ANy ladies from WISCONSIN??

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited July 2017

    hello ladies, it's been a busy summer so far. Took a break from the boards for a while.

    Been on anastrozole (generic for Arimidex) for two+ years now. It's causing bone loss per DEXA scan done last month. I walk for exercise but apparently that isn't enough. Opted for a gym membership versus Reclast shots or Fosamax pills. Onc recommended a bone-building med so he may not like it but I made the decision in consultation with primary care doc and dentist.

    Went to Art Fair on the Square in Madison yesterday and taking mom to Drums on Parade today in Middleton.

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  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited July 2017

    Sorry badger is experiencing one of the typical AI side effects: weight bearing exercise like walking is good for bones but a gym membership should help by doing muscle work via resistance mechanisms (also a nice place to go when you don't want to risk slipping on icy surfaces in winter!)

    You're already taking calcium and have good vitamin D levels?

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  • Mabell
    Mabell Member Posts: 1
    edited July 2017

    Hello! I am from Milwaukee-ish. I live in West Allis, just on the border of Milwaukee. Did anyone here receive treatment from Aurora? I have found that most people I have met in this area received treatment at Froedtert. I work for Aurora, so I stayed in my "network" to avoid paying more out of pocket for my treatment. I was wondering how one would find out about events like the "Shoot Out" in our area. Thanks so much!

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  • Moonflwr912
    Moonflwr912 Member Posts: 6,856
    edited July 2017

    Mabell, I've got Aurora, but I'm with the Grafton clinic.

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited July 2017

    hi Mabell, I'm in the southwest part of the state so can't answer your question but welcome!

    Mary, yep taking calcium w/D3, one in the morning and one in the evening. My multi-vit has D3, and I eat a yogurt every day for the calcium, protein, digestive benefits, and general yumminess. :-)

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  • zogo
    zogo Member Posts: 20,329
    edited July 2017

    Speaking of Aurora network, I'm looking for a new GP / PCP/ Internist that is good. Mine has made some errors and I have lost confidence.

    Does anyone have suggestions for a good doc?

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  • zogo
    zogo Member Posts: 20,329
    edited July 2017

    Regarding Calcium!! If you are taking calcium, it is critical to take D3 AND VITAMIN K2!!!

    The K2 will help the calcium deposit in the bones and not in the arteries. The last thing you want it to have calcium deposited in your arteries.

    I've read the book "Vitamin K2 and the Calcium Paradox". Great information.

    https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/vitamin-k2-and-the-calcium-paradox-kate-rheaume-bleue/1110872123?type=eBook

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  • lifeisgood33
    lifeisgood33 Member Posts: 26
    edited July 2017

    I'm a Badger -in Madison - fairly new to this scene. Awaiting results of another biopsy to find out if i will have lumpectomy or mastectomy next week.

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  • zogo
    zogo Member Posts: 20,329
    edited July 2017

    lifeisgood, waiting is truly the hardest part! Hang tough and you will get through whatever is in store. ((Hugs))

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  • lifeisgood33
    lifeisgood33 Member Posts: 26
    edited July 2017

    Thank you zogo.

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited July 2017

    hi lifeisgood33, welcome to BCO and this thread. I work in Madison so LMK if you want to meet up for info or moral support. Waiting is the pits. ((hugs))

    Jane, hope you find a new doc, yikes!

    I don't take a supplement with vit K but do get my dark green veg. Restaurant across from my building has a great salad bar. For $5 I get a good healthy meal with (going down the line in my mind) spinach, kale, carrot, cauliflower, broccoli, green & red peppers, (skip the onion LOL), little balls of fresh mozzarella cheese, hard-boiled egg, chickpeas, edamame, and beets, topped off with toasted sesame dressing. Hungry yet?

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  • lifeisgood33
    lifeisgood33 Member Posts: 26
    edited July 2017

    Thanks badger.

    Learned the most-recent 'spot' is cancerous, too, so I will be having a mastectomy on Thursday, July 20. Time had been set aside in anticipation of this result, so i feel fortunate that i don't have to wait too long.

    Celebrating my 55th birthday today so will focus on that today.

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited July 2017

    lifeisgood33, happy (belated) birthday! Hope you had a good day.

    My thoughts will be with you on Thurs - best wishes. ((hugs))

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  • jessiet
    jessiet Member Posts: 3
    edited July 2017

    Hi Wisconsinites,

    I'm new to this forum and looking for recommendations for a PS who is experienced with one-stage direct-to-transplant reconstruction. I'm planning to do a prophylactic double mastectomy this year and would like to forego the tissue expanders. I've talked with two PS in Milwaukee and neither are comfortable with direct-to-transplant, even though I seem to be a good candidate for one. Does anyone know how I might find someone in the Milwaukee/Madison (possibly Chicago) area? Many thanks!

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited July 2017

    hi jessiet, welcome to BCO and this thread. I didn't have reconstruction so no answer for your question.

    ((lifeisgood33)) thinking of you today.

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  • zogo
    zogo Member Posts: 20,329
    edited July 2017

    lifeisgood. Happy belated birthday! Thinking of you today and hoping that the surgery goes smoothly.


    Hi Jessiet, I had diep flap surgery with Dr. Hijjawi, and sadly he has moved to Utah. He was amazing! His partner John LoGiudice was very good and is still at Froedtert. Maybe try their practice?




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  • jessiet
    jessiet Member Posts: 3
    edited July 2017

    Zogo, thanks for the recommendation! I just watched a video of Dr. Hijjawi and he does seem pretty great! Wish he were still on this side of the mountains! May I ask who your breast surgeon was at Froedtert?

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  • zogo
    zogo Member Posts: 20,329
    edited July 2017

    My breast surgeon was Dr. Alonzo Walker. I've never had a doctor examine me like he did. It was almost like he had an extra sensitive touch when he was doing the exam. I can't explain it completely, but he is clearly gifted and so kind.

    As for Dr. Hijjawi, I don't normally put doctors on a pedestal, but he was up there. Such a huge loss for Milwaukee :-(


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  • Moonflwr912
    Moonflwr912 Member Posts: 6,856
    edited July 2017

    lifeisgood, fast healing from your surgery. Hugs.

    Zogo, I had to get a new PCP, as mine retired. I have one I like, but I'm up on Ozaukee Cty. Since I transferd to her, I have had to see her 4 times, and 2 other doctors who covered for her when out! LOL. I"m glad I took the time to talk with her before all the stuff got crazy. LOL. Go on Aurora website, find one you like and make an appt with them. You'll know if they feel right. Hugs

    Much love to all

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  • zogo
    zogo Member Posts: 20,329
    edited July 2017

    Hi Moonflower, I'd travel to ozaukee for a good doctor. I am just trying to ask around. I heard of a Dr. Mitchanis or Dr. Chelmowski as potential good docs.


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  • Moonflwr912
    Moonflwr912 Member Posts: 6,856
    edited July 2017

    my goodness! You could read that? No, Im not having a stroke. My keyboard seems to move the dang letters. LOL. I better fix that!

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  • zogo
    zogo Member Posts: 20,329
    edited July 2017

    lol, it looked like me when I type from my phone. Or stupid autocorrect gets me all the time

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  • Moonflwr912
    Moonflwr912 Member Posts: 6,856
    edited July 2017

    yes, im usually posting from my phone. LOL

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  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited July 2017

    Hope lifeisgood is bouncing back from last week's surgery. Diagnosed at age 54, especially if prior to menopause, might be a reason to consider genetic counseling even without strong family history...

    Jessiet, I'm another Hijjawi fan but figure he trained people who might still be local or not too far away. If insurance covers it, sometimes people will travel great distances to be treated by an expert

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  • lifeisgood33
    lifeisgood33 Member Posts: 26
    edited August 2017

    Hi all,

    Surgery went well; clean margins. Lymph node shows no metastatic cancer but "isolated tumor cells detected." Also had Ki-67 staining which had numbers of 15 and 22 - higher than anticipated.

    Am having oncotyping done to help inform decision regarding chemotherapy. Had bone density scan in anticipation of the hormone therapy. Unfortunately I have osteoporosis in both hips. Not sure how that will play.

    Back at work as of Monday, which has been good. A little tired and sore at the end of the day but manageable.

    Seeing a specialist at the UW Breast Center at the end of the month; hope to get some answers. Also, have requested genetic testing/counseling.

    Hope all in Wisconsin are staying warm on this blustery August day!

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited August 2017

    hi lifeisgood33, thanks for checking in. Glad you are doing OK. I was on tamoxifen for five years then switched to arimidex as was post-meno by that time. No bone issues with the tamox but the arimidex has not been kind. I walk for exercise but apparently that isn't enough. DEXA scan two months ago versus baseline two years ago shows mild bone loss & osteopenia. They wanted to put me on meds but I joined a gym instead of shots or pills.

    Good luck with chemo decision. I had micro-mets in one sentinel node so chemo was offered and accepted, therefore no oncotype. Did have BRCA gene test, though, as mom is a BC survivor (of 37 years now!). Test was negative for genetic mutations which made us all feel better, especially mom, who had secretly feared she'd passed it down to me.

    What a nice day! Still a bit breezy but I'll take nights in the 50's and days in the 70's.

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  • zogo
    zogo Member Posts: 20,329
    edited August 2017

    The State Fair is going on. We went last night and will go again tonight to see one of our favorite bands.

    Look at the list of stuff you can get on a stick!

    http://wistatefair.com/fair/Food-Category/foods-on-a-stick/

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  • M0mmyof3
    M0mmyof3 Member Posts: 9,696
    edited August 2017

    zogo, that kind of reminds me about the foods you can get here at the Eastern States Expo or the Big E, which is a fair for the New England states.

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  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited August 2017

    We ran into combined State Fair/Brewer game traffic going to my final outdoor concert of the season last night!

    Lifeisgood, those nasty isolated tumor cells might tip the balance in favor of chemo if it were my decision. Side effect control is usually very effective these days. Be sure to take a long list of questions to your UW appt. Already with osteoporosis, is bisphosphonate therapy like weekly Fosamax or monthly Boniva a possibility foryou?

    Excellent report about Badger's mom although I'm still a little suspicious about a genetic factor because so many other mutations besides BRCA are out there. Some insurances will cover panel testing now...

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  • zogo
    zogo Member Posts: 20,329
    edited August 2017

    Don't know if I've mentioned it here before, but if you are doing ANY kind of calcium supplementation, make sure you are taking Vitamin K2! If you don't, the calcium can deposit in your arteries rather than your bones. I read a book call "Vitamin K2 and the Calcium Paradox" by Dr. Kate Rheaume-Bleue. I supplement with K2-MK7 (and give it to my hubby as well).


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