ThinkPink

Okay, I saw my Oncologist yesterday and he told me basically what NewFlower said - that the benefits of Zometa for recurrence are now in doubt. He also said that since I don't have osteoporosis, that I probably won't need it every six months now. When I go to my next appointment (3 months) they will perform another bone scan and if everything is good there (no reason to think that it isn't as I am young and 1 year ago didn't have osteoporosis) that I won't need the Zometa. He will change me to a once a year schedule for Zometa and when I finish with the Tamoxifen, I will come off Zometa all together. Thanks for all the answers and advice!

Clementine

again, Zometa is a bone strengthener that they use in conjunction with other things. It is not a chemo drug but a prevention for a cancer patient that might fall, not anything else. I am stage four postmenapausal, taking Femara and the Zometa is a bone strengthener for me in case I fall because I have osteoporosis. But the combination of Femara and Zometa has been good in my case, more to do with the Femara. Try it and see if your numbers change. Be proactive and research! Also, go for a second opinion! Zometa has a website and it has helped me understand about bone metastisis. Just a thought if you need to research it

Zometa was used in the recent past as both a bone strengthener and to lower the risk of recurrence of some breast cancers. Now, use for recurrence is coming into doubt. I do not need to have my bones strengthened, but instead was put on Zometa because it could lower my risk of recurrence. Now with this new information, however, my MO doesn't want me to get it for another year and perhaps not at all.

Best,
Clementine

Great reading ladies! Thanks for sharing.

I am post-chemo day 3 from my first round of taxol/carbo for endometrial cancer. My onc told me expect the loss day 17. The sisters are saying more like 13/14.

In the whole scheme of things it doesn't matter but on post treatment day 14 I am supposed to attend a mandatory meeting for work (I work remotely so I rarely go into the office). I envision myself sitting there and hair falling out right then and there! There aren't many people that know of my diagnosis so I am a little shaken by this.

I love the tattoo "L"! That was suggested to me but more along the lines of a certain finger! Weren't you concerned about possible infection when you had that done?

Take care, be well...
Pat

I've had the joy of losing my hair to chemo twice. The first time, when I was 12, I was in such denial about my diagnosis that I refused to cut my hair shorter and instead, I prolonged the "falling out" process a few extra weeks. It was emotionally devastating as an adolescent by did cement the idea that I had to confront my diagnosis and deal with it head-on. My mother arranged for a woman to come to our home and she fitted me for a wig. I was so conceded about looking normal that I wore it everywhere outside of the hospital and my house. Like your average preteen, I was just concerned about fitting in.
This time around I felt slightly more prepared for the emotions involved with losing my hair. I had it cut short soon after my diagnosis and had a few emotional breakdowns in the shower as it slowly began to fall out. I hated looking at myself in the mirror and losing my hair the second time was equalling as devastating as the first. Even knowing that my hair would grow back didn't ease my pain. I guess when it all boils down, I'm just a 27 year old girl who still wants to be considered as normal.
My younger brother volunteered to shave my head and on Thanksgiving morning, as we watched the Macy's parade, he buzzed off whatever was left.
I was initially on the fence about getting a wig, but I ordered two from the TLC and I love them. I get compliments on them all the time. I wear scarves to Dr. appointments but because I work with children, the wigs do come in handy.

Deciding to go bald was very empowering for me. It was the one decision I could make about how the cancer would effect my body. Besides, I had naturally curly hair which i tried to iron into submission for years.

After my diagnosis I had my shoulder length hair cut shorter in stages. I began weekly treatments of abraxane and my hair held tight for the first three treatments, then began to thin. It was at that point I made the decision it was time to show the world my nice round noggin.

I called my ex husband (he owns a dog grooming business) and had him shave it off. It was mid summer and I proudly sported my bald. It was my alternative to everything pink.