MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

Options
1…311312314316317…1064

Comments

  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited March 2011

    Adding to the appointments/mammo conversation--I get totally freaked out waiting for test results (I waited a month to get the mammo results that found the cancer despite calling the office every week day) so I was scheduing a mammo in the am and took the films to my BS who scheduled my mammos in the pm of the same day.  Now that I've had recon (both breasts now gone) I don't have enough breast tissue in places that the mammo machine can get to.  I see the BS every 6 months for CBE of the "tail" area and incision lines.  I can go to once a year, but I see the BS a bit  more often so I don't have to see the PS more often than once a year as he is out of state.  I see the Med Onc every 6 months, but go to the office every 4 for lupron injections.  I see my PCP about ever 3 months as she is the only one who ever orders and looks at blood work and she lets me run every symptom, ache, pain, or emotional meltdown past her for screening for the need for more follow up.  Like she says, even cancer patients get the usual arthritis, sinus infections, and the like.  I fired the rad onc years ago when he wouldn't answer my questions.  I'll stop seeing the Med Onc in another year and half when the Arimidex is done. I hate the appointments, and am scared silly about not having them.  Crazy, isn't it? 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • heartnsoul76
    heartnsoul76 Member Posts: 1,648
    edited March 2011

    NM - I feel the same way. I don't want to keep all the appointments in my life, but I'll be nervous if I DON'T have the follow-ups. Right now I see my MO every 3 months and my RO and BS every 6 months. Not to mention any tests the MO wants. I NEED to add my PCP to the list so I can have any other health issues monitored - like you said, we have regular problems, too. I need to just accept it and plan on it for the next 5 years - and really be glad for it because as nervous as these appointments make me, they give me peace of mind, too. Sheesh - what a contradiction; I dread them but I want them. noooooooooo.........

    Eli - I LOVE that silly gnome! I don't know why, but I've suddenly started liking garden gnomes. I always thought they were silly and now I think they're oddly cute! I think I'm going to have to try to work in my yard some this spring, and I'll be darned if I'm not going to get a garden gnome!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited March 2011
    Native, didn't you hear?  B/C Crazy IS the "new normal" they were talking about.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited March 2011

    mjb-My BS would really like for me to see her yearly for life but did say to me that as long as I am seeing my MO regularly and getting my yearly follow up mammo and MRI (yes have to have these-high risk) and she gets copies of everything she will not make me come in and see her.  She said if she misses getting anything to expect a phone call for an appt. Or if I want to stay in touch I can call and make an appt anytime.  I too am like Jo I am ready to see less Dr's.  as much as I like my BS just thinking I will see her for a 1 year follow up and then that is it and let my MO take care of it from there.  I am scheduled for a followup with my RO the end of April and he will release me at that time and will not have to go back (one less Dr).

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited March 2011

    If I've always been crazy (ask my family) am I now crazier or does the BC crazy make me sane? 

    Unti now I have been scheduling most of my appointments during school breaks (I teach at a University).  My PCP asked me what I did for fun this last February break.  I told her I went to doctor's appointments.  She looked at me and said the I don't have to give up having fun just because I was diagnosed with cancer, and I need to quit making multiple appointments during breaks.   I was trying to not let the diagnosis interfere with work and wound up giving it my life. This stops NOW!  The appointments will come when they come, and I am going to keep certain weeks of the year appointment free. So there, bc!  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited March 2011

    NM - That's what I am talking about.  I have made sure that is no one I have to see the week I am gone on my cruise.  I told my MO that if he did not let me go, he would have to admit me to a psych ward.  LOL!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited March 2011

    WAy to go, Jo!  And the MO doesn't "LET" you do anything, you "LET" him treat you.  Keep that in mind! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited March 2011
    Good to hear from you, chrissyb!  What have you been up to in the land down under?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 19,483
    edited March 2011

    NM that is such a great way to look at it.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited March 2011

    NM - I was just joking.  He is a good doctor with a good sense of humor.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • leisaparis
    leisaparis Member Posts: 587
    edited March 2011

    JBinOK....forehead....ROFLMAO

    I'm a little behind, so answering as I go.

    Barbe...they too insisted on mammo, but now I have BRICK boob on cancer side, so NO MORE for me on that one

    Lynniea...for my port, they put me under. Had to be there at 6a.m. I live an hour away from the hospital, so was up at 4 a.m. that morning. Still have mine, using it while I'm on a trial drug for HER2+ patients. I took compazine for nausea. Probably just depends on you dr. Good luck tomorrow.

    Welcome all newbies

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 19,483
    edited March 2011

    I had Compazine & Zophran in case of "breakthrough" nausea, but the Emend was a miracle drug.  Expensive, but effective.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sandeeonherown
    Sandeeonherown Member Posts: 1,946
    edited March 2011

    Excellent plan NM, Jo....I have no inention of checking work email when I am gone in April and it will be  for 3 weeks....I have my ticket bought and ready to go ....and despite the fact that I know the assistant DOS is giving in her notice and will be leaving when I am gone....I don't care! I made sure I had my ticket before she hands in her resignation. Now that is planning!...trying not to feel guilty about it...need to get away and get some perspective...a weekend, much as I enjoyed it...is NOt enough

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited March 2011

    Sandee - Take your guilt and throw it into the bonfire.  That's where it belongs.  I am not even going to take my computer with me and I have one of those 10" minis that fits in a tote bag.

    The time away will do us both a world of good. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sandeeonherown
    Sandeeonherown Member Posts: 1,946
    edited March 2011

    Yep.....me too....not doing it (will bring some books instead and leave email checking to happenstance...even though it will pile up...who cares!)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited March 2011

    Hi Eli et al....lol.  I 'm good, in fact I'm actually excellent.  My latest scan have me at NED, my shoulder op was a huge success and no more pain there which suits me just fine.  Hopefully the change in my meds for blood pressure will get that little bugger under control again and the upping of my Vit D to 100,000u p/m will put my levels back up to 110iu/ml.....we shall see...mm.   So all thee doc appts. have had me doing a heap of travelling but after arriving home last night, I am finally here for about five weeks brfore I need to do the rounds again......thank goodness!!!   I've now got some time to try and get my house back in order and to sit and plan my trip in Sept. - October.  I don't post on this thread very often, but I do read every day........

    Love n hugs to all.  Chrissyb

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited March 2011
    chrissyb, the news doesn't get much better than that...that is wonderful!  Maybe we will have a trend of good news around here.  Hope we next hear from lynniea, with port in and doing fine?????
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Stanzie
    Stanzie Member Posts: 1,971
    edited March 2011

    NM - question for you - I know lupron shuts down your ovaries is that why you are on lupron? Is it a way to get rid of the estrogen without going on those anti-estrogen drugs? Just wondering as my onc didn't want me on those drugs as for me he said the risk out weighted the benefit so made me think - wonder why he didn't suggest lupron. Thanks!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lynniea
    lynniea Member Posts: 611
    edited March 2011

    I am doing quite well.  Do to the fact I was in the Same Day Surgery Ward ant 7am and left at 8 pm.  So I arrived home at 8:15 and slept till 2 am.  So now I am up.  I feel pretty good on Vikaden.  No throwing up but felt like it.  The Lord pulled me through.  One part down now down to the next.  Had sentinel biopsy that went well now the waiting game again.  Thanks for all your prayers.  It is nice to know you have many praying for me.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited March 2011

    I am on Lupron to shut down my ovaries so I can take arimidex.  I did not tolerate tamoxifen well at all, was terrifed it wasn't working, that I wasn't metabolizing it, extreem depression that I didn't evern realize at the time.  When I started I was borderline menopausal, so no one will take out my ovaries.  Last summer I tested as solidly menopausal, but because I am over 50 no one will take out my ovaries.  So I'm stuck with the big shot every 4 months for another year and a half. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Paula66
    Paula66 Member Posts: 1,728
    edited March 2011

    Hi all I've been away for awhile du e to treatment.  It takes me a few to get out the fog and I try to conserve the brain cell for work, lol.  I hope all is going well.

    I know its gonna be a few months but I want as much info as I can get. I will be taking Tamoxo for 5 yrs after chemo.  If you ladies have any tips and question for the doc I would love to hear them.  Have a fun filled Thursday middies!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited March 2011

    Paula - A lot of us started out slow.  I started with 10mg the first week and then went to a split dose - 10mg in the morniing and 10mg at bedtime.  I did that for about 2 weeks and then decided to take the whole dose at breakfast.  For me, if I have a small glass of milk that helps with the queasy stomach I periodically get.  Not to scare you, but I did end up with some neuropathy in the toes and my MO started me on Lyrica which is not only helping with the toe pains but giving me some good sleep.

    You will have to join us on the Bottle O' Tamoxifen thread.  There are a great bunch of ladies there and we tend to have lots of fun.  See you there.

    Lynn - Glad you are doing well even after the long day in the hosp.  Rest well today. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Member Posts: 2,903
    edited March 2011

    I don't post here very often but I do read it a lot. I was wondering. I am 46 and my last period was right before chemo, the last one was decmebr 7th 13 weeks ago. Still no sign of my period. Not that I want it. But i am taking tamoxifen and i am wondering if I should be taking arimidex. Anyone have the same situation?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited March 2011

    Paula-do join us on the tamoxifen thread.  Everyone is different and tolerates things differently. Some do not have SE's at all.   I decide to jump in at 20mg and I did have SE's.  Don't want to scare you but the neausea was really bad and it suprised me because I don't normally react to meds that way so thought I would be fine.  My MO worked with me though and took me off for a few days treated my stomach and put me back on it with prilosec 2 X day.  Have not had any more issues and the other SE's have worked itself out except for the insomnia.  I take Ambien CR for that and am hoping in time my body will adjust so I can quit taking the ambien. I seem to have very vivid dreams and a very active mind at night now.  Did not use to be this way, I have always been a good sleeper.

    Lynn glad all went well and get plenty of rest today. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • leisaparis
    leisaparis Member Posts: 587
    edited March 2011

    Carrol2- I am also 46. Sorry but was not on tamoxifen, so can't help there. There are a lot of others who will come and answer your question I'm sure. Also went through the chemopause. Finally got the period back almost exactly 1 year from when it stopped. I was on Herceptin for a year. Period came back, went on a trial drug. Period stopped again. Good luck & God Bless.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited March 2011

    Carol - I can't help you with the issue of periods as I am post menopausal but I can say that Tamoxifen is what you should be taking.  Arimidex is just for post meno women.  You really have to make sure the periods are not coming back before you get on Arimdex.

    Maybe someone else can chime in on the periods thing.

    Good luck & best wishes 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited March 2011

    Carrol2, long time, no hear.  Many ladies do get "chemopause."  Then, Tamox. can also disrupt your menstrual cycle, or stop it for long enough to make you highly irregular.  Tamox., being the fun drug that it is, can be as capricious as stopping your period for MONTHS, but if for some reason you would like your period back, just go on a trip for a week (or long weekend) and don't say I didn't warn you.

    You might be peri-menopausal (with lowered natural estrogen) at your age, and your doc can test your levels if your curiosity really wants to know.  If you have not gone a whole year without a menstrual cycle, most docs will not consider you to be in full menopause; therefore, Arimidex is not an option at this time.  That may or may not be an option a few years down the road.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Member Posts: 2,903
    edited March 2011
    thanks for all the answers. It's only been 6 months no period. Elimar i carry an emergency stash when i travel. I was told my period would come back. Your right i figure it will be during the worst moment.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sandeeonherown
    Sandeeonherown Member Posts: 1,946
    edited March 2011

    Carrol- I was given a blood test before starting tamoxifen..the oncologist did not believe that at 48 I had not had my period for 18 months..and before that, just 2 in two years...but tamoxifen is the option for pre-menopausal women (and recently menopausal..2/3 of my numbers said meno and the other one said 'sorry..estrogen still firing!')...as long as I have ovaries, I will have estrogen so...there you go. Would prefer not to give them up if there are other options...as for other side effects..can't really tell if my lack of sleep is more intense than before or not as I have not slept well for a couple of years but I was having hot flashes (soaking the bed hot flashes) when I first started Tami so, on the advice of gals on the Bottle 'o Tamoxifen train, I split the dose in half and take 10mgs at 7am and 10mgs at 7pm. Works for me and I rarely wake up sweating..still wake up hot at some point but I keep the heat off.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited March 2011

    Sandee - I still have my ovaries and have been post menopausal for 3 years.  Taking Tamoxifen.  We will always have estrogen flowing even if the ovaries are removed - it comes from the adrenal glands.  So no matter what the estrogen is still there.   No gonna give mine up if I don't have to - hate surgery.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories