Re: Introduction of New Member

[Guest guest]

Welcome Chris

Glad you found the group! And that you had such a positive experience during your treatments. It is amazing how chemo affects different people different ways. It is a blessing that your grandchildren have you to help take care of them.

I'm Pam, 13 year survivor of IBC, while pregnant. I had a MRM and chemo while pregnant then rads. No major problems since them except for the hot flashes and menopausal symptoms. I tried effexor and it made me very sick. I use bellamine for my hot flashes and it works great. Another natural remedy is evening primrose oil.

Looking forward to getting to know you better,

hugs

Pam

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your words of encouragement.

ren

[Guest guest]

Chris

Might you be taking Femara instead of Arimidex because you are afraid

of the bone mass decrease caused by Arimidex?

Any side effects on Femara?

Janie

>

>

> Hello, again. My name is Chris. I was diagonsed with BC in Dec.

> 2002. The tumor was found by mammogram, not by manual exam. I

> elected to have a mastectomy and chemo. My surgeon said I was a

great

> candidate for a lumpectomy and by having a mast. would change the

> percentage of survival by 3-5 percent. My thought was to give

myself

> the best chance possible.

>

> I had four rounds of A/C. My hair started falling out exactly two

> weeks after the first chemo. I shaved my own hair as my husband

> couldn't bring himself to do it. My Onc. was (and is) great. I did

> not get sick one day during the four months of chemo. I had anti-

> nausea meds IV and took Kytril for three days after. It is a wonder

> drug.

>

> I am now 56 and have two grandchildren that I take care of after

> school. They are now nine and five. I was able to maintain my

> schedule during chemo but had to stop my volunteer work at their

> school in order to avoid contact with the children.

>

> I then had six weeks of radiation as the tumor was so close to the

> chest wall. That was OK, too, except towards the end of the six

> weeks. Again, nothing in my life changed. I was able to keep up

with

> the kids and do most things I did before.

>

> I was so excited to see my hair begin to grow. My hair has always

> been straight and I keep it short but it grew in really curly,

which I

> loved. It has now settled down to lots of body and waves around my

> ears and really thick. It takes forever to dry.

>

> As for now, some suggestions for Janie and Ren. I will take Femara

> for five years. At first I experienced hot flashes and night sweats

so

> my Onc prescribed Effexor, an anti-depressant. I works great! I

> don't like to take unnecessary meds, but this has solved the

problem.

> Since my tumor was hormone positive and I was post-menopausal, I

take

> Femara. It has fewer side effects than Tomaxifin.

> I am very fortunate. I would not wish this on anyone. I believe

> there is a reason for everything that happens to us. I treasure

every

> day and appreciate small things in life.

>

> I did not mean for this to be so lengthy. Thank you for this

forum.

> Everyone is great on this list. It helps so many through a terrible

> time. Thanks and love to all, Chris

[Guest guest]

> >

> >

> > Hello, again. My name is Chris. I was diagonsed with BC in Dec.

> > 2002. The tumor was found by mammogram, not by manual exam. I

> > elected to have a mastectomy and chemo. My surgeon said I was a

> great

> > candidate for a lumpectomy and by having a mast. would change the

> > percentage of survival by 3-5 percent. My thought was to give

> myself

> > the best chance possible.

> >

> > I had four rounds of A/C. My hair started falling out exactly two

> > weeks after the first chemo. I shaved my own hair as my husband

> > couldn't bring himself to do it. My Onc. was (and is) great. I did

> > not get sick one day during the four months of chemo. I had anti-

> > nausea meds IV and took Kytril for three days after. It is a wonder

> > drug.

> >

> > I am now 56 and have two grandchildren that I take care of after

> > school. They are now nine and five. I was able to maintain my

> > schedule during chemo but had to stop my volunteer work at their

> > school in order to avoid contact with the children.

> >

> > I then had six weeks of radiation as the tumor was so close to the

> > chest wall. That was OK, too, except towards the end of the six

> > weeks. Again, nothing in my life changed. I was able to keep up

> with

> > the kids and do most things I did before.

> >

> > I was so excited to see my hair begin to grow. My hair has always

> > been straight and I keep it short but it grew in really curly,

> which I

> > loved. It has now settled down to lots of body and waves around my

> > ears and really thick. It takes forever to dry.

> >

> > As for now, some suggestions for Janie and Ren. I will take Femara

> > for five years. At first I experienced hot flashes and night sweats

> so

> > my Onc prescribed Effexor, an anti-depressant. I works great! I

> > don't like to take unnecessary meds, but this has solved the

> problem.

> > Since my tumor was hormone positive and I was post-menopausal, I

> take

> > Femara. It has fewer side effects than Tomaxifin.

> > I am very fortunate. I would not wish this on anyone. I believe

> > there is a reason for everything that happens to us. I treasure

> every

> > day and appreciate small things in life.

> >

> > I did not mean for this to be so lengthy. Thank you for this

> forum.

> > Everyone is great on this list. It helps so many through a terrible

> > time. Thanks and love to all, Chris