Motivation

awwww to those with kids moving out, I still miss my girls under my roof!

Harley, hang in there girl, I know what you're going through - I had the hip pain thing a couple years ago and thus was bone scanned - Negative results!  Sending Positive Vibes that you will be just fine.  PT and yoga stretches really helped me.  Your headaches are probably from the worrying. 

A little giggle...well I giggle now...last night I went to a yoga class and after much fun in the Downward Dog position, my foob slipped out and bumped me on my chin! I freaked out and think I said something out loud, scrambled to get it back in...the remainder of the class I was paranoid! This has happened before in a swimming pool (now I have pockets sewn in my suits) and in exercise classes, it shifts in my tops. stupid foob!  haha

Spring, WAHHHH away, I hear ya sista!   

Ellie, awwwww that stinks that your boys are moving away!  WAHHHHHHHHHH

Diane, amen to that!

OK, so last night I spray painted 4 chairs for daughter and didn't do the elliptical! ack! But tonight, after work, I spray painted a desk we got at good will over lunch for daughter, then filled all my pill trays, and then I did 45 on the elliptical too!! Very busy now!

Yougest DD is in her own appt now off campus, and we are bringing another van load of stuff to her Friday. So much to do!!

I wonder if I am causing myself cancer with this Rustoleum spray paint I am using. Ugh. At least I am outside in the yard... 

I hear ya on the heat, Kari!  I've been getting in about 45-50 mins of walking each a.m. this week, but coming back drenched with sweat.  And today my truncal LE is acting up.  It's just way too hot! 

For the empty nesters... enjoy it while you can.  In this day and age, most of them come back after college!

Ellie, I haven't tried rustoleum, but what I did do a few years ago to get my kitchen painted without spending a fortune was to barter.  I found a professional painter who wanted to trade his services for a very nice pool table we no longer wanted.  It worked out beautifully for both of us.  I think I found him on Craig'sList.     Deanna 

PS ~ Harley, how are you doing?  Are you okay??? 

Looks like everyone's busy this week with back-to-college stuff, vacations, etc.  We were in Phoenix for 3 days that included an app't. at the Mayo Clinic for something DH wanted an opinion from them on.  Boy, is that place impressive!  So big & busy, yet so calming and everything amazingly on time.  Then yesterday I was in Temecula, working on my antique space.  So not much structured walking for me this week, although I did get out just now for about 50 mins.  It hit 117 here yesterday and is on track for a similar high today, plus it's extremely humid to boot. Needless to say, I sweated out a lot of toxins, including Tuesday's b'day cheesecake.

This summer's desert heat is so unforgiving.  As I was walking this a.m., I had a hard time shaking the thought of 2 European visitors who sadly did not survive what must have been a car breakdown in nearby Joshua Tree National Park this week.  You just can't be out in this kind of heat for any length of time without a lot of water.

Well, hope everyone is having a good week and safe from the pending storm!  I'm going into UCLA early tomorrow morning for my 3-year mammo & check up.  On the one hand, I feel so well taken care of there; but it's hard not to feel a bit of anxiety just being in that building.   Deanna

Deanna- I will think about you and will pray that tomorrow all goes well and smoothly. I had to take an Ativan on Monday when I went to see my breast surgeon.I had a breakdown in the morning. I know the feeling, we all do, I think..... 

By the way, today is a year that I had my mastectomy. I had an ice cream today and actually went for an hour walk to get the ice cream, but I have to admit that I have been a bit lazy recently. Not much exercising, aside from riding my bike back and forth to work. Instead, I go to the beach on my day-offs. It relaxes me and makes me happy. But I will get back to my exercise routine after Labor Day.

I did not hear about the tourists either. It is very sad. But some people just don't have common sense. Yes, I am getting ready for the storm that is coming this way.First an earthquake this week, now a hurricane!

117!!! Deanna!! That is amazing that you can do any walking!

Survivorwoman - if you're gonig to have an icecream, not a bad idea to take an hour walk to get it!! Congratulations on reaching your 1 year MX anniversary... hang in there.

Kari, hope your check up was good!! 

We have been on vacation and the heat is not as bad as it typically is here at this time of year. It's been high 80s or low 90s. We rode bikes for 2 hours Monday - Thursday so far. Lots of eating too, but hopefully staying "even" with all the exercise. My legs are so pooped out!

Hurricante coming to the east coast. My daughter has decided to stay in her apartment with her roomie - they are not mandatory evacuation. I hope she'll be okay! I told her not to go food shopping and fill up her refrigerator before the storm! Electricity loss = food loss!  

cycled again today, hurricane be damned!!! Got caught in a torrent at the very end, but it was worth it!! 

Good for you cycling Kari!!! it all starts with 18 minutes!!!  

Hi everyone - I just found this thread and am hoping to join.  I am looking for some motivation for exercise and healthy living.  I have exercised almost daily for 5 years but seem to have lost my motivation.  Or maybe it's the habit I've lost.  I have some fatigue too and have been busy trying to maintain the house, kids, etc.  UMX was June 30th.  TE pain is lessening too which is good.  This looked like a postive place to be.  Getting tired now of the little pity parties, esp. when I have so much to be grateful for.  So three goals: exercise, at least 30 mins. daily, fewer sweets (which I crave) and much less red wine.  Had gotten in the habit of a glass or two in the evening before bedtime to relax, seemed to help me sleep.  Also DBF loves a glass when we go out to dinner. A fourth goal:  Positive Thinking!  Thanks  everyone.  I didn't read this whole thread - quite long! - but you seem like a nice supportive group of women.  Blessings and stay safe with this weather!!  Am going off to ride my bike now!

Deanna, Kari, and everyone...

I have the results from the bone scan    NED

The ct of the chest was         Negative

The ct of the cervical spine showed ADVANCED ARTHRITIS

I think this is being caused by the Tamoxifen and I am now considering stopping it...

see, I took Tamoxifen for 2 years   then I took Femara for 1 year.   Now I am back on Tamoxifen due to 'significant bone loss' on Femara...

The way I see it,  The Femara caused bone loss and the Tamoxifen now is trying to build bone, but....  it is causing these growths in the (Femerons   sp?)  These are the holes in our spine that the nerves go thru...   and now the holes are getting NARROW... 

I really do think it is being caused by the drugs...   I only have just over 1 year left.

What do you gals think?

Harley

Hey there Molly!  Welcome to the group!

Deanna,

You are SO RIGHT!  I was convinced I had bone mets...  At time, it feels like my whole body hurts!

I haven't really gotten much info. yet...  just  my primary care dr., who has been NO HELP at all...  He suggested I continue with the Ibuprofen, but other women tell me about some other drugs that may be better with helping with this pain.

I don't think I will get my onc. to admit that the Tamoxifen might be causing any of this...  I have read that Femara and the AIs cause bone LOSS, but Tamoxifen MAY help older women, to protect their bones.  So... I just interpret that to mean that it may help to build bone...   and I know Tamoxifen caused me to have uterine polyps, and I think any kind of 'growths' may be caused by that wicked drug!  I will do some more research, but I think IF there is any connection, the oncologists and other experts will cover it up...  

Hope everyone survived Irene without too much damage.  We only had some much needed rain and some wind... and cooler temperatures don't hurt, either... 

Harley

Checking in quick, been a not great exercise week, the LE is not happy so I've had to back off a bit with some of what I was doing for a little bit.  Just wanted to check in with the East Coast friends, hoping everyone is okay.

Welcome Molly. 

Harley, hard decisions.  My understanding is Tamoxifen causes bone loss in premenopausal women (normally the estrogen would be hitting and strengthening bone), however in postmenopausal women who normally would have a drop in estrogen the weak estrogen effects of Tamoxifen actually can be slightly helpful.  You'll make the decision best for you and whatever it is we'll all be here for you

Thanks for the 'welcomes' everyone.  Much appreciated!  Well I have fit in three days of bike riding - today only 20 mins. as it was busy, but it's something.  I do like your 10 minute rule. The biking should work until we start to get a change in the seasons here.  Then it's a bit more challenging! 

I'm usually one to take charge of my health care but with these cancer drugs I tend to follow the docs because the alternative is so scary and it's all just so overwhelming.  BC itself has been enough for me to try to comprehend! I certainly was scared to take this AI though! Harley - It is great news you are NED.  I have arthritis in my right shoulder (pre-dating my AI) and it can really hurt. I was thinking last night about the impact of this BC, as it does change you, and have decided to do a few things to simplify. Still ruminating over this one. That may help with the positive thinking and some of the stress that may have led to the two bouts of cancer within the last 4 years I've experienced - luckily unrelated!! Thanks for the positive words. They are definitely helpful!