Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part IV - GAGWTA

[The Mystery Machine]

Thanks Dancind. I was looking at the front close bras at WalMart last night, wondering which size to get.

I already know that adhesives bug me. I have eczema and awful skin to begin. I have had many mole removals. Not looking forward to the radiation burns with my skin.

Snappy thanks for your input as well. I am 50 and heading into menopause right now.

 

[Feralpeg]

TMM, stock up on Bacitracin. I went through a ton of it toward the end of my radiation. I didn't have any issues at all until toward the end of my treatments. Suddenly, the skill started pealing off in sheets. The Bacitracin was the only thing that helped. Fortunately, it cleared up pretty quickly once the treatments ended.

 

[Feralpeg]

Did you guys take tamoxifen? The recommendation is to take it for the next 5-10 yrs?

Looks ugly on paper with the side effects and all the other stuff.

I've been on Tamoxifen for almost 2 1/2 years. I had no immediate side effects, but have developed some in the past six months. Nothing so terrible I need to stop taking it, but I will consider my options when I hit the five year mark. My oncologist had told me he likes to keep his patients on it for life. Not sure that will happen. At my age, I have enough aches and pains. I really don't need a medication to give me more.

The good news...with my insurance coverage, it's free. I get it at Publix.

 

[snappy]

Free is good.

When I took tamoxifen 2004-2009, the cut off was 5 years.
Not sure if protocol has changed in the interim or if it depends on the doctor.

 

[smiley_face2]

So much great input for you TMM!
Dancind.....mine does the same thing! when I don't get a notification for a few days is makes me wonder and I come here to check anyway, and sure enough there are new posts. I think because the notification system is site wide, not just thread specific, so if you are following other threads in DIS and get a notification for that, you will not get any more notifications at all until you visit that thread. At least it seems that way to me. I have stopped following all but this and maybe 2 other threads so it cuts down on the notifications.
So sad we won't be able to visit the Fetzer Brothers vineyards any time soon! our dollar is down every day, today, every US dollar I would spend on holiday will be a minimum of $1.51 out of my pocket, if we use credit cards its even more. So no trips south of the border until that all improves. I'm glad we can buy their wine here, for the same price as down there too!! which is really unusual! except right now a bottle would cost me about $21 down there but only $13 here!
Off to the big city tomorrow (Vancouver British Columbia) for our grand daughters combined birthday party tomorrow. We are going in with our oldest daughter and her 3 little ones, the cousins are very excited to get to see each other!
We are going to the theater to see the new Star Wars movie next week finally, will do dinner first. I'm pretty excited about it! we were young teens in love back in 77 when the first one came out. We had to go the city to see it, and the line up was around the block!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

TMM - you are getting lots of good info from the ladies here. Wishing you all the best

Janet - your pictures are beautiful. Hope you have a wonderful time at the party tomm.

Linda - I hear you about the FAFSA. I have been on both sides of the fence. Doing it as a parent and then working in the financial aid office at the college.

Laurie - glad things are settling in with your mom. Wishing your dd1 all the best too. Did she take the test yet?

Diana and Peg - Nice to see you too

Minky - if you are following along , hope you are tolerating the treatments. Prayers for you.

Emily (Elmo) - if you are reading along, thinking of you too as I am sure the holidays were hard for you. Prayers for you.

I went to the hematologist today. He didnt even bother to come in the room, just the np. I got a b12 shot and my one blood number is going up for the iron slowly. Dh and I are talking and we dont know if we want to go back here. They arent really doing anything and I can go to the reg. pcp for a little less money. for the same stuff etc.

After the hematologist dh and I went to a rehab center to visit a sweet lady from our church, not only is she there but so is her daughter. She broke her hip and her daughter broke some bones in her neck.

Ds1 is having some major hip problems and needs to see a dr. 2 already told him he needs a hip replacement. Bad genes are in my family for sure.

Ds3 applied for the masters program in Adult and Family Nurse Practioner. He said 400 applied and 200 were granted interviews. He went for an interview with a group of 6 and they only asked them all the same 2 questions, gheesh. They said they will only accept 80 people into the program, Its 3 years and mostly online with some in person clinicals. He will know is March. He doesnt have a Plan B if he does not get in. Also they said that sometime in March he should be able to get on the day shift of his floor but he said he really doesnt feel challenged enough there, sigh.

Well next month I have to go for the blood tests and the sono to get ready for the 6 month cancer check up, so at least I have a break hopefully for a little while.

GAGWTA

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Minky if you are out there reading, I hope that you post soon to let us know how you are doing. I am starting to worry now.

Nice reading all your posts. Thanks for the support.

GAGWTA

 

[Dancind]

Janet, sorry you can't get to CA this year. I know how you love it because I feel the same. We went to Portland for Christmas and it was so cold! Didn't walk much, started out a few times then got in the car. We ate really well though.

It's not so bad though, your home looks like a great vacation spot. I live in a dry, brown place. Yes, there are mountains but you get so used to them they just mean "east" when you're figuring out directions.

 

[maxaroni]

Hello Ladies! I do not have breast cancer but often saw this thread and skipped over it as I do not have breast cancer. However, for some reason, I saw TMM post she had just been diagnosed and someone suggested this thread. I popped in and have lurked a bit. What I have found is a group of women with a ton of support, kindness and compassion. I see a place to vent, learn and support each other.

While I, myself, do not have breast cancer my mom did have breast cancer and a 2 time survivor. She had cancer back in '89, having a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. She was 12 years before cancer reared its ugly head again....same breast. This time she had a mastectomy, needing no further treatment. My mom never had cancer after that. Sadly, she wound up with a boat load of other issues and passed away in 2014....but, not from cancer.

I dear friend of mine went through a double mastectomy but had cancer in one breast. I spoke to her each and every day, even if it was just a hello. I shared the tears, the miserable times and the joy of seeing her cancer free. A co-worker just finished treatment. She had chemo, lumpectomy and then radiation. She is triple negative. I know of many others but those are the 2 that I "shared" their journey with.

I wish all of you the best....for the ones going through the journey now, and the ones who are survivors. You are all in my thoughts

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Thanks for the touching post Max.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Hello Ladies! I do not have breast cancer but often saw this thread and skipped over it as I do not have breast cancer. However, for some reason, I saw TMM post she had just been diagnosed and someone suggested this thread. I popped in and have lurked a bit. What I have found is a group of women with a ton of support, kindness and compassion. I see a place to vent, learn and support each other.

While I, myself, do not have breast cancer my mom did have breast cancer and a 2 time survivor. She had cancer back in '89, having a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. She was 12 years before cancer reared its ugly head again....same breast. This time she had a mastectomy, needing no further treatment. My mom never had cancer after that. Sadly, she wound up with a boat load of other issues and passed away in 2014....but, not from cancer.

I dear friend of mine went through a double mastectomy but had cancer in one breast. I spoke to her each and every day, even if it was just a hello. I shared the tears, the miserable times and the joy of seeing her cancer free. A co-worker just finished treatment. She had chemo, lumpectomy and then radiation. She is triple negative. I know of many others but those are the 2 that I "shared" their journey with.

I wish all of you the best....for the ones going through the journey now, and the ones who are survivors. You are all in my thoughts

So nice of you to stop by and comment. Thank you. It is a nice thread - ongoing since 2005.

To be honest, there was something about the subject of breast cancer that I couldn't stand myself, so I know what you mean about skipping by it. Whenever I saw it mentioned, I skipped right past it myself. So it was kind of funny when I had to delve into the subject after I was diagnosed with it. Definitely not something I ever cared to learn that much about, lol. I often wondered if it was just a fluke that I avoided it for so long. At any rate, it's nice to be able to help people when they get the dreaded diagnosis, or they are going through difficult testing, etc. And we've certainly developed some long term friendships and camaraderie here.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

TMM, stock up on Bacitracin. I went through a ton of it toward the end of my radiation. I didn't have any issues at all until toward the end of my treatments. Suddenly, the skill started pealing off in sheets. The Bacitracin was the only thing that helped. Fortunately, it cleared up pretty quickly once the treatments ended.

Might be allergic to it? I am allergic to Poly & Neosporin. Also pain meds.

My skin is awful to begin with. I am going to have a heck of a time with the radiation.

Today I go for my surgery prep consult. Anything I should ask?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Some radiation centers, and/or some radiation oncologists, have specific products they want you to use. (Mine used Aquaphor and some prescription stuff if necessary.) Your skin issues will be something you'll discuss on your initial visit with them, and keep discussing as your treatment progresses. It's not generally until toward the middle to end that it gets to be an issue - and then it's over. So don't worry too much about it. You also can't shave your affected armpit and you can't use certain deodorants, if any. They'll let you know what their policies are.

As for surgical prep, definitely let them know about your skin issues - and was it you who had a tape allergy? You could ask for paper tape. Also ask them if they offer Reiki prior to surgery, it's a nice thing to have during a time that can be a little (to a lot, depending on how you are) nerve wracking. If they're a major center, I'd guess they do. Take advantage of it! Also ask about how long it will take, and any questions you have about the sentinel node biopsy. You will follow up with your surgeon in-office if there are any post-surgical issues.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I think I will include adhesive tape on my list of allergies. My hands are so torn up from eczema right now, blah.

I had to look up Reiki. Sounds nice.

Thanks Pea.

 

[robinb]

You shouldn't have to tell a surgeon about the margins they need - they already know, that's what they do! I think when they're actually in there, it's not exactly easy to tell, given living tissue and all, and remember, the tissue taken out is sent to the lab, and pathologists determine whether the margins were sufficient, so it's not just one set of eyes studying it. That said, it's not a perfect science; more of an art at times.

I had to go back and have a second surgery because my margins were not wide enough from the first one.

I am allergic to most pain meds, so they are going to give me percocet and see if that is OK. Not looking forward to that.

I had a nerve block of my surgical area. It worked like a charm! I didn't need a lot of pain meds after the fact. I wonder if you would have allergies to that as well.

Did you guys take tamoxifen? The recommendation is to take it for the next 5-10 yrs?

I didn't like the side effects of Tomoxifen myself so I went with Anastrozole instead. I do have some side effects ... some minor joint pain and continued hot flashes even though I am in menopause.

 

[smiley_face2]

I think I will include adhesive tape on my list of allergies. My hands are so torn up from eczema right now, blah.

I had to look up Reiki. Sounds nice.

Thanks Pea.

I had exzema so bad, skin was cracked and bleeding. the steroid creams and ointiments didnt' touch it. I did some research of my own, and started taking a strong pro biotic and vitamin d. your intestines are where about 90% of your immunity comes from, and if there is any inflamation going on it is bad for cancer. And vitamin d deficiancy has been linked to breast cancer. Since I started on those 2 things about 2 years ago now, the only time I have a flare up is when I get lazy about taking them every day! Look into it. ask your oncologist about the 2 things, taking them, they certainly won't hurt you and are worth a try! it took 2 weeks or so to calm down. now, when I don't take them for about 3 days, I start getting that itch.

 

[smiley_face2]

Janet, sorry you can't get to CA this year. I know how you love it because I feel the same. We went to Portland for Christmas and it was so cold! Didn't walk much, started out a few times then got in the car. We ate really well though.

It's not so bad though, your home looks like a great vacation spot. I live in a dry, brown place. Yes, there are mountains but you get so used to them they just mean "east" when you're figuring out directions.

I looked up some campgrounds in big sur, even a tent site comes out to $80 a night with our horrible exchange rate!! and believe me, my camping days are long gone!! LOL!!!
I have to use my airmiles by Dec 31 this year, it is sad we could use them to fly to California but then can't afford to stay and eat anywhere!! lol... so we will use them for a very nice resort up in the Okanagan Valley in fall, it's our "napa valley" we will do another wine tour up there and bring home something to get us through the winter! lol!!!
this is the city we will be going to, Kelowna. the Scenery is so much like central California! we have considered moving up here, I actually was born and grew up just north of this area, but we don't want to leave our daughters behind, and the average lows for all the winter months are below freezing. Ah well at least it only takes us about 6 hours to get there!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I had exzema so bad, skin was cracked and bleeding. the steroid creams and ointiments didnt' touch it. I did some research of my own, and started taking a strong pro biotic and vitamin d. your intestines are where about 90% of your immunity comes from, and if there is any inflamation going on it is bad for cancer. And vitamin d deficiancy has been linked to breast cancer. Since I started on those 2 things about 2 years ago now, the only time I have a flare up is when I get lazy about taking them every day! Look into it. ask your oncologist about the 2 things, taking them, they certainly won't hurt you and are worth a try! it took 2 weeks or so to calm down. now, when I don't take them for about 3 days, I start getting that itch.

I have taken probiotics before and I can't remember if they helped my eczema. I am going to start them up again soon.

 

[Dancind]

You know, lots of probiotic pills don't do much. You have to really do your research. I try to get most of my pre/probiotics these days from food. Grass fed (plain) whole milk yogurt, raw milk cheese, fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi, kombucha. And I take a pill just for good measure. Have to say my digestive system is now as efficient as it's been in my memory. If that was too much information, sorry! I also have a tendency to get eczema on my face. A bout of antibiotics will set it off big time, so was not surprised to learn that it kills all your good bacteria along with bad.

 

[Dancind]

Janet, that is beautiful! Maybe you could swing a summer cottage there? I'd love to have two small homes, one for winter and one for summer!