Has anyone started a forum for Chemo in Dec 2008?

Firni

I was thinking of just drawing some hair on my head.  You know, like the original Ken dolls.  

Texas357

My first Ken doll had fuzz glued onto his scalp. That's an idea too!

Lainey64

Sonia, I actually colored my hair on Monday!  I have about an inch of hair.  I saw my hairdresser on Sat and she told me that it was long enough to color but she wanted me to wait 6 wks before she'd do it because it still had a lot of growing to do.  Well, my curiosity got the best of me and I couldn't wait.  So I picked up some Naturtint from Whole Foods and did it myself.  It's a vegetable based dye and ammonia free so I figured I'd give it a shot.  I got the Light Chestnut Brown and at first I wasn't sure how I felt about it but now I'm loving it.  My boyfriend also likes it alot and he was a big fan of my silver hair.  I won't color it again and will let my hairdresser take over in about 8 wks after it grows out some but for now this color is making me feel perkier and more stylish. 

lisasayers

I've decided I'm keeping my hair the way it is now...this length!  I always wore it short, but I'm loving it really short!  I get more compliments from people...and they are people who have no idea what I've just been through!

At the wedding this weekend my goofy BIL was calling me Demi Moore all night!  Then he proceeded to tell me that she was his dream woman.  Talk about creepy!  My husband, his brother, says, "He is not dancing with you!" ROFL

Some people say I look like Jaime Lee Curtis.....just a LOT taller! 

Had my blood work today...see the onc next week! 

Make it a great day everybody!

swest

Hello everyone!

Caroline & Elaine - my hair is ~ 1 inch now.  I guess I should wait a few more weeks.  I just feel like my gray hair makes me look older.  Maybe I'll get over to whole foods this weekend and look for your color. 

Lisa - you look fantastic with your short hair!  If I thought I could pull it off I would keep it this length.  It is so much easier to keep up with.  It sounds like your BIL is a hoot!  You'll have to use this as leverage with  your hubby! 

Texas you are too funny!  I remember the Ken doll with the fuzz.  I think the GI Joe doll was the same way...???

EleanorJ

Well, I was at Walmart today and ended in the hair dye aisle. I found 2 that might be an option for me; Clairol Natural Instincts Loving Care (non-permanent, ammonia & peroxyde free, last up to 6-12 shampoo) that would be a good option, should go away by the time the roots would show? or Fanci-Full - you apply it after you wash your hair everyday and towel dry your hair, then rub it in, takes the grey away and the next day when you shampoo, it washes off. Of course, didn't have the guts to buy either one, well, I was scared there might be something too strong in them. What am I looking for that I want to avoid?

havehope

Cebula, here is a site that have only natural products. I've been using them for years.

http://www.aubrey-organics.com/

For coloring I used Herbatint. Lots of websites carry those. Just google and pick your price.

A Full Line Of Herbatint Products Only At The House Of Nutrition

No Ammonia

Specially formulated from herb extracts and proteins, HERBATINT^TMuses rosemary, cinchona and walnut husk, to gently deposit colour, achieving a natural, vibrant result for your hair

No Damage

Due to its unique composition, HERBATINT^TMpermanently colours hair without damage - resulting in a natural, subtle colour that not only looks great, but feels good time after time

Natural Gloss and Shine

HERBATINT^TMhas a natural translucent property to enhance your hair with a light-reflecting, healthy shine; so it doesn't create the 'block colour' look often associated with chemical colourants

A wide range of true semi-permanent hair colours. These colours enhance the shine and clarity of your natural hair colour whilst greatly improving the condition of the hair. VEGETAL^TMhair colour will not do more than mask any but the earliest few white hairs.

Texas357

My hair isn't quite an inch long -- and still just 1/4" in spots -- but I did shampoo it this morning. That felt luxurious! And I had to use a blow dryer on it before I put on the wig. Woo hoo! There's not even enough to brush but this is progress.

Texas357

Status check ladies:

1. How's the overall dryness from your chemo? My face is normally pretty oily but it's still dry as a bone. My hands also feel very dry still.

2. How's the chemo brain? I'll swear I can't think of the simplest words sometimes. My mind goes all around a word but can't grasp onto it. I think it might be getting a little better but it's still frustrating when I babble.

EleanorJ

My skin didn't get all the dry from chemo so that's fine with me.

Now chemo brain.. humm, it takes me so long to say something at times, I want to say something, I know what I'm about to say but when my mouth opens, I start seaching my words or worst can't remember what I was about to say. People probably think I'm slow or something! LOL! It might be getting slightly better, don't know how, but I think rads added to it!

Mandy1313

Checking in with my chemo update:

I still have extreme dry mouth, dry hands (they are peeling).  I had very oily facial skin so it is now dryer but not too bad.

But the chemo brain is awful. I cannot remember names, words, etc.  

And I still have metal mouth....can't stand the taste of water and some things that I liked before chemo. 

For me though the worst is pains in my legs and joints...as if I have arthritis. When I stand up after sitting for a while, I can hardly walk.

  I haven't begun a hormonal because of these side effects...the onc wants me off meds for a while.  I finished chemo on May 13, and hope these side effects will subside soon. .

Hope all of you are doing well.  

Many hugs

Mandy

swest

Caroline - I have some of the Clairol Natural Instincts color but have been afraid to use it.  It is what I was using before BC.  From what I remember, it is not as strong as the permanent color kits.  I guess I'll try it over the weekend.  I'll keep you posted.

Texas - congratulations on having to use the hair dryer.  My hair is about 1 inch in most spots but I'm still towel drying. 

Lisa - I finally tried my Zumba tapes!  It was fun but I look like a dork.  I have to say that I usually can pick up dance steps rather quickly but I was having trouble last night.  How long did it take you to get all of the steps down?  They move so quick I look like I'm having convulsions.  I laughed until I cried.

Firni

I'm now 9 weeks post chemo.  My skin is doing ok.  It's been warm enough to run here the evaporative cooler so that always makes my skin more moist.  I still slather on the Eucerine cream after a shower tho.  I do still have chemo brain.  Finding words is probably the worst.  I understand what you mean Caroline about people thinking there might be some mental deficiency.  I'm still eating some foods "for the first time".  That is, the first time after metal mouth and I'm just LOVING food.  I do still have one swollen foot and now 2 toenails removed, but my fingernails have 5 ridges on them and are reattaching to the nail beds as they grow out.  I figure I have one more ridge and then new healthy, untouched by chemo nails can start to grow.  My hair, well, lets just say, it will be a LONG time yet before I can join the hair color discussion.   As far as strength and muscle pain etc,  the pain is gone and the strength is coming back.  I'm almost back to my pre-chemo weight.  I'm just all loose and flabby now.  But that is easy enough to take care of.

Except for a few things, I'm feeling pretty recovered.

Sonia, from your description, I can just imagine you doing Zumba.   It made me laugh too!

Bold

Firni: I am using perma bond on my fingernails as they have separated from the nail beds. It is working for me so far. My cousin is a hand surgeon and said it was OK to do. I have no hair to speak of either and I am 61/2 weeks out. I was wondering do you ache all over? I do and still have swelling in one leg profoundly too.. I am also very tired. I look forward to more healing. I have my first Rad treatment today and I am not a happy camper. I will be getting 6 tats and will not be able to swim this sumer. It brakes my chubby heart. This to shall pass.

So nice to see that everyone is doing well. WE RULE!

lisasayers

Texas...it is always tricky the first couple times, but stick with it and you will get it.  I always tell my new students...you can't just come one time! LOL  As long as you are laughing, you are still burning calories!

Firni

Bold, I don't ache or have fatigue any more.  I did an entire 30 min pilates workout today and it felt great!!  I also have a mini trampoline for cardio, but that 30 min. workout is way too hard for me yet.  I can only bounce for about 5 minutes before I have to stop and rest.  Just kills my legs. But every day I can go a little longer.  I started wearing a graduated compression sock on my swollen foot durning the day and that does keep it from swelling.  I'm hoping that after a while, I won't have to wear it any more.  Especially since it's getting kind of hot outside.  I'm sorry you won't be able to swim this summer.  You'll really enjoy it next year!!  Good luck with your rads and I hope it goes quickly for you.

EleanorJ

Bold why can't you swim this summer?

Firni Have you tried wrapping your foot at night? If you check on those lymphedema wesbite, they will show you the technique to wrapping your foot at night, you won't believe the difference when you wake up in the morning.

Well, my MIL talked me into dying my hair, we're going to the hair salon tomorrow, she's treating me She talked with her hair stylist and explained to her the situation and the lady told her they do it all the time with cancer patient, so I'm jumping in. I'm scared!! haha. I'll take a picture when it's all done. Tomorrow is my last day of radiation, so it will be a new me with new hair with NO cancer

Firni

Caroline, I have not tried wrapping my foot at night.  What exactly is Elastomull and where do you get it?   I have the instructions printed up.  It doesn't look hard to do.  Do you just do your foot or do you go up your leg too?

I'm so happy for you that you are DONE.  I can't wait to see the new you. 

I do believe I noticed a very very light 5:00 shadow on my head this afternoon ( in the right light).  I'm so excited.  Before you know it I will look like fuzzy hair Ken. 

colleen1960

Checking in to see that everyone is doing pretty well.  It has been 3 months since chemo and I am doing pretty good.  I still get tired easier then before and I am still pretty achy at times.  Mandy I have the same thing when I sit or lie down for any length of time, I feel it is hard to stand up.  As far as chemo brain I definitely have that to.  I also am very forgetful.  I try and write things down now on my calendar so that I will not forget.  I wonder sometimes if this is all from the chemo or the Tamoxifen which I have been on for two months.  I am trying to keep a record so when I see the onc. on 6/16 I can go over it with her.

Well ladies Keep On Being Strong and enjoy your weekend.

Colleen   

EleanorJ

eBay! I used the Elastomull only for my toes and it's a pain to wrap. For the foot/leg you need to use stockinette you get a big roll that you cut to the right lenght, they have different sizes as well, then wrap it with the bandages, my LE specialist would have me use 2 rolls. If the swelling is bad on your foot, you can also add padding between the stockinette & bandages on the top of your foot. Now my problem being my foot, I would wrap to ankle/mid-calf. You should meet with a LE specialist, I can't remember if you did already or not. Seems like a lot of us are dealing with some form of LE

EleanorJ

Oh, and another thing I have that is great, is those Forefoot compression sleeves once you get most of the swelling down, I have found that these work as good as an entire compression hose, so I skip the heat in the summer and the nice looking brown hose on only one leg

Bold

Cebula: My rad onc. told me no chlorinated water. I can not tell you how much that broke my heart. Did you not heat that from your Dr.? How did you do with Rads. Are you sore? I hope not . congrats on the hair. I am 61/2 weeks out and have nothing except some scary fuzzzzz.

Peace and health

Firni

thanks Caroline for the links.  Looks like I have more shopping to do.  I do see an LE specialist twice a week for the LE in my hand.  My foot is not LE.  It's just swelling from the Taxotere yet according to my onc.  My LE specialist told me to wear the compression hose and so did my podiatrist.  I'm at wit's end to resolve this; I'm in such pain by the end of the day.  So I'll try anything including the wrapping.  I love the forefoot compression sleeve idea.  You're right, so much more attractive and cooler than the brown hose.  Today as I was looking at my leg with the hose on, I thought it looked like an artificial leg.  Yuk. 

EleanorJ

Firni, I can't see how 9 weeks post chemo you would still suffer from Taxotere swelling. Did you LE specialist take a look at your foot? I know what you mean, my friend's daughter, who was 2 last summer, everytime she saw me, the first thing she would say was "sock" pointing to my ONE hose! LOL!

Bold, I'll have to check tomorrow if I remember. They didn't say anything about that. Is it for the duration of your rads or for a certaine amount of time after rads? Humm.. I did fine with my rads, some fatigue but not much, about 1 very tired day per week. My arm pit got really red & tight, burned pretty bad but it happened a couple of days before my last entire breast rad, as soon as the skin peeled it felt much better. I'm just more annoyed at the fact that my armpit got radiated, not entirely but still more than I would have like. So while they only took out 3 nodes during my lumpectomy, I'm sure I'm missing a few extra ones that have been zapped now

Texas357

Good morning ladies. I'm 15/33 rads done as of today -- almost halfway through.

The taxotere swelling is still with me too. My feet are finally better but my surgical arm has developed lymphedema. The physical therapist I saw yesterday told me I'd have to wear a sleeve 24/7 for the rest of my life. I live in a hot climate, where it's common for fingers/feet to swell due to the temperatures. Now I get to wear a thick sleeve and possibly glove on the hottest days of the year? Oh boy!

The next time someone tells me about a "friend" who survived breast cancer years ago and never even thinks about it now -- I may not be responsible for my actions. Looks like I'm going to have all kinds of unexpected permanent reminders like tubes in my eyes and a compression sleeve on my arm.

Firni

My LE specialist did look at my foot and she said it is not LE.  My podiatrist didn't think it was LE either.  I guess I should call Oncy back and see what he says.  I know he'll have me go in, pay a co-pay and tell me there is nothing he can do.  I see him for my reg. follow up in a month.  I might just wait and deal with the fat foot and compression (which by the end of the day makes my whole leg ache.)

I have to see my PCP in a couple weeks for some blood work.  Maybe I'll just ask him.  He seems to take me more seriously and does more for me than anyone else.   

swest

CONGRATULATIONS Caroline & Simvog for finishing Rads and Chemo! 

Caroline -  How did the hair come out?  Now you've got me wanting to try over the weekend!

Hang in there TEXAS! 

Have a great weekend everyone!

Bold

Yippie!!!!!! Simvog and Caroline!!!!!!!!

Just a reminder it takes 12 weeks for the toxins to leave your system. That is why we are still swelling. Try to eliminate salt too.

Cebula: Two weeks after rads before the accumulative effect wain. I will have to wait and see how I do with my skin. If the skin is broken in anyway I would have to wait till it was healed.

Mandy1313

Congrats Caroline and Simvog for finishing rads and chemo.   A big WAHOOOOOO!!!!

bobcat

Lisa -

I have also decided to keep my hair this short for a while - went to the barber on Tuesday and he shaped up the sides and back and then ran the short trimmer through the rest.  I get tons of compliments and it's so easy!!

Chemo brain?  Does that ever go away?  Trying to get work done but writing everything down so I don't forget anything - including conversations....

Just had a cortisone shot for tendonitis in my right wrist and must wear a brace.  Doc thinks it might be from using that hand and wrist for all my IV's and infusions.  It was becoming unbearable so I hope this works and I have to wear a brace for a while.  Also dealing with a tooth that needs root canal and the dentist said that he has seen this in patients after they finish up chemo.  Jeez, can they throw anything else in there??

Arimidex now for 3 months and the joint/jaw pain is still hanging in there but getting plenty of exercise and rest.  Congrats to everyone finishing up chemo and rads.  Haven't posted in a while but keeping up with everyone's news.  Hugs to all.