MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish
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Wow, Diana, you got some service! If I wanted to eat I had to bring it with me or send someone to get something. I think bringing something to read would be a good idea if you could keep getting distracted it might make the day go by faster.
Eli~ since you won't have the little dictator, I am assuming they are going with a different chemo, correct?
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D-rose, let's say that the B/C gals chemo is a gin martini, and I'll be getting a vodka martini. It is called FOLFOX4. Google it for a quick look-see. I think the experience is qoing to be very similar to what most B/C treatments put you through.
luv, I continue to look thru' some of those chemo threads and I'm still learning the little tricks that the women share. However, I will not be able to do anything ice-chip related. One of my chemo martini ingredients is supposed to make me incredibly sensitive to cold. (Good thing this is not Winter chemo, was my first thought.)
I still continue to lose weight, and it has been about 13 pounds since this all began. O.K., I might have had three pounds to spare, but the extra ten...I'm now looking a little chicken-y in the legs. I am worried that I could drop a lot more doing chemo all summer...to the point of malnutrition. I have some absorption questions to ask my surgeon about, because I AM eating and not shying away from the calories by any means.
Middie-friends, when you do not see me on here, you have to realize I am Googling cancer, reading about cancer and aspects of my treatment; and the phone has been busy with nurse line follow-ups and friends calling (which means they want an update,) so I can easily get cancered-out most days. Despite all the great support here, it is not where I need to head to when I take a break from the other cancer related stuff. Sometimes it feels like "all cancer, all the time" and you can understand my need to back away when I can. So, although I might not be having my cup of tea here with everyone each morning, I will be visiting from time to time. After all, someone has to change the picture up there.
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Best wishes to you Eli. If there was ever a time that I hoped that the summer would go by quickly, that time is now so that you can be done with chemo and on your way to healing and moving on. We look forward to your visits when you're up for it.
DH has been busy this week with maple syrup season in full swing. He and a couple of friends have a basic operation that they work together on every year. No lines to bring the sap to them - it's a walk through the bush to gather the sap (about 160 pails), and boil it down in an outdoor, home made boiler. It is definitely a lot of work but boy is it worth it. (easy for me to say, I have only been out once to help collect sap) The liquid gold is sooooo yummy. And good for you too! Maybe pancakes and fresh syrup for breakkie this weekend.
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Quick question, I'm 51 years old, post-menopausal since 10/2011, I just read that Tamoxifen is for pre-menopausal women, I also read if I don't have hot flashes with Tamoxifen my recurrance rate of BC is higher...(I don't have hot flashes) Should I just stop reading???
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Hi LorAll, I heard that from a few people (that if you don't have SE's from tamox then it is not working) but it has been debunked by some others. I have no idea what to believe. I haven't started tamoxifen (yet) and it will be prescribed for me. I have heard there is a blood test that tells docs if it will work for you (not sure what it is called) because for a small percentage, tamoxifen is not effective? Hope you get some answers from others who know more than I do soon.
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LorAll - It isn't so much that Tamoxifen is for pre-menopausal women... It's that all the "other" drugs are for post-menopausal women. If Tamoxifen works for you without major se's, it's an excellent choice for you. There are SE's with all of these drugs, but one of the good ones with Tamoxifen is that it tends to strengthen bones rather than weeken them as many of the AI's do. I think the no hot flashes means it isn't working is just an old wives tale. And April is correct there is a blood test that you could request...
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The Tamoxifen utilization test is called the CYP2D6 (liver enzyme) test. Or, there is the "poor man's" version...Do you get sleepy when you drink Benadryl? Well, you need CYP2D6 to metabolize that, so if you get sleepy with the Benadryl, you are probably o.k. on the Tamox. as well.
I also want to comment on the bone strengthening properties of Tamox. I remember reading that it added a whopping 4% density to bones of postmenopausal women. Then, when you stop Tamox., that extra density drops off fairly quickly. Tamox. is still a lot more bone sparing than the AI's, and it is a good choice for any woman that falls into a high risk group for osteoporosis.
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Thanks elimar! Good information to have!
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I didn't get really fatigued. When I did feel tired I took a nap and it really helped. Vitamins B6 and B12 along with the multi-vitamin seemed to help too.
I didn't find radiation bad at all and I had the 33 treatments too. What became annoying was every day same time same place.
Hope all goes well!
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They let you take vitamins? My RO had me stop all of that stuff...
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Hi All-
Back from my cross-country flight; I didn't get DVT, but really, when you look at the odds of that, it's pretty rare unless you have been ill or immobile for a time. I am a believer in the "when it's my time to go, I'll go" philosophy. I try not to push my luck (I can already hear some of you saying, "but you flew one week after surgery") but realize that my ultimate demise will likely be out of my control. I cannot/will not live life in fear of what could happen.
From the airport I went directly to my PS's office for my followup. I asked him how much fat was sucked from my abdomen?!? He said "probably about 600 to 700 ccs." What?! That's like a small boob's worth! I told him I was disappointed that he didn't "go for it."
I figured the amount removed would be definitively recorded, but it wasn't. In any regard, my tummy looks about the same, aside from the swelling and fading black/blue/yellow/pink bruising (call me Rainbow Brite) EXCEPT for where I used to have muffin top fat on my hips when I wore jeans. That seems to be gone! He confirmed that it will take about three months for all swelling/fluid retention to resolve. I am comfortable in my looser jeans and think I will be able to wear my "regular" jeans very soon. I asked why he didn't fill the divot under my arm muscle or address the excess fat/skin at the bottom of my implant. He said he did, but when he started filling the divot with fat it "slid" down towards the fatty area at the bottom of my implant (eeewww)! He said he did lipo some of the excess fat out of that area. He added that he can tighten up the skin as an office procedure and address the divot later.
I was SO hoping to resolve all issues with this surgery, although I am aware that some of the injected fat will not "take." My trough above the implant was completely gone, but already I am seeing signs that I am losing some of the fat. If I can keep most of it and it's not noticeable in a bra and tank top, I may consider my reconstruction done. Who knows how I'll feel in a couple of months. Surgery has not been difficult for me, but the constant reminder of cancer and defects in my appearance is. I used to have a "nice pair" and have finally realized that my landscape will never be the same. I am grateful that I am 54, have a husband who, although he misses the old me, loves me still. I ache for younger women who are seeking their own life partners after being diagnosed. Appearance is SO much more of a focus when you're young.
I hope this Easter weekend is filled with family, friends and love for you all, whether you observe the holiday or not.
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Have a Happy Easter...You all deserve a carefree, joyful, wonderful day.
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Staynsane, easy now, lol. When I had my BMX they did report the weight of the boobs, which I thought had grown much too big (due to weight gain), and even at this grossly large size (in my eyes) they weighed all of a pound a piece.
I am sorry that you did not get everything solved with this last surgery, but it also sounds as if you are coming to terms with it, which is good.
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Staynsane--I'm with you, there are many things I cannot control, and I refuse to live my life in fear of what might happen. I will take reasonable care and precautions, but I will not run my life based on fear of what might happen. I've heard that the final results of liposuction take some time to be seen completely, but I'm really glad that you are seeing positive results already!
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Momine and NativeMainer-
Thanks for your comments. When all is said and done (or maybe not "all") I focus on the fact that as far as anyone can tell, I am cancer free and THAT is more important to me than my looks because it represents more life to live! I just thought it would be great to come out of my last surgery with a flatter tummy and the bigger issues regarding my recon addressed. I am eager to see what my tummy will look like after all swelling is gone; my PS seemed to be very pleased with his work, but I think they always are.
When I had my mastectomy and TE I really expected that the implant exchange would be the end of BC-related surgery for me. Since then I have read that revisions are the norm. I think a lot of women probably are like me, and give up with those even though improvements can still be made, in the desire to move on.
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SNS, I'm so glad my fears were for nothing
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Me, too.
I am one who has called it quits on revisions. My frustration with the differences doesn't outweigh the fact I hate surgery and anesthesia.
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I don't envy anyone those choices and decisions. At the end of the day, I just want all of us to be happy with our decisions. I have been, thankfully.
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Color me middle-aged. I made my husband buy me a Lazy-Boy chair over the weekend. Actually, my back has been killing me since my surgery (4 hours on back) and the hospital (two days on back) and my poor old osteoarthritic lumbar spine does not appreciate that at all. You would think that, with my upcoming chemo, I will be getting more than my share of the recliner chair lifestyle over at the Cancer Center, but what the heck...I will need more comfort seating and napping stations in my home once the fatigue sets in, so why not?
staynsane, I think you made an interesting point that some of us just want to move on, even tho' we carry around scars and disfigurements that might be improved on. It gets into individual decision territory again. I'm not 100% happy with the look of my lumpectomy scar, but just don't want to bring a PS into the mix. No more cutting for me. Everyone of us does deserve to be happy (or at least not depressed) with our altered body images. Hope it is only a short while til you get into your skinny jeans!
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Eli - I would love to have a recliner. Best sleeping of the day leaned back on my couch. I could sleep sitting straight upright. Used to laugh at my DM when she and my GM would do that. Enjoy the chair and you have more places for guests to rest. Maybe even DH will get a turn. LOL
This is today's comic "Close To Home". Robots at the bedside. Thought immediately of you.
Keeping you in my prayers and so good to hear from my sweet sister.
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Gee, luvmygoats, I don't even know if my robot was married with children or not.
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Eli, I can also recommend getting a lap desk. I got a cheap one from Ikea, with a plastic top, and a sort of bean-bag pillow underneath. It came in very handy both in bed and in the recliner.
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Edited post above when I realized some of the content displayed on the link was less than desirable (think extreme underwear ads, etc.). So I went with the Seattle Times. Oddly enough the Ft. Worth Star Telegram link for the comic was the same objectional site.
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Eli - I see you read it before I edited. Sorry (but not for the actual cartoon). I usually try to catch stuff b4 I post. Love you.
Lap desks also at office supply, can't remember which one of the 3 I bought mine at. But I have a really old one, just laminate top and beanbag. Much softer than the new one which has the beanbag only on each end.
I have never been to Ikea. Probably a good thing for my bank account.
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So glad to find this group. Im 59 for another month anyway. Gigi to two beautiful grands that I care for daily when Im not knocked down from the chemo. Question...do you ladies think the side effects are worse on us "older gals"?
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Welcome Starynights - glad to have you aboard (although not crazy about the reason that you are here). Sounds like you are an active Gigi taking care of the grandkids on a daily basis. I hope that the chemo isn't knocking you back to badly. As for SEs - I think that no matter the age, some are affected more than others with each treatment.
Looking forward to "seeing" more of you in the future. You will find that we like to have fun here but can be serious when the need arises.
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I echo Barsco's statements. Some women in their 60's have way more energy than younger women. And even then, chemo just affects us all differently. I sailed through A/C but hated Taxol. Many are the exact opposite. The important thing is that we g.e.t. It no matter which category you fall into. Lots of square pegs in round holes in this room 😊
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Stary, I agree with Barsco and Marle, it is extremly individual and I am not sure age has that much to do with it. My mother had chemo 3-4 years ago, and my aunt was doing taxotere for the second time along with me. My mother dealt with chemo better than I did, from what I could see.
I do think it really helps to get outside and if at all possible to get some exercise, even if it is just a slow walk. I had FEC before my surgery and all through that, I walked my 2 dogs early every morning in the park. It helped me a great deal, I think.
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I've decided I need to STEP AWAY FROM THE SCALE! I have noticed that following surgery I tend to hold onto an extra 5 lbs (even though I haven't been overeating) for a few weeks and my recent experience is no exception. Although this time I also got my period, which I haven't had since December, so double-whammy.
So here I am, heaviest I've been since I was 5' 3" and in Jr High. I was a little chunk back then, got sick, lost weight and held it while I grew to 5' 9" throughout my late teen years. Because I'm tall, I could easily hide a pound or two and no one would have noticed. For the most part, I have weighed the same since age 22, even after two kids. It just got redistributed a bit.
Two weeks after my last surgery, I feel slimmer, but weigh more! I haven't tried on my skinny jeans yet, mostly because I have been working from home all week. I suppose some of the weight is probably water still retained in my slightly swollen mid section, but damn! I was shocked when I got on the scale! I thought (hoped) that I would be one of those lucky women who didn't have the menopause SE of weight gain (even though I'm still trooping on with ocassional periods) and I guess time will tell. This is probably surgery-related water retention, at least that's what I'm sticking with!
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