MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

I quit completely because I made a "deal" with God before my surgery. So far he's kept up His end of the bargain....I was told a 30% increase of risk for mets if I drank, so that's the number I based my decision on. I'm sure it's changed over the years, but I don't care.

As for exercise, I know of tri-athletes that have breast cancer, so I consider that just another way to blame the patient for her cancer!!

i am just really unhappy right now. how do you guys motivate yourselves to do things? like, i have been battling depression since i have been on femara and since treatment i have been in lousy shape. i have at least 15 extra pounds all in my middle, where it never used to be. 6 months ago when i started femara my cholesterol level was fine, a little high, but nothing alarming, and my endocrinologist agreed, my hdl was great, so no statins for me. now, i just found out that my cholesterol is 319. and my hdl is awful now too. thing is, my diet is just the same. what the heck is going on? and the stupid life saving femara is just like running into the side of a building as far as ambition or motivation to do anything is concerned. i reeeally dont want to do statins. so, i think i should just starve myself, and never sit still. i  know i could ramp up cardio, but the stupid femara is really making me not want to get out the door unless i really have to. i so wish i could feel as bodily and mentally as good as i did on the 8 week break between tamoxifen and femara. I felt like me! i am just complaining, thats all...

Kathec, I have been on statins my whole time on Femara.  I too have the middle tire.  My last dose is November 13, 2014!   I cannot wait!!!

OMG, tell me that soy "study" isn't the China Project!!!!

jbokland:  that is kinda funny!!  Do you need a counselor??  or AA?  Tylenol is major liver irritant, so watch that.

Love the women in the video,HomeMom! but of course, i can see why they can tell themselves they are beautiful: THEY ARE STUNNERS!!! thanks, though, i will try. i am researching statins now, and it really sounds like they are not for ANYBODY!!!  i am i am going toask for the lowest dose possible, and like, every other day, while i am not eating a thing thats not so good for me, except for maybe once a month. and more cardio.

Eph3_12, which one are you taking, and whats it been like? You are almost done! Thats tremendous! You are gonna have to tell us how soon you felt back to normal!

its just that i seem to be the one that gets  ALL the SE's: surgery: hematoma,seroma, lymphedema! Port installation: collapsed lung. Chemo: weird rashes "they have never seen before" plus just all the usual, like neuropathy. did ok on radiation, maybe i'll develop morphea or RIBP, oh yeah, frozen shoulder, i have that! and all those nasty pills, bone pain, weight gain, osteoporosis, and high cholesterol,  and depression. im gonna go play with my hair.

 ,,HomeMom! i do, but its awkward whilst growing!

kathec, I started cutting out sugars and refined starches during chemo. At the same time, I increased  my veggie and fish intake as well as my exercise. It has lowered my cholesterol.

Bokland, could you share the soy study?

Momine copy and paste this to your browser http://blog.thebreastcancersite.com/dearbody/?utm_source=social&utm_medium=dearbodytest&utm_term=20140826&utm_campaign=1

Eating the occasional Chinese take-out and being raised on soy every day are totally different. Soy, like edamame (?) and flaxseed and a bunch of other "good" things are ER producers. Having had ER+ breast cancer I chose to look at current news, not something written 10-15 years ago before they understood the ramifications. I, too, would like to see a link to the latest study. We really have to make sure that the "new" study we read is actually current.

crap.

kathec - Hope the "crap" comment was to your situation in general and not something else happening today. Any chance you can change to Arimidex or Aromasin? Wondering if they might give some relief to your cholesterol problem. But then again the "known" enemy can be better than the "unknown" so I myself would be loathe to change AI. Forgive me if you've already been on those. Just throwing out questions or possible solutions. There are certain genetic predispositions to high chol. but generally they are high (or at least in the worrisome category) at a much younger age. And I think you said yours was relatively normal b4 BC, right? And gosh darn you are much more active and eat a much healthier diet than I do. I know Niacin was - and I say was because I'm not current on it - a recommended OTC for high chol.

Back to the soy question. I do think a lot of the soy "prohibition" was on the isolates found in so called health food. Not that any of us should start eating tofu as a mainstay either. I'm not giving up soy sauce on the stir fry I make but then that's maybe 2x/month. I know there is soy in packaged food but usually way down on the ingredient list. Again not talking about soy as meat substitute. (Can you tell I've never eaten it because I can't even think of the proper term?) But don't take me as a soy expert. I did not stay at a Holiday Inn last night LOL. (Is that commercial even on anymore?)

Good evening, all. Just a quick note to say that my DMx surgery with SNB is scheduled for Tuesday, September 9th. Any other September surgeries out there? I'm still pretty new to this group but noticed in the thread that I can ask you wonderful women to come along with me in my pocket... I'm pretty well prepared and have done all logistical preparations except for the pre-op surgical nurse interview next Tuesday. I also plan to schedule a tune-up with my chiropractor and a nice therapeutic massage to release all negative, stress-related tension and toxins before going under the knife. I find that staying busy and distracted have helped me cope with the sudden attacks of bottomless dread and fear and grief over losing my breasts. Please understand - I KNOW how fortunate and blessed I am in my current situation. Wonderfully supportive family, friends, and co-workers. Prayer chains going full blast around the country. Good job and health insurance. Early stage and probably no node involvement. I remind myself of all of these very real facts every time I feel overwhelmed... but I also know that I'm allowed to grieve and be sad and mad that I'm going through this for a 2nd time. Anyway, I'm just venting. And asking you all to send positive energy into the universe on the 9th. Thanks!

Good thoughts for the 9th, Stasia. My BMX was on the 13th of September, 3 years ago. So I am another "September," even if it is a different year.

Good luck to you both, stasia and ncollett! i will be there with you.