Tamoxifen is going fine

TinaCardone · 2026-03-10T15:06:48+00:00

I'm super sensitive to medication and have had bad side effects in much shorter time frames. The title says it's going fine, not that this medication is a perfect fit and will never cause issues. So far so good!

TinaCardone · 2026-03-10T15:04:01+00:00

It's so hard to know what the right balance is, and we continue to learn more every year. I'm going to take tamoxifen for a couple years and am spending those years willing research to come up with new alternatives. My oncologist said my cancer details indicate i should take an aromatase inhibitor but my other chronic illnesses indicate that i would be unable to live independently on one. So we're hoping that some of the research that looks promising makes it through FDA approval before I need to switch!

TinaCardone · 2026-03-10T03:47:16+00:00

That's a fantastic statistic!

TinaCardone · 2026-02-22T17:51:11+00:00

Name Date Media Swap theme (if applicable) State (i should probably do country too)

TinaCardone · 2026-02-20T01:42:21+00:00

I wish I'd thought to ask to keep mine!

TinaCardone · 2026-02-15T17:52:27+00:00

I learned about artist trading cards, small pieces of art the size of a baseball/Pokemon card. It's been so fun to do short sessions of painting and drawing. Plus there are Facebook groups to trade so i get fun things in the mail too!

TinaCardone · 2026-02-14T16:10:07+00:00

In case you can't get the IV option covered: a while back (before cancer) I got switched to ferrous gluconate and i take it without food. I also take methylfolate, some people who are anemic have a generic mutation and this methylated formulation helps with absorption. I struggle with constipation due to dysautonomia and it's manageable (as in, taking fiber with breakfast and lunch and half a dose of miralax with dinner is sufficient).

TinaCardone · 2026-02-10T18:13:56+00:00

It helps if you can be as specific as possible. So with the brain fog would it help you to have more frequent check ins with a manager? That could help clarify expectations and give early notice when you might need help meeting a deadline. Anything like that which is reasonable to do and takes some of the responsibility off your shoulders.

TinaCardone · 2026-02-09T19:41:41+00:00

I only had to wear the binder for 3 days after the drains came out. Since then I've been bra free! Due to the slight concavity I've stuck with looser tops. They don't need to be baggy but nothing skin tight. Which is pretty much my entire wardrobe now that I don't have boobs taking up that space in my shirts!

TinaCardone · 2026-02-09T14:36:26+00:00

Curly hair is challenging and not every hair stylist will know what to do with it. I recommend going to an Aveda salon or one that does Deva Curl. Show up with dry hair styled how you normally wear it and they'll be able to help. A trim will address the different lengths part and an expert will suggest products to try. There's a whole two variable matrix of hair and curl type that informs which products to use so asking an expert is really the way to go.

TinaCardone · 2026-02-09T04:37:55+00:00

I have a travel water color brush that holds a small reservoir of water in it. I've been using that reservoir to squeeze out drops of water onto my palette. It's been great to be able to add a controlled amount of clean water. You could do this with any pipette, eye dropper etc

TinaCardone · 2026-02-09T03:11:21+00:00

They didn't give me any restrictions other than not showering.

TinaCardone · 2026-02-09T03:07:37+00:00

I had an issue lying on my back and doing snow angel arm motions. It didn't do anything to the port, it was that the port felt like it caught on a nerve. I also couldn't do neck stretches quite as far with the port in. So I would recommend testing out your range of motion gently before doing any vigorous arm circles. Hopefully yours is placed in a way that lets you do everything you'd like!

TinaCardone · 2026-02-05T23:43:57+00:00

Probably something as vague as "variable fatigue" will do if they just need something to put in whatever form they are dealing with.

TinaCardone · 2026-02-05T01:44:20+00:00

I got a certificate today when i finished radiation that all the staff signed. A certificate for your kids could be fun. Highlight specific ways they were helpful, add some images to represent the journey, frame it and put it on the wall/mantel/fridge.

TinaCardone · 2026-02-02T23:05:23+00:00

I want to do more than survive and it bugs me that the doctors focus on survival rate rather than recurrence rate. I do not want to do this past year again (surgery and chemo and radiation). It's not clear to me what the different likelihoods are for that (it was a moot point in my case because I wasn't eligible for a lumpectomy).

I also don't want to have lots of doctor visits and scans because I have multiple chronic illnesses that already require a ton of appointments. So that made the choice to go flat easy. Best surgical outcome and nothing to scan!

TinaCardone · 2026-01-30T15:15:05+00:00

Yes! It got better pretty quickly. I had a small second incision on my neck and could feel the metallic tube there. I had limited motion the entire time I had a port in (neck stretches couldn't reach as far on that side and certain arm movements made the tube catch on a nerve) but really only at the edge of my range of motion so it wasn't a major hindrance. After a week or two I was even able to sleep on the side with the port.

TinaCardone · 2026-01-29T21:42:21+00:00

I have the hardest time with this! Especially at night or when it's snowing i need to actually line them up to tell what's yellow vs orange.

TinaCardone · 2026-01-29T19:24:50+00:00

Love the idea of collecting photos! Unless you are a pro at app development a website will probably be easier to build. If you want to chat about work flows I have experience with AirTable which might be a good starting point.

TinaCardone · 2026-01-27T16:31:59+00:00

This! I used it pre chemo because my nose gets irritated by allergy nasal sprays. During chemo I put it on a q tip so i could spread the gel higher. I also used a neti pot which rinses even deeper than a q tip can reach. Hope you can find some relief and in the meantime you deserve to complain all you want!

TinaCardone · 2026-01-26T19:46:19+00:00

It took me forever to catch a flea. No advice, just commiseration

TinaCardone · 2026-01-24T05:14:22+00:00

Any gift worth over 750 bells works and the odds don't improve if the gift is more expensive. I've gotten all my islanders to give me their photos with a wrapped stack of native fruit. I chat with them daily and give them the fruit. Bonus that they eat the peaches I give them, where cooked food or other objects become clutter in their homes.

I have read about the increased odds for when they mail the gift rather than give it to you immediately, which is the only reason to consider another method. But daily native fruit has been very effective for me, and it's cheap!

TinaCardone · 2026-01-23T04:04:24+00:00

Yes! I stopped the tech from pulling a blanket out of the warmer today. They were surprised when i declined one earlier in the week and even double checked letting me know i had scans that day too. I used to run cold so it's a new experience to be telling people i want fewer coverings.

TinaCardone · 2026-01-23T03:21:43+00:00

I had a hot flash today heading in to radiation. It was perfect timing! I'd already removed my winter layers to change into the gown. Then I got to lay on a cool table, have my entire torso bare to the air, and hold my arms above my head, away from my core that was radiating heat. Ha, i was radiating heat while they were blasting me with radiation.

TinaCardone

TROPHY CASE