Come join others currently navigating treatment in our weekly Zoom Meetup! Register here: Tuesdays, 1pm ET.
Take our poll: Caregivers, what do you find most difficult about caregiving?
Weigh in: What are the best and worst gifts for people with breast cancer?

Bottle o Tamoxifen

1…3738404243…1022

Comments

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited April 2008

    Barbie,

    Thanks!  I never thought I'd be so happy about having a herniated disc!!  Yep, I know the se's from Tamoxifen are not fun, either... I am having joint pain, and the newest is hip pain...so I know, that is a JOINT, so go figure!!

    Thanks, Lori!!  Tomorrow, my neighbor is making a cake for me, so I can continue to celebrate my birthday!

    welcome to all the new arrivals!!

    Hugs,

    Harley

  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 314
    edited April 2008

    Dang, Harley!  I forgot to wish you a happy birthday on you ACTUAL birthday!  Forgive me???  UGH...chemo brain.  See, and yesterday was my "chemoversary"...10 months since my last treatment...  I should have remembered...I'm sorry.

    Robin Roberts took her wig off on GMA yesterday...  I was crying watching it...  She was about 6 months behind me, so I could relate to all of her milestones...

    Lori- I can sympathize with the Wild losing...I am a diehard Devils fan...and to have them lose to the Rangers was just AWFUL.  (The rivalry between the Rangers and Devils (and Flyers) is pretty huge...)

    Deb- glad you are back on the train...  Hopefully you will be able to manage the SE's... Wishing you the best...

    Kiki- BUMMER about your eyebrow!!  Mine never totally went away...but they did thin at least by 50%.  Hopefully they will grow back really fast.  I remember when all my hair fell out, the first ones to come back were the CHIN hairs...  I was like WTH????

    Hugs to all...like everyone says, so hard to write in all the names...Basha, Lynn, Barbie, newbies (that won't be newbies for long!!) 

    Thanks again for the kind words RE Dad...  He's still doing well...I am so happy and grateful for that....

    Virginia

  • wandralong
    wandralong Member Posts: 17
    edited April 2008

    Hi guys,

    The weather is gorgeous here in Texas.  There is no longer any fear of getting any frost so my brother planted a garden for me.  I love to see it but dang, I sure hate watering and weeding it Laughing

    The sunny days do a lot to lighten my spirit.  I'm looking forward to summer, but I'm not sure about summer and hot flashes; do those go together?Frown

    (Harley, I haven't started taking Tamo yet, will start next month, but the doc did tell me not to double up, chec, with your onc if you forget to take a dose).

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited April 2008

    wandr...

    Thanks for the advice... I took less than 1/2 a pill... then I waited and took a whole pill about 7 hours later!  I guess it was ok...  tonight, I'll take ONE pill again, before bedtime!!!  I don't seem to have any weird se's...  I DID have an upset stomach, though.

    Virginia,

    Happy chemo versary!!  10 Months since your 1st tx??  Wow!  I was only counting from my LAST chemo!!  It's been SIX months since my LAST chemo!!  My hair is still way too short!! 

    I can't wait to see your new avatar!!!

    Hugs

    Harley

  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 314
    edited April 2008

    Wandra- lol about the weeding!  I feel the same way!!  Ahhh, you are just reminding me to call my lawn man...I am NOT going to mow this year...  I did last year all through chemo (durrrrr)  --- and now I am going to pay someone.  Somehow that is ass backwards, eh??

    We are having great weather here in NJ too.  I planted 12 tulip bulbs last fall and ALL of them have sprouted!  Yippee!!

    Harley- I was actually counting from the day of my LAST chemo, so that was June 21 last year.  First chemo was in May...  Almost a year. 

    Also agree with Wandra, you aren't supposed to double up on the Tamox.  I normally take it in the AM...if I forget and realize it before I go to bed, I take it...otherwise I skip it.  You know me...I was missing doses left and right in the beginning...I don't think it matters...well, it MATTERS...but if you miss once in a while, I don't think it's a travesty....(not like if you miss a birth control pill or two you could end up with a baby...LOL...)

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited April 2008

    Virginia,

    I guess you are right...  If I miss a tamox. pill once in awhile, it isn't the end of the world!  I was worried, though.  This is the first time I've missed one.  I never missed my birth control pills, but maybe I was more worried about being pregnant...  NO, I am more scared of bc!!

    I seem to be doing ok today, so I'll see how everything goes...

    Hugs,

    Harley

  • Barbie7
    Barbie7 Member Posts: 126
    edited April 2008

    Happy birthday Harley! (a day late).  Let's try to stretch the celebration for a week... or month!

    Lori - I started taking my dosage before bed, hoping to thwart most of the unpleasantry.  I've adjusted my dose earlier by 1 hour every day to about dinner time, just to see how that works.  So far, my unscientific research shows that it doesn't make a lick of difference for me.  I'm meeting with an integrative medicine doc on May 9th that my Onc recommended.  I'm hoping she can give me some proven alternatives to try, although I don't think Couch Potato Therapy is a recognized therapy.

    V - Happy chemoversary, and so glad to hear you are having some good quality time with Dad.  And good job for hiring a lawn-guy. 

    Tulips and Daffodils are blooming here in Wisconsin too. 

    Barbie

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited April 2008

    Thanks Barbie!

    I am having fun, stretching my birthday celebration, so it just may last a week!  It would be even better, if I could stretch it to last a whole month!!

    Hope everyone had a great day!
    Harley

  • ashaby
    ashaby Member Posts: 200
    edited April 2008

    Hi Gals,

    I've been plunked into the most awesome weather and actually have been out rowing twice. When I coach I sit with the kids in a big boat and yell stuff. It's really fun. I get to be God for an hour.



    My plantar crap seems to be disappearing by itself. Sure was a pain in the foot.

    Since row season began all I want to do is eat and that wreaks havoc with weight watchers. Today I ate a HUGE brownie.



    I'll try to stay in better touch.



    xxxx Basha

  • dcbkc
    dcbkc Member Posts: 137
    edited April 2008

    Harley,

    Sorry I missed your b-day!  Here's hoping for MANY more!!

    To all you gardeners,

    I planted tulips two years ago.  They came up beautifully -- until the rabbits got them.  UGH!!!  This year, again, many came up but only got 2 flowers -- Bugs Bunny got the rest.  But they leave the daffodils alone. They are happy.

    To Lori and Virginia,

    Game 7 tonight and -- surprise, surprise -- my mother is not going.  Although she's not feeling great -- her platelet count is down again -- she let my brother have the ticket.  I told her that I knew her superstitions would get the better of her.  She laughed at that. We'll see if the Caps make it to round 2.

    I'm in the fruit and vegetable car now -- can't eat many good things 'cause it's Passover -- no cake, bread, cookies.  It's a long week.

    Deb

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited April 2008

    Deb,

    Thanks for the happy birthday wishes!  It has been fun!

    Sorry... UGH!!!  Happy Passover! 


    Harley

  • ashaby
    ashaby Member Posts: 200
    edited April 2008

    Harley,

    Who says you can't have a birthday month? Mine is coming up.





    Basha

  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 314
    edited April 2008

    Harley- LOL---when it's my birthday, I celebrate for more than a week.  This year, with Dad being sick...all of our birthday's (mine, my nieces, my SIL, my Dad's...) all passed without ANY celebration.  My family celebrates EVERY birthday.  Cry  But, this weekend we are having a group birthday and Dad will make another road trip to my bro's house (same town luckily).

    Deb- LOL about Bugs Bunny...I was surveying my tulips this AM and one had no flower!  The sucker was just chewed right off the top before it even bloomed.  I was smokin' mad...hopefully he won't make his way up my row of tulips...

    Talked to my lawn guy in person...he's super nice...I'm so happy to not have to worry about that...

    I am worried that the Tamox is doing nothing for me b/c I have NO SE's...none, zilch, nada...  (At least nothing I'm blaming the Tamox for...)  My onc nurse wasn't all that familiar with the test (I dont' remember all the letters and numbers) --- but now I want it to see if it's actually working...  Oh well...no use stressing over it.

    I saw in the news that they have come up with a vaccine for HER2+ cancer...now THAT'S what I want...  Still not approved though...Yell

  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 314
    edited April 2008

    PS - Basha- great about the rowing!!  Don't worry about the brownie!  I'm sure you will burn it off with all that exercise!!

    They had ice cream here the other day...  Ben & Jerry's....UGH.  Chunky Monkey, Chubby Hubby, the list goes on....and my waist expands....

  • wandralong
    wandralong Member Posts: 17
    edited April 2008

    Virginia-I planted some bulbs last spring and forgot about them.  My brother planted those flowers for me and guess what came up in the midst of them?  Yup, those bulbs sprouted as well.  Oh well, it will be alright.

    Harley-another April b-day sister-my b-day was on Sunday!

  • my3girls
    my3girls Member Posts: 1,291
    edited April 2008

    It's been awhile Tamox friends!  Good to see everyone is doing pretty well!  Happy belated b'day Harley.

    Cynthia..sorry to hear about you not feeling happy.  I was like that after my reconstruction surgery.  I asked my oc to put me on an anti-depressant.  I am on effexor hr...75mg...and wow...what a difference!! I feel so much better. Happy, not irratable, and I have energy again!  It also helps with hot flashes!! I have started running again 3 miles 5 times a week...and I feel great.  Are you on something?  I thought I saw where you said you were.  Maybe you could switch to something different.  I hope you feel better.

    Ladies...I noticed where several of you are saying you are not feeling the s/e from tamox.  I am the same.  After about  3 or 4 months on it...I hardly have any s/e. No aches and pains.  I am not complaining by any means..but it makes you wonder!

    I am at work..so have to keep it short.  Just wanted to drop by the bar car...have a cold corona with a lime and say hello to all!!

    Take care dear friends!

    xoxo

    Lisa

  • nativemainer
    nativemainer Member Posts: 7,922
    edited April 2008

    VirginiaNJ--

    I've never had a side effect from tamoxifen, either, and also take prozac for depression which blocks tamoxifen from being changed to the active form.  My insurance company won't pay for the CYP 2D6 test because the test company website says it' s  for post-menapausal women, and my tests are borderline.  I talked with my onc about it and on Friday I'm getting my first lupron shot to shut down my ovaries and switching to arimidex.  Apparently I'm the first woman my onc has switched over because of LACK of side effects--but I've been getting more and more anxious and terrified that a recurrence wouldn't be caught early because everyone is assuming the tamoxifen was working when, in fact, it isn't.  I don't want to have side effects, but at least with the side effects you know the drug is working.  And with the arimidex, if I don't have any side effects, the onc can do blood work to find out for sure if its working. 

    I suppose I'm crazy to want to change treatments just because I'm afraid one isn't working, but I have felt so much more confident about my treatment since I got the call setting up Friday's appointment than I have since all this started.  I actually slept through the night last night--the first time in months!  And for the first time in over a year I can think ahead to a dr's appointment and not start crying.  So call me crazy, but here I go anyway. 

    I am sorry to be getting off the tamoxitrain, though.   Lots of good info and fun here.  Maybe it would be ok if took a short hop once in a while?  :-)

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited April 2008

    Wandralong & my3girls,


    Thanks for the warm birthday wishes!

    Wandralong, Happy Belated Birthday to you, too!!  April babies ROCK!

    NativeMainer-

    Yes, you can ride on this train, whenever you want!!  Hope the Lupron and then Arimidex work well for you.

    Harley 

     

  • ashaby
    ashaby Member Posts: 200
    edited April 2008

    Native Mainer,

    It's important to do what makes you feel confident. You just stay on board with us. Maybe we'll become the Arimidextrain??



    I go for my mammo at 1. Whoever can, cross fingers and toes.



    XXX Basha

  • kiki
    kiki Member Posts: 38
    edited April 2008

    Basha, prayers and best wishes for a boringly normal mammo today!!

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited April 2008

    Basha,


    Praying for a totally NORMAL mammo.  Here's some HUGS for you!  Sorry you gotta squish those boobs!!

    Hugs,

    Harley

  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 314
    edited April 2008

    Wandra- your garden must look great!!  Bugs did NOT eat another tulip, so hopefully the other 11 will have a chance to bloom!!  Surprised

    Nativemainer....I can totally relate to how you feel.  When I read about the dramatic SE's people have, I worry that the Tamox isn't doing anything.  My onc doesn't seem to be all that concerned, so I guess I will just place my trust in her...  Now I'm on Herceptin which I think plays a greater role in reducing my chances of reoccurrance. 

    Hugs to all.  Today we had "Take Your Kid To Work Day."  There were over 200 kids in the building ranging in age from 6-14.  The little ones are so precious... 

    Now back to "real" work...

  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 314
    edited April 2008

    Ok, didn't turn the page and missed a LOT of comments.

    First and foremost, (((((((((((((((((((BASHA))))))))))))))))  Wishing you all the best thoughts ever!!

    Layne- parts of your post were so funny...

    Love ya all girlies!  Thanks for always brightening my day!!

    V

  • nativemainer
    nativemainer Member Posts: 7,922
    edited April 2008

    Here's wishing Basha a digustingly normal mammogram! 

    Thanks for letting me stay on--I'll let you all know what happens with the Arimidex. 

    VirginiaNJ--I do trust my onc, that's part of the problem--she originally gave me an Rx for arimidex, did the blood test for menopause status just because that's the routine, and only when the test showed I was not in (or anywhere near) menopause that she put me on tamoxifen.  So I've felt like it was her second choice from the beginning.  I am so much more comfortable with the lupron/arimidex plan--I have actually slept through the night 2 nights in a row!  This has not happened in over a year! 

  • dcbkc
    dcbkc Member Posts: 137
    edited April 2008

    Basha,

    Thinking of you and squeezing my eyes shut in the hope that all is well. That way I feel like I'm with you -- squeezing something.

    Layne,

    You're too funny.  But this is the best time of year in DC.  It's similar here in KC.

    Virginia,

    Hope you had a scoop of ice cream for me.  B&J's the best -- went to one of their first shops in Boston area when I was in school. Did the kids get to taste test today? I used to do that for Miller Brewing!

    NatMaine,

    No need to give up your seat.  I think we're all about the same age, so I think Layne's idea of scouting for us is great. 

    Not sure if I'll be on for a couple of days.  Having a going-away party for a neighbor on Sat.  so up to my eyeballs.  Have a great weekend to all.  Basha, I will try to look in later though for your news.

    Deb

  • Miss_Lolli
    Miss_Lolli Member Posts: 72
    edited April 2008

    Thinking of you Basha!

    Love to everyone else. Cleaning out my basement, so I'll have more to say when I'm not so cranky. lol

  • Barbie7
    Barbie7 Member Posts: 126
    edited April 2008

    Basha - I hope all went well for you yesterday. 

    Lori - I'll leave my back door open for you so you can clean my basement when you are done.  Arg.  I don't even want to think about cleaning it - or the garage.

    I have lots of tulips just coming into bloom, although they are threatening snow on monday.  If it snows, I'm going to throw something just to hear it break.

    Having HUGE chemo brain issues lately, which are new for me so I'm trying hard to adjust.  I also just posted on the LE board - I'm a little worried I may be headed down that path.

    Good day to all!

    Barbie

  • ashaby
    ashaby Member Posts: 200
    edited April 2008

    Dear Hearts,



    I had my first clear mammo in one year! Last time it required a stereotactic and I had ADH. But this time, nothing, nothing, nothing!!

    Layne, Harley,Lynn, Deb, Ms.Lolli , (sorry, I'm an old feminist) and anyone I missed, I am so grateful for your support.



    I feel so much lighter. Don't need another mammo for 6 months. My girls were so happy they partied all night. I hardly got a wink.(heehee)



    Basha

  • Barbie7
    Barbie7 Member Posts: 126
    edited April 2008

    Basha - congratulations on your clear mammos!  That is great news indeed!

  • my3girls
    my3girls Member Posts: 1,291
    edited April 2008

    Congrats Basha!! What great news that is!! Sounds like your "girls"are wild!! haha!!

Categories

Join Us on Zoom: Upcoming virtual meetups. Read more...
Give your account some personality! Add a profile photo.