Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

Caya

Hi all,

Jan, thanks for posting my pictures for me. And thanks so much everyone for all the nice compliments - I must say as I look at myself in those pictures, I almost look like my old self - except the hair is better!! (ah, the joys of the wigs).
Joni - have a great time in BC and enjoy all your visits.
Lynne - I hope your infection clears up already. It's getting ridiculous - is there no other big specialist you can see - and if you do have to get it cut out, (hopefully not), maybe you should see a plastic surgeon as well.
Skye - sounds like the day from hell for you and your DS about his missing car. Like you really needed the added stress - NOT! I'm sure your Carnival cruise will be fine.
Robertin - congrats on finishing all your treatment. This is so great. Also my prayers for a complete recovery for your friend with lymphoma - hopefully he will come throught the bone marrow transplant with flying colours.
Debbie - congrats on making it through your first rad. How many will you be having in total?
Mel - try not to worry too much about the lymph node - I'm sure the drs. are just being extra cautious. I have a good vibe about it all for you.
Melia - glad your business trip went well and your energy is returning.
My Dublin friend Marla returned to our hometown of St. Catharines, Ontario (about 15 minutes from Niagara Falls) to stay with her Mom for another 10 days. We had a real nice visit, she is one of my oldest friends. Before she knew I had BC she had volunteered to work on a charity event in Dublin for BC - and when she found out I had it, she told me at one of the fundraising meetings she stood up and poured her heart out about me - this was personal now so they better all get on it and sell out the tickets to the event - well, they had their most successful outcome ever she told me and sold every seat to the dinner/auction.
Tomorrow is my 3rd Herceptin infusion - hey it's 3 down, 14 to go. Between the Herceptin and the Tamoxifen s/es, I am getting a bit tired of it all, but hey, I get a lot of inspiration from all you girls - we are like our own cheering squad
love you all
caya

luckymel

Thanksfor the support, everybody - you guys are always there when I need you. I didn't go shopping today after all - a good friend called me and asked me over to lunch, so that was much better, not to mention less expensive. I'm still nervous, but I'll be ok till Friday.

So, just what time are our chats, exactly?

Nancyab

Hi Gals,
Mel- sorry for your scare, but be grateful someone is watching over you carefully. I worry myself to death with all these Dr's doing things to me that the others don't know about. Giving me meds that may not work with others I'm taking etc. And when I mention it they act as if I've insulted their knowledge.
I had an MRI yesterday, Uh, I don't like them! For 35 min I felt like I was in a box with jack hammers all around me. That is one weird test!
No results yet.
Skye, I have been losing weight too, although I'm not knocking it. I am thrilled. Then I suddenly think OMG! I had cancer, what if....? I wonder if those thoughts will ever go away?
I am almost to the point I can wear mascara again!! My baby lashes are getting longer, YEA!
One thing I have to credit chemo for..My complexion has never looked better. I haven't had a zit for months!!
I had blood taken last Friday for the estradiol test and I will find out Friday if I am indeed in menopause, or still the fake chemopause.
Took my doggies to the groomer today, they smell so good. Can't wait for my day at the beauty salon!!! We all deserve a whole day of spa treatment don't you think?

viddie

Hi all,
My sister came down to visit for a few days. We took a cruise to Nantucket. I have only been there once- it was beautiful. Very quaint and untouched. It has cobblestone streets, brick sidewalks and no Starbucks, McDonald’s or CVS. We had a lot of fun strolling up and down the streets- a taste of yesteryear.
Robertin,
Congratulations on finishing!! That was nice of your doctor to give you a present. Sounds like you had a fun last day at the hospital. I am glad you are able to help your friend.
Caya,
Those are lovely pictures of Marla, your dd and you. You are all beautiful.
Mel,
You have some wonderful caring doctors. They all want to proceed with caution- to make sure you have the best possible results when you have the diep procedure. I agree with Rebecca. It sounds like you have some guardian angels as doctors.
Lynn,
I am so sorry your port infection has not cleared up yet. That is so frustrating. Hopefully the ibuprofin will help.

Viddie

IowaCindy

Mary,
Mine is very similar but the color under the grey/white is darker. But a very mixed sandy color.

But it's HAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday one of the women I work with actually told me they liked my hair better right after I took off my scarf. She thinks it's too long now at one inch.

Cindy

IowaCindy

You're beautiful!!!! So healthy looking. That is fabulous.

Cindy

IowaCindy

That is wonderful. Finished! Another one moving on into some kind of normalcy. That is totally awesome.

Cindy

IowaCindy

Ah Mel, you do have some angels watching over you. That is a gift of grace I think. To have those people who can connect the dots and realize what the picture would mean for you!

I am finally feeling better. The cellulitis at the outer edge of the mastectomy scar at the radiation boost area is finally resolving. I've finished the antibiotic and the doctor gave me some different cream to use on it today. It was a miserable 10 days. Dr. Warren said it's rare but some people have an extreme radiation response several days after treatment is finished. Lucky me.

I've worked full time this week. I'm very tired at night but am keeping myself up until bedtime. I'm finding I have some insomnia. Lots of thoughts going around in my head and I don't want a nap to add to that problem. That's a bummer for me cuz I've always loved naps!

I made a quick trip to Colorado last Friday. I went with a friend to her mother's home in the northeast corner of the state. We picked up her son who'd been visiting grandma. It was a great trip. It was normal! (Except for the burn problem and keeping my arm elevated on a pillow as we drove across Nebraska.)

I love far western Nebraska. Many people don't but I think the starkness of the land there is breath-taking. It feels like a spiritual place to me. I felt a little like a dormant flower coming back to life as we drove, sang along to lots of music and I watched the scenery. This quick trip made me anxious for my trip next month when I go to Lyons for the Folks Festival.

Here's to more adventures for everyone of us!!!!!!!!!

Cindy

luckymel

Cindy, I sort of agree with you about western Nebraska - it's not for everybody, but there is something special about that stark, barren land. You'll have a great time at the Folks Festival - wish I could go. Looks like a great lineup.

I agree with all of you - looks like I have an angel on my shoulder. I'll just be grateful

Mary, I'm so glad your son has such a nice mother-in-law. Since we all marry our spouse's families, that is so important.

Nancy, I kind of like MRI's. I just get into the rhythm of the jackhammers, relax and enjoy it. Always have liked them...call me crazy, you won't be the first. Hope yours turns out perfect.

Goodnight, sisters.

Anonymous

Oh, Mel, let me be the first here to call you crazy! Rhythm of the jackhammers?!? Good for you to be able to find something relaxing in that!

Rebecca

LOL about the MRI. I have to say I rather got into it as well. I was in the machine for a long time, and i wound up meditating to the sounds, and I entertained myself by finding the patterns. Not sure if I would buy the CD.....

luckymel

Thanks, Rebecca. You just said it better than I did, but your experience is the same as mine. I enjoyed finding the patterns, and just kind of went into the zone. If I'm crazy, at least I have company.

dkmaustx

Mel, I hope everything goes well for you tomorrow. It is scary when your team of doctors doesn't seem to work together. I'm glad someone on your team was on the ball and caught things before any damage was done.

I had an MRI 3 years ago on my knee, and I remember it being so noisy that I couldn't hear the music in the earphones very well. I counted down the songs until it was time to be finished. I don't remember getting into the rhythm of the machine, though.

Rebecca

Debbie, maybe the music in the headphones threw off your groove

Anonymous

Last night I was reading "The Paper Bag Princess" to my girls and it made me think about this group. Rebecca - do your girls have this book?

If you haven't read it - the story is about a beautiful princess (Elizabeth) who is engaged to be married to a handsome prince (Ronald). Unfortunately, a dragon destroys the castle and kidnaps Ronald. Elizabeth is left behind in the burned ruins, covered in soot with nothing to wear. She finds a old paper bag to put on and goes out to rescue Ronald.

When she finds the dragon she cleverly tricks him into showing off his fire breathing skills and fast flying skills until he is so exhausted he can't move. Then Elizabeth goes into the dragon's cave and rescues Ronald.

Ronald however is not impressed with Elizabeth's paper bag, dirty hair, crumpled crown, and soot covered skin. He sends her away and tells her to come back when she looks like a real princess. Elizabeth tells Ronald that he's a bum and skips off into the sunset without him.

So - as I was reading the book I just kept thinking that I am glad that none of us were married to Ronald OK - we aren't all married - but in general we seem to have lucked out with a bunch of un-Ronald like men. I certainly feel as shabby as Elizabeth (and more so) some days. Maybe it's sad that I'm seeing role models in children's books - but I love the last illustration of her skipping away happily in her paper bag. My scanner isn't working or I would show it to you all.

Rebecca

Jan, we do indeed has this book and it is one of my favorites!

Anonymous

Rebecca, I thought you would. The copy I have belonged to my little brother.

wayover20

Mel, I'll be thinking of you and sending positive vibes your way tomorrow!

goldnmom

Wow Mel! I just read about this latest fiasco. You do indeed have an angel perched right on your shoulder. I'm glad you have your own personal angel, but sheesh! You've had more than your share of stress. if anyone deserves a big hug, it is you. ((((((Mel)))))))

luckymel

Thanks, Ellie. Hug much appreciated, and it's good to hear from you. Congratulations on your retirement - I hope to retire in the same way before too many more years, with the option to work prn. I'm not sure I'm up to full time anymore.

Pat, good to hear from you also, and thanks for the good vibes.

Jan, thanks so much for sharing The Paper Bag Princess! I wasn't familiar with the story, but I love it - and when I saw the picture of her, I burst out laughing! It looks EXACTLY like I feel!!! Guess I'm not alone, either.

Well, I just had a routine appointment with my internist, which turned into an hour long visit. Another great, caring dr. on my side. She got all updated on my bc saga, and then reassured me that some of the things I've been worrying about (tremors, for example, and dropping things) are really neuropathy-related and not a sign of anything like cancer progression. I didn't realize that I was worrying about that until I got in there this morning. Anyway, I feel much better.

Is anybody going to tell me what time chat is, so I can write it down?

Love you all.

Anonymous

Mel I've lost all track of what time the chats are (but didn't want you to think I was ignoring the question). I shoot for about 8:00pm ET (7:00 CT) and that usually works. I should be in the chat room around that time tonight. If anyone wants to toss out a different time go for it!

Anonymous

I finished chemo in May. How long do you think I have to wait before I dye my hair. It's still in the peach fuzz/baby hair stage now - I just want something to look forward to. What do you think? What happens if you dye the baby hair?

viddie

Hi all,
Jan,
That sounds like a good time. I missed the past few because I was walking with a few of my neighbors. I never know when they will be walking. They just knock on my door when they are passing by. Hopefully it will be earlier tonight. I do not like walking by myself so I wait until someone else can go. I should take the plunge and go by myself- maybe I will soon. Perhaps I can borrow either my dd”s or my dh”s Ipod.
That sounds like a neat book. I think I will get it for my niece—and read it first. Is your hair covering all of your scalp? My top still has a way to go to cover my scalp. I would not dye it until my scalp is totally covered.
Mel,
Strangely, I do not mind the MRI either. I just close my eyes and day dream- I manage to block out the "rhythm of the jackhammers."
Cindy,
A folk festival sounds like a real good time. Have a lot of fun.
Viddie

mer1957

Jan, I've been afraid to dye or highlight mine yet. Someone I use to work with did when it was about my length and it turned out orange. I don't know why. If you do, I'd try a little spot somewhere and see what happens...then let me know (ha).

Robbin65

I have been real good about studing and knowing all details of breast cancer and treatment.

I have been very good at understanding bloodwork results.

But never once have I seen anything about TUMOR MARKER on any of my bloodwork.

Well, the other day I asked for my bloodwork to be done cause I wanted to see if my WBC was normal and staying at the correct level all by itself cause I am done with treatment. It is fine.

But something else showed up that is disturbing...

TUMOR MARKER is HIGH.

What is tumor marker?
What does that mean?

Does anyone know what tumor marker is?

TPPJ

Hi Guys,

Just getting ready to drive out to Chicago for the weekend. Weather is supposed to be gorgeous, so I'm excited.

My daughter was just hanging over my shoulder looking at your pictures, avatars....she's going "that's a wig", "that's not a wig". Caya, she thought Marla had the wig on and not you. Jan, she thought yours was the real deal too.

Jan, I hear you on feeling like "Elizabeth". I've kind of dragged my scarves back out because my hair is at such a weird point...it's growing straight up. Looks insane. Summer of ugly continues. Call me crazy, but this majorly butch looking woman kept running into me in aisles in Old Time Pottery the other night...way too much of a coincidence. Accessorize, accesorize, accesorize...that's all I can do.

MRI's don't bother me either.

TPPJ

Robbin, I don't know anything about that tumor marker stuff. I don't think all oncs find it to be a helpful tool. Keep me posted.

skyedivine

Hi everyone, I'm having trouble viewing the current discussion page, so I don't know what everyone is up to other than last night's chat. Hopefully this message will take me to the page and I can catch up. My last rads today! - Skye

skyedivine

Yep it worked. Nancy, I'm glad I'm not the only one paranoid about losing weight. I do need to lose it to be healthier and produce less estrogen, I'm sure, but that nagging thought is always there, isn't it?
For those of you dye-ing to color your hair, I did it yesterday with Clairol Light Auburn rinse-in. Yes some of the white baby hairs look orangey but I was going for red anyway. I figured with a quarter inch of hair, what did I have to lose? At worst I would need to wear a wig or scarf both of which I have. It came out sort of multi-color ranging from the very darkest hairs that didn't take to a nice mid-auburn shade on top to lighter baby hairs but I like the variation. At least it is not that dull chemo gray.
Cindy that's too funny that your coworkers liked your hair even shorter. The other night dh and I were kidding around and I said I was going to keep my hair short for awhile and he said well I wouldn't go much shorter. I'm trying to enjoy the clean and light feeling of it right now. I walked around topless in Walgreen's yesterday after rads and got some looks but also some smiles, it felt different than the looks I get with a scarf. I'll try to take a pic later.
Robbin, I imagine I would be frightened about the tumor marker thing if I saw that in my files. I am equally clueless. Probably a good thing for us to investigate. I have to see my onc soon to find out which estrogen inhibitor I'm starting out with. He said a new study would be done about now.
Mel and Tina, I also find MRIs one of the better tests. I put earplugs in and meditate in the tube. It brings strange visions! The lunch with friend sounds nice, we all need more of that. I'm looking forward to my picnic tomorrow. Devil's Lake is a beautiful spot in Wisconsin, surrounded by bluffs. And dh and I have a special memory since it is where our post prom picnic was held the day after senior year prom, which was about our first date. We dated 3 years before marriage so this is actually 38 years together. Jan you are right, he's an un-Ronald. BTW Jan as an ex-elementary art teacher and librarian, you have no idea how it warms my heart to know you and Rebecca are reading to your children. It's the best thing anyone can do for them. - Skye

Anonymous

Skye - former art teacher and librarian? Is there anything that you haven't done? You are full of surprises. One of my aunts was also a school librarian. My mom always read to us daily - and my aunt was always sending us fabulous kids books. She did the same for my girls too. We are all big readers.