Bottle o Tamoxifen
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Harley - I was once told that everything happens for a reason, even job searches. Things have away of falling into place if you have faith that they will. The jobs that didn't hire you were not meant for you. Something will come along, and it will be perfect. I don't mean to go all pollyanna on you, I just believe that when we "go with the flow" we end up where we are supposed to be. I'll keep you in my thoughts and send good job hunting vibes your way! Regarding the ovary thing. You didn't scare me at all. This is what they are concerned about as well, but I know that there is nothing I can do right now but wait, and go with the flow... I'll for sure let you know if I'm loosing the flow...
I think journaling is great. I've been also thinking about writing about my experience in a more formal way. Right now I'm just journaling. Who knows, maybe these journal entries will end up as part of a book.
Virginia - I'm glad I can make you smile. I have to admit, not only am I a self-diagnoser, but I humor myself sometimes as well. All you ladies bring sunshine to my day. My PCP also suggested Vit D. I have to go to the drug store to pick mine up as well. I'll meet you there - in the "too young to be taking so many pills" aisle.
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Dur...I forgot to write (haha) that I too keep a journal... Mostly through the tough times --- it helps me "vent" it all out. Plus, it's kind of cool to go back an read what I wrote way back then and see how much progress I've made...
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Virginia - I'm on Vitamin D supplements now also. Pushed to have my level checked after seeing some of the study results. Found out I was significantly deficient so went on mega doses for 6 weeks (50,000 IU once per week). Once that was completed, I went to 1400 IU each day. Will test my level again in December to see where my current status is and adjust from there.
My routine follow-up with the surgeon got post-poned so will now see her AFTER my next mammogram and chest x-ray - although not likely sufficiently after for her to receive the reports.
Some bad news to report. Unbelievably, after just having gone through BC myself this year, my Mom was diagnosed with it. She's triple negative which I understand is a bit odd for someone her age (mid-70s). She's having surgery next Tuesday. Seems to be doing relatively well and has some good doctors. In a weird way, my having been through it so recently has been helpful for her.
Barbie - I like the way you think! Enjoy your spa trip. DH and I had to post-pone a cruise for my surgery so I selected the sail away date as my one year anniversary of learning my diagnosis. Can't think of a better thing to do than to sail away one year later.
A good story to share... DH and I hosted a party Sunday to thank all the wonderful people who helped us during my illness. They were there when we really needed them, and the party gave us a chance to be together to celebrate where I am today. The house was full of people. It was really a joy.
Sorry to hear of the difficulties some are having. I went through about 3 weeks of heavy night sweats after almost 3 months of very limited side effects. Not sure if the night sweats will continue or subside. I guess time will tell.
Joan
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Joan- do you just take an OTC supplement? How are they to take? I know when I got a calcium supplement, it repeated on my horribly (tasted so bad) so I hope this doesn't happen with just the Vit D.
SOOOO sorry about your Mom... Sending all the good karma I can muster to you. I lost my mom more than 25 years ago to BC and am sure that if she were diagnosed today, they would have caught it much earlier and she would have had a much better chance. I guess if there is ANY remotely positive thing for you, at least you know what to "expect," right?"
Please keep us posted...
Virginia
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I have had a lot of stiffness and achiness while on tamoxifen (in addition to the hot flashes and insomnia), but all the SEs were very mild before my total hysterectomy. Therefore, my oncologists says the SEs are more from the loss of estrogen (ovaries removed) than from the tamox itself. So having experienced both, I tolerated tamox much better when I was premeno than post meno. I finished my full 5 years about 4 weeks ago, haven't noticed any differences as yet.
anne
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Virginia - Yes, I am just taking OTC vitamin D currently. getting 400IUs per day in my multi-vitamin and then taking an additional 1000 IUs in a separate pill. I'm taking Nature Made's Vit D which is "smaller easier to swallow" (yeah!) and "formulated for easy absorption" (with calcium carbonate). The Vit D pill is smaller and has less of a taste impact than what I remember of calcium supplements. Bought it at Costco; can't remember the cost.
Anne - Congrats on finishing your 5 years!
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Joan- thanks for the info!! Just went to Walgreens and picked up a really puny bottle of only 100 - 2000 IU pills. But, now that you mention it, I do try to take a multi- and that is the 400 IU plus Viactiv 2X per day is another 200. Ugh, so now too much. Oh well. I had the totally same thought about getting a supply at Costco. Might be smarter for me to get the 1000 IU pills just in case I do take the multi and the calcium. Too much to remember.
Would still love to hear if anyone else has been prescribed the Vit D...
Got a fake fireplace today...a remote control kind...how funny is that? Has a whole mantle and everything. Just plug it in and there's flames and heat if I want it. I am slowly but surely making my little cocoon (which includes my TV and Wii) so comfy that I will never leave this house...
Hope everyone is well.
Hugs, Virginia
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Joan and Virginia, I too have been looking into Vit D.
I read that women with BC have high incidence of low vit D, http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20080516/vitamin-d-deficiency-worsens-breast-cancer
http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20080516/vitamin-d-deficiency-worsens-breast-cancer
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminD/
Vit D helps cell differentiation (? spelling) which is the opposite of cancer..the cells do no differentiate well. the last websit mentioned is from the Linus Pauling Institute...and gives therapeutic Vit D levels for BC prevention to strive for level >50... and also stated that those with levels <32 had higher BC rates....</p>
My level was 24 a few weeks ago....I was concerned that my level might be low....and asked my gyn to check it, he called and told me to take calcitrate with D....but I had already picked up my Vit D results at his office a couple days before he called (didn't think he would call me) and picked up Vit D-3, 2,000units "NOW" brand and decided to take tums with it....the nurse said that this was OK....
When I told my onc the Vit D level result, he said it was low but not that low. /And that a supplement would be ok....
I think Vit D is overlooked, but is becoming much more respected these days.
The best doctor in town, is high on Vit D level checking and bone density monitoring for women...I wish he took new patients and I would go to him...The rest of the doctors around here you just about have to research what needs to be monitored and ask them to check your levels and hope they understand and will check the labs for you.
So Virginia, I think your doctor is wonderful to put you on Vit D.
Joan, I am curious how low your level was...mine is 24, and normal is 32-100...but my onc said this wasn't that low...but how low is really low? The lady at the health food store tried to get me to take a 5,000unit pill daily, but when I read the bottle it said to take one every 3 days...so I bought the 2,000unit dose which said to take one daily.
I will have my my yearly gyn in Jan. and will ask for a repeat Vit D level.
Harley, hope you find a job soon....the economy is horrible and it is affecting everyone....I am a nurse and just after getting a job in a local nursing home a few weeks ago..and the getting rehired in the local ED....found out today that the hospital is making nurses and other staff work fewer days when the census is low....I am glad people aren't having to go to the hospital and get admitted though...but everyone is feeling the pinch.
I sure hope the economy improves and there are more businesses forming and less companies going overseas to get cheap labor.
Miss you all, hope all is well Lynn, Basha, Murph, Barbie, Stephie, and everyone I didn't name...
I am feeling the best I have felt since diagnosis...
Hugs, Amber
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Yesterday I was at a pharmacy looking at the vitamin D. I wanted to see what the other ingredients were, and on 4 of the 5 bottles, low and behold, the first filler ingredient was Soybean oil. Arrrgggg!!!!
I didn't buy any and decided to check out another place. I'm supposed to take 1000units. but I honestly think this was an arbitrary amount that my PCP pulled out of her bag of tricks.
Virginia, my local Gilda's club has one of those fireplaces in one of their rooms. Very fun indeed!
Amber, so glad to hear that you are feeling well!! and happy to hear from you too!
Joan, a cruise sounds just as lovely as my spa trip! I'm so afraid that I'll be a puddle when I'm done that I won't be able to drive home (about an hour). I'll treat myself to a good cup of joe before I depart.
Atomic Lynn, Basha, Murph, Stephie, Deb, Harley and all those I haven't named, choo choo! The train is moving and the weekend is coming. (Wow, I must be delierious due to lack of sleep).
Barbie
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Amber- thanks for the thoughts RE Vitamin D... I'm glad others out there are taking/thinking about it.
Barbie- LOL about the ingredients... I am a little bit of a freak when it comes to reading labels (not that it stops me from eating anything). Anyhow, I always read the labels and the one I bought the first ingredient is "safflower oil" I just tried to find one of my food scientists to explain one of the other ingredients. Gotta say, in that respect, very helpful to work in a food company. My brand was from Walgreens: Finest Natural. Will let you know what the Costco brand uncovers.
You all are also so good about asking about your "levels" and numbers. I am SO bad. Oh, I DID ask about the CYP blah blah blah blood test and my onc said that she usually only gives it to her patients that are also on anti-depressants b/c they interact? Foggy brain is not remembering back to Tuesday. Anyhow, she kind of pooh-poohed me and said that she wasn't particularly keen on putting me into early menopause to change the drug if I weren't metabolizing it. And, she told me not to be worried if I didn't have SE's...that a lack of SE's doesn't necessarily mean I'm not metabolizing the Tamox. Short story long, I am just going to go onward and trust her. Like I said, she's awesome and seems to keep on top of all her research---and she was a fellow at Sloan Kettering which is where I had my surgery, so I'll just keep the faith.
Happy Friday girls! Hugs to all,
Virginia
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I don't want to say this too loudly and jinx it, but has anyone else noticed that their hot flashes/flushes/etc have gotten just a little bit less frequent/bothersome since the weather has gotten cooler?
I started in May, and as the weather was warm, and continued to get hotter, it seemed like the flashes were triggered so easily. As the weather has gotten cooler this fall, they don't seem to be bothering me as much...
Maybe I'm just starting out cooler so I appreciate a little bit of warmth, or maybe I'm not getting overheated and triggering them that way as frequently?
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Hi. My name is Michelle-I have been taking Tamoxifen for one month and have no serious side effects. I am taking it to try and prevent breast cancer. What do you guys think about no side effects--is it working?
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Amber - My Vit D level was a 10! I really can't believe it even though I am not much of a milk drinker as I have been taking a multivitamin daily for years. Also, I was tested in July and I had been driving the convertible with the top down every chance I could - without being overly sunscreened. I wonder if there might be something about breast cancer that causes the reduction in vitamin D levels. Just hypothesizing, no info to suggest that is the case.
Michelle - welcome. Assume you've been identified as at risk if you are on tamox as prevention. Think my sister may be headed that way soon. I had a pretty easy time of things my first 3 months and then went through a bout of night sweats for several weeks that seem to be settling sdown again. I wouldn't be overly concerned. Lots of people seem to manage well without recurrence. Stay on the meds.
Joan
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Thanks Joan, 10 seems extrememly low....you could be right about BC and vit D. I have been reading about the higher incidence of cancer for those living farther from the equator....and that Vit D levels are crucial to our immune system. But I wonder if the supplement will provide the same protection as the sun...
Amber
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Good morning, ladies--
Just a short note to let you know I'm thinking of you. I'm finally well again...just an annoying cough hanging on. I don't do sick well; it's great to have energy again! Now, if I can use it for something beside eating...
It's a busy week at school. It's five days with kids, which we haven't had in 3 weeks; this afternoon we have our evacuation drill where the whole campus walks through the neighboring Japanese navy base to a nearby park. I feel sure plans for the D-Day invasion during WWII were no more detailed. Several meetings, a ton of paperwork to do--the beat goes on.
Hope all are well...sorry there's no time to speak to everybody by name. Take good care--
Lynn
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Below is an interesting article re: Tamoxifen
Home > News > Breast Cancer News
Poor Compliance with Tamoxifen Leads to Higher Recurrence Rates
Researchers from St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital in New York have reported that 37% of women with estrogen receptor-positive localized breast cancer are not compliant with prescribed tamoxifen (Nolvadex®), resulting in a higher rate of recurrent disease. The details of this study were published in the October, 2008 issue of the American Journal of Surgery.[1]
A majority of breast cancers are estrogen receptor-positive (ER-positive), meaning they are stimulated to grow by the female hormone estrogen. Depriving ER-positive breast cancers of estrogen can slow their growth. Tamoxifen is an anti-estrogen that has long been the mainstay of hormone therapy for breast cancer. Several randomized studies have shown that treatment with tamoxifen for five or more years significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer recurrence.
Despite this proven efficacy, some studies have shown that compliance to tamoxifen is less than optimal. In one U.S. study of women over the age of 65, compliance to tamoxifen for five years was 69%.[2] A Swiss study revealed a similar compliance rate of 67%.[3]
In the current study, researchers compared the outcomes of breast cancer patients who were compliant to recommended radiation, chemotherapy, or hormonal therapy (tamoxifen) with the outcomes of those who were not compliant. They wanted to determine first, what the level of compliance was and second, the impact this compliance had on recurrence rates.
The researchers found that 7% of patients were not compliant with recommended chemotherapy treatment and 4% of patients were not compliant with the recommended radiation treatment. In startling contrast, 37% of patients did not comply with the recommended adjuvant hormonal therapy treatment of tamoxifen. Noncompliance with tamoxifen was associated with an 87% survival, compared with 96% for compliant women. In other words, women who are compliant with hormonal therapy are significantly more likely to survive longer without a recurrence.
The researchers concluded that noncompliance with tamoxifen is common and results in significantly increased risk of recurrence. More study is needed into the reasons for noncompliance. In this particular study, older age was associated with noncompliance to radiation and chemotherapy, but younger women tended to be noncompliant with tamoxifen. As physicians and researchers gain an understanding of why patients fail to comply with the prescribed hormonal therapy regimen, they may be able to address these issues in order to improve compliance and as a result, improve survival rates.
References:
[1] Ma AMT, Barone J, Wallis AE, et al. Noncompliance with adjuvant radiation, chemotherapy, or hormonal therapy in breast cancer patients. American Journal of Surgery. 2008;196:500-504.
[2] Lash TL, Fox MP, Westrup JC, et al. Adherence to tamoxifen over the five-year course. Breast Cancer Research Treatment. 2006;00:215-220.
[3] Guth U, huang DJ, Schotzau A, et al. Target and reality of adjuvant endocrine therapy in postmeopausal patients with invasive breast cancer. British Journal of Cancer. 2008;99:428-433.
Copyright Breast Cancer Information Center on CancerConsultants.com
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An interesting article on Tamoxifen:
Breast Cancer News
Poor Compliance with Tamoxifen Leads to Higher Recurrence Rates
Researchers from St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital in New York have reported that 37% of women with estrogen receptor-positive localized breast cancer are not compliant with prescribed tamoxifen (Nolvadex®), resulting in a higher rate of recurrent disease. The details of this study were published in the October, 2008 issue of the American Journal of Surgery.[1]
A majority of breast cancers are estrogen receptor-positive (ER-positive), meaning they are stimulated to grow by the female hormone estrogen. Depriving ER-positive breast cancers of estrogen can slow their growth. Tamoxifen is an anti-estrogen that has long been the mainstay of hormone therapy for breast cancer. Several randomized studies have shown that treatment with tamoxifen for five or more years significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer recurrence.
Despite this proven efficacy, some studies have shown that compliance to tamoxifen is less than optimal. In one U.S. study of women over the age of 65, compliance to tamoxifen for five years was 69%.[2] A Swiss study revealed a similar compliance rate of 67%.[3]
In the current study, researchers compared the outcomes of breast cancer patients who were compliant to recommended radiation, chemotherapy, or hormonal therapy (tamoxifen) with the outcomes of those who were not compliant. They wanted to determine first, what the level of compliance was and second, the impact this compliance had on recurrence rates.
The researchers found that 7% of patients were not compliant with recommended chemotherapy treatment and 4% of patients were not compliant with the recommended radiation treatment. In startling contrast, 37% of patients did not comply with the recommended adjuvant hormonal therapy treatment of tamoxifen. Noncompliance with tamoxifen was associated with an 87% survival, compared with 96% for compliant women. In other words, women who are compliant with hormonal therapy are significantly more likely to survive longer without a recurrence.
The researchers concluded that noncompliance with tamoxifen is common and results in significantly increased risk of recurrence. More study is needed into the reasons for noncompliance. In this particular study, older age was associated with noncompliance to radiation and chemotherapy, but younger women tended to be noncompliant with tamoxifen. As physicians and researchers gain an understanding of why patients fail to comply with the prescribed hormonal therapy regimen, they may be able to address these issues in order to improve compliance and as a result, improve survival rates.
References:
[1] Ma AMT, Barone J, Wallis AE, et al. Noncompliance with adjuvant radiation, chemotherapy, or hormonal therapy in breast cancer patients. American Journal of Surgery. 2008;196:500-504.
[2] Lash TL, Fox MP, Westrup JC, et al. Adherence to tamoxifen over the five-year course. Breast Cancer Research Treatment. 2006;00:215-220.
[3] Guth U, huang DJ, Schotzau A, et al. Target and reality of adjuvant endocrine therapy in postmeopausal patients with invasive breast cancer. British Journal of Cancer. 2008;99:428-433.
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Dear Joyce, And that's why we dutifully swallow our pill everyday.
Lynn, I got your cold!!
Cold in VT...in the 30's already. Crank up the stove.
Love, Basha
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Hi Girls! You all have been so quiet lately! Hope all is well. I just got a call from my Onc Nurse and she said that my Vitamin D level was 12.8... She upped my supplement intake from 2000 IU to 5000 IU. I kinda feel llike I should go outside and sun myself...although, not so much in the 30 degree weather!
Welcome Michelle- I too hope that you are taking the Tamox to prevent an occurance...
Pat- hopefully you are one of the lucky ones like me with few SE's. I am very grateful that I don't suffer as many of the ladies do on this thread.
Joyce- thanks so much for posting the article... It does make me feel better that I am actually remembering to take my Tamox every day! Now I have to remember the Vit D --- WITH meals --- WITH a full glass of water... Too much to remember!!
Happy Hump Day all...
Harley- how goes the job search?
Hugs and love to the rest...
Virginia
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Virginia
I'm giving the job search a break, since it seems that there really aren't any jobs available... I think that maybe I need to have a friend in high places, who can make sure I get hired. I'm depressed about all this.
Oh, and my neck is really hurting lately. Don't know if it's the Tamoxifen or what, but the NSAIDS that I am taking to help with the pain are NOT helping... I can't help but worry about... well, you know, the possibility that it could be.... I can't even type it.
Bye... since dh thinks the neck pain is because I'm always on the computer, I may have to go MIA for awhile.... I don't think it's caused by my constant computer use....
Harley0 -
Virginia, thanks for sharing about the level and dosage of Vit D supplement... mine was 24, and I am just taking 2,000 units, but I feel so much better for some reason....
Harley hang in there...hope the neck pain lessens...you never know but it may be the tamoxifen....
Basha bless you...with the sneezing and cold symptoms. It was 24 degrees here in NC this morning. and getting my Vit d in the sun was out of the question...hope you are well soon.
Lynn, hope you are doing well and that the 5 day work weeks aren't 2 difficult.
Hi to all!
Amber
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Hi girls - I'm back .... my laptop picked up a virus and I had to replace the hard drive. It has not been a fun 1 1/2 weeks. I am still working on restoring all my program files and data files (it's my work laptop).
I also had my first colonoscopy last Thursday and I had no issues.
I'll be back later to read the postings - they are always helpful. I must get back to work (urrgghhh).
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Amber,
.... (I'm whispering...) the neck pain seems better today... I've been using a heating pad at night well, ok, it's a water bottle, and they are rather uncomfortable!
I also think it may be the Tamoxifen. I go back to my onc next month, and let me tell you, he will get an earful!!
Thanks, everyone for letting me whine so much!!
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HI all -
I'm in Florida with Mom & Dad for a few days. Mom just had her lumpectomy & SNB Tuesday so is somewhat sore but otherwise doing fairly well. I'm annoyed with the hopsital as for some reason the nuclear medicine "didn't take" so they removed extra lymph nodes - total number yet TBA although the doctor indicated "not all". Not feeling so good about him now either. Hopefully it won't be a problem. They at least automatically referred Mom to a lymphedema education program.
Harley - while I haven't tried it myself, I hear those bean bag type heating and cooling packs are very good. The ones you can put in the microwave to warm or the freezer to cool. Is it actually rice inside?
Joan
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Hi, ladies--
Blessedly, it's Friday evening here and I made it through a five-day week. Woohoo...next week is a 3-dayer, thank heavens. I'm so tired I bugged out on the monthly bunco get-together; just couldn't handle being social. Anybody know the feeling? Plus I pulled something in my chest coughing and it hurts to move. Nothing serious...just an annoyance.
Amber, Joan, Barbie, Virginia and all the other Vitamin D-ers...I have no clue what my levels are--forgot to ask last summer when I saw my onc--but my friend who's big into supplements convinced me to start taking an extra pill. I'm taking 2500 IU every other day in addition to my multivitamin. Hopefully that isn't too much/too little.
Basha, sorry I sent my cold through the ether to you...hope you're feeling better soon! This one hung on endlessly...hope yours gets better much quicker.
Harley, so sorry the job search isn't going well...this economy sucks for sure. Hope your neck is feeling better soon. My hips are aching again at night, and my right hip is bothering me during the day again. I long for the days in the past when nothing hurt...I didn't appreciate my good health.
Joyce, thanks for the article...I haven't missed a dose in about six weeks (I'm sure I'm jinxing things by saying that), and I feel good that I'm doing all I can to keep a recurrence at bay.
Virginia, your fireplace sounds like a hoot! You've made a nice nest for relaxing...enjoy! I'm going to put up my Christmas tree this weekend. Believe it or not, this will be my first tree I've put up as an adult (I'm 53)! When I lived in the states my parents had a tree, so I'd go over and enjoy theirs; since '86 I've been overseas and usually travel for the holidays so I never bothered. I bought a fake one with the lights already on it. I hope it isn't too cheesy looking.
Murph, glad you're back. Computer viruses suck. I was computer-less for a few days while our IT guy at work cleaned up my laptop...he does this on the side and just had a new baby last week, so I'm glad to give him the business.
Joan, I hope your mom's recovery goes okay. Where in FL are you? So no SNB, huh? That's weird, but good news about the lymphadema clinic referral.
Sunday the three American schools here in Sasebo will have a potluck Thanksgiving dinner, with turkey, ham, and all the trimmings. We do it the weekend before the holiday because so many people travel over the long weekend. Not me...I'll be planted on my sofa enjoying the free time.
I'll end this epistle...busy time of year, I know, but let's hear about holiday plans. I love Thanksgiving and have much to be thankful for. Take care, friends...I'll be in the relaxation/massage car; also the turkey and trimmings car. Love you all...
Lynn
<:AtomicElement>
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Hello everybody out there in Tamoxifenland!
I just completed my reconstruction surgery after 5 months of expanders and was sitting on the couch, minding my own business, looking at by foobs and celebrating the "end" of a rather unpleasant ordeal. The phone rang, and it was my husband, saying they found residual breast tissue with DCIS still remaining near my armpit! Apparently, when they remove your breasts, there's always a little left that they either can't see or get. I'm the lucky 1% who can end up with a little leftover DCIS. So now, I guess they want me to have a preventive course of radiation and get started with the Tamoxifen regime. I've been very encouraged to hear your stories that Tamoxifen isn't that horrible. You guys seem to be doing just fine with it. Has this happened to anybody else out there?
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Joan- good to hear your mom did well with the surgery. please keep us posted as to what the results of the SNB is!! Safe travels to you...
Lynn- lol...i'm hoping you put that atomic element signature there yourself! So funny. Yes, the fireplace is awesome... My family room has definitely turned into my own personal version of a "Man Cave."
Murph! Missed you girl! Sorry you had a virus. My computer at home and at work is running so slow. I am so paranoid about the home PC running the anti-virus/spyware programs practically every time I boot it up...
Not much news to report... These holidays will, needless to say, be rough. I am going to attempt to make my Dad's Pumpkin Pie for my niece...he always made is especially for her. Bah, tears already and it's not even Thanksgiving... Have to keep my perspective and be grateful for the time I had with him...as well as my own blessings...
Hugs girls... Took a new picture of myself today as it is the 21st... Anyhow, how is it that my Sure Shot makes my forehead look like it's 3/4 of my face! And it's shiny! When I look at myself in the mirror BEFORE I take the picture I think, this is ok...then the picture...ACCCKKKK!
Basha, hope you are feeling better. We are supposed to be REALLY cold tomorrow...
V
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Hello Ladies,
Srissman - I'm so sorry that you have gone through the mastectomy and the recon and still had a little remaining DCIS. I'm sure there is someone on these boards who will be able to shed some light on your situation. Beesie in the DCIS forum is always a wonderful source of information. I hope you find that Tamoxifen is low on SE's for you. As Virginia said, there are some here that have no SE's and some who have many. But what we all have is each other - so welcome.
Atomic Lynn - So glad your cold is gone, and Basha, I hope you are soon on the mend!
Joan, I'm so sorry to hear that your Mom's surgery had an unexpected turn. I hope that she is able to recover and avoid any signs of lymphedema.
Harley - I think you should book a massage for your neck. Just do it.
Murph - Computers can be our friends and then turn on us in an instant. So glad you are back on good terms.
Joyce- thanks for sending along that article. It is such a weird sorority we belong to (that we didn't pledge) where so much of our healthcare and treatment is truely in our own hands.
Virginia - You are too funny. Page 27 of the Sure Shot manual says "WARNING, this camera will take really cute self portraits, however, subjects often believe that their forehead becomes elongated and shiny. Subjects should be aware that this is all in your imagination, and the photo is very cute." I just looked it up.
It is good to be back ladies. Yesterday I went to the funeral of my 24 year old cousin who was killed in a car crash. It was a very difficult day. The previous two days I spend at a spa, "celebrating" my 1 year surgiversary. I spend the time writing, reflecting, eating, relaxing and treating myself to treatment after treatment. It has been a difficult week for me, but in some ways very rewarding as well.
Take care everyone - and sorry that I didn't mention everyone, I'm pretty wiped out today.
Barbie
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Darling Gals,
I just got freaking diagnosed with osteopenia. Please, if any have it, let me know. My dumb doctor is impossible to get on the phone. I got the news in a letter.
Thanks, Basha
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Basha,
We must have the same dr.! He sent me a letter telling me that my cholesterol levels are elevated, and explaining what to do about it. I think I had very low numbers when I had my first bone density test several years ago, but I've never had a dr. who cared enough to tell me what to do about it.
I know, I know.... I'll have to get that checked out when I see my onc next month. Sheesh! Can't I EVER just have a nice uneventful month?0
