November 2009-Starting Chemo

Pam, Congratulations! I am so thrilled this part of your life will be over. Life is very sweet!

I see several Pam Rosenberg's, one in Ft. Wayne IN. Can you friend me? Linda Randolph-Justice.

Just "popped in" to share some info I got from my oncologist during my annual check-up this past week. I mentioned that May will make 5 years of being on the Femara maintenance medication (the equivalent of Tamoxifen for post-menopausal women) and I asked her if I would stop taking it then. She said that recent studies of indicated that staying on the Femara for 5 more years extends its benefits. She said this goes for Tamoxifen as well.  I found this on-line, which further explains what she said: Women with ER-positive breast cancer who underwent 10 years of adjuvant treatment with tamoxifen were at reduced risk for late recurrence and breast cancer-related mortality compared with those who underwent 5 years of treatment, according to results of the phase 3 aTTom study presented at the ASCO Annual Meeting.

The longer duration of tamoxifen treatment was associated with increased adverse effects, but the overall benefits outweigh any potential risks of extended therapy, researchers said. 

I hadn't heard anything like this and wanted to pass it on.

I hope everyone is doing well.  I know this was a hard month for those of us diagnosed around this time 5 years ago; however, that's why I choose to focus on the date when I finished treatments instead of when I was diagnosed. At least now, I can almost get through Sept. 1st without thinking about it.

Take care, All!!!

Nette  

Hi back, Sue!

Sorry to read that you needed the knee replacement, but it sounds like you had no choice and that you are progressing nicely!!  I expect it will all be worth it once you are fully recovered.

 I hadn't heard of Hercep. causing A. Fib, but who knows what medication that strong can cause! I am blessed not to have to be on that one, but I remember that several other Warrior Ladies are. I've been told recently that my glucose levels are too high, so I need to watch the bad carbs and sweets and this is very unfortunate since I have a terrible sweet tooth!  However, as much as I hate having to take pills and watch my diet and do all the things I have to do to stay healthy, it beats the hell out of not being here at all.  :P

I still keep up with the facebook ladies, you included, but I never post or comment.  Decided to give up doing everything except reading due to a disgusting video that popped up on my newsfeed. Is better that I just observe anyway.  

Take care of yourself.  Continue to get that knee stronger!  Nette  

I have been on Herceptin for almost 5 years (January 2015). It can cause all sorts of damage to the heart. This far out, and I still have my echoes to check my ejection fraction (must be over 55%) and make sure my left ventricle is up to speed. Luckily it is!

Another thing that can screw the heart up is if you had radiation on the left breast/chest wall. I did, and my cardiologist says that more than likely, I will have congestive heart failure when I'm older because it's almost a given that your heart and lung is hit during the rads.

But on the merry-go-round I will stay. Still rocking the NED! Love to you all!!

Hi Brenda - I've missed you SO much!!

Sorry about your job - that sucks. Why don't you get decent unemployment? Shouldn't the payment be regular? Typical of the US. People here get really good unemployment and it never stops unless they find a job.

Don't panic about them wanting more scans. I had a biopsy last October - turned out to be nothing. Had a follow up Ultrasound 6 months later and it was OK. You are right they can't radiate the breast twice. I've had both done, so if anything new pops up a mastectomy is the only treatment.

I'm booked in for my screening next Thursday. I called knowing they usually are very booked up and thought I would have to wait weeks - well - oh we've had a cancellation next Thursday - so that's when I'm going.

How are the peeps? I often think of your lovely chicks and think about how nice it must be to have fresh eggs.

(((((((((((((((((Big Hugs)))))))))))))))) - sending good vibes for your scans.

Sue

Thankyou Nette - I hate going but one must do as one's told.

Linda - you are a miracle - I am so glad you are here all these years later.

(((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))

How is everyone doing? Thinking of you all as the holiday season is upon us. Wishing you all good health, love and peace xoxo

I got my CT scan results and all that was on there was the broken rib ( well there was a body there too.... but nothing else was wrong). Even the Dr was relieved- he was so keen to tell me he didn't even wait to sit down to tell me the news. He just came into the room and blurted out 'Your scan is fine !!!!!'

Seems that three courses of radiotherapy plus three courses of chemo have made my right sided rib bones prone to fracture, even though I am on biphosphonates- I think they will always be weak. Must remember to fall on my left hand side in future.

Wishing good health to you all at this Christmas time and for 2015. Always good to take it a year at a time

Natalie x

Thanks Linda.

I joined a committee of senior Doctors as the patient representative at my hospital this week. The project that they are working on is to set up a data base in England of women who had radiotherapy before they were 30 years old and therefore at risk of breast cancer (which is what happened to me). Is great to be able to make a difference, the plan is to make sure these women get access to screening so if they do start with breast cancer it will be detected earlier. Unlike me !!

Is amazing to think that this special group of women are still in touch after 4 and a half years.