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Ladies in their 40s

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Comments

  • Falconer
    Falconer Member Posts: 801
    edited March 2017

    anoncub- I completely agree with what you said about survivor status. It's one day at a time. Today is my 6month follow up visit with my breast surgeon. 6 months already! Yay!

    Hope you're able to live in the moments you feel well. Hugs to eveyone

  • farmdream
    farmdream Member Posts: 74
    edited March 2017

    Trooper2 - I have been taking tamoxifen since the end of January. My taste buds are off and I think I have been drinking a gallon of water day I am so dry. I can't drink coffee any more after having drank it as my morning staple for over 20years. It seems my appetite is a bit off too.

  • Trooper2
    Trooper2 Member Posts: 10
    edited March 2017

    Thanks Anoncub,

    After my first treatment of chemo I couldn't get enough fruit. I have always been a hit or miss with fruit before. Then it was cucumbers with tons of salt. When I had a metallic taste in my mouth I would suck on peppermint 🍬. That helped two fold, helped the taste buds and settled my stomach. Also, what helps is LOTS of water. I hated water before chemo. Lots of people told me to drink water and they are right. It helps. Before BC I was a huge Mountain Dew drinker now I rarely drink it cause it doesn't taste the same. Still drinking water though.

    I had my first rad treatment today. It went fine. My chest felt like I was trying to get tan there. :) Not real hot a just a little warm.

    The shirt I wore to rad today says "Breast Cancer just picked a fight with the wrong chick" and that is how I really feel.

    Wish you all speedy recovery

  • Trooper2
    Trooper2 Member Posts: 10
    edited March 2017

    Farmdream thank you for responding. I was starting to wonder if I was imagining my awful tastebuds. I called the pharmacist and he said its not typical but their have been some cases. Figures. I know what you mean about a dry mouth. I went to the dentist a month ago. I had a loose crown and he said with my mouth being so dry he couldn't tighten up the crown because the dry mouth is causing bone loss in the gum. He ended up pulling two teeth near the front. I thought great, not only missing a boob now missing two teeth near the front, and my hair has only grown long enough to look like a boy. Oh well I'm alive and that's what counts. And everything is temporary for now. He gave me a tempory mouth piece that has two teeth in it. When I talk I sound like a football player. Lol

  • tinker-bell
    tinker-bell Member Posts: 40
    edited March 2017

    Hi Anoncub!

    I hope you're feeling better and side effects are not so tough now - hugs to you. I too am planning to cold cap and have bought elastogel slippers and mitts to help my fingers and toes. Am going to use Evonail on my nails I think. Starting Taxol on Monday. Port going in tomorrow and then a tour of chemo ward on Thursday.

    Anyone else having anti depressants to help them cope? Am seriously considering it as anxiety levels are very high xxx

    Love to all!

  • poseygirl
    poseygirl Member Posts: 298
    edited March 2017

    Hi YoungTurkNYC ;),

    I just turned 48 and was diagnosed with stage 3a IDC in June of 2016 (ER positive, PR positive, Her2 positive). I just finished radiation almost 2 weeks ago. I have a 10 year old boy and 7 year old girl... thanks for starting this thread; I look forward to meeting othersand sharing here...

    Carolyn



  • kbt
    kbt Member Posts: 22
    edited March 2017

    Trooper2, I love your shirt saying! That is so fitting and would love one!

    I am 45 will be 46 in August with a 13 year old son. I am little behind many here in the thread. I just got my port last Thursday, and start chemo this Thursday, I will be doing ddAC for 4 doses every other week, followed by Taxol every week, then left BMX, then radiation. Not sure when the hormone therapy will start, guessing after chemo. I meet with the RO on Friday after chemo.

    Carolyn (Posey), we have similar diagnoses. I am HER2 neg is only difference. Did you do chemo back in June?

    Looking into those slippers and mitts for hands. Thanks for that name of them Tinkerbell.

    Appreciating this and other threads with the useful information and encouragement.

    Falconer, great news on the 6 months! Yay for you and thanks for checking in on us!

  • Trooper2
    Trooper2 Member Posts: 10
    edited March 2017

    kbt,

    I got the shirt at pinkribbonshop.com for $12. They have quite a few shirts with cute sayings.

  • tinker-bell
    tinker-bell Member Posts: 40
    edited March 2017

    hi KBT

    I think they are cheaper in the states - they are pricy in the UK. Some hospitals provide them but not mine. My oncologist was sceptical but I'm going to try it. If no freezer on ward you can freeze them at home and bring in a cool box. I'll let you know how I get on

  • Sabina1974
    Sabina1974 Member Posts: 22
    edited March 2017

    Hi anoncub

    Yes doing well so far, joint and muscle pain in my arms and legs but other than that doing fine. I have decided not to return to work this year and give my body time to heal. We are going to Spain for 10days in June and have some time just the 3 of us together. I will have the ovaries out then afterwards. I hope you feeling good and looking forward to the weekend.

    Sabina

  • kbt
    kbt Member Posts: 22
    edited March 2017

    Trooper, awesome thanks! I don't want a lot of shirts but that is definitely one I am buying!

    Tinkerbell, I found them on Amazon! Thank you!

  • kbt
    kbt Member Posts: 22
    edited March 2017

    Trooper, awesome thanks! I don't want a lot of shirts but that is definitely one I am buying!

    Tinkerbell, I found them on Amazon! Thank you!

  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,743
    edited March 2017

    Hi ladies,

    I was diagnosed 4 months ago at stage IV. My mother and her sister were both dxd in recent years, both in their 60's, so I totally didn't see this coming at 41. I have none of the known gene mutations but the Genetisist thinks there's some increased risk somewhere. I'm currently halfway through chemo and will have a lumpectomy in June followed by radiation. I feel pretty good and still work but plan to apply for early retirement next year for medical reasons. The first couple of months were tough on my husband and I (no human kids, dogs) but if it wasn't for being bald, you'd never know I was sick and my single bone met can be handled locally, so we're riding on possibilities rather than statistics, which helps.

  • tinker-bell
    tinker-bell Member Posts: 40
    edited March 2017

    hi Vix1970

    Just wanted to say hi, we're the same age and I live in the UK too! Saw you had a bad reaction to Tamoxifen. My sister had that too and isn't taking it, she is very comfortable with that decision and her oncologist supported he. Hope that helps, so tough making all these decisions!

  • jenwith4kids
    jenwith4kids Member Posts: 216
    edited March 2017

    Tinkerbell - you asked about anti-depressents/anxiety meds. Yes to both - - this is not something you just need to suck up. I'm three years out and I still take a periodic ativan to help me sleep. I was on antidpressants all through treatment and have continued on them. There's no shame in it!

  • anoncub
    anoncub Member Posts: 18
    edited March 2017

    Hi ladies! Had a rough weekend with fever, but managed to stay out of the hospital, which is always a good thing these days....

    Sabina1974- so glad to hear about the trip to Spain that has been planned and that you are being kind to yourself! I am hoping to get a long weekend away just for a change of scenery.

    tinker-bell- how did your first couple of Taxol treatments go? hope you've been weathering them well!

    Illimae- congrats on passing the halfway point with chemo! I'm with you in that regard. 4 out of 6 down, but man... not looking forward to 5 and 6. I'm still working through treatment, but it isn't getting easier. Oh well, my best efforts will have to be good enough.

  • tinker-bell
    tinker-bell Member Posts: 40
    edited March 2017

    Hi Jenwith4kids

    Thanks for that! I'm going to ask the doctors again. My oncologist says it's normal to feel as worried as I do but I'm having trouble coping, I think. Mind you the side effects from some of the anti depressants don't sound fun, either!

  • tinker-bell
    tinker-bell Member Posts: 40
    edited March 2017

    hi anoncub

    I felt quite positive and ok during chemo, ice cap was fine, used cold gloves and slippers,but I've had pins and needles in my hands and feet since the day I had it. None of the doctors seem very concerned and say I wouldn't have neuropathy after one chemo session on a low dose of Taxol. Pins and needles not painful but I have little shooting pains elsewhere as well. Bearable - not very uncomfortable - but they make me worry a bit as it's only week 1! I can't tell if I'm just making more of a fuss than other people or there's something wrong.

  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,743
    edited March 2017

    tinker-bell, I've had some random pains here and there too, left hip, right knee, etc. I'm told it's nothing to worry about and think it's just the effect some chemo drugs have on nerves, for me it happens with mild bone pain about 4 days after chemo and I take a tramadol, all good after that

  • roareus
    roareus Member Posts: 68
    edited June 2017


    I have not been here for awhile....

    Has anyone decided to go with luperon to shut down their ovaries rather than removing them? I have been getting lupron injections to put my body in a medically induced menopause and be able to take exemestane for the past year and half. Six months ago, I switched from lupron injections every month to lupron injections every three months. Things were ok until this past weekend when I noticed pink on toilet paper when I wiped. A little bit of spotting. I know lupron, especially the injection every three month, causes breakthrough bleeding. I contact do my MO and she recommended seeing a GYN a top the cancer center rather than my own GYN. Problem I see my appointment isn't until 8/1. I am flipping out. Anybody have similar experiences or know anything about this?

    I should mention that my MO is very conservative and recommends a specialist every time I have an issue/complaints. I just don't know how I am going to survive until 8/1.

    HELP!

  • roareus
    roareus Member Posts: 68
    edited June 2017

    I have not been here for awhile....

    Has anyone decided to go with luperon to shut down their ovaries rather than removing them? I have been getting lupron injections to put my body in a medically induced menopause and be able to take exemestane for the past year and half. Six months ago, I switched from lupron injections every month to lupron injections every three months. Things were ok until this past weekend when I noticed pink on toilet paper when I wiped. A little bit of spotting. I know lupron, especially the injection every three month, causes breakthrough bleeding. I contact do my MO and she recommended seeing a GYN a top the cancer center rather than my own GYN. Problem I see my appointment isn't until 8/1. I am flipping out. Anybody have similar experiences or know anything about this?

    I should mention that my MO is very conservative and recommends a specialist every time I have an issue/complaints. I just don't know how I am going to survive until 8/1.

    HELP!

  • Fortysomething
    Fortysomething Member Posts: 1
    edited June 2017

    New to the cancer scene, still in the discovery process. Had an excisional June 5, showed DCIS and positive margins, so went in today and had re excision. Waiting another week (ish) to see where we go from here. I gotta be honest, this burns this time! I also had a vein thrombosis, he snipped off. And I've been a horrible emotional wreck today, like it's hit me things are really going on. I really try to stay positive, but I'm having a hard time today going through the 'its all good and I'm fine" motions. Hoping this emotional overload is just the after effects of anesthesia. 💗 To all you warriors. Btw, I'm 41.

  • rambros
    rambros Member Posts: 17
    edited June 2017

    roareus - that happened to me once on monthly zoladex shots. My MO wasn't that concerned since it only lasted one day, but I was very worried. It sealed the deal for me to have my ovaries removed - I was too anxious wondering if the shot was working and if my estrogen levels were low enough for the AI's to be working properly. Had an ooph in September and have had no issues. It's an easy surgery with very little down time

  • roareus
    roareus Member Posts: 68
    edited June 2017

    My MO wants me to see a GYN before we do anything else. I am just nervous. My MO and GYN didn't want me to get a ooph because of the heart and bone health issues associated with it. I am beginning to think that may be the way to go.... How long did it take you to recover?

  • rambros
    rambros Member Posts: 17
    edited June 2017

    I stayed home from work for about 2 weeks since I had paid sick time to use but I remember feeling mostly fine after a few days. The worst part is gas pain (they put air in you during the surgery). I did have it done by a gyn-oncologist surgeon and we went over the pluses and minuses of the surgery (or even doing a full hysterectomy). For me - I never wanted my ovaries to have a chance to 'wake up' after I stopped the shots in 5 or so years plus I was very anxious wondering if my estrogen level was low enough. If I was closer to natural menopause age (I'm 39) and wasn't such a nervous nellie I may have stuck with shots. All of these choices are tough

  • meg2016
    meg2016 Member Posts: 188
    edited June 2017

    Completely agree with Rambros... my mother had also had breast cancer, so I really didn't know when my ovaries would really be "done", I am 40. I have had so much more peace of mind since the ooph. The side effects of shutting down the ovaries are similar to those with ooph, its the hormones that give many of those long-term benefits, which you hope you aren't getting. The Lupron itself has its own side effects. Recovery from my Ooph was easy, worst past was just the gas they fill you up with. I was having no symptoms of menopause on Luron and they don't have a great way to determine if the Lupron is working. My surgeon for my Ooph said if I have more menopausal symptoms after the ooph its probably a good sign that the Lupron wasn't so effective and I have only had hot flashes, etc since the surgery. So I feel much better about having had it done. Step one I figure I have to live long enough for the side effects from my ovaries being out to come to pass.

  • roareus
    roareus Member Posts: 68
    edited June 2017

    meg2016/rambros

    I am going to be 47 in September and have been getting lupron shots for a year and half now. I guess my initial thought was that I do it for five years and I would be in menopause. But if the staining/spotting continues, idk that I can live like that either. I have some fibroid issues so a hysterectomy may be better. Who knows... I just need to get an appointments before 8/1 otherwise I willlose you mind

  • ndgrrl
    ndgrrl Member Posts: 645
    edited June 2017

    I had a partial hysterectomy at 38 because of finroids. When I was 46 I had my ovaries removed because they grew very large. MO at the time said it could have been the Tamoxifen that causes that. I do not regret having those surgeries

  • Tresjoli2
    Tresjoli2 Member Posts: 579
    edited June 2017

    ROAR I was on Lupron for two years. I just made a decision to get off. The doctors think my weight gain and mood ossues are tied to the lupron. So off i went. Im 42. Im terrified but i need better quality of life.

  • roareus
    roareus Member Posts: 68
    edited July 2017

    Tresjoli-

    Good for you! I wish I was as brave as you.

    Were you on the three month injections or the monthly? Have you ever experienced breakthrough bleeding? Weight gain, moodiness, and no desire for sex are issues for me as well.

    I just want to go through a day without worrying this shit coming back....

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