Best Of
Re: Zometa side effects
Thank you all for this thoughtful discussion about treatment timelines and for the care you show each other in sorting out details. You're right that the sheer number of drugs and protocols can be overwhelming for both patients and doctors—and nine years on Zometa does seem quite long by current standards. Glad @intolight you get a sort of break with every 6 months.
So nice to have you all here to support each other through the confusion and complexity. The "living room" atmosphere you've created, where mix-ups are met with grace and everyone just wants a safe place to share, is exactly what makes this community so valuable 😍
Wishing you all well on your respective treatment journeys, and @marcials1, hoping the Afinitor treats you kindly.
Everyone please keep us posted here!
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
I ran to endocrinologist office this morning. Ultrasound, follow up with Dr, and blood work. All seems normal; one nodule has gotten bigger but so little it’s not necessary to biopsy. Bloodwork T4 & TSH: ranges all changed from last time but within normal ranges. I have appointments for next year, with a dexa scan included.
But the crazy part was my BP. It was 142 over 78. I’ve always had it run on the low side (105/55, 106/60, 110/70, 118/56, up to 120 max). Usually when a nurse takes my BP, the dr does it again to confirm it, because it’s on the low side. So I’m blown out of the water with 142/78. I have a wrist cuff BP machine and will start using it in the morning to see what is going on.
Oral surgeons office in late afternoon, they did a panoramic x-ray. The bone graft looks good. I can stop with salt water rinses, and knock down the prescription rinse to just before bed and then brush my teeth. Crazy part here is I requested a referral to get into my FL oral surgeons office, and asked when I should try to get an appointment. He said it takes 3-4 months from the graft to begin the implant. So looking at the calendar I think December 18 is 3 months. It’s crazy thinking about implant vs a bridge. I guess I should be thankful it’s a molar and not a front tooth. “Overwhelmed” fits how I feel. Maybe that’s my BP trigger. Hahah
I took my grandniece to a ceramic painting place tonight. She’s had a rough week and I could use some time with her. I had a card for hours of studio time and figured it would save me some money. Well the worker let me know it expired. I pointed out it didn’t have an expiration date. She said they don’t charge studio time any more, it’s based on the one price of the piece you pick. Let’s just say I spent $70 to hang with my grandniece and get some giggles. She had fun, I did too. I just didn’t realize the cost. We pick up our items on Thursday of next week.
It’s been a long day. I didn’t get to hook up the new spot light outside. I’ll get to it tomorrow. Tonights temperature is going down to 30 overnight, plants be damned. I’m headed to bed, with the electric blanket.
cindyny
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
I think the surgery went well. I am spending one night in the hospital for observation. So far the pain isn't too bad. I'm walking with a walker-less pain than before. Thanks everyone for your prayers, good thoughts and pocket duty!
chicagoan
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
We are under sail leaving San Diego to encounter 2 days of a tropical storm. Great table in dining room. Room is nice since we always have a verandah for sea days. Hope everyone had a great day. Waving hi to everyone. I will take pictures to post later.
betrayal
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Yay you! Hope it's onward and upward from here.
eleanora
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
@chicagoan - thanks for updating us so soon. I'm glad it all went well and wish you a speedy recovery.
seeq
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Real quick post-
@chicagoan - in your pocket for your surgery tomorrow. How wonderful that you didn't have to wait any longer!
@irishlove glad your MO had your back. I hope the rude nurse found one of Mara's Legos in the middle of the night.
@intolight ‐ what on Earth gets into people?! I can't even figure out how any of that makes sense..
I've had a busy couple of days. Trying to bring the house back in order. DH did a great job taking care of me(+ cooking, dishes, laundry), and the non-essentials fell to the wayside. We're leaving on a short trip on Friday, and two days after we get home, family is coming to visit, so I've been working hard and the walking boot is getting a workout. Funny thing is, both my feet seem to hurt more than my ankle. I'm blaming part of that on the AI. Anyway, floors, kitchen, and main bathroom are clean. I still need to clean the guest bath, but that may have to wait until we get back. DH schedule a day of errands tomorrow. Between that and packing, no more chores before we leave.
seeq
Re: how about drinking?
The thing that was the most fun for me about Total Wine was the classes. I went for a couple of years. They do education about wine areas with tastings. Sometime during the year they may do bourbon or scotch classes. Snacks are always included - fresh fruit, cheese & crackers, mini sandwiches, etc. While the teacher is presenting - with slides - the assistant comes around & pours tastes of the variety the teacher is discussing. Since I have bought all my alcohol from Total Wine in the last 10—15 years, my class fee is $10.00. If you're a new member the classes are $20.00. Still worth it.
minustwo
Re: Just started TC chemo, 1 of 4 for Invasive TNBC Stage 1 grade 3
Hi axle1-
Welcome to the boards! Glad you are here.
You might want to join in or lurk on a few other threads as you go through your chemo journey. One is "Starting Chemo May/June 2023" and the other is "Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?" both in the Chemotherapy forum. It is so helpful to 'chat' with others while you go through it. I just finished 4 rounds of TC in April and though it wasn't pleasant, I did get through it and you will too!
Keep drinking fluids as much as you can. Know that the 6-10 days after the infusion are the worst and then if you are on a 3 week regimen, you will have a week or so where you start to feel more 'normal' before your next infusion.
Best of luck to you and hang in there!
mandy23
Re: Just diagnosed, feeling shocked, anxious, lost
Hi baffled26,
This is my first post here and I can say I can relate to feeling baffled and anxious upon diagnosis. I received my diagnosis this summer as I was packing up my family to move so I could start a graduate program I have worked really hard to get into while raising my kids. I left my job, set-up life for my kids in our new location, got my teeth cleaned and went for my routine mammogram. I do not match any of the risk factors and I am really young for the demographics. I could not wrap my brain around the diagnosis.
I dealt with the situation my usual way, which is to research it from every angle and get several opinions. I talked to radiation oncologists, medical oncologists and surgeons. I picked practitioners of different ages and backgrounds, and I did get varied recommendations. I asked the doctors for the studies they are basing their recommendations on and found them on pubmed and proceeded to read through them. This research along with spending time in contemplation helped me settle with the situation. I am usually not one to ask for help, but these past few months, I decided to try something different and shared my diagnosis with people in my community and the outpouring of kindness and help has been heartwarming. When I feel a wave of fear arise, I take a moment to sit with it, then pray to see how this situation may bring positive things into the life of my family. Sending hugs and blessings