Blog - Leaving Cancer Behind

More side effects on a new pill

by Jennifer | Nov 19, 2018 | Blog | 7 Comments

Well….on Day 5 of Tamoxifen, I have SEVERE bone pain and was super weepy…that silly crying for no reason and wishing the cancer had just taken my life so I didn’t have to deal with these pills and stupid side effects. I couldn’t sleep and finally took Tramadol just to get through the next day (which I hate to do because of the side effects from that medicine.) I only had to take it twice, but it’s taken my body about a week to get back to normal from just those 2 Tramadol pills. But I am thankful they helped so I could get out of bed.

I messaged my Primary Care Dr. and we chatted about the mild bone pain I have had off and on all the time since cancer treatment, on a hormone blocking pill or not. The hormone blocking pills and the Tamoxifen just seem to make it a million times worse, and hard to function and do anything. We decided to try the high dose of vitamin D again, as that did help. So for now, no Tamoxifen until we see if the Vitamin D2 helps. My oncologist said there is another pill I can try, but I think I’ll give the Tamoxifen another chance after Christmas.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Neuropathy Update

by Jennifer | Nov 5, 2018 | Blog | 5 Comments

A few months ago I asked for suggestions about neuropathy from personal experience or from your cousin’s brother’s sister’s best friend’s aunt, twice removed who went down to Mexico and tried something that worked. But seriously….I was desperate. I added all the suggestions to my ever growing list and slowly began trying them. None of them worked. 🙁

Goodbye October!!

by Jennifer | Oct 29, 2018 | Blog | 1 Comment

Between the girls and I, I have been to 16, yes 16, medical appointments this month! I’m done with October!

I am happy to say I am currently not on any medication! It’s a nice break. I know I will be going back on a new hormone blocking pill in early November, but for now, I’m am thankful to just be taking vitamins! read more…

3 Nurses, 5 Needles and Uncooperative Veins

by Jennifer | Oct 17, 2018 | Blog | 0 Comments

Quick post today….my infusion was a bit of an adventure. My veins were very uncooperative. The nurses in the infusion center are AMAZING!! I just adore them and they are so good at their job. But even with all their skill, it took 3 nurses and 5 attempts (5 pokes) to get a vein they could use for my blood draw and infusion. read more…

CT Scan Results

by Jennifer | Oct 9, 2018 | Blog | 15 Comments

I was happy to see a MyChart message this afternoon, and even happier after I read it.

“Good news, no sign of cancer. Just probably an old scar spot in the lung, unchanged.”

9 Appointments in 5 Weeks

by Jennifer | Oct 2, 2018 | Blog | 4 Comments

9 Dr. Appointments or scans in 5 weeks….yay! I just love it when I see all those appointments on my calendar….ummm….not really.

But seriously, here’s what’s coming up (or just happened)…

10/1 – Orthopedic surgeon read more…

Total Transparency

by Jennifer | Sep 18, 2018 | Blog | 16 Comments

I’m writing this as I am on the treadmill, out of breath, talking into my phone.

But before I write anymore, can I just very nicely say that I am not looking for suggestions of things to do or try at this point. I am just being transparent on this journey. Thank you so much for understanding that.

I’ve been debating on whether or not to even write a post, but I keep coming back to the reasons I started this blog in the first place… Keeping friends and family up-to-date with my cancer journey, being transparent so others can know what it’s like to battle stage 4 breast cancer (as I know I had absolutely no idea before I started this journey), and letting others know that they are not alone on this journey. read more…

Crazy Side Effects

by Jennifer | Sep 9, 2018 | Blog | 5 Comments

Well the title says is all…I get crazy, horrible side effects from Lyrica.

My quest for relief from nephropathy continues. I was taking 200mg of Gabapentin for the painful neuropathy in my feet and it wasn’t helping. Since I know I have side effects from higher dosages of that medication, I decided to try Lyrica. I took a half the dose (50 mg) the doctor recommended me starting with (which was low) and was fine the first 3 days, although it did nothing for the neuropathy.

Another 3 month check-up

by Jennifer | Aug 8, 2018 | Blog | 7 Comments

Hello!! I’m still here and had my 3 month checkup with my oncologist today.

The biggest thing we talked about was the peripheral neuropathy I am struggling with. I’ve been trying some different things here at home to get some pain relief, but have had no luck. He had a few more ideas. For more on what I’m doing about this, you can click here. I gave it it’s own page because I know so many people who suffer from it!

New Plan

by Jennifer | Jun 22, 2018 | Blog | 6 Comments

My bone pain from the past couple weeks is gone, which is a praise! I talked with my oncologist and I’m going to start rotating between the 3 hormone blocking pills and will take one as long as I can and when the side effects are too bad, will take a break til they are gone and then start the next one. I am thankful for this plan!

Unfortunately, my feet still hurt. We did an x-ray last week, and there is no sign of arthritis, which is good I guess…but they still hurt. I am pretty sure it’s peripheral neuropathy as a result of nerve damage from chemo, but before I give in and take the medicine that I think will help, but makes me lose my mind (literally), I’m going to go to a podiatrist and explore some other options.