DATO

I asked my onc about getting my vitamin D level checked and she added it to my standing order for blood work.  My vitamin D level was 50 (normal 30 - 100). I take a 1,000 mg vit D3 and I get more D in my calcium and multivitamin, so I'm getting about 1,800 mg a day.  Some docs stay up on this stuff more than others.  I was talking to my girlfriend about vitamin D levels and BC. She just had a checkup and her doc ordered a vit D test.  She said she would have wondered why if we hadn't talked about the relationship of low D levels and BC. 

Darlene

I had a hysterectomy& oophrectomy and prophylactic left mastectomy at the same time in June 2007.  I was ER+/PR+ and my mom died from ovarian cancer.  Both my gynocologist & oncologist thought it was a good idea.  I had a mini laperotomy.  It was 1 incision about 1.5 inched long just above my pubic bone.  I healed quickly initially (I took 3 weeks off work), but developed a seroma that took 4 months to heal.  It didn't bother me; I still worked full time, I just had to go everyday to the clinic and have the nurses repack it. I was premenopausal when I was diagnosed, went into chemopause, was on tamoxifen, had the hysterectomy and went off tamoxifen and on Arimidex. I had no bad side effects from the surgery, I have some joint/bone/muscle pain now after being on Arimidex for over a year.  Best of luck to you.

Darlene

I've taken the test.  I'm trying to improve all aspects of my health by eating right, exercising, flossing my teeth etc.  The results of the test put me 6 years older than my actual age primarily because of my diagnosis of breast cancer and the fact that my mother had ovarian cancer.  I still get their emails because they do have good nutrition hints and good recipes.  I ignore their determination of my "real age" because they don't know all of the things that I have done (prophylactic contralateral mastectomy, years of birth control pills and hysterectomy) and continue to do to prevent the breast cancer from recurring and prevent ever getting ovarian cancer.  I may try taking it again and answering "no" to the questions about breast and ovarian cancer and then see what age they determine is my "real age".

Darlene

I am in the clinical trial testing Zometa and 2 oral forms of biphosphonates.  I am in the Zometa arm of the trial.  I have been in it since 2006 and I started while I was still in chemo (TAC).  I have had no bad side effects from the Zometa.  I was premenopausal when I was diagnosed.  I went into chemopause, then had a hysterectomy in 2007.  I had a year of tamoxifen, then after the hysterectomy I was put on Arimidex, which I've been on now for a little over a year.  I do have some joint pain from the Arimidex, but my bone density scan showed my bones to be in good shape.  My onc is excited about the prospects of this study and I'm glad to be in it. My insurance is Kaiser and the clinical trial is completely covered. 

Darlene

I am in the clinical trial that is comparing Zometa with two oral forms of biphosphonates as a treatment to help prevent bone mets.  I'm about half way through and I get Zometa once every 3 months.  I have had no side effectes from the Zometa.  My oncologist is excited about the potential of Zometa as preventative. I've been on Arimidex for a little over a year and my bone density scan a couple of months ago showed very good bone density (but I exercise a lot too).  As someone who was stage 3A, if I wasn't in this trial I would want to get the Zometa as a preventative. 

Darlene

I've been on Arimidex for just over a year now.  I have been able to lose weight by joining Weight Watchers cutting out soda (even diet soda) and going to the gym 3 to 4 days a week.  I have some joint pain, but exercise seems to make it better.  I also take quite a few supplements.  Overall, I'm in better physical shape now than I have been in years.  I second SoCaLisa, don't be scared.

I also hate the new packaging and I also called AZ to complain.  I think many of us spoke to that same "very nice lady".  She did make it sound like they were taking our complaints seriously.  However, if my next prescription refill is in the same packaging I will contact the FDA.

Hi Sarah,

My first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage at 8 weeks.  I took the tissue that I passed into the ER when I went in.  The doctor said that it was probably an "old" egg or sperm that just didn't survive and it took by body a while to get the message and expel the tissue.  I only have my experience to go by, but 4 weeks may be a bit early for a miscarriage if there are gross abnormalities.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene

Hi Jen,

I always considered this to be a 3 part process. Part one was dealing with the breast cancer. I was stage IIIa with 6 nodes positive.  I had a right mastectomy followed by chemo (TAC) then radiation.  Part two was doing everything I could to prevent a recurrence.  So the next year I had a prophlyatic left mastectomy and a hysterectomy.  Part three is the reconstruction.  Because of my workload at work, the surgery (DIEP) will be next February.  In the mean time I am "in training" for my reconstruction.  I'm working with a personal trainer at my gym to get in the best shape I can before my surgery.  By the time of my reconstruction I will be almost 3 years out from my diagnosis and a little over 2 years out from the completion of treatment. 

This was the right decision for me.  At each step I did my research and was able to accept and deal with just that step.

Best of luck to you,

Darlene

I am part of a clinical trial and I get Zometa once every 3 months.  I have not had any side effects at all from the Zometa.  I get my infusion in the morning and go to work afterwards.  Best of luck to you.

Darlene