For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing
Comments
-
IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL!!!! I absolutely love it! What a wonderful answer for anyone asking how we are, during and throughout this battle.
I too am a believer, and gain my strength & peace from The Lord.
I have found out that for the most part, if you didn't have Hot Flashes with menopause, you won't have them with arimidex.
Paula0 -
AnnieLane and Soteria205: Wow! 'It is well with my soul' is part of the refrain from one of my absolute favorite hymns. (Christian Reformed Church, Gray psalter hymnal #489!). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmvnE6erj6I
The lyrics below are just slightly different in a few spots from the youtube clip, but it doesn't change the meaning of the hymn at all.I'll be singing this to myself all afternoon.....thanks so much for mentioning it
When Peace Like A River Hymn
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Refrain: It is well it is well, with my soul, with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul.Though Satan should buffet,
though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control,
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and hath shed his own blood for my soul.(Refrain)
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
(Refrain)
And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
even so, it is well with my soul.
(Refrain)0 -
Soteria and SweetandSpecial and CloudWatcher, you nailed it! I love, love, love this hymn and the story behind it! At some point early in my BC drama, I realized that the title of this hymn was my answer to the question everyone was asking: "How are you?"
The first Sunday after my first chemo treatment, I made the effort to go to church even though I didn't feel well, because I wanted to hear the musician who was visiting. Her name is Amy Shreve and she is a harpist with a gorgeous voice. She played and sang this wonderful old hymn, as I just sat there with tears streaming down my face.
Cloudwatcher, I do know where GlenRose is. My oldest daughter and her family live in Allen north of Dallas.
This is way off the subject of Arimidex, but I can't think of how God has worked through my BC experience without sharing this story. After my diagnosis, my 16 year old granddaugther, who lives in Allen, began doing self exams and she found a lump. We thought it would be a harmless fibroadenoma, common in teens. It was an extremely rare, very agressive type of tumor called Phyllodes. Less than 1% of breast tumors are this type and they almost always occur in women over 40. They grow so fast that they can take over the whole breast and break through the skin. They can be malignant or "benign" or borderline, but they are never harmless. They often requre mastectomy even if they are benign. Thankfully hers was benign, but it took 3 lumpectomies before she had clear margins. So here I was, talking to my 16 granddaughter about what to expect from a lumpectomy and then she had to go through it two more times. She is so mature and is such a trooper. She and I recently celebrated our birthdays together: my 58th and her 17th (early.)
Her last surgery was in late May and today is her actual 17th birthday. Guess where she's celebrating it? In a village in Kenya where she's on a mission trip working with a school and orphanage! I can't tell you how proud I am of that girl!
I knew as soon as her ordeal started, that if God could use any part of my experience to help her, then I was more than glad to have gone through it.
0 -
Oh and for those of you with more contemporary taste in music (I like both contemporary and traditional) check out the version of "It is Well With My Soul" by Jars of Clay. Love that one too. I would look for a link, but I'm off to a visit with my gyn. And all the youtube links I've found start with a commercial.
0 -
nbnotes,
If I remember correctly what ruthbru said (she's the expert on this) you soak the raisins for two weeks in the refrigerator, then you can start eating them...but you do continue to store them in the refrigerator. I haven't tried the recipe yet because I'm just not a fan of gin. Always thought it smelled and tasted too much like pine needles! Hey, but maybe the raisins change the flavor... I never thought to ask that.
0 -
OMG Lee, that is hilarious!!! I've always told people that gin tasted like pine needles smelled and I always get looked at like I'm a freakin idiot....too funny! I was telling some folks at work about the raising soaked in gin and before I could get out the word gin someone said 'vodka', so I wonder if the vodka recipe would work the same.
AnnieLane: What a great testimony and how awesome that your granddaughter is on a mission trip to Kenya! Sounds like your family has an incredible and strong faith and thank goodness for that, huh? I did my share of worrying and crying over the whole BC thing (who doesn't?), but I learned once again that God is always there for me like the 'footprints in the sand' thing. He carried me through even when it seemed too much to bear. I'm so glad that the granddaughter had a good outcome and that your situation was ultimately used by God in such an incredible way.
I have a story to share also if you all don't mind. I was about three years overdue for my 'annual' gyn checkup. I didn't care for my old gyn (Mr no personality!) and just hadn't got around to finding a new one. Never had any female issues and always had clear mammos and wasn't at all concerned. One day last August I was led to ask a female co-worker who she went to and if she liked her doctor and so on. Well, I called her doctor's office, and they happened to have had a cancellation that week and fit me right in. The mammogram I had a couple weeks later is what led to the early stage BC diagnosis. It still brings me to tears sometimes when I think of how God was looking out for me by leading me to get that appointment made at that particular time. If I hadn't done that I would probably still be procrastinating and I'd be walking around with undiagnosed BC. My new gyn is a 5-year BC survivor (lumpectomy/radiation) herself.
Which reminds me......I've got a reminder card at home to get my next gyn appointment made and guess what? I've been PROCRASTINATING!!!! What an idiot!
0 -
Sweet&Special, that is a great story. Thanks for sharing!
I've never been a fan of gin or raisins, so haven't tried that remedy. I prefer to use my moderate ration of alcohol post BC for a weekly margarita
0 -
I am enjoying all your stories, so I had better add mine! My hubby was sick and ended up in hospital with high pb and b. sugars and was dizzy just feeling terrible, so the local hospital did an MRI and they thought there was a narrowing or blockage in his head
boy were we scared, so off to Mayo clinic in Rochester, long story short he is fine, turns out the mobile mri machines that come to our local hospitals arent that reliable... and he got his blood pressure and sugars under control.. anyway I always have my mammogram there even tho we are a long ways away, so I decided to see as long as we were there could I get my mammo and yes it was possible, so in one day I had a mammo, call back for closer look, ultra sound and a steriotactic biopsy! whew what a day, and i knew from the results of scan that it didnt look good, so next day I got a call to confirm the worst, but I feel so fortunate that I did get in when I did because I may also have procrastinated and left it for a few more months... God was looking our for me again! good news was it is small and early, bad news was it is grade 3! But I will be fine, I just know it. God is good.0 -
I have one more 'God works in mysterious ways' story. Bear with me here.... I live in Fremont, Michigan. We have a great hospital that is part of the Spectrum health organization. After I was diagnosed and a lumpectomy scheduled a month later my BS ordered a bi-lateral breast MRI to rule out anything that may not have shown up on the mammo. Well, the MRI revealed three additional 'areas of concern'. Needless to say I was devastated and assumed the worst and spent the next two weeks crying
.So obviously, I had to have the three new areas biopsied, but Fremont's Gerber Spectrum Hospital doesn't have the equipment to perform MRI guided biopsies. I was sent to the Betty Ford breast care center in Grand Rapids. My mom and hubby went with me. As the three of us were waiting in our little curtained alcove my nurse came in. She actually tripped just a little when she came in and made a joke about her big Dutch feet. My hubby quipped 'Oh, Dutch CRC, huh?' (CRC being the Christian Reformed Church which is the denomination I was raised in and brought my hubby into). She said, 'Oh no, no. I was raised CRC but now I go to Madison Square.'
My mom and I both looked at each other and then I told the nurse that my sister went to Madison Square and did she know her. When I stated my sister and brother-in-law's names she gasped and said 'Oh. My. God......you're the sister with breast cancer that I've been praying for!!!'. WOW! Small world......or God's Providence? I truly believe God put her there for me that day as well as putting me there for her. She was absolutely wonderful and told my sister later that she felt sooooo blessed to have been the one working with me that day.
The three areas turned out to be benign, but in all honesty, by that point I had spent two weeks grieving the loss of my breasts and when my BS told us they were benign I said screw it.....I can't handle the thought of worrying forever that my remaining breast tissue would turn against me again some day and I've already pretty much said goodbye to them anyway. That appointment was Friday, November 2nd at 5pm. BMX/TE placement was Monday, November 5. The surgery had already been scheduled, we just didn't know until the biopsy result came back whether it would be a lumpectomy or BMX. I have no regrets but do miss my nipples!
Love y'all!!
0 -
Ladies - just wanted to join in with -it is well with my soul!
I also am grateful to have my bc found early.. I probably wouldn't have found it if it hadn't been for the company I work for - every October there is a ladies mammo party - we all go together and they have food and games and make a party out of it.. company picks up the tab.. Its the only reason I get it done - otherwise I'd be thinking, I am healthy -never any problem.. but thank God my tumor was very small and although treatment was tough, today I feel good!
I already went through menapause - only side effect was sleeplessness..so I am hopeful that I will be side effect free with this medicine.. so far 2 weeks and nothing
0 -
Nancy, what a great idea to have a mamo party! not sure if a plan of you all or the company but a terrific idea and clearly it saved you
0 -
I just love all these stories. Yes, God is good, isn't He? Sweet&Special, I got goosebumps reading about that nurse realizing who you were - how cool is that?
So here's what I think about the Arimidex: Statistically it should reduce my chance of recurrence of BC, so taking it seems like the wise thing to do, and I'll do it unless I reach a point that SE's seem to outweigh the benefits. (And as I've said, I'm thankful that so far, I'm doing fine with it.) But ultimately, I'll remember that my fate doesn't depend on the doctors or medications or treatments. Ultimately my trust is in God and He has known from the beginning how many days I would have on this earth.
0 -
Yes, Annie that is so true and we need to remember that! I kinda like for things to be in my control, have a bunch to learn yet.. and Sweet and Special.. I also got goosebumps that is one amazing story!!
I hate to say it but... I have another one.. 20 years ago, I was misdiagnosed, found a lump, had it biopsied and sent to the larger hospital down the road to pathology, they said I had BC insitu, before this we had a trip planned and tickets bought to visit son in Houston area and he just insisted that I come to MD Anderson for 3rd opinion, so I got a referral and lo and behold MD said it was NOT breast cancer! I was scheduled for surgery when I got back! so prayers were working then for me as well! Ironically now it was the other breast that had the cancer this time... that is why I always went to Mayo to be sure I got the best pathologists with my breast history, had 3 biopsys before it finally got me. Well enough about me.. no more stories! so thankful for these boards!
0 -
It always pays to go to the best and kudos to your son for giving you a push in that direction. I boggles the mind to think how subjective these diagnoses are. I just can't believe it! What a wonderful dream come true for you!
0 -
"sweet" thanks so much for posting the lyrics to the hymn. They sure seem appropriate for me and I imagine many of us. I know there are many other afflictions and diseases people have and this hymn can apply to them too. :>))
0 -
AnnieLane
My son and wife and three kids live in Allen. How interesting! We go up infrequently. Although we are 72(me) and 74 ( hus.) we get around some but dont travel a lot.
0 -
Dear "sweet",
Thanks so much for your story about the unlikely meeting at the hospital - brings tears to my eyes and glorifies God (touching to hear stories of God's work in our lives)
0 -
God never ceases to amaze me! Three days after diagnosis we lost our major medical insurance. Most of the winter & part of Spring my DH was unemployed with no unemployment benefits. I've been on disability since 1993 because of Degeneratve Joint Disease. Through BC, unemployment, and everything else that has come down the pike, God has carried us. He has brought the most incredible people into my life and showered me with blessings that amaze me. GOD IS GOOD!!!
Blessings
Paula0 -
Yes Paula, God is Good! I say "Thank You" everyday..
0 -
I don't know how many of you have read "Heaven Can Wait". I am about 3/4 way through the book and "wow"! I love hymns. Not sure what one I love more. Every time I am reminded of one I think "that is one of my favorites". I enjoy some of the new ones. I have so many in my car that when my son borrowed my car he said "think you have enough religious CD's?". They are what gets me through rough days. Love Amazing Grace, Just As I am, Peace in the Valley, Old Rugged Cross, just to name a few.
0 -
Soteria205, wow, and I thought we'd had it rough financially. My husband has been self-employed for 20 years and I have worked fulltime myself for just seven years to supplement his income and so we could have medical benefits. His business slowed down and then dried up completely about the time I was diagnosed, so I've had to work fulltime except for some FMLA I took for surgery, and a little for chemo. But I worked through most of the time I was doing chemo and all through rads, because we couldn't afford for me to take unpaid time off and I had to be careful not to use all my accrued paid sick time. It's been hard and we've run up some debt, but God got me through it and gave me the opportunity to work from home. I'm through with all active treatment now and just dealing with the Arimidex, which thankfully hasn't given me any problems so far.
0 -
I'm wondering how many of you are taking Glucosamine with Chondroitin or MSM for your joints. I wanted to pass on something I've learned recently.
I've been taking Gluc/Chond on and off for years and had been taking it regularly since starting Arimidex. It's always been a little hard to tell if it works since I don't have major joint issues anyway and take it mainly for prevention, but recently I decided to do a little more research on it.
What I learned is that most of the strong evidence for effectiveness is for Glucosamine Sulfate. The evidence is not as good for Glucosamine Hydrochloride (HCL) or for Chondroitin or MSM. Most of the Glucosamine on the market is Glucosamine HCL. That's what I'd been taking and that's what's usually combined with Chondroitin or MSM. Don't be confused by the fact that Glucosamine is often sold as Glucosamine/Chondroitin Sulfate. That is still Glucosamine HCL. The Sulfate refers to the form of Chondroitin.
Anyway, Glucosamine Sulfate is harder to find and more expensive, but I figured it was worth it to seek it out and try it. I found that Walgreens and CVS drugstores sell their own brands of it. The best daily dosage is supposed to be 1500 mg, whether you take that in one 1500 mg cap once a day or 750 mg twice a day. I got Walgreens brand "Finest Natural" Double Strength Glucosamine Sulfate 1500 mg capsules. The label says to take 3 a day, but that would be too much. I'm just taking one.
One caution to be aware of is that you shouldn't take Glucosamine Sulfate if you are allergic to shellfish. And it shouldn't be used while being treated with the chemo drug, Adriamycin.
I haven't figured out how to post links here yet, but I got my info from the NIH's MedlinePlus as well as WebMD and the Mayo Clinic site.
0 -
AnnieLane: I was getting excited about this until I got to the part about allergies to shellfish. I've never cared for fish or seafood at all but several years ago I decided to put my big girl pants on during a business trip and tried a clam soup that came with an entree. I didn't care for it (which didn't surprise me at all) and within minutes my saliva glands had poufed up so much I couldn't chew my food without pulverizing the insides of my cheeks as well. The effect dissipated after a brief time and I was fine. A couple of nights later we ate at a Japanese place and I had a chicken dish that came with several dipping sauces (one of which was a clam sauce) and you guessed it......the tiny little bit of clam sauce that I tried had the same effect on my saliva glands! That's when I figured out it was the clam dishes that were the likely culprits.
Moral of my story is......Don't try food you know you don't like just because people accuse you of being a picky eater and you want to prove them wrong! I think God made me dislike seafood for a reason......I'm allergic!
Wish I could take the Glucosamine Sulfate, though. Both my basal thumb joints have deteriorated rapidly in the past 5-7 years. ACtually, I guess that would be about when the menopausal events started occurring too (hot flashes/insomnia). Ack.....what a pain!
0 -
Lisa, do be careful now that you know you are alergic to clams. I have a alergy to NSAIDS that started very small and such but now if you want to kill me (truely) then slip a baby aspirin in my coffee!
my doc told me when it started that each exposure to an NSAID would be worse and boy was she right! I go into a massive asthma attack and can not breath so do be alert now
0 -
S&S, you know, I also react to clams, which make me violently sick to my stomach, but I can eat all other shellfish. I'm doing fine with the Glucosamine Sulfate so far. You would definitely need to be cautious though and if you tried it, you'd probably want to take an antihistamine with it the first time.
Here's a copy and paste from one of the study sites:
"glucosamine sulfate is manufactured from the chitin exoskeleton of shellfish, such as lobster crab and shrimp. Therefore, it is conceivable that a person with a severe allergy to shellfish may be sensitive to the use of glucosamine, although the pharmaceutical grade of glucosamine is generally devoid of shellfish contaminants. Nevertheless, caution should be exercised in these cases.(2,14"
0 -
Annie.... Puritan's Pride has Gluc. Sulfate 3/$17.99 ,120 count bottles, they are capsules....
0 -
Thanks, Loral
0 -
Sounds good. Will check with my SIL, who sells the Metagenics line of supplements (for his chiropractic patients.)
Here's a Mayo Clinic link that is quite positive: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/glucosamine/NS_patient-glucosamine
0 -
While on the Glucosamine discussion, isn't that supposed to help Neuropathy? I had slight neuropathy after chemo (I iced my hands and feet during Taxol and it really helped), but I notice it is getting worse. I've been on Anastrozole for 9 months. Is this common? Initially, I only had the neuropathy on one foot on the very tips of the toes not big toe. Now it has moved down and has included big toe. Help! Thanks!
0 -
I don't think Glucosamine helps neuropathy, but L-Glutamine, Alpha-Lipoic Acid and Vitamins B12 & B6 do.
0
![[Deleted User]](https://us.v-cdn.net/6037276/uploads/defaultavatar/nF0ALO3I3QJM7.jpg)
Annie.... Puritan's Pride has Gluc. Sulfate 3/$17.99 ,120 count bottles, they are capsules....