2010 Sisters
Comments
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Tori- congrats on finishing your chemo, what a mile stone. I told everyone at work to do a happy dance at 3:30 with me when I had my last one. I just started rads this week and it has flown by. My RO it would be over before you know it. 2/11/11 can't come fast enough. Another happy dance and a very nice valentines gift.
There is life after all the tests/surgery/treatments/therapy done, a much more treasured life.
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Hope it tasted good Sweet! When I had that problem during chemo the only things I could taste were pizza, oranges, and sweetarts!
LOVE your pic Designermom
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Sweet - sorry you are having such a bad time eating. I remember those days. I swear I lived on fruit during chemo, it was the only thing that tasted good, especially WATERMELON. You will probably have to pay a fortune for watermelon this time of year, but if you can manage it, it is very nutritious, hydrating, and tasty. Any cold fruits tasted good, cantalope, honeydew, grapes, etc. I ate the fruit with cheese and crackers(triscuits), which give you some good nutrients as well.0
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Sorry, I'm still catching up on the posts.
Mango and Samsue, I started my hormonal therapy too, and doing fine. I'm on anastrazole, the generic arimidex. Since I had chemo, my ovaries are toast, and hormone tests showed me to be in menopause. My Onc said the aromatase inhibitors like anastrazole are showing good results for post-menopause or those like me thrown into chemopause. I read a lot about it and was worried about SE's but so far only my hands are a little stiff in the morning. Onc said if I haven't had any serious side effects after one month that I should be able to tolerate it. I'm in the third week, so I think I will be fine. I also want to do everything to avoid a recurrence, since I'm 43.
AmyJo - congrats on your new girls! Hope your recovery goes smoothly and you look and feel great!
Tori - congrats on finishing chemo!!!! Better times are ahead
Here's to all of us in 2011!
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mjbmiller - I have been on Femara since July and I have found that if I take it at night the night sweats are not as bad as they were when I took it in the morning. At 60 I was definately post-menopasual and I don't know if that made a difference or not. Things have gotten a little better as long as I limit my sugar and caffine intake. I drink a lot more decafinated green tea, Lipton makes one with a citrus flavor that is good without adding any sugar.
Sweet - hope you enjoy your dinner tonight with you DD.
DM- Praying for you my friend and the balancing act you are having to play. Let me know if I can do anything to help. How is the online store going? Please post the link so everyone can see all the beautiful things you have. I am expecting a new grandchild that will need some spoiling.
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Torigirl-Congratulations I am doing the Happy Dance for you-DeColores!
Sweets-I really hope you can enjoy the primerib tonight.
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Hello to all my sistas
Torigirl.im still dancin...sooo happy for you
Sweet.Enjoy the steak.I hope it tastes real good.you are makin me hungry.
Amyjo...congrats on the new grandbaby.you put a smile on my face.hope you are doin ok.
i dont post as often as i useally do.havin back problems.this damn snow.its comin down again in NJ.my body is cryin....
hope the rest of my sistas/friends are doin just great.huggggggggggggs K
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amyjo- So glad that you weathered what hopefully will be your last surgery. Drink lots of fluids to get the anesthesia out of your system. What a joy! A new grandbaby! Of course you will spoil it (and I will probably too)! My website is www.karinalexis.com There is a discount code I set up for any of you ladies. Just type in survivor.
Sweet- I hope that steak tasted deeeeeelicious! Just like shelley, fruit was about the only thing that tasted good to me, lots and lots of melon!
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amyjo- So glad that you weathered what hopefully will be your last surgery. Drink lots of fluids to get the anesthesia out of your system. What a joy! A new grandbaby! Of course you will spoil it (and I will probably too)! My website is www.karinalexis.com There is a discount code I set up for any of you ladies. Just type in survivor.
Sweet- I hope that steak tasted deeeeeelicious! Just like shelley, fruit was about the only thing that tasted good to me, lots and lots of melon!
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The steak went down good, Thank god. Fruit on the other hand, I cant do. Havent tried watermellon, but i bet that would work. The only fruit I have had luck with is bananas.
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amyjo- So glad that you weathered what hopefully will be your last surgery. Drink lots of fluids to get the anesthesia out of your system. What a joy! A new grandbaby! Of course you will spoil it (and I will probably too)! My website is www.karinalexis.com There is a discount code I set up for any of you ladies. Just type in survivor.
Sweet- I hope that steak tasted deeeeeelicious! Just like shelley, fruit was about the only thing that tasted good to me, lots and lots of melon!
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DM: With all the posters and lurkers at BCO, I've been following, learning from, and enjoying your posts. You got the news the day after I got my bx results. Congrats on finishing your tx.
Did you have an oncotype test? I can relate to your feelings about AI's. I've been taking tamoxifen since August 11th.
Side effects? Hard to know what's New England weather and age v. tamoxifen. But the drug has been around for over 30 years and the se's are well known.. So far, I'm able to enjoy a full life with my husband. And, according to the oncotype dx, I've got an 88% chance of avoiding mets if I take it for five years.
The oncologist says she'd like me to switch in the summer. One year tamox and four on an AI. She says it would (could, might?) reduce the chances of mets by 2-3%. So far, I'm thinking leave well enough alone. My bones are good, My cholesterol is good. Etc.
Imho, perhaps you might consider considering the tamoxifen. Especially with the node.
Good luck with your decision.
And with your business!!!!
God bless us all.
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Sweet: Ditto what Shelley said. Fresh fruit was the only thing that tasted halfway normal/good. It was expensive, $4.00 for a cup of mixed up fruit, but worth it to have something that tasted good. I'd get those containers of grapes, pineapple, watermelon, strawberries and cantelope. Publix and Walmart both have them. Canned fruit cocktail was ok too (much cheaper), the kind in its own juice, no added sugar because really sweet things tasted funky to me.
Tori: Woohoo! Congrats.
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Thanks for all the congrats ladies! I appreciate it! Still feeling okay today...most of the "yuck" starts for me on Monday...but that should subside by the weekend.
Should be finding out about rads this week or early next week...and I'm sure we will be having the talk about Tamoxifen/AI too....sigh...
sweetaerobabe-the steak sounded good...glad it was good for you...now, I'm craving one...I love me a great filet mignon...yummy... I enjoy fruit during treatment, but got a bit paranoid around days 8-12 because of my counts were low...I didn't get any Nuelasta, so had to make sure I was being careful about fresh fruits and veggies during that time...never was big on canned fruit either, so just waited for my counts to go back up....crunchy, cold Gala apples are awesome!
Have a wonderful Sunday ladies...those of you stuck with snow, be careful out there!
peace and prayers,
Tori
DE COLORES!
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Well as I look out my window it is a winter-wonder land two inches so far. For you norther girls that isn't much but here in TX 1/2 throws everything in chaos. Hunkering down for the day. Concerned for tomorrow as I have rads treatment at 1:00. We will see what tomorrow brings. I will definitely call ahead.
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redsoxfan- My Oncotype score was 16. And though I am considered to have one positive node, it was a micromet that was only found on staining, so very, very early. They now even think that micromets in a SNB might even be due to the biopsy. As I certainly wouldn't count on that, I did do chemo and rads (though chemo wasn't indicated from my Onco score). Even my Onc was not keen on me being on Tamox due to my clotting disorder (clots and strokes are SE of tamox). As I would not be able to start on AIs till I am 2 years without a period (I was perimenopausal at dx), I could always decide to do AIs later if I had second thoughts. It just does not feel right to surgically or chemically shut down my ovaries. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees, even with hormone therapy. Wouldn't it be wonderful if things were black and white?
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mjbmiller, I know what you mean about the snow. I just got a call from work, they will put us up in the hotel near the hospital where we work tonight for FREE. I have not decided on it yet since I am only 10 miles from work and have never had a problem getting there. But.....I know the whole Dallas area will be in major traffic horrors tomorrow morning. I would just love being able to hibernate tomorrow morning.
Depending on where you have to drive to for rads, by 1:00 you shpuld be good to go I would think.
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DM, what's that about being 2 years without a period before going on an AI? My Onc put me on it as soon as I finished radiation and had a hormone test indicating post-menopausal status. I am 44 now and was definitely premenopausal before all of this. He said the chemopause is most likely permanent. I've been on anastrazole for 3 weeks now, so far so good.
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shelleyj43 - My onc was unwilling to assume that I would stay in chemopause and I am 52 so I am scheduled to do a year of tam before switching to an AI.0
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shelley- I am trying to remember why. Like Omaz, my Onc said there was no way of telling if chemopause was a permanent menopause so she wanted me on 2 years of Tamox or oopherectomy or the monthly injection to shut down ovaries. I may be wrong, but I think that if you are not definitely in menopause (levels go up and down every day so one test isn't accurate) if you take AIs they will signal your ovaries that there isn't enough estrogen. If your ovaries are still functioning, they sort of go into overdrive producing estrogen....not a good thing. I was 54 and perimenopausal at diagnosis. As you were younger and not in menopause, I would look into this more.
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Tori: Congrats on finishing chemo...it's a nice feeling isn't it? This is my 2nd primary dx, the first time was surgery and rads. Radiation was, for me, a walk in the park compared to chemo...and I didn't find chemo that hard. The worst part was the fatigue and the commitment to go there every day.
As for the blood pressure question earlier. I have now had lumpectomy and level one ( 2008) and level two ( 2010) axillary clearance. They do the blood pressure on my "old" side and there is never any hesitation so I guess after time, it must be ok. Hasn't been a problem for me anyway.
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Tori - YAY!! No more chemo!!
Sweetie, so glad you could finally eat something.
Samsue - YAY!!!
Mango, I and like DM, I am suppressing my estrogen via supplements. I have medical issues that run in my family and this choice is a better one for me. The last two times I was tested, my estrogen was undetectable, so far so good.
Hey redsoxfan, long time!!
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This may sound really lame but, here goes. Who is your main point of care following BC? The Onc? the BS? The PS? Ob/Gyn? I am at a loss. I am going to a new Onc on Wed as I am not as comfortable with a long distance relationship with my oncologist...he does not support my not going on AI's. Anyway, I have more pings and dings going on and I just do not know who to call when I am scared about a symptom or have a question. I tend to call BS,but just wanted to see what you guys do. It has been a horrible weekend, whining, crying and filled with second guessing, etc. I started full regimen of alternative treatments (DIM, etc), but just feel like I am kind of out there winging it. What are the essential tests (blood, saliva, etc) that I should have-there have been so many since this began. The BS has those, as does my regular md as I had just had a well-woman (ha!) physical before crap all started...I know I need a baseline- would those before surgery be good, or do I need them again? An and all input appreciated. Sorry I am all over the damn place.
Thanks
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annettek - it is my understanding it will be your Onc for the next 5 years. I know I will see him every two months this year, not for sure next year. My BS every 6 months for the next couple of years and then once a year for life. My Ob/Gyn for annual exams. I think once you are finished with recon you do not go back to the PS unless need, but I could be wrong.
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Chemopause vs menopause, I was already in pre menopause when I started chemo and then it threw me into chemopause. My Onc did some blood work to see if I was in full menopause and was. So he put me in post menopause therapy, Femara and so far so good. It will be monitored regularly.
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Thank mjb- I am seeing both the new onc and my gp this week...I have to say, I will miss my PS he has been wonderful through this...
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Annettek - Whenever I have a problem or question I always go to my GP. He is the one that helps coordinate all the test and keeps everyone on the same page so that I do not get tested multiple times for the same test. I have always make sure he gets copies of all the reports and test results so that he knows what is going on. I have a very good relationship with him as well as my onco. Sometimes I cannot reach my onco, but I can always reach my GP 24/7. If I should have to change any of my other medical staff, I go to my GP first and talk with him about what needs to change and what my concerns are. I personally decided that I wanted my GP to be the coordinator for all of this, but you can chose whoever you are the most comfortable with. Hope this helps.
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AnnetteK, my PCP is my go to for everything first. He is filled in with all the information that the rad onc does and is OK with that. Also he sees me often so is informed about all of my health concerns not just BC. I actually asked him who was the coordinator for my app'ts and he said he would be so he could keep tabs on what was happening.
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This is an interesting topic. When I saw my PCP for the first time after my dx I asked him who was "in charge" of me now and he said he would defer to the onc. He also barely touched me (no physical exam). I rarely went to see him before all of this but now he wants to see me every 6 months. He is a young guy and I wonder how much experience he has coordinating these things. I feel much better talking to my onc or even BS. Maybe I should ask the PCP to help out more with these things. I go for routine bloodwork next month.
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Shelley, the reason my PCP is taking active participation in my BC is because he doesn't want anything to fall thru the cracks. I only see my onc every 6 mo, same with the rad onc. The PCP sees me about every month for some reason or other. He does all the blood work, etc. The only reason the rad onc ordered the mamo or MRI was because he wanted them before my first follow-up with him. My PCP was on board with this.
I'm thinking each patient is different, but this is what works for me.
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