Single life after a mastectomy
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Enerva- supposedly taking 1200-1500 mg of calcium per day, 1000 or more ui of Vit D, and weight bearing exercise all help to keep the bones healthy. I do all that but oh well!
Softness- I ended up later having a full hysterectomy including ovaries. It is the estrogen that protects our hearts and between no ovaries and the AI meds, plus a family history of heart disease, I expect I will die from that before I do of cancer.
It is unfortunate that so much of the bc treatment puts us at risk for other things. If I get a few more good years out of this ride, I will be good with that.
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Hi Jazzygirl, It is quite a wild ride at that! But it is sad that we pay a high price for tomorrow. Worth the fight for the good days though.
Have a great evening!
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Beachbum- indeed it is a wild ride. I am so grateful for everything these days though, I take nothing for granted.
How are you doing with your recovery from the surgery last month?
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BB- I am glad to hear you are feeling good today. I hope perhaps this is the beginning of better days for you. I remember I felt really lousy for a very long time, with a few better days along the way. Then they did become more the norm. I am glad to hear you felt so good today. Yay!
And I think we all have done things along the way that have not been good for us. Now we know better and when you know better, you do better. I am trying to eat better, doing my gym work outs, get plenty of sleep and say no to things that are just too much for me anymore. Self care and all that jazz.
I am fighting with some nose bleeds right now, been happening off and on and had two tonight so far. It was weird, the CNP asked me today if I had nose bleeds and I said "as a matter of fact lately, I am." She said it was probably due to the dryness but here we go googling nose bleeds and cancer. It can be a sign of leukemia or Hodgekins. I need to do a sinus rinse which may help my dry nose. Sometimes I hang on every word these people say and over analyze things. The dark side, as we call it.
Hope everyone sleeps well tonight and take good care of yourselves. Flu is bad everywhere now.
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Hi Jazzygirl, I too had problems with nosebleeds on chemo. Mostly every morning and every night. Or never ending! But after chemo they stopped. Annoying for sure, and without a warning most times. The heat in my apartment is very dry and doesn't help. I also use nose spray to keep the inside of my nose moist, and it should stop when the little tiny hairs inside your nose grow back. Funny how all the weird disgusting things we deal with are "normal"! Cancer is bad enough, but the battle with side effects can be overwhelming. Just adds some frustration to the mix. But battle we will, and the war we fight. Somebody has to win right??
Better days ahead! Good night......
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bb, so happy to hear you are finally getting to feel well even if it's one day. It ll get better slowly I just woke up n it's mid night. Going back to sleep just wanted to say good night, hope all of you get a great night n lots of rest.
Jazz nose bleed? Hummm I never had them but I do use a humidifier at least a few hours, my nose is extremely dry too. I do have a hard time with sinus but so far so good. I also use a bit of vaseline inside my nose it helps
Beachbum thanks for joining us.
Good night
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Jazzy - I never had a problem with nosebleeds myself, but one of my sons does. His nosebleeds tend to be more frequent in the cold weather (perhaps because of the dry heat, as others here have pointed out). The thing about being a cancer survivor - we're always looking over our shoulders, wondering if there will be another attack. Maybe it's good that we do that, though. We're in survival mode.
Also, Jazzy, I hope the doctor can help you with the bone density. As I mentioned before, I have no idea where mine stands. I never heard of Prolia. Thanks for sharing that info. It's good for all of us to know about these options.
Have a good night, everyone.
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good morning, last night I took vitamin d3 and b12 I realized I took a lot of vitamin the first year after chemo then I stopped. I was tired of taking so many and I wanted a break. Now I started again. Yes I agree with life, we are on the watch now. Not sure if I like it lol I wish I could let go of the fear
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Good morning friends- I went to bed early and slept well last night and woke up feeling OKAY again today. I just think the follow up process will always be hard for me. I am used to it, but of course, we never know how things will go so we hold our breath.
My nose seems better today. I do find in the colder months and with forced air heating, I am always congested (probably from the inherent dust of the southwest that blows around). My nasal passages are usually irritated. I don't use a humidfier (works against the asthma which is almost nothing here in the dryness), but maybe should see if that would help me? I see them everywhere here. And sinus mists and rinses will help to keep the sinuses wetter.
I think we will always be looking over our shoulder. I try not to over-react to aches and pains that come and go. But we will always wonder if anything is lurking. I will say I don't spend a lot of time thinking about it these days, but when it comes to follow up time, it is in my face again....
BB- how are you doing this week, are the problems you shared still with you?
Enerva- Vit B is good for your energy, and I have read a lot about Vit D and cancer. My PCP thinks low Vit D is tied to a lot of problems they are just starting to understand. Vit D is most certainly tied to bone health, but also heard lower Vit D has been associated with cancer too. I have been in the low zone for awhile, but doing better with it as I increased the daily intake. I think Vit D would be a good one to continue with. I try to take a multi-Vitamin, plus my Calcium and D every day. I stopped taking so many too.
Life- I will let you know what I find out about Prolia. I did post on bco yesterday asking any women if they are doing this and what their experience is? No hits yet, but we will see what comes up with time.
Does your son go back to college for his spring semester soon?
Beach bum- I finished therapy 2 years ago and did not have chemo (surgery and rads only, plus the AIs currently), but interesting to know that you had nose bleeds on it. And we keep fighting the good fight.
Milky- are you back from your overseas trip yet?
Working from home today so back to it.
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i am om the train going home now, I am hungry didn't get to eat lunch ;( I need to check my lottery tickets maybe I can quit this job for good lol
Jazz, I am just wondering about this little fazy pain, today I felt it again just wile I sit at my desk n it is annoying me I just want an Us and then to hear all look normal. I never experienced pain in my abdominal area so I can tell it's in my left side and very mild so I and hopping for nothing. My apartment with family doctor is at my lunch hour Friday so after that I ll know if I get am ultrasound or not.
My shoulders hurt n it's becoming the same stress I used to have. This job is for young and healthy people lol before I use to think I was young inside but not anymore now I look ok outside but inside I feel so exhausted. N I am getting tired of smiling lol its weird it's as if I am faking cuz I just want to do my work then go n I don't want people asking me anything lol hard to explain. This thing with my abdomen is getting in my nerves.
But anyway, I m glad I am on the train now on my way home
I ll keep taking the vitamin for sure now
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i think I ll call in sick tomorrow cuz I am feeling down and it's so cold it's -20 got home frozen ;(
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Enerva- god, that is cold. Stay home, that is not the kind of cold anyone needs to be out in.
Sorry you are down. What is going on?
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Thanks jazz, well my relative in France my brother in law mother is 83 had a stroke over xtmas so she spend December in the hospital and her husband who's 86 has alz. And I love those two people so much I lived in France in 1992 and stayed at their home very often. Just sad that time came when I have to see them suffering. And my brother in law and his sister are no going to do anything about it. It breaks my heart cuz I took care of my mom and I know how it's when you lose your mind every day. So sad, apparently she will be transferred to a home but her husband is refusing to go with her and I have no idea how he ll care for himself. ;( anyway it's also this hard winter I should get used to it but I never do.
I am in bed already hoping I get some sleep, had a bad night last one and trying not to take the magic sleeping pills lol
Hope u have a good night sleep
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Enerva- I am sorry to hear about your BIL's parents. It is so common the caregiver of the one who has dementia to have the medical crisis that changes everything. I have seen that happen so often, including in my family.
But the BIL is NOT doing anything to help his father? It does not like his elderly father will be able to live alone. I hope they have a change of heart and do something to ensure this man is cared for and safe.
Rest well and enjoy your day at home tomorrow.
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Jazzy - My oldest son is home for another week. :-)
Enerva - I'm sorry to hear about your relatives becoming ill now. I hope something is worked out for them so that they both receive the care they need.
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Enerva- is there something you could do for these people from a distance? I can tell you would like to do something, but live far away. I know your time, money and energy are limited to be able to do a lot right now.
What made me think of this is a similar situation with some people that live back east in my home state. They are the aunt and uncle of my sister's partner, and both in their mid 80s and in failing health. Things were changing when we were all back east last summer, and it has only gotten worse. They have always been so good to our family. They don't have the help they need either. I know the feeling of wanting to help people you care about and being so far away.....
She called tonight to leave me a message while I was out walking and told me she finally got the b-day package I sent her that was supposed to arrive last week. I just sent a little lavender sachet and a sweet little dainty cross (she is very catholic and loves crosses). She called me to tell me she got it and loves it all. But the best part of all is what she said "we love you so much and thank you for caring about us. You are so good to us and we love that you care about us." I have been trying to do what I can from afar. Knowing you care is what really matters most as the bigger things going on are just so out of our control.
Anyways, just thought I would share as you and I so often live in a parallel universe with our experiences......
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jazz thanks, I feel the same way, I often send parcels with painting supplies for papi, in french you call grand pa papi and grad mom mami, I always called them asbif they were my mami and papi, I love them very much I am hopping to take a week off in February andbif they are still alive I ll go see them it's not easy due to the distance and money and all but I do understand what you are saying. I also asked my brother in law to watch the movie still alice so he try to understand a little what his father is going through. It seams he is avoiding the truth. My sister told me it's just how European are and in my mind Its just not right.
To be honest I wish they both goto sleep and don't wake up so they don't suffer any more. Yesterday I heard that finally papi agreed to goto the home where mami ll be for 3 weeks. That is good news but what ll happen when those weeks are over?
I ll keep you posted. I called in sick and I hot up with a headache as if I am a wish and gave myself a headache? Lol I am going through papers and trying to organize a little.
Will post here in a bit
Thank you all for listening
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Enerva- well if you can swing it to go visit, that would be great but if you cannot do that right now, just keep in touch with them and go later when you can. I am glad he is going to the home and perhaps he can stay here with her longer term. They will both have better days at the end if they can stay together. I hear what you are saying too, it is a blessing when people just fall asleep and don't wake up. Both my parents did at the end after a lot of decline.
Not knowing your BIL, they may be overwhelmed with two sick parents at once, in denial, or just don't see it as their responsibility. And sorry, I know Europeans who don't cop out on their parents. I am glad the older couple have you who cares about them.
My sister and her partner finally realized recently about the aunt and uncle on the east cost really need someone to come in and help. My sister's partner has health problems, but is not someone who see care giving or helping in those situations. She likes being the one catered too. She has been absent for many things in the past, and was not that great with my sister when she had bc, but I just zipped it and had my own treatment to deal with. She AND my sister tried to push some things off with her mother in TX on to me too, which I said no to.
I gave my sister some suggestions for the visit in Feb and talked to the aunt and uncle last weekend and told them to be open to the visit and help. The woman said "but my neice does not like the cold." I said she was here for Thanksgiving and did fine in the cold and that sometimes we just have to suck it up. I am trying to help them with suggestions for what they can do.
I hope the headache goes away. I am off to work. Everyone have a good day.
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BB- I do hope you get your money due from your ex. You deserve that and with interest too, so I think like 25% on the balance due compounded daily is fare, don't you? Just like the credit card companies do sometimes.
I like that you are going to a karma talk- let us know how you like that?
Your question is a good one about the five years and when the clock begins? I have never totally been sure when the clock starts myself, but seem to think it is from time of treatment completion. My major treatment ended March of 2013 so I am almost two years out from that, and going through my 4th follow up right now. I believe I understand the first two years are the highest reoccurrence risk, then five years then less with time. But I have certainly talked to enough women here who have had it come back 10 or more years later.
I do believe after five years, we don't go through the follow up process anymore, back to regular check ups with your doctors like you had before the whole ugly thing went down. I look forward to that and getting off the damned AI drugs.
And the nose bleeds have stopped! Whew and thanks for asking too! I think it was just a super dry nose from the winter cold.
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BB- that sounds like a very powerful experience. It is true we are constantly changing. We all know we are very different people since we went through bc, but everything in life changes us. From the changes we experience with family losses, to career changes, to relationships we have and then don't.
Sometimes we are with people who are not always best for us, but we have something to learn from them or about ourselves. We can find ourselves in relationships that are not good for us through time, or jobs that don't work for us, or surrounded by people who don't really care that much about us as people but how we can be useful to them. Been there and done all of that. I used to spend too much time making excuses for others when I was not being treated right or was unhappy. Now I just tell myself it is not working and make another choice. I think it is important to remember we usually have choices around the things we allow into our lives. I have learned to let go of things with much more grace than I used to.
I hope you can continue with the Buddhism and meditation. I learned a lot about Buddhism through my yoga practice through the years. You might enjoy reading some of Pema Choedren's book. She is a female buddist who writes wonderful books and makes Buddhism so tangible. She has a great book called "When Things Fall Apart." I have had things fall apart several times in my life. You come to realize everyone has these times too, they all just look a little bit different. It pertains to that ever changing world of impermanence we live in.
I think you are coming out of where you have been physically and emotionally and are a lotus flower who is beginning to open up again. Good to hear sister.
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hi, bb that is so nice you went to that Buddhism talk. I am always curious but never attended any. I was watching a movie called.is heaven real? Lol I better not even give my opinion lol
So tomorrow is my appointment with my family doctor. I ll ask for a few Us hopping she order it.
I also got pain in my left wrist and I want to check it too. Today I realized it's since I started working full time that my entire body hurts lol
Specially the rad side of my chest I even have pain when my car s belt press against it.
Hummm well bb, I am just like you. I am trying to be as normal asbif was before bc, but I know it's just no possible.
I have to face it, I ll never be the same and it sucks.
Today I finally got the chq from the deal I did last month. So finally I ll pay some bills. I keep thinking I need to win the lotto so I can kiss good buy my full time job and open my small boutique lol
Good night ladies I ll let you know what my doctor says tmw
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Enerva- I am sorry your body is hurting. I felt much the same when I went back to work after surgery and then was working PT during rads treatment. Then I felt like $*&%#@ for six months when I started those AI meds too. It took me a long time to feel better. It is hard to work when you don't feel well, I felt that way for a good year or more. I find my body really does hurt more when I don't exercise either.
Yay for the check from the real estate deal. Good to hear.
Tell us with the doctor says.
I was at Sam's Club tonight and there was a fellow there helping me with looking for a smaller flat screen TV. He was wearing a mask and I said "trying to avoid the flu?" as it is bad here right now. He said "no I am a cancer survivor and my white blood cells are low right now, so I am doing this to be able to work but keep the germs away." That launched a whole other conversation as you can imagine, and although I don't usually talk about my BC with anyone openly here, I did so with him because of course, we are part of the same club. He said to me "so you understand" and I said yes I do. He was sweet and so grateful to be alive, working, etc. I told him I am grateful for every day and take nothing for granted these days.
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When I first was diagnosed, I went to a BC support group meeting, and a woman there said, "Welcome to the club that no one wants to join." And she was so right - it is just like being members of a club (that we wish we never had to join), isn't it? Whenever I come across another survivor of any type of cancer, there's an immediate affinity that is mutual.
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Enerva- I hope your family in France is safe right now. Things are bad in Paris with the terrorism and now hostage situations today. I know you have spoken of family and friends there.
I have a cousin here from the US who lives in Paris, but just heard from her recently and she and her husband are the south of France on their boat right now.
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hi, jazz thanks for asking yes my mami and papi are finally in a home for elderly people well not exactly it's where mami was referred after the stroke like a clinic for people with injuries so papi finally went there too. He is not happy but he does no have a way of going on his own out of it. For now I am at easy cuz I know people are there even though they're strangers it's better than him been alone with alz. They live in Marseille so south of France close to nice. My niece is in Lyon which is also away from Paris so I know my relatives are safe for now. My Bl,sister and nephew who are on vacation are now in Spain and this weekend they part two of them to vzla and two to Europe. See my Bl and hus wife my sister were on tour around France and Spain with my other sister and one of my nephew instead of staying longer in Marseille to look after papi and mami. That is why I was so disappointed of them.but like u say some people can deal with much.they prefer to avoid reality.. Anyway
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continuation,
I figure I lose my post if I write too many lines lol
Ok so today I saw my family doctor. She is a sweet lady I really like her at first I was so piss I lost my doctor but now this new one is very understanding. She ordered my ultrasound for my ovaries and also for my wrist she said we ll watch when my next periods come now lol
She is not too concerned about the periods unless they continue to come ever 10 days. She did not like the pain so she said ok ultrasound should give us an idea.also she did the cytology test which was due. So now i wait till Tuesday.
and then 5 more days for results. It's very cold -14 and withvthe wind -23 and I got home and there is not heat or hot water till mid night. Due to a transformer which broke or something.
I am ok cuz I got small heater and we do have electricity so I warmed up water and had to shower with a bucket lol
O well at least I had an option.
I must agree with you, we are in a club we wish we never became members of. And yes I also feel a special bond with people who have survived c. It's as if we are family we just feel so connected cuz some how they experienced our pain. They know how we feel deep inside. I have to admit I lost a lot these past years but most of all I lost faith and that inocence I used to have, I use to be so silly and I took for granted many moments and things. Now the smallest flower in a garden I stop to observe lol
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Enerva- I am glad everyone in France is okay. What a horrible ordeal there the past few days. Paris will be like NYC, DC and the other locations were after 911-afraid for a long time now.
I am glad you got to the doctor today and let us know what you hear about your test results. I hope all is okay.
And very cold there. I am glad you are staying warm.
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heat is on now. I think we will pay good money foe the repairs.
Jazz I wonder how milky is doing? Is she still away?
Milky are you back yet?
Bb how are you? Hope this week you had more good days.
I think I ll try to do yoga tmw. It's going to be very cold bad I ll try to go out to a place I used to do yoga Las year.
Good night all wish you a great weekend
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My sleeping schedule is a mess right now. That's why I'm awake posting at 3:20 a.m.
E - I'm glad to hear that your relatives, especially your mami and papi, are safe and doing all right. Good luck with the ultrasound on Tuesday. Please let us know what the doctors say.
Didn't Milky say that she would be visiting family overseas? Maybe she's still away.
I'll be very busy this month preparing for court, especially because I'll be representing myself. (There's an old saying: "If you represent yourself in court, you have a fool for a client." LOL. But I have no other choice, so I researched and found out what I have to do.) The past few months, I committed to do too much. So, now I made sure not to make as many commitments for the next few months because I need some time to prepare. Anyway, that's what's happening in my life right now.
Life certainly is interesting.
To everyone: Have a good day!
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Enerva- I hope you get out to enjoy some yoga today. I am going to do some here at home. My gym used to have a lot of good yoga classes but they got rid of them. One of the other gym locations in the area still has good yoga classes. I need to get to one of those classes soon.
Why do you have to pay for the heating repairs?
Life- in a perfect world, we would do things differently and am sure you would be hiring a lawyer to help you. But I admire you that you are doing this yourself and taking the time to prepare for it. Sometimes we just have to do what we have to do. I wish you the best with all you are heading into and sending you good energy for all to go in your favor. I think by doing this, you will be able to move on with your life in many ways you have been unable to.
And yes, I thought I heard Milky was overseas visiting her family. I know she is in school and perhaps will be back soon as her classes may be starting up again.
I finished up my short contract with the hospital yesterday, and all wrapped up there well. The painter was here this week and we spent some time going over the remaining rooms to be painted and I made some final decisions on colors, etc. Now I am working to clear out he rooms to have them ready for the painting that begins next Tuesday. We will be done there and I can put the bathrooms back together next weekend, and then the flooring folks will come the following week to finish the hardwood floors in the spare bedrooms and hallway. Then this house will be done, done and done! Doing a whole lot of decluttering in the process too.
I hope everyone has a good weekend and if it is cold where you are, stay warm!
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