2010 Sisters
Comments
-
MarriedBlis-
Congrats on finishing everything! I finished in October. I had a few weeks of fatigue following radiation, and then started my AI so I'm really not sure what is causing what, it sort of all happened at once.
I do think that I started getting the aches during chemo, but expected them (taxotere is notorious for that). It went away mostly, and think the rest is due to the sudden withdrawal of estrogen (chemopause). The AI has made it worse, but not too bad. My fingers and toes hurt when I wake up, and my right hip feels arthritic. What atrophy is your onc talking about? Muscle atrophy? Unless you've been bedridden you really shouldn't have any atrophy. My job is pretty physical so I get quite a lot of exercise going up and down stairs. I try to walk 30 minutes on the treadmill or walking the dog, so maybe that helps. I hope you can get some relief soon!
0 -
AmyJo did it snow today? I haven't heard from DD. I'm drinking tea by the warmth of the laptop!
Samsue, how is your DD doing? Is she away from home for college? It's hard having mine gone right now, she is such a big help and a friend.
Emme, so glad to see you back on the boards. You look GREAT and I hope other things are looking up for you.
Teklya - are you turning into a popsicle? Hope you are ok up in the frozen tundra. Stay warm!
0 -
Shelly, hope you're doing well. My DD is married and lives in NC. She moved there about 2 yrs ago. Born and raised in FL it's quite a shock to be in the cold weather that they're having now. She sent photo's of a snowman that she's made and also went sledding so trying to acclimate to the area. She really likes to snorkel, dive and swim!
Married - After I was finished with the rads I was really tired and had a hard time moving around. I'm trying to exercise every day and that helps. It just takes a while to get over all the treatments and the body has to just recoup. Take one day at a time, knowing it does take time to recover from anything.... surgury, rads, etc.
0 -
shelleyj43 - no snow yet. I turned out to be a non-event. It has been a little bit warmer today. No fire in the fireplace needed tonight.
I am feeling a little bit better today and I am off to bed to get some rest and tomorrow I start back with my exercises and have some volunteer work to do at a non-profit so tomorrow looks pretty full.
Hope everyone has a restful evening. Joy and blessings, Amy Jo
0 -
Marriedblis~
Yes I had a terrible time with stiffness... just like you when I would get up from the couch etc. I went to an integrative medicine doctor. I had Final chemo June 30, started Tamoxifen immediately and finished rads end of September. The integrative med doctor told me the stiffness was a side effect of Tamox and it could have been, but now just a few months later I am SO SO much better and I am still taking the Tamox. Either my body has gotten used to it or it was a residual effect of the chemo. Sorry for the long answer but I just wanted to give you hope that it will get less and less as time goes on. I have also been exercising ALOT more now and so the increased movement could be helping too. I too have heard great things about Yoga....
((BIG HUGS)) to you!
0 -
Hey girls...they do say chemo adds 10 years to your age and I have to say I believe it. I look older, feel older but am trying really hard to still act 20! Probably not a good idea if I look 56! I definitely do feel quite wrecked. I am 6 weeks out and my hair is just starting to grow but I do feel very tired and aged. Sad.
0 -
Well it is official my tumor markers came back normal. I was my PCP this week and getting my cholestrol checked. Had to give the vampires blood this morning. My MO did say my estrogen went up and now along with Femara I will get the shot. When checked back in Oct. my estrogen was low, so eventhough no periods "yet" I am producing estrogen. Not good for me. Get my first shot tomorrow. See MO in three months same as PCP. I also feel like a little old lady eventhough I am 40ish. Since I have a low matablism, have hypothroidism, I gain weight easy asked my doctor about diet. He just recomended excersing 3 times a week keeping my heart rate at 120 for 30 min. eat a balance diet, everything should balance out. OK I am still doing rads for two more weeks. I check the area around the office to see how far it is if I circle the parking lot and building. Got at least 2 miles. So after rads I walk two miles at lunch will that work? Cause boyhowdy I am tired when I get home and morings are not good either.
0 -
mjb - I am sooo creaky too! Its appalling. I am 9 weeks since last chemo and doing herceptin and rads but everything is sore and stiff. I hope it goes away sometime.0
-
mjbmiller-I think the 2miles around the building is a great idea. I now what you mean mornings are never good. Luckily during rads I got home early enough to grab a nap then I got up and exercised otherwise I would not have done it. And my RO said the exersice was good for the healing of my skin.
0 -
I will be starting Tamoxifen soon.. So I guess working out is hopefully going to help with any side effects.. My hair is just starting to come in. Last chemo 01/03. Looking forward to getting my port out next week.. I want to get back to running. So how long does it take for my hair to fully grow back?0
-
mjb - I worked thru my rads and found that I had to take time at lunch and nap or at least rest. I didn't think much about exercising because the rads really made me tired. It was as if my body just wouldn't cooperate any more and I couldn't push it any further to do any more work. Good luck to you walking and exercising. I know it effects everyone differently.
After the rad were finished I think there were times when I was even more tired. It would pass much faster than when in active treatment but I thought gee I was finished so there shouldn't be any more reactions.... Time is good... and things do get better.
0 -
thank you ladies - I was near tears today cuz i was so tired of hurting when I got up to walk to the copier! I broke down and took 2 Advil - first time since before lumpectomy...I've been using tylenol. I did a 10 min yoga workout this morning and could barely hold a cat stretch - used to be able to to warrior 2 and twisted triangle, etc. w/no problem! Check out my new pix - my hairs are growing great, just not dark! Oh well. I'm glad to have my eyebrows back. I actually have to "do" my hair in the am cuz its sticking up in places! hehehehee.
HUGS to you all!!
0 -
HI EVERYONE-
I haven't posted on this thread in the past but I had a BMX in October, 2010. i have been reading everone's comments on SE's of their meds, so I thought I would jump in. I am on Arimidex (since mid November) and just started to experience hot flashes in the last couple of weeks. I had a hysterectomy over 10 years ago, so I was hoping to avoid this again, but I guess not. At least I can tell the drug is working. I have a little stiffness in my fingers and my knees hurt, but they might have hurt anyway. My biggest complaint is the darn fatigue. I'm still trying to muster up the energy for exercise after a day of working.
0 -
marriedlbis - Nice pic! My hair is coming in too, I am enjoying the short short. Last night I made it all stick up, it was fun.
catbill - I am also trying to exercice and work - on the same day! After dinner I am now managing a walk. Not very fast or far mind you! I listen to a book and figure I am doing good just to be moving for now.
0 -
catbill - I have found that a little exercise helps me a lot so keep moving. Like Omaz, I do a little riding on my stationary bike at least 3 times a week. After 4 months I am up to 30 minutes. I usually do mine in the morning before my shower and it helps me feel better all day.
marriedblis - I know what it is like to be so tired of hurting all the time. I am now taking Fentanyl (patch every 3 days) and I still have to take an Aleve every once in a while. Talk to your onco about the pain there are a lot of options out there to deal with the pain.
0 -
Well I saw my BS today regarding the blip on my mammogram and negative MRI. He looked for about 10 minutes with the ultrasound before he found the place the radiologist was concerned about and said he wasn't convinced. So no biopsy for me, yeah! He said he would see in 3 months. I'm going to have a glass of wine and a good night's sleep!
0 -
shelleyj43 - glad for the good news about no biopsy for now. Hope it stays that way. At least you can not have to worry about that for awhile. Hope you enjoyed your glass of wine and got a good nights sleep.
I went to the RO last Thursday and he has ordered a PET for the 1st and then I will see him again on the 3rd. He said that we will do all of the treatment planning then. He did say that it looked like from the lastest test resultsI would only need about 28 treatments instead of the 35-40 that he had said last month. He does want the PET results before we make any final plans. I may start the treatments as early as the 7th which will put be done around March 16th.
Hope everyone has a week of good news this next week. Joy and blessings, Amy Jo
0 -
AmyJo, that's great news about needing fewer rad treatments! I'm happy things are going so much better for you! You've been through so much, and I remember your first few posts when you were so down that broke my heart. I'm so proud of everything you've managed to accomplish and you have really taken control of your treatments and life. You are an inspiration for all of us. ((((((((AmyJo))))))
0 -
shelley43 - Thanks, I have not been through anything that many others have not been through before me. I have received so much encouragement, love, hope and support from the ladies here. We are all each others inspiration. Love all of you ladies. Joy and blessings, Amy Jo
0 -
Hey Grizzly1
This is a great thread, everyone is so nice. But I wanted to let you know there is another thread called Hair, Hair, Hair Another Question that has a lot of these same women but is really helpful with all the hair issues that bother all of us so much. As far as hair regrowth, my last chemo was June 30 and I went without my wig for the first time Oct. 6th and my hair was still REALLY short!And like the rest of you I have been really stiff and sore (I am on Tamoxifen) and some days I handle it better than others. I think that may have something to do with my hormones which are SO whacked. Between the tamox and my hysterectomy in Dec. my emotions are a wreck. I just want to encourage you all to "Hang in There"; I think it will get better!
((Big Hugs)) to All!
0 -
Hi gals, I'm back! This was the most exceptional vacation I ever had. Here are some pix:
0 -
Barb- So glad you had a most wonderful vacation. I can see how much you guys are enjoying it in your smiles. Thanks for the photos so I can vacation virtually.....when I look out my window here in NYC, all I see is 60 inches of dirty snow! Welcome back!
0 -
Welcome back, Barbara! We missed you! You look gorgeous!
0 -
BarbaraA - Welcome home. I am so glad you had an exceptional vacation. You and your DH needed the time away to just enjoy life. We did miss you here and so glad you are back.
0 -
Welcome back BarbaraA - you look very elegant in your long gown with your DH!0
-
Barbara!!!! You look lovely and healthy and elegant and so does that good looking man you're with!
Hope you had as good a time as you look like you were having.
xo
0 -
Barbara--thanks for posting the pics! You look beautiful! I LOVE that dress! That's a handsome guy there with you too
Glad you were able to get away and have some FUN!0 -
Hey Barbara ~ You look beautiful! So happy you enjoyed a wonderful vacation!
0 -
Barbara - you look great with that restful look and your DH is handsome. Nice looking couple. So glad you had a reat time.
0 -
Welcome back barb.its been quiet without you.glad you had a good time.the pics.show on both of your faces.
Amyjo---im glad your tx. are reduced.its about time someone catches a break.
I need a favor.I just got a call from my brother.my sisterinlaw is in a coma.an artery burst in her brain.please say a prayer for Judy.she is my brothers whole life.they walk hand in hand after over 30 years of marriage.im sick to my stomach over this.
0
