Calling all TNs

MBJ- my ortho wouldn't give me cortisone. He said I was an "infection risk". My port had to be removed due to cellulitis and I have had a couple of staph infections in my life. I still have a little pain, but only when the PT pushes my arm to the extreme. We both figured this was as good as it was going to get, so we agreed to stop PT. It doesn't hurt anymore in normal daily situations! Curious, is it your MX side? My MX was on the right, but my left side developed the frozen shoulder.

Kathy- CRAP!! I will be thinking good thoughts that it is nothing!!

Laugh - nothing about anything but ALP. Everything else was normal. I'm going do my best to not get ahead of things. I really did well with that when I was diagnosed and going through treatments, but for some reason I'm having a harder time this time.

KSteve, All of this is still new to me, haven't yet had my first onc visit post chemo.  Just googled the ALP test, it says there are many reasons that could cause higher numbers including medications as simple as Advil or even a fatty meal if your  blood type is O or B.  It sounds to me like your doc is just being cautious.  Sending positive thoughts your way. 

I'm off to the vitamin store today to see what they have to offer.  

Titan-Milk Thistle and asprin?  Daily? Regular asprin like excedrin?

Mitymuffin - That happened to me the other night for the first time.  Had a really long day at work, after a sleepless night.  Then after I got off my eliptical I was so sore, stiff and achey I could barely move, then the chills started.  Thought for sure I was coming down with something but I woke up feeling fine.  

tifJ: Still don't know if the cortisone will work -- Today I just feel sore at the injection site.  I am so glad you can do normal activities again!  I haven't been able to do anything for weeks.

Titan:  You sound like me with all of the supplements.  My Vit D levels didn't come up until I started taking it with food.  My bloodwork was good prior to all of this, too.

MBJ- Yes, it does get better, but it sure takes awhile!!

Mity- My last chemo was the Dec. 30th last year too! I don't get the chills, but the fatigue still hits me hard sometimes. I don't sleep well since I weaned off the Ativan, but I really don't want to take anything (I'm sick of pills!). Maybe I need to add some of the supplements mentioned!

Survivor- Best wishes on the WBR! I hope it obliterates the FC!!

Susan- I think floating down D'Nile sounds pretty sweet- especially with a drink in your hand! I know we have to be realistic about this damn disease, but sometimes we deserve to forget or least put it in the back of our minds for awhile!!

KSteve: Good your doc is being cautious, but given that all else is normal and your ALP is only slightly elevated, it might be good to ask what, if any, more benign tests could be done before a PET. PETs come with a lot of radiation and it always surprises me how quickly docs will go to them - you want to be sure it's well warranted, that no other scans could be just as effective, and that the results will be actionable. Wishing you well.

Survivor2be...thinking of you...such a lot to deal with..hugs and warm thoughts.

Yes Suze 35 group thing would be good!

I don't smoke and my dad died from lung cancer after smoking unfiltered cigarettes his whole life, so I am a strong opponent, regardless...  As for drinking, I probably have a couple a week, usually glasses of wine.  I have no intention of stopping completely.  I intend to live my life as normally as possible without worrying whether or not a glass of wine causes a recurrence.  There are other benefits of an occasional drink that, in my mind, balance out the risks.  There are several threads discussing the pros and cons of drinking.  It is a matter of much controversy and everyone needs to determine her own risk tolerance.

I agree with Michelle.  I am just overall anti-smoking, but in all honesty I don't think the occasional cigarette will be a problem.  I would be concerned if you were a former smoker, that it would lead to a more regular habit.  As for alcohol - I enjoy wine when my taste buds aren't messed up from the chemo - and I really have no intention of giving that up.  I also enjoy specialty drinks on occasion - martinis, margaritas, etc. 

Honestly, everything in moderation.  My QOL is VERY important to me, and that includes enjoying things that may not always be considered "healthy" every once in a while.

Survivor2Be - that is very cool that you are so close with your MIL.  Mine is, well, a little strange, although we do have a good relationship.  But I truly don't know what I'd do without my own mother.  I know it helps her cope to be with me, doing something.  Three girls, oh my!  My oldest son is just starting to get to the dramatic, hormone-y stage.  I can only imagine him as a pre-teen GIRL, lol! 

That is interesting about the new drugs that were available - do you mind sharing what they were?  I have personally "failed" on Taxol, Carboplatin, Xeloda, and Abraxane (which is the same as Taxol, so no surprise).  I did have a response to AC, and based on how I'm feeling, I'm pretty sure the Halaven is working.  I still have Cisplatin (slightly different from Carbo), Navelbine, Ixempra, and Gemzar to try, and if they ever start producing Doxil again, I can use that.  I also have some AC left if I want, but only about 10 low-dose treatments. 

I quit smoking exactly 2 months before my first mammo.  What a kick in the face for me.  I will never smoke another cigarette again.  We're not big drinkers either but would always have a couple if we went out.  Now I just have one when go out.  I've also started regular exercse and eating better.

I'm in agreement with those who've said "everything in moderation" when it comes to alcohol. I have switched to red wine from white because of its health benefits but I have no intention of giving it up completely. Nothing I have seen about the link between alcohol and BC is conclusive as far as I'm concerned.

Here I am on the computer and heard the news come on and said good morning to all of you that are up, I looked at the clock and it is 4;30am! I have been doing this almost daily. I will go to sleep and wake up at 1pm, I need to break this cycle. It is going to be  hard because they just laid off a bunch of people at my husbands work and now he has to go back to nights starting today, He goes in at 7 pm. I am still healing from surgery and can't do much yet, but need to get back to a normal schedule. Funny thing is that when hubby worked nights before we both got into really good shape because we would go running together when he got off work in the morning, as I started work at about noon. It worked perfect for us to run together. My mind feels ready to go do things but my body is still saying no, as I am still draining too much. I hope to get my drains out before xmas!

For some reason I don't like drinking anymore. Doesn't taste or sound good to me. I did not have one drop during chemo, and hardly any for the last few years. I used to love going out for a beer, and I miss that! I have never smoked (well, I have tried it, just never stuck with it) but both my parents smoked when I was growing up so I think the damage has been done!

RE alcohol: As both the oncologists I've seen said "no alcohol" I'm certainly interested in any research or information others may find. This article gives an overview (but it is dated 2009) and includes alcohol's possible role in metastasis  http://www.jocmr.org/index.php/JOCMR/article/viewArticle/138/76

I've tried to limit myself to one glass of wine a week, but I miss having a glass of wine in the evenings, or when I go out to dinner.