Best Of
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
@tanya_djamila Now both cats are hanging out in the bathroom, washing machine noise not a bother for either of them. One is either on the toilet, in the window or on washers hence why I cannot leave lids open for airing out. Oh well, I let them have the peace and quiet and supervision. It is now known as Tigger and Ava's laundry, they offer good rates, just their own clean bathroom and food given time to time.
Re: Experiences with Fosamax
Hi @rnjen, I have cycled on and off Fosamax as I have gone back and forth between osteoporosis and osteopenia. My endocrinologist prefers it because it is quicker to clear from the system than injectables/infusions if necessary. I have bad teeth so that’s a concern in my case. In general it’s a good idea to get any necessary dental work done before starting a bisphosphonate.
It can be hard on your stomach but I have managed fine with silent GERD, Barrett’s esophagus and a history of upper GI bleeding. I wait two rather than the recommended one hour before eating in the morning on the weekly pill day and drink plenty of water. I am also on a PPI for life. My endo does urinary NTx tests to make sure it is working effectively.
Keep up the healthy diet and exercise since it does help. Right now I’m in the third year of a Fosamax “holiday” but given the results of my last DEXA I’ll probably be back on it next February. It’s just anecdotal but I am from a family with a history of osteoporosis and the only one of 5 sibs who hasn’t had multiple fractures. The others all went with the more expensive modern drugs.
I hope you do well with this med.
maggie15
Experiences with Fosamax
Hello I recently had a Dexa scan because my oncologist wants to change my Tamoxifen to Anastrozole after my hysterectomy . I am 46 years old. Come to find out I have osteoporosis in my spine my T-score was -2.8. Also Osteopenia in my pelvic/hip area. I am in really good health and eat very healthy, take calcium and Vitamin D daily, do weight-bearing exercises 3-4 times a week. My oncologist prescribed Fosamax. I am anxious about starting this medication due to the side effects that are possible. I would love to hear about some of your experiences with Fosamax good or bad. Thank you!
rnjen
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
boopsie, welcome to the group no one wants to be a part of. I don’t know enough about birads to really help you. In my head I don’t think between now and 10/14 it will jump to stage 1 or 2 - but you haven’t had a biopsy yet, nor seen a surgeon or Medical Oncologist. Deep inhale & exhale, I know it is STRESSFUL. Once they have results of the biopsy, if necessary you’ll be directed to both a surgeon and an MO. They’ll help you make informed decisions on what’s necessary and in your best interests. We’re here to support you, this is a good group of ladies.
It’s 84 out! I started pruning dead wood out of my rose bushes. I tried staying in the shade because boy it’s hot. I’m waiting to prune them down sharply until later, they have a lot of blooms still on them. By Thursday 56 will be the high, so I felt I had to go out and do something today.
I also put away some garden decorations but left some too. I’m weird - I don’t want to put them away too soon because I like looking out at them - solar color ones especially; but I don’t want them frozen in the ground, which I admit has happened before.
We have the big 12x12 outdoor carpet to get into our garbage bin tonight. Trash pick up is tomorrow. It’s so dirty, it lays on the lawn - which it kills, the bottom will be filthy. And getting it up and into the bin - we will be filthy too! May the force be with me.
cindyny
Re: Well here I am again…
Sending positive vibes! I had a second diagnosis (opposite breast) at the beginning of this year, after 13 years. Being in treatment again is certainly not fun, but you already know what you're made of 💪 Keep us posted, please!
kks_11
Getting needle biopsy on Oct 7 2025 in Phoenix/Mesa AZ, would like oncology and surgeon recommen...
My maternal grandmother survived breast cancer back in the 1970s. (She died at 106 yrs about 15 yrs ago) . My sister is a breast cancer survivor (over 10 years now). It didn't happen to my mom. My father's half sister never got it.
Mammogram found two somethings suspicious in my left breast, follow up ultrasound confirmed it. My ultrasound guided core breast biopsy is on October 7 (2025).
I'm trying to be proactive. I would love for this to be benign but I'd like to be prepared if it isn't. Can y'all recommend an oncologist and a surgeon for breast reconstruction?
I am 63 years old. I have very large breasts (40 J). I have dense breast tissue, and last year's mammogram came out clean. I had a clean breast MRI in 2018, so I think they have a good baseline to work with. I am a full time employee. Cigna is my health insurance. I have high deductible plan and an HSA, so I don't have to worry about the hassle of an HMO.
I suppose I'll miss them if they have to go, but my sense of identity isn't based on my breasts and if these b****** are trying to kill me I want them gone.
Re: Are you currently (or have you been) in a Clinical Trial?
Thanks so much CBL I'm glad to hear Talzenna has been treating you well. My homework for this week is to get the trial team at UCLA to speed things up a bit. I may look into City of Hope as well.
mommacj
Re: I say YES. YOU say NO....Numero Tre! Enjoy!
Look at the sky. We are not alone. The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires only to give the best to those who dream and work.
betrayal
Re: I say YES. YOU say NO....Numero Tre! Enjoy!
wren44, thank you. I hope your chemo went well.
betrayal
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
harley07, what a horrible experience for your son. I can understand your worry especially with the unhinged ICE roaming in cities and using "skin color" as a determinant of one's citizenship. They don't ask questions first, just gut reactions to their perceptions. I pray for his continued safety.
I spent about an hour doing a preliminary pack of my suitcase, but realized I need to add a raincoat since we are expecting to encounter some in Central America and a light jacket because I sometimes find the A/C on the ship overwhelming if I am just sitting. I still need to decide which jewelry I am taking, so that's a task for tomorrow.
I sorted out my daily supplements and have the daytime meds all counted out in original containers (such a PIA) so I can just discard them at the end of the trip. I will add the nighttime meds on Tuesday night. They go in my carryon so easy to add. I just realized how many meds I take, and would seriously like to see if some could be eliminated. Many are supplements to correct my iron deficiency, B12 to cover that deficiency and D3 for the same reason. I am fair skinned, and use sunscreen liberally, so I am D3 lacking even though this is included in the Calcium I take for osteopenia, it is not enough to keep my D3 above 50, thus the supplement.
cindyny, yeah a day without an injury! You sure keep yourself busy and it seems like you are on target for heading back to FL.
Carole, had a chuckle about your "dream" and thinking you were awake. As far as scales, I will weigh myself at home and agonize at times, but refuse to do this at a doctor's office because I refuse to have my shoes and clothing weight as part of my BMI number. They always say they deduct a few pounds for them, but I have caught them in their lie. Remember what the one meme said about our bodies mostly being composed of water so you are not overweight, you are "flooded". Or as harley07, said you are too short for your weight. I'm using that one since I have not gained any weight, but I sure have shrunk (another thing I won't let them measure).
Now that the Jewish high holiday is over, maybe Sandy will chime in to let us know how things are going.
petite1, love your plans for making the cabin yours. Loved your "used to be petite, now, I'm just tiny".
I got my Flu shot today and ironically the woman ahead of me had the same first name, so we both responded when the pharmacist called out the name. This is the second time this has happened to me in the last few weeks. In the first case, the woman ahead of me in line, had the same name. We got a laugh out of it since it is no longer a popular name.
Trying to finish up some housework and was able to vacuum the living room and dining room rugs today. I even swept under some small area rugs and was surprised to find gritty dirt under them. I have no idea where it came from.
Just need to finish family room and wash the kitchen floor, but that will wait until tomorrow. I'll do a load of wash on Tuesday so there will be minimal dirty clothes waiting for me at home. We get free laundry on the ship, so I'll use that to minimize what laundry I have to do when I get home.
DD and DSIL stopped by last night with DGS and DGD in tow. They had gone to the local high school band fest, which they enjoyed. DGD invited us to her birthday party, but unfortunately we will be on the ship. She was a bit disappointed, but I told her I would bring her a surprise. I already have addressed birthday cards (her and DSIL), and Halloween cards for all of them including cash. DD will take care of handing them out.
It was a beautiful day, Sunny with temps in the mid 70's and low humidity. I hope everyone had a great day and waving "hi" to everyone.
betrayal