November 2009-Starting Chemo

For all the Zometa users...

Common Bone Drug May Help Prevent Breast Cancer Recurrence
posted July 18, 2011
Most women taking hormone-based aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer also take bone drugs such as Zometa to help prevent therapy-induced osteoporosis. A new study suggests that early stage patients who combine Zometa with their hormone therapy for three years after surgery also reduce the chance of their cancer's return by 32 percent.

Although exactly how Zometa reduces the risk of recurrence isn't known, lead researcher Dr. Michael Gnant, a professor of surgery at the Medical University of Vienna, said he thinks "it prohibits dormant tumor cells in the bone marrow from ‘waking up.'"

Adds Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society, "Zometa actually hardens the bone and makes it more difficult for the cancer to actually implant."

For the three-year study, 1,803 premenopausal women with early-stage hormone-receptive breast cancer were assigned to groups receiving different combinations of hormone drugs; some with, and some without, Zometa. After four years of follow-up, researchers reported women receiving Zometa had a 36 percent reduction in the risk of breast cancer recurrence, compared with women who did not receive the drug. In women over age 40, the risk of recurrence was cut by 42 percent. Side effects, including joint pain, bone pain, and fever were relatively mild and well-tolerated.

Gnant's group also found that Zometa was linked to a reduction in cancers developing in bone and other sites as well as cancer in the breast opposite where the original tumor was found.

Despite these favorable findings, more trials must be done to prove Zometa's benefits. "I never change my practice based on one trial," said Brawley. "But, I see very little harm in giving Zometa along with aromatase inhibitors. Many of the patients I take care of already get this anyway."

Got back from hospital Sunday morning, so far, so good. Just waiting on the poopy fairy, I hate surgery related constipation!

Melinda ~ glad to hear from you.  HOPING the poop fairy comes soon and is gentle on you.

Nettie ~ Great info, I am going to ask my onco in August why I am not getting ZOMETA?! 

Brenda ~ Thinking of you on Mammo DAY !  Let us know how you make out.  AND HAPPY Anniversary.  DH and I celebrate 21 years this week ~

Happy Monday girls.  UGH !

Just checking in ladies. I am 11 days out from surgery, started with 5 drains and now down to 2, moving right along. Still tinkering with the old digestive tract but it is all workable. I've had my first fill, that was an odd sensation, so numb, it was like being at the dentist.

I hope everyone is well. I see Big Onc next week for my 3 month checkup.

Be well ladies!

Melinda ~ hope you get the last of those drains removed I know how awful they are.  And yes as you get that expander filled it gets harder and tighter.  Sometimes a bit painful after the fill they told me to take Motrin.  Good luck with your 3 month checkups, keep us posted. 

I too have 3 month check ups, lung ct scan and oncologist on Monday.  I dread it all..........  scares the crap out of me.

Michele ~ same here on the friends TRIPS.  My friends went to Paris for a week, then flew to Barcelona and went on a 14 Day European tour to Italy. ahhhhh  the pictures look amazing.  I like you will sit on my comfy outdoor couch and read my NOOK.  (love that electronic book thing) !!

Brenda ~ so glad your mammo was good and you got the all clear !  Wonderful ~  the scrabble is fun ! 

I cannot believe how we are all rolling around the 2 year anniversaries from diagnosis.  So thankful we are here living life !!!

Hugs to all,

Alicia 

Good to hear from you Linda. Glad you're OK.

My last day at work today - Ill check in before we go next Thursday.

I'm extremely tired today, so will write more when I get home.

(((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))

Sue

So nice to hear from everyone...have been checking here everyday to look for updates from everyone who had surgery.  

Linda:  glad to hear you're all right.  Has to be so hard to go through the pain, drs. visits, and all that goes with the surgery, but looking down the road, everyone seem to be happy with the results. Hang in there!  

You,  too, Melinda!  Alicia:  you are very encouraging, having been there/done that.

You are all in my prayers!  And Sue, for a safe and fantastic upcoming trip!!!

Happy Friday!  Nette   

Brenda - wow - your first egg - enjoy it!!! You should post a pic of the peeps so we can see how they've grown.

Everything is now coming together. DH was owed a lot of money and the cheque still hadn't arrived today. So he rang the lady and she's doing an online transfer instead - we can pay off our credit cards and have a great trip now we have the cash!!!! It was a bit of a close call. 6 days til we go!!! I've got all the time in the world to do a good job of packing. It has been great being full time again at work, but I felt a great sense of freedom when I finished today. I sure have missed those days off I had while I was part time.

Sue

Melinda - Yukk -  hope it gets better soon. Are you still seeing that nice gentleman?

Sue

Brenda: Lovin' the chick pics, are you going to try to incubate any or just have breakfast.

Michele: have a wonderful relaxing vacation!

They took the TE out last night. It was infected and yada yada yada. But, the flap is still there so at least I have something I can use down the road once I have healed up from this. Bummer. Sucks to lose the same boob twice.

Melinda, well sh!t ! This just sucks. I'm so sorry you have to go through all that. But like you said, the flap is still there. That's the worst part, and it's done. Any idea what caused the infection, or did your body just deny the expanders?