Starting Chemo in July 2009

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  • Jayne_in_UK
    Jayne_in_UK Member Posts: 517
    edited February 2010

    Hi Lisa, I am due to have a bone density scan next week. This is being done because I am taking Arimidex (for ER+ bc) which can cause loss of bone density.This scan will give a baseline figure to use in future to see how my bones are holding up over the next 5 years. My onc ordered it for me but I had to ring and chase it up to make it happen. So with the chemo, rads and age heaven knows what state my bones are in!

    Nothing has been said about Triglycerides, this could be something for me to ask about too. If you are having issues I would have thought your onc could get tests done.

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  • jacee
    jacee Member Posts: 1,384
    edited February 2010

    Started femara and had a bone density  scan. Got the results last week..my results were perfect. (T score 1.0).

    Haven't checked triglycerides yet.

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  • Eph3_12
    Eph3_12 Member Posts: 4,781
    edited February 2010

    Hi Lisa, Jayne, & Joni1, Good to see you all in print (you too Lurkers!)

    I had bone density baseline prior to starting the Femara and like Joni1, I was AOK also, which surprised the heck out of me due to family history! And the fact that most of time I feel like I'm hobbling around from bone pain, especially hips!  I've had my trigs checked and altho I cant lay my hands on the report for some reason, I don't think that there was a significant difference from pre-chemo days.  Joni2

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  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 1,727
    edited February 2010

    Hi ladies

    Is the bone density test related to taking Femera? It's good to see you guys checking in, this thread has been very quiet recently. Lisa- how is your Mom doing?

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  • Eph3_12
    Eph3_12 Member Posts: 4,781
    edited February 2010

    gilly, Femara supposedly has issues with causing bone loss in some folks, so I think it's SOP for the bone density test to be done, @ least to establish a base line.

    Yes Lisa, how is your mom doing? 

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  • jacee
    jacee Member Posts: 1,384
    edited February 2010

    Didn't realize so many  of us were taking femara. What do you ladies think of it? I'm having terrible joint pain, just feel like I have the flu or arthritis all over. Asked my onc about taking half a pill, he said I would get no benefit at all from half a pill as far as blocking estrogen. I was really hoping for some relief. Also, I'm noticing fluid retention. I attribute it to the femara because I've never had it before. Can't wear wedding ring any more. Any of you ladies experienced this?

    It is good to see some action on this thread. I hope the lack of means everyone has gone back to "normal" lives. I'm 12 treatments in to radiation. 18 to go.

    Joni1

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited February 2010

    Hi all! My mom is doing great. She has pretty much decided not to do reconstruction and is dealing with her hormone replacement meds. well. I will tell you that my older sister was DXed with M.S. a couple weeks ago so Mom has been able to adjust her focus onto her oldest daughter for a while. We are going to make bracelets to support both M.S. and B.C. I only wish Orange and Pink matched better. LOL 

     Doc. seems to think the triglcerides are from family history. Found out Mom, Dad and sis all have very high levels and have been taking meds forever from them. So I can't blame chemo.  

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  • Eph3_12
    Eph3_12 Member Posts: 4,781
    edited February 2010

    I'm doing relatively ok with the Femara.  Some aches & pains, but not much more intense than prior to...I was having fatigue issues until I switched to taking the little yellow pill at night.  My fatigue is pretty much gone and I sleep better (I still take 2 tylenol PMs but between the 3 of those pills, I'm sleeping pretty good) I watch the Femara thread and post there occasionally. Do you know about it?  

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  • Eph3_12
    Eph3_12 Member Posts: 4,781
    edited February 2010

    PS-Lisa, your family has been through the ringer!  And neon orange & neon pink look great together!

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited February 2010

    Awesome experience last night! I met NikNak! Sweet sweet girl. She's attending the Young Survivors Conference in Atlanta and the group was getting their groove on at Hard Rock Cafe. Hubby drove me down there (I don't do A-town at night alone) and we got to meet! It was awesome to meet one of the wonderful women that held hands with me during the rough stuff. I only wish we could ALL get together. I am willing to offer my home and will make 7 layer dip if you all want to meet up here. :)

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  • Niknak0320
    Niknak0320 Member Posts: 138
    edited March 2010

    Thanks for coming out to the HRC Lisa!  It was great to finally meet you in person, you are just as wonderful as you are here on the board!  Your husband is a great guy too ; )  I think we need to have our own treatment group get together - let's see who is interested and what location is most central!!

    Nikki (Niknak0320) and Lisa (PauldingMom)

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  • Eph3_12
    Eph3_12 Member Posts: 4,781
    edited March 2010

    OH WOW!!!  Way too cool!  Thanks for posting!  You both look radiant!  Joni2

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited March 2010

    Lord have mercy!!! I need to whiten my teeth!!!

    Nikki was is so  sweet. I hope you had a great time!  

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  • PS73
    PS73 Member Posts: 469
    edited March 2010

    Lisa, that looked and sounded like fun.  I had joined the group and read that they were headed to Atl.  The website is www.youngsurvival.org.  Im awaiting feedback about starting a group in my hood.

    I hope everyone is doing good.  I jogged for the first time in a long long time.  It felt awesome.  Im so happy february is long gone.

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  • eliz46
    eliz46 Member Posts: 71
    edited March 2010

    Wow .i would love to meet, i do go a couple times a year to visit my sister in florida i pass right though alot of states. its so nice to see who people are ....my hair is coming in strong now .and i am feeling good just ache once in a while, but i do have RA, all is great

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  • pdaw
    pdaw Member Posts: 202
    edited March 2010

    You are beautiful!  I just thought I would check in to see if anyone was signing back in.  I finished my chemo Dec. 23 - what a wonderful Christmas gift!  Since, my BRACA test came back inconclusive, I started talking with oncologist about bilateral M.  She agreed it was something to think about with test results and the fact that I've had BC in both breasts and it was 2 different kinds.  So my journey began with breast surgeon again and then plastic surgeon.

    I had bilateral M on Feb. 18 with immediate Latismus Dorsi reconstruction.  I was taken back around 7:30 am and my family was notified that I was coming out of recover about 8:00 pm.  What a journey this has been, but I'm finally feeling better.  I'm actually doing a little cooking and cleaning now.  But, I'm not through - when this heals, then I go in for the nipple reconstruction.

     I'm also still going to cancer center, because I signed up for a new study - I'm taking Zometa, which hopefully will prevent the ugly beast from my bones.

     Good to hear that you all are doing well.  I speak to Quarter occassionally - keep her in your prayers.  She is staying near the hospital where she is taking her radiation. It's the same hospital where I had my surgery and I had hoped to get to meet her while I was there.  But, I was so in and out of it that I would not have enjoyed the visit.

    take care -

    Pam

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  • jacee
    jacee Member Posts: 1,384
    edited March 2010

    Pam,

     So glad you are nearing the end of surgeries. I think you did the right thing with the bilat mx. Hope your recon heals beautifully and you never have to look back.

    I am STILL in treatment. I have 3 rad treatments left. I can't wait to be finished. Seems like July was a  long time ago, and this jedi is ready for a break. Have some blisters under the arm that have broken open and of course the radiated skin is so very red, but knowing the end is near makes it all worthwhile. After all this, I feel I can face anything! 

    Have the spring & summer off then will have recon (hopefully DIEP). 

    Blessings & warm spring wishes to you all,

    Joni1

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  • Eph3_12
    Eph3_12 Member Posts: 4,781
    edited March 2010
    Girls - good to hear from you!  Joni I can't believe you are radiating, but so happy it's almost done & then you can remove the little pop-up temperature gaugeTongue out  Pam what a looooong surgery!  Glad to hear that's almost over also.  Jedis are the greatest-what are we gonna do for our chemoversaries?  Joni2 
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  • pdaw
    pdaw Member Posts: 202
    edited March 2010

    Joni1 - Congrats on almost completing your rads.  I do not have to do rads, since I opted for the surgery.

     Joni2 - good to hear from you also.

    I go to oncologist tomorrow for 3 month check-up.  Sometimes it seems like only yesterday and sometimes it seems like an eternity has passed since the 2009 diagnosis!

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited March 2010

    Ya'all need to check into Relay for Life in your areas. It's in May when many of us were first DXed. They do a survivors walk  

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  • Eph3_12
    Eph3_12 Member Posts: 4,781
    edited March 2010

    Ours is the 1st weekend in June.  I walked last year but had barely had my surgery and didn't feel like I 'd survived anything.  Now I do!  I will be there!!

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  • Eph3_12
    Eph3_12 Member Posts: 4,781
    edited March 2010
    HOORAY! Mammo on Monday was clean!!!!!! 
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  • Jayne_in_UK
    Jayne_in_UK Member Posts: 517
    edited March 2010

    Nikki and Lisa I love the photo! You both look fabulous. Thanks for sharing it with us.

    Pam I'm glad you are feeling better and are almost done with reconstruction.

    Joni1 congratulations on finishing rads! I hope your skin heals quickly and you have a fantastic spring and summer.

    Joni2 congrats on the clean mammo!

    I have 3 month check ups with my onc and BS next week. After that they will alternate. Various anniversaries are coming up, it will soon be a year since I found that little dimple in my armpit that started this whole journey. I'm so glad I took it seriously and went to my doc asap. When I look back I can hardly believe I got through all the things I did over the past 12 months. Us Jedis are made of strong stuff!

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  • stef58
    stef58 Member Posts: 288
    edited March 2010

    Been awhile since I posted. Hope everyone is done with radation or soon will be done. I am going to a pink party tonight. A friend is having her 2nd annual party and raising money for the local cancer support group. Should be fun lots to eat and drink,

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  • White929
    White929 Member Posts: 53
    edited March 2010

    Awesome for you Eph3_12!!!  We went through chemo and rads together...I haven't been on in forever, but thought I would send you a hip hip horray!  My scan came back clean as well just a few weeks ago.....so glad we are moving on!

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  • White929
    White929 Member Posts: 53
    edited March 2010

    PauldingMom:  Yes, everyone please get involved with Relay for Life in your area!  I happen to be the survivorship chair for our Relay.  I have been for 4 years.  So, when I was diagnosed last May, it really hit all my survivors as well!  The dinner we have to honor our survivors is awesome.  I cried so hard last year walking the lap with my purple survivor shirt, it was hard to see to walk!  My hubby was right there holding my hand and it really helped!

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  • White929
    White929 Member Posts: 53
    edited March 2010

    Eph3_12:  I too have curly curly hair!  It is grey and black...was straight and brown before!  I am just letting it do it's thing for now.  Don't think I ill color it anymore...45 and a grandma...who cares! 

    So glad to see so many faces...been forever since I've been on!  I really need to update my pic!

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  • Eph3_12
    Eph3_12 Member Posts: 4,781
    edited March 2010

    Good to see you White.  I remember you describing the Relay for Life Walk last year; I still think it's wild that it's been almost a year!  And yes, you do need to update your picture! 

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited March 2010

    Eph3_12 So  happy to hear about your mammo!!! and it's great to see White here again too. 

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  • jacee
    jacee Member Posts: 1,384
    edited March 2010

    Joni2- SOOO good to hear you got great mammo results!!

    Does this mean you are good to go for another year? Happy for you.

    Love the hair. Mine's more white than not...shocking actually. Have already trimmed some of the "down" off that was curling above the ears. Really can't tell what the end result is gonna be. BUT, I do have hair, and for that...I'm grateful!!

    Happy Spring!

    Joni1

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