MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

Eph3_12 · September 2011

I don't know-I thought it was using a spirograph on a landscape picture!

mumito · September 2011

Thats how you stay so young Elimar

elimar86861 · September 2011

There's always that!

p.s. I wrote the above to Eph, but I'll apply it to mumayan's post too. Tongue out

jo1955 · September 2011

Eph - I quit smoking after 40+ years as well. I have been smoke free for 9 weeks now. I too have a husky voice. I do notice my teeth are so much whiter now and I am just using my regular toothpaste. I do confess I have one of those electronic cigarettes with no nicotine. It not only satisifes the hand to mouth habit but I am also doing in support of DH who is still smoking by the way.

Sherryc · September 2011

Jo and Eph I think it is amazing to quit smoking after 40+ years. My parents smoked and I know it was hard on both of them to quit, but they did it.

SAB · September 2011

YAY for all us "quitters!" Smoked 21 years (from age 13,) smoke free for almost 20 now. I used to work at an ad agency--would sometimes have one in my hand, and one in the ashtray! Usually my guest chair had a smoker in it too and my office was a cloud of smoke...hack hack. I used sugar free mints and a pregnancy to quit.

justmejanis · September 2011

Changing the subject here, but wanted to tell you about my mixed results from my thyroid scan. I saw the RO and he just took a peek at my breast, answered a few questions and was going to let me leave. So I asked him about the ultrasound. Oh, yeah! Well, he looked in my file and I know it was not there just by the way he was flipping pages. He said it was there and told me he was going to go make a copy. He left for a bit and came back with it. Did not show it to me but said the ultrasound basically just confirmed I had those two small nodules and he saw no point in any further action. Okay. Then I went to see my primary doc. He had a copy of the report and made a copy for me. It mentioned the right lobe having multipe tiny nodules, and one that measured 13x13x7mm. It was described as "solid". Another one like it was also in the lower pole. The conclusion was a fine needle aspiration was suggested if clinically desired.

My doctor wants this done, so he is going to arrange it. My mother had her thyroid removed when I was young, but I have no idea why. My doc felt with some family history of thyroid (unknown) and the fact it is solid and not producing hormones, that it needs to have the needle biopsy. He said it presented him with just mild concern, but felt it was best to get it done. So.....not sure when but they will call when it is scheduled.

He also finally talked me into having a colonoscopy so they are going to get that scheduled too. More fun than humans are allowed, huh?

Sorry for the hijack, but thought you would want to know the latest.

jo1955 · September 2011

Janis - Don't apologize for changing the subject. That happens here on a regular basis. At least your primary doctor feels there is a need for something else to be done. Your RO sounds like he has no idea what is going on. I will keep my fingers crossed for B9 results. And for the colonoscopy, been there done that. It is not too bad but not something I want to repeat anytime soon. Let us know when you get scheduled for the biopsy so we can all jump in your pocket and go with you. I have first dibs on the pockets. LOL!

cmbear · September 2011

Janis--my mom had her thyroid removed when I was a baby too--are we sisters???? Smile My thryroid went bonkers last summer after my BCDX. My sister has Hashimotos(auto immune thyroid) and my last blood test shows thats what I have too. In all this no one has scanned my thyroid, they just keep upping my synthroid. Good for you for having a PCP that is looking out for you. Hopefully it is just a b9 nodule. I'll be jumping in that pocket too, you won't be alone!! BTW my colonoscopy is scheduled for the 27th. Oh joy. When I set up the procedure the gastro doc said BC patients should have a colonoscopy at the onset of their DX and then every 5 yrs, 3 if polyps are found. Spoke of link between BC and colon cancer. Double joy.

And super congrats for all of you strong women who have quit smoking!!! Way to go!!

Sandeeonherown · September 2011

Hi all....sorry for opening this can of worms but I know a bunch of us take or have taken melatonin so I thought it was important tomention. I listed the sites she described on the exercize thread so rather than repeat them all, take a look there. these sites talk about interactions, give information on supplements etc...many of you have likely been on them before already.

Her message with regards to ER+ women and melatonin was take caution.....it is hormone sensitive...same with flax and soya and grapefruit juice. She said that there are lots of clinical trials going on and that she , as an RN and as a PhD, is always looking for emperical proof and that these substances have a lot of studies for, against and in the middle...but that all are hormone sensitive so we should be cautious....she talked a bit about antioxidants and why you should not take them while you are undergoing chemo or rads (they can essentially neutralize the work chemo and rads are doing so you in effect, safe guard your cancer cells) and she said that if you have hormone sensitve cancer to avoid red clover, ginseng and milk thistle.

LOTS of conflicting info....but the woman who was speaking is an RN and PhD brought in by my radiologist who not only does radiation but holds workshops 3-4 weekends a year on cancer and alternative therapies...mindfulness meditation and yoga and nutrition counselling etc....(book is call The Healing Circle)...read it on my cancer journey. email to ask mor about this, if you want more information, is: cameo@bccancer.bc.ca

fmakj · September 2011

Just thought that I would pop in to let you know that I will be "lurking" on this thread again. I have been off the boards since June and will try to catch up. HOWEVER, in order to catch up I have to start reading from page 406!!! May just have to scan the pages to catch up, but will be lurking from now on again! Cool

Sherryc · September 2011

Mary Louise glad your back.

jo1955 · September 2011

Mary Louise - Glad you are back. Don't try to catch up, just jump right in. The subject changes frequently here and we will all figure out where we are.

justmejanis · September 2011

Jo....thanks for the offer of a pocket party when I go. I need my ladies there with me! I think I will get a nice apron. They have good pockets, lots of room.

cmblastic....wow, how odd about the thyroid conicidence with our moms. Maybe our moms were secret sisters? LOL. Oh wow someone else having a colonoscopy! Mine is not yet scheduled but you have to promise me you will tell me all about it if you go first. Especially the prep! I have read many funny jokes about that part. Oh we are in BIG trouble lady! LOL. Thanks for going to my needle biopsy with me. Should have a time and date by tomorrow.

elimar86861 · September 2011

Thanks, Sandee. The speaker you heard cautioned you on flax, but then there is the "Budwig Diet" that used flaxseed oil and cottage cheese as its main anti-cancer recipe. It is mind boggling when we see a lot of conflicting info. People are more than willing to make some changes to lower their risks of disease, but why is it so hard to get at the truth?

janis, The fine needle aspiration plan sounds like a good idea that can possibly spare you surgery. Years ago, I had a lump on my thyroid. Went to an HMO surgeon, who wanted to do surgery to remove it. In my mind, I saw "Frankenstein neck" and even back then had a natural inclination to try to avoid scenarios of scalpels and blood. I went for a second opinion with the Chief of Surgery. He ordered an aspiration, then said it would be fine to just keep an eye on it, that it did not enlarge. It seems like I was on Synthroid for six mos. or so, I think that was more to see if that produced a change. (It didn't.) Over couple years, the nodule seemed to be getting smaller and I never did find out what it was but it was gone 3-4 years later. I forgot about it on a daily basis and then it just was no longer there.

barbe1958 · September 2011

Janis, If I were you, I'd called my RO to the carpet!!! He didn't have your results in his hand - he just GUESSED!!! What an idiot! He couldn't admit he didn't have them???

As for the hormone stuff everyone is discussing. If you were told you were allergic to peanuts, would you insist on eating them anyway? No? Well then, that's the way I feal about the hormone positive foodstuff. I am hormonal positive so I don't take any more on board. If you're not hormonal positive, knock yourself out. Whenever someone mentions a No-No, check their tag line to see their hormonal status (like I show mine, doi!). We are given info specific to OUR own cancer.

Foxlairfrm · September 2011

I think most of us on this board are intelligent enough to read with caution and at least research or better ask your doctor about what you have read if it interests you. Much of the information here is great! I'm interested in finding out more about the Flax. My onc told me to take flax seed oil supplements. It's good for my heart. Now reading here, I obviously need to do some research. I have boarder line high cholesterol and in the beginning of treatment I mentioned this to him. He said forget it for now, some cholesterol meds will interfere with your treatment. I haven't thought anymore about it, but now I need to ask. Last thing I need is a heart attack! This is great info ladies!

Janis- Barb is right, call your RO out. You know I'll be in the pocket!

Foxy

Paula66 · September 2011

(((Janis)))) My sissy had to have some nodules tested ealier this year and thank goodness they where fine. I pray they will be the same for you! Its a good thing your PC doc is staying atop of things.

justmejanis · September 2011

I feel really certain my biopsy will be benign. I am just not going to worry you know? I know I will feel a lot better having a pocket full of friends to go with me!

Barbe I am not sure he guessed...he did leave the room and return with some report in his hand. I did not see it. He jsut told me his interperation. I saw my PCP later and he actually gave me a copy. I trust him more. I'll be done with the RO soon enough. He won't be there next week he said. I really don't get much from the RO at all. He was an Army doc for 10 years. His training is probably really different.

KittyGirl2011 · September 2011

Hi Janis, I feel the same as you that I trust my PCP more than any of the others. I'll be in that pocket too. Just feel for that fuzzy paw and you know it will be me.

Foxy-I agree with you too that we are all intellegent women and do know how to do our research. Sometimes I find that it's easy to just listen to someone's advice or experience but in the back of my mind it screams "do your homework!" before I even make a decision. When I was first diagnoised that same voice was screaming at me to do the reading before any treatments. So I listened and put a halt to any thing until I was confident that I was on the right plan for me. The MO, PCP, and the BS all supported it and that made me feel better and confident in my plan. Kitty

justmejanis · September 2011

Kitty thanks for the support. You know I love cats and the soft fur will be very reassuring. Thanks!

It is wonderful you did your homework and had a supportive team. That makes such a difference. I was just assigned my MO and RO and doubt they communicate with my PCP. Yesterday my PCP did ask me what the RO advised me about my ultrasound results. I told him that he just told me there was no further action required. I saw that sneaky (but definitley) sneering smile come across his face. LOL. My PCP told me he would not be comfortable letting it go without the needle biopsy. That was good enough for me.

Kay_G · September 2011

Everyone needs one doc they trust and can run things by. I am glad you have one Janis. Is there room for a dog lover in your pockets? Would love to support you with your fellow cat lovers. Will leave my dog at home though. LOL

janinnj · September 2011

Janis- The only thing my RO seemed concerned about was the condition of my skin and possible LE. Anything else I would definitly take to anothern Dr. Hoping for B9 results

justmejanis · September 2011

Kay, I have two Golden Retrievers so I am both a dog and a cat lover with my zoo. I have three cats too. My Golden's are so loving, but we'll keep my boyz at home just in case. Plenty of room for you in the apron pocket. What kind of dog (s) do you have?

janinnj....I agree, will let the RO look at my skin and leave it at that since I am not currently having any major issues. I trust my PCP a lot more.

Still waiting on all the scheduling, haven't heard today so probably will be Monday before I know when all the fun stuff starts.

Eph3_12 · September 2011

janis, A good friend of my DD's arrived in Nampa just a couple weeks ago to attend NNU. She's loving it...wants DD to come visit the campus. If we go, I'll look you up.

justmejanis · September 2011

Eph that would be awesome! I would be overjoyed to meet you! I would love to cook for you and if you need a place to stay, we have a guest bedroom. You would be more than welcome to stay. Of course you might have a dog in your room.....Sampson loves company!