Starting Chemo in May 07
Comments
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Kara - have a wonderful vacation, and so sorry that you have to do rexcision surgery. I got to stop by LeeAnne's yesterday (soooo good to meet her) and she and I were comparing our downy baby soft hair....mine is about 5 mm long and growing in unevenly, but it is oh so soft, I can't resist running my hands over it....LOL. And my eyelashes started growing back in - noticed that this morning. All of about 1.5 mm long. Who would think that mm of hair would put such a big smile on my face. Back to normal, here I come!
xoxo to all,
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It was awesome to meet Amanda (AmyaM) yesterday, and surrealistic to look at someone else with MY head! LOL. Amanda, you are welcome ANY time. Good luck on your job interview tomorrow. You're going to look smashing!
I start rads tomorrow. Amy, I know you do too. I had a little freak out this afternoon about it but I'm psyching up and I'll be ready. I so do NOT want any more medical treatment but of course there isn't a choice. I do finally feel quite a bit better and stronger than I have in some time, so that's good. I know it will take a few weeks for rads to cause fatigue so between now and then I hope to continue my improvement. I managed a couple of hours of work each day last week - 4 on Friday - so that's good too.
The date man (for those of you keeping track of my personal life, LOL) has turned out to be just about the most fabulous thing that has happened to me in awhile. So much laughter, so much in common, and it could not come at a better time. I need the hugs!
Hope everyone is continuing to feel better and stronger every day.
LeeAnne
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LeeAnne and Amanda - how wonderful for the two of you to meet!! LeeAnne - I am so happy that your Date Man is turning out to be so great...you certainly can use some smiles in your life right now - and love/infatuation/excitement about meeting someone new is the BEST feeling!!!! Good on ya girl!
Amanda - what job interview are you going for? A new job - how exciting! Oh - all this good news is so great to read about!!!
Kara- when do you go for your surgery? I (supposedly) go on Thursday...sigh back to the hospital! Oh well, it's only day surgery so I'll be back home that same day...and if I am feeling up to it - me and hubby are heading to the mountains (without kids) on Friday for the weekend. Lots of "if's" to get past first...but we'll see!
My hair was coming back really well but then I lost pretty much all of it while I was in the hospital (after my last treatment) - it looked like a kitten had been sleeping on my pillow!! Oh well, I'm still not completely bald and I am very fuzzy. I know it will start to grow back within the next 2 weeks so that's encouraging!
Well, I am going to attempt to work for a couple of hours today. Hope everyone is doing well!
Mandy
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Kara, yes, all of the doctor's have suggested the genetic testing, right from the start... I just was avoiding it!
My current onc was just like, c'mon, let's just see if it's covered...and we'll do it...I still haven't made the appointment for the ultrasound... Have to psych myself up for that one as well. Need to get my annual mammo done as well.
HAIR- yay! I would say that it took a good six weeks before I noticed any appreciable growth. Now it's growing in more and more. Now I even go out of the house with no hat on and I don't even get a second glance! It's nice! I probably have a good 1/2 inch. It's really soft as well and growing in the same color as it fell out (grey at the temples) and mostly brown all the rest. Although I feel like there is a little more white sprinkled in with the brown!
I know I promised a baldie picture. My weekend totally got away from me. My best friend and her husband had a birthday party for their 8 year old. Rip-roaring time. I as up on the roof of their house (in a town close to NYC) just staring at the Empire State Building. It was so amazing.
RADS- don't worry about them... It's MUCH easier than the chemo. You will get tired, but it's totally managable...and nothing like chemo. The most annoying thing about the rads is just going every day to be zapped for like 45 seconds. It's just inconvenient...and long. I guess no one is having the 5 day treatment --- maybe it's called Mammo-site? Not sure... Anyhow, I wasn't really a candidate, but I know someone else who did it...she got her rads over with in 5 days...
Liz- I LOVE your new picture!! I will post mine soon. I feel like I need to take another one though b/c my hair has grown so much in 2 weeks...
Amanda- good luck on the interview....
LeeAnne- hugs are good. A coworker friend of mine gives me "energy" hugs all the time... They make me feel great... The new guys sounds great...best of luck...
ok, better earn that paycheck. I am going to Vegas in a couple of weeks... I am very excited for the break...
Virginia
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My surgery is next Thurs, the 27th. I'm feeling annoyed at having to wait, I just want to get it over with. I guess that's how I'm feeling about this whole thing. I haven't really worked much since my first chemo treatment ended me up in the hospital, and I work for myself, so there is no office to drop into when I'm feeling up to working. My husband convinced me to wait until after surgery to really go back to work in case the recovery is harder this time than last time, so I'm waiting to see what happens, but already calling my referral sources to let them know I'll be back at work in early to mid October. I figure I'll take it slow through the end of radiation but at least be able to work.
I love to hear that I might have half an inch of hair relatively soon. I find that now that I'm feeling better I don't mind the baldness as much as I did while I was feeling worse, so I never cover my head at home and often take off my scarf/hat when I'm with friends and family, but being out in public I pretty much stay covered, which is weird, I basically live in Hollywood, if people couldn't deal with it here where could a woman be bald, maybe when I go out to lunch today I'll go scarfless, we'll see!
Have a good week everybody.
Kara
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Hi all - back from the "big job" interview. It went decently, not fantastic, not terrible, but all in all I'm well qualified, so we'll see how it goes. They did ask if I'd be available in the next 10 days for a 2nd interview, so I wasn't out of the running as of 2 pm today. We'll see. It sounds like a lot of work - fascinating, but a ton of work. Of course the compensation is pretty darn good, and the bennies...ooh la la.
Plus I looked gooood, if I do say so myself, not to be vain but you know what I mean - I haven't felt pretty for months, just chemo yucky. New clothes, pretty hair (wig), good makeup - I looked in the mirror and thought wow, is that me????
So overall, it was an incredibly positive experience to think about the future, my future, my new normal, my life, exciting opportunities etc.
But, I'm having small doubts:
1) Am I insane??? Thinking about taking on a big job an hour away not so long after chemo?! I've been working part-time, barely, for 6 months - granted I feel SO MUCH better than I did, but still - a full time job plus a long commute would be a big change. Of course, going through chemo and managing medical care and financial aid was like a 2nd part-time job, so maybe I have been working the equivalent of full-time. What's your take on that?
I got home about an hour ago and I'm really disoriented. Plus the weather changed, and it's cold, and this disorientation always happens to me to some degree this time of year - my body just doesn't get the weather change, LOL.
2) Silly small thing - it bothered me somewhat that they didn't stop to eat lunch - they're doing interviews back-to-back all day. At my current job, where I'm the boss, I put health first - and we either bring lunch in or take a break. It just seems like such a basic thing to me - take care of yourself and eat, darn it. A warning sign perhaps?
3) I didn't talk about cancer and I have NO idea how they feel about health issues. BTW, in the states, is cancer/cancer-recovery protected as a disability? I figured cancer wasn't one of my job skills, so I didn't need to talk about it.
I know yesterday I had the feeling that "I can do anything since I got through chemo" and I still have that, but this job seems to require a powerhouse of a candidate, which I most certainly can be and have been at different times in my life, but right now I'm just feeling a little soft and vulnerable.
Off to crawl in bed with a video and a cup of cocoa. Sigh.... and the morphine dosage decrease begins tonight - they finally got me a liquid form so I can take baby sized steps down (I'm already on the lowest does in pill form) so wish me luck....my body is just super-sensitive to medications.
I feel like I pretended to be normal for a day and it was fun, but a lie. Guess I took on the "cancer girl/woman" persona more than I'd thought, aye? I know I'll feel more normal over time and it's good to get out in the world and stop identifying with my cancer experience so much, but still, really, I can't wait for the Komen luncheon to see a ton of women who have been through what I have and to live that out loud. Hiding it just feels odd.
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Amanda - good for you to forge ahead! I think I feel the same way as you - like thinking ahead assuming I will still live a long and healthy life will somehow "jinx" things! I think this is a totally normal feeling!
I can see your reluctance to take a job that requires you to be a powerhouse...do you still have it in you? It sounds like you do! (although I do share your concern about the working through lunch thing - maybe it's just a special circumstance with the interviews?) As far as your ability to handle this big change - I guess you won't know until you try it! My advice is to listen to your gut-what's it telling you?
I think it will be a fine balance between giving ourselves a little extra TLC and not overdoing it and saying what the hell? Cancer has refined me - it doesn't DEFINE me! It is really easy for fear to creep into our minds and do it's number on us but as I mentioned, your gut will tell you what to do - it sounds to me like maybe you ARE ready for this job and that you CAN take on anything now! As I wrote to LeeAnne earlier about her Date Man..."if you take a risk - something bad might happen or something good might happen, but if you don't take the risk - nothing happens!"
Trust yourself! Congrats on feeling pretty! It has been a LOOOONNNGGG time since I've felt that way! It's nice that I have now lost all of my chemo weight (helluva way to do it - I DON'T recommend it!) but I already feel a little better...now just waiting for that hair to come back in!!!
Good luck - whatever the outcome! I'm sure things will work out just as they should!
Mandy
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Amanda, yes, you are protected in the states under the americans with disabilities act as long as you are in treatment. Also, your potential employer cannot ask about your health status at all during a job interview and you do not need to disclose anything about your health status (this stuff comes up in my work, which is mostly HIV related). If you take this job they must make reasonable accomodation for you to get any treatment you need (like radiation, etc.) I love that you are going after this job, I have been jealous of all the people who have worked through their treatment, but I am so ready to really be back at work, not just the few hours here, few hours there that I have worked since the spring. Good luck, even if you decide the place is not for you.
Virginia, did you see the article in the NY Times about the BRCA gene in Sunday's paper? You may be able to track it down online. Also, there was a similar article (but in first person) written in the LA Times some time in the spring, I'm pretty sure it was after my diagnosis in April, but not positive. Both might be helpful as you deal with whatever your results are. I wish you luck in dealing with this, I was very nervous awaiting my results, although I had assumed that I would be positive for the mutation but got lucky and am negative-I come from a line of women with breast cancer, so there probably is something there, just not the BRCA. Also, just saw some statistics on the difference in recurrence rates for BRCA 1 and BRCA 2, I don't remember where I read these, but if you are positive for the mutation you might want to track them down. Hoping for negativity on this for you.
kara
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Amanda, yes, you are protected in the states under the americans with disabilities act as long as you are in treatment. Also, your potential employer cannot ask about your health status at all during a job interview and you do not need to disclose anything about your health status (this stuff comes up in my work, which is mostly HIV related). If you take this job they must make reasonable accomodation for you to get any treatment you need (like radiation, etc.) I love that you are going after this job, I have been jealous of all the people who have worked through their treatment, but I am so ready to really be back at work, not just the few hours here, few hours there that I have worked since the spring. Good luck, even if you decide the place is not for you.
Virginia, did you see the article in the NY Times about the BRCA gene in Sunday's paper? You may be able to track it down online. Also, there was a similar article (but in first person) written in the LA Times some time in the spring, I'm pretty sure it was after my diagnosis in April, but not positive. Both might be helpful as you deal with whatever your results are. I wish you luck in dealing with this, I was very nervous awaiting my results, although I had assumed that I would be positive for the mutation but got lucky and am negative-I come from a line of women with breast cancer, so there probably is something there, just not the BRCA. Also, just saw some statistics on the difference in recurrence rates for BRCA 1 and BRCA 2, I don't remember where I read these, but if you are positive for the mutation you might want to track them down. Hoping for negativity on this for you.
kara
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Thanks Mandy! I knew I liked you
Your note made me feel so much better. BTW, have you seen the Kaiser commercial where it shows a woman having a really sweet, playful life, and it also shows her going to radiation and having super short hair...the take away message being "I have cancer, cancer doesn't have me."
http://ckp.kaiserpermanente.org/newsroom/national/archive/nat_070823_thrive.html
I was thinking about that all day. Yes, damnit, we deserve our LIVES. Even if I have a recurrence in two years, darn it all, I still want a job like this. Because the content of the job is legacy-producing change, and I want that. And, as my dad just told me, even if I don't get it it was a really healthy thing to do, emotionally, to get my energy flowing towards embracing my life, rather than my illness. Stepping forward.
Mandy, hope you continue to feel better and recover from the whole gall bladder incidence. Big hugs to you!
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Hey Everyone,
I saw my oncologist today. I have to start taxotere next monday. I thought I would get out of it on account of the no evidence of cancer on my path report but no such luck!
So anyone have any experiences with taxotere they'd like to share? I have been paying attention to the taxol because that's what they told me I would get before but he changed it on me.
Hope everyone's doing well!!!
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Kara- I heard about that article... A friend of mine called me on Sunday night and told me about it... I will definitely have to track it down. My onc has a hunch that I am BRCA+. We'll see. I am trying not to freak. They said it would most likely take a couple of weeks for the results. I am hoping for results by the time I go for my next Herceptin treatment which is Oct. 8th...my mother's birthday. Can you imagine if I get the news on my mother's birthday?? How prophetic would that be (she died 25 years ago from this disease).
I was very lucky during all of my treatments, both chemo and radiation, to miss a minimal amount of work. I missed NO work from rads... Just had to skip out for the mapping and such. But, I was able to work the whole time. For chemo, I only had 4 rounds of AC, so my SE's probably weren't as bad as you ladies that also had to have the T part of the regimen. I only missed my infusion day (Thursday)...then worked from home on Friday's (the beauty of a lap top) and felt crummy on Saturday and Sunday, was usually ok to get back to work on Monday... Took a couple of Monday's off and maybe left early a couple of days here and there, but I, for the most part, worked the whole time... My boss actually has nominated me for a "Values In Action" award here at work b/c he admires how I have handled myself and have not missed a beat here at work. That made me feel good. Even if I don't get the award, I know he appreciates me!
Ok, I still haven't updated my picture. I looked at the pic I was going to post, and I have quite a bit MORE hair than the one I was going to post, so I need to take another picture of my coconut!!
Be well ladies!!
Virginia
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Kara - Many thanks for the disabilities act info; I knew not to ask about health as an employer, but I've never been on the other side of it before
...and good to be protected. Quick question - do the folks you work with (HIV) ever disclose? Or do they disclose just to human resources (for larger orgs) and their direct supervisor; how does that work?
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lizyeh- I got taxotere, but I also got it at the same time as carboplatin so I don't know what side effects are from what. Overall, the chemo was tolerable, not alot of nausea. Taxotere theoretically has less problems with causing neuropathy compared to Taxol. Taxotere can cause fluid retention in your legs and arms, and so they usually give decadron with it to decrease the limb edema. good luck, I think mostly whatever side effects you heard about taxol applies to taxotere since they are sister drugs.
Leslie
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Amy,
I am so jealous of you that you felt beautiful in a wig. I put them on and start to cry.
Liz,
There is a whole thread on Taxotere in the "Going through Chemo" thread..or whatever they are called. I did it.....it wasn't fun. But, I did it. And, my hair started growing while doing it. Just remember before you go to that thread.....everybody is different and handles each chemo treatment in a different way.
My head is about 60% covered with brown hair. I went to my hysterectomy guy today and a lady walked in with short, short, short hair....but, it covered her head. Anyway, everybody was having a fit over it. Gawd...........................I don't want to do that.
I can't wait to have long hair again. I know it happens though. My little sis had bc 9 years ago and she has had 10 inches cut off for locks of love 4 times. I just saw her this weekend and her hair is once again, down to the middle of her back.
Hope all you girls are doing o.k.
Hugs, Traci
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Hey all - You know how this website has SO much information? Well, I just found a section on life after cancer, and this link is to "NCCS's Step-by-Step Guide to Online Post-Treatment Cancer Resources - Congratulations on completing your cancer treatment! Now What?"
It's packed with info. Off to follow up on the employment discrimination piece, but there's also some info on "late effects" of treatment....umm..what is that about? Yikes.
If you see something of interest in that link, pls share. There's a lot there!
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Hi everyone!
How are you all doing on this Wednesday (hump day)? It seems there are fewer and fewer of us on the board - whcih is good - it means that everyone is getting on with their lives!!!!!
I will definitely be the last one left here...sigh. I just found out that the surgery I was scheduled for tomorrow (re-excision) has now been re-scheduled to October 10th (!) My doctor said I was just too sick too recently to risk a surgery at this time. She wants me fully back to "normal" before the re-excision. So, this means I won't even START rads until early November and won't be done treatment until Christmas (I hope). She did mention that there is a really slight chance that she may take out my gall bladder at the same time - which would be AWESOME! But I am trying not to get my hopes up about that! Looks like Mexico will have to wait until Februrary. Oh well, as long as I get healthy - that's the main thing!
Anyways that's my mini whinefest for today! Congratulations to all of you as you finish up this journey...try not to forget me!!
Have a wonderful day everybody!
Mandy
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Won't forget you Mandy, silly bean.
Also, I think I did decide to do rads today...who knows if I'll change my mind again, but today was a pro-rads day. So I hope this group will stick together some for that too.
I get my port out Friday, and am now a nervous nelly about general anesthesia. Not sure it's necessary.
And yes, I think your docs are right - best to be as healthy as you can before surgery. I hope your health comes back quickly and that surgery goes well!
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Mandy girl...we aren't going anywhere for long!
We are right here with you sister. I still have a way to go!
I am sorry about your delay in surgery...I know first hand how agonizing that is. Just try to focus on the fact that your doc is right. You do not want to be having surgery if you are sick. Way too much can go wrong.
Keep posting girl.
Hugs, Traci
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Traci- I can relate to your post about crying when you put the wig on... I actually printed a picture of a wig off the internet and had my hair cut like the wig... This picture is my hair right after the haircut... Anyhow, I then went to the wig guy with my own hair and the picture of the wig and he pulled a wig JUST like my real hair and hair color. My wig is so realisitic...amazing. I FINALLY got 65% back from the insurance company for it... (I put the claim in back in May!) Anyhow, I have about 1/2 growth all over my head. I basically only wear the wig at work. Now I go out of the house with no baseball hat or anything... I'm over it...and especially over the wig. I just hate the way it feels...and it's getting ratty/knotted by my neck. UGH. Anyhow, I have had 2 people say they liked my "haircut" in the past week!! What a riot. Last week I took my dad to get his pacemaker battery changed and an orderly at the hosptial said, "look, someone else with my hairdo..." She had hair shorter than mine...I looked at her badge and saw that she had long hair in her picture... I didn't ask any questions, but do assume she lost her hair from chemo...
Anyhow, I know how you feel about the hair thing... It's so frustrating when you think about how long we all were without hair before it even BEGAN to grow back. I feel like it's taking an excruciatingly long time. Tomorrow is month 3 for me...I am due to take my picture to see what 12 weeks worth of growth looks like... (I take my picture every month on the 21st...)
Ok, LONG winded post....
How's everyone!! Few posts...must mean everyone is feeling good. (I sneak on here at work and make quick posts...)
Be well all!!
Virginia
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Hey Everyone,
I'll be around for a while, Mandy so don't worry. I think everyone must be feeling better and getting back to normal life. But I'll always come back here to check in and see how everyone's doing. I miss the women who haven't posted in a while and hope they'll check back at some point.
I am going for another fill tomorrow and am not ready. I just want to get it out of the way before I start my taxotere on Monday.
Are any of you going on tamoxifen at some point? My onc told me Monday I'll be on it. I assume I'll start it after the chemo. Does anyone know when they'll be starting it?
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I still lurk here to keep an eye on you all, but have been cloistered over with my Rocktober sisters, since a bunch of us got together in Chicago about a month ago.
One of my Rocktober sisters, MaryAnne, always signs her posts, "Fists Up!" About a year ago, another of our Rocktober girls (LauraGTO) found a pair of electric pink boxing gloves and sent them to MaryAnne, who wears them in her avatar.
When we all got together in Chicago, MaryAnne gave the pink boxing gloves to me, because she said I needed them more than she did. (I'd actually had my next-to-last chemo earlier that day!)
I was so tickled with the gift! If I can ever figure out how to post photos here again, I'll share some Rocky-esque poses with you all!
My last chemo was Aug. 31 and I'm feeling stronger every day.
--CindyMN
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Sorry it's taken a few days for me to get back to you on your question about disclosure. I have clients who go both ways, disclose their health problems or not. One thing to know, if you don't disclose then your employer doesn't officially know about your dx (even if they suspect) and that limits your recourse if they are discriminating against you for health reasons (they can argue that they can't be doing that because they didn't know). I'll tell you, when my clients are trying to decide whether to disclose or not my advice is always to think about it in their specific employment site, some people are nicer than others no matter what the law says.
Kara
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Hey everyone!
Liz, I, too start Tamoxifen on October 1st - and will be on it for 5 years! I've heard some nasty things about side effects but that's all I seem to hear is nasty side effects about EVERYTHING. It's kind of like childbirth - there are women who have a relatively easy time but you never hear their stories - it's always the women who went through 4 days of hell that feel compelled to tell you every single detail!! I am expecting the Tamoxifen to be just fine ...just like I did the chemo (which was of course no picnic but I got through it and managed to still live my life this summer!)
Anyways, thanks to everyone who said they wouldn't leave me behind. I hope I don't "need" you during the next few months but it's nice to pop in every now and then and hear how everyone is doing...besides, I am now too invested/interested in Amanda's job situation and LeeAnne's man situation to not be kept up to date!!
Have a great evening everyone,
Mandy
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I'm sure not going anywhere! I started rads this week, and am nearly a month out from my last chemo, so I'm in that lovely in-between stage where I feel better every day. My rad onc reminded me that in a few weeks I'll be feeling radiation fatigue, so I should enjoy it now.
Best thing so far about radiation? A GIANT new scrip for Ativan including refills! Woohoo! I'm writing this as I wait for it to kick in.
Liz, I keep meaning to tell you that I love your avatar with your new hair. Mine is too white to show up in any pictures so far! It sure is fuzzy though.
Amanda, have you heard anything more about your job?
My new man, as Mandy called him, now officially my new BOYFRIEND (!) had to go to the ER today for a migraine (not his first time for this) and it was my pleasure to transport and be helpful and not have to be the patient for the first time in awhile. I have new-found empathy and patience for illness in others, that's for sure.
Hugs everyone,
LeeAnne
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Liz- I've been on Tamoxifen since July. I was on it for about 1 month prior to chemo (way back in March) and had no SE's. I went off it for the chemo and started again...this time I notice I had hot flashes ALL the time. I wasn't sure if it was chemo-pause or the Tamoxifen. They weren't horrible hot flashes...just the little beads of sweat on your forehead and nape of your neck. Enough to know you were having them... Anyhow, I have to say that FINALLY the hot flashes are coming less and less frequently.
Anyone else in chemo-pause? I haven't had my cycle since my second chemo...that was late May/early June. Now, mind you, I am perfectly ok not to have the curse...but was wondering if anyone else had this pause... I keep waiting for it to show up unexpectedly...
Cindy- your boxing gloves sound like a hoot. I have to admit I "spied" on your other boards some time ago and it sounds like you all had a fantastic time in Chicago... It's really nice that you did that!!
Today is exactly 3 months since my last treatment... I took my honorary photo this AM. LeeAnne, my hair is gray too and doesn't come out so great in the photo. But, this weekend, I will post it... I go to Vegas 1 week from this Sunday...I think that when I come back I will ditch the wig at work and say, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!!"
Happy weekend all!!
Virginia
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LeeAnne, Congratulations on the new boyfriend! I must admit I voiced some scepticism in the beginning but I'm so glad it's working out.
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LeeAnne - a new official BOYFRIEND! How wonderful...is he cute? I really hope everything works out well with him...you hottie - getting a new man during treatment! Good for you!
Virginia - Vegas baby? Woo hoo! I hope you have a blast! I'm going with my hubby and some other couples next October (2008) since I'm going with my hubby, there won't be much to "stay in Vegas" but that's okay!!! By the way, I haven't had my period since July (just around my 5th treatment) I keep waiting for it to come back too but once I'm on Tamoxifen, I think it goes bye bye again...however, my doctor said I may still get my period...it's all very confusing to me!!
Liz - I too like your avatar...you foxy lady! Have you been able to run at all (I would think not). I had a kick-ass run the morning of the long weekend (Labour Day) and felt like I was coming back as far as time and stamina went, then of course, the whole gall bladder thing levelled me and yesterday I tried to run for one minute at a time but my side started to ache and I pulled that plug on that rather quickly because I DO NOT want to end up back in the hospital! I am disappointed though becasue me and 17 other people are doing the "Run for the Cure" next weekend and now it looks like I'll be walking 5km...sigh. Oh well, at least I'm able to walk it and I'm not in the hospital! I am signing up for another 5km with my son at the end of October and hopefully should be able to do that! I will keep trying every day to run and if it hurts, I'll stop but if not, I'll keep going! What sucks is that to do a 5km run takes me about 30 minutes but to walk it takes a lot longer like 45 -50 minutes! Oh well...boy I sure do complain a lot don't I??? I really am grateful - honest!
My hair started to grow back between my 5th and 6th treatments and I was really hoping it wouldn't all fall out after my last treatment but it's barely hanging in there! It is starting to grow back again at the base of my head though - I am so happy about that! Pretty soon - no hats - or if I do have them, at least you will be able to see some hair sticking out at the back and the sides. I sure have compassion for people with visible disabilities or burn vicitms etc. - they have to endure people staring at them ALL THE TIME! People probably don't even realize they're doing it I'll bet!
Well, enough of my rambling - have an AWESOME weekend everyone! I am playing volleyball tonight then going out for beer after (well, I'll have a cranberry juice but that 's just fine!) then tomorrow my kids are out for a sleepover so that leaves the house all to me and my hubby! Hmmm...maybe we'll have "naked day" Then on Sunday me and my daughter are going out for dinner (my hubby and son are going to The Blue Man Group) So, lots to look forward to! Happy Friday everyone!
Mandy
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Mandy, I can't run at all right now because of the expanders. I'm really not happy about this, but I am going to walk and maybe hit some of the other cardio machines at the gym. Of course I'm starting Taxotere on Monday so we'll see if I feel like moving at all for the next 8 weeks! Good for you for doing the race for the cure! I'll be doing it next year for sure. I'm also signed up for a half-marathon that I missed last year in May. I'm really hoping I will be able to do it this year. I figure I can start running by New Year's day (if I haven't had too much champagne on New Year's eve!) if my body cooperates and I get my implant surgery in early December.
Have a good Friday night everyone! I'll bet at least one of our gals has got a date tonight (LeeAnne!).
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Well, here's my bald head...12 weeks worth of growth. Totally UNFLATTERING picture... Prolly won't leave it up here for long!!
Hope everyone has a great weekend.
Virginia
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- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 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