2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS

marymelodi

Paula: so glad to hear your good news. I also started going topless yesterday. Most people are complimentary. One woman said to me, "Oh, you have your short summer do early." I said, "No, this is my winter chemotherapy do." She had no response to that. I feel self-conscious, but keep telling myself it is better than the alternative. It's a new persona for me. Maybe I'll go for acrylic nails next, like you!

chumfry

My hair is about 3/4 of an inch long and I've got good scalp coverage, so I'm on the verge of going topless. (It helps that the weather is *finally* starting to warm up here in Minnesota!)

If people compliment me on my "haircut," I think I might let them know that it was the most expensive "haircut" I've ever had! LOL

TracySeattle

You ladies are lucky! I don't have nearly enough hair to go topless yet. Especially on the sides where it is coming in grey :-( It is going to take a long time to cover my scalp since the color is so light. I hope I can go topless by the time I go to TX on vacation in June!

maryannecb

Tracy, my hair is light brown and sparse but I don't care any more. People can see hair and that is good enough for me!

Fists up!

RoseMarie

Hello ladies! Tda, I hope all went well!!

Saw the onc. today. He recommends I not get an oophorectomy and to just do Tamoxifen. He feels there is no additional "therapeutic benefit" to removing my ovaries and is worried about osteoporosis. It's a little unnerving to just go on with life now and not be in constant combat mode. I broke down and started crying...the nurse practitioner thought I was having a hot flash and I told her no...I'm crying because I'm terrified! By the time I left I felt better but almost had a nervous break down at the pharmacy when they told me they only had generic Tamoxifen. It's such a mental thing but I insisted on the name brand drug...so I have to wait until tomorrow to start. I'm sure in a few months I'll get tired of paying the difference and end up on the generic but for now...I'll pay...
Laura, hope you're having a wonderful time in Mexico!!!!
Amy, your hair looks great - mine is starting to curl - I've never had curly hair - but I've got the whole Schnauzer look going on!!
Feels so good to have warmer weather and sunshine! Happy spring to you all!!

debbie444

Well. have been having withdrawal symptoms - the computer blew up the other day and we had to buy new so couldnt get onto the internet. It felt like my arm had been cut off not being able to speak to you all!
I have been on tamoxifen for over 2 months now and have no side effects - sorry Amy cant help you there!
I have been "topless" for about 3 months now , i really dont care what people think - plus i am determined not to rub any of my precious hair off with my hats or scarves!!
DEbbie

debbie444

Think i may be cracking up - Did i or did i not see a post about swapping snail mail addresses by PM? Thought i had seen it whilst trying to catch up on what i hadnt read - now i cant find it!!
Debbie

TracyNY

I'm back with my new breasteses!! They look lovely and round. Thanks to all you for your prayers and good wishes.

This compression garment for the lipo is really tight and my torso is hurting, I'd give it a 4 on the pain scale but I'm focusing on the goal. When the swelling goes down, I'll look lovely!

And my eyebrows and lashes are growing back too! My God knows every desire of my heart and grants it to me. I went to the hospital topless yesterday and got quite a few compliments!

Life is returning to normal at last.

RoseMarie

WONDERFUL news Tda!!!! Have a GREAT day!!!
Glad to hear you're not having any side effects on Tamoxifin Debbie! That's encouraging!

Great day everyone!

ake

Rosemarie,

I know how you feel about being terrified...I felt that the second radiation ended...I freaked out and was terrified to be done with treatment. I had my 3-month followup with my oncologist last week and begged her for a guarantee that cancer is never coming back, which she can't do. SHe did say that the odds are in my favor. The best thing she said is to remember that Tamoxifen is still ACTIVE treatment and the results and benefits are spectacular. Welcome to the tamoxifen group with me Hang in there!!!

-Amy

debbie444

Tda - hope it was the new hair that you were happily showing off!!
Debbie

ravdeb

Everyone is so upbeat! marymelodi...we could be twins I believe!
Tracy...the day will come. Truth is that I go topless all the time but really hate it. It's our first night of Passover and a family get together for our "seder" and well... I put my scarf back on. Feel prettier that way believe it or not! We (my daughter and I) made it quite fancy..added another scarf and then braided it down the back! Cool!

eyelashes are just about gone but truth is that doesn't bother me so much..just put eyeliner on and my glasses and nobody really can tell.

eyebrows are thin but there...sorta. doesn't bother me...lots of people have thin eyebrows but this white mass on my head with strange curls...can't get used to it! Was already told I should cut the sides to match the thin stuff on the top and I almost kicked the woman..but I was polite :-) Said..NO WAY after finally growing hair I'm going to cut what little I have???? Are you crazy????

tda...topless with new boobs...really!

If I don't get back on here for a bit...please, everybody who celebrates Passover...have a wonderful holiday..it's the holiday of spring. And those who celebrate Easter..have a good holiday and don't eat too many chocolate Easter bunnies! And those who have other holidays at this time...enjoy, enjoy!

ravdeb

ake

more and more people are mistaking my hair for my "summer haircut". i guess that's a compliment...i'm doing all i can to tell myself it's temporary, but i'm starting to feel like a boy. better than being bald though

ravdeb...your eyelashes and eyebrows will come in way prettier than they were...mine are thicker and longer

Happy Holidays everyone! I'm getting ready for my parents and in-laws to come over for Passover at my apartment. I'm Jewish and my husband is a non-practicing Catholic. The irony of us all celebrating Passover together is...my husband and his family are Egyptian Think of the story of Passover...the Hebrews leaving slavery in Egypt? Makes for interesting conversation among the dinner table!

Love,
Amy

sherryhaire

Tracy--Where in Texas are you going for vacation???

TracyNY

Oh my gosh!! I cannot believe how fantastic I am looking! I hate to be bragging but dayum!! It aint bragging when its true!!

I can see the results from the lipo already!! My flat stomach is making my little B cups look sweet! I am so excited, I have a new best friend! The mirror!!

Graycie

tda866,
I am just catching up on the posts, I haven't been on too much the last couple of days but I am so glad to hear you are happy with the results of your recent surgery. Feeling good about yourself helps in your outlook on life which I feel is very important to help get you through everything you are dealing with.

Amy, Ravdeb and all my Jewish friends, Happy Passover.
Graycie

TracySeattle

Sherry, I am going to visit my college room mates. One of them lives in Spring, TX (right outside of Houston) and the other lives in Alvin, TX. I will be spending time in both places. Are you near either of them?

HEY! I looked at the back of my head yesterday and I am starting to get curls! My hair is still very short, but it is kinda sticking up like it is going to curl!!!! Now I just need more hair on the sides!

Happy Passover and Happy Easter to everyone!

Anonymous

Amy, yes very ironic ..... hope it went well!

Tda, you crack me up, girlie. I still have to schedule my exchange. It has taken longer to schedule since I had to have the Taxol and they would not let me do it until 3 months after Taxol

Tracy, have a great time in Texas!

marymelodi

tda866: You are so great and what a good attitude! Congrats on you new self!

Ravdeb and Amy: I was thinking about Passover just yesterday. I've known the story from the Bible all my life, but just recently started to think what it must be like to have a history, to be part of a history that goes back for so many centuries. I have alot of respect for my own ancestors, but as far as I know anything about them is only a couple hundred years. You have centuries of knowledge, tradition, heroines, and stories. I wonder if it feels inspiring to you or if at times it is alot to live up to? I know this is a meaningful holiday and I hope for you it is warm and wonderful.

Ravedeb: Yes, we could be twins. I am all snowy on top, with some darker hairs on the sides. I still feel a little self conscious at how short it is, but I guess it will get better day by day.

Tracy: have a very nice vacation. You deserve it!

Anonymous

tda: I am very happy for you! You won't get fat on the lipo'd parts ever again. For you, looking good is a positive side effect of cancer! Isn't that something? Now if I can only get the courage to complain to my doctor about my asymmetrical breasts (left one is a B and right is a C). I don't need a C breast. I'm only 5 ft. tall.

How are your chemo brains, ladies? Mine's getting worse. I gave my 10 year old the wrong meds for five days. My old brain would have told me to think... Have any of you been having a hard time with decision-making? Thanks in advance!

Anonymous

By decision-making I mean: Have you been making rash judgments? I almost ran into a bicycle rider yesterday. I knew he was there, but I had this stupid urge to cut him, and this is something I would never have even considered before.

Graycie

Brenda,
I know alot of the girls have complained of chemo brain which I didn't notice having too much of until now. Now that I am done with my treatments I think I have post chemo brain, I can't seem to think properly. The right words never seem to come out,I am so forgetful as to what I want to say. I forget people's names too....It is so embarassing. As far as rash judgements, I think I am OK in that department but I haven't had any real challenges.
Graycie

TracyNY

"Shake your boob thing, shake your boob thing, yeah yeah, show 'em how to do it now!!"

My chemo brain is still hanging around. This morning I put pancakes on the stove and walked away and left them. Its a good thing the fire was low or else I'd still be trying cool the ashes down!!

sherryhaire

Tracy, I live about 4-5 hours from there, I live South of San Antonio Would be so great to meet someone from this board in person--I AM SO INSPIRED BY ALL OF YOU

TracySeattle

Sherry! Maybe some day! We have friends that just moved to San Antonio. I would imagine we will be visiting them sometime in the near future. I will certainly let you know if we do!

RoseMarie

Amy - LOL! Happy holidays to all.
Tda - I'm so happy for you!
Kelly - Like you, I'm still waiting for my exchange. I meet with the PS on the 21st...
Brenda - Yup, still having chemo brain -

Today I met with the lymphodema therapist. She said she just wants to watch the arm for now. It's only slightly swollen above the elbow and at the wrist. (I didn't even notice the swelling above the elbow.) She did say that if I'm going to do any flying that she would order a compression sleeve for me...she gave me some exercises for the cording and wants to see me in a month...it went well I guess.
Hair today looks like Grandpa Munster, by the way!! It's growing - just looks a little goofy.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

ravdeb

Rosemarie..my hair looks goofy too :-)

Amy... yep..that must have been an interesting seder. How did it go??? And I do hope I get the lashes and brows you promise I'll get :-)

Tracy..hope your reunion with college friends is great! i will be doing that this summer, too!

tda...that's great that you've got some sexy body now! How nice to feel so good about yourself at this point.

Graycie...I still have chemo brain... I can't keep things straight and my mind wanders all the time. Could be the menopause I got pushed into, also.

Happy Easter to all those who watch out for the Easter bunny and Happy Passover to those who keep a watch on the matzah!

ravdeb

TracySeattle

I am headed to Whidbey Island (Washington) this afternoon for a girls weekend. There are 6 of my friends going and I am so looking forward to it! I have missed hanging out with them since I have been going through treatment. We will be coming home Sunday morning to celebrate Easter with our families.

You all have a great Easter or Passover and I will catch up with all of you Sunday evening or Monday!

Anonymous

Rosemarie, I just made my appointment with the PS for next week. My expander is bothering me now. Everytime I move, it moves. It's very bothersome!!! I know the PS wants to expand me some more so he has some 'extra' skin to work with in surgery when it comes time for the exchange.

Some of you ladies sound like you have lots of hair! Brenda, your hair really looks great!!!!!!!!!

ake

ravdeb....update your picture with an image of your hair i want to see how great it looks! i promise...the eyelashes and brows are coming. it took about a month for me and they were here to stay