Has anyone started a forum for Chemo in Dec 2008?

Texas357

Simvog I'll be a couple of weeks ahead of you. I get my other boob lopped off on the 25th of this month. Glad you had a great vacation. I was hoping my hair would come back curlier but so far I don't notice a big difference in texture.

Mandy1313

Simvog and Texas: All the best with your surgeries. Speedy recoveries to you and to anyone I left out....brain does not always remember everything these days.

Everyone have a nice day!

Hugs

Mandy

swest

Hello Ladies!  It was great to see so many posts! 

Bussqueen - Glad you are able to get fills.  After my fills I found that there was an area by my incision line that would get red.  Within a few days the redness would disappear until the next fill.  Hang in there!

Good Luck on you tests Simvog!  I start having my tests next month too!  Feels never ending.  Before BC I saw my GP every 6 years for strep or some other crud that was passed to my by my nieces and nephews.  I saw my Gyno every 2 years (not like I was supposed to).  I have never been to so many Dr. appointments in my life.

Good Luck TEXAS!!!  Are you having reconstruction?

I am doing good, looking forward to get my foob on August 26th! YEA!!!  I am so ready to be able to sleep without these TE's grabbing me during the night.

Have a great day everyone!

Firni

Looks like things are moving right along for everyone.

My LE therapist got a "sample" toe cap for me to use.  It is so nice.  Good even compression.  The swelling is staying down in my foot as long as I keep the toe cap on or lay down.  I sure wish it would resolve so I can wear some cute sandals.  It is way better than before tho. 

Texas357

Swest: reconstruction is the end of November. I don't even want to think about it. I'm NOT looking forward to that surgery.

EleanorJ

Firni, could I get more info on that toe cap? Brand? I went to a LE specialist a few weeks ago, my left breast is a little swollen. She said, right now it's edema, so she's treating my breast & arm before it switches to lymphedema. Once the kids are in school, I'll start on non-stop therapy, she thinks that 3x/week for a month should take care of it, I'll start wrapping my foot again. She thinks that if I'm real aggressive with wrapping and compression sock for 6-12 months, I *might* be able to sure my lymphedema in my foot. Now, it's been going on for 4.5 years so it's pretty chronic and it's my foot so she's not sure, but it's worth a try It was kind of nice going in there, my entire left side gets pampered for an hour!

Firni

Caroline,  My new LE therapist got it for me.  It's a new toe cap that she had just gotten some info on.  I don't even know who makes it.  I know it's around $100.00.  It feels very nice.  Very comfortable and so much better than wrapping.  But, I'm having a hard time keeping it on my foot.  The toes are staying put, but the 1/2 foot part just slides down to my toes.  I have to call my LE therapist and give her my doc's fax number and I'll ask her for more info on the toe cap so you can tell your LE therapist.  It does feel great to get that hour of massage.  I spent an hour with her today and all we did was teach me self massage.  Not anything like my old LE therapist did.  I'm so glad I switched!!!  Wouldn't it be just great to have feet that match???  I hope all your upper body stuff gets under control.  I guess that's really the name of the game, isn't it?  Staying ahead of the lymphedema and keeping it under control. 

Firni

Caroline, here is the website for the toe cap.  farrowmedical.com   There is a button at the bottom of the page to get to some info on the toe cap.  Good luck with it.  I think I'll have to get some adhesive from Juzo or someone to keep it from slipping.  My therapist said it isn't meant to be a wear alone piece but I don't need any more than that.  

EleanorJ

Firni, thank you for the info, I will def take it to my LE specialist when I go back. This is EXACTLY what I need!

Firni

Caroline,  I've been wearing this new toe cap every day since Monday, at least 12 hours a day.  It's very comfortable and my toes are beautifully slim when I take it off at night.  I'm going to try some body adhesive to keep it on. My LE therapist has some samples I can get tomorrow.  Slippage is the only problem I'm having with it.  And the fabric is so light weight, it fits into most of my shoes!!!!!!!!  This is the first LE garment I've not had an issue with wearing it every day.  I'll let you know if the adhesive works tomorrow.

EleanorJ

Great, I'll have to put my hand on one of these (or more if insurance allows it!). Hopefully the adhesive will work for you.

swest

Well ladies I just had to come and tell ya'll that I got a promotion today.  For the past two years I have been trying to get into the sales department at my company.  Well, today they finally did it.  I was really surprised since my hair is just coming back and I've gained 25 lbs.  Oh well, I just have to suck it up.  I really did not think it would happen since I'm not finished with my reconstruction.  I feel bad about tooting my own horn but I'm so excited I can't stand it.

I hope this finds all of you doing well, getting the kids ready for school.

Take care!

Sonia

Firni

Congratulations Sonia!!!  Way to go.  A whole new start for you in many ways.  I hope you totally love it.

 Caroline, I got some of the body adhesive for the toe cap.  It's called It Stays.  It works really well.  I love the toe cap.  It's so comfortable and now it stays on my foot.  I can wear it easily for 12 hours or more.  Did you get the info to your LE therapist yet? 

EleanorJ

Sonia. Congrats on the promotion!!! Well deserved after this yucky year, now a new happy beginning

Firni, thanks, I'll keep that in mind. I didn't go back to my LE specialist, I'm waiting for the kiddos to start school before starting an aggressive treatment. And since we're going camping for Labor Day weekend, I'll probably event wait until after that since I'll be spending the weekend in flip-flops! But I'll keep the adhesive in mind if I need it. I'm really excited about the top cap though, I know she had something similar to that in mind, might be it.

Texas357

Congrats Caroline! It's great to celebrate other types of victories, isn't it?

I go to the hospital this afternoon for all of the pre-surgical tests/paperwork. My prophylactic mastectomy is next Tuesday morning. Except for the drains, this should be a cakewalk. For me, the 2 weeks of drain discomfort vs. the 20% possibility of them finding cancer later on is worth it for so many reasons.  

Bold

Caroline!!! Congats that is so wonderful. Not to worry about your appearance. You will loose weight and grow hair naturally. You deserve a break. Heartfelt congrats.

Tex I pray that you breeze through your surgery. I hope that you have minimal pain maximum benefit and peace of mind.

Me? I;m loosing weight and growing hair. I feel wonderful, so much energy. I have my Herceptin infusion today. UGG. I always get a little tired the night of day after. It changes my taste buds too. But small price to pay for kicking cancers butt!!!

Take care my friends.

swest

Thanks everyone!  I hope I can pull this off!!!

Texas -  I'll be thinking of you!  I'm sure this will be easier this time around!

I'm glad to hear that everyone is getting a handle on their LE.  I know it has to be a pain in the butt!

Bold - I hope your Herceptin infusion goes well today and you bounce back quicly!

Mandy1313

swest: how wonderful to hear your news!!!  Congratulations!!!!

Mandy

colleen1960

Sonia: Congratulations on your new position.  I sure you will do just fine.  Isn't it great to have something to celebrate!!!!  You go girl

Texas:  I will be thinking about you and I am sure that everything will go great.  Keep us informed on how you are doing.

Hope everyone is enjoying the few weeks of summer that is left.  It has gone way to fast for me.

Colleen

swest

Thank you Mandy and Colleen!  It is great to have something to get excited about! 

I can't believe summer is almost gone!  Wow!  Last December when I started chemo I thought the end of summer was soooooo far away.  WE MADE IT!!!!  I could not have made it without you wonderful ladies!!!!!

Sonia

bobcat

Sonia -- That is great news!!  Congratulations.  I too, can't believe summer is coming to an end.  So much happened last summer it was all a blur and now here I am one year later after all the crap of the last year.  Mixed emotions all over the map tonight and cant' sleep.

Bobbi

swest

Awe....Bobbi I know what you mean.  My anniversary is at the end of next month.  What a year!

lovemyfamilysomuch

SWEST!!!!!  Way to go!  We did it girls, we are making it and thriving!!!  yea for us!!!!

Ellen

Texas357

I had a mammogram of my "good" side today. I didn't expect to be shaking the way I was! I'm sure others who have gone for follow-up tests feel the same way. Previously, most of those same tests have brought bad news.

My anniversary of diagnosis isn't for another month. Almost a year and only now am I able to start thinking of life in terms other than treatment and cancer. What a wonderful feeling!!

havehope

Swest: Congrats and enjoy it!

Texas: Good luck with your surgery, I am right behind you (Sept 18, Sept 11-blood work).  Surgeon told me he doesn't want to keep me in the hospital.  The surgery is scheduled at 6:15 AM and he said if everything is ok, I go home by 4:00 PM.  I hope you will have a smooth time.

Summer is not gone yet! Labor Day is still 2 weeks away ! Have fun!

Texas357

I wish I had your schedule Simvog! I'll have to stay overnight. Are you getting a TE at the same time? Maybe that's the difference.

lovemyfamilysomuch

Texas and Simvog,  Wishing you good luck with the surgeries! xo

Mandy1313

Simvog and Texas:  Wishing you both speedy recoveries from your surgeries.

Texas357

Thanks ladies. Tomorrow is the day! I'm anxious to move past it, but not anxious about all the follow-up doctors appointments, drains, etc.etc. Here we go again!

Firni

Texas, hopefully it will be easier the second time around, knowing what to expect.  Praying all goes well tomorrow and you have a speedy recovery.

 Well, ladies, it's been 5-6 months since we finished chemo.  I'm wondering how much hair you all have.  I think mine stopped growing and can't get it to grow longer than 1/2 inch.  It's thin, fine and straight.  Dark brown, no gray. Well, now it's sun streaked.