I am so sorry to hear about Shelly. I, also, did not know her but she was still my sister. I hate this disease!!!! I have not posted in a long time - I have been visiting and reading. I watched the...
Before I had my second mastectomy and removal of first implant, I was lopsided. I ordered a prosthetic from Jodee - it's inexpensive (about $100) and is advertised as a shell for lumpectomy patients....
I quit having periods during the 5 years I was on Tamoxifen. My gyn said that they would return after the 5 years but they didn't, so I'm no help. Just hope that they will get back to normal soon....
I know how it feels to be stared at. Mine was VERY short when I started wearing it. The kids and teachers at school were GREAT, but I noticed cashiers, etc. staring at me when I would be in a store....
I think it's different for everyone and you'll have to see how things go. I just began to have fewer and fewer periods until I had none at all. Took me about 2 or maybe 3 years in all....
Getting up later in the morning will be nice. The hair will grow back and you will really appreciate it. Mine is very curly and cute. Everyone loves it but not nearly as much as I do. The first time...
I was told the same thing in the beginning because I was premenopausal - then onc changed his mind when research concerning tamoxifen came in. I like that Saying postal2. I regularly send for...
I had 3 positive lymph nodes and finished my 5 years with Tamoxifen. I didn't start it until almost three years after my first episode with bc because of my age. After I finished Tamoxifen, my onc...
I know the hair loss is hard!!! I waited the first time but then it began to hurt physically as well as emotionally. The last time I had chemo, I shaved it the first day that it really started...
I took Tamoxifen for 5 years. Yes, I did gain some weight and had hot flashes. I took Effexor and it really helped the hot flashes. Prozac also helps. I'm on Femara now and the Prozac didn't seem to...
I took Tamoxifen in my late 30's. I experienced hot flashes, etc. Onc put me on Effexor as my cancer was estrogen positive. My periods got further and further apart and then non-existent. I haven't...
I had the Neulasta shot the day after my chemo each time. Yes, it does make you hurt. I also ran a low grade fever. I ended up taking pain pills during the couple of days that I ached like the...
It is when you begin taking the Tamoxifen. I didn't begin it until 3 years after my first episode with cancer. I took it for 5 years after that. I didn't have any trouble with the Tamoxifen except...
I agree with the others - HAVE IT TAKEN OUT!!! We really don't need anything extra in our bodies anyway. It's better to be safe than sorry, I say. I wish all doctors took a more proactive approach to...
I had a 5 year old the first time. I didn't really go around without a turban on, my preference. The second time, my youngest was 14 and I went around the house with my bald head. The kids are very...
I had Taxotere. I had to take cortesteroids to alleviate allergic reaction but still had trouble with swelling in feet and legs and a "full" feeling kind of breathless. Sometimes worse than others....
Yes, the real world hit me square between the eyes today when I went to work!!! I couldn't sleep last night until late - still on Alaskan time. So, I was sleepy all day - now I can't sleep again - so...
Well, we got in Sun am at 4:00. Left on July 14 for State Championship - 15 year old sons team won!!! It was so exciting. Went to St. Augustine, FL for a week - so relaxing and peaceful. Left on the...
Well, we leave Thursday for the State Championship for our district in Georgia (school baseball team). The tournament will be over on Sat, (if we're still in it by then) - then it's off to St....
I took Tamoxifen for 5 years and had no problems with drug interactions. You can search on the web for sites that show drug interactions that you don't have to be a member of. I'm on Femara now but I...
I will say that I wished that I had a bilateral mastectomy in 1996. That wasn't that common in 96 though. It surely would have saved me a lot of trouble last year when I had a recurrence on the other...
What you are feeling is perfectly normal. I just finished a little over a year of surgeries, chemo, etc. I had my checkup on Tuesday and was called on Thursday or Friday that blood work and tumor...
I agree. Take your meds - at least give it a month. If you don't notice a difference then gradually quit taking them. I can promise you that they helped me a lot and yes you can tell if I quit. I...
I would encourage finding someone who does the blood tests regularly because that's how my recurrence was detected. As far as your family, maybe instead of talking to them, write them a letter. Just...
In regards to the peanut butter, now Skippy makes a Carb Option Peanut butter. No sugar and low carbs or no carbs, can't remember, but it tastes like peanut butter. I buy Wheat crackers with low...
I am 48 also. I had bc first in 1996 and then again last year. I too went into menopause in 1996. My onc and gyn both told me I needed to take Effexor or Prozac for the symptoms. I thought they were...
I had the same problems. I had some very good friends from work, church and family who called and brought food and checked on me but not TOO MUCH. I, also, had about 3 friends who almost suffocated...
I'm glad things are going much better for you. Keep up the good attitude - that's half of the battle right there!!! Praying for you as you complete this....
Glad everything went well. I know it's depressing about the hair but - in light of the whole picture - it's not a bad trade. I wish I could send you a picture of my hair. It's growing back (almost an...
I, too, am dubious about the Health News. Remember when aspirin lowered your risk of bc? Well, I could have told them that was false. I've taken Goody's forever (bad for your stomach, I know) and I...
Will be praying on the 15th for GOOD NEWS! While I have had bc twice, my s-i-l has been called in twice after her annual mammos and there was nothing wrong. But, it's good that they actually were...
I am so glad that your PET scan results were normal! It feels great to be called "normal" doesn't it? As for the other, keep in touch with you gyn. The change in my periods began after chemo and then...
We now have another angel in heaven. 8 years ago, I met Gwen, she was 61 at the time and had just been diagnosed with bc. She was very impressed with my curls (chemo curls) and was waiting to begin...
I'm glad that you finally got to go to your doc. I'm sure he/she will follow up until you are both satisfied that you know what is going on. We're not even thinking of choice #2. Will keep you in my...
Yeah, it stinks doesn't it? I've turned into a cancer hypochondriac... Every time, something new hurts (which isn't uncommon at 48) - I worry about cancer. I even KNOW that I have arthritis in my...
That was really neat - I wish I had seen it last year when I was going thru my last episode with bc....
Great News!!! I hope that little tumor marker stays low for you!!!...
I, too, had a reaction to Taxotere. I ran a fever and my feet and legs were very swollen. They counteracted by giving the Benadryl and doubled the courtesteroids that they give you before you take...
Hi Mia, I took the Tamoxifen for 5 years. It wasn't so bad. I did gain weight and have hot flashes. I've had no period for 4 years and that's not that bad! I was estrogen positive so I couldn't take...
My DH and I discussed this issue and decided to wait a while. I want to enjoy my week at the beach and on the cruise. Last year, I was at the beach with NO chest and that could be embarassing. I had...
Thanks a lot for the reply! I'm still trying to decide. I'm seriously considering waiting until after the cruise anyway. Maybe by then, I'll have a better understanding of what I want to do....
I am scheduled to begin that on June 22nd. He will sew the skin around to make the nipples? The nurse told me to expect them to be too big as they will be swollen and will shrink and then I will need...
Tell your family. Everything that happens to us isn't cancer.....remember that!!! I know the fear that living with having had cancer is like but stress can do so much and mimic many diseases. Your...
I concur with all replies. I would also add that if they cut off a certain part of a sex offender's anatomy - we wouldn't be having to spend money to see that they receive this med....
CONGRATS!!!!! I'm so happy for you and know that onc will prescribe the best form of treatment to follow!!!...
I've never had rads but will be praying that it goes well for you. My friend had them two years ago and it went very well and she is doing extremely well even though she had a very aggresive form of...
Having had chemo twice, I know how you feel. It's very scary but YOU CAN MAKE IT THRU IT!!!!We're all a testimony to that!!! Try to have a good weekend and go in for your treatment with the attitude...
Well, I had my last reconstruction surgery last Monday. It went very well. I am pleased with the results! I have stitches taken out on Wed. Had drain tube removed last Thursday. So far, I am very...
So sorry to hear that you didn't get great news but like everyone has said - treatable is good. Your doctor is obviously on top of this and hopeful for another remission. I will be praying for you...
Thanks girls! I'll look for you on Monday!!! I'll be wearing pink pajamas when it's over!!!...