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  • TifJ
    TifJ Member Posts: 1,568
    edited February 2012

    Beccad- Yes. we are chemo sisters (Oct. 2010). There is an occasional post there from either Lago or Carrol2. My heart really hurts for you- this crap just isn't fair.

    LJ- sounds like I need to be coming to your house for dinner- it sounds fabulous!! Glad you had a good day and don't have to worry about chemo or Neupogen again. We expect to "see" you here long after 9 months!

    Cocker- Thanks for the good thoughts on the possible job! I have been a stay at home Mom for almost 10 years and both kids are finally in school full time and I am bored silly and need something to do!

    Navy- good to see you!!

    ((((Suze))).

    Bak- How are you doing?

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  • Sandlake
    Sandlake Member Posts: 211
    edited February 2012

    LauraJane, MBJ, Suze and Beccad:

    Laugh as much as you breath and Love as long as you Live!!!

    You are all in my thoughts and prayers,

    <3 Cyndi 

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  • mccrimmon324
    mccrimmon324 Member Posts: 1,076
    edited February 2012

    Ladies,

    I have a strange question.  I haven't had my period since June of last year, right after my first chemo.  My last chemo was 9/27/11 - Is it possible to still have PMS Symptoms yet no period.  I swear I just feel like I've got PMS, complete with the large pimple in the center of my nose.  I know this issue has been covered before but how long does it take before your body starts to menstrate again?

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  • christina1961
    christina1961 Member Posts: 736
    edited February 2012

    Heather,

    I look forward to an answer to your question. My periods did not return after my TAC started in 2/11, but I have had an extension of treatment with the additional chemo in the clinical trial. I am older than you, though, and was probably close to menopause although my periods were very regular at age 50.  I have had some fibrocystic type feelings in the remaining breast that came and went during the past few months so I wondered if I was having PMS also during these random episodes.

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  • TifJ
    TifJ Member Posts: 1,568
    edited February 2012

    I have not had a period since Oct. 2010, but I still breakout (big pimples) every month. PMS moodiness? Not sure, but it sure is a good excuse to be bitchy!! My MO says that since I was 45 when chemo started I probably won't get my period back. That's just fine with me, but these dang hot flashes are still a pain in the butt!

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  • mccrimmon324
    mccrimmon324 Member Posts: 1,076
    edited February 2012

    Christina, are you all done with the trial and chemo now? 

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  • inmate4232010
    inmate4232010 Member Posts: 310
    edited February 2012

    Good Morning Ladies....

    I too have not had my period since starting chemo, July of 2010, but do experience mood swings from time to time.  Not every month like before, more like every other or third month.  Don't miss them. Like TifJ said, the hot flashes are a pain in the.....I was 44 when I started so my doc says they will probably not come back.  So far so good!

    Hope everyone has a wonderful day! 

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  • Babs37
    Babs37 Member Posts: 455
    edited February 2012

    I would have loved to be in chemopause for good!!! My periods stopped on chemo but came back with a vengance 2 weeks after my mastectomy the 1rst time and had a 2nd visit only 10 days after finishing the 1rst one!!! Before chemo, I was always late for about 5-10 days each time. Now I'm always 1 week in advance. I hate that!

    My friend's sister was in chemopause for 2 1/2 years and 6 months ago it came back! She had 2 blood tests that declared her in chemopause and now it's back. She was 43 at the time.  

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  • Fighter_34
    Fighter_34 Member Posts: 834
    edited February 2012

    I got my period back 9 months after chemo ended, however it is unpredictable and not guaranteed to show up every month.

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  • Lynn18
    Lynn18 Member Posts: 416
    edited February 2012

    Ok, this may be a silly question, but if we are in chemopause I guess we still need to use birth control?  

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  • Fighter_34
    Fighter_34 Member Posts: 834
    edited February 2012

    Lynn18- good question.

    I am scared to take any type of birth control. I am thinking about having the Essure procedure done, but I would like to have all reconstruction completed first. By the way they look so good better than my old ones.

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  • MBJ
    MBJ Member Posts: 4,352
    edited February 2012

    Busy board and I have to cut this short.

    Laurajane: Of course you are angy and scared - you have every right to be!  I am so right there with you with no future medicine, tired, arm has't worked and now the legs don't work so I am home in bed with hospice. They give me maybe 5 months but the worse is not being able to bathe, walk, go to the bathroom.  Never been so scared but focus is on the legs.  Doctors didn't catch it.  Big hugs and know you are in my heart and love is coming to you!!!

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  • TifJ
    TifJ Member Posts: 1,568
    edited February 2012

    Lynn, Fighter- My Mo told me that even with chemopause, there is a possibility you could get pregnant. I told him my husband had a vasectomy after we were done having kids- he said nevermind then!

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  • mccrimmon324
    mccrimmon324 Member Posts: 1,076
    edited February 2012

    MBJ - I'm so sorry, are you still taking the tamoxifen?  Big hugs and prayers to you, Laurajane and Suze!

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  • Lynn18
    Lynn18 Member Posts: 416
    edited February 2012

    Fighter and Tifj,  thank you.  My Mo also said a while back to use birth control, but I have been in chemopause for almost 2 years and I feel like it's permanent.  Fighter, how nice that that they look better than your old ones.

    MBJ:  (((hugs))) 

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  • Cocker_Spaniel
    Cocker_Spaniel Member Posts: 1,204
    edited February 2012

    I'm a bit afraid to share my good news today with all that you ladies are going through but both my CT and Bone Scan came back clear.

    Thinking of you all so much and hoping that you will all get some good news soon.  Lots of hugs. Annie 

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  • mccrimmon324
    mccrimmon324 Member Posts: 1,076
    edited February 2012

    CS-Never be afraid to share good news.  We can use all the good news we can get.  Congrats!!!

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  • Babs37
    Babs37 Member Posts: 455
    edited February 2012
    CS- Woohoo for clear scans!!!!!!!!!!!
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  • TifJ
    TifJ Member Posts: 1,568
    edited February 2012

    Cocker- Good news is ALWAYS welcomed! Yahoo!!!

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  • christina1961
    christina1961 Member Posts: 736
    edited February 2012

    Cocker, I'm so glad for your clean scans!! Don't ever hesitate to put good news here.

    MBJ, I am so sorry about your situation. I hope the tamoxifen will start working - I read here from others who have been treated with it that it takes longer to start working than chemo so maybe you just haven't gotten any benefit yet.

    Fighter, I'm glad for your good results. I had rads. I saw the plastic surgeon today and he agreed to try expansion without doing the lat flap (I have some existing back problems) if we take the expansion slow. He could start in a month but I may wait until December just because of the risk of recurrence with this FC.

    Heather, I finished 11 days ago!

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  • Lovelyface
    Lovelyface Member Posts: 674
    edited February 2012

    Annie - Congratulations!!!!!  I am SO happy and relieved for you.

    MBJ - Good to hear from you.  Sorry for all that you are going through. You have become like family, a close sister.  I am so sorry, wish I could take your pains away.

    I feel selfish to ask this question, but.....ladies,  I am going through one more freaking out........  I am seeing my Onc. on Friday.  I always get labs done before I see him. Tumor Markers - My CA-15-3 is always low, from 5.5 to 7.1 to 5.9 and today to 5.7.  CEA is always low too - 07. to 0.8 to 1.0 to 0.9 to today to 1.0.  But my CA-27-29 is freaking me out, from 9.2 to 7.6 to 11.6 (Nov. 11) to 17.2 today (this is a big jump).   My alkaline phosphate is 67 which is stable and the same as last test.

    None of these tumor markers had ever gone up, even before or during cancer.  I think I had a first one done after surgery.  The CA-27-29 was added in June 2011, the others were taken since 2010.

    What do you ladies think of the CA-27-29 jumping from 11.6 to 17.2.  That is a 20% jump.  Although it is within the normal range (0.0 - 34.9), it is still a big jump.  Does anyone have any pointers on this subject, please.  Thanks.

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  • journey4life
    journey4life Member Posts: 517
    edited February 2012

    CS - HOORAY!!

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  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited March 2012

    Lovelyface:  They can and do jump around.  As long as they are all still within the normal range, there is nothing to worry about.  If they were to continue to rise, and rise above normal levels, they would still watch them to see if they continued to rise, but I really don't think you will have to worry about that happening.  Mine 27-29 goes from 11 to 15 back down to 12, etc.  each time they are taken my onc said that is totally normal.  Take some deep breaths, and relax as best you can.

    Hugs,

    Linda

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  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited March 2012

    (((Susan))) - sending warm loving thoughts to you and the family.

    Gentle hugs,

    Linda

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  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited March 2012

    MBJ:  I put some links re the liver in an earlier post for you, hope you get to take a look at them.  Sending love to both you and LJ for peace, serenity, strength and much better days.

    Hugs,

    Linda

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  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited March 2012

    Lovelyface - My CA 27.29 is at 34 (but down from 62).  I would be thrilled to have numbers in the same range as yours!  There are a lot of things that can influence this particular test, so try not to worry. 

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  • Huskerkkc
    Huskerkkc Member Posts: 536
    edited March 2012

    I have a question too. How do you know when you need a bone and/PET scan? My onc won't do scans unless I have symptoms, but what are the symptoms? I get paranoid over every ache and pain. I have shoulder pain that has been recently treated by PT. I have pain in my armpit and under my breast, umpectomy side,which is mild LE but how do I know LE pain from, you know, mets?



    Kristy

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  • NavyMom
    NavyMom Member Posts: 1,099
    edited March 2012

    Kristy, that is the $64,000 question!  I had hip pain last August that lasted 3 weeks.  I am very active and thought maybe I over did it at the gym.  I tried rest and motrin with minimal improvement.  I called my Onc and she ordered an MRI.  It showed a few abnormal areas so then my Onc ordered a PET scan.  Turned out to be degenerative arthritis!  In general, I think it is a good idea to follow the 2 week rule.  If the pain is still there, make the phone call and get things checked out.  If you have a symptom and want a scan to get it checked.....ask for it!  Its OK!  I am a big believer of being your own best advocate.  Squeeky wheel gets the grease.

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  • OBXK
    OBXK Member Posts: 791
    edited March 2012

    Becca - Damn and Blast! I don't know how you wrap your mind around that news, but I hope you can soon, and form a great plan of attack!



    Love all around...



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  • Lovelyface
    Lovelyface Member Posts: 674
    edited March 2012

    Linda & LuvRVing - Thanks for sharing information on CA 27.29 with me.  I have created a spreadsheet on which I note things such as tumor markers, Vit D levels, Alkaline phosphate and glucose. The spreadsheet is great and gives me information at a glance.  At this point I am not worried about the number 17 which is raised  but the trend, 7.6, 11.6, 17.2 (9/1/11, 11/7/11 and 2/29/12).  The 15-3 and CEA are perfect and have not risen.  I was reading about these tests on the internet today, which were indicating that doctors look at the trend, rather than the numbers.  That is why I have been worried.  I was worried even last time when it had gone from 7.6 to 11.6. I plan to ask the Onc. to take another test in a week, as I wouldn't be able to wait 3 months for this test.  What a nightmare. Sometimes I wonder will I be like this for the rest of my life, that is, if I have a life anymore.  Sorry for being such a downer, ladies.

    NavyMom - I am glad to hear it was degenerative arthritis and not the beast.

    Huskerkkc - yes that is the million dollar question with which we struggle with every day.  I still have a suspicious pain on my neck. I will ask the Onc. if the MRI covered the pain area or not.  If not, then I will ask him for a bone scan.  Another scary nightmare to wait for the results.  I suggest ask your Onc. for a scan whenever you feel the pain has gone on for too long.

    LuvRVing - Congrats on lower number 34 down from 62.

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