For Older People with Sense

Dwilli, welcome to you, here in the place where nobody wants to be!  But if one has to go through this, it's far better to do it with friends who understand.  I'm sure you'll find that to be true.  All the hormonal drugs have their unique side effects and each person is different.  I take arimidex and don't like it at all.  My oncologist keeps offering to change me to another, but so far I haven't done it.  Which one are you taking?

Alyson, that picture is great!  Everyone looks so happy!  I love your dress too.

Chrissy, great news about the dermatologist.  Good to go! How is your DD?

Kathy

Hi Dwilli, 

I am rather new to all this myself having been dx the end of Jan.2013.  I have chron's disease and take meds for that, thyroid nodules I take medication for, and now bc to top it all off.  I've had multiple surgeries for various ailments, (hysterectomy,gallbladder and a parathyriod removed, torn miniscus of the knee repaired, 3 lumpectomies, and probably a few more surgeries that I don't even remember, lol.  It seems now that the surgeries, including the 3 for bc were easy compared to the side effects of the medication for bc.  I think I am already starting to feel finger joint pain after being on aromacin for just 3 weeks.  This is only the beginning for me and I am very concerned about the next 5+ years I need to take this stuff. 

Also after having had just 5 treatments of radiation I am having trouble walking up the hill to the hospital.   Never had any trouble doing this but today I almost stopped to rest!  The techs say that could definitely be from the rads.  Wow!  that was fast, just didn't think i could be affected so quickly!

By the way anyone reading this, I am wondering how long it was before you all felt any side effects from your hormone blockers (and, or radiation).  I have read that many of you have had difficulty with them and often switch to another one after awhile.  This whole bc thing still seems like a bad dream.

Just to let you know, I live with my 32 year old daughter who has chronic lyme disease.  We commiserate with each other but I do hope not to become a cranky,"old" lady

Thanks for reading and helping with all of your wonderful support!

By the way mac, are we ready for the re-lay job Sat? Wish I still had my parents' green "bug" to kick around in.  Maybe I could have gotten you to paint it, had no idea you are so talented!!

beachwalker54

beachwalker, our posts crossed. I have many talents, but I did go to 2 years of art school. I painted the car the summer before heading off to the art school, but they weren't as impressed as I thought they would be. 

Please, beachwalker, give yourself a break and get a ride to the cancer center. Would you like me to go with you tomorrow or friday? As you know, I felt effects from rad tx right away. 

I think we are set for the relay this weekend. Don't you love how I volunteered you and I without even knowing what the job entailed. Kathy was going to email my questions to Lori and Lex to see what they say. 

Hi Beachwalker, It seems like you are dealing with as many issues as I am.  Well it is okay to talk about it because I know that means we are dealing with them.  Glad you have your daughter living with you-with you helping her as well as she helping you.  It is quite ironic that the BC was something that slip its way into my life, too--absolutely no kind of warning.  Well it good to be able to talk about these things here because we all are dealing with something and can support each other.

I started Arimidex over ten years ago after I had been on tamoxifen for a year. I did a total of five years and I have to say it was not easy. But here I am more than 12 years out. It just seems like a bad memory. Just want to give a word of encouragement..and hugs

Hi Socalisa,  so glad you are out 12 years and I knowI just have to deal with these issues.  not really any choice.

Chrissy, your grandaughter is adorable and I love all those beautiful curls! I love being a grandparent.  Like they say, we can spoil them have all the fun and then go home 

Have a great trip Dwilli.  I am starting to plan a trip to Fl. to visit my grandkids but am not sure if I should go in July or August.  I was told to wait at least a month or so after rads. so I have more energy.  I really don't want to go when it's so hot but I substitute teach often during the year.  Sept. I have too many appts. 

Hope you all don't mind that I am going to turn 59 in aug.  Macatacmv got me started here and you are all so supportive.

Thanks Nancy but I am still going to try to walk this as much as I can.  I just can't give in yet.  I recently read somewhere that someone has "trigger finger" from the AI which sounds like what you might be experiencing.  I think it was the thread about SE from the meds.

Another possible side effect i forgot to mention; my legs feel like they have a weird feeling going up and down them, almost like restless leg syndrome.  think that is the AI too?  it's strange.  Anyone have an increase in their appetite?  This just great, especially after working so hard to lose 45 lbs. 2 years ago, eating really well and exercising only to get bc.  Go figure.  Ok, no more complaining for awhile.  Sorry about all  the cvetching guys but  feel a bit better now.

I am going to Mass Gen Hosp. for my daughter to see a neurologist on 6/6, then have a trip planned to go to N.Y,. the next day for a long weekend for another daughter's 25th birthday (my baby).  Her husband is buying tickets for a show as a surprise!   The weekend after that I am going to P-town after my last rad (yey) with a friend to go on a whale watch.  I've been wanting to do this for years.  I just hope I have the energy I need for all of this!  good thing she's driving!!!

Have a great day you all.

Bye for now. 

beachwalker54

Beachwalker, I have been on a hormone suppressant for almost 4 years now (1 more to go). One thing I noticed is that whatever side effects there are one week - just wait - it changes. I had the trigger finger thing and sore hands at first. Now that is gone. The sore joints come and go. When I want to grouse about it all, I consider the alternative and get on with the day.
What a gorgeous baby Chrissy!  My daughter and her husband live one street away with their 3 year old girl and 9 year old boy. The time spent with them is such a joy. It is fun to see the world through their eyes  - with more time than when my own three were children.

Chrissysb: she is beautiful! Keep the pictures coming when u have a chance! Brenda E

Hi all especially the newbies who we welcome with open arms even though you don't really want to be here.

Have had a really busy day with the littlies as their parents went out to one of the bird sanctuaries near Auckland, something we must do one of these days. BEa was at Kindy and I took Sam to playgroup. He helped me bake this afternoon then I got Miss B. Now we are waiting for DD and DSiL to arrive back and we will have dinner.

Feeling a bit grumpy as I have had a bad LE flare and the LE nurse is away until next week. It is a holiday here on Monday - Queen's Birthday. Not her real one just when we celebrate it. With the family moving in two weeks we are home for the weekend though DH and I intend to have a long weekend to ourselves in a couple of weeks.

Big hugs

chrissyb oh such adorable grandkids!  can't wait too see mine!

actually the last 2 times up the hill to tx was much easier.  I have nine more treatments and and am hoping to be able to walk to all of them.

It got into the 80's here today and I took the plunge into the ocean.  It was quite cold (63 degrees) but felt wonderful after getting in for a bit.  Made my day feel so much better especially when hearing that a friend who saw me today thought I didn't look well and was concerned about me.  Gee, besides the heat making me look like a wet rag after all the walking to tx, I thought I was looking pretty good!  sometimes I think that people think I should look ill now because I get many comments saying, "Oh you look good."  My response would be "ok, thank you but should I look like I am dying?"  Just have to ignore all the remarks and know that they mean well and probably are uncomfortable with the whole thing and don't really know what else to say.

Tomorrow (actually today since it's 4am and the birds are starting to wake up) is our Relay For Life and I am looking forward to seeing lots of friends. 

All the best Alyson with the LE.

Has anyone ever forgotten to take their al for a day?  I had all my meds. together but was so busy I don't remember when I could have taken them although they are gone.  sometimes I feel like I am really losing my mind!!

Chrissy, my daughter is always asking my grandaughter, who is 2 1/2 yrs old to smile for pics she constantly takes on her I-phone.  Last week Ari said to mom, "I don't have to smile" while she was eating her sandwich.  I laughed because with the new phones people are always snapping photos and posting them on line.  I could tell that my grandughter was a bit tired of them.  It was rather funny

Am going to try to get some more sleep before I really have to get up.

Have a wonderful weekend all.

beachwalker54