Life on aromasin
Comments
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Wish I could retire Proud. So very glad for you! Last week, I made the hard decision not to put in the paperwork by the 11/1 deadline, to prove I was eligible to take an exam to become a Case Manager Supervisor. Had to accept the fact, I was no longer capable of learning new tasks and taking on much greater responsibilies. I can't even keep up with the daily changes and increased demands at my current job! Can't retire for a other 4 years. Hope I can make it. I was gifted with a superior brain and took it so for granted. I am just not the same person anymore.
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You know it's bad when your kids no longer poke fun at me, by laughingly saying "Ok Mom, whatever you say!", like I didn't know anything. The disease is bad enough but the treatments are so crippling.
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Eve, sorry the timing does not allow you to retire but glad you were blessed with a good memory
but then again, 4 years will go by faster than you imagine...I know as folks told me that but I did not believe it, but it was true0 -
Thx Proud.
Hope it flys by. 0 -
Memory
Fog Brain
That's how I always feel, when my sister, cousin and I talk all we keep on saying is wait what was I going to say, or I forget let me think---All 3 of deal or dealt with cancer areound the same time so it hit hard all at once and it doesn't really stop until who knows. Thank God we all understand each other==OK I love this thumbs. hahaha
Oh and panic attacks I think they are easily gotten especially now I call it after shock--U'r brain is catching up to all that u'r body has been going thru and still is but not on such a regular basis. Personally I would tell my Dr. cuz they can be brutal, I think.0 -
I think you are right Camille - it is "aftershock" I had no panic attacks when I had my first cancer in 1982, but this time I'm getting them (3 years after the second diagnosis) I've had 3 panic attacks and almost called the EMTs the first time as I thought I was dying. Had no idea how horrible those are.
The next two I managed to talk myself out of , by doing my normal routine and drinking lots of water. Whatever works. I don't want to take any meds unless absolutely necessary as I'm worried about getting dependent on them.0 -
Dogs, hang in there. cami is right about after-shock. Some years ago, I went through a bunch of personal changes -- ex died and I was the only one to settle the estate, daughter graduated from hs and left for college, I sold my house, ex's house and bought another with fiance, we got married and i got a huge promotion at work. All thta was within a few months. Only after all thta, I started having disabling panic atttacks. Nobody who hasn't had one can understand. The doc said what cami did, that my mind and body went into high gear to get through all that, but then it went haywire. Drugs saved me, so do what you have to do to live a normal life and don't worry so much about dependence. I was eventuallynable to wean off the drugs gradually. Good luck, and know that others have been where you are!!0 -
Good Morning!! I have been on aromasin for over 7 years, and I still have occasional bouts of anxiety and depression!! I will take medication when needed for the anxiety!!! Diet and exercise have helped tremendously, but as long as I stay on the aromasin, I suspect I will always have some anxiety and depression!!! I have 2 1/2 years to go!! I empathize with all of you!!! So agree with WaveWhisperer, be kind to yourselves and do whatever it takes to live a normal life!!! Blessings, Kathy0 -
Kinder, your MO decided you needed to stay on Aromasin for 10 years??? Did she decide that at the begining?? My MO said we'll wait to see at the 5 year mark...0 -
Good to see you again Kindergarten!
Wave, my MO has also said she thinks I should stay on Aromasin for 10 years. I haven't had serious SEs though. I assume it would be a different matter for those who are suffering.0 -
Thanks so much Wave and Kathy! The last 10 years or so have been full of stresses now that I think about it. Most physical so really didn't count them, but beginning in 2004, parathyroidectomy, 2006, selling house after 30 plus years and moving to new neighborhood, 2007, foster dog died, 2008 son moved out and decided to become homeless, also broke my wrist. 2009 broke hip, 2010 found cancer lump, 2011, 2 of my dogs died, lumpectomy, 2012 arm fracture. Sounds like a soap opera doesn't it?
Don't normally talk about all this, but it does help to let it out---
Wave and Kathy - thanks again for your kindness.0 -
Dogs, you have been through a lot, physically and emotionally -- and all those physical surgeries and breaks put stress on your body. Your losses will stay with you forever. All that would be more than enough to bear up under, and the add FBC -- not once but twice -- and it's surprising you haven't caved under !! Again, be kind to yourself and please give antidepressants some serious consideration. Thanks for sharing, and know you can always vent here with those who understand.0 -
Last week my MO said he's giving women the option to stay on for 10 years if they can tolerate it, he believes the studies are going to show that's optimum. And he said for people with my type and stage he would recommend staying on for a full 10.0 -
Thanks Wave----I don't like to mention all my stuff; many people have it so much worse,but maybe I do need to cut myself some slack. I get tired of being strong sometimes (don't we all?)0 -
yeap dogs, give yourself a break!
betcha a nice mani/pedi would do wonders for you0 -
A big Hello to YorkieMom, Dogs and Jogs!!! Hi, WaveWhisperer! I have had 3 oncologists since moving here to CA! My oncs in Pittsburgh and Chicago said 5 years was enough, but my new onc in CA, said because I had lymph node involvement, bi- lateral breast cancer, and Grade 3, she wanted me on it for at least 10 years!! So far so good, I have not had a recurrence!!! But there are days when I feel absolutely yucky!!! I am going to hang on if I can!! 2 1/2 more years!!!0 -
Dear Dogs and Jogs! You certainly have had so much on your plate! I wish you peaceful days!! I am baby sitting my granddaughter, but I will try to get in touch with you for lunch or a nice walk!! Sorry, that I have not been in touch with you, please e-mail me if you need anything!! We live so close to each other!! You are in my prayers!!!!0 -
Dogs and ladies. How about treating yourself to a relaxing massage once a month, if possible. I found a great deal on Groupons and got 3, 90 minute Lomi Lomi? massages, for $179! This Thursday will be my last.
I don't know I if I can afford it monthly but will try to have them when I can. It relaxed me better than anything I've ever experienced, and I've had quite a few massages over the years. This type uses long deep strokes, where she takes her time and goes back to the same area repeatedly. She uses an massage oil, your choice but I'm partial to the coconut/lime , and once she's worked a while she begins to incorporate stretching and at the end I am so relaxed, she is easily able to bend my knee up to my chin. And believe me, I am not a flexible person!
Between the antidepressents, taking time for just me, and being especially good to me, I'm keeping the anxiety at bay.
I highly recommend you do whatever you can to do to offset the Stress you're having to endure CONSTANTLY. It a sign of strength to recognize you need some extra special help now. No one can possibly understand what we're going through. Despite it all, we still want to be super woman! We're trained to be the nurturers and give give give, without a thought. It's hard to recondition yourself but it's so important.
Don't worry about becoming addicted. Just take the steps you need to take to make your life easier.
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yeap, I agree .mani, pedi, massage or facial or on a really nasty day .ALL OF EM0 -
With a nice glass of chilled Chardonnay please.
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course I do have to say that I was feeling stressed about money stuff this morning, went to the gym, few laps in the pool and all felt good with the world! course I did pick up a bottle of wine for tonight on the way home...0 -
A swim would be awesome. I should look into that. Really good tip. The!
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Hi ladies----I agree--any and all of the above sounds wonderful and Eve u are so right we forget sometimes we need to get pampered inside of ourselves as often as we can- we do need the extras and wine is aways good for u.
A Story--when my mom was DX with cancer (some blood thing) she started getting anxiety attacks and she went to her primary and said she needed something, like Xanax and the Dr. said Oh I don't know that could be addicting. My mom got up and said I'm 85 yrs old and have terminal cancer and do u think I care what I'm going to get addicted to now. And walked out and changed Drs. and got her Xanax.-What a woman.0 -
Brava to Mom!!!!0 -
Cami,
Good for your mom! Sometimes doctors are on auto pilot and don't think about what they are saying, or whom they are saying it to.
Now, I don't allow guns in my home, but somehow I got a trigger thumb last night. Wow! is that painful. Warmed the thumb up under the covers and it was better. The joint isn't bending correctly this morning, so looks like a new AI toy to play with. Never had trigger anything before.
Add to this a new pain in the ribs. May be a stitch in the muscle, I've been having calf cramps at night. It's going to have to bother me a long time before I go to the MO. I finally have a two month period w no BC dr appointments.0 -
doxie- I have trigger finger in 4 of my fingers. 2 on each hand. It is definitely from the AI.
I have started a new eating plan called "the whole 30" and I am really seeing a decrease in my pain level and brain fog. It feels good to leave some of that behind. For the first time, I feel like this AI might be do-able. I have more energy and no food cravings.0 -
the whole 30? think I will look that up0 -
Ginger,
I probably come close to that diet. Not sure I want give up my morning oat bran or occasional beans. My sister has completely stopped eating grains and feels much better.
Do you use splints for your fingers? After reading how to care for trigger digits, I've wrapped paper tape around the thumb. The knuckle is pretty swollen.0 -
not sure I could keep to that diet, my weakness is bread and all that so guess I better try something else0 -
Is it low carb? I've been following a low carb diet for years. Might be one reason I haven't had severe SEs on Aromasin.0
