Life After Breast Cancer and What You Need to Know...

[@eher7675]

I also got test results back with high cholesterol Marina. 😮 We serve a mighty mighty God that will help us. He already blessed me by finding this channel when I needed it most. I really appreciate you being so transparent and humble. You are a big help to not only me but to many. And for that I am great full. I remind myself all the time that my God is bigger than my issues and that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.🙏🏼

[@MarinaBlackford]

Thank you for being here! Yes, God is all loving and knowing. I find peace in that. I take responsibility for some changes I can make too. I feel grateful for it all. ❤️

[@candacescavone7329]

I just received my dx of TNBC. I had my surgery 3 weeks ago and will be meeting with my oncologist in a few days to start my treatment plan. My mind is running 100mph with fear. I'm so glad that I have found your channel, it has answered a lot of questions for me. Thank you , God bless you and I will continue to follow you, Marina.

[@MarinaBlackford]

I am so glad you found my channel too! Your mind can spiral on this journey. I encourage you to attend a live chat. The next one is Friday, September 27 at 9 AM PT. Keep watching and keep going! Love to you!

[@jasminstewart-ebben9947]

Once you FINALLY start treatment you will feel better or at least like you have some “control”. I’m 1 year out from Chemo & Radiation but still feel 😢 at times.

[@mariacaicedo982]

I finished chemo on April 8th. I got blood work in July and my white blood count was low as well. They said it can take 6 months to a year to get them back up. but I was nervous. I hope they go up soon for you and myself

[@MarinaBlackford]

I know they will go up for us!

[@thewordsmith5440]

Have you tried turkey tail it raises white blood cells. Eat berries and some matcha tea to kill any possible stem cells.

[@christinechon]

Hi Marina. I am crying watching this video because I am going through similar emotions, waiting to hear back on my lab/ ctDNA test results and to meet with my oncologist.. Survivorship is so hard... but I am so thankful for your videos and for you sharing your journey with us. Let’s continue to fight the battle and win :) pray that we will be healthy for a long long time so we can continue to love..

[@MarinaBlackford]

Hi! Aw, Thank you for being here! I always love to hear from you. Yes, it’s not easy but worth it to be a survivor. We are needed here for some divine purpose. I pray we are healthy and live a long full life too. The good news is a feel good! I’ll focus on that and make changes.

[@BobFralic]

Thank you for being so transparent! God is always good!

[@MarinaBlackford]

Absolutely!

[@JR-kz2xn]

As you have been there for us as we go through our journey. We are here for you too, as you traverse yours Marina.

[@MarinaBlackford]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@christinawaite8352]

Marina, your videos have helped me so much through such a difficult time, and you continue to inspire me. One of the things I struggle with so much is the fear and change this has caused in my life. I hear you when you say "I just want to be normal". I am coming up on my first 6-month checkup and upcoming mammogram and I am terrified. I keep trusting in God to keep me safe. Sending you lots of positive energy to get you over this hurdle, and know we all appreciate and care about you so much!!!!!

[@MarinaBlackford]

Hi! I love seeing your comments. I appreciate you sharing! I believe there is strength in vulnerability. Just letting it out can feel better! I pray your checkup goes well! 🙏🏼❤️

[@MsDown101]

Sending love and prayers you have gotten me through some dark moments of my breast cancer journey I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your channel and just know you will always have my support ❤🙏🏽

[@MarinaBlackford]

That means so much to hear! That I could help you and that you also care about me. I really really appreciate that! 🥹

[@Lassend444]

I was told I have breast cancer 2 weeks ago. My first cancer was at the age of 6 Lymphoma in my chest. I had thyroid cancer in my late 20’s had my thyroid removed. Now I have breast cancer and I feel so angry. One minute I’m angry the next I’m crying my eyes out. I am tired but I have a 15 year old that needs me to fight so I will. Thank you for your videos.

[@Freeyourmind-y4g]

@@Lassend444 There is an army of warriors standing with you. Feel us. Lean on us.

[@MarinaBlackford]

What a journey! I’m sorry. I pray you heal fully.

[@lindalylick-digitalmarketer]

You soo got this! You're a warrior and survivor, showing your 15-year-old how to handle the curve balls that life can throw! Remember, You're not alone, there's so many people here to support you on this journey ❤ It's OK to feel all the feels, you've got a long road ahead of you... Sending healing prayers your way! 🙏🏻✨️🙏🏻 And wishing you a smooth journey thru it! You soo got this 💖

[@Freeyourmind-y4g]

I literally own an organic self-sustaining farm. My own beef, chicken, produce … still got breast cancer. My team did say my health going into it helped my surgery recovery, but there is no magic diet to absolutely prevent cancer. My WBC is low, always. So is my RBC. No one seems worried though.

[@jeanduke2245]

I'm so glad you are here! Nice to listen to someone who describes things so well. I actually just had a lab done, my glucose showed way high, but the nurse said not to worry it was a non=fasting blood test. But also I have been gaining weight back and looking for new ways of eating, like the suggestions you make. I do walk everyday and have a stationary bike too, stretches. 73 yrs old and a neighbor to you --Tucson!

[@MarinaBlackford]

Hi Neighbor! 🌵 I love Tucson, my hometown! The mornings are great for walking now that the weather is better. So glad you’re here and found me. Thank you for sharing.

[@lf7065]

So, I get my blood work done all the time too. Depending on the lab, my blood cell counts can be in range or not. If it's just a small deviation I wouldn't be too worried. So many daily things can influence the lab work. If you exercised the day before the draw, if you're dehydrated, if you're fatigued or stressed, all that can show results that are influenced by these and can be off. So, I feel you'll be just fine, Marina. Just have them retest you in a few weeks. Make sure you rest and hydrate plenty before your next set of labs. Much love! 🤗❤️

[@MarinaBlackford]

Yes! Agreed. I thought about it more and realized I had Covid a month before testing. So I think my immune system is coming back. I’ll continue eating well, resting and taking my vitamins. Thank you!

[@lf7065]

@@MarinaBlackford Great! You're so welcome. 🙂

[@lauriwest435]

Thank you, Marina!! I can relate to this so much!! I have high cholesterol, probably hereditary, that has been controlled before by statins. But the side effects were bad for me. SOOOO, I got it down with dietary changes and losing weight about 10 years ago. Then I gained weight back and it went back up. THEN I got my cancer diagnosis... lumpectomy, chemo, radiation all completed by March 2023. I had a hysterectomy 20 years prior to all this, but still have my ovaries. So, 18 months ago, I started on anastrozole (TNBC survivor)... in 4 months, I gained 20 pounds and my already elevated cholesterol went up 30 points!!!! I started eating better and got it down 15 points in 6 months, without drugs!! In April, I started tracking everything I eat and drink with a plan of losing at least 50 of the 60 extra pounds I am carrying, as well as getting my cholesterol down more. Turmeric capsules and tea, mushroom coffee, extra protein and more vegetables are helping. My joint pain from anastrozole is 90% gone too!! I was walking, until it got too hot, but I am getting back on that now, on cooler mornings... shooting for 10 miles per week at least of on purpose walking. I have lost 24 pounds so far, my XL t-shirts are now loose and I can squeeze back into size 14 jeans! My goal is a comfortable size 12 and I am 5'7". For being almost 59, post menopausal, etc. and being told "at your age, you really can't do much about it" I think I'm doing pretty well!!

[@MarinaBlackford]

Oh my gosh, I love all of this! Thank you for sharing your ups and downs. It’s so reassuring to hear what you’ve been through and tried. Proud of you! I’m inspired that we can have some control. Awareness is just step one!

[@triponerzsebet]

I am with you ! ❤

[@reginajeter9595]

Marina, you are a survivor and a warrior. I appreciate all that you bring to us on these lives as they have me me a lot and educated. I pray that all will go well and we will keep the faith. Remember, you’re not alone! from Virginia 🎀🎀🙌🏽💕

[@MarinaBlackford]

Thank you thank you! Your comment brings me such joy to hear I’m not alone too and the live chats help you. I appreciate you!

[@randiking5275]

Great video! Hope all your lab values turn out fine. Good luck training for the NYC marathon!

[@MarinaBlackford]

Thank you! Yes, at this point I’m feeling good. I’ll retest my labs soon. And I’m just trying to take it one day at a time sometimes. I appreciate you!

[@pamelacarey5743]

Hi Marina, Your video today is a God send. I've been spiraling since I read my lab report this morning. My labs came back and my number was not as low as last month, even though it is still in the normal range but I started spiraling, tears and fear took over. I called my oncologist office, they said try to relax, that I would have a scan in two weeks and that's what they will review. It's so easy for others who haven't had cancer twice to understand the anxiety and fear. I will pray that everything works out perfectly for you. I will take your advice and make changes in diet and gratitude. I've followed you for a while, you are not alone, we are all here for you.

[@MarinaBlackford]

Aw, Yes! Thank you for sharing! This is why I share. It’s a journey not a destination. We learn, pivot and continue on. We can take back control! I hope all goes well for you.

[@pamelacarey5743]

@@MarinaBlackford Thank you!

[@virginiav.4316]

Dear Marina Sorry to hear that. God will sustain you. I will keep you in my prayers. Thank you for such a Encouraging message that yiu are going to keep forward bevause Yes you have a purpose. God Blessed you I will pray for you.

[@MarinaBlackford]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@Skrunkles2]

My cholesterol skyrocketed after surgical menopause for ovarian cancer. One of the things I do in addition to diet and exercise is HRT. The combo has helped tremendously. All of these things are so complex and tricky. You got this.

[@eher7675]

@@Skrunkles2 Hello, just wondering what HRT is?

[@Skrunkles2]

@@eher7675 hormone replacement therapy

[@MarinaBlackford]

Thank you for sharing! Diet, exercise, and lots of fiber over here. I cannot do HRT since I had breast cancer and I’m at high risk. But I’m glad you shared because that could help someone else. ❤️

[@Skrunkles2]

@@MarinaBlackfordEr/pr positive ovarian and endometrial cancer here. It was a risk management discussion between my gynecologist oncologist and myself. Definitely not as black and white as once thought.

[@saralin2820]

U are awesome! Can u talk about skin discoloration after treatment, specially with no ovaries no estrogen.

[@MarinaBlackford]

Thank you! 😘 How do you mean? I have only noticed skin discoloration from radiation.

[@kellysue7554]

You could be working yourself too hard. I'm praying for you sweet Marina❤🙏

[@MarinaBlackford]

Oh so true. I’ve been working on that. Settling into mom life more and feeling so grateful for it all. Thank you ❤️

[@LeonorildaMunoz]

Thank you for sharing with us... you are strong, you are loved and this too shall pass. You got this 🙏❤️

[@MarinaBlackford]

Thank you so much! 🙏🏼❤️

[@bcarpenter2488]

You're an inspiration. Thank you for the updates and for sharing your journey. Many people going through the same thing and it's nice to hear from someone going through the same type of things and what works / doesn't work. Keep your head up. You're going to beat this crap !!!

[@MarinaBlackford]

Thank you so much! Yes, I am so grateful to be here. I am so grateful to share this journey with you all! I appreciate your comment. I am doing well. I am cancer free. And I’m saying that out loud so I can feel it too. ❤️

[@hollykovacs1343]

Sending huge hugs to you and thanking you for always being so real and honest. You have been an inspiration to me both through my cancer treatments and now, as I begin to navigate survivorship and its own set of hurdles and challenges. Keeping you in my prayers!

[@MarinaBlackford]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@cathyglover6618]

Hi Marina. I am a TNBC survivor as well. I completed chemo 9/27/23. Your videos are so inspiring and really helped me through chemo and radiation, so thank you so much! I am experiencing lots of tenderness on the same side that i had the cancer and wondered if you ever experienced that?

[@MarinaBlackford]

Hi! Thank for for being here! Yes, I’ve had tenderness on and off, mainly on a side that has had radiation but sometimes the other side. It could be related to your movement from work, exercise or sleep habits. Try to look at those and see. Follow up with your medical team if necessary.

[@cathyglover6618]

@@MarinaBlackford thank you!!!

[@deborahholland-z3x]

After my cancer treatment-I lost 70 pounds over 14 months, exercise every day (cardio and strength training with a PT), and changed to plant based diet. I just had labs drawn by PCP and was absolutely shocked to see my cholesterol high, wbc low, platelets low, calcium high (no dairy, eggs, meat, etc), MCHC low and a few other oddities. I feel great! The spiral happened. Called oncology. Had Vit b12 and D drawn. Both were deficient despite taking supplement. Was a huge 3month change in CBC. Told me a combinatin of diet change and aromatase inhibitor likely the culprit. Tumor marker normal thank the Good Lord! Labs will get redrawn in 3 months. Meanwhile I am also researching and taking action to help improve and correct. Prayers and hugs to you!!! Thank you for sharing! I could not believe the timing of your video - very helpful and calming to me. Thank you!!!

[@MarinaBlackford]

OK! Thank you for sharing! Yes, it can be frustrating when you feel like you’re doing all the things and your numbers are off. But I’m still going to take faith in the fact that I do feel good. I am going to make some changes in my diet and keep moving forward. I’m not going to let this get me down when I know I feel good. I am so happy to hear that you’ve made so many changes. We know it’s doing something!

[@REBECCAPGARZAMEV]

Hi cholesterol is not necessarily bad. I heard someone say that if we have a cholesterol of under 222 for instance 150 and that’s what they’re always telling us to shoot for, that we have better chances of getting cancer.

[@MarinaBlackford]

Better chances of getting cancer?

[@REBECCAPGARZAMEV]

@@MarinaBlackford the people who have lower cholesterol get cancer those have higher don’t get it some study that they did. I wish I could come across it again.

[@dianeleigh403]

I resisted the trend toward grass fed butter and ghee, because of the cholesterol issue. High cholesterol runs in my family and I'm on Letrozole - which is known to increase cholesterol levels in some people. It definitely has for me. I can't do anything about the medication, but I've done my best to avoid processed meats, excess sugar, saturated fats & drastically limited use of butter. It's not a problem for some people, but at this point in my life I'm just not one of those that can consume much butter or eggs and my cholesterol remain in check.

[@MarinaBlackford]

Yes! Thanks for sharing! I’m paying attention to my body and what works for me. It’s so important for all of us.

[@dianeleigh403]

@@MarinaBlackford Thank you so much for putting the message out there that what works for one doesn't apply to everyone. It's so true. One thing isn't necessarily good or bad for everyone. Because my triglycerides and HDL are so good, I thankfully don't need to take meds for the cholesterol at this time. My doc just advised me to try to adjust my diet a bit more and that will hopefully help with the LDL. I've switched to egg whites for most things, but I will still have an egg on occasion. I hope your WBC count goes back up soon. Perhaps it's just some minor infection that you weren't even aware of that's lowered your WBC. Keep thinking positively and live your life to the fullest. You are an inspiration!

[@oratiateacherdonaghy5903]

My family lived on home grown veg and dairy and are living long fuliled lives. I was vegan for 14 years before having my children and had a good diet and lots of exercise. I got breast cancer. It is highly possible that my grandmother died of it but I don't know that history . But I do know that having a good balance between exercise and a heathly normal diet with using limited process foods has kept my familt cancer free sorry but I advocate clean living with limited gluten and home processed foods. I advocate that we all listen to our bodies and do what we know is best for us and it will be different for us all as we have different genetic backgrounds

[@MarinaBlackford]

Hi! Thank you for sharing! Absolutely, it is different for all of us. I think looking at our diet is so important for our health. Genetics can be a factor too but for most of us it’s our health choices. I appreciate your comment!

[@prashastipriya5998]

Hi Marina,love from India. I recently got diagnosed with tripple negative breast cancer.my age is 30 and I am a mom of 1 year old baby girl.I don't know how this journey will go. My 2 chemo is done.. I am really scared. Can you please let me know if surgery was painful? My Dr is suggesting mastectomy.

[@MarinaBlackford]

Hi! Mastectomy is a big surgery. You will be sore for a couple weeks and need time to heal. About a month of taking it easy. Have help during that time. Physical therapy can help after surgery.

[@karenchapman2402]

Tnbc/ colon cancer ,. I have cut out all process meats, & red meat, actually eating much of nothing & has gained 10 pounds. All counts good. Help.....😂

[@MarinaBlackford]

Are you in treatment? Because you’ll likely gain weight during treatment due to the medications like a steroid. I think cutting out processed meat is a great thing. AIM for high quality or whole foods aka minimally processed.

[@shabmir1230]

but they say egg is good for cholesterol levels

[@MarinaBlackford]

Yes, I have heard this. But I can attest to having eggs a couple days a week and my cholesterol is not great. So I am doing more organic oats and egg whites these days. I think it’s different for everyone.

[@Genevievegevangelista]

Why is your cholesterol high when you clearly watch what you eat? What can you do better?

[@MarinaBlackford]

I have changes I can make. Less eggs and more oatmeal is a good option. More fiber is what my doctor says so I’ll start there.

[@deborahlanyi5535]

Marina this is looking quite a distance ago, but I want to ask if you had radiation as part of your first career treatment. (Not sure if you see comments from 'long ago ). I am s bit nervous to behin. I also have tnbc, have had chemo and surgery. Just wondering your thoughts. Thanks 🩷

[@MarinaBlackford]

Hi! I did not do radiation on my first cancer journey. I had a double mastectomy and chemo and it was not recommended at that time. I did radiation the second journey due to recurrence and wanting to reduce risk for that.

[@lindalylick-digitalmarketer]

Marina, you're such an inspiration! Thank you for sharing your journey and for the transparency. 🫶 I found a lump in May and TNBC confirmed in early July. I'm now 6 weeks into aggressive weekly treatment, and can soo totally relate to your anxiety! My WBC count went down to 0.9 just 3 weeks in, resulting in a missed chemo treatment. Daily injections for 7 days put me back on track thankfully! The struggle is real, however, I too think mindset plays a huge part in this journey. It's a long road ahead for both of us, and my heart goes out to you that you're going thru this a 3rd time. 😢 Sending healing, positive energy your way, and keep up the good fight, you soo got this! ❤ PS, goona start juicing carrots now!!! 🙏🏻

[@MarinaBlackford]

Hi! Thank you for being here! Yes, I’ve been there on my chemo journey. Having my numbers drop so low we had to pause and do injections. At first, I would get frustrated then I realized it was nice to have the break and my body needed a boost. I hope you continue to get through your treatment well. Yes, juicing carrots is super beneficial. It’s pretty easy to do and you can use the fiber and make some flaxseed carrot muffins. Much love to you!