Starting Chemo February 2015

Chloesmom

Hi Sugar! Can't reply as was post menopausal when I got BC. Am doing ok. 2 years on letrozole with thinner hair, joint pain and fatigue, but glad to be alive. Lost another brother to cancer in March so can't co plain about needing naps The neuropathy in my foot never went away. Have fallen a few times. Oh well I get to preboard when I fly so it has its perps. Hardly ever wear my goons except for dress up clothes. Loving the flat feeling. Wish you all a blessed day!

BBwithBC45

SugarCakes, I'm 47 now. My periods stopped about a month into chemo and never came back. Then a year ago I got rid of my ovaries (I've had ovarian cysts for years before my cancer and suddenly one of the ovaries ballooned up in a matter of 3 months), so that's that for me...

My Mom had gone into menopause in her late 40s, so it's possible I would have been done by now anyway.

SugarCakes

Hey Ladies! Thanks for responding. Still no period. False alarm and that's ok.

I have been taking Effexor for over a year, for the hot flashes. I have been weening myself off of it. Man! The brain zaps and wild, vivid dreams. I think I'm through the worst of it. Hot flashes aren't bad like they started out. Now if I could just shed some weight!!!

Good to hear from your guys! Keep doing well

Chloesmom

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Wearing a Capillus laser hat has helped my hair thinning. Had to go on a ketogenic diet to drop the post chemo 18 lbs. now doing Paleo and have more energy for the first time in several years. Going to a naturopath that put me on more B vitamins that has helped the neuropathy pain in the foot and high potency probiotics to rebuild my gut that she says was wiped out by chemo so I wasn't absorbing nutrition. Feeling the best in 3 years now. Hugs to all

Darumama

So, it’s been five years! How is everyone doing? I’ve had 3 PET scans over the years and NED. I’ve had some mild, but annoying lymphedema too. I keep it in check with compression sleeves. My oncologist rocked my world by changing my meds last week after 4 1/2 years on anastrozole with a monthly Lupron shot. I’m now taking Tamoxifen. Life is good, but I will always be looking over my shoulder in terms of BC. I know a lot of people are very celebratory about reaching the five year mark, but with my node involvement I’m very wary. Did any of you celebrate the five year mark?

cubbieblue

Hi Darumama,

Ahh yes...five years! :) It seemed so far off back in Feb 2015, didn't it? I too had positive nodes so my celebration was subdued -- but yay! Five Years!!! I no longer check BC.org regularly, but came here today to check some information and saw your post from February. WIshing you and the rest of our chemo "class" continued good health. I glad you are doing well.

CubbieBlue

Dromedary

Hey there ladies - just done my big check-up - all the scans etc. Seems ok other than some thickening of the endometrium which the ultrasound tech wasn't too crazy about but I will have to wait till I see the doc next week, with all the results

I've been on Tamoxifen for nearly 5 years, having started on Arimidex for the first 3 months or so. Couldn't stand the pain so switched to Tamoxifen. Seems ok but still carrying an extra 20lbs that I can't seem to shake.

So 5 years on... yeah, feels good but I didn't celebrate particularly. Been there done this before (16 years on from first BC I got it again) so I'm a bit reserved. But hopeful, always hopeful and as positive as I can be.

Hope you're all doing well - it would be fun to get some more news from everyone.

Best to all. xx