Re: Aromatase inhibitors and the heart

[Guest guest]

>

> I read, today that they can effect the heart not to mention the

bones.

> They have not been around long enough to know the long term side

> effects. All the therapies that were recommended to me AC, Herceptin

> and then Arimidex can all cause serious complications to the heart,

> especially AC and Herceptin one on top of the other. As congestive

> heart failure and dementia run in the family (grandmother and mother)

> I am seeing a naturopath in the hopes of a kinder, gentler treatment.

> Ruth

>

hi ruth,

could you please tell me where u read the affects to the heart and

lungs?? i really do have to make a decsion now about the arimidex, as

i am on a pension i am unable to do any alternative things, i eat as

well as i can, and i do not know anyhting about my family history as i

am an adoptee, i really need more facts to make that choice, thanking

you sandy in oz

[Guest guest]

The main purpose of my reply to " Ruth " was not to scare the other women just

starting out away from conventional treatments. Breast cancer is scary

enough, but to be inundated with materials covering all the " evil " sides of

treatment, I'm afraid too many won't give them a chance due to one person's

fear

of effects. Ruth has made her decision based on heredity and issues that

could face her in time. I respect that. My first sentence did read, " I wish

you

well. "

I, like many other women in this group, see BC as the dragon it is. I have

lost many relatives, aquaintances and " cyberfriends " to this disease. Could

that Mack truck ride along the highway and snuff me out? Sure and I'm well

aware of other dangers that could compromise my life, such as my heart, liver,

etc. My passion has become fighting breast cancer, staying healthy and

using all the tools that have been presented to help me to insure my existence

to

the best of my ability. One of my " passions " has been to help women get

through diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. If I want to believe in the

treatments that have been given to me, then I will cling to their " promise. "

I

am well aware of the ominous side effects of each of the treatments I have

endured, but so far, I've been spared additional worry. Who knows long term,

but life is a gamble. Attitude is more than 50% of this " game; " don't let

anyone fool you otherwise. Without an " I can do this, I can beat it attitude, "

you might as well sit back and let the cards fall where they may.

Everyone has an opinion, be it right or wrong. Something got me through the

past 2 1/2 years, although extensive in its course of treatment. Six

positive nodes, with a 5CM tumor, Her/neu2++, the odds of recurrence were

practically inevitable within a short period of time. My primary objective is

not to

criticize others with their treatment choices, but to alleviate the fear

someone may have by reading all the materials about the possibilities of these

possible " negative " side effects mitigating their lives. It's a personal

choice, but just know there are two sides to every statistic, and I'll put my

faith in my oncologist and his traditional ways. Hopefully, many of you will

too.

" When you discover your mission, you will feel its demand. It will fill you

with enthusiasm and a burning desire to get to work on it. "

[Guest guest]

hi andrea,

yes thanks for the email very good reading, sometimes i find it hard to stay

postitive on this arimidex due to the fact i will have to give up the one thing

i love doing---------------that is my unpaid work in er, yes the side effects

are bad.and wowee the last 5mths i sure have missed the joy i find in helping

others in er.

I am on the medicare system here we do not have a choice of doctors, never can

contact them by phone, and most of us feel we are just a number.I believe things

come down to quaility of life , and i am not the sort of person that likes to

stay home.

Due to the fact that the hosptial was negligent with my diag with my kidney

problem i do not have a lot of faith in them today,( the kidney problem should

have been picked up with the first yr, it took them 3 1/2 yrs of me screaming in

the end to get them to belive i was really ill, i had to have 5 units of blood

before they could operate, and i may add i have mild kidney failure now,yeah i

just got over that and down with the bc, i am a strong willed person --------- i

like to make my own choices and tis hard without the facts, i have found with

the onc today we are lucky to have 5mins with them and are not told all the

facts.

i have read a bit online and i know we do things a bit different here by from

what i have read, my doc said 15% increase risk if i stop yet web sites say

different, dunno why there seems to be this difference. anyhow i will decide

soon i have tried the arimidex now for 5mths and having a really bad time, and

yes i know others r just fine on it, attitude got me through the last 5yrs of

being ill and no support , home from hosptial with drains and clips ect , having

to shop , pay the bills, ect yes i am a fighter, just because i feel life will

be off better quality off the pills does not mean i am about to give up.

tc sandy in oz

ssist@... wrote:

The main purpose of my reply to " Ruth " was not to scare the other women just

starting out away from conventional treatments. Breast cancer is scary

enough, but to be inundated with materials covering all the " evil " sides of

treatment, I'm afraid too many won't give them a chance due to one person's fear

of effects. Ruth has made her decision based on heredity and issues that

could face her in time. I respect that. My first sentence did read, " I wish you

well. "

I, like many other women in this group, see BC as the dragon it is. I have

lost many relatives, aquaintances and " cyberfriends " to this disease. Could

that Mack truck ride along the highway and snuff me out? Sure and I'm well

aware of other dangers that could compromise my life, such as my heart, liver,

etc. My passion has become fighting breast cancer, staying healthy and

using all the tools that have been presented to help me to insure my existence

to

the best of my ability. One of my " passions " has been to help women get

through diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. If I want to believe in the

treatments that have been given to me, then I will cling to their " promise. " I

am well aware of the ominous side effects of each of the treatments I have

endured, but so far, I've been spared additional worry. Who knows long term,

but life is a gamble. Attitude is more than 50% of this " game; " don't let

anyone fool you otherwise. Without an " I can do this, I can beat it attitude, "

you might as well sit back and let the cards fall where they may.

Everyone has an opinion, be it right or wrong. Something got me through the

past 2 1/2 years, although extensive in its course of treatment. Six

positive nodes, with a 5CM tumor, Her/neu2++, the odds of recurrence were

practically inevitable within a short period of time. My primary objective is

not to

criticize others with their treatment choices, but to alleviate the fear

someone may have by reading all the materials about the possibilities of these

possible " negative " side effects mitigating their lives. It's a personal

choice, but just know there are two sides to every statistic, and I'll put my

faith in my oncologist and his traditional ways. Hopefully, many of you will

too.

" When you discover your mission, you will feel its demand. It will fill you

with enthusiasm and a burning desire to get to work on it. "

[Guest guest]

Well said.

Re: Aromatase inhibitors and the heart

The main purpose of my reply to " Ruth " was not to scare the other women just

starting out away from conventional treatments. Breast cancer is scary

enough, but to be inundated with materials covering all the " evil " sides of

treatment, I'm afraid too many won't give them a chance due to one person's fear

of effects. Ruth has made her decision based on heredity and issues that

could face her in time. I respect that. My first sentence did read, " I wish you

well. "

I, like many other women in this group, see BC as the dragon it is. I have

lost many relatives, aquaintances and " cyberfriends " to this disease. Could

that Mack truck ride along the highway and snuff me out? Sure and I'm well

aware of other dangers that could compromise my life, such as my heart, liver,

etc. My passion has become fighting breast cancer, staying healthy and

using all the tools that have been presented to help me to insure my existence

to

the best of my ability. One of my " passions " has been to help women get

through diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. If I want to believe in the

treatments that have been given to me, then I will cling to their " promise. " I

am well aware of the ominous side effects of each of the treatments I have

endured, but so far, I've been spared additional worry. Who knows long term,

but life is a gamble. Attitude is more than 50% of this " game; " don't let

anyone fool you otherwise. Without an " I can do this, I can beat it attitude, "

you might as well sit back and let the cards fall where they may.

Everyone has an opinion, be it right or wrong. Something got me through the

past 2 1/2 years, although extensive in its course of treatment. Six

positive nodes, with a 5CM tumor, Her/neu2++, the odds of recurrence were

practically inevitable within a short period of time. My primary objective is

not to

criticize others with their treatment choices, but to alleviate the fear

someone may have by reading all the materials about the possibilities of these

possible " negative " side effects mitigating their lives. It's a personal

choice, but just know there are two sides to every statistic, and I'll put my

faith in my oncologist and his traditional ways. Hopefully, many of you will

too.

" When you discover your mission, you will feel its demand. It will fill you

with enthusiasm and a burning desire to get to work on it. "

[Guest guest]

yes was well said, and i guess we have to all respect each others views and

ideas, as we may all have a similar problem but different ideas on what we want

in life, tc sandy

karen wilson wrote: Well said.

Re: Aromatase inhibitors and the heart

The main purpose of my reply to " Ruth " was not to scare the other women just

starting out away from conventional treatments. Breast cancer is scary

enough, but to be inundated with materials covering all the " evil " sides of

treatment, I'm afraid too many won't give them a chance due to one person's fear

of effects. Ruth has made her decision based on heredity and issues that

could face her in time. I respect that. My first sentence did read, " I wish you

well. "

I, like many other women in this group, see BC as the dragon it is. I have

lost many relatives, aquaintances and " cyberfriends " to this disease. Could

that Mack truck ride along the highway and snuff me out? Sure and I'm well

aware of other dangers that could compromise my life, such as my heart, liver,

etc. My passion has become fighting breast cancer, staying healthy and

using all the tools that have been presented to help me to insure my existence

to

the best of my ability. One of my " passions " has been to help women get

through diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. If I want to believe in the

treatments that have been given to me, then I will cling to their " promise. " I

am well aware of the ominous side effects of each of the treatments I have

endured, but so far, I've been spared additional worry. Who knows long term,

but life is a gamble. Attitude is more than 50% of this " game; " don't let

anyone fool you otherwise. Without an " I can do this, I can beat it attitude, "

you might as well sit back and let the cards fall where they may.

Everyone has an opinion, be it right or wrong. Something got me through the

past 2 1/2 years, although extensive in its course of treatment. Six

positive nodes, with a 5CM tumor, Her/neu2++, the odds of recurrence were

practically inevitable within a short period of time. My primary objective is

not to

criticize others with their treatment choices, but to alleviate the fear

someone may have by reading all the materials about the possibilities of these

possible " negative " side effects mitigating their lives. It's a personal

choice, but just know there are two sides to every statistic, and I'll put my

faith in my oncologist and his traditional ways. Hopefully, many of you will

too.

" When you discover your mission, you will feel its demand. It will fill you

with enthusiasm and a burning desire to get to work on it. "

[Guest guest]

Sandy,

Sorry all this has happened to you. I have a similar experience of 5 years to

find a health risk that could have been found in one visit had they looked at

the symptoms, what I was saying. That has robbed the quality of life from me

that I had for 9 years. I understand some people have not had this experience

with allopathic (Traditional) medicine, and therefore will put their faith and

trust totally in it, but I am loathe to let that person choose for me and by

pressure, guilt, seperation and public distain choose for myself and others who

have an inherent right to choose.

I had not mentioned my bad experiences for fear of swaying others to my point

of view. That is certainly not my purpose, but to defend my right to choose? I

will do it without hesitation or apology.

Elle

sandy lawson wrote:

hi andrea,

yes thanks for the email very good reading, sometimes i find it hard to stay

postitive on this arimidex due to the fact i will have to give up the one thing

i love doing---------------that is my unpaid work in er, yes the side effects

are bad.and wowee the last 5mths i sure have missed the joy i find in helping

others in er.

I am on the medicare system here we do not have a choice of doctors, never can

contact them by phone, and most of us feel we are just a number.I believe things

come down to quaility of life , and i am not the sort of person that likes to

stay home.

Due to the fact that the hosptial was negligent with my diag with my kidney

problem i do not have a lot of faith in them today,( the kidney problem should

have been picked up with the first yr, it took them 3 1/2 yrs of me screaming in

the end to get them to belive i was really ill, i had to have 5 units of blood

before they could operate, and i may add i have mild kidney failure now,yeah i

just got over that and down with the bc, i am a strong willed person --------- i

like to make my own choices and tis hard without the facts, i have found with

the onc today we are lucky to have 5mins with them and are not told all the

facts.

i have read a bit online and i know we do things a bit different here by from

what i have read, my doc said 15% increase risk if i stop yet web sites say

different, dunno why there seems to be this difference. anyhow i will decide

soon i have tried the arimidex now for 5mths and having a really bad time, and

yes i know others r just fine on it, attitude got me through the last 5yrs of

being ill and no support , home from hosptial with drains and clips ect , having

to shop , pay the bills, ect yes i am a fighter, just because i feel life will

be off better quality off the pills does not mean i am about to give up.

tc sandy in oz

ssist@... wrote:

The main purpose of my reply to " Ruth " was not to scare the other women just

starting out away from conventional treatments. Breast cancer is scary

enough, but to be inundated with materials covering all the " evil " sides of

treatment, I'm afraid too many won't give them a chance due to one person's fear

of effects. Ruth has made her decision based on heredity and issues that

could face her in time. I respect that. My first sentence did read, " I wish you

well. "

I, like many other women in this group, see BC as the dragon it is. I have

lost many relatives, aquaintances and " cyberfriends " to this disease. Could

that Mack truck ride along the highway and snuff me out? Sure and I'm well

aware of other dangers that could compromise my life, such as my heart, liver,

etc. My passion has become fighting breast cancer, staying healthy and

using all the tools that have been presented to help me to insure my existence

to

the best of my ability. One of my " passions " has been to help women get

through diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. If I want to believe in the

treatments that have been given to me, then I will cling to their " promise. " I

am well aware of the ominous side effects of each of the treatments I have

endured, but so far, I've been spared additional worry. Who knows long term,

but life is a gamble. Attitude is more than 50% of this " game; " don't let

anyone fool you otherwise. Without an " I can do this, I can beat it attitude, "

you might as well sit back and let the cards fall where they may.

Everyone has an opinion, be it right or wrong. Something got me through the

past 2 1/2 years, although extensive in its course of treatment. Six

positive nodes, with a 5CM tumor, Her/neu2++, the odds of recurrence were

practically inevitable within a short period of time. My primary objective is

not to

criticize others with their treatment choices, but to alleviate the fear

someone may have by reading all the materials about the possibilities of these

possible " negative " side effects mitigating their lives. It's a personal

choice, but just know there are two sides to every statistic, and I'll put my

faith in my oncologist and his traditional ways. Hopefully, many of you will

too.

" When you discover your mission, you will feel its demand. It will fill you

with enthusiasm and a burning desire to get to work on it. "

[Guest guest]

Just as your opening statement, " I wish you well " was to me negated by the rest

of your post, your closing statements in this post negated the rest of your

post: " ....and I'll put my faith in my oncologist and his traditional ways.

Hopefully many of you will too. "

That is exactly my point, why do you hope that others will choose as you

choose? Why is that important to you? You seem determined to decide for others

or at least sway them to your choice. I personally wouldn't want the blood on

my hands. I personally don't consider the truth of medical studies and

citations as " evil " , but that is your prerogative.

I also have lost many friends and relatives to cancer and it is a passion of

mine, but I am careful not to let my personal bias as to treatment turn into a

directive to do as I do.

I don't know who you think is so weak that they have " given up the fight "

simply because they pick up a different or in my own case, additional, weapon,

but I doubt seriously that anyone here thinks I have lost my " attitude " and I am

certainly not about to be fooled.

Perhaps I misunderstood the meaning of " support " when I joined. I thought it

was personal support for women making choices for breast cancer and now it

appears it is support for only those who choose what certain members choose.

If the latter is the case, I will gladly leave the group and allow you to make

others medical decisions for them, without my passive approval by just being a

member.

Let me know.

No, on second thought, I will take my leave now rather than bust up and divide

a place of support for women who do choose surgery, radiation, chemo and hormone

blocking. Those women need support also as do the others, but will seek out or

start a group where women can be supported no matter what their choice of

treatment is.

I would rather be viewed as a quitter than to deny support and a safe harbor

for anyone. I truly do wish all these ladies well and will not cause other women

to be without support in this dark time of their lives just because they don't

choose as someone else chooses.

It was nice to meet you ladies and I am certain you will keep up the fight. My

prayers and best wishes to you all.

Elle

ssist@... wrote:

The main purpose of my reply to " Ruth " was not to scare the other

women just

starting out away from conventional treatments. Breast cancer is scary

enough, but to be inundated with materials covering all the " evil " sides of

treatment, I'm afraid too many won't give them a chance due to one person's fear

of effects. Ruth has made her decision based on heredity and issues that

could face her in time. I respect that. My first sentence did read, " I wish you

well. "

I, like many other women in this group, see BC as the dragon it is. I have

lost many relatives, aquaintances and " cyberfriends " to this disease. Could

that Mack truck ride along the highway and snuff me out? Sure and I'm well

aware of other dangers that could compromise my life, such as my heart, liver,

etc. My passion has become fighting breast cancer, staying healthy and

using all the tools that have been presented to help me to insure my existence

to

the best of my ability. One of my " passions " has been to help women get

through diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. If I want to believe in the

treatments that have been given to me, then I will cling to their " promise. " I

am well aware of the ominous side effects of each of the treatments I have

endured, but so far, I've been spared additional worry. Who knows long term,

but life is a gamble. Attitude is more than 50% of this " game; " don't let

anyone fool you otherwise. Without an " I can do this, I can beat it attitude, "

you might as well sit back and let the cards fall where they may.

Everyone has an opinion, be it right or wrong. Something got me through the

past 2 1/2 years, although extensive in its course of treatment. Six

positive nodes, with a 5CM tumor, Her/neu2++, the odds of recurrence were

practically inevitable within a short period of time. My primary objective is

not to

criticize others with their treatment choices, but to alleviate the fear

someone may have by reading all the materials about the possibilities of these

possible " negative " side effects mitigating their lives. It's a personal

choice, but just know there are two sides to every statistic, and I'll put my

faith in my oncologist and his traditional ways. Hopefully, many of you will

too.

" When you discover your mission, you will feel its demand. It will fill you

with enthusiasm and a burning desire to get to work on it. "

[Guest guest]

Elle,

I must have missed the original post about this but noone here tries to push

their treatments on to others. I have never seen that happen. I am sorry you

took offense at the original post. We give our thoughts on our treatments and

sometimes of other ladies we know. We don't have a lot of disagreements in this

group, we have had a few, but if/when it happens, I put those ladies on moderate

for awhile. You are more than welcome to stay in the group and share your

thoughts.

Hugs

nne

Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life

http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html

BreastCancerStories.com

http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/

Angel Feather Loomer

www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com

Check out my other ornaments at

www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html

Lots of info and gifts at:

www.cancerclub.com

Re: Aromatase inhibitors and the heart

Just as your opening statement, " I wish you well " was to me negated by the

rest of your post, your closing statements in this post negated the rest of your

post: " ....and I'll put my faith in my oncologist and his traditional ways.

Hopefully many of you will too. "

That is exactly my point, why do you hope that others will choose as you

choose? Why is that important to you? You seem determined to decide for others

or at least sway them to your choice. I personally wouldn't want the blood on my

hands. I personally don't consider the truth of medical studies and citations as

" evil " , but that is your prerogative.

I also have lost many friends and relatives to cancer and it is a passion of

mine, but I am careful not to let my personal bias as to treatment turn into a

directive to do as I do.

I don't know who you think is so weak that they have " given up the fight "

simply because they pick up a different or in my own case, additional, weapon,

but I doubt seriously that anyone here thinks I have lost my " attitude " and I am

certainly not about to be fooled.

Perhaps I misunderstood the meaning of " support " when I joined. I thought it

was personal support for women making choices for breast cancer and now it

appears it is support for only those who choose what certain members choose.

If the latter is the case, I will gladly leave the group and allow you to make

others medical decisions for them, without my passive approval by just being a

member.

Let me know.

No, on second thought, I will take my leave now rather than bust up and divide

a place of support for women who do choose surgery, radiation, chemo and hormone

blocking. Those women need support also as do the others, but will seek out or

start a group where women can be supported no matter what their choice of

treatment is.

I would rather be viewed as a quitter than to deny support and a safe harbor

for anyone. I truly do wish all these ladies well and will not cause other women

to be without support in this dark time of their lives just because they don't

choose as someone else chooses.

It was nice to meet you ladies and I am certain you will keep up the fight. My

prayers and best wishes to you all.

Elle

ssist@... wrote:

The main purpose of my reply to " Ruth " was not to scare the other women just

starting out away from conventional treatments. Breast cancer is scary

enough, but to be inundated with materials covering all the " evil " sides of

treatment, I'm afraid too many won't give them a chance due to one person's

fear

of effects. Ruth has made her decision based on heredity and issues that

could face her in time. I respect that. My first sentence did read, " I wish

you

well. "

I, like many other women in this group, see BC as the dragon it is. I have

lost many relatives, aquaintances and " cyberfriends " to this disease. Could

that Mack truck ride along the highway and snuff me out? Sure and I'm well

aware of other dangers that could compromise my life, such as my heart, liver,

etc. My passion has become fighting breast cancer, staying healthy and

using all the tools that have been presented to help me to insure my existence

to

the best of my ability. One of my " passions " has been to help women get

through diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. If I want to believe in the

treatments that have been given to me, then I will cling to their " promise. " I

am well aware of the ominous side effects of each of the treatments I have

endured, but so far, I've been spared additional worry. Who knows long term,

but life is a gamble. Attitude is more than 50% of this " game; " don't let

anyone fool you otherwise. Without an " I can do this, I can beat it attitude, "

you might as well sit back and let the cards fall where they may.

Everyone has an opinion, be it right or wrong. Something got me through the

past 2 1/2 years, although extensive in its course of treatment. Six

positive nodes, with a 5CM tumor, Her/neu2++, the odds of recurrence were

practically inevitable within a short period of time. My primary objective is

not to

criticize others with their treatment choices, but to alleviate the fear

someone may have by reading all the materials about the possibilities of these

possible " negative " side effects mitigating their lives. It's a personal

choice, but just know there are two sides to every statistic, and I'll put my

faith in my oncologist and his traditional ways. Hopefully, many of you will

too.

" When you discover your mission, you will feel its demand. It will fill you

with enthusiasm and a burning desire to get to work on it. "