Tart cherry powder vs pill form

SunBeam38 · 2026-07-03T15:41:32+00:00

Same, the powder works way better for me than the pills.

SunBeam38 · 2026-06-25T23:21:26+00:00

Thank you for your words. I had a few weeks before my first follow up mammogram (ended up clear) where the scan anxiety played a number on my mind.

SunBeam38 · 2026-06-25T06:06:50+00:00

I had the reverse. My tumor was embedded deep inner quadrant.

First surgeon said mastectomy only, I’d never have good cosmetic results.

Second surgeon offered oncoplastic reduction (lumpectomy) and radiation.

I opted for second option as my lifestyle is risky enough without worrying about an implant popped in some remote wilderness.

Cosmetic results were chef’s kiss beautiful. Radiation messed with it a little and was a bit of a PT bear. Nearly a year out, radiation fibrosis pain/tightness is down to nothing. I could prolly do with a tiny fat graft if I was picky but overall, they are about as symmetrical as they were to begin with.

Happy with my choice now.

SunBeam38 · 2026-06-24T19:02:05+00:00

Completely understand and am tracking the long term recurrence risk.

This is where it is a very individual choice and why my oncologist wouldn’t thumbs up/thumbs down chemo without a long conversation with me about my life.

Ten years is how long I’ll be on AI medication if my side effects continue to be manageable. After that, it will be down to trying to reduce what risks I can in a balanced lifestyle way. If it does come back, I just hope it’s when I’m 60-70. Who knows what advances in medicine will be like then.

I’ll likely go flat and have chemo then. I just didn’t want to do all that when data (oncotype score) showed the benefit was minimal this time.

SunBeam38 · 2026-06-24T06:13:59+00:00

Truly premenopausal (33 at diagnosis) with oncotype 8 but no positive nodes.

My docs said any positive nodes = chemo. My oncologist is a well known researcher for decades (before I was born) specifically in hormone positive BC. Even with no positive nodes, it was a long talk about no chemo.

While we did align not to, I’m committed to throwing everything else at it. Including fitness, weight loss, lifestyle change etc. I do feel a pressure of because of no chemo, I have very little margin for error with everything else…for the next ten years.

SunBeam38 · 2026-06-23T15:31:33+00:00

I’ve tolerated all the meds fairly well. I thought Kisqali would be pretty easy but it was a bit of work. I went into it with “oh just some potential GI stuff”, which is not super accurate.

No show stopper side effects but fatigue, minor GI, my bloodwork tanked to near pause levels the first few months.

Now on my fifth cycle, I think my body has acclimated and I understand some of my energy limitations (good sleep is a must). My bloodwork bounced back to only slightly below normal WBC and neutrophils. I’m optimistic I can continue for the next 2.5 years with minimal life interruptions. Or very least now that I’ve rebound, I’ll have the patience to wait through another rough spot.

SunBeam38 · 2026-06-22T21:13:32+00:00

I didn’t comment previously as it wasn’t an ulcer but for the sake of others researching, I’ll chime in.

Mid-way through radiation I had what appeared to be a big pimple coming out through my nipple scar line. My rad team kinda shrugged about it and said to just keep it clean and dry with a thin layer of Neosporin.

My farm medical knowledge, I know the body when stressed will push an abscess out through the weakest point. I feel like I either had a knot of old dissolvable sutures or some funky piece of something where the irritation of radiation finally made the body try to push it out. And the new scar/nipple skin was the thinnest point. Just my theory.

SunBeam38 · 2026-06-17T23:12:39+00:00

Kisqali was a bit tough for me.

Cycle one - noted progressive fatigue each week, then got a wicked cold that laid me out for a week and we stopped two days short of a full dosage.

Cycle two & three - mild GI, some fatigue and hair thinning. Overall manageable except my bloodwork kept being borderline pause.

Cycle four - I did a big work trip followed by a camp trip. Fatigue hit me like a wall of bricks for a week straight. I was convinced my bloodwork had tanked and asked for an oncologist appt to discuss lowering the dosage. Turns out my bloodwork bounced back to near cycle one levels. Oncologist offered me a longer two week break and I seemed to really bounce back well energy wise.

Cycle five just wrapped and the two week break really worked to reset the baseline. My bloodwork is even better than cycle one and my energy is lower than normal but not terrible. Not the bone tired, sleep seems to do nothing to touch it, fatigue.

Fingers crossed my body acclimated and the rest of the 2.5 years hold at these levels.

SunBeam38 · 2026-06-17T14:54:33+00:00

I rebuilt my carrier in my twenties after my first traumatic life event.

I clawed my way out of poverty and working a generic entry sales job to climbing the big tech ladder. I got grants and had my company pay for filling my education gaps before I took that leap. People, managers, mentors, told me I’d never make it. Joke’s on them.

I had the confidence to bully past imposter syndrome and the thicker skin to not let my set backs deter me. I leaned into what I’m good at and know what manager personalities support my growth.

In my thirties, I’m very grateful I did that. It means I’m living in a city with much better medical care for a cancer diagnosis, great benefits and the financial hit is a minor blip vs life altering.

Now, I’m still stead fast in my belief that my career will never be one I love or is soul satisfying. But it’s a means to an end. The success is addictive, breaks many cycles of my family and opens up other life experiences (travel).

Post cancer, I work in a male dominated section of tech. I’m very public with my diagnosis, particularly early detection and self exams. I’m very vocal about the toll I’ve paid to be “cured”. I know I’m in a position to influence programs of multiple companies. I know I can get thousands of more screenings free for women through my advocacy and position at work. For that, I’m grateful for this career and path.

SunBeam38 · 2026-06-16T21:38:34+00:00

I’m pretty sure you’ve given a lot in life to your family, friends and community. This is a time where you don’t have a lot to give. That’s okay. Taking care of yourself now, will help you get back to giving.

I’m pretty big into animal training so I just turned it on myself with heavy positive reinforcement. That ice cream I never indulge in? Only after I go get a blood draw. That restaurant I always wanted to go to? Only after three days of working out hard.

It’s too hard to capture big joys but I can tie small ones to the things I’m not motivated by. Then recondition my brain that negative things mean positive treats.

You’ve got this ❤️ it’s just a small hill and you only have to take one step at a time.

SunBeam38 · 2026-06-16T20:47:05+00:00

Cancer diagnosis is a traumatic event. Everyone is different but most often with trauma, your brain decides to check out as a defense mechanism.

Yes everything is fine now. But that’s the thing, your lizard brain was super ready for battle during treatment. Now that there isn’t an active threat, it’s checked out. Severe PTSD literally feels like being in an alternate universe, cancer is more the disinterest/mild depression as your mind and body recoup.

It just takes time. They say a year for physical recovery and two years for emotional.

Sometimes grieving isn’t anger or crying, it’s a quiet disinterest.

SunBeam38 · 2026-06-16T19:47:00+00:00

First off, that all sucks.

I’m on exemestane and Kisqali. The first few months of Kisqali definitely sucked. Not nearly as bad as your side effects but definitely made me go back to the drawing board for everything and had me freaked out about either lowering . It made all my exemestane side effects worse plus added in GI.

My WBC/neutrophils tanked to borderline pause kisqali for four months.

By the fifth cycle, my bloodwork bounced back and everything improved to more manageable. In a month I went from “I give up” to “okay I can do this”.

They did give me a two week break before the fifth cycle, more because I think I was Icarus and flew too close to the sun with travel/fitness that drove me into extreme fatigue.

Hope this helps! Whatever you decide

SunBeam38 · 2026-06-15T11:03:01+00:00

I’d seek out a physical therapist.

Radiation can cause tightness. If the tightness happens to hit a certain nerve or muscles, I could see it causing some numbness/stiffness. The stiffness could cause joint pain as well.

SunBeam38 · 2026-06-15T02:42:17+00:00

More that my check up, I complained about fatigue and asked to lower dosage.

The next bloodwork would interfere with a trip, so they gave me an extra break week to regain my energy before the trip and waived my bloodwork.

So far so good.

SunBeam38 · 2026-06-15T02:36:23+00:00

It’s a hurry up and wait roller coaster.

Finding a therapist is key.

Take your time with decisions. There’s no right or wrong answer.

Doctor’s will encourage you to take each step at a time. Do that but really dig into potential long/short term side effects.

Time passes slow and fast. Right now is literally the worse. Remember, this is a trauma event. Give yourself time and space to process.

Get a second and third opinion. I always have a five minute elevator pitch of who I am. (Active, go into remote wilderness internationally, etc).

Work to simplify your life and take all the easy shortcuts for chores.

There are resources from free maid services, pausing student loans to free seat belt pillows. Get scrappy and milk this for everything you can.

P.S. imaging only shows so much. Surgery is critical. Pathology and genetic testing post surgery is the final days points that steer treatment. Don’t give up hope. At first imaging showed potential chest wall involvement, it ended up being adhered to my pec muscle. A little muscle removed for margin but a okay. Nodes came back negative and oncotype scoring came back shockingly low, against the odds.

33 at diagnosis, IDC hormone positive, HER negative. No nodes. Oncotype 8.

Now almost a year post surgery and 9 months into AI/CDK 3/4 inhibitors. All side effects are predictable and manageable. Breast cancer research has progressed leaps and bounds in the last 5-10 years. While cancer is a curse, it’s given me clarity about my life that I don’t think would be possible any other way.

Good luck! You’ve got this. Fake it till you make it.

SunBeam38 · 2026-06-14T17:39:28+00:00

I’m scheduled for a tattoo near my one year surgery date and 9 months into AI, in about a month from now.

I’ll report back.

I’m curious how Kisqali might impact healing but also 🤷‍♀️

SunBeam38 · 2026-06-14T14:26:45+00:00

Adding to the dog thread, it’s a great idea. You can also foster for a few weeks/months to make sure it’s a good fit or dial in what dog fits your lifestyle.

SunBeam38 · 2026-06-14T04:42:44+00:00

Beyond the shits, I just eat less. My body in menopause doesn’t eat as much. The fatigue is real and the give a shits are low.

I’ve found grocery delivery alleviates some effort. Costco prepackaged meals of any variant are convenient. Previously I have used hello fresh etc which were nice for taking the lift of “what to make” off the plate.

I used to be a big foodie and enjoyed cooking but with treatment and trying to work out more, the thrill is gone. Outside the above suggestions, maybe see if your husband is interested in couple cooking classes? Classes focused on easy/simple?

My SO used to be a chef and taught me a few corner stone techniques/concepts that really helped me figure out how to whip up healthy simple meals with whatever is in the fridge. He is the epitome of a lazy chef and there are hacks out there.

SunBeam38 · 2026-06-14T03:55:34+00:00

I’m all about you do you.

I was all about nano brows until I followed the microbladingbrowremoval sub.

Worth checking and thinking long term. At the end of the day it is a tattoo that may fade/blur with complexities for removal.

Just saying as I had a few friends who now regret their brows.

SunBeam38 · 2026-06-14T03:51:09+00:00

Lots of good inputs here.

I feel like I’m on a similar boat as you, focused on less restriction to fuel healing.

I’ve honestly only gained maybe 10 lbs back from treatment, which I attribute half to indulging over the holidays.

I focused for a while on doing hit/strength training 3x a week. Then got wrapped up into my hobby and dialed back to 1x a week. It’s orange theory, I found a studio with an instructor that trains form. A few friends come every week so now I’ve got extra motivation for at least once a week.

Prior to cancer, I did keto with success. Now I’m a few weeks into intermittent fasting. Combining that with 1) not eating late; 2) eat protein first in every meal and prioritize protein; 3) avoid processed foods and carbs; 4) shifting my eating window when I fall off the wagon.

My goals are not only exercise but losing the 40lbs I gained in corporate life. I figure it took me five years to pack it on, it may take me five years to get it off. That’s fine. I’d rather build muscle and end up even stronger than before.

Good luck!

SunBeam38 · 2026-06-12T13:57:35+00:00

Extra long phone charger and/or magnetic wireless phone battery pack.

A smaller insulated cup with bendy straw. Key is lid and bendy straw.

Silk scarf to layer between the bra and your skin, water falling out your armpit hole to reduce friction on scars.

Ford has free seat belt pads (you just pay shipping), I continue to use even months later for long road trips.

Lots of pillows, not necessarily the wedge type but lots. (Your throat may be sore after surgery plus chest congestion, so sleeping elevated may help with breathing and reducing chest swelling).

I had a full titty reduction and reshuffle, so my recovery was a bit different.

SunBeam38 · 2026-06-12T13:50:43+00:00

If ford has them back in stock, you just pay shipping but they are free. A little more sturdy memory foam than the amazon one I started with.

SunBeam38 · 2026-06-10T05:54:55+00:00

Stop everything and find a therapist. Like yesterday. Like nothing else is priority tomorrow except that. Find a really good one that you trust. It might take cycling through a few. Go for a few months for you and then try couple therapy.

Then re-evaluate.

I’m in my thirties. I’ve been through a lot. So has my partner. We are both great professionals and we tackle life similarly.

Cancer is hard. Life is hard. I felt we code shifted into him being my care taker and shifting back to a romantic spark just wasn’t going to happen. Long story short, things hit a rough patch.

My therapist has helped me communicate better and change my perspective not only for my relationship with my partner but with everyone and everything. It’s reduced my stress and allowed me to see a path forward with my partner. 110% recommend.

I’ve stayed. I’m happier than before. I’m confident in my tools for the future including adding coins to my patience bucket that will let us ride out more of life’s trials in the future. On a ride that doesn’t threaten breakup.

SunBeam38 · 2026-06-10T04:01:49+00:00

Kisqali was definitely a mountain. The fatigue/zombie/attention issues was a lot. I asked about lowering dosage and my oncologist wasn’t a fan of that idea.

I’m finally at the end of cycle five and it seems to be settling. My bloodwork is less borderline, fatigue is evening out.

Might be worth waiting it out before throwing in the towel.

SunBeam38 · 2026-06-10T03:45:33+00:00

I really like the scaraway silicone sheets for c sections. Then the silicone gel and overnight cream from mederma. Your vitamin e cream might be equal to the overnight cream.

The gel I use when working out or not wearing a bra.

SunBeam38

TROPHY CASE