If all goes according to plan, I will be having my last chemo when this post goes up. I am thrilled beyond belief and hope for a quick recovery.
Part of my post-chemo sickness is a distaste for coffee. Until I had chemo, I had not missed a day of drinking of coffee for 20 years. I distinctly remember the last time I did without, because it was marked by a severe migraine that drove me back to the stuff after 2 days.
I've wondered, through the years, if I should make a effort to give coffee up. I don't like being dependent on anything and I need that coffee fix every single day.
On the other hand, I have created a coffee drinking culture in my family. I won't take responsibility for Bob, he taught himself, but my kids associate the smell of certain coffees with my kitchen. My kids and I all take our coffee the same (give or take a little sugar) and will even drink from each others cups. We do coffee together.
But then again, I have this last oppportunity. I can choose to just not start drinking coffee again when the chemo sickness passes. I'm considering it, but I can't decide.
What do you think? Should I give up coffee?
20 responses to this post:
Hmmm...that's a toughie! For me, coffee isn't just a drink, it's an experience...a time to slow down and just enjoy life for a few minutes...a blessed reprieve and a very welcome part of my routine!
Good luck with your decision! :)
Why? Is it really that bad to have one vice? And I don´t even consider it to be harmful. I love that you and your kids have that connection.
But then again, if you feel you can´t do without, I guess it is something to consider. Maybe you could just try cutting down.
Aren't there studies that are just coming about correlating caffeine with reducing risk of alzheimers?
I'm so thrilled for you and your last chemo. Pray that all will go well and that you will indeed have a speedy recovery.
Coffee drinking is an experience! I think doing anything to an excess is probably not a good thing, but if you limit it to a couple of cups a day, I say go for it!
I love the taste, the feel of the cup in my hand (warming cold hands on a cold day), everything.
Go for it, Brenda...in moderation!
Hurray for the last chemo treatment!
And give up coffee - no! Why should you? If you feel you are drinking too much, then cut down. I only drink two cups a day these days...
I use to drink coffee daily. And then and I don't know what happened and I just quit doing it. I don't miss it either. I guess the choice is up to you really.
Congrats on this being your last chemo treatment. I so happy for you.. :)
Aloha
Other than the current dislike you have, is there another reason why you would want to give it up? My husband gave up coffee over twenty years ago, but that was because he had stomach issues. There have been no more problems since the day he stopped, so yeas, I can relate to that. But the way I understand this post, you are a real coffee lover, and drinking coffee is a family ritual. I think once the chemo is over the craving for coffee will return. If it does not damage your stomach or your health, why would you deprive yourself of it? I would not, I'm a coffee lover myself. I don't think it's the same as smoking. I quit years ago, but that was because I knew it was bad for me and I did no longer want to be dependent on that nicotine shot every couple of hours. But that's different I think? NO? Why would you give it up?
Yaay for that last chemo, big big hug, I'm so happy for you!
I love all the coffee advocates on here!!!
Don't give it up.
I enjoy coffee too much to let it go. I enjoy drinking it and sharing with others. Good coffee is like good wine - everything in moderation and to be enjoyed.
(If anything should be trashed - its fizzy sugary chemical loaded soft drinks)
Congratulations on your last chemo!!! There's a big blessing! As for coffee, while trying to decide, why not drink some really good hot chocolate and see how that goes??!! :) Good luck with whatever you decide!
I don't like being addicted to anything, so if you feel like you can't do without coffee, maybe you should.
But then again, I've never even tasted it!
Well, I'll just join in just b/c this is so interesting! I have never, ever liked coffee or anything at all (candy, ice cream, anything) w/ coffee in the flavor. Isn't it easy to say "give it up" when it's not my passion! Now if we start taking on sweets, I'd have to go to the mat for that! Bless you my friend, sooooo glad the chemo has ended---love you, Lisa (writing from her posh surroundings outside Flagstaff---oh my, you should see this place!)
No way!!!!. Coffee is a blessing, you get up in the morning and that smells of coffee in the kitchen is just like a breeze. Especially Starbucks coffee!!!.....And I love it that you drink it with your kids, is a good conversation time, over coffee. Love it ...love it...
Brenda, do what I do and go decaf: I can't do caffeine but the coffee ritual is almost sacred for me :)) Don't get back into the caffeine hook now, it's horrible....
Wow! That's a tough one! Yes, there is decaf but then it's a chance to make a huge break.
Good luck with that! And, hurray for the last treatment. Prayers for a total recovery.
I can not imagine giving up coffee. I did give up diet coke after being very ill though. If you want to give something up, naseua helps. :-)
Hurray for the last chemo treatment! You are a survivor!
I am not a coffee drinker but I strongly believe we are all entitled to one addition. Of course, I possess no such addictions if we don't count chocolate, Diet Coke, a good book to lose myself within the pages, blogging...
Nope. Feeling pretty darn addiction free.
OK. I hate to put a damper on the coffee lovers advice. But as a former coffee lover (decaf to boot), I had to quit because coffee is a no no if you are fighting cancer or avoiding it.
According to many books on fighting cancer, along with other popular foods (Oh please don't say chocolate!) like chocolate (There I said it) coffee should be avoided.
Soooooo. If you've broken the habit... I recommend that you switch to healthy teas.
I went through a similar thing post-pregnancy. I was having weird symptoms like my heart racing, and didn't have a taste for it--so like you, I thought it was a good time to give up caffeine, including my 1-2 cups of coffee per day. I, too, love the comraderie of it and the ritual...I compromised and have tea every morning (decaf green), decaf coffee on weekends and the good stuff as a treat at my folks' cuz my dad makes the best! I feel way better, but not deprived. Good luck with whatever you decide!
My mom gave up coffee for months and her dr put her back on it because it was hurting her physically (not withdrawal at that point, just fatigue and a few other things I can't think of off the top of my head).
IMO there are much worse things and coffee is such a pleasure I'm not willing to give up.
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