Starting Chemo in May 07
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louloubell
Member Posts: 14
Hi, my name is Louise. I am 29 years old from Sydney Australia. I was diagnosed with bc four weeks ago, and since then have had a lumpectomy & snb three weeks ago followed by a full auxillary clearance two weeks ago. One of the 16 nodes had a micromet. The tumour was a 2.8cm grade 3 - triple negative.
I meet with my oncologist on Wednesday morning where I will find out when my Chemo starts, however I know that it will be in May 07 (hopefully after my 30th birthday which is on the 11th)! My oncologist has given myself and my fiancee Marc a four week grace period to have a cycle of IVF as apparently there will be a good chance that I will become infertile after the treatment, and we are yet to have any children.
I have been searching the internet for an Australian based bc website that has discussion boards - but this one seems the best by far (I hope you don't mind me joining from down here)! So far I have handled everything really well, but am just petrified about starting the chemo with the side effects. It would be great to meet other people who are also going through this (or have been through this) so that we can support each other.
Well - take care and I hope to speak to you soon,
Lou
I meet with my oncologist on Wednesday morning where I will find out when my Chemo starts, however I know that it will be in May 07 (hopefully after my 30th birthday which is on the 11th)! My oncologist has given myself and my fiancee Marc a four week grace period to have a cycle of IVF as apparently there will be a good chance that I will become infertile after the treatment, and we are yet to have any children.
I have been searching the internet for an Australian based bc website that has discussion boards - but this one seems the best by far (I hope you don't mind me joining from down here)! So far I have handled everything really well, but am just petrified about starting the chemo with the side effects. It would be great to meet other people who are also going through this (or have been through this) so that we can support each other.
Well - take care and I hope to speak to you soon,
Lou
Comments
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Hi louloubell,,,,,,,,,,,I also will be starting chemo on May 7th,,,,,,,,,I am so not looking forward to this all. The thought of losing my hair is driving me nuts. lol It's just a thing I have about that side effect. I did finally go out a order a wig,,,,just to be prepared. I will be doing TCH every week for 6 months.......then just the Herceptin to finish out the year with and radiation after the chemo. So basically for the next year,,,it will suck. What kind of treatment will you be doing? I would love to have someone to be able to share this all with,,,,,Feel free to pm me anytime. This board is not only for people from the US,,,,,,its for anyone and everyone from all over the world.......so welcome aboard. Take care and good luck. Hope to keep in touch with you.
Cindy -
I start May 3, AC dd X4 + taxol dd X4, not so scared since I went to the Young Survivors Network meeting the other night. I'm 39, and I'd love to have a group of other May 07 chemo friends to go through this w/.
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Sounds good to me.............how do we get a group of us starting in May going??
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Hi Cindy & AmyaM. I saw my oncologist today and I start my treatment on 24th May. One treatment every three weeks for 6 cycles. They are using Taxotere, Adriamycin & Cyclophosphamide (sorry I do not know the abbreviations to use). Apparently I will have to have a Neulasta injection the day after each treatment to help with the white cell count, and will have to take a steroid the day before, the day of and the day after treatment to eliminate any reactions to the Taxotere. After that, six weeks of daily radiation therapy.
You both are a couple of weeks before me so you will have to let me know how you go!
Have you started getting everything ready yet? I am organising my wig in the next few weeks. I have already brought a thermometer (apparently important to check if you have a temperature), purchased the special toothpaste & mouthwash (biotene), and have arranged a dentist appointment just before the treatment to minimise the mouth infections etc. Is there anything else that you are doing?
I am mostly scared about my hair loss and the nausea - fingers crossed it won't be so bad.
At the moment I feel as if I am being prodded & poked from every angle. After undergoing two surgeries, I am now in the middle of an IVF cycle in the hope that they will be able to harvest some eggs before the treatment starts (it is a pain - but I have to do it).
How are your family coping with all of this? And more importantly how are you both going? I hope that we can really help each other through this emotional journey. Well, I will sign off now - but hope to hear from you soon,
Lou -
Hi Lou!
re: the 24th - lucky you, why do you get to wait that long? I would love to wait that long!! And you get all 3 drugs at the same time? Wow.Quote:
Have you started getting everything ready yet? I am organising my wig in the next few weeks. I have already brought a thermometer (apparently important to check if you have a temperature), purchased the special toothpaste & mouthwash (biotene), and have arranged a dentist appointment just before the treatment to minimise the mouth infections etc. Is there anything else that you are doing?
Boy are you organized! No I haven't gotten to all that yet. Let's see, I just switched health ins. effective April 1 so am trying to find new docs and set up new relationships, still trying to find a PCP. I did get an echo yesterday, will get a bone density scan (baseline) May 1, met with my naturopath for nutritional support (Vitanica (sp?) A/C supplement combo), set up an appt with a new optometrist to check on eye health and maybe get the acuvue oasis contacts mentioned on this board. Let's see, what else? My naturopath sent records to a gyn. onc. because of ongoing ovarian cyst problems, just being careful! I've been to counseling, am doing the "look good feel good" group to learn how to use makeup in the event my eyebrows fall out, and am starting to think about hats and wigs and the like. And seeing a dentist is high on my list. Also trying to get in to a pain mgmt specialist as I have fibromyalgia.
And did I mention my job?? Yes, trying to work too!!
But the most important thing this week - I'm getting a port placed tomorrow. Yikes. So then it'll have 2 weeks to heal B.C. (haha, before chemo)...Quote:
How are your family coping with all of this? And more importantly how are you both going? I hope that we can really help each other through this emotional journey. Well, I will sign off now - but hope to hear from you soon,
Lou
Let's see - I burst into tears about once a day, but I think that's good, to get it all out.
re: support
Well, I'm single, so it's a different cup of tea for me, and a lot of work to organize support. But it seems to be going well, with people stepping up to the plate that I never would have expected, and some notable absences as well. Ah well, it is what it is. To read more, see www.imaginebrightfutures.wordpress.org.
Mostly, friends and family seem to be talking and leaning on each other more than they ever have. That I love. It's super sweet to see folks connecting, some for the first time.
re: saving eggs - I just turned 39, I'd been hoping that I'd be a mom in my 40s but I think it's not to be - b/c chemo will throw me into menopause, and then tamoxifen for 5 years means I'll be 44 by the time I'm done....I haven't broken this news to my parents, I think it might be harder for them than it is for me...sigh...
....
Do you have a port already?
Sorry for such a long post, my gracious.
Also, I think this is how we start a May 07 group - just by posting here! -
cool,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,i like the idea of having a chemo group for those of us starting in May 2007. That way we can share and vent with each other.........
Cindy -
Hi guys;
I started the late March-early April thread.. all you have to do is POST with whatever name you want to give yourselves in the Chemo section as that<s where gals having that treatment will most likely look.
I am going to have treatment #2 on Tuesday and am ready. The fear of chemo is much greater than the treatment itself so have faith..you CAN and WILL get through it. It is totally doable although not always great. Crying..yup, that<s normal but it does get better. I am on a 3 wk cycle and the 1st 10 days was either nauseous or had heartburn BUT everyone reacts differently!! Am at day 17 and the hair is falling in bunches so we are going to make a party of it like most of the girls on this site... find humour where there seems to be none. In fact, my son is the first one home so am going to let him shave a strip wherever he<d like to shock the family...LOL
Support...it will be amazing..it will come to you from old friends you haven<t seen in ages, family, etc.. and this site as we all have been there.
I wish you courage and strength on this journey. Come see us or any of the other sites whenever you<d like!
Hugs,
Cath -
HI everyone,
I'm starting chemo in may also. I am 30 and have a 2.6cm IDC, node negative, stage IIA, ER/PR+ and HER2+, grade 3. I don't know if this makes you feel better Lou, but my reproductive endocrinologist said that I only have a 10-15% of going into premature menopause after chemo, and that was when he thought I was going to get the regimen that you are getting. I'm getting a TCH instead, but the chances are about the same I think if not slightly lower. Also, for any of you guys, I love this board and also the young survival coalition board, which is targeted towards young women with breast cancer. You might like that board Lou since we are about the same age.
Leslie -
Count me in!
I tried to start at "May chemo club" before finding this thread (I jsut didn't scroll down far enough!) So, if you don't mind another "joiner" I, too begin chemo in May - on the first to be exact. I am nervous about it but it depends on how much I think about it. Sometimes, I feel really good and strong and think the side effects just might not be THAT bad, then I do some reading and think YIKES! who am I kidding?
Anyways, I am 42 with stage 2A (2.5cm) IDC, grade 3, ER/PR 3+ (probably her2- but don't have final confirmation of that yet) I had a lumpectomy and SND with clean nodes (yeah!) I do have to have more surgery to clean up a margin that was under 1mm (talk about a close shave!!) I've decided to start with chemo and have the surgery when I'm done in September. I am having 6 rounds of CEF (every 3 weeks) and my last treatment day will be August 14th! Then it will be surgery and rads (unless I get a mast.) and then Tamoxifen for 5 years.
I live in Alberta Canada with my hubby, 13 yr. old daughter, 10 yr. old son and 2 cats.
I'm not happy to start this treatmetn but I am excited to work towards ensuring thsoe little mutated cells never return!!
I have about a zillion appointments next week - dentist (cleaning and a filling), chemo class, liver ultrasound and bone scan, Mugga test and a hot stone massage (booked that one myself!!)
Nice to "meet you all" and let's keep in touch. It looks like I'm up to bat first...I'll let you know how it goes. -
Hi everyone,
It is so great to hear from you all. Although I have a fantastic fiancee, it is wonderful to share this experience with other people who know exactly what we are going through. Sure, our side effects may not be the same - but we are all on the same journey!
So far....
Mandy41 - (1st May 07) Looks like you are first up so far. I know we will be in touch before then through this board.
Amyam - (3rd May 07) How did you go getting your port installed? Where did they put it? Are you sore? I tried to go to the link that you mentioned in your previous post but it didn't work (could be my computer).
Cindy - (7th May 07) How are you going?
Leslie - (?) Good luck with the IVF, I hope that it all goes well. Where are you up to at the moment? I have just finished my IVF Provera tablets, and will start the nasal spray and injections within the next couple of days. You will have to let me know how you go. Also, what is your start date for the Chemo?
Me - (24th May 07)
Well, I will sign off now and will check the board again on Sunday. I hope that you are all well. Remember - we just need to take one day at a time and cherish each day we have until we start the treatment!
Hope to see some more "May 07" starters soon!
Take care of yourselves.
Lou -
Hi guys;
Just checkin' in.. Lou, want to apologize for being a dumb bunny...that's what happens when you flip from one thread to another..you obviously have it all together and got this thing going!!
Mandy, I am from Alberta and on FEC so if you have any questions, feel free to PM me. My dx was very similar to yours except that my margins were clean. Where are you from?
Hugs,
Cath -
Hi all, got my port installed yesterday, it went smoothly - surgery lasted 1/2 hour I guess? But they had to put me out completely and intubate, so my throat is sore again. Port is on my non-mast. side, 2 or 3 inches below the collar bone. I haven't looked yet. They did keep me overnight because of my chronic pain issues. The doc wanted to do the surgery the day before chemo but that justed seemed like WAY too much for me. I want 2 weeks to heal and get the general anesthesia out of my system before I start with chemo.
Also, the universe conspired on Wednesday to get the message through to me that a very important part of getting through chemo is repairing the gut lining - that mouth sores are part of mucositis (sp?) which is actually a problem with the GI tract - that glutamine will help, but that eating a certain way can help as well. Off to consult with a oncological naturopath next week to get a diet set up that will nurture gut lining rebuilding. Food as medicine and all that. Anyways, I just learned about this aspect of it all and haven't researched it well yet - anybody else know more? If so, fill me in.
I already stopped eating sugar and drinking alcohol, as those sugars feed cancer cells...(oversimplified I know, but that's how I understand it).
Hugs to you all! -
Quote:
liver ultrasound and bone scan, Mugga test and a hot stone massage (booked that one myself!!)
Hi - why liver ultrasound? They just did liver blood labs for me?
and what's a mugga test?
and hot stone massage sounds lovely!! -
Quote:
HI everyone,
I'm starting chemo in may also. I am 30 and have a 2.6cm IDC, node negative, stage IIA, ER/PR+ and HER2+, grade 3. Will be getting IVF also prior to chemo. I don't know if this makes you feel better Lou, but my reproductive endocrinologist said that I only have a 10-15% of going into premature menopause after chemo, and that was when he thought I was going to get the regimen that you are getting. I'm getting a TCH instead, but the chances are about the same I think if not slightly lower. I'm doing the IVF mainly for my own piece of mind since we have no children yet either.
Also, for any of you guys, I love this board and also the young survival coalition board, which is targeted towards young women with breast cancer. You might like that board Lou since we are about the same age.
Leslie
Hi Leslie- welcome! I have so many questions....too many probably, feel free to pick and choose if you have any time at all to answer I'd so appreciate it - here goes! is the IVF covered by your insurance? who do I talk to about this to see if it's even a possibility for me? I am seeing a gyn. onco. but not until May 2, and that's the day before chemo starts....the timing just seems so tight. IVF is egg preservation? Did I underestand that right? What is the procedure and how long does it take? Sorry to be so naive, and to be lame about doing research on my own. Tired, and had port-placement surgery yesterday. It's just SO much to learn.
Hope you're well!
Hey all, do these threads have "sticky" posts? because then someone with editing privleges could make a sticky post (at the beginning of the thread) with people's names, type of chemo and start date, to make it easier to keep track of our may group... -
AmyaM, I am going to pm you about your questions.
Leslie -
Hi AmyaM,
The liver ultrasound is just a standard test they do along with the chest x-ray and bone scan. (I felt a little freaked out when the surgeon told me about these tests...I thought "WHY do I have to have them - do you SUSPECT something??" She assured me it was standard testing.
The MUGGA test is a scan of the heart. The way it was explained to me is that it takes pictures of your heart while it's contracting and opening. Because of the Endriomycin (or whatever the "E" drug is in my chemo regimen) there can be some heart related side effects (arrhythymia's) so they are doing this test for 2 reasons - 1. To monitor the effect of the drug on my heart before and after treatment and 2. Because there is a strong history of heart disease in my family (my mom had a heart attack at 54) so they want to make sure I'm good to go.
Ducky - we're having the same FEC drugs - did you get a Mugga test done? (Also, I tried to PM you but I'm not sure if it got through - please let me know so, if not, I can try again)
In regards to the Mugga test, I do remember reading about it in on other threads so someone else may have far more accurate info than me.
Hope this helps! -
Hi everyone, I'm starting chemo in may also don't know the date yet. I'm 48 and have a 3.2cm IDC,19 node-,stage1,grade2,ER/PR+and HER2-margin clear.Had a mastectomy on the 9 march. Oncologist said I was in intermediate so that's why I'm getting chemo and a hormone treatment for 5 years after. Does anyone have chemo treatment call "Anthracycline",is it hard on a person. Let me know anybody I'm from N.B. Like to hear from you guy's.
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Mandy,
I did have a Mugga scan and it was no biggie..compared to other stuff I almost fell asleep on the table!! They just need a baseline to work from. I got your PM and responded
Cath -
Hi everyone!
While you haven't met me yet, this forum has been a tremendous (and at times overwhelming) source of information and support for the past couple of months. Now that I am finally scheduled to start chemo this Thursday, I thought it was time to introduce myself. I figured I would be more in sync with people here than in the previous "chemo cruise" thread. I had two lumpectomies and a sentinel node biopsy. Clear nodes and one lump deemed "atypical hyperplasia", but the other was Stage 1b, Grade 3, IDC, Triple Negative (and a subsequent reading of the pathology slides by a second facility found DCIS as well, and confirmed the triple negative). I begin AC/T on April 26th.
I am 39, live alone (with five cats). Oh, and I am pretty darn scared.
I have very few sources of emotional or practical support, and no one physically nearby, which is pretty upsetting to realize, let alone deal with, especially now, and in anticipation of what lies ahead. That situation certainly compromised my ability to cope with everything thus far, and definitely compounds my fear of chemo, and for the future.
I may not post much, and may not be much support to others at this time, but I will certainly (continue to) be relying on this forum for much needed and appreciated strength, support and information.
Thank you for all you have given me thus far, and thank you in advance for being here as I go in front of the firing squad -
alieire - welcome and you're so brave! in my city there are several "breast friends" type programs - in fact I still have to call someone back, and a breast center with free counseling, a patient advocate social worker and I've been to two different support groups so far. So there seems to be a built in "club" of support.
and my neighbors have been much more helpful than I ever anticipated, as have friends of friends. And I here church members can be good too, but I haven't tried that yet. There's got to be a good source of support for you somewhere, a set of someones that can come physically help.
I hope chemo on the 26th goes really well for you - pls let me know how it goes... I was supposed to start on the 16th but put it off until the 3rd, it just seemed like too much. -
Hi There!
I am supposed to start chemo on Wednesday.
This is the second time for me. I had chemo five years ago and it kicked the cancer's butt. So what do I do? I go and get a different type in the OTHER breast.
This is not a recurrance, but known as a New Primary- meaning a totally NEW cancer, just like the first one.
My first cancer was tripneg with no nodes and I did six months of CMF and had radiation.
THIS time, I have lobular with 4+ nodes. I had a bilateral mast, just had my port put in, and am scheduled to start adriamycin, followed by taxol, followed by cytoxan. This is known as Sequential Dose Dense chemo.
I meet with a cardiologist to see if I am good to go for this type and then I start.
Since I have been here before I know a bit what to expect, but I also know a lot of "tricks" so I hope I will be able to help you guys where I can and get strength from you too!
aleire, I am single too- I did it once alone and I KNOW I can do it again alone- it is FINE! Trust me!
Love to all,
g -
Hello my May buddies. Hope you are all doing well. Two more weeks to go for me,,,,,,,,,o the joy,,,,,,not looking forward to this all,,,,,,,,but I gotta do it. To those of you starting before me,,,,,,,,keep us posted ok?? And hope everything goes good for you.
Take care all,
Cindy -
Hi May buddies,
It has been really great catching up on all of the posts, and a big welcome to Nadola, Alieire & nosurrender.
Cindy - I too am really concerned about losing my hair (I have had really long hair since I can remember). I went to the hairdressers last week and had a few inches cut off - and then had it layered (something that I have never been game to do before) - and it actually looks okay. Has your wig arrived yet? I am going shopping for mine in the next couple of weeks.
Amyam - How is your port going? I cannot believe that they wanted you to have it installed the day before chemo - that seems too quick. How did things with your natropath go? I have seen mine, and he basically recommended that I eat all natural foods (i.e. no processed foods). I am trying my best but have found it quite hard as I am just craving comfort food at the moment! In relation to your "sticky note" query - I am not sure if that is available on this site. I have checked a couple of the other boards, but it appears that they just do an "update" post now and again. Let me know if you work out how to do it!
Leslie - How are you going? How are you getting along with the IVF process? I go for my blood test tomorrow morning so hopefully I will then be able to start the nasal spray & injections soon - is that what you will be doing?
Mandy41 - I hope that you are well, and I also hope that your children (and husband) are doing well too.
Nadola - Welcome to the thread!
Alierie - I am so glad you have joined our thread - you will get all of the support you need here - so don't worry about a thing - we will get through this together.
Nosurrender - Welcome aboard. I am so sorry that you are going through all of this again. Please feel free to pass on all of the advice that you can - as I am keen to get as much information/tips as I can. PS - your cat is gorgeous!
Well, a big "good luck" to nosurrender (25th April) & Alieire (26th April). We will be thinking of you.
Take care,
Lou -
Hi everyone,
How are you all holding up? I flit between being really positive and believe that I will get through chemo JUST FINE and then every now and then it hits me - "holy krap - I start CHEMO in 10 days!!!!" Being bald is going to suck, that's for sure - especially wearing wigs in the heat of summer, but I think what bothers me most is that people will be able to see that I am being treated for cancer. People's reactions have had a HUGE impact on my emotions. When people respond to me with a really sad "I'm going to really miss you" kind of mood, I feel terrible. Last night I was at a banquet for a volleyball league wind up and the word has gotten out and it was uncomfortable. People kept saying "you're so positive or you have such a great attitude or I don't know how you do it?" That is just from the people who know - wait until it's visible. I'm not trying to hide anything, I am very open about bc and talk about it way too much but I can't stand the pity (which is totally different from support) or the grief. Hello? I'm still here and plan to stay for quite awhile! So, I guess for me the whole bald thing sucks but it's the fact that I won't look healthy that bothers me.
Oh well, for now, I feel good and strong and I still have my hair! It's short already so this won't be as drastic a change for some of you with beautiful flowing locks! I'm going on Monday the 30th to get it cut really short.
Have a good rest of your weekend everyone. Welcome to Cindy, Nosurrender and Aliere...we'll get through this together...WE WILL! -
Post deleted by lwy
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Hey girls,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I swear, I must come to the website a zillion times in a day. lol I cant help it though,,,,,,,,I like to hear what everyone is saying about all of this. I always think I'm gonna learn something new, lol My wig did come in last week but havent had a chance to go pick it up yet,,,,,,,hmmmmmm wonder if I'm in denial about the hair loss?? lol Mandy,,,,,I know what you are saying about people saying things to you. As far as the wig goes,,,,,,I got one that looks very very similar to my own haircut and color right now,,,,,I didnt want to go sooooooo drastic that it was screaming,,,,,,"see me,,,,,I'm a chemo patient" I went to a party last night and people were coming up to me saying they were sorry to hear of the bc and if there was anything they could do to help. I thought that was all very sweet,,,,,,,but I aint dead people. lol I plan on getting thru this just fine. I babysit my grandson on Wed, Thur, and Friday,,,,,,,,,sooooooooooo I have to be fine. I will take one day at a time. And nosurrender? I went to your blog section,,,,,,,,omg,,,,,,,you are a good writer. I really enjoyed reading it. Lots of funny and heartfelt thoughts in there. And I'm so sorry you have to go thru this again. You have a great attitude though,,,,,kudos to you. I cant remember,,,,,but is anyone else doing TCH on a weekly basis? I had my port put in a couple of weeks ago,,,,,,and I dont feel it at allllllllll. So I am good to goooooo. I did find a cool website where you can purchase head scarves and all. They are very reasonable and have some cute ones actually. If there are days I am just hanging out at home and dont want to wear a wig,,,,I plan on wearing scarves. And to bed of course. I wanted just like black, brown or dark blue ones,,,,,nothing flashy,,,,,,,,,just plain,,,,,and this website has a ton. Here it is if anyone is interested. http://www.headcovers.com/ Ok girls,,,,,,,,how bout weight gain? OMG,,,,,,,bald and fat?? Lordy,,,,,,,this is gonna be fun. lol NOTTTTTTT Well gals,,,,,,,,guess its about time to make some dinner for the family. You all take care and looking forward to everyones updates.
Good luck to the first gals up,,,,,,,,keep us posted on how you are feeling ok??
Cindy -
Louloubell - Port is ok, they kept me over night, I had 3 glorious pain free hours for the first time since early March (before the first of 4 biopies). Though it took 8 hours of morphine to get that way. That part of it was worth it.
I do feel like I've had a blow-up doll plug put in or something, it's strange and surreal and I looked down at my chest this morning and thought WTF - this can't be happening, right?? Oh, but it can. What a strange journey this is.
Arm is achy around the port, I've been icing the shoulder, and it's been a little odd to try to navigate life with 2 arms that don't work very well. Since I had the mastectomy on Mar 29 it's taken a while to get arm function back.
Anyways, I'm whining - I'm sure it'll work out in the long run, but in the mean time this whole port business is quite disorienting for me at least. I understood on a gut level cutting the tumor out, I don't really intuitively understand adding something artificial to my body.
Grumpy I guess.
Anyways, for those of you who have chemo this week - hugs!! Hope it goes really well. As my Aunt (and BC survivor) says, "side effects are not obligatory!" -
Hang in there Amy,,,,,,,,I had my port put in a couple of weeks ago and I am doing great. I dont even realize there is something there anymore. Just a little bump there but no biggy really.
Cindy -
Hi Everyone...
This is so weird to be new and old at the same time! But i was reading your post and the Oldbie in me has to come help!
First:
If you haven't already, get a prescription for a "Head Prosthesis for Chemotherapy" from your onc and you can bring it to your wig place and they submit it to your insurance. Most if not all of your wig should be covered.
Go NOW to pick one out. Get one that matches your hair type and then have it styled to your own hair style that you have now.
When the time comes it won't be so traumatic because you will have "you" waiting in the closet- ready to put on! Human hair wigs look the most real, because they are human. There are some synthetics that look good- but remember the quality increases as the price goes up.
It is perfectly normal to feel like everyone is staring at you or will be staring at you or are acting like you are dead or something. Do you know whose problem that is? THEIRS!
Forget it. After a while you just won't give a damn anyway!
Don't think you are ending your life just because chemo is starting. They don't make it that way anymore. They give us all sorts of meds to cover every single possible side effect. You will have good days and you will have days where you feel anywhere from a little tired to like you have the flu- to crap... but it is TEMPORARY. And list your symptoms and tell your onc because they can get rid of the "crap" days as best they can!
If I could do this five years ago- before they had all those meds- then we can do it again this time. Trust me- I was scared out of my mind back then. But now I know that I can get through it, chemo ends and life kicks right back in...
So I HAVE made it through to the other side and I am telling you- you will get through it! I will be walking right next to you bitching about my aches and pains and my port from hell- but that is what sisters are for- right?
We need a name for this group, don't you think???
Something with May in it. Mayjor Cancer Kickers or something. Let's scare the Beast half to death before we even start!
love,g -
Hi G,,,,,,,,,,,,,I totally love your spirit. Yeah,,,,,,,,,Mayjor Cancer Kickers is a good one,,,,,,,love it. When do u start? I do have my wig ordered and it did come in,,,,,,just have to get my azz over there to pick it up. lol I called my insurance to see if they covered it,,,,,,,,and guess what?? They sure as shooting dont. Like I want to go bald, right? O well,,,,,,,,,,I needed to be prepared anyway so no big deal. Thanx for adding you great sense of humor and wisdom here. It's nice to have others to go this with. I'm gonna have to put everyones start dates on a spread sheet...lol,,,,,,,,cause I'm getting confused on when everyone is starting. OK,,,,,,,my project for tomorrow......spread sheet with everyones stats and starting dates.
Have a good night,,,,,,,,,,
Cindy
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- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team