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  • PaEaglesFan
    PaEaglesFan Member Posts: 57
    edited October 2013


    Question for Rad Grads.... It's been almost a year since radiation ended and the area that was treated is STILL a different color than the rest. Anyone else have this? I 'could' make that follow up appointment with my RO and ask him, but do I really need to see him every 6 months? MO, BS, PS, GP....that sounds like enough to me for now.

  • aruba
    aruba Member Posts: 276
    edited October 2013


    PAEagles,


    I finished rads last halloween so we are pretty close. I do still have a sunned look that i think will stick around as that area got cooked from inside out and that area never saw a sunray before. I still see RO too but think i may longer due to clinical trial i am in for shorter 3 week vs 6 week rad regiment (i was placed in traditional 6 week mode). Love my RO best so dont mind.

  • Believe777
    Believe777 Member Posts: 540
    edited October 2013


    PA Eagels Fan - I finished rads at the end of July 2012, had the shorter version. My chest looked like an iron had been placed on it for about a year but today, I would say the color is 99% normal. I also see my MO every 6 months. Still waiting for the normal softness to return but it is pretty good and getting better all the time. I do see a difference in size but it's not noticeable in clothes and with a bra. Decided to live with that. They are also bringing me back every 6 months for a mammogram.

  • luvmygoats
    luvmygoats Member Posts: 2,484
    edited October 2013


    Swgee - but be forewarned about the colonoscopy. If doc snips even one little polyp or finds one little thing wrong (of course hoping NOT) it is no longer preventative and you're liable for the bill. I'll admit I did the same thing last December when I was on 100% insurance paid. The prep was not as bad as when I had a barium enema years ago. Not that I didn't spend significant time in the loo but it was easy on the gut, not crampy. The propofol was nice, asleep then wide awake. DH and I did a little shopping afterwards. My fav. clear liquid turned out to be apple cider. I cannot drink plain water in the amounts they wanted but the cider went down easy. And being cold weather you could even have it hot.


    Juneau - congrats on the house. When is the final word or prospective move in date?


    PAEagles - I'm a little ahead of you and lefty is a different color still and gets red in the shower or if I exert myself. I myself don't worry about it and BS is never concerned when I bring it up to her. I can't see the line anymore (that tan shade) where the rads ended. I'm getting mammo on lefty every 6 months and righty (non BC side) every year. My RO dismissed me after the 1st followup and just as glad not to have an extra appt.


    My PCP has punted my sore R shoulder/clavicle to an ortho. Going Monday. They asked if I'd had an MRI on it - nooo. Sounds like more fun coming my way. Just want to not hurt when I reach for things. Find myself babying it. Advils not doing the job. I also need to make appt with derm. for spot on my forehead b4 the end of the year.


    Cindy - Did you find out what was causing your tummy trouble?

  • juneaubugg
    juneaubugg Member Posts: 517
    edited October 2013


    Believe: I LOVE my newest bracelet... and I LOVE YOU! THANK YOU!!! You always know just when I need a smile most.


    Aramance; hang in there. Your body is going to change as it recovers from the trauma that active treatment causes. The swelling and scaring will lessen and so will your perspective when you look at yourself. You won't be so startled when you look in the mirror and your reflection isn't the same one you've gotten so used to seeing all your life... and eventually you will get used to THIS reflection and it will become "normal". Your husband will love you no matter what your breasts look like, and not to be a bitch but if he doesn't... throw him back and go fishing for a new one. Although Ramols is right about how this experience attacks the very core of our sexual being/our "womanhood" it can't take away WHO I AM. Only I can GIVE that away and this bitch isn't taking it from me. Not today anyway. She already stole enough time from me last year. I have my life....I almost said back - but it's not back, it's new, different, forever changed... but it's my fucking life and cancer can't have it! You will get through this and learn to love the new you based on your ability to survive and flourish, instead of on your old criteria. And I must say - I even have days I feel somewhat sexy.


    So momof3; we close on our house on the same day as your knee surgery. The 5th. I'm a freakin' hot mess right now. I'm worried about money and making decisions about money. It's one thing when you're living well WELL within your means - but we are adding $700/mo more then our rent now for our mortgage and what really scares me is the carrying costs... we just don't know. We are spending a large chunk (over half) of our savings on a pellet stove replacement for our fireplace. We have electric baseboard heat which they ran at the cost of $600 a MONTH in the winter!!! WHAT!? We should save in the long haul - but just trying to figure our what kind to get is tough. Do any of you have a pellet stove?


    Anyway- It's the weekend before Halloween so I'll be working tomorrow in a Party City store in exchange for a comp day when we move. No rest for the weary.


    I'm back to counting calories in the last 4 days and I've lost 3 pounds. Before that I was on this new medication, eating no carbs (other then fruit and quiona) and no sugar and STILL not losing weight. It all comes down to counting calories for me to make sure I don't eat too many calories for the meds to do their job. I'm hopeful if I keep counting that my weight will keep dropping.


    OH! And I haven't gotten my period since September 6th. I have always ALWAYS gotten it like clockwork so I don't know what to make of this. Parimenopause??? who the fuck knows.


    So when can we plan a NYC get together Canada ladies?! I need Tazzy to come help me sort out my garden next spring! :-) It's totally overgrown from being neglected since the homeowner moved out last June.


    Hope everyone has a great Friday - as always, thanks for listening!

  • Tazzy
    Tazzy Member Posts: 1,442
    edited October 2013

    Juneau: you need to get a shed first - hee hee !!

    Paeagles... I am a year out and still have a suntan line from rads - but I do notice it still fading.  

    Big honking hugs to you all xxxxxxxxxx

    Enjoy your weekends.

  • Joanne_53
    Joanne_53 Member Posts: 714
    edited October 2013


    PAEagles, I finished rads in May 2012 and I still have tan and tough skin. My MO told me,it would stay like that. No problem as long as I know it is ok.

  • Momof3GreatKids
    Momof3GreatKids Member Posts: 285
    edited October 2013


    I still am tan and I was told this may never go away as some lose it and some don't. I wouldn't worry about it.


    Juneaubugg - congrats in the house closing on 11/5. I will be with you in spirit. We got a pellet stove insert for our fireplace 2 years ago. It is a quadrafire one and it works great. We use between 2 and 3 tons of pellets a season. You may pay more this year for pellets, but we buy ours in May and they are much cheaper then. PM me if you have any other questions on it. Also make sure you get a good stove vacuum. We bought one online to Dave money, but it left a lot is dust when cleaning out the stove. This summer we sucked up and bought one from the stove place for $300 and there is no more dust when we vacuum it out. It was really worth the money.


    I have my pre-op with my PCP Monday morning and when all goes well (positive thinking) I will be all set for surgery.


    Have a good weekend everyone!!!! I love you all and you really are all my sisters!!!!!

  • juneaubugg
    juneaubugg Member Posts: 517
    edited October 2013


    Tazzy; I HAVE a SHED!!!!!

  • ramols
    ramols Member Posts: 310
    edited October 2013


    Morning Ladies. Juneau - yeah for the house! The money will work out. You'll make sure it does. Deep breaths. You can do this! Good luck at party city today - wouldn't want to be you! :) And I love what you wrote to aramance! I ran a similar train of thought on the ladies in their 30s thread, as there was lots of talk about recurrence. Thought I'd share it here for my sister warriors. A little inspiration to go find your happy today and take the world by storm! Have a great one!


    The fear of recurrence is natural. But it is something we need to fight. I feel very thankful that my docs never once told me my stats, nor did they even talk about recurrence. They simply told me what my treatment plan would be, and now that I've finally had my last herceptin treatment (woo hoo!), they're working with me on a follow-up plan. We can't live by numbers. What would be the point of going through our various treatments if only to always worry about the cancer coming back. Don't get me wrong - any persistent ache or pain sends me into a momentary spiral of fear that cancer is lingering. And I realize i had 6 positive nodes so my cancer was on the move before we found it. But I do my best to push the fears away on a daily basis. Gotta find your happy in each day and be thankful to be alive. Fear will get us nowhere. We are warriors who are and have kicked cancers ass. I've got kids to raise and eventual grandkids to meet, not to mention retirement travel some day with my hubby. I don't plan on going anywhere. Cancer can fuck off and find someplace else to go! Chin up ladies. Keep on fighting!

  • Aramance
    Aramance Member Posts: 5
    edited October 2013


    Hello ladies and thanks for all the support, I feel somewhat better. I am having a bit of a freakout right now and am not sure what to do. I may go look at another board too. Here is the situation.


    My diagnosis was 7mm, stage Ib, Oncotype score 11, ER+/PR+/HER2-, sentinel node negative, clean margins grade III breast CA survivor who is supposed to be starting on Tamoxifen. I did the 4 rounds of chemo and now am supposed to start on the tamoxifen. I am terrified of starting Tamoxifen. I don't know what to do. The side effects scare me, the weight gain, the pain, the memory loss, the tired, the lack of libido. I just want to get on with my life and I am afraid tamoxifen is going to not let me do that. Anyone else on it? Did anyone decide to not take it? I am honestly just not sure what to do. Hubby is not happy about me going on it. He's just worried. P


    Plus I take Zoloft, which is one that has a moderate interaction with tamoxifen. I told my MO that I was afraid of it, but he didn't seem too concerned. I will call back tomorrow to talk more to him. Maybe I am reading too much of the bad stuff on the internet about the drug, maybe I know too much because of my profession. I don't want a recurrence, but I don't want to take this stuff if it is really bad either. Thoughts?


    Laura

  • Believe777
    Believe777 Member Posts: 540
    edited October 2013


    Aramance - I'm on Arimidex, and it has it's own side effects but I'm willing to do whatever they suggest to keep the Cancer away. Several of our sisters here are on Tamoxifin and seem to have adjusted. I'm sure they will jump in with their own recommendations and personal thoughts. I did want to add that my cousin who is a 10 year BC survivor said she begged to continue on Tamoxifin after her five years...they said no. She is my inspiration.

  • Joanne_53
    Joanne_53 Member Posts: 714
    edited October 2013


    Aramance, I have a year + on tamoxifen and yes I have weight gain and joint pain .... However I am cancer free. I am also in menopause so many,of the side effects are actually menopause side effects. You can do it ... And remember it is worth it.

  • Chrisrenee77
    Chrisrenee77 Member Posts: 693
    edited October 2013


    not on tamoxifen, but on Femara. I have had some of the same side effects weight gain joint pain. Since taking glucosamine I have next to no joint pain.


    Did you have the Oncotype test done? If so what was your score and risk of recurrence? I think that should have a bigger factor in your decision. My score was only 7 with a 14% recurrence if I didn't take the Femara. I was willing to take and do whatever I needed to,to keep this bitch at bay. She already pissed me off once and I'm not willing to dance with her a second time.

  • Momof3GreatKids
    Momof3GreatKids Member Posts: 285
    edited October 2013


    I was on Tamoxifen, and double the usual dose, for about 3 months before I switched to Femera after my hysterectomy in January and it was not bad for me. I had some hot flashes, but I had been having them from chemo so I am not sure if they were leftover from the chemo of from the tamoxifen. I have joint pain with the Femera, but I am living with it for now. I go to my MO in a week and plan to talk with her about it since it is getting worse lately, but still not totally debilitating.


    Chrisrenee - I have a busy day tomorrow so I wanted to wish you luck with your surgery!!!!!! I will be in your pockets with everyone else! Let me know if there is anything special you want me to bring!


    I have my pre-op with my PCP tomorrow morning and would love company if anyone has time. I should be used to these appts by now, but I always worry that she will find something else wrong that will not allow me to have surgery.


    Hugs to everyone!!!!!!!

  • Chrisrenee77
    Chrisrenee77 Member Posts: 693
    edited October 2013


    momof3- thank you! I can't wait for Tuesday to come around. Remind me again when your surgery is. I know you are ready for that to be over with as well. I will take anything that doesn't have coconut in it.

  • Momof3GreatKids
    Momof3GreatKids Member Posts: 285
    edited October 2013


    ok, I will find something great to bring. My surgery is a week after yours on Nov 5th. I also go for my 3 nth MO appt on Monday the 4th and then my mamo and BS appt on Nov 12th. It is going to be a busy couple of weeks for me, but once it is all over we are going to NC again for the week of Thanksgiving and I am looking forward to that.


    Good luck to you and please let us know how you are feeling once you are up to it!!!!!

  • Believe777
    Believe777 Member Posts: 540
    edited October 2013


    Momof3 - I'm in your pockets, always there for you! My freezer is full of cookies. I will bring only the best ones. You will have lots of company - wear big pockets!


    Chrisrenne - excited for you! Got it, no coconut!


    Hugs all around.

  • ramols
    ramols Member Posts: 310
    edited October 2013


    Aramance - don't let all the hype scare you. Not everyone has side effects from tamoxifen. I've been on it for almost 8 months already and can honestly say I have not been able to identify one side effect. It can't hurt to try it - right? Worst thing that happens is you decide it is not working for you - but you won't know until you try. Remember that it is proven to keep the cancer at bay. One of the women who is occasionally on this site was put on tamoxifen when they moved her to stage IV and if memory serves, it shrank the crap out of her various tumors and lesions. Scorchy - if you are out there, how are you?!

  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 685
    edited October 2013


    image


    image


    great group meeting at Marianelizabeth's home Group of ladies who truly "gets it"

  • Momof3GreatKids
    Momof3GreatKids Member Posts: 285
    edited October 2013


    thanks Believe for always being there for me and with cookies without calories even better!!!!! HaHa!!!!!


    I know I can count on all of you to be there for me all the time, I just wish things would slow down some and I wouldn't need you in my pockets for a while.


    I am not sure how to upload pictures, but if you go to the following link http://mobile.outerbanksrentals.com/rental/house.html?ID=1214&User=alpha


    you can see pictures of our new house in NC. We are still working on fixing up the bedrooms and bathrooms, but the rest of the house is finished.

  • Believe777
    Believe777 Member Posts: 540
    edited October 2013


    Momof3 - beautiful home! Love the colors you selected and especially the name Ocean Peace. Many happy years to you and your wonderful family in your vacation retreat. Yep, after this one, you should be finished with medical procedures for a very long time.


    Ossa - yum, that cake looks good but not as beautiful as all of you! Friends for life.

  • PaEaglesFan
    PaEaglesFan Member Posts: 57
    edited October 2013


    Thanks for all your input ladies! It's always nice to know things are "normal" lol.



    Aramance--I am 11 months into Tamoxifen and I can tell you the first few weeks were rough for me. It seemed to make my arthritis really flare up and I had a lot of joint pain. I took a lot of ibuprofen in addition to my regular arthritis meds and made it through. The hot flashes have really died down and I occasionally get my period yet. I also take prozac and when I discussed it with my MO, she said not to worry. Also discussed it with my GP and his concern was more that the prozac may not work properly so I was to let him know if I started having more depression or suicidal thoughts. If anything like that crops up, he'll change me to something different.



    That cake looks great, but not as great as the group below it. You all look wonderful!

  • aruba
    aruba Member Posts: 276
    edited October 2013


    HI gang,


    Back from a whirlwind weekend of hitting a casino (left a donation), watching a winning soccer match in Ohio and then a heartbreaker loss in double overtime in Central Michigan yesterday before getting back late last night. I am so enjoying catching the tail end of the college season. Will go again to Indiana on Thurs for the last match against Miami of Ohio and then await final results for seeding into the conference tournament game so we know where to head for the Sunday matchup..could very well be back to Michigan, either Mt. Pleasant, Yipsilanti or Kalamazoo..lol.


    Chrisrenee in your pockets girlfriend! I have to say that after hurting my foot and being in FL all those weeks, I have put on some pounds so please wear a big pocket to accomodate the extra space needed! Make sure you rest well on the other side to help you with a nice recoup!!


    Momof3, I am with you at your PreOP today, this will soon be behind you and you can think about that spectacular house that you will soon be making your home your way. It looks spledid!


    Love the picture of fellow sisters!


    LuvMyGoats, hope you had success at the ortho and you soon get relief when reaching for the stars!


    Hugs to all!

  • Aramance
    Aramance Member Posts: 5
    edited October 2013


    Thank you all for the positive responses. This has really eased my mind. I am hopefully having my hysterectomy in August of next year, so I may get changed on my medications then. I have a call into my MO's office, but they never called me back. I start it tonight. I am guessing starting at night will be ok.


    Christy, My Oncotype score was 18 (right on the borderline of low and intermediate risk), which my MO said put me at an 11% recurrence rate without chemo, 5% with chemo and Tamoxifen. He didn't really say how much without the tamoxifen. I guess I was just reading too much into the internet hype about how bad the medication was. We'll see what happens after I get my hyst.


    And, you let me know if you need anything after surgery. I live close and will do whatever you need :) Good luck tomorrow, I know you are going to do great! So proud of you for all you have been through! Thanks again for being one of my main venting/support persons here.


    Thanks again all, I would definitely like to hear from more ladies on here that are on it or other hormonal therapy. I just want to make sure I am doing the right thing. Thanks again.


    *hugs*,


    Laura

  • Momof3GreatKids
    Momof3GreatKids Member Posts: 285
    edited October 2013


    Thank you all for being in my pockets today!!!!! I am cleared for surgery, but because of the weekend my blood was done more that 10 days before surgery, 11 days so they are making me do it again tomorrow. REALLY!!!!!!! I know the numbers will be close to the rest, but I have to fast again and the lab is always busy first thing in the morning. Then I have my MO appt Monday at the cancer center and they will take an additional 6 vials of blood there. I hope I still have a vain next Tuesday to get the IV in with all the blood draws. Thanks for letting me vent. It always makes me feel better.


    Good Luch Chrisrenee!!!!!! I will be jumping in your pockets tomorrow morning!!!!!!


    Aruba - it sounds like you had a great time with your DD, but a busy time. Make sure to test this week if you can to get ready for next weekend.


    Hugs to everyone!!!!!!!

  • iatigger
    iatigger Member Posts: 269
    edited October 2013

    Hi Laura, I have been on tamox for a year as of halloween and my only se is the hot flashes. I have weight gain  but dont think I can blame it on that. Give it a try, as with any medication each person can react differently and hopefully you will be one with little to no SEs.

    Chrisrenee, I will be in your pockets tomorrow. 

    The halloween party was a big success, lots of unique costumes. Still worn out from all the fun and clean up. Keep thinking halloween is already over. Just a few more days til I pack all the decor away for another year.

  • aruba
    aruba Member Posts: 276
    edited October 2013


    Chrisrenne, jumping in and making room..will have food when you are ready to reach in...i'll bring the coffee and apple fritters Smile. sure others will have goodies too!


    il_570xN.302350600.jpg (570×482)

  • Chrisrenee77
    Chrisrenee77 Member Posts: 693
    edited October 2013


    hi my lovelies!!! I'm getting ready for bed and will wake up tomorrow at that ass crack of dawn to be at the hospital by 530😴😴😴😴😴. I will try to keep you all posted tomorrow after surgery.


    Thank you all for being with me! I love you girls!


    Momof3- congrats on getting cleared for surgery. Nothing but the best!


    Laura- I'm always here for whether you need to vent or not. I will definitely let you know if I need anything.


    Well I better get to bed!

  • jennie93
    jennie93 Member Posts: 263
    edited October 2013


    Laura, I've been on tamoxifen for 5 months now and haven't had any problems from it other than gaining 15 pounds already. Which annoys me for sure but not enough to get on the treadmill or anything... not yet anyway. I take it at bedtime, my MO recommended that, said the most common SE she hears is that it causes some sleepiness. I can't say I've noticed anything like that. My hot flashes aren't any worse. It's pretty much been a non-event, thankfully.

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