Chemo Starting August 2018

I had the nuclear medicine scan of my bones today. Good news is no since of bone mets. Weird news is they can't rule out a lesion behind my left ear and said a brain CT may be in order. I have zero pain in that area. Also, worsening osteopenia, which I thought the tamoxifen was supposed to be helping. I'm waiting on a call from my MO to see where we go from here. I was hoping to get a clearer yes or no today.

wanderweg, good new on bone scan. I OC told me that tamoxifen was suppose to help build bone also. He said it was a choice for me if I can’t tolerate AI or my scans continue to decline, hope things turn around for you.

I had a brain scan also, mri, because I was having vision problems during chemo. All came out good,They did find a lesion, so I had to retake 6 months later but no activity so all is good. Wish you the best and hope nothing but good news for you

I wanderweg, understand completely. Yes, I got contrast. They put an IV in when you arrive but the gadolinium, I think that is what they use, doesn't go in until the very end. At least that is what they did at mine. The only thing I felt was a cold sensation when the fluid went in. Didn't have any side effects, they said just drink lots of fluids after. Oh yeah, I think it lasted 30 minutes so not to bad

Here they don’t give you lidocaine anymore so if there is a vein, they usually use one on top of my hand, I use my lidocaine I had from my infusions. I understand the needle phobia, me too, but have to admit it wasn’t that bad.

I'm wishing for the best result for you.

Agree wholeheartedly SB, I know this would have been much harder without my chemo sisters. How are you doing? Wanderweg have you heard anything from your brain scan?

I had a great girls holiday, it was so much fun just getting back to normal.

Hugs to all

Hi guys, I totally agree. Not sure what happened to my earlier post, went to edit and must of pushed delete.....oops. I wouldn’t have made it through the last year without you guys.

Wanderweg, how fun, you always go to exciting places. Enjoy.

SB, how are things with you? Staying out of trouble

I got back from a fabulous girls holiday this week and had so much fun. One thing, I went swimming and it is much different with an implant I couldn’t get use to the feel of it under my muscle and seem to sink much faster. I use to be a scuba diver and good swimmer, not sure that is in the cards anymore but who cares, there are other things to do.

Take care all

Hip Hip Hooray Mactaz!!!

what an exciting vaca, it is beautiful and you look great.

Hope all are doing well

Hi ladies,

Hope to find everyone doing well.

Wanderweg—that looks amazing. I’ve always wanted to see the northern lights. And a natural hot tub! Sign me up!

Mactaz—congrats on getting the port out!

SB—thanks for all of the supplement recs. You are one amazing researcher.

I also get so stinking tired. My bedtime is 8 pm. I can’t nap anymore, I just can’t 😭 so if I can’t sleep at night then I’m screwed. Hot flashes are still rampant and oh so juicy. I’m liking not having boobs. I just suits me now, I suppose. Still neutropenic. Ugh. That is a bummer and my RBCs are still out of whack from chemo. Also my vision sucks!

You are all so awesome!!!!

XOXO

I meant to post earlier but I left town immediately after my brain CT. The MO's nurse called me as we were on the road to give me the all clear. Big relief! So, no idea what that was in the mastoid area, but he's just calling it an incidental finding.

I met a friend for lunch today who had stage III BC five years ago. She is thinking she'll stay on an AI for at least another year. We both wonder if those core biopsies could potentially send cancer cells out. Doesn't make sense to me that breaking through tumors with a trocar but leaving them in for a while isn't dangerous. Also, after we talked, I've decide to defer any decision about revision surgery indefinitely. I think I need to just grieve the changes and learn to accept my body as it is now.

MGJ - I stay tired, too. I take my tamoxifen about 9pm and rarely stay up much past that.

good new wanderweg, so happy for you.

wanderweg—whew! Great news!

SB—I’m starting to read again because I sure couldn’t last year. I was too distracted. I bought the fasting book from Longo and the ‘how to starve cancer’ book. Anything else you recommend? I did a 4 day fast a couple months ago and half of the week I intermittent fast and eat super low cal. On the weekends, I try to do the 16 fast but it doesn’t always work out! Wine and cheese plates get me every time 🤤

Take care everyone!

SB—the 4 day fast was nuts! I was dying to eat at the end of it. I usually don’t ever get hungry like that. My hubby was out of town so that’s how I survived it. I have gained back about 15 pounds. I’m still quite thin but feel good.

SB—No worries—that’s ok! You know I was about to keel over after four days of tea and water myself!

Hi Moonrabbit - I think I started with this group after you weren't as active with it, because my chemo started the very end of August. Are you implants over or under the muscle? I haven't had any little knots but I'd run it by my breast surgeon or plastic surgeon to be sure it's nothing.

Ah, okay. Mine are above the muscle, so not stitched in, I don't think. But I'm glad you are going to ask your surgeon about it - likely nothing but it will be reassuring to have someone actually take a look at it.