For those starting TAC in March/April 2006....

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  • mindyk
    mindyk Member Posts: 87
    edited October 2006
    Leigh, Have you noticed any weight gain with the tamoxifen? My onc told me that is one of the side effects along with the hot flashes. I don't know how much more of the hotflashes I can take. I am having them now and don't start the tamoxifen until tomorrow. I am hoping that maybe I wont have the weight gain side effect. I have lost 26lbs since finishing TAC at the end of July. I still have some more to go! I don't want to gain it back! I go on in Nov for another muga scan, and a mammo.
    Hope all is well! Keep in touch!
    Hugs,
    Mindy
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  • peejay
    peejay Member Posts: 131
    edited October 2006
    I noticed a slight increase in the hot flashes also, but mostly at night, of course. I don't need any more weight either! Actually I haven't been that hungry on it at all. But I always wind up the opposite of what everyone else does so lol. I have had ahorrible headache for 3 days, but I'm thinking that was due to the gloomy weather we have been having here. At least I hope that's what it is. If I still have it tomorrow, the onc is getting a call.

    Today was a pretty good day for me, actually yesterday the 17th lol. What am I still doing awake?! Anyway it was my birthday, I made it to 39! I'm very happy about that, as I seriously was in doubt at the beginning of the year about making it this far. Here's to making it to 40! cheers!

    Paula
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  • MarciaA
    MarciaA Member Posts: 178
    edited October 2006
    Ferne, I am sorry about your path report. I will say a prayer that the TAC did the job. I guess we all are a little worried we will wind up being that the small statistic that has a recurrence. Good luck with radiation. I heard numerous wonder stories about how radiation can kill cancer.

    Leigh, I am scheduled for a mammogram and ultrasound in January. Glad to hear your hair is growing. Now that I have stopped herceptin maybe my hair will grow faster.
    Best wishes
    Marcia
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  • jpsgirl96
    jpsgirl96 Member Posts: 240
    edited October 2006

    Hi Mindy, So far no gain. I need to lose more, too (I lost about 20 during TAC) so I am trying to increase the exercise. I started taking a yoga class right before radiation ended, and I love it. I feel like it keeps me in touch with the GOOD side of having a body...something the cancer can take away. I've only been on the Tamoxifen a few weeks, however, so I'll keep you posted - and we can send weight loss encouragement, how's that? Leigh

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  • peejay
    peejay Member Posts: 131
    edited October 2006
    Tomorrow I go into the hospital for a chest x-ray... Just started having chest pains and shortness of breath with the Tamoxifen. They just want to make sure it's not a blood clot in a lung. I'm scared, but I'm sure it's nothing.. it can't be anything, not after all I've been through! Not fair..

    Paula
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  • mindyk
    mindyk Member Posts: 87
    edited October 2006
    Leigh- Please do keep me posted and sending the weight loss encouragement sounds good to me!
    Paula- Hope all is well! I will keep you in my thougths! Please keep us posted!
    Everyone else take care
    Mindy
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  • fd411
    fd411 Member Posts: 398
    edited October 2006
    Karen1956 and MarciaA, Thank you both for your positive vibes.

    Karen, I hope things continue to go in your favor.

    Paula, I'm wishing that things go well with your chest x-ray.

    You are ALL in my thoughts.

    Ferne
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  • peejay
    peejay Member Posts: 131
    edited October 2006
    Everything is fine with my chest... errr well you know what I mean! So it's probably anxiety after all. Just wanted to drop you all a fast note about that.

    Paula
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  • Brigrf
    Brigrf Member Posts: 74
    edited October 2006
    HI everyone! Just had to check in and tell you all that my hair has finally started making a reappearance on my head! Just like everyone said, it took about eight weeks. I actually have more hair on my legs suddenly than on my head. LOL. My head feels fuzzy like baby down. Never did lose my eyebrows; amazing! Also, have only 11 more rads treatments which I'm really happy about, as the skin soreness and fatigue started kicking in the past couple of days. What a long year.
    Love to all of you; I love hearing how everyone is doing and pray we all continue to get better and stronger.
    Brigitte
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  • MollyK
    MollyK Member Posts: 70
    edited October 2006
    Paula, good to hear the chest x-rays were fine. I'm sure that was a bit of a scare. Any problems since??

    I am on day two of Tamoxifen. So far, so good.
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  • peejay
    peejay Member Posts: 131
    edited October 2006
    No other problems to report. I know that was anxiety that caused that as I look back. The week before that muy husband was in the hospital overnight with some tests. And my family room flooded, we lost everything down there. Carpet, panelling, furniture, etc. But wait, there's more!
    My gramps is not doing great right now either. He's been in and out of the hospital with very low hemoglobin. He's had a catheter in for like 3 weeks also, cuase he can't pee on his own. I should add that he is 92. I hate saying this, but he is just getting old.. I don't think there is much they can do and it kind of pisses me off that the doctors are putting him through so much. Am I jaded or something? Today he is going for a bone marrow test (OUCH!) I guess if that turns out to be the cause for the low hemo, he can start getting procrit shots. We all know how those hurt..

    Anyway back to tamoxifen lol. A few more hotflashes here and there, not as hungry as I used to be, and that's about it. I seem to be a bit more cranky I think, no one else has said anything to me, but I feel like I am. As long as I know it, I can keep it under control. Of course, this would be when I would get my period normally too. Has anyone that was premenopausal gotten theirs back yet?

    Hair.. I have hair, it's short, but I'm starting to believe it's really going to come back again! As long as it used to be too. I dont' care what color, it just feels good to have hair!! I keep petting myself.

    Also today I am going over to my local Curves and checking it out! I think I would like a nice workout a few times a week.

    Paula
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  • mindyk
    mindyk Member Posts: 87
    edited October 2006
    Paula- Sorry to hear about your gramps. I was premenopausal before chemo. My FSH test that they done after I finished chemo said that I am now postmenopausal. I haven't had any signs of my period returning. I am like you, I have been a little cranky, more hot flashes and not as hungry either. (Although, my onc said that weight gain was a side effect, but in the pamplet that I get with my scripts, it actually said weight loss instead of weight gain!) So that in my opinion is a good thing!!! I hope everyone is is alright!Take Care!

    Mindy
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  • MollyK
    MollyK Member Posts: 70
    edited October 2006
    Oh Paula, I am so sorry about everything that has been going on..on top of the BC. That's enough to give you some anxiety. So sorry to hear about your grandpa. How is your husband? Everything okay there?

    I haven't had a period since just after my first tac. Somedays I feel very crampy like I'm going to get it, but then it doesn't happen. I still get the hot flashes but I tell ya, the 'effexor' is a miracle drug in that department. It has made my life so much more bearable. I'm not one to usually take prescriptions on a daily basis until now.

    Did you check out Curves? I started doing 5 miles on my treadmill a day and that has helped with the weight, my mood, and the fatigue.

    With a little bit of short hair, I'm starting to feel like myself again.

    Molly
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  • MarciaA
    MarciaA Member Posts: 178
    edited October 2006
    Hi Tac Ladies.
    Just curious to see how everyone is doing.
    Since I stopped taking herceptin I am finally feeling almost normal again. I still have more doctors appointments than I would like.
    I want to look forward but still can't help but look over my shoulder at times just wondering.
    I hope everyone is doing well. Most have moved on from this thread but I want to thank all of you again for helping me get through all my aches and pains and questions. I would hug all of you if I could but you will have to settle for a cyberhug instead.
    Take care and live long and prosper.
    Hugs
    Marcia
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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited October 2006

    Hi ladies - I had my 3 month check up with my onc on tuesday and got the blood work results back today. Everything was normal!!!!! What a good feeling. My ooph (ovaries and tubes) was one week ago today. I am feeling pretty good (not too sore anymore - excpet a little at night when I am really tired) - but still tire easily. I am tired on being tired. Funny thing today - in a strange sort of way. I got a reminder from the Sally Jobe Breast Center telling me I needed to schedule an appt for my annual mammogram. I called them to tell them to take me off the list - I told the gal that they were the ones who diagnosed the bc and that I had nothing to mammogram. She said the letters go out automatically and she took down my "jacket number" and would get me taken off the list. Its a good thing that I was feeling okay today, or the letter would have made me cry. Today is 9 months since I got the "call back" phone call. I asked my onc about lymphodemia risks and flying. He said that there is nothing conclusive, but said to go ahead and see a PT and maybe have a "sleeve" made. If any of you gals have lympodemia, what were you symptoms prior to it developing? What about flying? Denver is already at 5280 ft above sea level and onc said that probably reduces the risks relative to flying or going to the mountains compared to the "flatlands". I hope everyone is feeling good. Keep in touch.

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  • mindyk
    mindyk Member Posts: 87
    edited October 2006
    Karen-I went and seen my surgeon about 3-4 weeks after my surgery(lumpectomy) and was diagnosed with lymphadema. I had a lot of swelling from the top of my arm, all the way to the tips of my fingers. I seen a lymphadema therapist until my allowed visits were gone. I will be going back to her in a few weeks for a check up and hopefully my insurance will approve some more visits. She fitted me for a compression sleeve, and 2 gloves. (one that goes to the tips of my fingers and one that just goes to my fingers) I wear it mostly when I am doing something around the house and while I am at work. I am almost at my wits end with work though. Since I have been back to work (aug 21) I have been doing a job that is going pretty well for me and I found out a few days ago that they are going to put me somewhere else. I don't understand why they are moving me if I am getting along ok where I am at. Why take the chance of my arm swelling up bad again when it has taken me almost 2 months to get it where it is now with minimal swelling? I feel like I deserve that much! I still cannot wear my wedding rings though!
    Marcia- I am glad that you are feeling better!
    I hope everyone else is getting along ok. Take care!


    Mindy
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  • jpsgirl96
    jpsgirl96 Member Posts: 240
    edited October 2006
    Brigitte, Karen, Marcia, Mindy, Molly, Paula...Great to hear from everyone. Mindy sorry to hear about the lymphedema - sounds like you are managing it but that's a drag! I'm feeling well, was probably close to 100% mentally/emotionally at work this week for the first time since last December, before dx. It felt really good to be engaged that way again. We are still trying to figure out if/when we can take a sabbatical or partial sabbatical; might finish with the DC client as early as end of year (or might not!), might do some work in Florida in early 07, really want to be sailing by April, and not for two days at a time. We'll see...
    Want to say again that meeting you guys and the others here has been more than a silver lining in this journey - it's been a privelege and a pleasure. Let's try to keep up - even if it's every few weeks or a month between visits (vs. a few hours some days LOL!) Leigh
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  • MarciaA
    MarciaA Member Posts: 178
    edited October 2006
    Hi Ladies
    Leigh good to hear you are back about 100%.
    Paula, has your black cloud lifted out from over your life? Bless your heart there always seems to be something going on it seems. I hope you and your family are doing well.
    Karen I agree with your high altitude you are at an advantage over having complications with lymphadema. I live in the blue ridge mtns which are not as high as you but I have been lucky not to have any swelling. But then I only had 5 nodes removed.
    Mindy, I am sorry you have had so much trouble with your work environment. I hope they are more considerate of you with all that you have been through.
    I had my port out two days ago....I thought it would be a piece of cake but man o man!...had to dissect it out of me because of a lot of scar tissue since February. I also had a different surgeon take it out and the one that put it in sitched it with 4 stitches instead of the usual two...I felt like my heart was being pulled out of my chest. This is the third day out and I am feeling better though. Went to my GYN last week. SHe wants to do a repeat ultrasound of my uterus. I am in now in menopause but she sees some fibroids in my uterus. Oh Joy!...I am er/pr negative and I thought I would not have to worry about additional surgery any time soon...Isn't life just full of surprises. I have a colonoscopy scheduled for Nov 30th. It is an initial screening (age 50) I sure hope I get some good news ..these days I cringe at results.
    Thank goodness my tumor marker was normal..whoo hoo!
    Well sorry to bore you all with my remarks. I think of you guys often and hope you are all sailing through life these days post chemo.
    THanks for listening.
    Hugs to all
    Marcia
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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited October 2006

    Hi TAC girlfirends- just wondering if anyone else is having a tough time emotionally now that they are done treatments. I had my ooph on 10/19 and physically free pretty good - except for fatigue - but emotionally, I am having a tough time the past few days. The tears flow pretty easily. Everyone is telling me how good I look, but I just wish I felt that good!!! I guess I am just out of patience. Its going on 4 months since finishing chemo, 2 months post rads and now 10 days since the ooph. I am ready to feel good. I am getting used to the sore knees from the Arimidex and the continuing heartburn and reflux (especially if I don't take my Nexium), but I AM TIRED OF BEING TIRED!!!! I just want to feel like my oldself - or as a friend said, my "new self" but I want that to be someone who is not so tired all the time. I was off work all last week and on friday by the end of the night I was utterly exhausted (and I didn't do nearly what I used to be able to do pre- BC). I know I just had surgery, but enough is enough!!! I did read somewhere (don't know if it was on this site or some BC book), but it said that from the day of diagnosis to the end of treatment - however long that was, is how long to get back to "normal". Well, that is almost 9 months for me and I don't have 9 months to wait to feel good. Besides, in 5 months, I have my stage 2 (exchange) reconstruction surgery - what does that do to the timeline?!!! WEll, thanks for listening. You gals are wonderful.

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  • peejay
    peejay Member Posts: 131
    edited October 2006
    I am also tired of being tired! And it is hard emotionally now, yes, especially during this month. Not only becuase it's pink month, but it was also my birthday a couple weeks ago.
    Marcia - OUCH! they had a tough time getting my port "loose" but I didn't feel anything except tugging. But that little sucker did not want to let go! I'm less gloomy lately too, thanks

    I just joined Curves this morning, and it's great! I can take any exercise for 30 seconds at a time. hehehe. They women there are so nice, and I think I will get a lot out of it. Even if I don't lose weight, and least I can tone up the flab. I'm planning on going 3 times a week to start. FUnny how a workout gives you more energy isn't it?

    As for Tamoxifen, still nothing from it. I guess it's working, but I don't feel anything, which is good! Ive actually been sleeping at nights lately too, of course the time change may mess that up abit.

    We are having a relaly pretty fall day here, and it's about 60 degrees outside, so I'm going to go eat lunch out there and read my book, I deserve it!

    Paula
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  • peejay
    peejay Member Posts: 131
    edited November 2006
    wow we fell off the front page...

    on topic, my hair is starting to stick out a bit when I wake up in the morning now lol

    Paula
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  • jpsgirl96
    jpsgirl96 Member Posts: 240
    edited November 2006
    Just keeping us upfront...
    My hair is also standing up a little in the morning...still to short or too soft to 'spike' but it covers my head.
    Saw the radiation oncologist today, all is well, next visit with him in 6 months.
    Hope everyone is keeping well. COLD in DC today! Leigh
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  • JackieSue
    JackieSue Member Posts: 61
    edited November 2006
    I'm just checking in. How did we get way back here? I officially finished radiation today. I started Femera a couple of days ago. Things are going okay for now. I am so tired of being down at the cancer center everyday. They gave me a nice bracelet for a "going away" present.

    I actually had a "bad hair" morning, too. My daughter said it didn't count since I could fluff it back out.

    Jackie
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  • Brigrf
    Brigrf Member Posts: 74
    edited November 2006
    Hi fellow TAC ladies. I finished rads today and started crying when they told me they'd see me in six months. AFter coming to this building regularly since my chemo started in May, I felt like a balloon whose string had just been cut. My family and friends are all excited and I'm sure I will feel that way too but today I felt overwhelmed with emotions. I'm starting tamoxifen in a week, as I'm in the process of switching antidepressants and need to stabilize my chemical levels first -- probably another reason I'm crying so easily. I'm going to start digging out wool hats for winter, as the hair is growing in very slowly and feels more like soft down than hair.
    Hugs to all of you, Brigitte
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  • fd411
    fd411 Member Posts: 398
    edited November 2006
    Congratulations, Brigitte!

    Wool hats definitely! I have to keep a hat on practically all day and when I sleep. The hat comes off only during hot flashes!

    I too started chemo in May, then surgery, with rads starting the week of Thanksgiving. I often think of what my life will be like when it returns to normal.

    Here's to hoping that you don't have to travel this road again.

    All the best,
    Ferne
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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited November 2006

    Brigitte - I can relate to crying. Mine started one week post ooph. I am 4 months post chemo and 2+ months post rads. All treatments are behind me except reconstruction. I have been on Arimidex for 3+ months. I am starting Effexor. My rad onc discharged me 6 weeks post rads. I see my medical onc every 3 months. It is scary being down treatments. I still am tired and have sore knees from the Arimidex. Just waiting to feel good all the time!!!!! Hang in there. Keep in touch.

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  • Brigrf
    Brigrf Member Posts: 74
    edited November 2006
    I honestly don't think I could have done any of it without the wonderful support of these boards and you awesome women. We are too strong now to be called "ladies" don't you think? My office assistant brought me a hat today that she knitted for me; it was so sweet of her and, amazingly, I did not cry for a change. Phew. Yes, everyone, please keep in touch!
    Hugs, Brigitte
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  • mindyk
    mindyk Member Posts: 87
    edited November 2006
    Hi All, Just checking in. I am home from work early tonight so I could take care of my sick 7 yr old! I finally got her to sleep! She must have the flu bug that is going around here. I went for my 1 mth check up with the rad onc today. He is pleased with how things are healing up. Also went for mammo today. They said that everything looked good.
    Brigitte- CONGRATS on finishing rads!
    How is everyones hair doing? Mine is growing, but not fast enough. My son tried to measure how long it was the other day. He said that is was about 3/4 in long. I had to laugh at him because he kept holding the tape measure to my head!
    Keep posting! It is nice to hear from everyone!
    Take Care,
    Mindy
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  • peejay
    peejay Member Posts: 131
    edited November 2006
    I had to stop taking tamoxifen as of yesterday, per my oncologist while straighten out some things that may or may not be related to it. I just had a full pelvic ultrasound done, due to some pain i had in my back. It came up negative. The lump I found on my breast, was just that... breast, and nothing else. As it it's not a lump, it's just scar tissue that stretched out during my new workout routines. No we are going to see if the bloated belly goes down while i'm not on tamoxifen. Right now I'm leaning toward this :
    1) I haven't don'e any workout since a year ago
    2) I probably tried to hard and pulled a muscle in my back
    3) That bloating is just fat I didn't notice before I started going to the gym.

    My husband concurs with the fact that my back didn't hurt until aftre my first workout. So I will go back to doing that, but at a much easier pace. Hopefully the onc will call me back at a decent time in the morning and tell me to go back on tamox, it's ok. I swear sometime's it's worse than waiting for the cable repair guy to get a call back!!!

    I breathed a huge sigh of relief earlier when I got all this news back. Now I plan on staying out of the doctor or hospital until Dec.3 for my mammogram. lol What a crazy 10 days it's been for me. I hope I can go back on tamox, I wasn't having trouble on it until that incident...

    Paula
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  • MarciaA
    MarciaA Member Posts: 178
    edited November 2006
    Paula, Sounds like you have been on Mr.Toad's wild ride the past few days. I hope you can get yourself figured out. I know how you feel though. I had back pain and side pain. My Onc sent me in for a total body bone scan to make sure it wasn't the cancer hiding anywhere...he plans to do one yearly for the next three years. Fortunately it was normal. My onc diagnosed muscle spasm for my back pain and I wound up going to a chiropractor and my L3 and L5 were out, then my L4...needless to say I am continuing to see the chiro. First time for me to go to one and I am so glad I did. I had my annual GYN visit...I sweated over getting results of my pap but fortunately it was normal. I had an ultrasound that showed speckles in my uterus but she repeated it two weeks later and miraculously they were gone so....Guess I am gonna live until I die! I still just can't shake this uneasy feeling about getting test results back.
    Paula I hope your mammogram goes well. I am scheduled for one in January. Take care and hopefully the aftermath of the chemo (belly flab and all) will soon be a thing of the past.
    hugs,
    Marcia
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