TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP
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amazing news PBrain!
fluff - how cute are you? I wanted to post a grad pic of my son...how do I do that???
bluepalace and lago - same boat on the employment front here, I have dumbed down my resume too. Sad I know but I wasn't getting considered for any jobs due to "director" and "vp" titles so I have second version of my resume for certain jobs. I am working but HATE it. Anyway as my husband says, 2 years ago you were worried about living or dying so put this work chit all in to perspective. Love that guy
happy Thursday all!
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kathec
Thx for the book refer... Always looking for a good read!
Fluff et al
Anytime you 're heading this way! Would love to have a reunion with you and others.
SusanHg123
Please, please ... Lee A is good at this... Find one of Susan's first posts re Adonis. If I remember correctly it told about his exit with something about him being AWOL & possibly wandering around the desert with his new penile implant and a bottle of Viagra .
Susan.... Get this stuff together and submit it to a publisher!! It is so much more than hilariously funny. It is a testament to the human spirit!
So he isn't the father of your children. Was thinking how could he do that to the mother of his children .
Gets me really is that he's a doctor! Not the first time I've seen that kind of selfish , cold narcissism in mds.
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susan - so in addition to a mastectomy (or two), you also had a scroogectomy!
pbrain - yay!
I am old, not dead either, although parts of me are. I had an appt with my new primary care to go over cholesterol stuff - had not met him before. I am treated for routine stuff at the military base. In walks a very delicious looking young man in a military uniform with a white coat over (totally awesome combination! Football player, cop, - I am a sucker for a man in uniform, any kind) I swooned momentarily, and he shook my hand, sat down and we chatted for quite a while. I handed him the study on Metformin and BC and we discussed, and he said "Wow, I could talk to you all day!" and I thought, well I could just stare at YOU all day! Bonus - I dropped my cholesterol 35 points with my eating changes.
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fluff
Not quite sure of the 6 mo thing but I do believe the breast surgeon checkup goes to yearly at about the 3 year mark.
I was referring to mammos and US every 6 mos because of cysts .Think I would have been on yearly at this point save for the cysts.
My schedule now is BS summer/ winter. Mammo/US fall/ spring. MO every 3 mos but I think I might get a 6 mo leash soon .
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Pbrain - Way to go!
Susan - Love the "not in the biblical sense!"
Special K - Wow! That is a big drop in cholesterol. Sounds like a fun Dr. visit!
Mental Fog From Tamoxifen - Antidote Found
^^Found this article interesting. I have "chemo brain" issues only being 10 weeks PFC. Yet I also have neuropathy issues that I am thinking are more along the lines of what the article discusses. The myelin sheath erosion in PN and the above article is what made the connection for me. So...I looked up Tamoxifen and neuropathy and found it is one of the listed drugs that can cause it. Thought I would be moving away from these issues, not exposing myself daily. Conflicted....
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good news Pbrain!!!
specialK - did the doc end up prescribing the metformin? Can you provide the link to the study that you printed out?
Next Tuesday is treatment 4 for me. Of course not looking forward to it. SE were minimal with #3 - just the usual suspects - "C", stomach distress, taste issues (longer lasting and worse this round) and twitchy eyes and general twitches all over my body lol. The worst SE and the one that hasn't really subsided much is the fatigue. I know this is most likely gonna be worse after 4 and I am not sure how much work I can do - I am mentally and physically exhausted after a couple of hours. I got fluids the friday after the last treatment and that seemed to help with the SE's so I am going to schedule that for next week also. I know I am drinking plenty of fluids but if it helps then why not?
Ugh Robin - neuropathy really scares me!! But I guess I will end up on another pill anyway as I have been menopausal for about 4 years or more. Hope yours begins to improve and that it is just a lingering SE from the chemo.
Moon - how you recovering?
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Congrats PBrain! And I'm impressed by your career. I had somewhat stepped out because of kids and then BC. As I look into reentering the workforce I'll focus more on my niche- rather than on trying to fit myself into someone else's box.
regarding tamox- I believe the brain is extremely complex with multiple pathways. I think a certain fogginess can come with chemo, and perhaps with tamox, but I like to believe (with no scientific evidence but for myself) that this can be countered by using the brain. I did some research/writing as well as NYT crosswords throughout chemo and after, and I think it has helped.
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I am attempting those things as I have always been very cerebral. Unfortunately all I am getting from my favorite activities is frustration. I have short term memory retention issues and word retrieval is also greatly impacted. Currently I am having a good period of the day. Examples of word retrieval is only being able to describe the word I am trying to say or having something entirely unrelated fall out of my mouth. It is weird and happily not consistent.
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linda505 have you tried sucking on ice during taxotere infusion. I did it to prevent mouth sores but I also noticed my taste changes weren't as bad as others. I assume because of the icing. BTW I do have some lasting neuropathy in my left heel. Most of the time, especially when it's warm I don't even notice it. It's just numb at times or a little more annoying when it's damp and cold especially in the winter. Not too bad though. Not everyone gets it and many who do recover from it. It started after my 2nd treatment.
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thanks Lago - yep I suck on ice chips - haven't had the mouth sores (knock on wood) so I believe that it is helping. My taste issues have been minimal up to this treatment - usually only lasting from about day 3 to day 7 - this time they are lasting longer and are more severe as it is more difficult to find something that doesn't taste bad. Oh well, I will survive I just keep putting things in my mouth until something at least doesn't taste bad LOL. Funny thing is that most mexican dishes taste good including salsa and chili. Buttttt then my tummy gets ugly lol from the spices - so I have to watch that. So spicy hot is good - too much herbs in something is really bad. Haven't tried curry yet.
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Ha ha for me anything with pepper (and nuts including peanut butter) in it tasted bitter. I could eat it though. Funny story. I make a really nice chicken chili. I make a huge pot and freeze it. Feeling great I made a bit pot… then I tasted it. Oops forgot my taste buds didn't behave with pepper. I had to wait till my DH came home to make sure it tasted OK.
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Pbrain - Yay!!
Robin, I have the same word retrieval problems you do. I just "lose" words, which can be problematic as I make my living with words (I'm a technical writer lol). I think a lot of it has to do with menopause - I know my BFF (who is the same age) has similar problems, but mine is somewhat worse, I guess because of the more extreme estrogen depletion.
I've been using Lumosity for the past 12 months or so, and I have to say - it's made a huge difference to me. My brain is functioning a lot better than it was. I also do a lot of jigsaw puzzles (on the iPad) and love Sudoku and the 2048 game. It all helps keep the brain agile. My DH is 15 years older than me, and he's using Lumosity too now - for around 6 months, it's made a difference for him too.
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Trisha Anne snd Robin. Word retrieval is basically how I measure how bad I have chemo/ageing/painpill/Arimidex brain.... if i cant think of the word it's bad. If i can think of the word or alternative in 10 to 15 seconds it's a good day. 15 to 30 seconds me and its a big disconnect. I love words. I do most word puzzles. But i hate suduko. LOL. We are all different.
Much love
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Love sudoku and 2048! Will have to check out Lumosity. I want to do my puzzle books. I also would love to be able to enjoy my reading, counted x-stitch and knitting without losing my place.
I do have to say the word retrieval can make some conversations quite interesting.
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Yes conversations can be a laugh! I've been known to say (in the past) "Where's the .... you know .... the round thing with a handle ... that you drink your coffee from .... " I must say it's not that bad nowdays, and the words I do lose are more complicated words, and not all the time, usually when I'm really tired. I was becoming alarmed though at forgetting words like cup, tap etc - thought I was starting to lose my mind.
Mind you my memory is still not great, I forget appointments if they aren't in my calendar, sometimes get up to do something and halfway there forget what I'm doing - but that's called "having a senior moment" lol.
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I've been taking Acetyl-L-Carnitine (memory booster). I really feel it helps my memory but current research says not to use this to prevent chemo induced neuropathy. So if you are in treatment do not take this.
I didn't get chemo brain but I was on this during chemo (study results came out after and I do have lingering nueropathy in my foot).
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Susan, I thought my ex was bad, and he is, but wow!
Pbrain - great news, very encouraging.
Robin, thanks for the link. Presently experiencing chemo brain from time to time. I've continued to work full time through chemo and I think it helps, but when the words fail or you completely forget something, it makes you feel stupid.
Trisha-Anne, your example of the cup made me laugh!
Special, I'm a little envious of your doc. Sounds dreamy.
I've had terrible swelling in my feet and lower legs today. Even broke the strap on my shoe as I started to meet a friend for lunch. Luckily, the restaurant was in a strip center that sold shoes, because it was completely unwearable, so I was hobbiling around holding my shoe in my hand. Then when I walked in the restaurant, I thought someone else was my friend from behind and greeted her before I realized my mistake. Felt stupid yet again.
Going in for fourth treatment tomorrow. Will be so glad to finish.
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Word Bubbles on Lumosity is addictive!
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efcjax I had swelling/fluid retention too. I couldn't zip my winter boots up. Tell your MO. If it's that bad s/he might prescribe a diuretic. I would swell when I stopped taking steroids. My weight would go up at least 4lbs which is a lot for me.
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awww,efcjax, it happens to all of us. i am 2 years out, and confused my bs with my onc's nurse the other day, they have somewhat similar names, and i do treat them to how they have treated me: businesslike, vs more intimately and openly,with humor too. so, i asked the completely wrong set of questions, and i am sure she was puzzled by my kinda unfriendly business like tone. took me two days to realize what i had done!
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Thanks Lago. I see the MO tomorrow - my weight is up about 5-6 lbs.
Pbrain, love your new photo.
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efc - yes, my very own Dr. McDreamy! Now I have to invent reasons to go to the doctor, lol!
linda - here you go:
http://www.cancer.gov/ncicancerbulletin/053111/page6
McDreamy - didn't want to prescribe Metformin as the science isn't in yet, talked to the NP today at FCS, she says no, the GI upset is too much for the purported benefit and it seems to be a drug that you don't come off of, if you try you get a rebound high blood sugar from it. My last reading was 81, the lowest it has been in a couple of years so I was happy about that.
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debiann, I went non-dairy (in fact totally plant based) about 6 months before DX.....as a trial for high cholesterol and my DH's heart problems. Two years post DX and I get plenty of calcium from Almond milk (actually its higher in calcium than cow's milk) and dark green leafy vegtables. If you get a chance to see the DVD "Forks over Knives" or read the China Study....some compelling evidence to ditching dairy. I'm not 100%.....but have found there are many good alternatives to all my old favorites.
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Pbrain - LOVE the new pic! Look at you!!
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Kathec, sounds like we're at least able to look back and laugh.
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Thanks chachamom, I'll check out the video.
I want to fast forward to September when my chemo is finished. I'm having serious doubts I can make it through 3 more treatments. I hate what I'm putting my DH through. He has been so wonderful taking over everything, looking after me plus taking care of our very sick dog. The taste in my mouth is so AWFUL I can't stand it. I jokingly asked the DH to shoot me and put me out of my misery. He responded, "I can't do that, but I'm sure your ex would do it." He's so right, lol.
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Debiann, you made me laugh with your DHs response. I jokingly asked my DH exactly the same thing (well half jokingly) and he just replied "can't don't have any ammunition ... " We had a farm at the time and had a legal rifle (in Australia the gun laws are very different from yours, and having livestock was one of the very few legal ways you could own a gun).
Taxotere for me was a living nightmare, and very nearly killed me, so I really feel for you (((hugs)))
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Thanks TrishaAnne. How many rounds of taxotere did you do? I'm.scheduled for 6.I tried renegotiating with my MO, 4 tx seem more doable, but he's not buying it. It gets harder and harder to like that man, through no fault of his own. I think I will always see him as the dreaded face of chemo. Thats wrong, I know, I should see him as the guy trying to save me, but this sucks and I need to be mad at somebody, lol.
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I finally changed my avatar pic - this is me at a wedding last year, my hair is way longer now
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Debiann I only ended up doing 2. The first one really was so bad I wished I was dead. My MO cut it by 25% for the second one, but it was still pretty bad so he didn't want me to do the third one - he thought it might be the end of me. But my reactions were pretty extreme. My boss is doing Taxotere at the moment (her last one was day before yesterday and she's done 6) and she's been pretty good. So everyone is different.
Yes - you do need someone to be mad at and if your MO's the one it has to be - then I'm sure he's able to fill the shoes lol. Can he reduce the dose to see how that helps?
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