janet918

I am having "warm" flashes...would not really call them hot flashes..but was wondering also if the Tamoxifen stops you from having your period....I am 44 and was still having a regular period before all this started...however, I did not have chemo....2 surgeries and 8 weeks of radiation....I just finished my first bottle of Tamoxifen and supposed to start my period...but do not have any PMS symptoms and just do not feel like I going to start...I am like you...would not hurt my feelings one bit if I never had a period again!!!

EGAL,

Sorry to hear about all your problems...can you tell me what all of that means at the bottom of your post...

Dx...does that mean diagnosed?

IDC..that is the type of cancer right...I had DCIS

Stage IIIc...that is the cancer stage level right?

6cm+ is the size of the tumor

What is Grade 3 mean?

What does 17/15 nodes mean?

What does ER-/PR- that has something to do with Estrongen and Progestorone...right?

What is HER2+ mean?

Hang in there!!! You are not alone!!

janet

Krissy....I just finished 8 weeks of rad....I also had DCIS stage O in the right breast.....the first 4 weeks was a breeze...did not really feel anything...the last 4 weeks were HELL.  I personally had lots of burning/blistering/peeling/infection....just use a lot of aloe and a cream called aquaphor....also a loose fitting cotton bra helped.....I strated becoming very tired the last 4 weeks..it was a challenge to get to work everyday, halfway do my job and then get home...the last week of treatments were the worse...I was almost to the point of tears and had to force myself to go....however, I also was very depressed during that last week and also mentally and physically exhuasted.  I was so happy for it to be over....and I was expecting to wake up the next morning (or a few days later) and feel wonderful...NOT!!!  It has been almost 3 weeks now and I am still feeling totally exhausted....kind of nauseous, and hard to focus...like my brain feels fuzzy or something...some dizziness...but I am extremely anemic...so it may be more related to that.  I have noticed that I do have periods where I feel like I starting to come out of the "fog" but then a wave of pure exhaustion hits and it is still pretty miserable.  I think the more time goes by the periods where I feel better will be longer and the bad feelings will slowly go away.  My doc said it would take MONTHS to feel better....it is very frustrating...I am a very active, high energy person and it is driving me nuts to be so tired all the time and take it easy.  My advice to you, take as much time off from work as you can...or see if you can work from home some, drink a lot of water, eat healthy and most important tell yourself that it is truly ok to take it is easy and lay around and do nothing...watch TV or read a book.  If you can take small walks and be in the sunshine for a bit.  If you are prone to depression, think about an anti-depressant during this period and definitely do not stop taking your meds during this period (like I did...big mistake).  If you are spiritual, pray a lot, and if you like to write, it helps to keep a journal or a blog. 

I will be thinking of you and would be glad to talk more if you want. 

Sending good karma your way to be strong!!!

janet

BMD...I can relate...cancer is on my mind 24/7 also...I wish I could stop worrying and obsessing about it....I just do not know how to do that right now...I am so afraid it will come back or that a really bad cancer will surface...it is just so hard to make it through the day sometimes. 

Thanks Icando this....I have totally been zapped of energy but trying to get back into my exercise routine...I know it will help...I can take a short walk..but truly it is about all I can do every day to go to work and make it home....some days are better than others but usually end up lying on the couch or watching TV or reading a book.  I really want to go back to feeling normal...I am usually a very high energy person, I just feel so damned depressed and just out of it.  I am waiting to wake up one morning and say...wow I really feel good today....yeah...not happened yet!!!!

Thanks Twirlgirl...I am also struggling with depression and finding that I really pissed off about the whole thing....I think I can control the drinking....at least I know it is an issue and recognize why I am drinking.  You and I are almost the same..I was diagnosed right after Thanksgiving and it has been hell ever since.  I feel like my entire life is on hold....I have been divorced for 18 years and then found a wonderful man and became engaged Oct 26 and then shortly thereafter started dealing with this shit.  I also feel like nobody else understands....I am SO SICK of hearing "it could have been so much worse"...well duuhhh so understand that and try to appreciate that fact but it still does not help me in coping with this crap on a daily basis.  Have you even been to a support group...I have thought I may try one where I live....not sure..guess I need to do something.  Thanks for listening. 

I wish we were all healthy and happy and at peace with our lives. I wish we knew the answers to all the "why's" and could accept our life path.  I wish I could feel "normal" again, I wish I could feel happy and hopeful.