Bottle o Tamoxifen
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Hi all. I'm still researching and trying to wrap my brain around Tamoxifen. Does anyone know if Tamoxifen is actually killing off the cancer cells or is more "blocking" cancer/ holding cancer at bay and delaying any recurrence for the 5 years we're taking it. Any reports or studies I could read ? Thanks.
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MTG- Tamoxifen blocks a tumor's ability to use estrogen to grow and a recent study found that tamox continues to work after the five year treatment period has ended.
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Renee, well now, thanks for reminding us that men can also carry that BRCA gene! I think one of my relatives tried to tell me it was passed along only on the maternal side but I think your post proves that wrong.
Kari, aka "Miss Sweetie Pie Happy Face", a good cry or two never hurt anybody! and I think us girls who tend to be naturally optimistic (including me) need a soul-cleaning melt-down once in a while. And I think maybe I need to check out apuncture if it makes you giddy.
cdean, my PS makes his patients swear off caffeine, aspirin, and chocolate for the period 2 weeks prior to surgery and 2-4 weeks after. I did that for my mastectomy and will probably have to do it again for my exchange surgery. It was SO HARD ~~so you have my utmost admiration for swearing off caffeine, as well as alochol, meat, sugar, and dairy!! Can you tell any difference in the way you feel? (other than possibly 'feeling somewhat deprived"-- LOL).
Welcome, cparandjuk, to the Tamox Group. We love to compare notes here....
Rach, the Cookie Project sounds so great!! that is AWESOME. It sounds like a true labor of love. I'll be printing some cards for you and writing some messages. And yeah, you must be familiar with the 1995 Oklahoma bombing since you know how to spell "Murrah." And to think when that happened, we thought that was the worst thing that could happen....The bond between OKC survivors and 9/11 surviviors must be a lot like the one shared between the cities of Halifax and Boston, but that story goes back a little farther. ~~Frank Lloyd Wright scholar, huh?~~
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Hey my friend at school w/SFC is seeing some improvement, her tumors are shrinking and her lesions are going away!!!!!!!!
Lastnight was miserable, my dd got sick at school, I had to take her to the doctor and my son had a psychiatrist appt lastnight, a lot of running.
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Patty- I feel VERY energetic now that my body has adjusted to the new diet of nothing. I lost 6 pounds in 2 weeks. I am sleeping great, exercising everyday. I don't look at it as deprivation. I try and look at it like eating this way will keep me alive! I have to say, I was at Target today with my son. We were in the Halloween candy isle, and it smelled so good!!!! I do miss sugar.Oh well. I am growing my own wheatgrass and sprouting beans in my laundry room. My DH thinks I have gone mad, but he eats everything I put in front of him.
Kari-sometimes a good cry is just what we need to keep us happy! I watched Marley and Me a few weeks ago and I think that I let out the last 10 months of emotions in about 30 minutes.
Must go shovel snow now!
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Crystal - Congratulations on your Amazing willpower. Truly impressive. As is 6 lbs weight loss in 2 weeks; I haven't been able to do that since college.
For you and anyone else trying to up the amount of vegetable you eat - a (very thin) good friend of my suggested this to me and it works like a charm: I start my week by making a ton of simply prepared vegetables - barboiled, grilled on a grill pan and roasted. It take a while but this way I have all sorts of heathly stuff cleaned, chopped, cooked and ready to eat so that I can add them to a salad, a hot meal, a sauce or even eat them as a snack. Makes eating your veggies lots easier.
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MTG, thank you for the suggestion on veggies. Get idea. On that note, I have an awesome recipe for chick pea soup. It is unbelieveably easy and high in protein and fiber. I am happy to share if you are interested.
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PKB143, thank you for the welcome. I have already gained so much knowledge from reading past posts. And am thrilled to be aboard!
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Rachel_BC: You ROCK - just amazing!
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cparandjuk - Chickpea soup ? Absolutely would love the recipe. Does it have curry in it ??? I actually add sugar and spices to raw chickpeas and microwave them till they're dried out and hard as nuts.0
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cparandjuk, I would love to have that recipe, too!
cdean, I was on the South Beach diet for over a year and totally got used to limiting my sugar intake. Once you get over the inital cravings (about 3 days), it's not so bad....except for HOLIDAYS. The smell does bring back the craving to some degree, especially for me involving all things chocolate.
MTG, need to try your suggestion about making up veggies in advance. Sometimes just having something handy and ready to eat makes the difference between pigging out on junk food or eating something healthy.
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Awesome Rachel, THANK YOU! Sure wish you could meet us at The Rutherford Grill on Nov. 8th at noon, in Rutherford CA!!!! Oh come on, you can do anything! I promise not to wear pink....
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Welcome Cparan... Here's hoping your ride is easy on this train! Dec 1 is a good start date I think, it gets cold in GA in the winter so you'll be more comfy if you get the hot stuff!
kari- you know I am going to go off on the woman who mumbled to you and then shouted. clearly she was too lazy to look for the key herself, and everyone mumbles when they are tired, but she was asking you to look for her, and couldn't even muster the energy to form the words when you politely asked her to? No wonder you cried, no one likes ot be shouted at, and you were feeling vulnerable because you know you have a hearing issue, but I have excellent hearing, and I can't make out what people are saying all the time, asking them to repeat themselves on the phone and believe you me if she yelled at me I would have torn her a new asshole. Again, lucky for her I don't know where she is, because I would hunt her down for making you cry. What a jerk. Why would she remind you of your mother? You are one of the strongest women I ever encountered in my life. You want to your DD's house? I can't believe you have a daughter old enough to have her own house!!!!
I spoke to a couple mommy pals, one gal is really fabulous, she's in the school already and maybe I didn't screw up the interview. See, I was told that I would be interviewed by a parent of a kid in the school, and my friend who had done this process felt the interviewing parent disliked her and that's why she didnt get in. So I was all geared up to try and get this parent to like me. I brought cookies (guess where i got them) and reminded myself to ask them about their kids and all that sort of thing to make nice. You gals know how I think my son is the best and smartest and all that but I never ever speak that way to my mommy friends- they'd hate me. When everyone is complaining about kids not sleeping through the night or acting out or not eating I just keep my mouth shut and look concerned. When we meet inevitably they end up saying something about how they wish their kid would _____ like my son and I always downplay it- I know you understand that, right? In the playgroup, my kid totally stood out... like we were in this cool room with big cushions painted day glo green with colored lights in the floor and all the kids are having a blast and I took a moment to relax and the lights went out and I figured this was part of the experience. Then I hear the teacher say how interesting it is that the kids normally don't find the light switch until they have been in the room for several weeks... and I look over and guess who's turning the lights out? My kid. Precocious little bugger. So I did a couple stupid things... I was working on the cookies and the bakery and whatever else on Monday until midnight, didn't get a lot of sleep, and didn't eat breakfast because I wanted to be able to eat cookies with the interviewing parent and spare the calories. (Stupid move). Plus it was just before my period (came that evening), but I scheduled it on the earliest date possible because I dont have HF yet and wouldn't like to have my first one at the interview...
So I get there and its not a parent, its the Director of Admissions. And she just had lunch and wont eat any cookies, so I am not eating any cookies after not eating all day. Well she is a parent, of twins, in the school, one of the first enrolled. Right off the bat I am disoriented, didn't even recognize the room we were in was one she had shown me on the School Tour. She starts asking me questions from her list, and like what surprised me about the playrgoup and what did I learn? I answered downplaying as I do with parents, talking about the other kids and parents and how nice they were and all that... I SHOULD have been crowing about my kid. She asked what other schools he had attended- and she said she knew that was a weird question because hey, he's 20 months old for crying out loud, you think he went for his Masters? I listed one I took with him last year when he was 4 months old, forgot the Mandarin class we attended and told her about the class we're in at Lincoln Center. She asked me AGAIN. Like... that wasn't enough. I found myself backpedaling... I was really surprised because I haven't bought into this idea about putting kids in classes before they are 2 years old... I mean if you want to, that's great, but I have a couple reasons not to want to for my kid. She kept pressing me and finally I blurted out that I got diagnosed with SFBC when he was 11 months old and kept him home because I didn't want him to pick up a cold or virus while I was getting treatment. That's true, but I was keeping him home anyway. She nodded and said something about compromised immunity even though I told her I didn't have to do chemo, which we all know now means she don't know nuttin bout cancer. I wouldn't have known either pre-SFBC. I totally did not want to be the applicant with cancer. Does that work for or against me? Well hell, it got me out of the "why didn't he go to more classes" line of questions... She asked me about my education, and I ended up explaining that my elementary school education was a mess because of my parent's divorce, and I changed schools every two months. I could have instead focused on the accomplishments I made later on in college but by now I was just wedged into this track of self-effacing and modesty and basically being pathetic. Natch I couldn't stop a tear from falling when I had to mention he was only 11 months old when I was DX'd. I know you know what I mean, how all of us want to be who we are, strong, intelligent, positive, capable women, and not the pathetic sad cancerlady. I am so HAPPY but that isn't what I presented. And my son is a star but I never said a word of praise about him. I wouldn't mind so much if we dont get in after making my best shot, but if I choked in the interview then I let him down.
But, having said all that, my mommy friends have convinced me that I am probably being too hard on myself, and maybe I did the right thing by not bragging about my kid and coming on strong. I did get a couple good points in there by accident, like yeah, my elementary school education sucked because my parents kept moving me while they fought, but that means I want my kid to stay in the same school for a long time, and this school has a concern about people only coming for the pre-K years and then moving to a more established and conventional school. And there were monitors at the playgroup (with clipboards taking notes, oy), they are sure to report how my son was there, and if they say he excelled then its a lot better coming from them than from me, and if I had said he was all that and they have a different view, that would be worse!
Who knows, maybe playing the cancer card works in my favor.
I just reread the part about the woman yelling at you, and that it was when she apologized that you started to cry, that's really normal. Funny, she's having Tamox SEs without the Tamox. OK, maybe not that funny. but it does make a point about our SEs and why its so hard to tell what's what. If (heaven forbid) she was one of us with SFBC, she'd be wondering if her behavior was due to Tamox. Terri was asking if bitchiness was a SE for Tamox... well some gals come by it naturally!
cdean- I like that- what is left- LIFE. Yeah! Oh here's a sorta funny... years ago I was at Pritikin Longevity Center learning about healthy foods and stuff. (Long story, I was hiding out, I came on a Rolling Stones suggestion because Eddie Van Halen had just been there and NO I didn't have a drug or alcohol problem, i went for weight loss) and it was all older people with heart conditions and stuff that had been told they had to change their habits, all of them asking me WTF I was doing there, and they were trying to sneak out to the nearby greasy spoon for bacon and eggs, wondering why I was voluntarily enjoying their healthy menus... so I am in the ladies room stall when these two senior citizen ladies come in discussing how the Pritikin diet has affected their husband's sexual abilities for the better. One of them says something like oh well this is good but if you really want him to be great in bed put him on macrobiotic diet! She went on and on, it was hilarious and informative... I made a mental note. So... just FYI...
PattyB part deux- definitely check out acupuncture!!!!!!!! I got a story on that one too... too tired to type it tonight... I posted it somewhere, I will see if i can find. Its funny. I stopped caffeine when I got my first cyst, and rarely take aspirin or anything like that and sugar years ago (did you know sugar is one molecule off from cocaine and has all the same qualities? Did you know humans did not eat sugar until 200 years ago?) but oh baby don't touch my dark chocolate. Milk chocolate - feh, that is mostly sugar anyway. Sugar is poison but...seriously, leave my dark black chocolate alone!!!! I am also moving away from the dairy. Oh here's one I keep meaning to say, one doc I respect told me especially to help keep weight off during Tamoxifen to avoid SALT. So I am done with that as well. Makes sense.
hey, teach me some history please? what's the deal with Halifax and Boston?
Mary - well that is the best darn news in the world about your friend with SFC. Hallelujah! Does your DD have the runny nose sore throat thing? me and the kid have that, today I am a crappy mom. Hope she's on the mend fast
roflmao cdean... growing food in your laundry room and shoveling snow... you got to meet carollyn, she posts here too... but on the sugar, I am not perfect. I found the H'ween candy I had stashed a couple weeks ago and just ate a handful of snickers bites. You are sure to feel like a superhero. We gonna have to get you a cape.
cparan- yeah baby hook us up with the recipe please! I can post mine for my mom's chicken soup...
little red- its a selfish thing. I had to find a way to help, I get to meet these incredible heroes (oh but dont call them heroes to their face, they don't like it). I would never have mentioned it here and none of my friends (except like 2 or 3 people) know I do it, but I was really desperate after the CFKC people refused my order. So weird eh? I can come to this group of women who have nothing more in common than SFBC and Tamox and get help for anything- from recipes to kids to bake cookies for charity. Sometimes I wonder if being a really great person is a risk factor for SFBC. (for cpara and the other newbies, SFBC = Sheet Fook Breast Cancer, and i don't mean Sheet Fook!)
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Leggy i would totally be there- but can't leave my boy at home, and the plane ride would suck much for him... I sent the emails- hope you got 'em
Hugs and a scratch under his chin to Wolfie (and another one for your mom!!! )0 -
Hey Ladies,
Here's the recipe for Chick Pea Soup
2 carrots, sliced
2 stalks celery, sliced
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms (or more if you like -- I use more)
3 green onions, chopped (white part only)
4 cups veggie or chicken broth (low sodium)
1 tsp dried thyme
2 cans Chick Peas (drained)
Put broth, carrots, celery, mushrooms and green oniond in dutch oven. Bring to boil and then let simmer for approx. 15 mins. Add chick peas, thyme and salt and pepper to taste. Let simmer for another 10 minutes. When all veggies are tender, put in blender (small amounts at a time) and blend well. Soup should be chunky.FYI -- add more chick peas (1 to 2 cans) to thicken and this as a great dip for raw veggies! It's yummy. Enjoy.
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Hi Cpar,
Welocme! You'll get lots of good info and support here.
Thanks for the soup recipe. It's trying to snow here again tonight, so soup sounds good! BUT I will go easy on it myself. As a person who has trouble metabolizing tamoxifen, I am trying to avoid foods high in phytoestrogens - and that includes chick peas ;-( That said, I did have a snack of pita bread and roasted red pepper hummus tonight!
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I am with ya up to the Dutch Oven...
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You could substitute any substantial pot that can go on the stovetop, The heavy dutch oven type just makes it easier to maintain a simmer.
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I'm off on a cruise to Cabo San Lucas. I'll be back on Monday.
Try to keep the posts down so I don't have more than 5 pages to read when I get back. LOL
hugs,
Juli
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:::whew::: I was just looking up dutch ovens and they do look cool but I have no room and they're $$$$ and the cheap ones have to be scrubbed and ...
Feeling MUCH better today, I had that nasty cold thing... boy I wish I had some of that soup right now!
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Have fun Juli!!!!
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ok, just got back from my 10th fill, I'm now up to 990 ccs and feeling a little pain.
Rach, I'll give you that history lesson and then that may be enough for me tonight, given the fact that it's been a long day, I'm on drugs, and tonight's trick or treat night here.
Every year, a Christmas tree is sent to the people of Boston, Mass. from the citizens of Halifax, Nova Scotia. How and why did this tradition begin? (This is my version, after hearing the story first-hand from a Nova Scotia tour guide, as well as info from internet sites).
It all began in Halifax Harbor on Decenber 6, 1917, when two ships (one loaded with munitions) collided. School children and people in the area rushed to the harbor to see the sight, which led to greater tragedy when the ship carrying the munitions exploded. The blast and explosion leveled a huge chunk of the city, killed 2,000 and injured thousands others (some cite 4,000, some 9,000, many of the victins were blinded when they rushed to windows to see the events in the harbor).
The citizens of Boston and the Governor of the state banded together to form a Halifax Relief Expedition, and volunteers and supplies poured in. The city of Boston played a major role in rescue and recovery efforts, even long after the initial rescue efforts.
As an expression of their gratitude, the people of Halifax sent a Christmas tree to the people of Boson in 1918. Beginning in 1971, it became an annual tradition.
And after 9/11, the city of Halifax hosted some 21,000 airline passengers who were stranded as a result of the air traffic shutdown.
**Halifax is also where many victims of the Titanic are buried. It was the closest city available after the incident.
**All you Canadians, please chime in if my history lesson needs some editing!!
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excellent news meg, thanks!
pattyb part deux- here it is from the Canadian Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and here's the page where the government of Nova Scotia, Canada posts information for people who think their tree should go to Boston and a picture of last year's winning tree
Cool story! Thanks!
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Rachel_BC -- forget the reference to the Dutch Oven (that is the cook in me) go with a stock pot or good sauce pan. Those will work just fine!
Bcamnb - Without me going back and reading through the treads of info on this topic, can I ask if you had the blood test before taking tamox?
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I am very new to this venue but i would like to say, "Ladies, You ROCK!". I am learning about the disease and sickness I am currently going through and at the same time learning a little history!
Thank you!
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.....and recipes, too!!! thanks to you....
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cparandjuk - Great recipe; can't wait to try it out. Thanks.
By the way, I've just joined this thread as well. Finishing Radiation on Monday. Researching and trying to get a handle on all aspects of Tamoxifen before I start. I guess we get to learn together.
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Yes we do, MTG. I finished chemo in May,had a double mastectomy in June and reconstruction in September. I go back for another surgery on Nomvember 19th - we aren't pleased with the outcome of the reconstruction - hopefully that is my last surgery. I plan to start taking the tamoxifen the first of December. I am fearful of the SE's, one because I have been through enough and am simply over all this SH@T! and two, because I am 44 and single and the SE's scare the hell out of me and trying to date! But, like you said, it is a learning process.
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cparandjuk - I just turned 48 a month ago during rads, am single, and yes the SE's and dating are of concern for me too but for those, I figure, if we have them, the women on this site and our doctors will help us to to find solutions and ways to minimize them and our friends will help by getting us out there ! (Of course, I'd rather not deal with that hot flash/ bitchy/ drainage type SEs but I'm taking a wait and see attitude; who knows, we may get off easy and be on the lesser side effect side. ) Right now, my biggest concern are the things that may not be reversible - including various gynecological issues. I really do not want a hysterectomy or to have my ovaries removed and no one wants endometrical cancer. So: for me right now, I need to figure out (a) which problems, if they are even to occur, will be prevented by close monitoring; (b) which problems can be detected and reversed and (c) which problems will simply be there and need to be handled. I'm planning on seeing my surgeon, my radonc and my gyno to discuss these. And of course, also see what answers I can find thru this site and other research. Baby steps for me.0
