MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish
Comments
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Oh darn marlegal - was thinking that maybe you and Snookie were besties - lol. You will no doubt have a much better holiday being nowhere near that gang.
Diana - yeah, that point really caught my attention also. Things that make you go hmmmmmmm.
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Well my day just got shot to HELL. My primary doctor just called and said there was something elevated to do with my liver from the blood tests she had done. She said she went back through all my labs and this is something new and was not there in any of my blood work even during chemo. She told me to stop the Metformin and to come in and have the test again a week or so after my surgery on the 5th. Well, I checked and I didn't start taking the Metformin until the day after the blood work was done, so that's not it. I asked her if it could be a sign of liver mets and didn't really get an answer other than we will do the test over. I was so stressed I can't even remember was she said was elevated. I just keep thinking she said something to do with liver acid or something. WTF I can't take anymore.
Does anyone know if liver mets syptoms can show in blood work or are there other symptoms? Yesterday I was all excited because the cancer center said I was NED and then my primary doctor calls with this. She monitors me much closer than the MO does, but now I am scared to death.
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Hi Dianarose, the blood test would be the Alt, Ast and Bilirubin. Here's a link I find very useful: http://www.bloodindex.org/blood_chemistry_tests.php
Did you have an irradiated CT scan done, liver is behind rib cage so the scan would show liver mets if they were big enough. In hindsight, my symptoms were bile/nausea and intermittent little pinching pains on my left side, thought it was my lung but it was liver. My blood work was medium high but many other factors can raise the above levels as well. Jo0 -
Jo, thanks for the link. I had a CT and PET a yr ago just prior to my BMX. I haven't really had any symptoms. I have been taking 1 Xanax a day for about a yr now. Not sure if that could do it. Did they say why you had pains on your left side when the liver is on the right side? Nothing makes sense some times. How are they treating your mets and is possible to be completely get rid of liver mets? I was reading a bit about liver cancer and weight loss was a symptom. I have gained about 12 lbs or so since chemo so I don't have that symptom. Had you noticed any weight loss prior to? If this is my new normal (being afraid all the time) I am not liking it much. I had 17 positive nodes so I have been trying to live in denial. It is how I deal with it I guess. I just noticed you didn't have positive nodes yet you had mets from the get go. That whole node thing pisses me off. Too many are lead to believe that because they didn't have positive nodes they are out of the woods. Are you finished with your chemo?
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Dianarose - so sorry that this has come down today, especially after welcoming NED into your life just recently. I am sure there are many other things that could cause whatever change your dr saw in the bloodwork. I know my onc checks bloodwork at each visit, but I have no idea what, other than enzyme levels.
I am also a liver metster from the get go. I don't recall much pain at all, but when I do think back I remember having quite a bit of nausea prior to dx.
Thinking on the positive side, perhaps there was something that threw a glitch into the blood test and a retest will show all is a-ok. Living with the "what ifs" everyday is not an easy. As a matter of fact it SUCKS! Hang in there. We are all here for you and will wait with you for the retest.
In the meantime - focus on getting that bakery up and running. We are all getting anxious to hear about opening day and seeing pics of the new digs.
((hugs)) to you dear friend.
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Hi D, I'm happy that your doc is on the ball with your bloodwork. She will book a CT scan for sure to rule out liver mets. It's not good to have symptoms as that's an indicator of progression. The liver is quiet, almost till it's too late. Keep taking your Xanax!
Fear is a killer...most likely IF you have liver mets they are BC mets which is different than regular liver cancer, we live longer. There are many treatments for BC liver cancer. Please don't read Dr. Google, he will stress you to death...those stats are very out of date and don't relate to today's liver mets especially if caught early. Better info right here.
The liver goes right across the front and up the left side. Pain in your upper back, left side is a symptom as well. I had that as well but thought it was my regular back pain (I have 3 herniated discs). I had a bunch of symptoms...felt like hell around March 2012 and got worse till I was diagnosed in Sept. i was exhausted, no energy, my BP went out of control, blood sugars through the roof, every joint down to my toes hurt like hell, was nauseated/bile most days, very emotional and my armpits stank....my body odor changed, I switched deodorants several times thinking it was deodorant gone wrong but it dawned on me about 6 months ago that it was my liver malfunctioning.
THEY said it was only 7mm IDC - nothing to worry about, I knew how physically unwell I was and just knew it wasn't going to turn out good. I knew nothing about BC then....and I still cry every day but more resigned now, sad and sometimes there's stark terror. I do better with more info as I'm/was a control freak, some people think less is best.
There are ladies on the stage IV forum who are NED or at least stable. Treatment is relative to your path report, I'm HER2+++ so chemo and herceton for life or as long as I can tolerate it. Yep, the pink stuff is crap, I'm proof, didn't really get that BC kills....nobody talks about mets...the public doesn't get it, they all think they're running for a cure...less than 10% of all money raised goes to actually researching for a cure. I believe it's more lucrative to provide treatments for us than a cure.
Don't let this stop you! Open that bakery, find a place in your brain where you can stash the worry and keep very busy till you get scan results. I do better when there's a plan I can focus on and there's not a damn thing I can do about my mets except work around them and take good drugs like Ativan lol! I'm sooooo angry that this crap is killing us! One foot in front of another and we'll be here to help you anytime!....xoxoxox Jo0 -
Dianarose, While it is true that when things are not right in those very basic blood tests it can be an indication of cancer activity, BUT the levels can fluctuate for other benign reasons also. We will all hope that it is just an insignificant little blip and that the retest shows everything back in normal range. You and NED made such a cute couple. You need to stay together a long time without any trifling little tests coming along trying to break you two up!!!
You can't help but wonder over this mysterious elevation, but try not to get ahead of yourself with worry. I'm not saying stick your head in the sand, but for now just try and psych up for the surgery (and you know we'll be there) and shove the rest into a quite corner of your mind for now. ((Hugs)) and please have a fun holiday weekend before it's time to go under the knife.
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That's funny! I didn't see Jo's post and we both said to tuck the worry away for now. I didn't copy her, I swear.
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Dianarose, I have nothing to add to what has been said already. I DO know that I want a pastry from your bakery, even if I have to pay air freight.
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Thanks everyone !!! I have read up on the long term use of the Xanax and it can cause liver changes. I have been taking one every night for a yr now. I am going to stop taking them and see if things go back to normal. Need to rule it out so I know. I read that Xanax can also cause weight gain. Maybe that is the cause of the xtra pounds that I can't get rid of. How ironic it would be that something I am taking to calm me down has stressed me out so much. Here's to hoping it is the Xanax and not mets.
Eph- Once I am up and running I will sent you a nice treat package.
The bakery is going to be called Queen of Tarts Bakery and Cafe'. I am excited and nervous at the same time. I went to college for accounting so I keep redoing the numbers right down to how much I need to make each day to break even and then hopefully profit after that. I have figured out what each cookie and muffin costs to make so I know what to charge.
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Diana, please talk to your doc before you go cold turkey on the xanax. Xanax is addictive, so I strongly suspect that you should step it down gradually.
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Love the name "Queen of Tarts", Very awesome!
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Good advice Momine - I tried to take myself off of an anti-depressant recently. Thought I would be ok as I wasn't on it very long. Wow - dizzy, lightheaded, ringing in ears etc. No fun. Good idea to talk to dr first.
I think the name "Queen of Tarts" is awesome too!
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Went to the PS today for my consult before my exchange. I stopped at my primary doctors and got a copy of the bloodwork results and I showed them to the PS. She said she wouldn't worry about it because they were only slightly elevated. She said to try some benadryl at bedtime so I get to sleep. A week or 2 after surgery they are going to do the blood test over.
I have been going back and forth with the landlord on a lease agreement and we have come up with an agreement that we both agree on so I am hoping to sign the lease on Tuesday. I will give him the 1st months rent and the 2nd month is not due until 30 days from the day I open. This way I can start all the permits and stuff, clean, get the equipment in there, have my surgery, rest, and then get her up and running. I can't wait to be able to do things my way instead of having a boss over you all the time.
I sure do miss the sun. I am not sure of the last time the sun was out around here. I don't think it is going to clear up any until next week. It is only supposed to be in the 40's over the weekend. No global warming in Maine.
I hope everyone has a great weekend. Thanks for all your support.
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dianarose - Can you hear the collective sigh from all of your bco sisters? Sooooooo glad that you were able to have your PS look at the bloodwork and that she is not too concerned about it.
Sounds like everything is coming together for the Queen of Tarts! Here's a bit of sunshine to warm you up and help you get through the weekend!
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Barsco-Thank you. What a beautiful picuture. I can feel the warmth.
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Dianarose, so happy to hear good news from "The Queen of Tarts"!!!! Now why would your doctor call and stress you out like that....
Nice picture Barsco! Need some of that sunshine over here, cold and rainy all week!
Jo0 -
Dianarose , cute name and congrats on the better news.
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Love the name Diana! Here's hoping your PS was right and hte elevated levels are only slight elevations. I've had tons of elevations but my original breast surgeon of all people can look back and say - oh, it was elevated once in 2009, see? That woman has a memory like no one else I know. Hope the same for you too hon. And not to go on with the weather theme (Eli packs a mean left hook) but it's going down to 40 tonight here at the Jersey shore and then 85 on Thursday. 45 degrees in 6 days? Isn't that against the law or something??? Mother Nature just cracks me up.
Hope that lots of you have a long weekend this Memorial Day. If you're one of those essential workers who keep us all going, thank you for the extra service.
Speaking of service, if you are currently serving, or have served in the past, or have loved ones who have served or are serving in any of our armed forces .... Thank you. I think all of us have friends or relatives who have lost their lives in time of war so I'll think of all of them during this Memorial weekend too.
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Greetings and salutations, middies!
I went to Dr. Google and deduced that I may have walking pneumonia following that terrible cough I had a few weeks ago. The prednisone and levaquin didn't quite finish it off, I don't think. But I might be getting over it. Today I had a little energy and I have suddenly stopped coughing. I've also been taking 2000 mg time-release Vitamin C everyday. So maybe time, rest and Vitamin C have helped me recover. If I don't feel better Monday, I'll call the MO.
Diana - I love the name Queen of Tarts! Even though you're doing a lot of work now to get it started, it almost sounds fun! Good job with the negotiating - I've always enjoyed dickering over the price of something, haha.
Barsco - that picture is so awesome you can almost feel the warmth! Here in the Deep South we are freezing. (okay, lips zipped about weather)
Sherry - your boot camp is intimidating me! But it's also inspiring me to do more... You go girl!
luv - I'm surrounded by about 8 acres of woods, and we're starting to have a problem with that dadgum English Ivy growing up the trees. There's a service in Atlanta that rents out their goats to eat up all the ivy! They pen them in and keep moving the pen until the area is all cleaned up. My brother (who is my neighbor) and I were talking about hiring them, then it occurred to me that we can't - there's a coyote family in the woods. No problem! These guys camp out with the goats and a shotgun to protect them from coyotes, which are a recent addition to our wildlife. They've been moving eastward from the west. Now they're killing all of our cute raccoons and people's pets. I'm sure it's pretty expensive, but I hope to hire them one day. In the meantime, I'm dealing with it one or two trees at a time.
Marlegal - hope you don't freeze and swelter too much this weekend! Have a great time at the shore!
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Dianarose, if you are on letrozole, it can mess up liver numbers.
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HNS - good to hear that your cough is diminishing. Hopefully it has finally healed. We have an overabundance of coyotes in our area. Quite often you will see a hunters out to try and lower the numbers. I believe there is a bounty for them here as they are killing a lot of livestock. We hear the coyotes a lot at night - eerie as you can tell they are very close.
marlegal - hope you have a great weekend at the shore despite the cool temps. Nice tribute to those who have served, those who do serve and to those who will serve in the future.
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Diana - I second what Momine says. I would take a look at all the drugs you are on but don't be surprised if they all say something about liver. Drugs are metabolized only 2 ways - thru the kidneys (don't quote me but I think less common) and thru the liver. That would be the first place I would look rather than go to mets thinking. And I also agree with not stopping Xanax cold turkey and you might not need to stop it at all in view of the minor nature of the enzyme elevations. They are watching for a trend with such minor changes so expect some repeat blood work. But VERY GOOD NEWS.
Queen of Tarts is perfect. Descriptive, cute, succinct. I think the name will stick in people's heads. And you sound like you are on a roll to opening. Hard work I know (DH had a truck based tool business for a while) but it will be yours and your partner's. What date are you shooting for? July 4th?
HNS - I have heard of goats for land clearance. Uses portable electric fencing but I would think you're paying mostly for the herders' presence. Goats are pretty prolific breeders; most have 2 kids and the Nigerian Dwarf breed I have is known for multiple kids up to 6. Whew - I've only had one have 3. With 6 you would have to supplement. So what I'm saying is cruel but as it is the herder may tolerate a few losses. The unwanted males in a dairy are often euthanized at birth and maybe not so humanely. So his herd could be free for the taking males he neutered inexpensively. I'm a weenie and my vet does it for me. Otherwise they band the testicles at about 6 weeks. I give my "males" away as pets.
I have not heard as many coyotes around as my across the creek neighbor has a dog kennel full of feral hog hunting dogs. I abhor their barking but I think they're keeping the coyotes out of my creek. I have only seen one on a rainy daytime across the road and I assume was a sickly one. Not as many stray dogs either.
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Momine- I am not on letrozle yet. That's next month. After 2 nights of not sleeping at all I will have to agree with not stopping the Xanax all at once. I am going to take a half tonight.
heartnsoul- if you don't try to negotiate you will always wonder if you could have gotten a better deal. I used to sell cars for a living. It must be in the blood or something.
Luvmygoats- I am shooting to open by the end of June. My surgery on the 5th is sort of bad timing, but I need to get it over and behind me. The other woman who was supposed to be a partner in this wanted me to take all the financial risk and she would pay me back over time. Didn't work for me. If I am taking all the risk what do I need her for. I am just going to hire a couple people to work the front. My niece needs a job this summer and I know a couple other people who need work.
jo- I think my doctor was in a panic because she thought it way from the Metformin, which she prescibed to me off label. She was glad when I told her the blood was drawn the day before I started taking it. I will go back on it after surgery.
LorAll- love the picture of the Queen of Tarts. I will try to post the one I was thinking of using.
Marlegal- I hope you are right. It always stresses me out when any doctor calls me after hours. It has never been good news for me.
It was a whopping 45 degrees and pouring this morning and got up to 49 and still raining. We need some sunshine.
I hope everyone has a good weekend.
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barsco - unfortunately, it's against the law to shoot coyotes here because we are an urban county. (I assume the goat-herders have a special license). The state won't do anything about them because just as soon as you remove one coyote family, another one moves in. We're stuck with a vicious neighbor. I hear them howling under my window at night - they're in my front yard! I hate that!
luv - lol, I know what you mean about being a weenie. I used to think I wanted to live on a farm, but when it came to slaughtering time or killing hobbled newborns or ANY of that, I couldn't do it. My father had a friend that owned a farm and her cows died of old age - I was just a kid then and I knew that would be me.
Diana - haha, it must be in the blood! I'm a real estate agent now and still get to play the game. It was as cold here in Georgia as it was in Maine this morning!
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Hey everyone, been enjoying my reprieve from my AI. My MO was out of the office this week so I get another week off.
When I was tested for brca and found negative, the counselor said my nephew (my sister's son) might want to get tested,since she was the reason they were testing me.The test wasn't available for her. She also said they were going to store a sample of my blood in case more tests become available. All that to say she seemed to think the gene runs through both female and male relatives.
When I was 50 I started to exercise, my son was enlisting in the marines and needed to lose weight. So to support him I joined a boot camp like you,sherry. After the initial pain,I loved it. My son stopped by the end of the month. I kept going for the whole summer. It was so empowering. So have a great time!
Diana, whoo what a rollercoaster ride. I hate when my doc emails me with a subject line of important message from Dr.....please login to patient gateway to read message. I keep telling her,she could word it differently. I'm close enough to come visit once you get the Tarts opened up. So I'll surprise you someday.0 -
Hi guys,
Having a crappy week, lost a good friend, but stopped by to say hey so you didn't wonder where I am.
Dianarose...so glad about the good news! Thanks for your link.
I will resurface in time.....
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Dragongirl - sorry to hear of the loss of your friend and thanks for letting us know that you will be away for a while to save us some worry. Take the time you need - we will miss you and hope you can join us again soon. ((hugs))
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I remember the counseling session before BRCA testing, and the counselor went over the family history of BOTH sides of my family. While there is no bc history on either side there is pancreatic cancer on both sides, and stomach cancer on my father's side, and THOSE were the risk factors that warrented testing (besides my being younger than 50 at diagnosis). The BRCA mutations are also associated with stomach, pancreatic and non-smoking related lung cancer, I was surprised to learn. Then, of course, after all that I tested negative. Luck of the draw, what a crap shoot life can be.
Dianarose--the first thing I would recommend is getting a copy of the lab work report your doc is referring to. Post it here and we can help you sort it out. Yes, abnormal liver function tests can indicate liver mets, BUT, and it is a HUGE BUT, that's not the only cause of abnormal liver tests. There is a long, long list of things that can cause this, many as silly as how long the blood sat before being run through the machine, how much water you drank the morning of the test, if you were fasting or not, if you'd had a few drinks in the few days before the test was done or ate certain foods. Liver function test results are well known in the health care industry for having random, meaningless elevations. The standard response if a result isn't clearly hugely abnormal is to repeat it in a week or so. One of the biggest culprits are the cholesterol meds, especially the statins like lipitor. I would trust the cancer center report the most right now, if I were you. They have a lot riding on getting that info right. But, I do understand you are frightened, and I would be, too.
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cmharris59:
I can say that I feel the depression acutely. I can't take the cancer meds either. I was diagnosed at 48, no cancer in my family. The Tamox made me suicidal and had terrible physical effects. I know this sounds trite and cliche, but hang in there. Get your breasts done. Did you say you're taking any supplements or meds for the depression? I have NO group for support where I am. No one to talk to about it and I go round and round in my head. I have found that DIM + has helped give me energy and made me feel better. I wish you better times, my sister.
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