MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish
Comments
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mac, Thanks for sharing the uplifting experience with us. The right bra can work wonders, woman!
I've been playing catch-up with my non-cancer docs (and dentist) lately, trying to get it all in this current calendar year, so lots of appts. this week and next. Add some shopping and decorating in and it makes for a busy time. Big difference from last year, because now I have the energy to do everything. For those who just joined us recently, do not feel a speck of shame if you are not up for turning your house into a Christmas Wonderland. I opted out of putting up a tree last year, and you know what? Everything was fine, the world did not stop turning, and everyone enjoyed the season just the same. So, do not knock yourself out if you are in treatment or fresh into your recovery.0 -
Of course, any of you Christmas overachievers are welcome to try this:
"The outside of the house is roped off so that no one aiming to make sure that it’s made of gingerbread reaches out and takes a bite of the exterior."
Hahaha! They must have seen me coming! Read More.0 -
mac, I totally understand. I didn't think I needed a prosthetic or special bra since I 'only' had a lumpectomy. When my doc sent me after my shrinkage from rads finally stopped (yrs later just as an fyi to those still in tx) I couldn't believe what a difference it made in how I felt, not just how I looked.
Eli, good advice to newbies, as always. Well said.0 -
Elimar, I just love it that I get surprise when I jump to Back to the Top of the page. No mention in the posts, and voila, something new and fun appears!0 -
2TA, Aw, shucks, that's the least I can do.
I forgot to tell macatacmv that her photo cracked me up. I would like to know what goes through a pet's mind when they see something on t.v. My dog never paid a bit of attention to t.v., not even Animal Planet. To her (houndog,) if it didn't smell like something, it wasn't anything.
I had a blood draw this week for my PCP, the usual stuff that the MO follows (and which I just had a few weeks ago,) PLUS he's checking my cholesterol. I haven't had that for at least two years. The last time I had that, I was still on Tamox., which as we know tends to lower cholesterol, so it will be interesting to see how I fare this time around. Will find out on Monday. Not worried.
Because of my second bout with colorectal cancer and subsequent treatment, I went off the Tamox. after three years. I guess I do have the option to go back on for two more years (maybe more) if I wanted to. I know full well that studies support five years of use as better than one or two years, and you are not going to hear me poo-poo that finding. But, you know, there are no studies of on for three years, off a year, on for two more, so I just decided I was done with it (and the hot flashes that went with it.) As usual, I find myself winging it once again, in uncharted territory.
p.s. You might find me posting a bit more today, since all I have planned is housework and I will take any oppty. to get out of that.0 -
Eli- you got me thinking...My company recently asked all employees and spouses to have free blood screenings, and results provided numbers for about 20 different things. They even paid us as an incentive to have it done (including my husband)! So I pocketed $225, and discovered that my cholesterol is 202 (my husband's is 168!). I have always had low cholesterol, and knowing that Tamox is supposed to reduce it has me a bit concerned. No, it's not way above where it should be, but it is higher than it should be, and I don't eat much animal fat, fatty meats, etc. I used to eat oatmeal every morning (the healthy, grainy kind) but in the last six months usually have nonfat Greek yogurt with fruit and nuts/flax seed sprinkles. Wondering if that has made a difference.
I also discovered that my ALT and AST levels were a little elevated (clue that liver is stressed) and that is a known side effect of Tamoxifen. My onc told me initially that she would recommend Tamox, but that my results were good and that it was completely up to me. So I am taking it, but now am rethinking my decision. I'll probably ask to have my ALT and AST results next blood test and monitor them myself. If they continue to shoot up, I just may stop Tamox. Liver damage can be reversible up to a certain point...0 -
Good morning,
Eli, I have no idea what goes through my dog's mind most of the time,unless she is chasing a squirrel. But she does pay attention to certain things for a short period of time. She sings(howls) along with the smoke alarms. Which I found out last time the plumber was soldering in the basement. Seems like I live in a construction zone. The laundry room, bathroom switch is still ongoing. Some hang up with the town board of health. And my next door neighbor is installing a fence and lots and lots of stone work. Which,by the way, keeps the dog busy with supervising. I can tell you now, she is not gonna like this fence when it gets done.
I am not in the Christmas spirit,yet. I am one of those people that does all my shopping in the 2 weeks right before the holiday. Otherwise I can't wait to give the present to the person, or I forget where I put it. The exception to that rule was the year I was dx and having surgery 3 days before the holiday. Then I was a maniac to make sure it was a "perfect" Christmas. Lol I barely remember it.
Marl, I don't quite get why the bs office didn't tell me about the script I can get once a year for bras and things. Maybe it was in some of the pages of paperwork, but it wasn't until I wandered into the boutique next door to the cancer center looking for something that might be semi comfortable and they told me to go back to bs office and ask for one. Which was written out happily. We all seem to stumble tho this journey at our own pace. Lol I should just speak for myself.
I get to go to my Gyn today. Check out what's going on since my switch to tamox. Interesting about the cholesterol levels, last blood work for me said mine was in the safe range, usually it is a little high, but because the good part is so much higher than the bad part we haven't been worried about it. Now blood pressure is a whole nother issue.
Eli, I am so happy for you having some energy this year. You have such a way with words. I know you would be the one caught taking a mouthful of that (really?) gingerbread house. It better not rain or snow where ever they are.
So here's to enjoying this day what ever it brings.
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mac, While on Tamox., I always had either a uterine biopsy or a trans-vaginal ultrasound done by my Gyn. Are you having either? I am catching up with my Gyn. next week and getting the TVU. I'm interested to see if I have the uterine lining thickening like I did last time when still on Tamox.
SnS, My ALT and AST never elevated while on Tamox. Those did get out of normal range during my last few rounds of chemo, another reason I was happy to stop a little bit early. Like you, I think our bodies can take a little adversity, but there a line somewhere there that if we cross it the damage can have permanence (even if it is vague or ill-defined.) The MO blood draw I just had a few weeks back did show my liver was again on track, luckily, everything in normal range. I think it is a good plan for you to keep an eye on those levels yourself. I don't know if it could be due to Tamox., but if the numbers stay elevated then you certainly need to question the doc as to what could be happening with the liver.
I love my liver a lot. I want to swaddle it like a baby and keep it safe. Call me overprotective. I'm funny that way.0 -
What you might not know is that his life was touched by B/C also. His granddaughter had BiMx. Breast Cancer is out there and it doesn't care if you are rich, poor, black, white, famous, unknown, a Nobel laureate, anything...with so many women being affected, just about everyone now has at least a passing acquaintance with this disease. Those not affected by B/C most likely have a loved one who was or will be. What a world!0 -
eli, just lost a post, dumb tablet writing! back to the laptop.
This is only my second appt with this gyn. It was one of the health issues I let slip while taking care of everyone else. It is hard to get an appt with her the first time and then they never called to set up the yearly appt this year, I had to call and then they postponed it once. It is my first appt since switching to tamox. I will see if they measure up. If not I have a number for another highly recomended gyn. I have to say I have gotten much more critical of dr's "bedside" manner and office staff. If she doesn't bring it up I will ask about the biopsy or ultrasound. Thanks for the info.
We are keeping a wary eye on my liver levels. I really like my liver, too. All these meds just seem to put such a strain on our bodies.
I know what you mean about everyone being touched by this disease. It is really everywhere and doesn't care who it affects. It also seems like I cannot pick up a fiction book that doesn't have someone dealing with cancer in it. It is hard to get away from sometimes.0 -
SnS ... my ALT and AST are high also, and I've been on Tamoxifen for almost a year. MO says he thinks it could be Tylenol that raised it. I do take Tylenol every night. He checks my blood every 3 months, so he watches it well. He really hasn't said it was Tamoxifen that is raising it. He's more concerned about the pain I'm having on the left said of the pelvic area that radiates to the thigh and down my leg. I have 6 fibroids that continue to grow larger because of Tamoxifen, maybe they are pressing on a nerve. After the Cat scan, we'll see what is what.0 -
Saw my MO today and picked up my first prescription for tamoxifen. She also wrote my a hydrocortisone perscription for my itchy bumps- she did not like them either and said if it does not resolve I would be referred to dermatology.
We had a great conversation about breast cancer, risk/benefits of tamoxifen which in my case she felt far outweigh any side effects. She feels very strongly about the research linking alcohol to recurrence- not necessarily because of alcohol intake per se but possibly lifestyle and dietary choices etc. that add to more risk factors. She ordered labs for hormone levels and I told her "well....I am having my period now"- she laughed and said "forget it" you are not menopausal- I kind of knew that
. She said 1 out of 8 women will have breast cancer at some point in their lives- it makes me look around the room at meetings and wonder who else is out there.0 -
Loral- I don't have regular blood work done; other than pre-surgery it's not been checked, so that's why I so willingly went to the lab via the screenings my company authorized. The results were interesting to me and I will definitely know to ask about my ALT and AST levels with my Onc next June. I know my "out of normal" levels are due to Tamoxifen, because I don't take anything else other than a daily vitamin and Dim (which if anything, would help repair my liver, I would think).
I hope you get to the bottom of your pelvic pain and get it resolved asap!0 -
Hey Gals,
The ALT & AST test for liver function- is that part of the CBC panel? I don't see this on any of mine & am very concerned about my liver as well. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.0 -
Furf, Not part of CBC. It is done as part of the CMP (complete metabolic profile,) maybe the BMP (basic metabolic profile) but I'd have to check as my MO would alternate with he two. It is also known as a Chem Panel.0 -
Elimar, Thank you so much for this information. I have not had one since two months ago. I am going to ask.0 -
Thanks for the info Ladies. I am due for my first post treatment 3 month check-up in January and can now ask about the blood draw prior to seeing my MO. Also having my first mammo since surgery. Do I have anything to be worried about as far as pain or is it just uncomfortable as alway?0 -
oh, cakes, my techs were so kind to me for my post surgical mammo. They ask where your pain is and your scars. And I get the films read right away so I don't have to worry. It is uncomfortable, of course, but they try hard to accommodate any hurt areas. One funny thing was, they color code the paperwork, while I was at the desk signing in one gal asked what color the other gal said red. So a red sticker was placed on my paperwork, Not sure if that is because of dx or possibility of mental breakdown. lol0 -
Macat,
Thank you for the laugh
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fur, you're welcome. I laugh at myself all the time.
eli, I saw the gyn yesterday. She said that they use to do biopsies every year for tamox users, but now they have a wait and see attitude. She said if I ever saw any spotting to call her right away and they would fit me in as soon as possible. Not sure what to think about that yet. Was thinking they might want a base scan to compare with other scans? She did do an internal exam and said everything felt fine. I have heard that one before. lol0 -
cakes, In my experience, the mammo hardly hurt before all the treatment but after surgery and rads I was firmer on that side and it hurt more when they tried to flatten me. Also, they squished me hard enough to give me damage to the blood vessels/capillaries and it gave me little red & purple spots of petechiae, which I hated so much that I paid a pretty penny for a cosmetic procedure to remove them. Some came back with a subsequent mammo, but it is better.
(Taking the oppty. to air a pet peeve: Can't stand when they position me with a skin fold in the armpit, then say they have to retake that one because of the fold. I swear next time I am just going to say, up front: NO RE-DOs, so do it right the first time. Don't they understand that we don't want ANY extra radiation than absolutely necessary?????!!!!!!)
mac, My guess is the ins. co. is calling the shots on the biopsies now. Statistically, very few will get uterine cancer from Tamox., so why biopsy everyone as a matter of course? Yeah, I get that, but it sure would suck to be that one woman who does get it, ya know? I would not be comfortable with the "wait til you are spotting" protocol.
(Another peeve: Did you ever notice how clinicians talk about our postmenopuasal uteri (first time I ever used the plural of uterus, I think) as if they were nothing but expendable organs now that we are "done with them" so to speak?)0 -
Did you have to look up the plural? I would have had to0 -
The uterus (from Latin "uterus", plural uteri) or womb is a major female hormone-responsive reproductive sex organ of most mammals including humans. 
could not resist0 -
Whew, you ladies make me feel so much better! My breast center has wonderful and kind techs so I am sure they will do their best to make sure I am comfortable. I just worry about my seroma causing issue. With a little luck, it will gone by then. Thanks so much for your input.
(((HUGS)))
Cakes0 -
Bah! No need to look up the plural if they made you do Latin in school
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As we thoroughly enter the Winter season, please allow me to compliment EVERYONE here on NOT posting a weather report. Believe me, I know we all have had, are having, or will have some kind of weather that could be remarked on, but as you know I have always felt that we can find OTHER interesting commonalities to talk about without resorting to the old standby of weather.
Good job, all!
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I guess there's so many other things to talk about here....
Thanks again, Elimar, for the header change!0 -
So, will be going to discuss my sleep study with my PCP tomorrow. I got a copy online today. The impression is that I don't reach rem sleep at all. But not sleep apnea per say, 1 hypopnea and 25 respiratory-effort-related arousals. They are recommending a zzoma, which is a belt with a foam wedge so you can not roll over on your back. I am saying "are you kidding?" I already "sleep" with a night guard in my mouth, compression gloves, wrist splints, a pillow between my knees, a special pillow for my neck, another pillow I hug to keep the pressure off my chest.0 -
mac, Ah, but will it look like a shark fin? Yes? Then I have got to get a zzoma too!
Can I ask why the wrist splint at night? I have had a tendonitis-type thing in one wrist for a year now, and I admit when I sleep my wrist do sometimes fold up like a praying mantis. With my cancer, it has not been a priority, but it does not seem to be going away on its own.0 -
Gosh, there are so many things about to change with this bc dx. It is not only about having cancer, but now it is also about living the healthiest and best possible lifestyle. Previously, it was ok to enjoy a glass of wine or fries, but now I see everything as poison. Giving up my white wine is so hard, given the recent stress. I have mastered some tasty adult non-alcoholic cocktails, but it simply is not the same. I have read extensively about the connection between alcohol and bc and although nothing is really conclusive, the general belief is that there is an association. DAMN But no one knows if it is really about the alcohol or the associated life style that often accompanies alcohol consumption. If I give up on my one favorite luxury and later discover that alcohol really had nothing to do with bc, I will be p.....ed! What are others doing/believing??
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