MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

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  • odie16
    odie16 Member Posts: 1,882
    edited February 2012

    Elimar  - funny you mention  the scent sensitivity. Previously I was only hypersensitive if I had a bad cold or something but now I have it all the time. May be a great perfume or tasty meal but drives me batty!

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited February 2012

    odie,  You didn't have chemo either, like me.  I know chemo can alter the senses, but what is our excuse?

    chemo ladies,   Sense of smell:  Stronger or less noticeable during chemo?  What about after?

    My mom had the effect where (like taste) everything smelled "different" and while not actually giving the "pee-uuw" to everything, the good smells were not as appealing.  The bad smells were still bad.

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  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited February 2012

    Elimar~the sense of smell thingy you describe is exactly what I've experienced over the past few years.  Plus it seems to affect my eyes.  Makes them sting.  I thought it was just me.  Lol, I guess I am less unique than I thought.

    Edit for typo.Tongue out

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited February 2012

    Elimar, during my second FEC, I started smelling burned rubber and it stayed with me for the remainder of the FEC treatments. Very weird. During taxotere it was more subtle, but my sense of smell and taste was definitely messed up.

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited February 2012

    Sharon50, The dryness can make them itch and sting. I use artificial tears eye drops now.

    Momine,  Burnt rubber! Pee-uuw!  Why is it never hot fudge sauce?

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  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited February 2012

    Elimar~thanks for the suggestion but I've got the market cornered on eye drops.  I go through them like crazy.  Anything that can be moisturized, I've got moisturizer for it.

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited February 2012
    sharon50,  Humidifier?
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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited February 2012
    My fibro doesn't affect my night sweats...I don't think...Undecided...but I had a hysterectomy about 10 years ago and I blame that still. I SWEAR by the towels ladies!! I've been saying that on this board for over 3 years and still have women thanking for the tip!!
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  • Paula66
    Paula66 Member Posts: 1,728
    edited February 2012

    Eli my scense of smell during chemo was a nightmare.  Grocery shopping was always the worst.  I never noticed the cleaning solution that they use until I did chemo.  I had to cover my mouth and nose the whole time I shopped or I would gag to the point of loosing my lunch.  I know I was a sight but I didn't care.  It was that or see me loose my lunch.  My sissy had the same issue with the smell of bleach when she did chemo.  She still after 10+ yrs and she still can't stand it.  She says it brings up to many memories. 

    Janis Im so happy that you are finally getting some answers.  Sucks to have LE, but atleast now your getting the proper care that you need.

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  • cajmi
    cajmi Member Posts: 80
    edited February 2012

    Alright, how bout Love's Fresh Lemon and " I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan, and never let you forget you're a man, cuz I'm a women..." Enjoli perfume.

    I ordered a pillow that had been very comfy, and also helps to keep you cool from amazon  Called the ISO-COOL. It got pretty good reviews and I have found it to be one of the most comfy pillows I've ever had.  It's a bit pricey, about $39, but it is worth it!!!

     I also bought a wicking tank top to sleep in and found it to be fairly effective.  They make a fabric, outlast, which is supposed to be wicking and cooling, but the sheet sets are pretty expensive, so I've yet to try them...

    Here's another strange old memory, does anyone remember the Pillsbury food sticks that they sold in the 60-70's that were like the type the astronaughts had?  

    Oh, don't get me going down nostalgia laneTongue out

    Anyone have suggestions for ABD compression wear post TRAM surgery?  I don't yet have the strength to shop for more than hour especially trying thing on. 

    Thanks for the Memories,

    Carolyn

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  • odie16
    odie16 Member Posts: 1,882
    edited February 2012

    Elimar - I have NO good excuse...lol .....

    Used to be that the laundry & cleaning aisle in the grocery store just overwhelmed me it my allergies or something was bothering me but now it is just more noticeable all the time. Luckily I did not have chemo so I can't use that excuse.....

    Janis - so glad you are getting the treatment you need for the LE now. Knew Barbe wouldn't steer you wrong...

    Happy Saturday to all the ladies. Between the grocery shopping, errands and the laundry I am whipped. Ready to cuddle up with the laptop for some downtime......

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited February 2012

    Sports jerseys are supposed to wick sweat away and some mattresses have that fabric on the top surface; but just think, as soon as you put a sheet on the bed,  you've covered up the benefit of the wicking fabric. Do they think we're stupid????

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  • justmejanis
    justmejanis Member Posts: 1,847
    edited February 2012

    Barbe I use a towel on my pillow too.  I get that hot wet head....annoying!  

    Eli I didn't have chemo so can't comment.  I do have avery sensitive sense of smell though.  Some cleaning products I cannot tolerate...like Pine Sol.  I have problems with strong scents as I can get a headache so easily.  I can't wear perfume as it has gotten worse as I get older.  Strange huh?

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  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited February 2012

    I may just have to try some of the wicking things.

    Janis so glad you are finally getting treatment for your LE.  I don't know why RO's don't want to admit some of this stuff.

    I worked hard in my garden today.  I can plant some onions and potatoes this week finish up preparing the other beds next weekend and then get everything planted.  Got to get it done before my surgery at the end of march

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  • SAB
    SAB Member Posts: 1,498
    edited February 2012

    Janis check with your insurance to see if they will cover compression bras.  

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited February 2012

    Janis, my sense of smell has also gotten keener with age it seems. It was always keen though. If I am in a room with strong-smelling flowers, it can distract me to the point of not being able to follow a conversation. I also once smelled a pilot light that had gone out 6 floors below my apartment. The firemen (I called them) were flabbergasted and it took them an hour to find it. None of them could either measure it or smell it in my apartment, but I could.

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  • WaveWhisperer
    WaveWhisperer Member Posts: 898
    edited February 2012

    Momine, that's an amazing story about your sense of smell. They may need to star you in a TV show, one of those detective shows where you "sense" dangers that no one else does!

    My sense of smell has been heightened, but I'm sure it's from chemo. I had to get rid of all my hand soaps because the smell lingering on my hands was too strong. I have to go in the bedroom and close the door when my husband is cooking HIS dinner (I'm usually eating something bland). I gag at the smell of bathroom odors. Cleaning products make me nauseous. The worst, by far, though, is walking through the men's department in any department store.  Those cologne scents are terrible. I literally hold my breath. 

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited February 2012

    LOL, Wave, yes this "gift" can often seem like nothing of the sort. Motherhood, for example, was pretty much a 3-year gag fest for me :/ Till this day, even the smell of baby wipes makes me gag. When I met my husband, one of my first move was to ban his after shave. I could smell it on the phone if he had used the phone that day.

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited February 2012

    Sherry - Don't get me started on the subject of ROs and what they will or will not admit - remember mine was such a moron.  He would not even admit that my topical rash was due to rads - hell, it happened during rads.  Okay! getting off the soapbox now.

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  • justmejanis
    justmejanis Member Posts: 1,847
    edited February 2012

    Momine...that is an amazing story!  Wow.  Good job on that.  Mine is not that sensitive I don't think...but it is very keen.  I cannot use scented hand soaps and eat or drink anything, the scent is far too overpowering.  It mingles with food scents and ruins my appetite.  Wait......I am going to have to go, I need to run out and get several bottles of the strongest scented hand soaps I can find!  LOL!

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  • Kay_G
    Kay_G Member Posts: 3,345
    edited February 2012

    Just checking in. Hope all is well with everyone. I "gave up" the Internet for lent, so will only check in on sundays. Thanks for the info on your US Elmar! I hope mine will be similar. Benign on the polyps on the cervix, but have to go back and get another pap smear. Not enough cells on the last one. Really? My health luck does not seem to be changing much. I know it could be a lot worse, but for crying out loud, I've never heard of that happen to anyone else. Probably the dang tamoxifen's fault some how.



    Barbe, how are you doing? Recovery going well? I hope so. Janis, hope your LE is under control and therapy is started and going well. Will check back in later tonight. Hope everyone is doing well and has a great Sunday!

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  • justmejanis
    justmejanis Member Posts: 1,847
    edited February 2012

    Hi Kay, so good to see you!  Sorry for the ongoing problems, I hate hearing that!  I am sending tons of healing energy your way.  It just has to get better for you soon.  I am doing well, I start the LE therapy on Wednesday.  First time will be a lot of education.  Danielle says she will go over the lymphatic system with me, the more I understand that the better I will be at doing my own massage.  I am really looking forward to starting.

    Happy Sunday everyone....enjoy!

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited February 2012

    Thanks Kay, I'm healing well and still feeling good except one day I was bedridden with fatigue, most likely my Fibro. Scared me to feel that way again as it sure makes it obvious that I can't work full-time...but I have to!! May go back to work in a month or so....

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  • doxie
    doxie Member Posts: 1,455
    edited February 2012

    Kay,

    Having a redo on a pap because of too few cells is not unusual for someone in menopause.   This has happened to me several times now since I'm well into menopause.  My poor NP, whom I love, finally gave up in despair and sent me to a gyn.  She's slowly losing control of my body parts to specialists.

    Can't tell you if tamoxifen is part of the problem.  I'm doing rads now and will start AI when done.  Obviously being pushed into menopause because of bc is one thing I've escaped.  

    I get that you've given up the internet for lent.  I'm trying to not post too many times here or I'll get hooked.  Reading other's posts have been really helpful.   

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  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 1,235
    edited February 2012

    Oh my I am quitting smoking today trying to do all I can for my health and I feel so alone and frustrated... I have so many emotions going on , I feel as if I am gonna go off the deep end ... oh butI know I need to be strong and that this is whats best for me and my health at this time .. wow what a rife the past few months ! sorry to complain ladies ... :) 

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  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited February 2012

    Hi Lisamarie, 

    There is a thread that might be of some help to you for stop smoking support.  I've not read it but am aware of it. 

    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/6/topic/727307?page=217#post_2876826

    In case the link doesn't work I'll bump up the thread.  And if you miss the bump use the 'Search' option upper right hand of the page.  Type in 'Stop smoking support'.

    Hugs and good luck.

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  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited February 2012

    I think the link works.

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  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 1,235
    edited February 2012

    Thanks Sharon :)

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited February 2012

    lisamarie68 - Jump over to the stop smoking support thread.  Those gals are so very supportive and full of encouragement.  They have been super to me and helped me get through the worst.  I quit 7-15-11.  Hope to see you there.  If you have trouble finding it, let me know and I will bump it up for you.

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  • reesie
    reesie Member Posts: 2,078
    edited February 2012

    Hooked? I'm not hooked. Let's see - internet on my notebook, my phone, my nook. No, I'm not hooked.



    Kay, I know I couldn't do that. You must have great willpower. I went to the movies once with my DH and my phone battery died. I made him give me his because I couldn't be without for the length of the movie.



    Nope, I'm not hooked.

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