CALLING ALL STAGE I SISTERS

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited February 2010

    Hi Susan..I cant help you with your question but so nice to see you.

    I wonder how they decide between Arimidex and Femara?

    Sheila

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  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 2,101
    edited February 2010

    Hi Shelia - just wanted to let you know I care that you couldn't sleep :)  

    I have not been posting much - working full time - learning to manage lymphedema and raising TEENAGERS...oh the drama!

    Big Gentle Hugs to all my 'breast' friends!

    Good Night all!

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited February 2010

    Michelle..My first friend on the board when I joined. Its so nice to see you.

    What was the first sign you noticed you were developing  Lymphedema?

    I meant before the swallowing began

    Hugs

    Sheila

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  • Nicole112
    Nicole112 Member Posts: 327
    edited February 2010

    Denver Diva,

    They have "shot" me into menopause with Lupron shots every 3 months in the bootie, so I no longer have a menstrual cycle... however, as I recently learned, this may be temporary!

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  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 2,101
    edited February 2010

    Shelia - my swelling is barely noticeable (thank you Lord).  I originally thought my pain and discomfort was from my TE's and I did experience some relief with my exchange, however, the 'heavy, achy fullness' and 'pins and needles' feelings in my right trunk and arm never fully went away.  Pain meds and anti inflammatory meds do not help.  At the end of the day, my 'discomfort' was alway much worse and I couldn't wait to get home, take off my bra, lay down and prop up my arm.  I stop wearing bra's and started wearing 'body shapers' to support my new foobs and add light compression to my trunk.  I also started wearing a compression sleeve I was fitted with for a plane trip last Oct...I have had two sessions with my PT -  my hubby and I are learning the fine art of MLD (Manual Lymphatic Drainage) and it is helping.   I am just so sad that this is my new normal and I will have to manage this for the rest of my life but at the same time I am so happy to have been dx'd before the LE developed further and it can be managed.  Catch 22, huh!

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  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 2,101
    edited February 2010

    DenverDiva - I went into chemical menopause last July, have been on Tamoxifen since Dec 1st and still no period...for some chemopause can be permanent...I am kinda hoping for that side effect since I am enjoying NOT having a period. 

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited February 2010

    Good Night To All!

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  • Valjean
    Valjean Member Posts: 1,898
    edited February 2010

    Snowing like the dickens here!! Some are to receive up to 10", not like D.C., but too much for me. LOL All the schools are closed so another 'snow day' for the DH, which means another vacation day for us. YAY!

    Bought lots of healthy foods yesterday, trying to stay away from the junk. Leaving that for the DH. LOL 

    Good night ladies!

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  • cakeisgreat
    cakeisgreat Member Posts: 660
    edited February 2010

    Good morning all!  Nothing to report here except snow snow snow and nerves nerves nerves for my upcoming DIEP....oh...and no weight loss.

    I stopped Tamox for the surgery, and all I can think of is this estrogen messing up my boobs!  Hopefully no cancer when they operate on Mar 4

    But I'm still blessed Smile

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  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 19,483
    edited February 2010

    Susan, no Tamoxifin so I can't make a comment that is relevant.  Chemopause ended about 6 weeks post final chemo.

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  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Member Posts: 6,887
    edited February 2010

    Hi everyone.  Nothing to report on the health scene except skin surgery today, removal of a basal cell carcinoma on my right thigh just above the knee.  I'm enjoying looking at all the beautiful snow scenes on the news.  Hope everyone stays warm.  Be safe!!

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  • Nicole112
    Nicole112 Member Posts: 327
    edited February 2010
    Cake- thinking of you during this time. Waiting is ALWAYS the hardest part. Let me know how the procedure goes, they have talked about this procedure with me, I have "put" all recon on hold at this time.. my career is at an all time "peak"! Urggh, I mean, yes, I am grateful to have a job Tongue out, and wonderful benefits!
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  • Eph3_12
    Eph3_12 Member Posts: 4,781
    edited February 2010

    To all my mid to east coast buddies: stay warm, stay safe.  the rest of us are keeping good thoughts for you all! My DD is very envious of y'all, but she's 15, what do you expect?  

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  • hollyann
    hollyann Member Posts: 2,992
    edited February 2010

    Hello, ladies....it has been awhile since I came here.....Hope all of oyu are doing well......

    Cake, good luck with your upcoming surgery.......

    Well, all we have here in the Deep South Atlanta Area is COLD!.....We had a few flurries this morning but that was it......I want some of that HUGE snow that is going on just North of us!......I miss seeing big snows in the winter..........Crazy, I know, but there it is!....LOL

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  • deborye
    deborye Member Posts: 7,002
    edited February 2010

    cake, I wish you the best of luck with your surgery.

    Eph3, Oregon is a beautiful state, one of these days I am going to visit it.

    Nothing to report so far in MA, we just got a dusting so far.

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  • deborye
    deborye Member Posts: 7,002
    edited February 2010

    Keep the snow in MI, Val LOL

    (((((o2bhealthy))))) I pray that you can keep your LE under control.  I just had lumpectomy and 3 nodes removed, I was told there is a slim chance for me, but I was also told to still be careful.

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  • C130sunshine
    C130sunshine Member Posts: 174
    edited February 2010

    Hope everyone in the North stays warm and safe with all the snow. 

    Cake...good luck on your surgery!

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  • reeltchr
    reeltchr Member Posts: 149
    edited February 2010

    Cake - The best of everything in your upcoming surgery.

    Hope everyone is doing well. Have a great evening. Chris

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  • redsgirl34
    redsgirl34 Member Posts: 7
    edited February 2010

    Hello Denver--

    In mid-2006, I took 4 rounds of AC.  I started on Tamox in 10/2006.  It took 9 months for my periods to come back after my chemo ended.  However, they were never right and I ended up having a hysterectomy in 1/2008.  I've been on Femara since 3/2008 and have had no problem with it.

    Diag 4/2006; Stage 1 Grade 1; 0 nodes; bilat mast; 4 x AC; reconstruction 

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  • LauraM
    LauraM Member Posts: 251
    edited February 2010

    Hello Ladies -  We have had 12 - 14 inches of snow so far in Northern NJ and it is still snowing.  I don't mind it too much, it is so pretty, but school is now closed for another day.  I usually work from home when it snows, but may take the afternoon off to take the kids skiing.  I only  have 11/2 weeks before my next surgery so I want to do has much as I can before all of my restrictions take affect. 

    I hope everyone is enjoying their week!

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  • Grakenmom
    Grakenmom Member Posts: 169
    edited February 2010

    {{Cake}} All the best - xo, E

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  • cakeisgreat
    cakeisgreat Member Posts: 660
    edited February 2010

    Wow, thank you so much everyone for the happy thoughts and prayers and everything for my surgery...3 weeks from today, exactly!   I will keep you posted when I leave, cuz I'll REALLY need your thoughts and prayers on March 4...I'm such a chicken!  And then when I get home from the hospital (I hear 5 days later), I'll post and let you know all the fun, gory stuff, LOL!  Lots of goop, and stinky stuff, right?  That'll be fun Ha Ha!!

    OK--I shoveled for the THIRD time...three days in a row...mountains of snow all around us!  Two neighbors got stuck in the cul de sac where I live because NJ plowers NEVER plow our street well.  I'd definitely say we got 18 inches.  Fun!  It is beautiful.

    I wish the doctor would liposuction my whole body while I was getting my boobs cut off.  I'd finally be skinny!!!!  Laughing Oh well, maybe if I get butt cheek cancer they'll cut off my butt.  And so forth...

    OK...I must be in one of my funky sarcastic moods, so I'll sign off before I embarrass myself, ha ha!

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  • LauraM
    LauraM Member Posts: 251
    edited February 2010

    Cake - you are too funny!  When I went to my PS on Monday I asked also asked if he could liposuction my legs and butt while he was in there... he just chuckled at me and said one step at a time.  I think he just wants to keep me coming back Cool.

    Kids were off of school again today so I worked from home for half a day and did get to take them skiing for the afternoon.  I guess that is one thing that you can say about getting BC, it is making me slow down and not work as much.. well at least when the kids are awake!  I am off to catch up on everything I didn't get done earlier.

    Goodnight to you all!

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited February 2010

    Cake...Countdown starts right now 20 days left and counting. Think about your coming vacation that will help the anxiety.

    Good Night Sisters!

    SheilaWink

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  • cakeisgreat
    cakeisgreat Member Posts: 660
    edited February 2010

    That's right Sheila!  Disney...Disney,...Disney...woohoo!

    I lost a half a pound yipee!

    Laura...I am SO going to ask the PS next week to "take a little extra" off the stomach, even if I dont need it for the boobs...he'll probably laugh at me, right? Ha Ha!  

    I actually stopped working the day I found out I had bc back in June.  It was the best thing I could have done.  My hubby can support the bills...a little tight, but I wonder sometimes if the stress of trying to be mom to 4 cuties, working, school, taking care of the house didnt contribute to giving me cancer in the first place!  I am so much more peaceful now...I dont want to go back to work!  I have an open door to go back in May, but I'd rather stay home and fart around...let the hubby take care of me, LOL!  He likes me being home too, and I dont shop...too much, LOL!

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  • Nicole112
    Nicole112 Member Posts: 327
    edited February 2010

    Ladies,

    What is up with this post chemo/ treatment weight gain!!! Seriously, I am seeing numbers on the scale I have only seen pregnant!!! Is anyone else going through this issue!?!?

    Nicole!

    PS Doesn't help when you go out with some girlfriends for a cocktail and they have the perfect hair, perfect skinny jeans, perfect (SHALL I SAY IT, BOOBS!)

    Makes me revert back to my shell, which is home... I am soooo over the boobs!!!!

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  • susu1976
    susu1976 Member Posts: 106
    edited February 2010

    I can't decide if my weight gain is from the chemo or the Tamoxifen.  I think the Tamoxifen is the culprit because I was holding pretty steady until I started that in October.  Still dealing with very little hair, now (even more) excess weight, no boobs and trying to decide about recon.  I am like you, Nicole, I stay home rather than trying to deal with what to wear and how to act when I go out with other women.  I did it once a couple of weeks ago, but it was hell sitting there with everyone looking at me with (what seemed to me like) pity in their eyes....all the time telling me how "good" I looked.  Puleeze.  I'm not an idiot.  I know I look like crap.  They want to get together again in a month or so, and I said I would, but I know in my heart that I will make up a lie and cancel at the last minute.  I only feel truly comfortable around my husband and my son (and oh yeah the women at the BC support group I go to).  But I'm hoping it will get better.  I guess we just have to hang in there, right?

    Today is my one year cancer-versary and I'm feeling a little sorry for myself.  Can you tell??  LOL

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited February 2010

    Hi Nicole and Susu...I see you are talking about weight issues.

    I put myself on a diet on December 1, lost 10 pounds. I was 172 now 10 pounds lighter having food withdrawals here and there, Its not easy, you cant just stop and say I'm done with it.

    Try not to worry too much about what others are thinking. You didn't commit a crime and killed someone. Unfortunately BC came in our life and life will never be the same again emotionally.

    I feel good physically, not in pain, can take long walks, but emotionally is a completely different story.

    You have a Good Night my friends.

    Hugs

    SheilaWink

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  • Nicole112
    Nicole112 Member Posts: 327
    edited February 2010

    Thanks Sheila for shairng!

    Like Susu, not sure if the weight gain is from tamoxifen, lupron, or what but I have to be honest and say I have not been trying to get the "weight" off either... perhaps if I focus, I can do so :)

    Have a good night!

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  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Member Posts: 6,887
    edited February 2010

    Susu and Nicole, I've gained 8 to 10 lbs since my bmx/recon in late July, 2009.  I'm taking Arimidex which supposedly can cause weight gain, but I think my calorie intake is probably the cause.  Lots of pampering myself with good food following my recovery.  Plus I have either a cocktail or a couple of glasses of wine at night with DH.  Those calories have to be factored in, too.  Before BC, I was WW goal weight. 

    Susu, I would urge you to go ahead with the reconstruction of your choice.  You'll feel good having boobs again.  I opted for immediate reconstruction and it helped a lot to go into the hospital with breasts and come out with breasts.  My whole life I was only an A cup and now I'm a B so I got a little bigger!  I was fortunate to get a low oncotype number and avoid chemo.  So far I don't see much hair loss with Arimidex.  Hair loss is a SE for some women on Arimidex.

    I believe people are sincere when they say, You look so good!  They've all had friends or relatives who wasted away with cancer.  I get that reaction a lot and am not offended because I think I look pretty good, too, for my age! 

    Hope everyone is having a good Saturday.

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