Motivation

Hi Kari - thank you for your concern. Yes, I think the "bug" I have is a combination of my reaction to Herceptin and having the cold at the same time. My neck is so stiff that I cannot even move my head.It is sort of stuck on the right side. Cannot move it to the left. My cough is subsiding and in general, I feel a lot better than two days ago. I think I will attempt to go to work tomorrow and we'll see if I can do a full day or not. I am still not ready to exercise, though, I really want to. I miss the gym. I hope you all have a pleasant weekend and a lot of moving around.

Harley - thank you ! I am feeling a lot better. I still have a stiff neck, and still coughing, but I am getting stronger. I decided to wait going to the gym until I am totally well. I don't want to have a relapse. I did go to work today and was fine. Sorry to hear you on the other hand have a sinus infection. That is so painful. Ouch! Do you think you will be able to wait until Wednesday to get antibiotics? Is the onc you are going to see next week the same onc you have problems with? This is the onc who does nothing, right?

Sadly, I don't even have a primary doctor. Since I had no insurance when I started my bc journey, only medicaid, for which I was thankfully approved before I had my MX, I had no primary doctor to go to. I still don't have one. I consider my onc and my breast surgeon my only doctors. There aren't that many who take medicaid anyway and I can't afford one otherwise.

But, yeah! A note book is great idea! I will write some stuff down, too.  At least ask your onc, Harley, to draw some blood and tell you if your Vitamin D level is acceptable. I guess, you have to tell them what you want them to do. My onc gets annoyed with me on occations b/c I ask her to draw blood to check my vitamin levels. Nevertheless, she complies. After all, we are the comsumers. We have to be our own advocates.

Survivor,

Awww...  I am so glad to have you as my breast friend, too!  Love ya!

I don't have to ask him about ordering blood work, unless it's something unusual.  Last time, I hadn't seen my primary care dr. for awhile, so I asked him to also run a thyroid panel.  He did.  He always does vitamin D, too...  BUT, he doesn't do tumor markers, he doesn't think they are 'reliable'...

Hugs

Harley

Kari,

yes, I think it's a sinus infection.  I see my primary care dr. tomorrow, so will probably leave with a script for antibiotics...  

I like the breast friends... 

Glad you had a nice time with the GDD.

I can't sleep so I am on FB.

Harley

Thanks, Kari!

Harley

Thinking of you Harley. I hope your appointment goes well today.

Kari- thank you for your positive thoughts. I am better with my cold. Still coughing tough. To answer you: I don't always get my vitamin levels checked but would like to. In fact, I am "shopping" for a primary care doc who will do that and more. Otherwise, we are on our own and I feel that I need some guidance.

Deanna- how did you find your naturopathic doctor? Are they very expensive?

Spring - It is great to have you back. How was your trip?

I am going to the gym today. I did a bike ride yesterday and felt so good to be out in the balmy weather. I was overdressed for riding and was sweating a lot, but it felt great to out and moving about.

Anybody heard of Joy?

Email back from my primary care doctor (I asked her several questions):

Hi Kari,
I'm not sure about what vitamins you should have post breast cancer. Your oncologist will probably be a better person to ask. We don't think we have a Naturopathic physician in Kaiser, you can also ask the member services about that if we do.

2.As far as questions on nutrition, if you want to talk to a nutritionist, I'll put in a referral for you.
3. As far as gluten intolerance there's a blood test for that, I've put it in for you. Just go to lab.
4. I'm not sure if Arimidex causes insomnia, you can talk ask the oncologist about that. For now, I would recommend taking OTC melatonin supplement and keeping routine schedules for good sleep.

Insomnia sources: . - A very interesting book about insomnia management By Dr Hauri. . NO MORE SLEEPNESS NIGHTS. ISBN: 0-471-14904-7 . -
You also can check out an online insomnia available to you as a Kaiser member. .
Simply follow these steps:. 1) Go to kp.org/mydoctor/nourkarzoun. http://www.permanente.net/homepage/doctor/nourkarzoun/.
2) Once you are at the webpage, click on the link: Healthy Living Resources - ONLINE PROGRAMS.
3) Then click on Healthy Lifestyle Programs.
4) choose link: Get a good night's sleep with Overcoming Insomnia. . - Insomnia classes offered by Kaiser.

Rode my bike for about 50 minutes today. Also got soaked in the rain on the way back. Now I worry about getting another cold. Took a hot shower. Hope I won't get sick again with the cold.

Survivor, yes I'm lucky with my doctors.  My onc is on vacation so I can't email her until 11/28.  Hopefully you don't catch another cold.  What will you do when it gets really wintery out and chilly?  Will you still ride your bike?  

When I get a chance to get on the website (you do have to be a kaiser member), I will post some info.  Busy busy today at work though.  Did my brisk walk at lunch! 

Cath - wow, I am impressed! You did a lot of exercising today.  I remember after chemo I was so run down I had to have a blood transfusion. It took me a while to feel strength in my legs. Yoga helped me a lot.

Kari - I think you are right. It might be time to stop riding my bike and just walk.  I can walk to work. Only it is a lot quicker and easier to ride my bike.  I also enjoy it a lot. But maybe it is not the season any more.

Hope all is well Spring and Joy and all others in the Carolinas. I just read the news. What a night you Ladies must have had! Scary tornado. A lot of damage as far as I can tell from the photos. Keep us updated that you all are well.....sending love and hugs....

We are getting a hard freeze here tonight! Like 29 degrees! I have bulbs to plant. Luckily, it will warm up over the next few days. And over this wkend and next week there will be days where we can bike ride. 

I have off all next week! Pinch me!

Today was a day of rest. My 2 nights in a row Yoga body is sore and wants to rest. Tomorrow, I think its the elliptical beast, it will be too cold to cycle! 

Brrrrr Spring!  good job on the exercise too.

Souen looks yummy!!

So no exercise for me yesterday or today so far....uh oh 

Deanna- I really needed to laugh. Thank you so much for your story about your mismatched shoes at the cocktail party. You rock!

At Souen last night, believe it or not, I had very simple food. I had the Macro plate (squash, kale, broccoli, brown rice, seaweed, carrot, and beans/lentils with tahini sauce, olive oil and sesame seed sprinkle. If you go to this website there is a photo.

http://www.fritzhaeg.com/wikidiary/2010/03/10/on-march-10th-2010-souen/2010-03-10/

Tonight I am having Indian food. Chicken shaag. (Chicken with spinach) It is a take-out but was craving Indian.

Spring- I didn't know you can plant bulbs in the fall. Will they survive the winter? I am not a gardener, but I never knew you can do that in the fall.

Painstakingly, but I was able to do 30 minutes on the elliptical tonight and also rode my bike back and forth the gym. (It was not so cold tonight and I had my long down coat on with a thick scarf around my neck.)

Q: Did any of you Ladies take Herceptin? Did you gain weight while on Herceptin? I am eating healthy and no more than what I used to eat before, yet I am putting on weight. I am puzzled.