January 2017 Surgery Group
Comments
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Hi Happy Friday all,
I work in retail on the weekends so I am here and in about a half hr .. rads. Then back until 3 pm . Hope everyone does well with all thats going on .3bears, just curious what is a round of chemo. ,how many days or what amount constitues a round. I hear that a lot and was curious . I better get off the phone now because there ste cameras lurking me.. lol love you all💗
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Happy Friday!! Been popping in to read and enjoy the gorgeous pics of you ladies! I hesitate to post because I'm sort of in the in-between stage...still doing PT 3 days a week and also trying to get back to "normal" life. Not that I'm trying to leave you ladies behind, but rather feeling like I don't have much to contribute. Of course my cheers and love are in full force! I'm so happy to see everyone doing well. I would imagine I've got 2-3 weeks left of physical therapy...my arm has come a really long way! Most things don't bother me anymore but did notice while reaching for a bowl with that arm in my cabinets last night that I still have some work to do. I'm guessing in about the same amount of time my left boob may somewhat resemble the right one. It is still full of dots from the catheters and pretty pink from that and the radiation. I try to pop in daily and see that you're all doing well.
The real estate market has started to pop again now that holidays are over and we're headed into spring so I've been crazy busy at work. Sending tons of love from AZ and hope you have a great weekend!
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Happy Friday Everyone!
I know I have been MIA lately, but I have kept up on the posts as well as I can. I am finally starting the Rads phase of my treatment and completed my simulation yesterday. Now I get to wait for the phone call to schedule after they work out the treatment plan. So, Cowboy-up... I am right here with you and hoping to start next week with you and most likely Tamoxifen around the same time.
Elem - a "round" of chemo is usually one treatment. I was prescribed 6 rounds, one every 3 weeks. The round of treatment for me lasted about 5 1/2 hrs (other than the initial treatment which was 7 1/2 hrs.) Of course that all depends on your protocol. Some people receive treatment every week.
3bears - you look beautiful! I wish my wigs looked half that good. I think I am just wig-averse, problem is that I am bald-averse too! Hats are my friend right now.
Have a wonderful weekend Lovely Ladies! Be Well!
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annoyingboob - I would be very interested on what you thought of your nutritionist visit. I am going to call my hospital to see what they offer.
I just ordered a cookbook titled "the cancer-fighting kitchen and another "breast cancer smoothies".
I met with my MO yesterday and was trying to get some guidance on what to eat, not eat, supplements, etc.
The nutritionist is probably the better person.
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The James where I am getting my treatments has a survivorship appointment that they schedule. It may even be like a class. Not sure. They basically walk you through what the rest of your life will be like with when you get mammograms and MRIs. They check to see how you are doing and help you with your hormone therapys. They also set you up with a nutritionist and massage therapy if you want it. I think it is a great idea
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Cowboy-Up - I wish my hospital offered a survivorship appointment just to get started.
I agree it's a great idea.
Maybe I should suggest they take it under consideration, there is just so much to take in and what to expect going forward.
If I didn't have all of you I wouldn't even know some of the questions to ask.
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Elem-- BeachBabyK got it right. I have to do 4 rounds of chemo, or 4 treatments. I go once every 3 weeks. Monday will be my second time.
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so good to hear from BeachbabyK &fightingirl! I had been thinking about you both.
3bears- I can't believe that's not your hair! You look beautiful!
Annoyingboob & PugsMama - I made it my first day without sugar and day 2 will be done before I know it!
Ok ladies....I got the call! My oncotype score was 14. Anyone else's close to that? If so what was your treatment plan? ??? I don't go back until the 14th to hear what my journey will be.
Thanks!
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Vargadoll, mine was 17 and no chemo! Hoping for the same for you.
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Cowboyup -I could kiss you!!! I just needed to here that! We will be on the same path I am assuming. I won't know until the 14th
MUAH!!!
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Vargadoll, also, all my stats are the same as yours except mine was a little more aggressive, Grade 2. and mine was 1.4 cm. I would be very surprised if they would want to do chemo.
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cowboyup- I have told very few people about the BC. I never thought I would need chemo or radiation so I felt I could keep it "under the rug" until I was ready to tell people. I still can with radiation so that's as far as I was praying I would need to go.
Are you getting to do the 2xs a day for one week radiation? I already know that's not offered where I am.
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Vargadoll, no. My RO wants me to do 25 regular radiations and 6 boosts so 31 days. Going to be a long 6 weeks but still better than chemo. I'll take it.
It is odd though because I am going to one of the best cancer hospitals in the country but I'm not doing anything new and innovative.
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congrats on the score varga!!
I had my 5th and final radiation session today - yay!! Now on to tamoxifen and I'll start tonight at half dose and go up to full Monday. 5 years. I'm not sure I've ever done anything for 5 years before, lol. My attention span is typically 5 min. Fingers crossed!!
We have a survivorship program too but I forgot to make an appt. I guess the plan is mammos in 6 months - what has everyone told you girls? Is it 6 months from surgery or 6 months from xrt?
I did meet my nutritionist today. No real insights, as I'm a healthy fruit and veg girl and haven't eaten red meat since high school. She encouraged me to check my vit d level. Some study showed 80% women w BC were vit d deficient. Not exactly sure the association, but there is not much from nutrition to replete your stores. If levels are 20-30 you can get away with 1000u maintenance dose. If less than 20, you will need to take more to ramp up. Watch the alcohol. Keep Bmi under control. Crank up the exercise.
She said natural soy products, like tofu, tempeh, edamame and miso were ok up to 2servings/day. Avoid the processed stuff.
She mentioned golden milk before bed to help you sleep - milk, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon. Said other versions/recipes online. That sounded like a yummy before bed treat and might help w insomnia.
Again no huge revelations - I already know sugar is my big vice, and today is day 3 without it. I sooo wanted a congratulatory sweet, but came home and ate an apple with cheese instead. My new normal. At least I'm not starting right before the holidays!!
Good luck all you sexy chemo starlets and to those midway and starting xrt!! I'll stick around to chat about tamoxifen but here's hoping no SE!!!
Xxoo
Happy weekend my lovelies
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Farmgirl- Thanks for the good thoughts! The 14th seems forever away!
Annoyingboob- congratulations on finishing the xrt! I know when it's my turn I will be on the same route as Cowboyup. Spring break will be boring for the grandkids this year. I will be lucky to get them to Dollywood with the xrt everyday for 5-6 weeks. I think I can see the nutritionist as well. I struggle to keep everyone happy at dinner time. I love my fruit and veggies but DH is a meat and potato guy. He also snacks late after dinner. If stay away from sweets I'm fine but one bite and it's over! I'm eating it all! I have made it through day 2! DH just had cookies and milk . I didn't even want them. I had Greek Yogurt today and it satisfied my sweet craving. In the past if I wanted something sweet I could eat a pickle and mess my craving up lol! I have been meaning to tell you were an adorable little girl! Your mother is beautiful to!
One more question. Since surgery I am up 2 times a night to pee! This is not normal for me. It's making me so mad! I am not doing anything different than before surgery. It's around 1:30-2:00 and 4-4:30. If I could just fall back asleep I might not get as well...pissed about it! It's takes forever to get back to sleep then it's time to pee again!!!
Good night beautiful ladies! Maybe I can sleep from 10-1 at least
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thanks varga - ask your RO about the short course xrt I did. I'll post the article below.
I've had poor sleeping habits for several weeks also. I'm going to try the golden milk with turmeric/ginger/cinnamon that nutritionist recommended. Maybe since you are peeing, you should stop drinking after 8pm then do jumping jacks and pee right before bed? Have you been checked for diabetes? Hopefully it's just nerves and not something more serious - you have enough on your plate!!
Thanks for your friendship through all this - you are the best cheerleader!!
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vargadoll - mine was 15 and no chemo. I'll be sending you positive thoughts on the 14th.
Annoyingboob- happy dance for the completion of radiation 💃🏼 I'm praying you have zero SE from tamoxifen.
Happy Friday ladies!!!
Xoxox
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Annoyingboob, did you take the Tamoxifen yet?
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I just took my first half a pill .... with a celebratorybeer, lol!!
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Bottoms-up!
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Ok. Hitting Victoria's Secret for a bra fitting. I thought I saw a post somewhere about a place that gives discounts on bras for breast cancer patients. Anyone recall that post
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it's Nordstrom but you have to go thru your insurance
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cowboy-up, I think it was Nordstrom
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annoyingboob, congrats on finishing rads and beginning the final phase!
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So the verdict is that I am not a C that I hoped I'd be. I am a D. They only took off one Ds worth of boob. Lol. The good thing is that I fit nicely in a D and had more choices and colors. I got fit at Victoria's Secret but went to Kohls and got 2 bras for the price of 1 VS one. Only buying 2 until radiation is done.
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ahahaha cowboy - I need to get measured too! I wanted to be a b/c but I have a feeling I'm a c/d. But the lift alone was worth it - I love being able to buy non underwire bralettes! But mentally I still feel like I need support.
Day 2 half dose tamoxifen and nothing except for the craziest dreams, but I think that was bc of the beer not the pill, ha! I'm such a cheap date!!!
Fightingirl, always so fun to hear from you! I hope your porcupine pricks are healing and the cording is going away. Have you been able to go to yoga yet?
Big love and soft hugs to all my bosom buddies!!!
Xo
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One quick note on the Vitamin D. My stepfather is an MD and a Holistic nutritionist. He says the US RDA of vitamins is way under what is really needed by the body. The optimal level of Vitamin D is more like 60-80. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/11/21/how-to-get-your-vitamin-d-to-healthy-ranges.aspx Vitamin D is an ESSENTIAL vitamin, meaning the body does not produce it on its own. It helps to prevent many catastrophic diseases, including cancer.
See this for more essential vitamin info "Vitamin D is one of the fat-soluble essential vitamins, vital to the maintenance of major organ systems.
Specifically, it regulates the levels of calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood by promoting their absorption from food in the intestines and also promotes the reabsorption of calcium in the kidneys.In the immune system, it promotes phagocytosis, anti-tumor activity and modulation of the immune system. There is a huge and growing interest in vitamin D as a factor in the prevention and treatment of many catastrophic diseases, cancer being the focus of many studies.
Its RDA is 5 to 10 ug/day with a 50 ug/day upper limit. 1000 IU is very common in vitamin D supplements where 1000 IU equals 25 ug. Note that each vitamin has a different IU to ug conversion, so don't apply the vitamin D conversion to other vitamins.
Current research indicates that the government RDA for vitamin D is extremely understated. It is now believed that adults require 5000 IU of vitamin D or even higher for prevention of many catastrophic diseases.
"In supplementing vitamin D, one must be aware that there are two types; one being natural, the other synthetic.
D3, cholecalciferol, is the natural one and is the same vitamin D that our bodies make when exposed to the sun".Since Vit D is FAT SOLUBLE, be sure to take it with a fatty meal, or some coconut oil, otherwise the body does not absorb it. Also should take Vit K2 along with the Vit D to prevent buildup of calcium in the arteries, the Vit K2 redirects the excess calcium to the bones. I currently take 5000 IU every other day and my levels just tested at 60.
Disclaimer: I am not a health care professional, I gained a lot of nutritional supplement info while working as a medical secretary and wellness coach at my stepfather's practice.
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awesome shoregirl, thank you!!
This is a book I'm reading that goes over a lot of vitamins, minerals, and herbs, as well as diet. It's not really breast cancer specific though, unfortunately.
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Shoregirl - thank you for the info. I have been very low in Vitamin D for years! I would do the prescription strength for a month then go on the regular OTC dose for a whiles then forget to take it then just stop. Hine site. ...wow! Is there a brand you prefer? I get overwhelmed in the vitamin section!
Annoyingboob- a perfect D!!! No boob hangover or 4 boob smush!
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