How to Give Yourself a Fighting Chance at Beating Cancer
- "Real Housewives of Miami" star Guerdy Abraira, 45, emphasizes the importance of rest during her breast cancer battle.
- The reality TV star was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2023.
- It’s true that rest plays an important roll during a cancer battle, as treatment like chemotherapy can certainly take a toll on your body.
- Fatigue typically lasts from seven to 10 days after treatment, and getting adequate sleep will support your body both during chemotherapy and beyond as you recover.
- Meanwhile, it may seem counterintuitive to exercise when you already feel tired, but physical activity can help minimize fatigue, says Dr. Zachary Reese, a medical oncologist at Intermountain Healthcare in St. George, Utah.
"Real Housewives of Miami" star Guerdy Abraira, 45, only recently began her breast cancer journey, and she's already figuring out how to keep up her energy for the fight: for her, it comes down to adequate rest.
SurvivorNet also has several practical suggestions you can explore to find strength and cope during your cancer journey.
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"Resting is a Must…to recharge and become a Better, Faster, Stronger of oneself. #GUERDYFIGHT #guerdians #rhom #breastcancerfighter #breastcancerawareness," Abraira wrote.
Abraira is known for being "outspoken and energetic" on the popular reality TV show, according to Bravo TV. She's had a successful career as an event planner, and her family life includes her husband Russell, and their two sons.
"I am lucky that this breast cancer was discovered at an early stage it is still scary of course, but I have love and support from those around me and that alone is the fuel that I need," she previously wrote in an Instagram post.
After having surgery, Abraira wrote that “the fight is not over,” and she thanked fans for their loving support.
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Eat, Sleep, and Exercise During Cancer Treatment
If you find yourself diagnosed with cancer, like Guerdy Abraira did, you may be wondering what you can do to give yourself the best chance at beating the disease.
While we don’t know what other treatment Abraira had aside from surgery, proper rest is certainly important for people fighting cancer, as treatment can take a toll on the body.
"What I typically tell patients is that [chemotherapy] is a bit of a roller coaster ride," Dr. Zachary Reese, a medical oncologist at Intermountain Healthcare in St. George, Utah, previously told SurvivorNet.
"You're going to feel tired about a week into treatment, and that's when you'll hit bottom. And then you'll start to come back up again just in time to do it all over," Dr. Reese continued.
Although everyone's experience is different, fatigue typically lasts from seven to 10 days after treatment (taking into account how many chemotherapy cycles you have completed). But getting enough quality sleep at night will support your body both during chemotherapy and beyond as you recover.
Exercising is another aspect of your life that can help you endure bouts of fatigue.
"Exercise is important. I'm not saying run a marathon, but certainly, walk and be as active as you can," Dr. Sagar Lonial, chief medical officer at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, previously told SurvivorNet.
It may seem counterintuitive to exercise as a means to stop feeling tired, but maintaining an active lifestyle will help you deal with fatigue and help you get through the remainder of your treatment.
"[Physical activity] won't eliminate fatigue, but it's going to minimize it so that you will be able to get through the required number of treatments and come out the other end feeling better and stronger," says Dr. Reese.
Talk with your doctor to understand what activity will make sense for you during treatment,
Dr. Reese also encourages a diet full of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to help support your body during chemotherapy.
Additionally, New York-based psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik points to the feelings of stress or anxiety that people may feel about their treatment or scans, which can add to any tiredness they may already be feeling.
But it’s important to know there are ways to manage this.
"They might have trouble sleeping, they might feel extremely, stressed, and there are a number of ways to handle it. It's often quite helpful to take a benzodiazepine. For example, something like Ativan or Xanax or Klonopin," Dr. Pluchik tells SurvivorNet.
Benzodiazepine is a drug that can help relieve anxiety and trouble sleeping, according to the National Cancer Institute.
WATCH: How to fight chemotherapy fatigue and other side effects during treatment?
Expert Breast Cancer Resources
Staying Healthy Into Survivorship
Guerdy Abraira is clearly determined to overcome breast cancer. And like so many survivors know, the journey continues even after treatment ends.
"Once a patient has finished his or her active therapy for breast cancer, we will often refer to that time as breast cancer survivorship," says Dr. Erica Mayer, a breast cancer medical oncologist at Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
"This is a time when patients are still being actively monitored by their treatment team, not only to ensure that they remain healthy and cancer-free in the years ahead, but also to make sure that they have recovered from any side effects of their initial treatment, and that they are pursuing healthy behaviors for example, getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, and keeping up with all their other routine medical care," Dr. Mayer explained.
SurvivorNet has some helpful tips to keep your health in top form as you move into survivorship:
- Follow Treatment Guidelines. This may include taking oral medication for a set period of years, and this is a critical step to keeping the cancer at bay.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight. Obesity can increase your cancer risk so maintaining a healthy body weight is important. Talk to your doctor to learn what an ideal body weight is for you and get some help reaching your fitness goals.
Dr. Elizabeth Comen, a medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and medical advisor to SurvivorNet, says, "There's evolving data to suggest that [healthy body weight] decreases significantly the risk of breast cancer." - Eat a Healthy Diet. As we previously noted, a well-balanced diet is important to help reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and maintain a healthy body weight.
"We know that diets that are heavy in sugar content are also usually unhealthy and can lead to weight issues. So it all really funnels back to maintaining a healthy body weight when it comes to lifestyle factors," Dr. Elisa Port, a surgical oncologist at Mount Sinai explained to SurvivorNet. - Exercise. Exercising helps condition your body to offset fatigue and it also helps maintain good body weight.
- Limit Alcohol. Heavy alcohol intake increases your cancer risk. "We say alcohol in moderation is probably fine, which is defined as three to five drinks a week. More than that can also potentially increase the risk of recurrence," Dr. Port said.
What To Ask Your Doctor
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may have questions about how to keep your strength through treatment. Here are a few questions to help you begin the conversation with your doctor:
- What treatment will I be receiving?
- What side effects are associated with this treatment?
- Are there steps I can take in my daily life to help minimize these side effects?
- What physical activity routine do you recommend for me during treatment?
- Do you have recommendations for someone who doesn't particularly enjoy exercise?
- Can you recommend a dietician who can help me with healthy eating tips and maintaining a healthy weight?
- I’ve been having trouble sleeping, do you have any recommendations for treatment?
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