Illinois ladies facing bc
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Jackie - great advice, and so true.
Lago - love the "Shit Happens" speech!
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Good advice Lago. I asked one onco what I could do to prevent recurrence and she said "something very hard to do. Aerobic exercise for a half hour a day". I laughed and said "that's not so hard!" Well, the laugh was on me! It was hard, especially with all of the joint, muscle, bone pain from anastrazole. But it's really really necessary! She said that they think it's because of the cytokines that inflammation produces and exercise reduces. Also, the more fat you have the more estrogen. I've been wondering. Does the fat produce estrogen even if you're on arimidex? It stops the aromatase from making estrogen but I just learned that the ovaries still produce some estrogen, even after menopause. So I'm wondering if the fat is the same. Have to lose weight! My surgeon has been pressing me, urgently. But I have not listened and here I am with the uterine cancer. I don't even want to eat anymore, I'm so scared of what the fat is doing to me.
As for stress, I've heard both yes and no. My onco at U of C pointed to stress as a major factor and then he said "And when you figure out how to control that, please let me know." I feel strongly that the stress has been a factor for me. There have been times, before I got sick, where I thought "no one can survive this kind of stress". And yes, exercise is nature's anti-depressant, stress reliever, so as soon as I can I am getting back into it. Claire is right! lol I think especially for estrogen dependent cancer.
Lago, you made me laugh about being "felt up". The first time I went on a plane ride after 9/11 I told the tsa guy that I did not want to go through radiation, I wanted to be "felt up". He just stared at me, confused. Then he said "Oh, do you mean you want to be patted down?" A world of difference!
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Lago, again you made me laugh. Everytime I don't win the lottery I think to myself "OK, I didn't beat the odds in that way. Fair trade for not getting a rare and horrible disease. " There's luck and then there's LUCK!
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I try to think about Nancy Reagan, Betty Ford, Shirley Temple, among others who never had recurrences, even when treatments were not non- existent.
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Timbuktu I don't know if you can do this power walking with all your joint issues but you might want to try. Even if you just power walk through the sessions it would help. It's a total of 5 miles broken up into 1 mile sessions. I think each session is about 12 minutes. Start with one and work your way up. linky
Even the Anastrozole reduces the amount of the estrogen. It doesn't get rid of it entirely. But it seems if hormone driven cancer can't get a full meal it will die.
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Lago-Thank you for the exercise session. I've used her one mile walk but these are all grouped together. Also, thanks for the pep talk. I'm one year since my last treatment. So 2 more and I can relax a little bit.
Now, I'm going to a cardiologist because when I was doing chemo I had an echo doppler exam because one of the drugs caused heart problems. They found a hole in my heart which I had since birth. At the time, the doctor said, "No problem. Just take antibiotics before dental cleaning and colonoscopy." I went back to her for a checkup last week. She sent me to have a calcium scan. Found out it was 2. It's supposed to be 0. Also, from a blood test my potassium is low and my cholesterol is high. So I have to take 2 more drugs. I broke my shoulder in December and my insurance won't cover any more PT. I'm glad we live in an age when there are drugs for these ailments but sometimes I feel like it never stops! Thanks for listening!
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I'm so glad everyone has Lago and the other really aware and well read women on here to help with all of this craziness. Cus u all know I don't--but u have to remember I grew up with this my mom, 2 aunts, and the first was my mom and I was 10 (about) then shy had a full hysterectomy 1 yr later so they must have known some things those day, she and my aunts didn't want chemo, or anything, my one cousin died of it finding it much to late, another cousin got it and was in some trial a few yrs before my sister, niece and I got it--so I lived with it always hovering in our homes and I didn't want to know much, neither did my cousin or sister--my niece did tho--my mom and aunts lived many years after without anything, well I did everything I wasn't as brave as them, but I never get anxious about tests or Drs. app't I just don't like taking the time-and I never got upset about getting it or scared for that matter--but I was brought up with it-Most of u know all this about me, But that's why my attitude is the way it is.
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Lago, you're a doll! Thats' a great idea! I'm paying over a $100 a month for my membership at lifetime but there's little point in going (especially in the storms) when all i can do is 5 minutes at a time. I'll definitely start doing some exercises at home. They told me walking was fine.
I started on brand name Arrimidex over a month ago and so far NO pain. But it usually does take awhile for the pain to build. I'm hoping the brand name will make all of the difference. My insurance is supposed to pay for it although we keep getting billed...over $1000! Has anyone else noticed insurance problems?
For the first time they would not allow blood tests without insurance clearance at Sloan. Anderson gave me a third degree to make sure we really are covered. And when the surgeon requested CT scans of chest and abdomen as well as pelvis, they put up a stink! This is really worrying. Insurance companies have never been great but I think everyone is getting scared now. I don't remember this kind of thing happening a few years ago.
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fgm, i hadn't read your post when I wrote mine. Insurance problems!
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cami, I didn't know. You really have a good handle on it.
It made me think of my daughter. She's 23 and was just in for the weekend. I had kept the uterine stuff secret because I didn't want her to worry when we didn't know what was going on. I needed to get a handle on it myself. But more than that, she never did ask. And that made me think, she doesn't want to know.
I found myself talking to my daughter in law about it and my daughter was right there playing with her nieces and I suddenly realized that I hadn't told her and I just HAD to. So I did. And she took it in stride. Said nothing. Everyone has to handle these things in their own way. But yesterday, before she went back to school, she brought home a coffee and sweet roll. She never does that kind of thing. And she gave me the sweetest hug, another thing she never does. She doesn't have to say another word. That will carry me for a long time!
Cami, there must be a gene in your family. They test for BRCA but I'm certain that there are other, undiscovered genes that they don't know how to test for. The way you handle this is inspiring.
And yes, I'm very grateful for Lago and all of the information to be gained here.
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Lago: I loved your analogies! You're the best!
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This is so interesting on the risks factors for breastcancer (maybe for any cancer). Also the genetic factor is interesting. I agree with whomever said that there must be other genetic links besides BRAC. I see familial cancers in families who do not have the BRAC.. I think there are other clusterings. Also for food connections....I went to a nutrition class and was told everything in mod but who knows. She did say that alcohol is a real problem. Alcohol for the breast cancer is like cigs for lung cancer according to ths doctor who presented. I love wine but she did say if you must drink wine....choose red and not white. I hate red wine! It is complicated and so flimsy and so hard to take seriously. I have an inkling Rita is right that sugar is just bad for you. May not feed cancer, but it is just bad for you! Baffling!
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Sugar is really bad for you. If you ask your cardiologist s/he will tell you. It can damage your heart. I'm still not convinced that cancer feeds on sugar. Seems like it's more of a by product but give it a week and I'm sure a new study will be out.
I actually prefer red wine but rarely drink.
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Every dr I've seen has asked if I drink. I don't. My mother didn't either and she got bc. But there is a statistical correlation. I think I read that half a glass of wine a day ups recurrence. But these are risk factors, right? Not causes.
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They don't know what causes breast cancer. There are risk factors but consider this. My risk factors added up to less than 2% chance of getting the disease at my age. There are many switches than need to be turned on at the same time IMO for cancer to happen. I swear my final switch was stress... not factored into that 2%
I have seen the wine thing from it's OK to do 1-3 glasses a week to any ingestion of alcohol increases your risk. While we all want to reduce risk the biggest risk is increased age. So either you keep living with increased risk (not just cancer but heart disease etc.) or end it now.
I'm OK with living with risk as opposed to be dead with no risk.
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Thanks for the words Lago, nicely said...
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Compassion is like sunlight, awakening and
bringing joy to beings. Its
beauty is like
a rainbow, lifting the hearts of all who see it. Tarthang
Tulku0 -
It occurs to me that those who live with a lot of stress may take a drink or two!
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Lago -Love the post! Thanks for putting things in perspective!
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Lago: I am having it......Crisp white wine...just saturated with sugar and maybe even some sulfites...but it sure is good!
As an aside of very little importance. I once loved a Merlot and/or a Burgundy. Chemo changed all that and red wine now tastes like cough syrup (yuck) to me. Isn't that weird? I really hate the taste.
And red wine is the better choice due to its antioxidants (allegedly).
Susan/Zap
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All liquor has always tasted like cough syrup to me. I do not drink for that reason. It also gives me a headache rather than makes me feel good. I think it's really interesting that your chemistry has changed, zap. I'm sure my chemistry has always been that way.
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Agreed stress plays a role. It does in so many things. Stress has made me physically ill. And the job I held during the time my BC was likely developing, was the most stressful ever.
Thankfully I have a new job, and far less stress. I do though need to get walking. So can't wait for the snow to melt though. Really prefer taking the dog to the woods, vs walking inside on a treadmill.
Have a wonderful day!
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Looking for advice... My PS is out until Monday, the implant is exposed (about eraser size) this is my 2nd exchange my 1st exchange in Oct. had the same results. Do I wait until Monday (not sure if I want to risk infection) or do I call someone else? I called into the Plastic Surgery show on sirus xm last night and the 2 surgeons I spoke to did not recommend waiting until he go back. My dilemma is my current PS is my 2nd PS, do I go to a 3rd? If I do go to a 3rd I would like someone who specifically specials in breast recon only and how do I find someone like that?
Thanks for the help.
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Don't wait. At the very least they might just put you on an antibiotic. Do not that this can happen. As my PS says sometimes the body does what it wants to do. That doesn't mean they can't get this fixed but it can be a test in patience.
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"Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most."
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Myers -- Amy, I was so hoping that this would be resolved for you. Wishing for a strong resolution to this soon.
Blessings
Jackie
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I am on an antibiotic, would you sugggest waiting until my PS is back in town on Mon?
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Hey girls....just popping in. It's been a while so I am trying to catch up with all of the posts. Love the shit analogy Lago! Good one!
As far as foods and products that contain estrogen like components...I also avoid these. I have bought all organic and chemical free products. Some people may think that is extreme, but I was a healthy person with no family history and a fitness professional for 25 years so I exercise all the time and I still got BC. I feel like obviously there is something in my body that is sensitive to estrogen or I would not have gotten BC to begin with. I also eat mostly organic and vegetarian now. I avoid GMO foods as much as possible and avoid sugar. I rarely drink wine anymore either. I also had a lot of stress in my life before BC and have taken great efforts to make changes in my life to avoid stress. I have been doing yoga for over two years now and recently started pilates.
As far as exercise - don't feel like you need to run on a treadmill for 30 minutes a day. Start small with things you CAN do. Star walking. Find a yoga class - you can gain muscle, flexibility and strength from yoga and overall that can help alter your body composition and help you lose fat. There are some places that offer classes for cancer survivors. That is a good place to start before heading into a regular yoga class. Swimming and water aerobics are also a great choice. I think the main thing is to start slow and find something you kind of enjoy. A workout buddy helps or if you are able hire a trainer to meet with once or twice a month. At this time of year it's hard to get out and walk...I did mall walking after my BMX because it was February. That worked out great and there were lots of walkers at my local mall every morning.
I recently started cutting out gluten and I feel so much better. It's strange...I didn't set out to cut out gluten I just was eating less of it and noticed I felt better. I had less body aches. Gluten is very inflammatory for the body. Interesting. I don't always go gluten free, but most of the time I eat that way.
Glad we are getting a relief from snow and cold temps....hoping the "heat wave" doesn't cause flooding. I remember the flood last spring...it was not fun!
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Amy call. Monday is a long time away. There is always someone on call. You may be fine but you don't want this to get really bad... and you know if it does it will happen at 2am on Saturday morning. Best to call when you know someone can be reached rather than end up in the emergency room with some resident.
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