Best Of

Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?

Our forum is very quiet lately. Hope everyone is doing ok and just busy.

I went to senior exercise yesterday at 11:30. Afterwards, I went to lunch with three women who also attended the class. At lunch I learned more about them, where they live, number of children and grandchildren, etc. I need to make an effort to make friends and have more social interaction. The last few years I'm not as involved with golf and, in general, not as busy as I once was. I'm on the lookout for a book club that meets during the day. I'll check with the local library.

One of my little tasks this morning is to take the jigsaw puzzle apart and put all 1000 pieces back in the box.

Maybe I'll tackle our master bathroom, which could use some attention. There's enough to keep me busy in the house and yard, but enthusiasm is lacking. LOL.

Hi to everyone.

carolehalston

4

Re: Aromatase Inhibitors and GERD?

Due to an emergency hospitalization with an upper GI bleed and diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus I have been taking PPIs for over 7 years. Since they reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach they lower the absorption of many things that are consumed. Consequently I have to take large doses of iron and other vitamins since blood tests show regular doses are not effective. I have also had to take meds delivered by inhalation, patch or injection/infusion since oral versions are ineffective. My GERD is silent but stomach and esophageal inflammation is still seen on EGDs.

It would make sense that acid blocking meds would hinder the absorption of CDK4 inhibitors. It is unlikely that there is early supporting data out there since people regularly taking PPIs would probably have been excluded from clinical trials.

After I was discharged from the hospital on a very high dose of omeprazole I followed a low acid diet based on the pH of foods (The Acid Watcher Diet by Jonathan Aviv MD referred to in my 2023 post) and while I don't follow it strictly now I bear it in mind. Simple things you can do include elevating the head of your bed, consuming nothing after dinner except plain water, drinking nothing carbonated, and cutting out coffee, tea, chocolate and other highly acid foods.

Unfortunately I think you are right about acid blockers reducing the effectiveness of oral cancer meds. Hopefully some of the tips to reduce GI inflammation will help you stick with your Kisqali/letrozole dose,

maggie15

2

Re: Fearful of Gadolinium Breast MRI

@nycms Sorry that you're faced with this difficult decision so here are the facts I know to possibly help you decide.https://radiopaedia.org/articles/gadolinium-contrast-agents?lang=us

There are various brands and 2 different categories that MRI contrast fall in to. These are all studied for rate of occurrences and types of reactions.As you can see from the article above it's not impossible but the rate of reactions are extremely low.Some of these hang out in the brain longer than others also so if that's one of your concerns you can easily research and give a call to facility to see what they use. Also patients who are considered high risk for having reactions are given a steroid prep to lessen the chance of a reaction. So if you're able to take steroids this may be a good option for you. So overall there is a risk of course and it depends on your comfort level in using preventative means to minimize risk. Also what are your risks in developing breast cancer? How concerned is your doctor? Is he willing to follow up with Mammo and breast ultrasound if needed, then use MRI if absolutely needed? Anyhow just some things to ponder. In the end sometimes the risks outweigh the measures and it depends on the surrounding factors involved.Best wishes in navigating through this.

cookie54

2

Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?

The Swan Lake ballet last night was well worth the long drive to get there. The theater was built in 1873 originally as a bank and then in the 1920's it was converted into a theater and redecorated with Italian frescoes and gilding. It is absolutely beautiful inside and had probably the most comfortable theater seats I have sat in. We had front row balcony seats so a great view of the stage. The ballet corps was composed of international stars who were well trained and their performance was stellar. The lead ballerina had the longest, leanest and most expressive arms that mimicked the perfect graceful movement of a swan's wings. The jester was funny in his pursuit of several different female dancers, and the lead male was a perfect match to the lead ballerina. The ending changes with each presentation according to what I read, so it is always a mystery as to which you will see. In this version Odette did not die, but survived to live with her prince. The music is so beautiful and fits the onstage action like a glove: melodic, forceful at times, reflective of the ballerinas movements and the men's wooing or just dance for entertainment.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and I would like to explore Easton, PA during the day. It is a lovely town with old architecture buildings and some interesting stores, so we may plan a daytrip there in the future. It is also a college town, Lafayette college, and located on the Lehigh river so it also has ties to the old mule drawn canal boats. It is historically significant because it is one of the 3 towns in which the Declaration of Independence was read aloud on 7/8/1776.

Plans for today include cleaning the crystal chandelier and wall sconces. I had removed the cups and dangles so I need to wash each individually prior to return. There are 2 cups per sconce and 6 on the chandelier with each cup having 6 dangles. I'll use a microfiber cloth since it doesn't leave residue like paper towels do. I also have 2 loads of laundry to do. The room is slowly returning to normal.

Yesterday's dreariness persists into today with gray skies, temps in the low 40's and just a blah look. We had some light rain last night, but it didn't have much impact on the remaining snow. Now that I have arranged drapery delivery, there is a possibility for another major snow storm Sunday into Monday, placing return their at risk. I am so tired of this winter.

petite1, loved the photos of your cabin. It looks like such a nice place to retreat.

I hope everyone has a great day and waving "hi" to everyone.

betrayal

4

Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer

@cookie54 I feel better than yesterday, just want to avoid the super thick productive cough, none of that yet. Herceptin gives me a stuffy nose too but still got plenty of Mucinex. I like the time release pill vs cough syrup.

I slept OK last night, may be part of feeling better today no doubt. I do not have to leave until about 150pm. I set the pick up time at 630pm. I would be getting a loading dose of Herceptin since it has been months since I had it last. They may also transition appointments to the afternoon, it was an offer made and of course I accepted.

Done first part of a wash, not doing three cycles unless cloths and my clothes require deep cleaning. The Lysol laundry stuff can handle stuff that is heavy duty cleaning of more soiled stuff, not the regular stuff used for wiping up dust etc.

I bought myself another automatic can opener, this one is a usb charge power which I like better. It was because I have a hard time with the manual Starfrit one, nice to stick on the wall with magnetic holder.

Will be having crunchy beans, little bit of lentils and rice. Possibly stick a hotdog in the air fryer as well. Rice will be made on the stove of course, small amount, while that happens will use air fryer multi times do up the crunchy beans first, Need a small amount of shredded cheese as well. Since things will be happening all at the same time, will likely need to be warmed in microwave. I will see. Option 2 with preparation, empty each ingredient into a bowl while heating up others. Then put the temp on the air fryer to around 80 C to keep all of it warm together without more cooking, should be able to warm the cheese and add queso and sour cream.

EDIT SUPER DELICIOUS. That description deserved caps. I did not separate stuff quite the way I described, still made rice first while doing 2 dogs in the air fryer and making them crispy, second thing added lentils and beans, just a spoonful of each, heated both hotdogs and the lentils and beans, about 5 mins at 392 F, max temp, stirred them around. Once that was done, added shredded cheese, tostitos queso and garlic and parm mayo, put back in the air fryer, only to melt cheese, once cheese melted, stirred everything and unplugged fryer but left it all in the basket part. Unplug to avoid additional cooking and who wee it was wonderful. Due to the fat content, took 2 immodiums and taking one more, since I will be at the cancer clinic a LONG time for the loading dose of Herceptin. Cannot really get out of bed. Reading it said a 90 min drip, 1 hour wait time post drip as well. Crazy.

Anyway, hoping all have a good day in pockets for all as well. Least it is not raining still. Wish we could have a couple sunny days to dry up all the snow and rain.