As I sit here and FLASH, it’s the little things that amuse me. So a fellow breast cancer blogger who has a post up recently about her lovely experiences in chemically induced menopause, has a cartoon in the post that almost made me pee myself it is so perfect.
Since jump, I have been speaking about what I like to call “Breast Cancer Mardi Gras” and what it is for those not familiar is since my diagnosis I feel like all I do is flash the rack. But unlike the case with actual Mardi Gras I don’t get beads, I get co-pays. So when I saw this cartoon on tastethefireforyourself (awesome blog, by the way – Meg is a terrific writer), I just loved it…so I am sharing….
I am exhausted by this point in the day due to the fun, fun, fun my body is adjusting to with Tamoxifen…..so a giggle is good….
In other weirdness of my body, myself this weekend my incision where the lymph nodes came out was kind of throbbing and my skin felt nasty there like it did during radiation.
I have been discussing with my docs at the suggestion of some survivors to add Effexor to my regimen at least for a while – it is an anti-depressant that has been proven to help decrease hot flashes.
From BreastCancer.org:
Medicines to avoid while taking tamoxifen
In the list below, the medications under the headings “Strong Inhibitors” and “Moderate Inhibitors” can inhibit CYP2D6 and interfere with the effectiveness of tamoxifen. The medications under the heading “Not Inhibitors” do not block the CYP2D6 enzyme and will not interfere with tamoxifen treatment.
This list is incomplete and subject to change over time. Use it as a starting place and ask your doctor if any medications you are taking or that are recommended to you are compatible with tamoxifen.
Strong Inhibitors Generic Names Brand Names Bupropion Wellbutrin Fluoxetine Prozac Paroxetine Paxil Quinidine Cardioquin Moderate Inhibitors Generic Names Brand Names Duloxetine Cymbalta Sertraline Zoloft Diphenhydramine Benadryl Thioridazine Mellaril Amiodarone Cordarone Trazodone Desyrel Cimetidine Tagamet SSRIs and SNRIs That Are Not Inhibitors Generic Names Brand Names Venlavaxine Effexor Citalopram Celexa Escitalopram Lexapro
ihavebreastcancerblog 
Thanks for the pimp!
and credit where it’s due: http://xkcd.com/996/
also see:http://blog.xkcd.com/2011/06/30/family-illness/
I linked the cartoon per the link from their website, but it did not take so thx. will fix
I love this! And I have used your line and always followed it with “I read it in a blog” but could not remember who’s! If I use it in my own blog (and I will at some point because it’s so damn funny) I will be sure to give credit where due 🙂
I am replying to your BRCA question and Venaflazine. I did the BRCA as I have a family history and a young son and daughter. My results were negative. I do find the Venaflaxine helps with the hot flashes which are the worst at night as you know. Funny cartoon, thanks for posting.
GREAT Cartoon… there are days we have to keep on laughing or we would cry… recently diagnosed but just whent through Breast Cancer with a wonderful friend and she talked about how she felt it was Mardi Gras everytime she went to the Dr… I can now relate…ha !