MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

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  • TAB55
    TAB55 Member Posts: 198
    edited November 2012

    Momine: So true Smile

    Valjean: I think the biggest change I've noticed is that I am SO grateful these days.  I don't take much for granted (like having two breasts) anymore. I also appreciate the friends and family that were supportive of me, and don't have much time for those who were MIA.  I think the gratitude has softened my attitude about minor annoyances.  I've always been impatient (especially with BS) and direct, and I can't imagine being more impatient or direct.  Actually, I can imagine it, and it's not pretty.  I guess we can't go through the cancer fight and not be changed.

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  • Cindyl
    Cindyl Member Posts: 1,194
    edited November 2012

    Valjean - mixed bag here.  Some things I used to worry about a lot don't even get a second thought anymore. Other things that I was OK with? REALLY tick me off now. I'd like to claim that I'm a better, stronger person now. More understanding of people's foibles.  But the truth is I'm still me, still "just like your father" as Mom always says when she's mad at me. 

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

    LOL, Momine, you so funny!

    Chacha, Give it a rest today...your Superwoman cape has to go into the laundry.  You'll be putting it back on soon enough.

    Val, Maybe the lesson was to just deal with things directly (which it sounds like you did.)  B/C certainly teaches us that we can't run, hide, or stick our heads in the sand when faced with something unpleasant or something we cannot control.  Life continues to be full of growth, but we have to guide the direction of that growth.  I have to say one thing about middle-age, the self-awareness can be pretty incredible.  Sounds like just being honest and putting your feelings out there was the best approach you could have taken to repair that friendship.

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  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 19,483
    edited November 2012

    Been submerged in prep for DS's wedding for weeks and am trying to catch up on everything.  

    Stopped by to say hi, and hope everyone is doing well.

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

    So I had two exciting scans yesterday and this is how it went...

    I said it before and I will say it again...I love MRIs.  To me, the noise is like techno-industrial music.  I like to pass the time giving the different "tracks" names, like "Woodpeckers on Crack," and I am pretty sure I recognized a few punk riffs from the early 80's.  Plus, the tube is warm and cozy.  I almost fell asleep, but in the last five minutes my neck got a little pinchy and the adorable chipmonk pose I had assumed with my forearms was no longer comfortable.  After the MRI was finished, the tech told me I could toss my earplugs or take them home with me if I wanted.  "Well, I am married," was my reply.

    My second scan did have a surprise:  I had a reaction to the iodine-based contrast dye used for the CT.  I had a couple views already done, then I got the dye injection and tech did another series, then asked how I was doing.  I told her my throat and tongue and lips were itchy.  Things came to a grinding halt and she had a nurse in there in about 10 seconds, a doc about 15 sec. later.  I got a little hivey around the mouth but then the itching kind of receded and we were able to complete the final series.  They wanted me to stay for another 30 min. to observe me, however it had been a long 3 & 1/2 hours, so after I was dressed and had drank a Sprite, I told them I was fine to drive home, just 10 min. away. 

    Are any of you allergic to the CT contrast?  They told me I would have to pre-medicate with Benadryl and Prednisone for my future CTs.  Annoying!

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

    Congrats, Meece!  Which of your two bachelor's is getting married, and when?  How much work is there for mother of the groom these days?  With two boys, I hope I don't have to have too much responsibility when my time comes.   I don't fit the description of "doing well" right now, with that story already told in the last few pages of this thread and still unfolding.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2012

    Eli:  You are SO funny!  LOL re: the cape!  I've never had a reaction to the contrast......but I wonder if, like other things....you can develop an allergy over multiple uses? 

    Re: the conversation of how we are changed...TAB55 said it best for me....SOOOOOO Grateful.

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

    Jill, if by DM you mean mother then I am GOBSMACKED!!! When my mother was alive, she wouldn't wash my hair or give me a backrub if you put a gun to her head!!! I hope she is reading this in heaven or hell or wherever she is. I just KNOW that she wouldn't touch me in a loving way!!! So I am just blown away that you have that. Hold on to it tightly, you are very, very lucky!!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2012

    Yes, Barbe.....I am VERY lucky!  She is not only loving and caring as my mom....she is my dearest friend.  And at 82, she is incredibly healthy and strong!

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  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited November 2012

    Most allergies develop after repeated exposure to something, like the contrast dye or latex rubber.  People have had near fatal reactions to bee stings after getting them for years without anything more than the usual reactions.  Anybody ever develop a rash while taking an antibiotic?  That's an allergic reaction developed after repeated exposure.  The same thing happens with pain medication, most notoriously oxycodone/oxycontin. 

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

    OMG if I ever become allergic to morphine (the oxy's) what would I do???? I presently take 140 mgs a day and can't imagine what they would change it to if that happened!!! I was given a "test" drug once for a lung infection. The drug was FACTIVE and my lower face swelled up so hard that fluid was oozing out of my skin!! The drug never did get approved!

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  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited November 2012

    Barbe--if you develop an allergy to morphine you could be switched to oxycodone, codiene, dilaudid, or methadone.  Cross sensitivities between opioids are unusual, and there are enough classes of them that I've never been in a situation where something didn't work without triggering allergic reaction.  Also, allergies to the opioid medications is relatively rare since the body makes it's own version of them called endorphins.  Most of the time it's not the opioid itself that someone reacts to but one of the chemicals used in processing or as a filler.  I know several people that can take one brand of a medication but not another for that reason. 

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  • Dianarose
    Dianarose Member Posts: 2,407
    edited November 2012

    Elimar- when I had my CT after she put in the iodine I felt like I had a boa consticter around my neck. I just started to cry. I was pretty frazzeled by then. She had to stop the IV and did the scan with what she did get in me. It ended up that I had to have a PET scan anyhow. I say skip the CT and go straight to the PET scan. Did you have to drink those wonderful coffee flavored shakes the night before?

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  • Reality
    Reality Member Posts: 782
    edited November 2012

    barbe - thanks for your concern, but being alone is great for me. I really just want to be with my 3 cats and dog. I love my daughter dearly, but she works a lot of doubles as a CNA - our schedules are so opposite - I feel like I am walking on egg shells most of the time - I just want my space back. She also needs hers - She will only be 5 mins away from me. Also, my grandchildren only live two blocks away and my son is 10 mins. away. It really will be fine. 

    Sherry

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

    Glad you let me know Sherry! It's been a while since we've heard from you. I love my own space too, so I understand.

    Native, I had a doc tell me that codeine and all the oxy's are just morphine in different forms (I get Morphine Sulphate which is just purer morphine apparently). So methadone is my next step if this stuff stops working. This is the first time I'm balanced on pain/meds, so hopefully I won't need an up-dose for a while yet.

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  • Eph3_12
    Eph3_12 Member Posts: 4,781
    edited November 2012

    That's quite a tree!

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  • Outdamnedspot
    Outdamnedspot Member Posts: 297
    edited November 2012

    I was thinking the same thing about that tree.  Mother Nature is amazing.

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  • Eph3_12
    Eph3_12 Member Posts: 4,781
    edited November 2012

    Outdamnedspot-love your name!!!! Are you not starting Tamox till next year? 

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  • Outdamnedspot
    Outdamnedspot Member Posts: 297
    edited November 2012

    Yikes!  Thanks for the heads up on that Eph3...first it was my memory, now my eyes.  

    I started Tamoxifen last Tuesday, November13.  So far so good.  

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  • Cindyl
    Cindyl Member Posts: 1,194
    edited November 2012

    So, I was complaining to a friend about hot flashes and not sleeping and she bought me a package of Estroven, Nighttime.  Do I dare take it?  I supose I should check with my MO or pharmacy, but I figured that someone here has already done the research...

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  • LindaKR
    LindaKR Member Posts: 1,577
    edited November 2012

    Cindy1 - You're ER/PR+, so I do NOT think you are supposed to take Estroven.  Please talk to your MO first! I think that the menopausal products work by either increasing estrogen availability or mimicking estrogen - which we don't want.  Plus, it could counteract the tamoxifen, so talk to MO!!!  The jury is still out on soy and hormone positive cancer, what my MO told me is that it was ok to have soy products occasionally, but NO supplements containing soy.

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  • Cindyl
    Cindyl Member Posts: 1,194
    edited November 2012

    Linda - that's what I was afraid of.  Well it was a nice thought. Cry(those aren't tears that's sweat)

    I've got an appointment with the MO at the end of the month (6 months on Tamoxifien woohoo!) and I'll ask what he suggests.  I've been patient, and I don't have as many aches and pains as a lot of ladies complain of, just my feet and ankles really, but I'm just about at the end of my rope with the not sleeping more that 2 hours straight and waking up just soaked and then being so cold I need to change into dry pj's.

    My period has always been heavy and miserable, and I've been wishing it would just go away for years. So now, I haven't had a period since June but every month I bloat up, get a back ache, gain weight...  Jokes over.  Cut it out.

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  • LindaKR
    LindaKR Member Posts: 1,577
    edited November 2012

    Cindy - my PCP prescribed Effexor for me, it's an anti-depressant, but has shown to be effective in reducing hot flashes and neuropathy pain. I think that I have only about 1/4-1/3 as many hot flashes, and less neuro pain than I had before taking it.  They've found a few drugs that don't effect our hormones work for controlling these side effects.  A lot women stop having hot flashes altogether on this. 

    I thought I had gone through menopause, but the aromatase inhibitor makes me feel like I'm going through menopause on steroids! Embarassed

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  • Cindyl
    Cindyl Member Posts: 1,194
    edited November 2012

    I believe MO offered me something back in May, but I was all "don't need no stinking pills..."  I've come to feel that may have been a mistake.

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  • LindaKR
    LindaKR Member Posts: 1,577
    edited November 2012

    I used to be that way - no drugs for me - now "if it makes me feel better, let's give it a try" 

    Happiness through pharmaceuticals Undecided 

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  • Cindyl
    Cindyl Member Posts: 1,194
    edited November 2012

    Yeah. Resistance is futile.  Prepare to be assimilated.

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

    Cindy Estroven is definitely a no no.  I was taking it pre bc and my doctors told me to throw it away.  I take tamoxifen and the hot flashes finally got so bad I could not stand them any longer.  I finally gave in and took my MO up on the effexor.  It has really reduced the hot flashes and always has helped my arthritis I have in my neck.

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  • Cindyl
    Cindyl Member Posts: 1,194
    edited November 2012

    Thanks Sherry.  I knew you ladies would save me from a lot of googling. I guess I'm gonna have to give in and ask for some help. I've always kind of toughed it out but I'm about done for, if I don't figure out how to get a few good nights sleep I may hurt myself or someone else...

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  • Beckers
    Beckers Member Posts: 1,883
    edited November 2012

    Sending good thoughts your way tomorrow Elimar.

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  • barsco1963
    barsco1963 Member Posts: 2,119
    edited November 2012

    At home this afternoon prepping for my c-scope tomorrow. (ick) Called to confirm my arrival time and was asked if I had breaky this morning. I said "no - the directions say to start with the liquid diet on the morning before the procedure." She then said I could go and grab something quick (this was at about 12:30) So I was all excited to have my daily toast/pbutter. Smile Until she asked if I had taken any of the drink yet. I said yes and she then said maybe I shouldn't eat anything -  Frown   I should have known better - same sort of thing happened with the upper endoscopy a couple of months ago - GRRRRRR. Procedure not till 1:30 tomorrow.

    On a positive note - I can still have my coffee in the morning!!!

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