[AlaskaAngel]

Hi Diane and Debbie - I will answer the short question first - I had my first vitamin level done last August (came back at 39 despite baring my wherewithal to the sun even on snowy days, plus some supplementation). So I upped the dose to 1200-1400 a day in the last year, and my vitamin D25 0H level came back even lower this year, and the NP recommended 2,000 IU's in summer and 4,000 IU's in winter, which I will do. Deb, I know you are out pretty much as far as I am from dx, but I can't recall how many years now? Do you know how your vitamin D is, with the California sunshine? You are so right about shopping around for better prices for labs! I only have 2 choices to pick from here and until now I have had them done pretty much at the hospital lab -- but no more -- We do have a small Quest lab outlet here and next time that is where I am heading! I still am floored by it, as the $950 did not include the visit with the NP and did not include any imaging at all. I have my mammogram coming up, which is required for me to continue to participate in the ovarian cancer trial.

As for the answer to Diane's question about 1,000 calories.... I can't recommend it to anyone, and I didn't manage it overnight. I gave up one "kind" of food at a time, not because I prefer to, but because at this point I have no other choice if I don't want to gain a pound or more a week even with daily exercise. I happen to generally prefer "healthy" foods, but this is not fun. My impression is that for those who are under 55 the problem is not as severe, and for those under 50 it is even less so. I was able to lose weight with less effort after completion of treatment at age 51, but it gets harder over time, and I would advise anyone to lose it and keep it off while they can.

A.A.