TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP

Elaine, I had a feeling. Alas. Perhaps hot flashes are a part of the new normal.

So I finally looked at all of the reports from surgery, which was back in July. On the chest X-ray, the radiologist noticed what is "consistent with calcified granuloma," and didn't seem overly alarmed. Of course I took to Google, and learned that almost 30% of people, young and old, in my part of the U.S. have these things. Something about air quality and fungal infections.

I'm trying not to stress about this (even though it's tiny and calcification is usually a good sign, of course my first thought is mets). Anyone ever have anything similar? Should I be alarmed, or just let it go?

Kate,

Effexor is used off-label for the hot flashes caused by the treatment to kill the cancer With the lovely side-effect of helping with depression.

I started at 37.5 mg/day and slowly increased to 150 mg/day of Effexor ER. I almost never have a hot flash or a warm flush or anything. My prescribing therapist recommended. Probably because I was leaving every chair I sat in drenched in salty sweat. I do not plan to stop this drug. Ever.

Ang, my gyn's office orders the mammo. I go have it done and they send me a letter in the mail. Maybe your MO orders it because you had a LX instead of MX. I don't understand why they can't send a letter or make a quick phone call. I'd ask why it has to be done that way. Who wants to continue paying all these medical bills!?

Mommato3- Thank you . I think I will call and just ask to send my results.

ashla-- Thank you. I plain on canceling the appointment and just wait for it in the mail. Will save me some money.

Hi,

You are at the right place where you will find many experienced women and efficient advices!

I wellcome you because my DX is similar to your and I'm doing well in my sixth year!

All the best!

Usha ftom Slovenia

Thank you, Jersygirl927

Yes, It seems that some exercise poses will trigger the tremors, it comes and goes.

Hey ladies. More questions. First off, though, my echo came back great (actually went up from 60% baseline LVF to 61-65%), and my labs looked good enough yesterday to get round #4 of TCHP.

One of my liver enzymes is up, though (AST). It's only three points above the high end of the reference range, but it's doubled from my baseline labs back in July. My guess is that this is the taxotere doing its thing, and I've done some research that backs that up, but there doesn't seem to be a clear consensus on whether liver enzymes will resolve themselves once treatment is over. I definitely don't want to kill my body's big filter!

My WBCs and RBCs are still hanging on, too. Lower than they have been, but still in normal ranges--with no Neulasta. I'm hoping this continues.

I figure I'm done with four, so I can do two more. Or not. But I'm sure gonna try, since six is standard treatment for +++.

Thanks in advance, as always, for your advice and info! I'm one of those information-driven research brains, and I find that the more info I have, the better I sleep at night.

Thanks, SpecialK!

814911, just take things a step at a time. Others will post with much more information but I'll just share how it was for me.

I was diagnosed 6 years ago and had a lumpectomy, chemo, herceptin, radiation and have been on a hormonal for over 5 years. Since it was pretty overwhelming, I took it a step at a time. My case was not complicated so I was allowed that. The first thing I did was find a breast surgeon who was terrific. After the pathology report came in, I had a appointment with her to go over what was found in the surgery. All was clear and no node involvement. After surgery I then found an oncologist and radiologist. Both were great. What was really good for me was that I felt each one had plenty of time to spend with me and that was crucial. I needed to know that and needed to know if there were problems with chemo or rads, I didn't have to worry. I would feel comfortable calling the office.

When it came time for chemo, I told the doc I'd rather be dead than do chemo...and I meant it...I saw my mom go thru it in the 60s and 70s..It not like that now. It is much improved and if side effects pop their head up, so much can be done. And believe it or not, after the first couple of chemo's, I loved going and loved my chemo nurses.

Basically, I never thought I could go through this and by gosh, I did! One step at a time. So, if you can, do something nice this weekend, eat well and drink lots of water. And as I said, many will post here with such good information and kindness, you'll know you can do it.

Let us know how surgery goes.

Take care.

Liz

814911, sorry you had to join the club no one wants to be in. I waited 3 weeks from biopsy to surgery. The first time around in 2010 it qas almost 6 weeks. Waiting is the worst. I didn't have lx but after MX waited 4 to 5 weeks to heal before starting chemo. This also gives time for final pathology.

What cowgirl said... One step at a time so go to the surgery board read the October or September board. It should clue you in on what to expect and what questions to as the BS etc. Type in the search what topic you are interested in. Be sure to add to favorite topics. Good luck to you

Nunci, were they discussing patients with early stage or metastatic bc?

nunci - if you look at the Healthline article it references a New England Journal of Medicine article in the section you are referring to - if you go and read that specific article in the NEJM, it does reference metastatic Her2+ breast cancer.

Thanks Special K!! I have read this over and over and haven't realized it was referring to specific stage.  Thanks girl!! I knew yall would have info on this.   

nunci - glad to help!

mmay - yay! Hang in there!

sherry - I took Femara first for six months right after chemo and then developed a trigger thumb on my dominant hand. I was taking the Mylan brand. My MO casually suggested a switch to Arimidex, and the trigger went away. All was fine, some minor joint pain, until a year in - trigger on my wedding ring finger, a toe and my left ankle, and after a minor bump on my right knee (didn't see the trailer hitch!!) it swelled up and I needed a cortisone injection. I asked to switch back to Femara, and ended up with Teva as the manufacturer. I am two years in and no apparent issues. I also started an anti-inflammatory diet, so I think that is part of the success story. If you have issues with the Femara try a different maker before you give up.