2017 Diagnosed-- A Place To Share "What's Next"

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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited January 2020

    DodgersGirl, thank you for keeping us up to date. Magnesium helped my constipation from Tamoxifen a lot so maybe add a bit more of that to your collection of miracle pills? Thinking of you!

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited January 2020

    Georgia1- I did not know that was a benefit from taking magnesium. How much did you take?

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  • Scrafgal
    Scrafgal Member Posts: 631
    edited January 2020

    DodgersGirl, glad that rads is finally over but sorry to hear about the continued pain your hip and the gastro issues...Let me add my personal tidbits on constipation to the chorus here...I suffered badly during the final weeks of chemo. I tried everything on the market. In the last ditch attempt before giving up and thinking that I needed medical intervention, I tried smooth move tea. Worked better than anything else. It has way more senna than Senakot, works overnight, while Colace is just a softener that works over day but does not really help get the contractions needed for a movement. I was actually at the extreme of constipation--never the other way--so I can't help with the swings back and forth!

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited January 2020

    Scrafgal— guess what is going on my shopping list

    Thanks for that info.

    Smooth Move Tea: is it sold in the aisle with tea or laxatives?

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  • Scrafgal
    Scrafgal Member Posts: 631
    edited January 2020

    You can buy it at drugstores. CVS puts it near the other laxative products. I was soooo surprised that it worked. I had given up all hope after a week of zilcho! My aunt had colon cancer and suffered from constipation. She convinced me to give this a try before heading to the medical intervention stage.

    There is an original and peppermint version. The both taste fine but the peppermint is better! My aunt's instructions:"Just drink it at night, wake up and go about your business..."it" will happen before morning is over!

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  • Scrafgal
    Scrafgal Member Posts: 631
    edited January 2020

    Traditional Medicinals, Laxative Teas, Organic Smooth Move, Peppermint, Caffeine Free, 16 Wrapped Tea Bags, 1.13 oz (32 g)

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  • pink_is_my_colour
    pink_is_my_colour Member Posts: 308
    edited January 2020

    Spelling diarrhea! Still have to look it up but thankfully there's autocorrect.

    Oh DodgersGirl, I'm sorry you have to go through this.

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited January 2020

    Hello to everyone. I had a LONG day yesterday and wanted to let you know that I could feel you guys with me. What a blessing. Thank you so!!

    MO appointment. Guess what? More scans. I am sure he could see the disappointment on my face. But I do understand why and that it’s necessary.. just feels like every time I turn around there’s another test. Next month I am scheduled for a CT scan and a nuclear bone scan. This will become my baseline. Then I will have these 2 tests every 3 months. I got my XGEVA shot today (in the arm) and will do that monthly. I will see MO monthly, too. Blood work will check how I am doing while on Ibrance.

    I told MO I felt awful. Felt dehydrated, nauseous, and the continuing bouts of diarrhea. (I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to get to the doctor’s office). He set me up for fluids after his appointment with an open ended appointment, if I wanted more fluids.

    Emotionally I wasn’t ready to see the Infusion Center yet. Sigh. 2 hours for fluids. 3 trips to restroom while there.

    When I arrived home, I was cold and tired. Headed to bed early last night

    The bright spot was hearing MO tell me after all the scans so far, I am bone mets only. I know that is what I read into my scans but it was great to hear MO say it.

    Ortho surgeon appt tomorrow followed by another 2 hours of fluids

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  • Scrafgal
    Scrafgal Member Posts: 631
    edited January 2020

    DodgersGirl,

    Thanks for the update. I am happy that you got some relief about having mets to bones only. That is a bright spot, amidst all of your tough spots, lately. Although you didn't want to be in that room, I am sure that the fluids will do you good, after what you've been through. It seems that your medical team (MO) is attentive to your needs. You have a lot to coordinate, and it seems that you are doing a great job of keeping track of everything. Going to be early sounds like what you needed. Hopefully, you can find a way to make your employment less taxing on you. That must be hard physically and mentally--both types of stress are not what you need added to your situation.

    Take care, this evening.


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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited January 2020

    Scrafgal- thanks

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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited January 2020

    DodgersGirl, thanks for the update. What an exhausting state of affairs, but I like your "bright spot!" On magnesium, I took 200 mg per day, in the morning. I think it also helped me sleep.

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited January 2020

    Georgia1– thank you

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  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited January 2020

    DodgersGirl - glad the rads are over. I hope you're getting the tummy issues sorted and it sounds like your MO is attentive and responsive.

    I went to the dr this morning with this small nagging cough that's been bugging me since early Dec and she sent me for a chest xray..... and right after I got home I got a call from my doctor that they see something they don't like and they want me to get a CT scan. She's hoping that will be scheduled next week. Sigh. I'm clinging to the ideas of false positive and "abundance of caution" but honestly, I feel awful now & my mind is in a bad place.

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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited January 2020

    Oh Moth I'm so sorry. Thinking good thoughts for you.

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  • Scrafgal
    Scrafgal Member Posts: 631
    edited January 2020

    Moth, sorry to hear it. I hope that you can get the CT scan early next week. Will cling to good thoughts with you!

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited January 2020

    Moth— hoping you can get your CT scan done quickly and that whatever they see is nothing to worry about.

    Sending you positive thoughts.


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  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited January 2020

    thank you Georgia, Scrafgal and DodgersGirl. Someone in another thread just reminded me this is an 'undiagnosed result' We don't know what it is so I need to not let my brain run ahead of itself

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  • runor
    runor Member Posts: 1,798
    edited January 2020

    Dodgers, I hear the exhaustion. I am so sorry.

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  • Legomaster225
    Legomaster225 Member Posts: 672
    edited February 2020

    Moth, hope they get you in early next week so you get some definitive answers. I know our minds, understandably, go to the worst case scenario. It sucks. Praying for peace for you while you wait.

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  • Scottie719
    Scottie719 Member Posts: 34
    edited February 2020

    Moth - I think the hardest part [at least it was for me during treatment, and continues to be, even just for routine imaging] is to "not get ahead of the story". Some days I'm more successful than others at living in the present, and focusing only on what I know as fact at the time. Here's hoping that the "abundance of caution" turns out to be just that - and wishing you peace in the meantime. All that said, it all does truly suck.

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited February 2020

    Runor- you nailed it. I AM worn out. Exhausted. Want to get comfy in bed and sleep for hours. But can’t do that right now.

    Friday was a long day, adding to the overall tiredness.

    Friday morning started early with a trip to the bathroom every 5-10 mins. How would I attend my morning ortho surgeon appointment when I can’t be more that mere seconds to the bathroom??

    At 8 am, I called MO’s office looking for help. I was told it was ok to take Imodium even with all the other meds I am on. Started with 2 Imodiums. 10 mins later, after visiting the throne again, I took another Imodium. Well that was enough to get me thru my doctor’s appointment!! Spent over 2 hours at the ortho surgeon’s office. Good news there— Dr said my hips did NOT look at danger for a fracture!!!!! I go back in March for a check up.

    Got home and took a nap. Spent 2 hours that afternoon getting fluids and had blood drawn to see if my numbers were ok. Dehydration messes with your system. Dr also ordered a stool test to make sure I don’t have C-Diff. And got a prescription strength RX for Imodium.

    Started out this morning with frequent restroom visits. First trip at 4 am.

    Just so tired of this. Food makes me sick, beverages make me sick, even water makes me sick.

    Looking into the future, I don’t have any doctors appointments next week. So if I can just start eating and drinking, I could feel more normal very soon.

    One day at a time. And for the moment, nothing hurts. I will take it.

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  • Scrafgal
    Scrafgal Member Posts: 631
    edited February 2020

    Yes, DodgersGirl, I am hoping that you get things settled and be able to eat and drink in peace next week. Glad for every bit of news about your hip and pain relief...and no doctor appointments next week!

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  • Legomaster225
    Legomaster225 Member Posts: 672
    edited February 2020

    So frustrating DG! Hopefully you will turn the corner soon. The RO did warm about the diarrhea, I guess that is a good thing. At least you know it was expected even if it is miserable and so damn difficult. Hopefully it isn't cDiff. My son had that at 15 after a round of antibiotics for an ear infection. It was awful and recovery time normal took forever for him. Good news from the orthopedic though! No fracture risk is good. And now you will have monitoring from him which will hopefully catch anything early.

    Sorry you are going through all this. I wish we could wish it all away but hopefully our support is helping a little.

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited February 2020

    Legomaster225– reading replies and comments from you guys is like getting a beautiful bouquet or having the sun shining after days of gloom. It is so appreciated.

    Thank you

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  • Cpeachymom
    Cpeachymom Member Posts: 518
    edited February 2020

    dodgers- sending virtual sunshine and flowers your way this week- 🌸🌞!

    I hope you feel better soon. 🌹

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  • Cpeachymom
    Cpeachymom Member Posts: 518
    edited February 2020

    Moth- hoping for quick answers and good results. I had the “come back in three months for another chest CT” thing a while back, and it sucked. Felt like life was put on hold until I got the all clear. (thankfully!)

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  • pink_is_my_colour
    pink_is_my_colour Member Posts: 308
    edited February 2020

    image

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited February 2020

    pink_is_my_colour— nice flowers!

    Cpeachymom— thanks for the virtual sun and flowers!

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  • runor
    runor Member Posts: 1,798
    edited February 2020

    Look at those brilliant sunflowers! Pink, did you pick them out of your backyard? In February? In EDMONTON? I think not. 

    Thinking of you Dodge and all others who are doing combat with the beast. Hugs.

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  • pink_is_my_colour
    pink_is_my_colour Member Posts: 308
    edited February 2020

    Runor: Lol! I got them and thought I'd share them with everyone. We have about two to three feet of snow in the backyard. Be lucky if I can get to the garden by May.

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