2013 Survivors!!!
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Tazzy - tipple! made me giggle!
Chocolate fix - Adora Calcium. If you close your eyes when you put a dark chocolate flavored one in your mouth you would swear you were eating a Hersheys special dark. Yum! Plus we all need our calcium! Some days that is my fix.
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Sistahs - thank you for the warm welcome!!!
DANG - this thread moves FAST!!! It's like being the slowest typist in the Chat Room!!!
I would love to be both a member of the weight loss team as well as a cheerleader.
In March 2012, my MO told me she wanted me on Anastrozole. (I'm 100% ER+.) I was furious. I informed her I was 1) post-menopausal, 2) had already had a hysterectomy, and 3) there was NO estrogen in my body. She very kindly told me that estrogen is still produced in body fat, especially belly fat.
Standing there at 5'5" tall and 204 pounds, I had no snappy comeback.
I joined Kaiser's Optifast program and spent four months on a liquid diet. Then I spent 14 weeks transitioning back to real food. Exercise was mandatory, as were regular meetings with the physicians, and labwork. I was taken off ALL my prescription meds except for thyroid.
Last month I met my goal of losing 60 pounds and more than 65 total inches. I went from a size 18 dress/pants to a size 8, and in tops, from a 2X to a Medium. I'm now 5'5" and 144 pounds.
Best of all, my fibromyalgia pain went away (Optifast is gluten-free), my labwork is totally normal for the first time in years, and I am still off the dozen prescription drugs I took daily except for thyroid and Anastrozole.
Losing that weight and exercising gave me back my confidence. I began to feel like a strong, healthy person instead of a weak, sick one.
Unfortunately, now the trick is to keep the weight off. Since I'm not cleared to exercise yet (another long story) I am not being very diligent about logging in my foods and monitoring my calories. I can see the weight creeping back up when I weigh in at my Tuesday night support group (that I'll be in for another year.)
I need lots of motivation, but I also have some great ideas about how to lose weight without being hungry, and how to move without it seeming like exercise.
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Blessings - so glad you are here! Pour on those great hints.
Did I understand that you are off Arimidex with weight loss? I'm with Kaiser but they didn't recommend Optifast. My husband is on MediFast. My MO said no to that, it's 67% soy.
I haven't had a hysterectomy. Does that matter?0 -
Shit ladies... if you would all just shut up for an hour or two I might stand a chance of catching/keeping up with you all! Jeez!!!!
Where have I been you ask?? I've either been working or in my fucking kitchen prepping vegetables, juicing or cooking. I am SO FUCKING FED UP! I have not lost ONE FUCKING OUNCE according to my bathroom scale! ARGH!!!!!!!!!! Yesterday I went to get a flu shot and the woman at the pharmacy told me that I couldn't get one because I'M PREGNANT! (WHAT! WHAT!!!!?) I very nicely told her that I am not pregnant - I just gained a lot of weight after my chemotherapy. (Good news here - she must have thought my hairstyle was a choice!)
Yes - anything over 170 lbs on my goes directly into the front of my stomach and I do look pregnant. Add to that lack of exercise (core muscle strength) it's even worse. I HATE MY BITCH and am just to fucking tired after getting home at 6:30 (on a good night if I don't go to the grocery store to buy my fresh produce), cooking dinner and lunch for the next day and eating (9:00) to get on her. I tried waking up early today, but had a screaming headache for the first time in a long time. *sigh*
Honestly - I'm just so frustrated. There aren't enough hours in the day. As some of you know I'm in recovery and that HAS TO be a priority in my life. So I am out at 12 step meetings until 10:00 at least three nights a week. I sponsor other women so my phone is always ringing. I am so ver whelmed and so upset with my body. I'm FEEL great and then I try to get dressed, or see myself in a mirror... then.. not so good.
Websister: I hear you on the shortness of breath. I just had an echo - everything looks good, she said I just need to build my stamina back up (no other excuses for me). Hope you start to breath easier soon!
Scottie; lighten up would you. I'm not sure how I feel about the Gestapo tracking me here. I'm going to fall short as much as I succeed so please, don't yell at me too much or I might just stop telling you guys what I'm really doing (or not doing for that matter). AND I'M JUMPING MY FAT ASS IN YOUR POCKET TOMORROW TOO; so make room ladies!
Tazzy; are you exhausted from your 7 days back at work yet? After all, seems like keeping up with this board is a full time job these days.
Blessings: so you shed your iron bra and made it over to our little survivor thread!? YAY!!!! Welcome!
MCook: Hope the cortisone helps.
So everyone else I left out and to all who have recently joined our happy family... XXXOOOO's and welcome!
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Juneaubugg....you made me laugh and you made me cry. You are amazing.....that's some long day you have plus everything else. Hang in there, truly the weight will shed.
How far do you live from your job? When the weather is good, I plug in my IPod and walk.....40 minutes there and 40 minutes back.....I much prefer this to the "bitch".
I'm not surprised that you are exhausted at the end of the day, and as you say, you have priorities that come first, and they should. I do feel your frustration....believe it or not,
I have been in your shoes ....losing weight is tough.....it takes patience ......
I used to see many patients who would cry over the fact that they were doing everything
right but the weight would not come off.....and then suddenly bingo......it would start to drop and that gave them the incentive to continue.
BTW....the "Gestapo" thanks you for taking time out from your busy day tomorrow to
Accompany her for the results....😘0 -
Yeah-Juneaus back! I laughed so hard. You can really paint a good mental picture. We have hints coming from Blessings on weight loss. None of us is doing that great but we are still trying, keep it up, they promise results are around the corner.
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Thank you ladies for all the responses. I am going to try to relax a bit... At least til closer to my MO followup! It is my birthday this Saturday and me and my husband are going to AC for 2 nights without the kids! So I am going to try to at least forget about BC for the weekend!
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Juneau- you had me dying at the stoplight reading your post! I know people thought i was crazy. I havent read that many fucks since i read fifty shades of grey. Haha if i can keep up at work so can you. Jk i afmire you so much for being a sponsor as well as working a FT job. Get some rest.
Melissa- yes relax and breathe one day at a time. Have fun with your hubby this weekend, its always nice to spend time with them minus the kiddos. Not that i dont think about mine any less when we are out of town. Give yourselves some downtime.
Walked on the bitch shaved another 45 sec off my time. Now going to my sons basketball game.0 -
Juneau, you never fail to make me laugh with your descriptions of how your life is going. You are just so honest and funny, and you're not even trying to be. It seems to me as if you are way too busy at the moment. It just doesn't sound right that you have no time for exercise because other people lay claim to your time. As you say, you are in recovery here, and your health should be priority. You are not alone in your weight struggle. My scale is stuck, and it does not move. Yesterday I started writing everything down that I eat with calorie values complete, and also started exercising more than I normally would. Never before have I struggled like this to lose a few pounds. Is it the Tamoxifen? I'm not sure. I've read that chemo and rads change our bodies at the cellular level, and that is why so many women struggle with weight issues after bc. Apparently Tamoxifen causes some people to lose weight - wish we could be so lucky.
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Oh! Juneau... like everyone else I was laughing so hard at your post. Bloody hilarious - thank you.
OK - work is cutting into time. I totally forgot how many hours we spend at work and when do you get a chance to do anything else ??? I am sure once I have my routine back all will be OK... but for now not enough hours in the day... .and yes reading and posting on this thread is like a full time job.
Funny story regarding the book 50 shades of grey. I work in a hospital (HR dept). When I walked to the washroom there was this old boy... had to be 80 if he was a day... with a walking cane. totally lost and he asked me if I knew where the pacemaker clinic was... so I directed him. Then I noticed the book in his hand... yep 50 Shades of Grey !! Maybe they have been given that to read to see if the pacemakers kick in
And as for weighing in - this is on our scale at work. I know you'll appreciate it.
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Blessings, love the cartoon! Also your weight loss story.
Juneau, I agree this is the chattiest thread I am on. I can't keep up.
Scottiee, I was just wondering it if it is tomorrow for you and it is.
Taxol #3 today and am feeling good~~steroids of course and only one more cycle to go. Had the most social chemo room today. An amazing 27 year old and his mom, his ex girlfriend and parade of beautiful young women friends and his 6'10" roommate. Lucky the other patient was asleep through it all. The young man whose mom is a nurse but lives a few hours away, had bad back pain but being young and athletic let it go until mom said go to ER. This was 10 days ago and they did a CT scan and found lymph nodes in many places; spine (extranodal already), pernieum, testes and he started daily chemo yesterday. 5 day a week, then one day a week then five days again and so. He and his mom were amazing and we all had "fun" if you can call going to chemo fun. I guess the bottom line was that we ackknowledged in our own ways that we are in the game to win.
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Hey Melissa, it' s mybirthday Saturday too, and also my son's and my sister in law's Popular day. I have been told by my two best friends to get up early, put on walking shoes and prepare for a long day. Hmmm.. usually we end up in Manhattan under these circumstances. I am up for a road trip in any event.
Tazzy, love the cartoon. Blessings too.
Juneaubug, glad you are back. Remember to take a breather now and then. With all that activity, you should start shedding pounds soon.0 -
Oops, I forgot, what time tomorrow Scottie? Hope the pockets are big. Can we do happy hour again?
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Marian....glad your chemo went well and only one round left....nice feeling, I'm sure.
Yes, tomorrow is my appointment ....will see everybody at 3pm
Love the cartoons ladies....Tazzy, my throat still hurts and my head still aches so probably stay home until my appt.....would rather be at work keeping busy....thank you for asking.0 -
Scottie: sorry you are still feeling under the weather. I find that a lemon honey drink with a tot of whiskey always makes me feel better
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No fair Scottie gets whiskey????
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Chrisrenee....I'm Scottish...it's allowed.....thank you Tazzy......lol
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Great website for low fat/healthy/ww recipes.
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Woohoo! I'm glad to find this thread & join my 2012 sisters as 2013 survivors!
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Scottie- I guess I will let you have tue whiskey since you are trying to gain weight.
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And its medicinal of course !
OK off to watch Episode 2 of the 2nd series of Homeland.
Sleep well my lovely ladies. Chat tomorrow.
xx
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Blessings and unowhoandwhy - glad you found us
Chrisrenee - re: anemia - there are meds that can be given but since I am now finished chemo there didn't seem to be any reason to, those meds have their own side effects. Same with blood transfusion, I would prefer not have. I am off work to April 1st so have time to work on building up the hemoglobin through diet, I do know that I am feeling more energy this week than I had last so things are going in the right direction.
This is a busy thread, very enjoyable. Scottie - if you take Tazzy's advice you may be drinking before the appointment, way ahead of those of us that will be in your pockets for the appt. Hope you feel better soon.
Juneau - loved and laughed at your post, think you are wonderful. Agree with Liefie that you need to look after yourself first. Not sure of all of the preparation that you are doing but when I was working full time I was known to buy veggie and fruit trays to help myself out with the prep, seemed worth it sometimes. Also the packages of prepared salads like kale salad - Costco here has one that has thinly sliced Brussel sprouts and dried cranberries. We don't use their salad dressing but very handy to throw some of the greens in containers for about three or four days worth of salads, take dressing with you to keep in fridge at work.
Tazzy - enjoyed the pacemaker patient story, that would certainly be effective in getting the pacemaker to kick in. Thanks for the website.
Cowpower and Melissa - sending Birthday greetings for Saturday
Biggest news of the day for me is that my 10 month old grandson started walking today, I better get moving on the treadmill before he can lap me :0 -
juneau - thanks for being my happy in a day where I couldn't really find any! You ladies are too chatty - I can't keep up. Between all these f'ing appointments, work and my kids - there are seriously not enough hours in the day. I was that annoying lady on the phone today with the appointment people - resorting to a near breakdown with one poor lady who had to handle my call. But being the squeaky wheel got me the only appt slot that was going to work for me in this crazy week of mine. So back to herceptin I go since my echo cleared me. Still have a zillion and one other tests to figure out why my left side took a longer nap after surgery than the rest of me. But so far all things are coming up clean. Also met with the lymphedema specialist today and she said no signs of LE and ordered me a sleeve for flying (in case I ever get my ass in gear again to go somewhere and do something). And Friday will set the wheels in motion for radiation - as they make my mold and do a simulation. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel somewhere out there. To all you ladies working on dropping weight - keep it up - you're doing an awesome job (way better job than the cheerleading job I'm doing...
. Hugs to all!0 -
Ramols- so glad you do not have LE it's a bitch! I have to wear a sleeve and gauntlet from the time I get up til the time I go to sleep. Where the glove sits between the thumb and pointer finger is bruised and chaffed. And it hurts like hell. Then having to MLD (manual lymph drainage) every night is quiet irritating as well.
Scottie- once Juneau moves over I'm hopping in as well for tomorrow. And for Petes sake, cut Tazzy off early, she was one beer away from dancing on the tables last time. Lol
Cowpower and Melissa happy early birthday on Sunday!
Believe- How are you doing today?
Game was a loss for us, I hungry(not eating though it's 1030) going to take my.meds and take my behind to bed. Hope yall have a great night.0 -
ugh Chriserenee... sorry about your LE...
In an effort to not go to bed cranky, I trolled for inspirational quotes. Will leave you lovely ladies with this before I treat myself to 1/2 xanax and fall into bed:
"Happiness is the art of never holding in your mind the memory of any unpleasant thing that has passed." ~Unknown
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It's 11:30 p.m. here in Cali.
In a fit of endorphin-induced insanity, I made an 8:00 a.m. appointment with my new Myofascial Therapist for tomorrow morning.
What was I thinking? I'll have to get up at 6:30 a.m. just to be there on time. My usual rise-and-shine doesn't get going til around 10 a.m.....
I must have a major crush on her...she's the only one who's offered me any help with my post-exchange pain and Iron Bra issues. So of course, I lost my mind when I made the appointment.
And I'm STILL on the computer!!!!! Somebody smack me offa here!!!
Nighty night all....
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Good morning ladies.....pretty soon I'll have to quit my job just to keep up here with you lot....lol....decided to take today off as well as my throat still hurts, and as you know,
I'm seeing my GP today anyway....the only good thing about this appt. is I get to take you all with me....remember drinks are on me 💃
Cowpower and Melissa happy happy birthday on Sunday....I hope you both will whoop it
up.
Ramols....glad you don't have LE and Chrisrenee...sorry you do.....I have a colleague at another school who has LE and I asked her to explain exactly what it is ...wow having LE is no joke ....seems so unfair ....on top of everything else you/we have to contend with.
Blessings....hope you make it to your appt....lol
Tazzy....apparently you've been at the beer again....must have nodded off when that was going on....lol....
Chrisrenee.....dancing in tables is allowed.....good exercise, right 💃
Ok...going for my coffee....0 -
Scottiee Good luck today-in your pocket of course. As a cheerleader I cheer for everything so I'll be cheering for your good results and a great happy hour celebration . Heck I'll even cheer for Tazzys table dance.
Juneau you do crack us all up. wonder how much your crazy sense of humor weighs-hope you never lose that!
Websister-Envy you having the 10 month old grandbaby-love that age. The little neighbor baby is just learning to walk. Love how the arms just kind of go out and the balancing act begins as he gains momentum. You better get going on the treadmill because you are right once they get started walking they seem to turn that into a run in no time.
Ramols glad no signs of le. How are those adorable little guys of yours anyway?
Oh Tazzy just the mention of the hot toddy makes me gag-lol-someone recommended that to me for menstral cramps when I was in high school. It definitely wasn't worth sneaking to find where the whiskey was stashed. I still remember that smell and taste-it may have kept me from becoming an alcoholic.
Have a great day ladies and welcome newcomers to our nutty thread.
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Best of Luck Scottiee...have one for me
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