Has anyone started a forum for Chemo in Dec 2008?

Texas357

Busqueen, good news about the no chemo! We are here for you!

EleanorJ

Busqueen, those are just about the best news you can get right now. That's awesome.

Well, Divas, I have my first hair appointement today since my hair started growing 13.5 months ago, I'm soooo scared! LOL!

Firni

Wow, Caroline, I can't believe you haven't had a hair cut yet.  How long is your hair now?  I'm still struggling to get some coverage on my head.  I still have to wear a wig on the days I need to really look good.  Otherwise, I still have the balding man comb over look.  It's a little better than the monk look, but not much!

Texas357

Firni, have you tried one of those hair treatments that's supposed to promote growth? I can only imagine your frustration. Only in the last week have I been able to look in the mirror and see the shadow of eyebrows. And my lashes are SO short and spaced far apart.

But the underarm and leg hair has started to return. I just can't believe how long it's taken.

Firni

Texas, I don't have eyebrows at all.  Lashes go every which way and they are really short too.  I tried my lash curler the other day to try to make them behave and they aren't long enough yet to get into the curler.  I've given up obsessing about it tho.  I paint on my face every day and do what I can with the little bit of hair I have and go about my day.  No one at work even seems to notice any more.  I wore my wig to work one day and several people asked me if I had my hair styled or colored.  They knew something was different but not what.  People just really don't pay attention.

I was going to try some Rogaine for women and did use it for about a month.  No result and then I didn't want to have to use it forever if it did work.  I do take some hair and skin vitamins. 

Firni

Today a friend of mine is having her mastectomy.  I'll be at the hospital with her before she goes into surgery and then when she wakes up.  I made some heart shaped pillows for under her arms.  She is so scared. She's only 43.   I'm glad I've been thru this already and can be there to calm and comfort her.

EleanorJ

Firni, my hair grew evenly for the past year, so there was a couple of time where a shape would have been nice but I was unwilling to get the scissors in them, yesterday was time. I feel much better now to have hair that are no longer a reminder of cancer hair growth. I don;t know what I would do if I was in your shoes. I'm not taking any hormones, maybe it has something to do with it? Although my lashes & brows are still falling & growing. I'm one of those people that before cancer, folks kept trying to get me to thin out my brows, and I never really did, now it pays when it falls, it thins so people wouldn't notice too much. Half my armpit is still completely bald from radiation, I doubt it will ever grow back.

I'm glad to hear you can be a comfort to your friend. It will be nice for her to have you, she can keep her eye on the "prize" by looking at you

Texas357

Firni, I am so glad you can be there for your friend. Encourage her to be strong!

lovemyfamilysomuch

Sending love and support to all my 08 sisters! xo

Firni

My friend did so well yesterday.  She had her MX L side and Lump removed R side yesterday at noon.  Her surgery only took 3 hours and she was up and eating by 6:30.  She looked great and was so relieved.  No bandages, tape or anything on her mx incision. Just some glue.  She had a TE placed on her MX side.  The lumpectomy side showed no sign of cancer.  Nodes are clear.  No chemo, no rads.  Only Tamoxifen.  Unless of course the final path shows something.  She was DX with DCIS.

EleanorJ

Glad to hear she did well.

Yesterday was my one year anniversary I finally updated my blog. http://wwwthecebulas.blogspot.com/

Firni

OMG, Caroline!  I am just a little Jealous of your hair!!  I can't believe how long it is and how pretty it looks.  I'm 14 months PFC (post final chemo) and if I had never had a trim at all, my hair that did come back would be about 3 inches long.  Someday......

Congrats on your 0ne year cancer free  

Texas357

Firni, glad to hear such good news about your friend. I'm off to visit Caroline's blog.

June is one year since I finished rads and started on Femara. I see the medical oncologist on Thursday afternoon. Kind of hoping he sends me for an MRI even though I know I'll be filled with anxiety. I also want a bone density test since Femara supposedly does a job on bones.

EleanorJ

Thanks Firni. I was so anxious to get my hair back that I dealt with the odd phases where I couldn't manage my hair. As much as I wanted to clip, I'm so glad I did. It will come back... I'm sure the fact that I'm not on any drugs right now is helping my hair growth.

Texas, good luck with all the tests.

Bold

I have not been on for a long time. My heart goes out to busqueen. Your strength is an inspirtion. It could be any of us and might be. I have heard great things about managing bone mets. I will pray that your life is long and pain free!!!!

Caroline your hair is like off the chart long. WOW! you look wonderful.

I am doing well. Still need to loose weight. Went to Europe and got a King Charles Cavalier puppy!! I could not be happier. Life is good. I still have my hair extensions and loving them. I needed bangs badly! My eyebrows have to be dyed every month to be seen. My formally blond hair is now very dark but bleached very blond Ha. I am digging being on face book and renewing a lot of friendships from the past. I am more organized in my home (and garage). I am trying everyday to better myself. I am more generous and listen to other peoples problems with more compassion then ever. And finally I am grateful for to many things to list. I strongly believe that gratefulness and happiness are very close relatives.

I have a full body scan next month. (GULP) I am having pain in my hip which is disconcerting, but it could be just bone loss from chemo. ( God Willing)   I Feel good and have more energy than I can remember.

Thank you all for your love and support.

swest

I just logged on and saw all of the posts!  Wow!

Busqueen - My heart and prayers go out to you girl!  Remember that we are all here for you!

lovemyfamilysomuch

Sending love and prayers to our sweet Busqueen--we are with you sister!! xo

Mandy1313

Sending hugs and good wishes to all of my Dec 08 divas, especially dear busqueen. Busqueen, hang in there---we are all cheering you on and sending healing vibes!

Caroline you look wonderful!  

Love you gals.

Mandy

EleanorJ

Busqueen, how was your week? I know it was a busy one for you. How's radiation treating you? 

Thanks everyone. I actually measured my hair after a whole year and it was just shy of 6" so it did grow the "average" 1/2" per month for most people. When you keep getting haircuts, you don't realized how much your hair does grow. Still working on a few pounds, I'm 12lbs away from my goal for right now! oops, did loose quite a few and I'm fitting back in my pre-cancer clothes, so it's like a whole new wardrobe right now with all those summer dresses & skirts I didn't get to wear last year. Beats spending money shopping.

Hubby & I are celebrating our 10 year anniversary in 2 weeks, we're driving to Canada to drop the kids off at my parents for a week and we're heading to Prince-Edward-Island to visit Anne's land. I'm so excited. Kids got off school today, my boys both average 96% & 97% through the year in all subject! I was so proud of them. Anyone has big plans for the summer? I've been starring at our garden everyday, waiting to be able to pick some veggies. It's growing...

Firni

Hi Caroline,  It sounds like your anniversary trip will be fantastic.  No plans for me.  I started my job in Dec. so I don't get vacation time till then.

 I started some of my garden very early this year.  I'm already taking out radishes, peas and some garlic.  I spent some time weeding today.  It was cloudy and somewhat cool.  Perfect for spending time in the garden. 

EleanorJ

Radishes aren't ready ready, we planted everything 3 weeks ago, so I need a little more patience. We're so excited about our garden this year, our last summer with a full size garden was 2007, we didn't have room until now. It will be so nice to get fresh veggies. Anyone else does gardening?

havehope

Hello Divas,

Busqueen sorry to hear about your health. Be strong and stay positive. Hugs and kisses your way!

Cebula, your hair is sooo long!  My hair went from lamb-curly ( cut that off) to very wavy and salt and pepper. Got 3 cuts so far, but still have some chemo hair left. Soon I hit the saloon.

I have to see my surgeon in one week and so far so good. I am going to Europe in July to see my family-including my MIL ( she had BC, too)  ( it's been 7 years since I 've been there). I don't want to do any tests before the trip as I don't think I can handle any bad news now. My next full check will be in September.

Wish you all a great summer and good health!

sv

  

Texas357

Had my visit with my medical oncologist yesterday. Tumor markers within normal range, and no sign of any new primary cancers -- hooray! He explained that he wouldn't order any other diagnostics unless I had symptoms. I'm not even sure what the symptoms of metastisis are?!

Bold, I love your post and glad to hear you are doing so well! I too have experienced positive changes to how I approach life. I've kept with my vow, though: no crabby people! If someone is grouchy,or negative, I refuse to be around them. Stress is not good for us!

EleanorJ

That was the key, I didn't get one cut since it started growing.

Havehope, where in Europe is your family from? Enjoy your trip, it's a well-deserved one.

Texas, my oncologist didn't order any test since end of tx, he told me the same thing, watch for symptoms. When I asked him what the symptoms would be, he pretty much said any pain unrelated to any activities/bumps/fall. So if my back was to start hurting for NO reasons, then go back and see him. He said I would be the best judge for it rather then all those tests, it was actually refreshing to see a dr who wasn't trying to make money off me by ordering unneccessary test! And let's face it, all those MRIs, CAT scans, PET scans.... aren't good for you to keep getting them all the time. We've all already put our bodies through more than it's happy, let's not push it. Good for you getting the stress out of your life!

Bold

Hi sistahs:

I have a full body scan next month. Although many of you believe that we do not need them my onc. believes that it is good to have one after a year of completed treatment. I am not really into drinking that god awful drink believe me and laying there with the machine buzzing and knocking. As much as I fear the result if they are good then the relief is just that.

It is hard to differentiate pain. As my hip has never fully come back to pre chemo. It hurts and my lower back is very susceptible now, ?And some times my ribs hurt like the dickens. Each of these have an explanation. I pray it is not a rationalization.

I will keep you posted and in my prayers.

Firni

Hi Bold,  Good to hear from you again.  I wish you the best with your scan next month.  I see my Onc on the 15th this month.  He feels my boobs and asks me how I feel.  That's about it.  No blood work for tumor markers, no scans.  Nothing.  I really do wonder why I go.  

That is so exciting about going to Europe to get a puppy!  How is he doing?  You look Just beautiful in your picture.  Was it taken on your trip? 

EleanorJ

Bold, I'm only agreeing with my oncologist because I'd rather not go through the stress of the test, oh I just can't stand being still for that long, I always get itches throughout my whole body when I know I'm not allowed to scratch! LOL! See, just talking about it is making me itch! Have you done any test to find out about bone loss? Well, be sure to come back and let us know about a good test result Good luck next month. Where did you go in Europe?

Bold

I have had bone loss test and did lose some from chemo. grrr so I am ostepenic. Which could explain my hip when I exert myself. My scan before chem showed some back injury in the lumbar spine so that explains the low back vulnerability. And the ribs are most likely from rads. soooo life is good right? I had a few lesions in my liver which they did not believe to be cancer. More wine please. (gulp) 

Europe was utterly wonderful Rome,Florence and Venice. Then off to Paris where we were volcano refugees. We ended up staying a full week longer than we had intended at 700.00 a day. Yikes!

My king Charles cavalier spaniels name is Harlow. She will be 6 months old tomorrow. She is my bff and she is almost perfect. We are in puppy training at Hollywood dog obedience school and she is doing very well she sits, stays, comes, leave it, and lays down on command. Not every time but almost. Ha.

I am on face book and welcome any and all as friends. I am on the boards so rarely now as I am trying not to think tooooo much about my vulnerability. I know that I appreciate the friendship and support of all of you so much. I truly care about you.

In beauty and peace

Bold

Oh yes the picture was taken at the coliseum in Rome.

Firni

I have not had any bone loss tests at all.  Not before BC and not after.  I know I should just because of my age, but none of my drs seem concerned enough to even order a bone density test.  What's that about??

Glad Harlow is doing so well.    I loved Rome.