Chemo May 2013

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited November 2013

    One of rhe pics that I dont even have on the wall... this was before we divorced & got back together yeeeaaaarrrs ago... haha. I think I was 27-28 back then, im 45 now, haha

    image

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited November 2013


    great pic Lorrie, but I want to see a pic of you and your favorite blankey , oops, hat!


    Mom...hope you feel okay...the pain from accidents comes out later...to get checked if you experience anything out of the ordinary. Seatbelts are lifesavers but they also are bruisers and sometimes rib busters!


    Pat

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  • elkatho
    elkatho Member Posts: 159
    edited November 2013

    Gully...I had a survivorship meeting with a nutritionist, then a nurse then the oncologist coordinator met with me to see if I had any questions.  All my learning is done individually. Never in a class setting. Before chemo some centers have a chemo classes.  I had a session with a nurse. In my survivorship session I received a nutrition plan to help me get to my target bmi, talked about exercise and alcohol intake, etc.  I received a list of conditions to call my Dr about if they occur.  Ex: lump in my breast (dah).  I also received a two page timeline sheet outlining all my treatments received for the breast cancer.  They also reviewed my follow-up plan-visits with all doctors for the next few years.

    I have been on tamoxifen for about a month now.  All OK just some hot flashes mostly during the day.  But that has been happening since first chemo.  MO recommended a baby aspirin each day due to the slight risk of blood clots.

    Did everyone get an uterus ultra sound because of tamoxifen?  I have not but was told if I have any spotty bleeding to call my OBGYN.

    I haven't posted much lately but thinking of everyone everyday. 2014 will be our year ladies of extra happiness.

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  • carla53
    carla53 Member Posts: 264
    edited November 2013

    Gully never heard of a survivorship class. Maybe Monday you could call to find out what it is all about.  I would think if there was anything to be concerned about it , that you would have been informed. 

    Lorrie sounds like you had a beautiful and healing family gathering for your mom.  and I believe she was there with you as you hoped she was.  So very happy for you.

    Momofsam wow.  Scary stuff.  Glad you are a physically o.k. 

    Lorrie good luck to your daughter.  

    Peace and good health to all of us and ourfamilies. 

    Carla






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  • carla53
    carla53 Member Posts: 264
    edited November 2013

    Lorrie just saw your picture of you and your beautiful family.  What a lovely picture and your children were adoreable.  Thanks for sharing.

    Carla

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited November 2013


    momo... I hope you all a are doing good today....

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  • Gully
    Gully Member Posts: 268
    edited November 2013


    Elkatho,


    Thanks for the information about the survivorship class! I did have chemo training with the sane NP. I feel a little better going to it now...LOL. My NP said my MO forgot to schedule it. I had a talk with my MO back in September about nutrition. He also recommended that I take a baby aspirin everyday and to keep the BMI as low as I can. I thought that was it! I have not been told to get a uterine ultasound due to Tamoxifen yet. Maybe I will hear about this on Wed. I just want to be done!


    I have hot flashes and night sweats too, and my menstral cycle is still AWOL. Anyone else? I have been doing yoga and started running again. It has made me feel much better, and I think the hot flashes have eased up a bit with the exercise.


    Lori, just adorable! My daughter comes home from college on Friday, this is going to be a long week waiting for her!


    I hope everyone has a great week!

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  • Teresa_G
    Teresa_G Member Posts: 259
    edited November 2013


    Carla yay you're almost done with radiation!!!


    On a good note for me, my fingernails are longer than I have been able to grow them in forever! Which still isn't very long but really good for me. My four lines from the chemo treatments are growing out nicely as well. I feel them often.....it is a reminder of what I have been through and how far I have come.


    The specialty pharmacy I get my anastrazole from called me last week to confirm that I needed my 2nd months supply and before they would fill it I had to talk to their pharmacist. He asked how things were going on the med and I said pretty good except for the joint aches and pains. He told me I should call my oncologist because he has never heard of that as a side effect of this drug. Seriously where do they get their information?

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  • Ukkate
    Ukkate Member Posts: 292
    edited November 2013


    Hi All,


    Phew - started the new job today and am pretty wiped out! But I think it's gonna be a good fit for me - people seem really nice there.


    Lorie - good for you with the running. I long to start up again but my knees hurt so badly :( I have been finding myself with more energy these last few weeks though - that's been really nice.


    Teresa, my fingernails are terrible, they are all split and barely visable - I think it's a side-effect of the Herceptin.


    Not much to say really! My port has been really bothering me the past week, it's sore and I can feel the tubing under my skin too :(


    Question: My work offers a free gym membership - I can go in my lunch hour - would you do it? I would have to go, exercise & shower and be back at work within 1 hour...


    My 12 year old son is going to see Macklemore tomorrow night - he's so excited!!!

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  • carla53
    carla53 Member Posts: 264
    edited November 2013

    Teresa yes I'm so close I can taste it.  Tomorrow is my last rad.  I hope i never have to return. Will be starting anastrozole in two wks.   Glad you aren't having any of the other s.e.'s listed. Joint pain sounds bad enough.  

    Kate is the gym close to work?  Even if you put in 20 min a day 3 days a week.  Could you go on a weekend day too?  If it's free, it would be worth a try.  It's great they offer it and that everyone there seems nice.  Much happiness to you on your new job.

    Carla

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited November 2013

    Yay, Carla.... !!!!!!! Let the healing begin!

    Lorrie

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited November 2013


    Carla, big celebration for you tomorrow! Yeah!

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited November 2013

    So after 4 trips to the new pharmacy... 3x because of my damn chemo doc.. yesterday I went and they had it ready.. yay? NO.... wrong brand... I had called & spoke to a pharmacist who was completely "on board" with getting me my brand of T.

    A pharmacist came up and asked why I was wanting the Mylan brand instead of Watson & I told him some of my research said the SEs would be milder & he rolled his eyes at me! REALLY? What does he care?... so he left saying he would talk to the pharmacist again... & came back saying it would be ready today..  and I didnt have time today to get it.

    Ill go tomorrow, but why is a stupid preecription so difficult? I dont have insurance! No approvals... I just pay.... this will be my 5th trip to get a bottle of pills I dont even want to take...Haha

    Maybe a sign?

    Lorrie

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  • carla53
    carla53 Member Posts: 264
    edited November 2013

    Thanks Lorrie and Pat.  This morning was my official completion. Yahooey.  I lucked out. No open sores. Just red and brown and somewhat fatigued.  Not nearly like chemo though.  Two weeks off before the next and hopefully final treatment hurdle.   Anastrozole. Really am not looking forward to it. Think I might do what you did Pat.  1/2 dose for a bit.  

    Lorrie good grief.  the incompetence.  Hoping for the best for you re the S.E.'s.

    Carla


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  • Ukkate
    Ukkate Member Posts: 292
    edited November 2013


    yay Carla!!!!


    Lori- how aggravating


    So my friend Rhonda, she works with someone who's mom was diagnosed with breastcancer and just started chemo and she wants to talk to me (the mom). So I am hearing up to do my first bit of mentoring!!!!


    This week has been exhausting. Finishing work at 6, driving straight to kids activities because hubby has been working late. I'm sure we will get into a rhythm soon

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  • MomofSam
    MomofSam Member Posts: 74
    edited November 2013

    thanks everyone.  bruised up but doing okay.  sitting at my herceptin visit now.  i did not go to the ed after the accident so got a lecture by my onc today...i guess i deserve that.  my little brother is getting married this weekend and the venue for the reception had a major fire.  thank goodness there hapoened to be a hotel in town that could accommodate 400 people for a reception.


    iswhatit...hope all is good with your daughter.

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  • Teresa_G
    Teresa_G Member Posts: 259
    edited November 2013


    Lorrie, how frustrating!!! I would be pissed and wouldn't be able to hid it from the pharmacy staff.


    Carla, yay for you!!! For the next hurdle....I am doing well on Anastrozole, I started with the whole dose from day one. My hot flashes are about the same as they were before so not too bad. The only side effect I have noticed is the joint aches that are from my waist down. I don't have it all the time and when I do it is usually pretty mild and I don't take anything for it. When it gets bad I take an 800 mg ibuprofen, but that is only about every 1 1/2 weeks.

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited November 2013


    Momofsam...holy moly, bad luck! I hope 2014 is WAY better for the family!


    Lorrie, did you contact the manufacturer to see if you can get a coupon? I do that for my sons ADD meds...takes off a SIGNIFICANT dollar amount.if not there must be other places for a discount? I hear people say Costco....don't key in on the SE thing to prevent you from one brand, it's not all people affected.


    Carla, enjoy the break. I hope your little pill has no SE for you.


    Kate, I am sure it will mean the world to your friend. I remember waaaay back (geez, it isn't even a year yet!) when I spoke on the phone to a survivor (I HATE that word). I actually think I was more soothing to HER lol, I had a very positive outlook but that was due to having read so much here. I hope it will be cathartic for you to speak with her.


    Pat

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  • kobrien
    kobrien Member Posts: 82
    edited November 2013


    hi all! Been out of the loop for awhile. Just trying to enjoy life post BC. My husband and I went to Florida last week for 5 days.. We both deserved it!! The weather was great and I got to see my friend and my brother! Double bonus!!


    Lorrie- I take the Watson brand of tamoxifen and my hot flashes are almost all gone.. They are nothing like they were on chemo.. Now they are occasional- mostly at night and not as intense.


    Carla- congrats on being done!!


    Momofsam- glad your ok!


    Patty- glad to see your tests went well!


    Kate- congrats on the new job! I will be starting at a new hospital - still in the ER, on dec 2nd. Didn't really like the way managers treated me while going through all of this- so I was lucky enough to get an offer from another hospital. Same pay for working 4 less hours a week!!


    Sorry if I missed anyone.. Haven't been on here in awhile.. Hope things are going well for everyone!!!


    Kerri

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  • elkatho
    elkatho Member Posts: 159
    edited November 2013

    For what it's worth I just looked and I am also taking the Watson brand of Tamoxifen and my side effects are mild. Mild hot flashes however my period has been AWOL since first day of chemo so it may just be caused by going through Menopause. 

    Congrats to everyone for getting through all this.  Looking forward to 2014.

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited November 2013

    Sound the horns & light the fireworks! Picked up my pills!  Lol

    Pat... I know it MAY not make a difference in SEs from brand to brand... I just want to give it my best shot. ?.. the good news is its only $9/mo...Who knows.... & the thing is, if I feel yucky with this one.. ill request the other one..,, hahaha...,, it will be my turn to piss them off! Then I will be okay when they roll their eyes at me :)

    Glad u got a vaca in Kobrien... hubby still hasnt booked my "promised" trip....

    Glad the new job is going well, kate! Are u wearing your wig? Or tossed it aside?

    Hope everyone is feeling well.... 

    Lorrie

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited November 2013


    Kerri, congrats on the new job...screw the old bosses!! Lol


    Elkatho...glad no real SE for you. I looked at my label and can't tell who makes it, SE aren't bad, so I will keep it as it.


    Pat

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited November 2013

    Oh I wanted to ask thise of you on Tam.. have you noticed if its better to take in am or pm?

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited November 2013


    I take mine in the am...my only "logic" is I figured it has all day to "bother" me...I actually do NOT feel any side effects during the day. Honestly, my nighttime "hot flashes" were there prior to tamoxifen, and chemo, so I can't say there is a increase in that from tamoxifen. I just didn't want to take something at night...I call it "Pat logic"! Lol

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  • kobrien
    kobrien Member Posts: 82
    edited November 2013


    I find taking it in the morning I have less trouble with sleeping. Take that and my vitamin and I'm done for the day!

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited November 2013

    I like "pat" logic.... ill take it in the am....

    I already have the hot flashes day & night (chemo left-overs).. im hoping for just rhe hit flash SEs..., :)

    Thanks for you input! Also will be easier to remember....

    Shower

    Brush teeth

    Deoderant

    Pills

    Clean ears..,, haha

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  • carla53
    carla53 Member Posts: 264
    edited November 2013

    Thanks guys re my congrats.

    Kate hope you are getting some me time in there someplace.  

    Amazing your brother was able to get a place for his reception of 400 on such a short notice. That's great.Teresa thanks for the update of your experience with Anastrozole.  It really is encouraging to hear. Sounds like the a.m. will be the best time to take it.

    Kerrie glad you have been enjoying life. :))  Good luck on your new job.

    Lorrie yay! Finally. And only $9.00 a month.That's excellent. 

    Carla

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited November 2013


    Lorrie, that's what I get for speed reading...missed that your prescription is only $9 a month. Obviously disregard about looking for a coupon! Lol


    I have my vitamins and tamoxifen proudly displayed on the breakfast table.


    Upon entering the kitchen I pour a glass of water and put it in "my spot", make breakfast , sit, take pills then eat....I have forgotten to pour my glass of water twice and then did not take my pills, despite the bottles sitting there. Had that "oh shit" moment later in the day.


    Then of course the opposite can happen...did I take my pills? Lol. Now I leave the empty glass of water on the table as a reminder I took the pills. Lets just say its a good thing I don't have a dog and need to remember if I walked it! (Because I can't imagine what reminder would be there for me to show I did! Lol)


    Pat

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  • MomofSam
    MomofSam Member Posts: 74
    edited November 2013

    I have been taking tamoxifen at night but think I'm going to switch to the day based off your all's comments!  Not sure how many more nights of no sleep I can take from the hot flashes.

    Kate - I just had a fellow co-worker get diagnosed with BC and she came to me looking for advice.  I was happy to share my story but tried to let her know everyone is different and so everyone's story will be different.  It was strange to be the one on the otherside but then also brought up fears I haven't thought of for awhile since I've tried blocking a lot of the "what ifs" out of my mind.

    Definitley, 2014 will be a better year!  I'm at least trying to think positive about my bad luck this year - it's almost to the point it's comical!  I mean serioulsy...BC, car accident, fire at reception hall for my brother wedding, neighbor's stone facing fell off front of her house due to storm last Sunday, and fellow co-worker (whom I work very closely with) diagnosed with BC.  I've started telling people around me to be careful because I'm not so lucky this year and may rub off on them :):):)  Thanks for all the well wishes everyone!

    Went to the hair dresser yesterday with my daughter to get her hair trimmed and had them look at me to see when I could start going in to get my hair shaped into something presentable.  They said probably another 4 weeks.  So far it's coming in evenly and about the same color as my original hair prior chemo so we'll see...  I'm excited about when I'll finally not have to be self conscious and wear scarves/hats.

    Hope everyone has a safe and happy weekend!

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  • Gully
    Gully Member Posts: 268
    edited November 2013


    Hello ladies, had my survivorship class yesterday, honestly....it made me feel worse :( Anybody had the docs suggest Effexor for hot flashes, mood and menopausal symptoms? Honestly, why would any of us be having symptoms of depression with the year we have had! Sorry sarcasm is the lowest form of wit!... I know. Sorry but feeling really B*$#*y today. I know you guys understand. Why did I have to go and hear all about recurrance stats again...I was starting to get on with my life. Do this, dont do that, eat this, not that, exercise....blah blah. Honestly, I dont think any form of "risk reduction" techniques they give us hold much weight. I did most of this before I got cancer! Oh, and how is your sex life? Really????? I think I need a seriously stiff drink!!!! my bad....... supposed to reduce alcohol intake if not eliminate!

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