Dis Breast Cancer Survivors - GAGWTA!

[Laurajean1014]

NHAnn - Lovely song/poem.

I'm here to check in and say "Hello."

I hope everyone is having a beautiful day as we are here in sunny Connecticut!

Thought of the day: Acts of kindness actually improve your health! If you do something nice to someone; you and that person will produce (what's that hormone called??? - Ceragin) which is a natural anti-depressant and an aid to help generate energy through the body. If a person witnesses an act of kindness, they receive (a lower dose), but a similar change.

Love you all!

 

[snappy]

Thanks everyone, your caring words and deeds are bringing me to tears here.

 

[Tinkertude]

I just read the below article on Ruetgers I used a anti seizue drug called bellapas for hot flashes when I was on Tam. It was a God send for me Hope the info encourages discussion with your doc if you are "power surging"

Gabapentin, an anti-epilepsy drug, can reduce hot flashes in women having treatment for breast cancer by 46 percent, according to new research published on Friday.

Women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer often experience hot flashes (hot flushes). But Dr Kishan Pandya, of the University of Rochester Cancer Center in New York, found the drug made by U.S. drug giant Pfizer Inc. under the name Neurotin helped relieve the symptom.

"We believe gabapentin can be added to the list of non-hormonal agents for the control of hot flashes in women with breast cancer," Pandya said in a report in medical journal The Lancet.

Oestrogen and progestagen can also relieve hot flashes in women suffering from breast cancer but the hormone replacement treatment may increase the risk of the cancer returning.

The scientists studied the impact of the drug on 420 women with breast cancer who suffered two or more hot flashes a day. The women, who kept a diary of their hot flashes, were randomly selected to receive 300 mg or 900 mg of gabapentin a day or a placebo, a dummy drug.

After eight weeks of treatment the researchers said there had been a 31 percent fall in hot flashes among the 300 mg group and a 15 percent drop among those given a placebo.

"We found a 46 percent reduction in hot flashes with gabapentin 900 mg," said Pandya.

The study was designed to test the impact of the treatment for eight weeks. The scientists could not comment on long-term use of the drug.

Pandya said the effects of doses higher than 900 mg per day merit further study.

Gabapentin, which affects chemicals and nerves in the body that cause seizures and certain types of pain, has also been shown to reduce pain and other symptoms associated with the viral disease shingles.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. More than a million cases occur worldwide each year, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, France.

 

[laurabelle]

Snappy and all- I have a dear friend from my online support group who lives in Mandeville, LA. I have been so worried about her, and took the chance and called her this morning and actually got through. Praise God she is safe at HOME!!! She did not evacuate, her home was spared all damage and flooding. She is on the eastern part of the levee break and the western part is flooded. Her family is safe. They are still waiting to hear from her
father-in-law who is in Algiers but supposedly in an area not hard
hit. She heard from her cousin who went to TX who had a grandmother
in Mississippi who did not evacuate and her body was found. She said it is
almost impossible to get a phone call through in state, but she can
sometimes get out of state calls - like mine this morning. She is due
to get chemo on Fri and needed neupogen Tue., which she really needs
to be able to do weekly Navelbine, but of course she couldn't get it.
Someone is going to drive around later today to see if she can get to
the hospital tomorrow. Please pray that she is able to get chemo. She
has a generator and like I say, out of state phone service at times
so I told her I would make calls for her if she needed it too. They
expect to be without power for at least 2 months. There is so much
devastation surrounding them though even though they were spared.
Everyone works in New Orleans...no one can quite imagine what will
happen from here.

Snappy, I'm so glad you are safe and you can do something tangible to help. It's incredibly frustrating sitting here...you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[NHAnn]

Wow, Neurontin is a pretty powerful drug, I thought it was a pain killer type thing. . My mom took it for quite some time after her brain surgery and stroke. I'm lucky (knock on wood) thatmy flashes are not too debilitating. I had them start up a few weeks after diagnosis after stopping my 1 mg estradiol at diagnosis. I've been taking something called Peridin-C that is keeping mine pretty mild and manageable.

snappy...my heart goes out to you...and my prayers for all affected by Katrina. It's mind-boggling.
Our local NH TV station and a couple of radio stations teamed up with the Red Cross for telethon/fundraisers "Help from New Hampshire"..... people feel so helpless to do something to help and the donation responses have been amazing. It started off with the morning radio shows promoting it, and was promoted on a message line across the bottom of the TV screen all day. At my office of about 50 people we did an impromptu collection and collected cash and checks for the Red Cross totalling over $1000 in just a few hours to be delivered to the radio station. I just checked the TV station website, and it said that after a special 1 hour minitelethon special, the total donations for the combined efforts all day had raised nearly $900,000 for the Red Cross. So I have no doubt that our little state will be sending at least 1 million through this effort.
laurabelle, I will pray for your friend...

GAGWTA and good night

 

[NHAnn]

to my friends
and prayers to all in need in this horrible crisis.

 

[MinnieM3]

Laura...so glad you are home. Praying for your remission.

Snappy....glad you are doing OK. How awful for you to have to go through all this.

GAGWTA. Hope to be online more this weekend!

 

[laurabelle]

Just wanted to say GAGWTA sistas!

I'm on the mend! Remicade is my miracle drug for the colitis, I'm thrilled to say! I am really whacked out on the high dose steroids though. I wish I could ramp down faster, but I can only go down 5mg /week, so it's going to take a long time to get off. I just wish I could get some good sleep, the Ambien only works for a couple of hours...
Lots of doctors appts and next infusion coming up, but not until next week... It's nice to be left alone!!!

So when I'm up late at night, I'm working on my Oct. WDW trip, which is a very welcome, happy distraction these days!

I hope everyone is well!

 

[MerryPoppins]

Good to hear that things are looking up, Laura.

It's been a relatively quiet weekend. We're in the middle of getting a new roof, so Sunday and today have been a rest for the ears. I guess the crew will be back bright and early tomorrow to finish up.

Today, we are just sort of picking up and taking it easy. We're thinking about going to the movies or just having a family game night tonight. DH has already said he wants to order pizza so I won't have to "labor" in the kitchen.

Just wanted to let you know I'm thinking about all of you. GAGWTA!

 

[NHAnn]

Great to hear your news Laura, and hope that you can get some more sleep soon!!

The weather has been absolutely beautiful here, the entire weekend. Saturday I drove down to Massachusetts to see my parents and DH helped one of my stepsons move, but we've tried to spend yesterday and today just sort of together...some of it relaxation, some errands and housekeeping... but "together" (DD is back at school)...the summer just flew with my treatment and "regular life" , and this has been a nice breather, and wonderful weather to add to the feeling

GAGWTA!!!

 

[Mickey Nut 50]

I was so happy to find this support group on the DIS!

I had a lumpectomy in February, radiation, and a mastectomy July 19. All the same breast - mine was DCIS from the DES my mother took while pregnant with me.

Any other DES daughters here?

 

[snappy]

I worked with a DES daughter once. I think I remember she had cancer but it was either ovarian or cervical.

What type of drug was DES, was it for nausea?

 

[Lessa of Pern]

yes, DES was used for morning sickness.

my daughter overcame her "Lance Armstrong" difficulties and finally read the book. she had a loit of citicism...the parts where he described chemo and all his side effects disturbed her...but then she complained that "he spent pages and pages praising his wife...and now he's with Sheryl Crowe!"

 

[NHAnn]

Hi Mickey Nut!
Hhhmmmm...I wonder if my mother ever took DES...I kind of doubt it, she never had anything in the cupboard besides Exedrin for her and St Joseph's baby aspirin for us....(I am one of 8 siblings)....I will have to ask her next time I talk with her. Not sure at her age with her stroke adn brain injury if she'd remember, but then again her long-term memory is much clearer than her short term!

Lessa...good for your DD! she rose to the challenge and did the reading!

I have a check up with the surgeon Thursday...I am getting anxious...I don't know why really...just not looking forward to going to that office and reliving the anxiety of my previous visits I guess ...

But, on Saturday DH and I are "running away" for a week...he has to work 3 of the days but I am doing nothing but sit, read, relax, walk on the beach, comtemplate Maine in the early fall...I can't wait.

GAGWTA~~!

 

[MerryPoppins]

Sounds heavenly Ann. I know just what you mean about being nervous before going to the doctor. I still have that reaction. I start worrying about a week before I go and it's senseless. I wish I could just relax. They've never found anything in the 4 years since my surgery. Guess it just comes with the territory. I'm coming up on the 4th year anniversary of being cancer free!

I got a card in the mail saying I am due for a mammogram and haven't scheduled it. HUH? I always schedule it while I'm there for the next time so I won't neglect coming back. Guess I'd better call tomorrow. I can't find the card that tells me when my appointment was. I usually just wait until the postcard comes in the mail to remind me.

Glad she was able to read the book. It's wonderful that she faced it and made it through. I'm proud of her.

Mickey Nut, I had DCIS, but I'm not a DES daughter. Welcome! We're glad to have you here.

GAGWTA!

 

[Lessa of Pern]

earth to Doctor S! earth to Doctor S!

my primary care physician tells me I need a mammogram. ok, fine, I'll go to the lab where I got my CT scan before the hysterectomy.

but no, he insists that I get it done at the hospital "because he knows the radiologist there".

well, ok, whatever.

so he tells me, "get it done, and come back here in a month."

uh, doctor, what planet are you on? I called the radiology department, like you told me, and the soonest they can see me is...October 31.

not that it surprises me. my mom had hers done at another hospital, and it took 3 months to get an appointment.

 

[NHAnn]

GAGWTA!

Quiet day...hope no news is good news from all of you

I have a checkup with the surgeon tomorrow at 2.....if you think of it...send me some calming vibes...Just the thought of how I felt the last couple of times I was in that office has me anxious...I need to do my deep breathing

Tomorrow night we are heading over to see DD at school, it's her 19th birthday!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

GAGWTA! Thinking of all of you.

Ann, I know how you're feeling - I'm having mamms next week myself - last year they found a spot which had to be biopsied (but ultimately turned out to be nothing) so I'm starting to feel that little bit of anxiety too. Think of all of us and you'll be fine - I'll do the same. BTW, I like that birthday of your daughter's - DH and my best friend's (who lives in Nashua) birthdays are also tomorrow; I'm Saturday and my mother is Sunday!

Kids back to school today - 2nd grade!! I think I was more nervous than they were but it's really fun to see their excitement. I sent them off with mixed emotions - on the one hand it will be nice to have a little time to myself again, but we really had a fun summer and I'll miss them a bit during the day. Now that summer's over my plan is to try to eat healthier and get back to regular exercise, I slacked off a bit this summer and I want to get back on track. Anyone else feeling that way?

 

[NHAnn]

Back from my appt...everything was great...surgeon seemed quite pleased with the cosmetic results of her work and we both were pleased with the results of her exam (she was very thorough and had no concerns, then when I told/showed her an area on each side that I was finding worrisome she rechecked and explained what I was feeling and still no cause for concern)...now I don't have to see her again til March, a few days after my mamms
Of course I see the medical onc in a couple of weeks, and the radiation onc in December...but at this very moment I am feeling pretty darn awesome about things

snappy, I keep thinking of you and hope things are OK with you and your family...


GAGWTA!!!

 

[Amy]

NHAnn - great news!

GAGWTA - gotta run and pick up DS at band practice!