Starting Chemo March 2015

Jackbirdie

Frau Doktor- good abstract- my shrink is not happy with me taking high doses (over the 1 mg sublingual) so I am trying to find a solution whilst I educate him on this issue. He freely admits he has not studied melatonin within the context of bc, or Tamoxifen. Since I would like to take as few supplements as possible (and as if today added yet another, two different magnesiums), I would prefer not to disrupt the melatonin in the first place, which, arguably, the sleeping mask accomplishes.

I think he (the shrink) does not grasp that the added melatonin is not used to help or trigger sleep. In this case it is simply the presence of it that assists metabolically in "keeping the cancer cells sleeping". Is that a correct assumption?

He doesn't like the idea that I'm messing with my circadian rhythm. Ugh. And around we go.

ksusan

I hear you. My naturopath has me on 20 mg, which is good since I would claw off any sleep mask during a nightmarish, sleep mask-induced mega-hot flash.

littleblueflowers

Just wanted to throw in on the light at night question- night has never been completely dark, even prehistorically. Moonlight, starlight, snow, fire light....so I gotta wonder evolutionarilly speaking, if any light at night affected us so negativly, how would we have survived as a species? Also, I totally get that unnatural light is a different animal entirely. Still, for the scientists out there...I am wondering g..

Jackbirdie

Jen- interesting observation. I wonder if all the moon howling that went on in the stone-age days was because the cancer cells weren't sleeping?

ksusan

I was thinking about nocturnal animals, since I've never heard that, say, nocturnal ferrets have a higher cancer rate than the diurnal mongoose. (I do generally spend more time thinking about weasels than most, I suspect.)

I know night shift workers are a greater risk statistically, but having sometimes been one, I couldn't say for certain that it's about sleep patterns (rather than other factors related to trying to live at the opposite time from everyone else).

littleblueflowers

Cue dumb and dumber reference...I think...

Italychick

I figure people used to sleep in caves, and they are pitch black. Trying to make a joke, but can't seem to find one.

Anyways, I keep my bedroom super cold and dark, sleep great that way

littleblueflowers

WWhat I meant was:

littleblueflowers

Well, my bedroom has a lot of street light and I sleep like crap, and I used to be a night 911 dispatcher, and I got cancer so.....I just talked myself around in a circle didn't i? Weasley or not I'm still curious..

Italychick

there's no rhyme or reason to this crap. I have no genetic abnormalities they can find, not much family history either. Guess it's the luck of the draw!

Is that your outfit for the wedding? Now that would raise some eyebrows

ksusan

That's weasely. This is Weasley:

Jackbirdie

Sleep mask for Jen

In that case, LBF, you need the above. They do make it in black.

eheinrich

Allison thanks for the magnesium info - my levels were tested recently by MO and she said I'm low. I've been eating more foods w high levels & she wants me tested again next week. If I'm not in the good zone then I guess I should supplement.

Had a fabulous weekend at the lake w one of my best friends. Lots of tasty food, good wine, laughs and hikes. So nice.

ksusan

Eileen, I'm glad you had a fun weekend with a friend.

Jackbirdie

Ditto- you deserved a nice time for a change.

You said CHANGE, not EXCHANGE!!!!

Why are the gods so hard of hearing???

Meme117

Thanks specialik for the herceptin info. I did find some info also. On the se sides I found a more detailed list which explain my shortness of breath. I do get echoes awaiting test results, hopefully still within range.

The ongoing effects may occur at any time whilst you are receiving Herceptin. These are usually worse a day or two after the infusion and could include:-

Weakness, lethargy or tiredness

Headache

Sore eyes

Joint pains

Nausea

Diarrhoea

Skin rashes

Shortness of breath on exertion

Katie I love the pumpkins did you make? Where is the pinktober forum? The bingo is perfect!

I may need the magnesium to help with night hot flashes. Theresa I love a cold dark room to sleep. I'm going to have to start using my sleep masks.

Jackbirdie

Maryellen: here is a link to the Pinktober Revolution.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/102/topic...

I did not make the petit fours. I don't make them. Just eat them.

So very sorry you are in the endless world of Herceptin. It's an amazing drug. Just amazing. Probably the most important breakthrough in bc in decades. However the treatment is long, and you have been through so very much. Sending good thoughts and positive vibes to you.

SpecialK

Italy - you should see consistency with both forms of measurement - but both have some element of human error since it involves placing a cursor on a screen. I think most MOs factor that in. FWIW I had echos all along, never had a MUGA - which one is elected by the ordering physician amounts to style points.

Italychick

Ok, SpecialK, good to know. So I won't worry if there are a few points difference between the MUGA and the echo

Jackbirdie

I just wanted to let everyone know I've corresponded with Avmom and she says hello and has been lurking a bit but doesn't feel strong enough to post. Physically she has improved some, but like so many of us, the end of treatment signals a time of insecurity and worry.

Anyway, she was excited to learn that the bracelet goes to Canada after Carrie! Maybe that will give her a boost. I hope so.

We miss you around here Avmom!

IndyGal35

Look at you, Arlene! Jamie Lee doesn't hold a candle to you!!!

Sue, I started feeling rads fatigue after the first week. I just finished 17/25 on Friday, and I felt like some energy started coming back around dose 14. It's not 100%, but it's definitely noticeable. I hope you get a little energy boost soon too!!!

I'm not even going to try to diet until a few weeks after radiation ends. My body has a long way to go with healing, and I'm still giving in to cravings for now. I figure my body is telling me what it needs. As long as I'm not gaining more, those extra chemo pounds can sit a tiny bit longer.

Trvler

On another note, did anyone see the eclipse last night? It was pretty cool.

molly1976

It rained here so we missed it! I don't know if I have ever seen an eclipse in real life!

Re: Herceptin, I do get a runny nose for a couple of days afterward but other than that I do not have any symptoms. That doesn't mean I'm not ready for it to be over, though - I set up a countdown on my phone the other day. 149 days to go!

I have always been a terrible sleeper and I've been wondered if something is out of whack with my melatonin that might have made me more prone to getting cancer. Who knows, though. My MO did tell me to stop taking trazodone, which I have taken for sleep for years, so I'm now taking melatonin every night anyway. It can't hurt.

Leighrh

Before chemo.... I slept GREAT!!! Never had a problem sleeping!!!! Now I am still taking Ambien every once and a while Hell before BC I was the healthiest I have ever been. Worked out, ate right, slept great...... no reason for me to pop up with BC right???? That unfortunately is the nature of the beast..... you just never know!

pboi

I definitely support fundraising for breast cancer research. Though I do question sometimes how much of money raised actually goes to research.

I'm trying my best mentally not to think about my diagnosis all the time, but with Pinktober around the corner, I feel like I'm surrounded! I don't know why but I feel overwhelmed seeing all the marketing material everywhere. Feel guilty for saying this, but don't want to see another pink ribbon again! Anyone else feel like this? I'm not sure why this bothers me so much..

PB

Beachbum1023

pboi, yep pink is disturbing, I try to limit my "pink" activities that involve the huge "pink" marketing campaigns and organizations. I stick to the local things and donate and volunteer to those that directly benefit the patients only. I volunteer and donate to my Social Worker's fund, it goes to the patients. And I do support the Relay for Life in numerous cities. I also support Casting for Recovery and the businesses that support it.

I know that many women and men need the "pink support", and that is fine with me. I just choose to be selective who I donate to. I just get through October and move forward. To each his own......we all do what we have to for ourselves.

Trvler

I am not sure how I am going to feel about all the pink stuff buy my 'cancer $$' will go to BC.org and the Cancer Wellness Center, things I see the direct benefit of.

molly1976

I have always been hugely annoyed by Pinktober. If anything I think this diagnosis is going to make my annoyance even worse. Explain to me how NFL players wearing pink shoelaces supports breast cancer research, again?

eheinrich

I'm trying to make life move forward. Will be finishing packing up my old place while Alan is at trial out of town. I'm decluttering - selling some stuff on ebay and some other sites (had a yard sale in August - the unsold has to GO!). Also listing my handmade stuff on ebay since etsy hasn't been working out. Working on getting my home day care license - I loved teaching pre-k. If I don't land a science job by Jan I'm moving on. 2015 can be the year of cancer, divorce & science rejection. 2016 needs to be a new start. Feeling good today.

Jackbirdie

PB- I feel the same. Here's a pink ribbon I can live with: