Bottle o Tamoxifen
Comments
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Ivorymom, thanks for posting the link for the booklet. It is a wonderful resource.
I am having trouble sleeping again. It is 3:10 am and I have been tossing and turing for over an hour & have given up. I did remember to take my tamoxifen tonight.0 -
Rachal OK BUSTED, I did think of that, just not a sprout person but will try them, grown in my own sunroom!!!
Gotta go to work later to all have a good day!!
Carol
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Thank-you Helena, I am 21 for the second time, so I am wondering if I can get a free drink today. LOL. Boy you ladies post late, I have a hard time keeping up during the day and then in the morning. I am sorry to admit that this morning I just skimmed throught the posts.
Rachel, I think w/ breast cancer Dx whether we need chemo or not is a non issue. I truly think that there is a real "sisterhood" with SFBC! I was very very very fortunate, that mine was caught very early. If I would have not had spotting between my cycle, I would not have gone to gyno and he would not have suggested mammo. I would have watied until summer vacation, and who knows how far advanced my SFBC would have been. I truly do think the chemo ladies would mind.
The reason I have not decided on a double mx at this point is the recovery time and having to take care of my 3 children and husband. That and the fact that I could still get SFBC again anyway!!!!!! Sorry to sound so negative, but only you gals will understand, the fear of recurrence.
Well I will try to put on a happy face for work today, one girl out sick, one has not showed for 3 days. FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN!!!!!!
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Mary, I see a unit on personal hygene in your class's future. Complete with a homework chart to have the students mark off when they brush their teeth, brush their hair, wash their face, wash their hair and take a shower or bath. If the issue is the student, that can help motivate her, and sometimes the parents need the prompting as much as the kids. Especially as the kids get older, and they need to shower more often, even if they aren't getting visably dirty.
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Lisa-e: I love Kale too sauteed w/ garlic and virgin olive oil. But I will only buy kale lacinato - long leaves without the fringe - b/c a couple of weeks ago I bought 2 big bunches of the regular kale, noticed a slug and rather than freaking out (which I normally do) I washed it off and was really careful about washing the rest of it - sprayed each leaf thoroughly with the hose etc. After I was done washing it, I left it on the counter, went out for an hour and when I came back there were too many slugs to count all over the leaves - they were probably suctioned to the curled part of the leaves. I was hysterical, tossed it all, called whole foods and they said "it happens". Dumbest response ever.
Rachel - Below are a couple of broccoli sprout studies. My very vague understanding of the process is that cancer therapies generally focus on eradicating malignant cells, whereas this focuses on keeping normal cells healthy in the first place. There are a lot of studies, it's picking up steam with the pharma companies (google "broccoli sprouts" and "chemoprotective") . I also couldn't find the actual study for the first link (which was, interestingly, funded by Roche), but it's pretty fascinating - the broccoli sprout juice I gagged down two hours ago is hopefully pumping through my breast tissue at this very moment.
http://www.bcrfcure.org/action_0708grantees_visvanathan.html http://carcin.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/29/12/2360 http://www.nutritionj.com/content/3/1/19 http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/10/5/501.full http://sciencemode.com/2009/04/07/broccoli-sprouts-may-prevent-stomach-cancer-by-defeating-helicobacter-pylori/
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Okay, I picked up my prescription last night and plan to start Tamoxifen tonight. I'm scared to death! Will I turn into Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde? Will I gain MORE weight? Will the hot flashes get even more intense? Will I become MORE depressed? Oh well, I guess I'll find out soon enough. Wish me luck!!! Thanks.
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j414, eeeww to the slugs . . . reminds me of when we used to grow artichokes. I'd have to rinse and rinse them to get rid of the earwigs. I finally decided they just weren't worth the trouble. And you're right about the reponse from Whole Foods. Lame . . .
donnamariem, good luck! I think you will find tamoxifen to be pretty tolerable.0 -
ivorymom - I woud prefer to throw them in a salad or sandwich (I mixed them with hummus too, it was fantastic), but I'm trying to take an ounce every day and tossing them in the vitamix w/ some lemon, water and other stuff is really easy. It doesn't taste great, but it's a couple of big gulps and it gets the job done.
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So much to catch up on, I can't keep up. Now that I'm working it is so hard to read thoroughly. Sorry I can't comment on individual posts.
About Vitamin D - Received a letter yesterday from Onc's office. Was very surprised (this is for you Rachel) since I walk the dog everyday in the sunlight, a lot of times with no sunscreen that the letter stated my level was below where they would like it to be. My level is a 29, they want it above 30. I was instructed to take 1,000 IU 2x/day for 1 month then continue to take 1,000 1x/day for 2 months. In 3 months they want my level checked to see where it is.
Happy pill popping!!!
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Rachel, you sooo understand the hair issue! I used to stare at all the people in chemo, some bald but a lot weren't. People were not only getting chemo, but blood, and other things that don't cause hair loss. So there are all kinds in the chemo room. I always wore my wig and everyone just raved about it! It looked better than my real hair ever looked! haha But I hope to never wear that sucker again!!
Lisa-e, thank you also for your story about recon. It really eases my mind! I do feel silly with one boob though cause I hate this BRA with my foobie in it!! I ditch it as soon as I get home. And I can't wear all my old clothes anymore cause a bra won't work with some or the foob won't stay in all tops, dresses, etc. It does make it challenging. But I'm lucky I'm not chesty!!
Helena, your DD sounds ADORABLE!! How sweet that she said you are so popular, cause, well YOU ARE!! and we all DO get along so well. She's so smart!! side hug!
j414 - Ok, the kale thing with the bugs, just turned my stomach. Don't think I can even try it now! haha Lisa-e, My DH said that used to happen when his mom made artichokes when he was growing up...yuk
Meg, thanks for that link to the UCSF article, I read that most of the morning. Good stuff there!
donnamariem - Good luck, pop that sucker and climb aboard!!
I could not sleep last night, hot out, too tired, drank iced tea yesterday, tamox? who knows...seems I toss and turn A LOT!!!
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I have never seen a thread move as fast as this one! lol........but that's a good thing......means we all have a lot to say!!! We should call this group the Chatty Patty's!!! lol
I'm so tired today.........I can NOT get any energy. Just wondering if I can blame Tamox for that too. I keep saying I'm gonna start walking.......but it's about all I can do to just walk through the house! I pulled my back out last night bending over to plug something in. When I raised up I felt something hurt in my lower back. Sure enough......it's hurting really bad today.
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I have never seen a thread move as fast as this one! lol........but that's a good thing......means we all have a lot to say!!! We should call this group the Chatty Patty's!!! lol
I'm so tired today.........I can NOT get any energy. Just wondering if I can blame Tamox for that too. I keep saying I'm gonna start walking.......but it's about all I can do to just walk through the house! I pulled my back out last night bending over to plug something in. When I raised up I felt something hurt in my lower back. Sure enough......it's hurting really bad today.
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Genia, crap! sorry you pulled your back and have no energy! Chatty Patty's, ha I always say Chatty Kathy's!!! LOL!
So girls, I emailed my onc today,
My email to her:
Hi Dr. Hersch,
I attended The Many Faces of Breast Cancer event last Thursday and got some info I'm curious about. I would like to have the CYP2D6 test to see if I'm metabolozing Tamoxifen. I don't have too many hot flashes, get warm and a hot flash every so often and am curious about this test.I also have a call in to see about the BCRA test for the risks for uterine cancer and to see about the gene being passed down to my daughters.
Will I be having a blood test before our next visit in November? I would like to have my Vit. D level checked again then also, I'd like to monitor it.
Her Reply:
Dear Kari,
I can order the CYP2D6 test and the Vit D and you can get them done. The CYP2D6 is somewhat controversial and we are not getting the test doen as standard practice. I am fine with doing it and we can discuss the results and controversies at your next appointment. I can refer you to genetics to discuss the BRCA testing but based on your family history, it doesn't seem like a high risk that you have it. You can just do labs now and then you do not have to do them before your appointment. Take care, JulieI replied back that yes I want all the testing done. Anybody have any views on the subject?? Thanks!!
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Oh and I emailed my PCP about any heart monitoring since rads supposedly hit my heart/lung:
Here is her reply:
Hi Kari,
From radiation, usually some part of heart might be damaged from the radiation-->cardiomyopathy/ congestive heart failrue( weakness of heart muscle). As far as heart disease, we mean the vessels in the heart gets blocked from choelsterol plaques which is different from tissue damage from radiation.
For general heart disease( clot in the blood vessel of heart), we ask patients to have routine exercise, good cholesterol and bp control. For people with increased risks of heart disease( diabetes/ cholesterol/ high blood pressure)--> add baby aspirin at age 55 for women and 45 for men.Enclosed are info on heart attack and congestive heart failure, if your'e having shortness of breath/ heart pressure/ chest discomfort, please make an appt.
Dr. Kuo(She posted a bunch of info on what to do after a heart attack or heart failure).... ??
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Well stop the Tammy train - I am getting off! I have a superficial blood clot and phlebitis in my leg. Spent the morning in the ER thinking I was gonna be in serious trouble as my leg was so sore, red and hot. Had US and bloodwork and was given antibiotics & pain pills with orders to keep it up and stay off it. I called my Onc. after I got sent home and she said no more Tamox. for me. Have to go to her in 2 wks. and she will start me on something else. What else is there besides Tamox.? Gotta go put my leg back up.
I am so bummed.
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kookiesmom!! So sorry for your troubles!!!! Keep us posted!
Ok, leaving work now!
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Just got the DDs off to school and sitting down with a cup of tea.
Donnamariem - pop it baby - the first one is the hardest. I am doing great on it (6 months now), although a little rocky to begin with, and even my small side fx are beginning to slacken off.
Mary (birthday girl) - I had a skin sparing bilat mast with immediate recon with tissue expanders and my surgeon saved the aeriole (sp?) - but took the actual nipple. The operation took 7.5 hours and I stayed 5 days in hospital. My MIL stayed at home looking after the girls and DH. I managed recovery really well and looked after the family on my own when I got home - mind you the housework suffered!!! It was however school holidays which made life a lot easier. My PS made the new "fipples" from the old aeriole. 2 days down and they are looking pretty good. Very doable but like Kari, I would take my time and consider your quality of life. I am a worrier so this was the best option for my quality of life going forward, even with the squeaky toy!!!
Kari - I didn't do chemo and not having the big side fx on tamoxifen I desperately wanted to do the CYP2D6 test, this drug has to work for me, luckily it does. The BRCA testing - I did it because my sister got SFBC at 35 and they offered it to me and it was free - it was only important to me because of the risk of ovarian cancer, like you the boobs have gone already - and we all here already have breast cancer, no positive result is going to be any surprise there, and we are all going to extra vigilant on getting our DD's screened anyway. With no family history at all, the odds are certainly in your favour, you have to inherit the gene from someone. No idea about rads and heart damage but it sounds like you are doing all the right things. Hugs.
Seeing doctor today about a skin rash I have on my scalp and forehead, not sure if it is tam related, could be anything. But boy before SFBC I never went to the doctor. Sigh.
Rachel - can I sit next to you on the train today? hehehehe
heartfelt handshakes
Helena
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Kookiesmom - So sorry to hear your news. Bummer big time. Hope you are doing OK. Depends whether you are premeno or not. There is a bunch of AI's you can take once you are menopausal. Not sure but don't think there are any other medicinal options other than Tamoxifen if you are premenopausal. Take it easy and so sorry about your leg. ((((((hugs))))))
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Allie, what a pretty picture of you! I'm jealous, but happy for you, even before chemo. I would have been jealous of all that hair!!!
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Hey shout out to J414, Thanks for the info. I reread it this evening and was able to make a list of questions, for tomorrow at my Gyno.'s. Now, if I can only remember to bring the list into hospital, with me. I've been a bit forgetful, thanks to chemo.
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Oh... soooooo sleeping off the Xanax haze and just re-read all I wrote yesterday.. well... I guess you can tell I was stoned!!!!
For me today it's like reading somebody else wrote it- but I agree wholeheartedly!Allie- "Rogue boob" HA!Mommy/Mummy stuff- I played Mystery Mom today, trying to figure out why he was screaming when eating his usual morning oranges, why there was a little rash on his face and why he was up crying last night... long story short, I think I figured it out, and that makes me feel like a good mommy. It's teething maybe, and if so, then one possible TX is... ice cream! So my son had his first ice cream and it was awesome! kari- lemme be clear on the secret handshake, we are not actually "holding" our boobies, it's more like a gesture... which reminds me of another of my father's jokes... a man saves up enough money to finally buy a pair of alligator boots he's wanted his whole life. When he gets home wearing these boots, he walks up to his wife and says "Notice anything different?" She sniffs and says no. Furious, the man goes to the bedroom, strips off all his clothes, puts the boots back on and returns to his wife naked save for the boots. "Now" he says, "do you notice anything different?" His wife eyes him up and down slowly and says "No, nothing different, same ol' husband, same little thing hanging down between his legs..." The man, incensed, replies, "it's not 'hanging', it's POINTING with admiration, at my NEW ALLIGATOR BOOTS!" His wife replies, "Schmuck, you should have bought an alligator hat!" So this is the same for the secret handshake, essentially pointing at our rogue boobic areas. 
And kari, I adore you too And I have been hearing from my colorist I was quite the sight to behold at the salon yesterday... like I said... Xanax is a lot of fun... ;)Mary- OMG Mary I am so far behind on everything going on with you. I was counting on getting that damn house in Bucks Co, and having all the PA gals together, and hanging out with you. I missed your birthday 
Well family is coming back to PA in October and me and the kid will go stay with them sometimes, so that's halfway to your place. Hope we can rendez-vous in Allentown or Bethlehem? I know everyone with cancer knows everyone with cancer is in the same boat, but there are times when the treatments vary that we can't exactly relate... like while we bitch about Tamoxifen (oooooh first time I could say "WE"!!!) our triple neg friends may feel left out- they may even feel like we shouldn't be bitching, b/c they so far have got no magic pill, and I think it's fair to say that once one's hair is really gone, there's a whole host of issues that people who have not been through total hair loss don't "get" straight off, and that's kind of tiresome for the chemo patients, especially at growing-out time. We all want to get back where we were, and bad enough what's under our shirts, but what's on top of your head you can't hide, it's tiresome wearing wigs, when the hair starts to regrow the wig doesnt sit right, you want to go without the wig but your hair has gone places no man has gone before, and its not how YOU want your hair to look, how you have seen yourself and its just takes for freaking ever to grow out... I mean, talk about a bad hair DAY... and at Sloan, I am not just with SFBC chemo patients, it's every kind of SFC chemo patients... and there's another ball of wax, because compared to the other cancers...Lisa-e and J414- well for a minute there I was warming up to the kale.... but after the slug story... uh uh. NFway. MANY thanks for the links, I'll see what the ONC says... meanwhile, it can't hurt to munch on some broccoli sprouts. Hey, at least it's not kale. Whoa, J414 you are drinking broccoli sprout juice???? Oh man, you are hardcore! donnamarie- Go for it! And welcome PattiB- COOL!!! I'll get my Vit D results, and race ya, see who can get their Vit D3 up by the test in 3 months. Mine will be in January... you know... some time in January... no actually, this time I know, and its actually Feb 1. So y'all will know at the end of January I'll be taking Xanax again and posting... cover your eyes...kari- thank you for the very welcome validation about the hair issues. I have been really working hard with Joseph to understand these chemo hair issues, and it's been a series of pretty stunning revelations. I started this because I thought I would be doing chemo and went to my professional for advice on how best to manage it. There was no information! Anyone who dismisses or minimizes the issues is ignorant of reality, in denial. For the hair professionals, it is inexcusable not to make a point of considering the chemo patients and making that a part of their professional training. Their entire livelihood, their raison d'etre, their business depends on people caring about how their hair looks, they literally can not afford to fail chemo patients. It's arrogance and stupidity and ignorance- and we intend to change that.Genia- here's my idea about blaming stuff, I choose to blame cancer instead of tamox... but here I was crazy tired today, could have been a lot of things, but of course I can reflect on the many days i was crazy tired this whole summer,pre-tamox and even pre-BC, but hey, I just love to blame stuff on cancer, so that's where I'd dump it! kari- WOW GREAT LETTER AND GOOD FOR YOU!!!! Yeah we totally have to drive this car, we can't just be passengers in our cancer care. Sounds like your ONC has the right attitude too, her ego not in the way of your health. On the possible damage to heart and lung from radiation, I did do a lot of research there too (yeah, big surprise, right?) I learned that 2 RAD ONCs in NYC (and maybe elsewhere) were doing RADs in such a way as to completely miss the heart, lung and even the ribs. I posted this information on all the threads at the time of people going to start RADS, because its pointless after its been done. (Anyone going for RADs? Lemme know and I will send) But I also learned that even though yes, just about all current RADs have the beam pass through the edges of the heart and lung and ribs, the funny thing is, there isn't any increase in heart or lung issues. Ribs hurt, may become fragile for a while, but that's all. The only thing is just our common sense that it can't be a good thing to radiate part of your lung and heart, but some 30 years or more of data supports the conclusion that it doesn't hurt ya. I do not have the link handy, since this was way early in my SFBC thing, and I went with the other kind of RADs, but if you like (and give me a little time, I am soooo far behind after a week of life on Xanax) I will hunt it down again for ya. Kookiesmom - awwwwwwwww that sucks. But there are 2 more cousin drugs of Tamoxifen, one is Evista, I forget the other. Also see about Zometa. I asked my ONC in my Xanax stupor if taking Zometa without Tamox would work and I have to review the recording (not enough hard drive space yet) but I think he said since we dont know how either of them work, why not? Keep that leg up, and spirits up, and please let us know what happens next? Helena, I am delighted to sit with you on the train. I picture us on a train that goes through the Outback. Is there such a thing? Oh oh does it have a great big stiletto on top?Leggy- GOOD LUCK at the GYNOs. What i do is pack everything in my purse or a big shoulder bag the night before and make a checklist. Please scratch Wolfie's belly for me 0 -
I didn't think I was that far behind in reading but must have been and now have forgotten all the comments I had to things on the last page!
Thanks for all the nice comments about the new pic... I had to search for a long time to find a decent one!!
On the seminar's recommendations--they did up the recommended vit D to 1000 from 400 IUs and are studying it more. They wouldn't want to recommend a high amt as it varies per person and needs more study. Also the studies they did on alcohol say there is substantial risk at one glass a day or more. Yes, less is better.BRCA testing is important to detect higher risks for ovarian cancer which is very hard to detect until it's late in the game--so women with positive tests are usually encouraged to remove the ovaries. Also it may be important for women with daughters or other family members--so they can be more diligent perhaps at an earlier age in watching for cancer. And I didn't have to do chemo (for which I feel very grateful and lucky)--onc recommended against it as I was high ER/PR+ and stage 1--she didn't think it would help much. Kari--I had the test to see if I metabolized tamox since I wasn't doing chemo--I thought if we were counting on tamox to act as the systemic cancer fighter then it better work! I turned out to be a high metabolizer--which is good since I don't have SEs (cross-fingers) and would worry otherwise that it wasn't working.0 -
Kari- My oncologist insisted on the CYP blood test and a doctor from his group actually called me to explain why I should take. Very long, scientific conversation - the only thing I heard and understood was that if I'm an intermediate metabolizer they may up my dosage; if I'm a poor metabolizer they will switch me to a different drug (something that starts with an "a"). The original CYP study came from Mayo and it's been well received by the research community, but the FDA declined to change the tamoxifen label (to say that some people may be poor metabolizers) and w/out the FDA's legal stamp of approval, it is considered inconclusive. I'm going with Mayo on this one. Also, my doc said hot flashes, or a lack of hot flashes is not a reliable indicator of whether tamox is working (which is good, b/c I haven't had a hot flash yet). I hope we are all SE free and excellent metabolizers!!!
I also took a BRCA test b/c of my family history: father had 4 sisters, 1 had ovarian cancer (at 26), 3 had breast. Of three first cousins, two of us were diagnosed early-onset/pre-menopausal, and the third cousin had her ovaries removed in her twenties, so she doesn't count. I came back negative (although given the high incidence of BC in my family, the doctors believe we have some kind of unidentified mutation). Helena is correct, if you don't have a family history (BC, ovarian, colon for women; prostrate for men) then the odds are very much in your favor. Check out the BRCA risk table. http://www.myriadtests.com/provider/brca-mutation-prevalence.htm
Leggy- I'm glad the info was a help, and I am a big fan of lists. I had a list of questions for every doctor - they were all very happy to see me go. Good luck at the appointment, I'm sure everything will be fine, but it's a good move to get all of our aches and pains checked out.
Rachel - "we totally have to drive this car, we can't just be passengers in our cancer care" - THAT IS SO WELL PUT - it should be every BC patient and survivors mantra.
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Helena, the hearty handshaker - Ok, getting tired cause that just made me laugh...how did the dr appt go about the rash?? Hope all is ok! And interesting about your surgery and the fipples! That was a long surgery!! You have done so well! I still have one boob, so the testing is important to me along that line too. We shall see! Hey, I was watching Dancing with the Stars that I had recorded from last night and the lady 'pro' dancer Kim is from Australia, OMG, she talks sooooo cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love that accent, of course thought of you! Bet you talk soooo cute too! haha
Rachel, thanks for clarifying the secret handshake and that joke is funny!! Interesting stuff about the rads, I remember my rads onc saying he would be hitting my left ventricle of the heart, no way to avoid it and that meant that if I was predisposed to having a heart attack/disease then it would happen to me 5 years sooner. The rad onc at that event last week said the same thing as you regarding there is a way to avoid hitting the heart, by holding your breath after taking a deep breath? it pushes your heart down...wonder why I couldn't have done that. hmmm That really scares me about any damage it did. Chemo & rads are just awful!!
Hi Allie!
Ok, I'm sweating to bits right now, off to watch TV and veg out!
High fives, air kisses, fist bumps and side hugs to all
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j414, just saw your post! Will read it in the morning! Thanks for your comments, nightie night!!
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I'm back from my doctors appointment and ...... glad I didn't do chemo and saved all my hair so I could get NITS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Curl up in the corner and just cry, not really because I am also relieved it wasn't a rash from tamoxifen.
Can I please just have a little dignity. I am sitting there telling the Doc that I have oppy goopy scratchy nipples, pimples because my hormones are going crazy and then she has a look at my scalp and tells me about the nits. All I needed to do to complete the picture was to trip and fall flat on my face on my way out of the office.Well,... the day in the life of me ...but hell you gotta laugh. My DDs have had them a couple of times during the school experience but never have I had them.
Still wanna sit next to me Rach
Have a great day/nite everyone
squeaky and scratchy
Helena
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j414- and I think what you said " I had a list of questions for every doctor - they were all very happy to see me go" now THAT should be every cancer patient's mantra!!!!!
The deal with the BRCA test is that its exciting that they managed to identify these particular genes for certain breast cancers, but like Helena's test, they don't know wtf the other genes are at the moment. Maybe in some years there will me more tests.
Allie- Your ONC made the decision based solely upon your stage, without an Oncotype test? Oncotype tests all the other genes they know about (21 genes) and some Stage 1's like us test out of chemo and some find out that even though their cancer is small and hormone positive, they have some wicked genes that throw the balance off. I sure as hell don't wish chemo on you, but since they test the SAMPLE from your tumor, not you, it would be reassuring to get an Oncotype score that reconfirms what your ONC assumed. The odds are in your favor, 2/3rds of all those tested test out of chemo.
j414- you outlined both the reasons for and also against getting the CYP2D6 test (? there's another CYP test) ... hot flashes alone are not the indicator of Tamox working, although if you get them it does confirm that its working and it also statistically gives you an even lower recurrence rate- its one of the cancer conundrums... having the hot flashes does confirm but not having them does not mean it's not working. Its pretty much the same with the CYP2D6 test. For someone like Helena who had few enough SEs to worry it wasn't working, the test shows she is metabolizing it. Oh and REMEMBER- the big drug trial that had 13K women, half on Tamox and half not, it was ALL the ones who were taking it who had such better recurrence rates that they had to stop the trial and give Tamox to ALL instead of placebo and that was waaaaaay before the CYP2D6 test. And they don't know how it works so its possible that even if you have low metabolizing, maybe it still works to stop recurrence. All conclusive evidence says take the pill!
kari- no no nothing about holding your breath, that's nuts (sorry!) This is much more basic, I only hestate to show it because it shows how the rays do not have to cut across the heart and lung. Its just about being prone vs on your back. Here's the link: Full Text (PDF)
When the PDF downloads Look at the pictures on the 3rd page, it shows the difference of where the tumor lies when you are on your back (supine) vs when you are on your stomach (prone). The tumor necessarily falls away from the body on your stomach. Most RADs only do supine unless you have big droopy boobs (like mine), but with this new study, if they cut a mattress for the RADs machine, anyone can have RADs on their stomach. There's other stuff in this study, mostly about the 3 week course instead of the 6 week course, which I wish I could have done, but I stuck with the older program simply because it has 30 years of data vs 12 years of data- even though the 3 week program so far has better recurrence rates. Anyway, if the tumor falls away from the body, you can aim the beam at the tumor without touching the body. But as much as that has to suck to read after you've already been radiated, I got to repeat what I said before, they did review all the patients who had radiation for all these 30 years, on their backs, radiating the corner of the heart and lung (left boob, its less likely to touch the heart ont he right side) and the incidence of heart and lung troubles for the group that was radiated was the same as people who never had radiation, never had breast cancer. This may be why your PCP was parroting all the normal heart advisories, because there's no need for special care just because you had radiation. I know, sounds too good to be true, but we've got no need to borrow trouble we don't already have.
I never thought radiation would be so scary. Lying down on that table- each time- was far harder than taking my first Tamox pill. It just goes against everything we know- except that we also know that a) radiation absolutely does reduce recurrence in a big way and b) it doesn't change your heart or lung disease rates. Eveyrone I know or read about on BC org that had RADs had scary rib pain- that always turned out to be nothing. I had no rib pain. Beam never touched my ribs.
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ROFLMAO Helena!!!!!! Head lice? OMG I am laughing myself silly. Yeah yeah, I will sit next to ya hon... you poor thing!!!! This is just soooo typical of the Tamox SE complaints- I mean yes, there are real SEs, but its just SO easy to think something is because of Tamox and forget that we're still here on Earth with the rest of the humans and just as likely to get head lice. Only you Helena!!!! Between my comedy life and yours we should have a situation comedy of our own....
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J414- here is the mayo cliniic report- its only recommending the CYP2D6 test for POST menopausal women http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2008-rst/5125.html
The drug that starts with "A" is most likely Arimidex, which is an Aromatase Inhibitor (AI). But nevermind, you are an intermediate metabolizer, so you can take Tamox, and most people think that's a good thing!
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Phew .. thought I was going to be that kid who noone ever sits next to on the bus. Still want to blame it on SFBC though - just because. Thanx Rachel. Situation comedy... mmm now there's a thought....
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