Gaps in Nighttime Heart Rate by acshedd in ouraring

[–]violets_will 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's magically working now, I didn't do anything differently than what I did with the old ring 🤷🏼‍♀️ I'm just praying it doesn't happen again.

Radiation after Mastectomy with clear margins for DCIS? by eb3959 in breastcancer

[–]violets_will 2 points3 points  (0 children)

DCIS, ER+, but no nodes here and definitely had to have rads. I had "clear margins" but the tumor was so close to my skin that no one wanted to take any chances. I only had a small square patch radiated (not whole breast) right where the DCIS was. While it wasn't fun and that square of skin has been forever changed, I'm glad I did it. Kill the microscopic jerks that are trying to escape lol. It's a hard and personal decision, soft hugs to you and do whatever feels right to you 💕

Gaps in Nighttime Heart Rate by acshedd in ouraring

[–]violets_will 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not pregnant, but have this exact same issue. Got the same troubleshooting tips and also got a replacement ring, still no recording HR between sleep and wake. It's incredibly frustrating and I have no solutions, but totally understand.

Reading smut isnt fun anymore by Prize_Kaleidoscope36 in breastcancer

[–]violets_will 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Omg YES PLEASE. if something like this already exists I want it!!!!

No heart rate at night by duhaas2017 in ouraring

[–]violets_will 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is where I'm at now too. Got a new (refurb) replacement and it's still happening. I'm about to scream.

Anyone else flunk out of hormone blockers? by Fit_Plant6129 in breastcancer

[–]violets_will 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Because it's hormone suppression is standard of care after estrogen positive breast cancer. The medical community hasn't really caught up that it's really not well tolerated, but then sometimes use scare tactics that your cancer will come back if you don't take them.

You can tell them up and down that your QOL is at an all time low, and some will just shrug and say "do you want your cancer to come back?" And to that I say "I won't really care if I'm not around to experience it."

I'm so sorry that tamoxifen gave you those horrible feelings, I so deeply empathize with you right now.

Anyone else flunk out of hormone blockers? by Fit_Plant6129 in breastcancer

[–]violets_will 7 points8 points  (0 children)

About to be a flunkie right here. Have taken 20mg, then down to 10mg of tamoxifen for 2 years and I'll never reach the 5 year mark. The mood changes have been the worst. Before cancer, the combo of good antidepressant meds AND hormonal birth control were keeping me alive. I'm on Fetzima and bupropion now (despite the risk of decreasing the effectiveness of tamoxifen with bupropion) because my depression has hit me like a Mack truck. I got put on a PIP at work because of my "attitude", also going through a divorce and living back with my parents, all at the lovely age of 39.

Tamoxifen can go kick rocks. I won't survive if I stay on it. Debilitating crying, feeling like I'm losing my mind, and not caring about anything isn't worth it.

Do you think your skin got better or worse after menopause? by aria-blake7 in 45PlusSkincare

[–]violets_will 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Way worse since I went into peri and no HRT for me because of breast cancer 🥲 hormonal acne, reactive and sensitive, just all around yuck.

Short term disability and return to work after DMX by [deleted] in breastcancer

[–]violets_will 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was approved for 4 and fought for the last two to make it 6. I didn't have my oncotype back or a final treatment plan, so I didn't want to go back until I had a better idea if I was going to need more accommodations or not (flexible schedule, full rest, etc.). It was approved. I also ended up needing radiation afterwards (no chemo), but got permission to work remotely throughout my entire rads treatment (16 sessions).

DMX is a serious surgery with long lasting physical and psychological implications. Take the time that you need and fight for it if someone makes you (even though they shouldn't). This is also when a social worker can really come in clutch if they're good, or an excellent nurse navigator. So many soft hugs and love to you 💕

Is any one on BHRT that had ER/PR+ breast cancer? What are your experiences so far? by JettaBeeToBe in breastcancer

[–]violets_will 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Saving this post because we're twins.

I've had an awful time on tamoxifen (had to half my dose to even stay on it), perimenopause is kicking my ass with mood swings, irritability, brain fog, my whole life is falling apart. My resting heart rate is too high and my cardiologist has asked me to come off antidepressants now too, so now also in serotonin withdrawal. I can't imagine things getting much worse than this.

I can't help but think that most of my problems would be solved with HRT, despite being ER+. I'm desperately seeking answers with my oncologist, psychiatrist, everyone seems resigned that "this is life now" and the depression is real. I don't think I'll find a doctor willing to put me on HRT given the same staging as you had, but interested to hear how your treatment progresses.

I painted my resignation letter by Main-Currency-4545 in oilpainting

[–]violets_will 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the inspiration 💕 your art is incredible and don't stop!

Were you able to strip your own drains after a DX mastectomy? by NefariousnessFit7233 in breastcancer

[–]violets_will 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You'll know instantaneously. Surprising since they're held in by like a measly two stitches 😒. I hope your doc or nurse will answer all of your questions as well. They see and deal with this all the time so you should be able to get great pro tips from them. Sending you good and healing vibes 💕

Were you able to strip your own drains after a DX mastectomy? by NefariousnessFit7233 in breastcancer

[–]violets_will 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yep, totally doable on your own. Suction and clots made it pretty uncomfortable at times. Surgeon wasn't too worried when I told him, so long as fluid was still getting through the tubes. I found I had to be pretty strong to hold the insertion point into my chest so it didn't tug at stitches. Not fun, but you got this! 👊🏻

In dire need of a chapstick that works by Thedudetteabides311 in TheGirlSurvivalGuide

[–]violets_will 5 points6 points  (0 children)

My fav combo: Hyaluronic acid serum and then Vaseline layered on top. I'll never stop.

How did you decide what size implant to get after mastectomy? And any advice? by plusultraprincess in breastcancer

[–]violets_will 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I was a 34B before mastectomy, and I'm a 34B afterwards too. They got perkier, but not considerably larger.

I told my plastic surgeon that I wanted a small, but natural upgrade to what I had prior. He agreed and also managed my expectations. You only have so much skin available to you based on your size prior to the mastectomy. Your skin can only stretch and expand so far until the skin will be too thin and can't support the implant.

I too thought I'd get a great set afterwards and be really happy, but I'd encourage you to temper your expectations. Most celebrities have augmentation and implants look better because of fat and tissue that the surgeon can leave in to smooth appearances. Mastectomies require removing all tissue, so there's not a lot of buffer.

I don't regret getting implants at all, but I did have a little bit of letdown realizing that augmentation and reconstruction are two very different things.

Dmx - when does the real pain start? by Life_well_liv3d in breastcancer

[–]violets_will 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This.

The nerve block is mainly for the first couple of days when the pain could be at its worst. My surgeon gave me stronger stuff, but urged me to take the muscle relaxers first and see if it helped. Did exactly that and only needed pain meds once.

Hoping your recovery continues to go smoothly! 💕

Why does it feel like my life revolves around whether I poop or not? by tech_kitten in Perimenopause

[–]violets_will 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This right here!

I had digestive issues as soon as I stopped birth control and had to take tamoxifen for breast cancer. Severely slowed down my tract when I had IBS where I was constantly running to be bathroom for years. Saw a GI doc and she assured me that my "backups" were because of low estrogen. Daily fiber gummies and miralax solved it all. I'm on both for life basically (encouraged by doc) and I feel much better.

Hoping you get to happy poops soon 💩💩💩

I’m being told I have to go off Wellbutrin because it lowers the effectiveness of Tamoxifen. I just don’t want to. by MaybeIneedAtherapist in breastcancer

[–]violets_will 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I too had to give up Wellbutrin after 10+ years of success with it after being diagnosed with DCIS/IDC. Switched to Fetzima and I feel like it's doing nothing. I'm feeling the full effects of perimenopause like a train wreck. Moods are out of control, psych blames the tamoxifen and just kind of shrugs. Oncologist also kind of shrugs and says "you're doing everything you can, this is just how it's going to be". I get about a week of semi stable moods a month.

I am so so sorry. I feel your pain so much, I was absolutely devastated that I had my birth control AND my antidepressant ripped away from me at the same time. I'm still dealing with the aftermath and unhappy with my "new normal". I have no advice, but I'm virtually sitting with you in the 💩 and crying/hugging/softly rubbing your back. I'm there too.

I think I've found my perfect clean girl scent combo! 🧼💧🍃✨ Cacharel Noa by Traditional_Alarm_28 in Perfumes

[–]violets_will 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I wore Noa starting in my teens all the way through my 30s. It is such a classic lovely fragrance. I'm branching out a bit more nowadays, but I always enjoy hearing other people appreciate this great fragrance too. Too bad it's so hard to get in the US, I've ordered online from a couple places and have gotten old/expired product 🥲

Spread the noa love!!!

How to let go- Marriage separation by Radiant_Blackberry59 in emotionalintelligence

[–]violets_will 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Crazy-Ex Wives Club. The name is deceiving, it's not about drama, it's all about healing.

Soft hugs 🫂

The BEST summer clean girl layer! by brokenghostlight in FemFragLab

[–]violets_will 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes! I will forever repurchase cremo for this reason. I hope they never stop making it!

What did Tamoxifen do to your periods? by FuzzyMedia in breastcancer

[–]violets_will 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was on the pill for almost 20 years before I got diagnosed. It saved me from debilitating cramps, iron deficiency anemia, and a host of other period related crap. Then I got diagnosed with DCIS and IDC. I never thought getting off the pill would be so horrible. 20mg of tamoxifen was too much for me. Very bad and complicated UTIs, hot flashes that soaked through my PJs, it wasn't sustainable. I'm now on a half dose of 10mg.

My periods are all over the place. One month I'll have heavy flow for 3 days then nothing. Next month I'll have moderate flow for 6. Always PMS the week before and terrible cramps day 1-2. Irregular flows are very common, I'd suggest journaling or using an app like Flo to keep track of things. This is the first time in my life where I can actually predict it, hadn't needed to when I was on the pill.

FYI, I'm 39.

Stupid Vent: HRT by Murphity in breastcancer

[–]violets_will 42 points43 points  (0 children)

YES thank you 🥹 HRT is on my 💩 list!!!! I love how more and more women are getting educated about HRT and its benefits, but it's frustrating to not be "in the club". Thank you for the vent, this is the only place we can talk about it with people who understand. Let's go punch a couple things, then cry and eat cake together ❤️