular rinsing with a salt and baking soda solution can help keep your mouth clean, which in turn helps prevent infections. Soothe and protect the ...

Grapes and Chemotherapy    I ate grapes during the infusions and made sure to drink plenty of water. Believe me, I missed it once, and there was a big difference in how I felt the next day. I had cramps and constipation, and I made sure I don’t forget ever again to have a grape with me at my infusions.     Benefits of Grapes During Chemo Infusion: Hydration: Grapes, like other fruits with high water content, help keep you hydrated, which is essential during chemotherapy to help flush out toxins and replenish fluids lost due to side effects like diarrhea or vomiting. Nutrients and Antioxidants: Grapes, especially red and purple varieties, contain helpful phytonutrients and antioxidants like resveratrol, which may offer health benefits. Snack Option: Grapes can be a refreshing and easy-to-eat snack during chemo infusion, especially if you prefer cold or room-temperature foods.

Chemotherapy:  W hat to Eat and What to Avoid, Managing Side Effects.     Regime I followed daily during my 12 weeks on chemo.          Certain foods and eating habits can help alleviate common side effects of chemotherapy, including nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, mouth sores, and loss of appetite. Chemotherapy can cause fatigue, and consuming a balanced diet with adequate calories and protein can help maintain energy levels.  Supporting the Immune System: Cancer and its treatment can weaken the immune system, and a nutritious diet helps support it, potentially reducing the risk of infection.  Maintaining Strength and Weight: Some individuals experience weight and muscle loss during chemotherapy. A healthy diet can help maintain weight and preserve muscle tone.  Improving Overall Well-being: Eating well can enhance overall well-being, both physically and emotionally, during chemotherapy.  Regime I foll...

  Diagnosis of Breast Cancer - Identifying the appropriate specialist and care team is one of the most important tasks to address while you are still processing the information that you have been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. October 11, 2025 - 8 am. I was on my way to Atlantic City with my dear friend and client, Ashley S. (I was going to judge the MR America Bodybuilding show in AC), when I received the phone call with the news that my biopsy results came back positive for  Breast cancer -ductal carcinoma HER2-positive, grade 3, stage 1.                               .  The words cannot describe how I felt in that moment - or my thought process - hmmm everything stopped … everything was still for a second or two – then fear– not me – what now – what are my options – I knew Invesive ductul carcinoma HER2+ grade 3 stage 1s a very aggr...