Helenhsm

Thank you Anne. I am trying to take it easy, I have meals coming all week. I really think I'll be fine in a week, but we'll see.

Hi all,

Virginia, my dad has Alzheimers so I know a bit of what you are going through. My dad's wife is also ill, but they are making it through together. None of my sisters lives near my dad. When my dad's wife was in the hospital last year, my sisters and I all freaked out because my dad cannot be left alone. We want them to have people come in to help, but they mostly refuse, so it is frustrating to us. I hope you and your family can come up with something that will work well for your dad. These situations are very sad, so it is normal to be down about it.

Cynthia, I'll have to have my family be on the lookout for the girl scout cookies. I've been having cravings for cookies, too. I also got on the chocolate car and bought myself some See's candy. Just one or two pieces a day. Yum. You are a good daughter to your mom. I remember what it was like having small kids and feeling a bit 'trapped at home.' My kids are all in the double digits now, so I can leave them alone. Maybe you can get a neighbor or friend to come over to sit with your kids while you visit your mom in the hospital. I doubt your mom will be in there long. When I was considering a hysterectomy my Gyn said it is a one night stay. I'm having an Oopherectomy - just ovaries - out and it is outpatient.

Rosie, welcome back - wow you read every post - whew! I've read a lot of them myself and it sure does help to see other women experiencing some of the same SE's etc. Nice to know we're not alone. I had some mood swings for awhile which were not pleasant. Now I'm having knee and hand stiffness. Whatever. It seems the SE's come and go for me. I've been on Tamox for about 6 weeks now.

I tested BRCA+ and so am having my ovaries removed this Friday. Not too excited about another surgery, but ready to put all this behind me, if possible. I have a lot of support and have meals set up. Anyone else here had this surgery?

Julie, thanks for your input - do you still have menopausal symptoms? Did you take anything for the hot flashes?

Thanks for you input Rocktober, Annie and Angelaw. I have my preop appointment Tuesday and I'll let you know what my dr. says. Angelaw, let us know how your surgery goes as well.  

Hi Cynthia and Lynn, thanks for welcoming me. Ahh Cynthia you are in the bay area as well. Cool. I'll be looking for those gs cookies. About the Melatonin - I've tired it once before and it didn't work, but the brand I'm using and the way it's taken (dissolved under the tongue) seems to help me. I'm using LifeExtension brand. I take 3mg, but my Chronic Fatigue dr. says I can safely take up to 16mg. This brand is more expensive, unfortunately - but if it works, it's worth it.

Lynn, where are you living in Japan? I have friends who live there she's American her dh is Japanese. It must be SUCH a pain to handle you health and insurance issues from overseas. I am totally hearing you about the insurance hassles. I've been on the phone so many times with my insurance co. - it takes loads of patience. Every once in awhile I'll talk to someone who "gets" what I am talking about! Whew!!  Sorry about your weight thing - I can see how that would be depressing. I don't ever weight myself though I go to enough dr. appts to know my weight. I was at my all time highest weight I think a couple years ago and have been slowly losing it, thankfully. 

Happy Valentines Day and I hope each of you are feeling love from people around you, whether you have a sweetheart or not!! 

Wow this is an amazing thread. I've been lurking here for a few weeks now. Great to see how different ppl are responding to Tamox. I've been on it for about 5 weeks now.  Was glad to read about the chill and then the hot flash. That just happened to me couple weeks ago. And the mood swings and feeling witchy for no reason - ugh. I tried switching from Wellbuetrin to Effexor - coz my gyn said they help w/hot flashes. Well on the Effexor my mood seemed to even out, but it failed me in the bedroom - so out it goes. I don't need sexual dysfunction. Maybe I should switch to a diff antidep coz the Wellbuetrin doesn't seem to help my mood as much. I'm hoping this is a SE that will wear off.

The hot flashes wake me up at night periodically. Melatonin seems to help me stay asleep. I have CFS (Chronic Fatigue) so I've been on sleep drugs (Amitrytaline) and antideps for 5 years now.

I am about to complicate matters by having my ovaries out on 2/22. We'll see what rollercoasters are next. I tested BRCA + last month.

You people w/out SE's be happy - I'm sure it's working - you're just lucky to not have SE's. I DO hope the SE's diminish as I'm told they can. 

I don't drink Martini's and what is a chocolate martini? I DO love girl scout cookies but can't eat them as I'm on a gluten free diet. My dd used to sell them and I always stock up for my family. But I haven't seen any this year! Hopefully I'll see them selling outside the grocery store as they sometimes do. Good thing there are some great gluten free cookies out there and I CAN eat candy so THAT works!

Thanks everyone for sharing your experience. If there is anyone whose had their ovaries out, let me know. 

Carlonia, thanks for your input. Good news to think that I will be switched to AI after surgery. To clarify my Gyne wasn't recommending Hyster w/out removing the ovaries - just said my Onc might suggest I have a full Hyster incl ovaries, due to taking Tamox and the risk of uterine cancer. I will ask the Onc for a surgery recommendation, so I can have the choice of my Gyne or the surgeon.

Terri, thanks for sharing your story. I'm glad to hear you didn't have major nasty SE's from having surgery. I've heard a decrease in libido can happen w/ hyster/ooph.  

Lori and Julie sending up a prayer for a safe surgery. Let me know how it goes. I will probably be scheduling mine in the next couple of weeks. 

 Misty, when is your surgery?

Lori, sorry don't know what to do about the red face. My hot flashes are only at night. Sometimes the distrub my sleep - which is the only thing that bothers me. 

Hi, anyone started Tamox this month? I started Jan 7th. I am having more hot flashes and it is disturbing my sleep. I've taken herbs in the past and they've helped. I started taking Phyto-Estrogen which has Soy, Dong Qui and Black Kohosh. I don't know if it is OK for me to take this. Will ask my Onc. on Tuesday.

I just found out that I am BRCA + and am looking into having the ovaries removed. My Gyne said the anti-dep Efexor can help with Hot Flashes, anyone have experience with that? I will probably try it.

The other SE I seem to be experiencing is irritability. Is that an actual SE? Or am I just being a pms $%*& for no good reason? 

Awww! Been there. It passes quickly. Hang in there!

Hi Joanne, nice to hear from you. Wow what great news to hear 'see you in a year!' Yay! Now, don't be talking about a chopping block ((Joanne)).

I didn't freak, but my mind started thinking, woah, what if I had to do all this again, that would really suck. lol I sure love those words 'everything looks good' I appreciate them now more than ever. Whew.

Hmm a Male breast cancer co-chair? I don't think so! What is the deal with that? Ask him if he would open up about prostate cancer with a group of women? That is really strange. Maybe tell the other leader that you are uncomfortable with a man there? I don't think it's sexist. Some topics are not suitable to mixed company.

I am going to my regular Gyn. - was supposed to go tomorrow, but they called and cancelled the appointment due to whatever the holiday is Monday. I don't pay attention to those, but whatever. I have to resched. now. I will talk to my Onc. a week from Tuesday. I'm sure he'll have recommendations for me. He was the one pushing for me to have the genetic testing. So I'll let you know what he says and hopefully I'll be able to get in to see the Gyne soon. Thanks for asking. It really helps to talk to you gals, I SO appreciate your support and understanding.

I'd love to see a picture of you Joanne and Layne if you have one. I can send you a PM w/my email address. We could also keep talking via email as anyone the WWW can read our posts here. 

((Hugs)) 

Hi, I didn't feel extra fatigue until a week or two after I was done. I think it is different for everyone, but I wonder if there is anyone who had no fatigue at all? Not from what I've heard with the people I went through Rads with on the October thread.

Stay positive and be good to yourself.