Starting Chemo February 2009?

Bethie1

Hey gang !! 

Thanks for the well wishes of my last radiation day.  I was just trying to change my profile pic, so you could see my hair coming in.  Apparently, it's not the right format (it's a bitmap image), or correct size, so I have another image. 

Glad everyone seems to be doing OK for the most part!!!

webwriter

Jamieh, I'm so sorry you had to go through all that. It's just NOT FAIR! But MAN I am glad you got such better care this time around. Now HEAL! We want you whole, healthy and happy as we all start looking toward our first year DX anniversaries!

Michelle, Luv, I am SO glad your Onco felt the same way. I hate, hate, hate that you have to wait, but am truly relieved that my faith in the PET is probably justified. I have faith in YOU too. Nervous Nellie is Natural. We'll be here all the way. ((hugs))

Kerry, I think you asked when my hysto-oomph is and I think I forgot to tell you. Again. (Chemo brain does NOT go away, does it?) September 4th. We're doing the robot assisted lapro thing. (DaVinci method) And I think I FINALLY found a GYN I can live with who isn't six hours from me.

I'm on the right track with Herrera, right Michelle? ;-D

Thinking of you all daily as I gear up for SCHOOL at last! (Okay, it's only three half days, but what a RELIEF!!! haha!)

Gramof3

Michele  I'm glad you spoke with your onc.  You'll feel better when you find out that Kerry and the onc were right!  (((HUGS)))

Jaimie  Glad you went to a different hospital...I think you've turned the corner on this.

Bethie  You look amazingly like Donny O.!!!  Love the hair.

 Furies  If I weren't so low-down, crawling-in-the dirt, gasping -for-air tired, I could be soooo jealous of some of your energy (Apple, Kerry, Judy) and hair.  My "hair" is just sad, sad, sad.  It's almost invisible, and what IS there is so wispy, spotty and stands straight up,  that I'd rather not have hair at all until it's ready to really grow back and behave itself.  AND my eyebrows--I miss them so much.  I don't know where they went--I didn't notice them swirling down the shower drain, or on my pillow, or sliding down my cheeks--they just disappeared.  I have 4 pathetic hairs on what was my left eyebrow.  Ok  Rant over...Have a good evening, Furies.  Prayers for all of us.  Helen   

apple

Helen try a Wet and Wild eyebrow kit if you can find one (a budget brand at Walgreens).. they get the brows on perfectly.. for 3.99 in the meantime.  i have a few white eyebrow hairs.

 a ha!

Gramof3

Thank you, Apple.  I' go past a Walgreen's every morning and will give it a try.  Helen

KerryMac

Helen - they will come! I had about three really long eyebrow hairs left, no eyelashes, then poop, all of a sudden I have caterpillars! They are so short they take no time to grow. Now if I could just get as much head hair, as I have hair "down below' I would be happy. What is it with the regrowth down there?

Michele - glad your Onc sounds like a sensible chap.  I hope you are feeling more relaxed about it now. don't worry about being a worry-wort, I am too!

Bethie - I have to say I had to look twice at your avatar too!

Webbie - glad you have your surgery all scheduled. Are you having a hyst. too??

Well, I am seeing my Onc this afternoon, then we are hitting the road. First stop is Ottawa for tonight. Then we are leaving the kids with Gramma and Pappy and heading to Montreal for two nights. Mmmm, wonder what we will find to do. LOL! It is only the second time we have had a kid-free vacation, so it will be great. Then back to Ottawa on Monday, and heading out camping on Tuesday.  Camping until the following Sunday. Fingers crossed for no rain.

Made myself a little fake booby for swimming yesterday out of a bath scrunchie. It worked out really well. I need a new bathing suit, but I have an old bikini top it fits into well, and I will wear a UV shirt over the top - I am not supposed to have my radiated area in the sun. 

Anyhow, I will try and check-in next week when we are back in Ottawa. Otherwise, hope everyone has a great week next week. Everyone STAY WELL!! 

xpectmiracles

Bethie, You are the spitting image of Donnie Osmond!

Jaimieh

Kerry have a blast!

Artemis

Michele ~ that is such good news!  And it's perfectly normal for chicks like us to be  "Nervous Nellies".  I am hoping that the nerves will dial down a bit as time goes on, and we get used to being "clear".

Kerry ~ my eyebrows have come back all wild and wooly, too.  Definitely need a wax job!  And yes, "down there" is crazy; I've had to trim twice.  Why can't the hair on my head grown that fast?!  Have a wonderful, wonderful, WONDERFUL vacation!!

Hugs to all,
Artemis

Bethie1

Thanks ladies!!!  That was my plan.  His body is as fine as his hair!!! I tried putting my new pic up but apparently it's too big or wrong format-it's a bitmap image.  Oh well, Donny will have to do!! He's the next finest man in my life besides dear ole dad (God rest his soul), and my brothers, nephews, greatnephews, etc!

gcpommom

Bethie:  you crack me up!

Kerry:  I really paid for all that mowing....the last 2 days I have been sooo tired and achy.  I've accomplished nothing.  How exciting to get free time for yourself for the first time.....I remember how thrilled I was when they were all in school!  Now I dread school starting again....I am not a morning person!  I've been sleeping in until at least 9:30 most days, even 10 am some days.  I'll miss that!

Jaimie:  I'm glad you're doing better, and hope that you continue to heal nicely.  That infection sounded bad, I'm glad it will be cleared up now.  It seems like your hospital stay after the implant swap was rather short, how long were you there?

Helen:  Your energy level will improve soon, really it will.  Mine tends to come in spurts....then I have days of being tired again.   The eyebrows will come back before you know it.  Mine seemed to be gone for about a full month before they started coming back in, and then it was another couple of weeks until they were back. 

Michele:  so glad to hear that your onc thinks it's nothing!  try not to be too worried in the meantime (easier said than done, I know)

Tomorrow is the Woodward Cruise here in the Detroit area.....miles and miles of classic cars cruising all day and night, it's crazy crowded and quite the big event around here.  I won't go, it's supposed to hit 90 degrees, way too hot to be walking around outside all day.  We have a 1963 Impala, it is perfect, but my DH decided to rebuild the engine 4 years ago, and never finished it!  Not enough time or money.   But we used to do the cruise in it, that was kind of cool.  Maybe he'll actually finish it some day, lol....I know it is killing him to have that car sitting in the garage and not being able to drive it!

Night, all!

Judy

gcpommom

Oh, Cheryl, I forgot to tell you---and everyone---I'm going topless now!  Ever since our luncheon, I ditched the scarves!  I think I wore it once more and that was it.....the girl at the pet shop today told me she liked my haircut, lol, and when I told her it was my 'chemo cut', she was surprised and apologized (I don't know why), and said she thought it was just a trendy cut!  Yay!  I've gotten a lot of compliments, and am feeling much more confident now.  So thank you for encouraging me to go topless that day....I was a nervous wreck, but am so glad I did it.

Hugs

Judy

Jaimieh

Judy~ Whooo for going topless.  It's such a better feeling IMO than the hat or any headcover.  I was in the hospital for 3 days the whole time I was getting some heavy duty antibotics. 

I am feeling okay and I am anxious about my doctor's appt. on Tuesday.  My right foob which was the initial problem side has still had some aching in it so of course I sit and worry about if it is the infection brewing.  I have looked at them while changing the dressing and I am not impressded but if they could just heal I would be thrilled. 

apple

howdy

i survived my wonderful trip to S. Dakota for my wonderful uncle's funeral.. my brother texted while driving.. about drove me BATS.. other than that and the 11 hours in the car which stiffened me up considerably it was a great time to visit with cousins i rarely see and attend a moving tribute.

hope all are well and having a great weekend.

MicheleS

So, I finally joined facebook... For those of ya'll on there... can you send me a friend request??? I can't figure out how to find people.  my email is: momee2314(at)yahoo(dot) com

Hope everyone is having a GREAT weekend!!

Bethie1

Hey Michele--I got your friend request on Facebook.  I'm on there also, and my email is Bhanosfan@aol.com. 

Judy--What fun that Woodward Cruise must've been!! Sounds like you had a ball!!

I've been topless for awhile now as my wig was itchy and the turban was too hot on me!!! If you could see my hair now.  Is there a way to resize pictures from a digital camera, so they'll fit on web pages?

xpectmiracles

Bethie, I put my pictures on FB and copy the URL from there.

gcpommom

Bethie:  if you don't already have a program in your computer to edit pictures (your digital camera may have come with a program to put in your computer) you can always download Irfanview....it's a free download, and you can resize your photos with it.  Just google Irfanview, and go to their website.

I didn't go to the Woodward Cruise today....too hot out....but we are going to the beach tomorrow for the first time this summer.  That will be nice, all of my sisters are meeting us out there. 

Apple:  I'm glad your trip was a safe one....11 hours is an awfully long time to be in a car though!  I'm not surprised you were stiff.

Jaimie:  glad to hear you're feeling better.  I bet your new foobs will look great once everything heals up.  I hope that is soon

Michele:  To find friends, go to the top of your facebook page, and under "friends" there is an option to "find friends"  You can enter a name there....sometimes alot of pages will result if it is a more common name.  I am on facebook under Judy Spitz Batchelor.  Enter that into the "find friends" search box, and then request to be my friend.  that's it!  If you want us to send you a request, we need to know your facebook name.

Well, gotta go pack some more stuff for the beach tomorrow....going to be 90 degrees again.  Hope we can get a spot with a tree.

Hugs

Judy

KathyAlex1960

Hello All.  Just a quickie question and update:

 My rash has finally subsided.........I had this prescription goop I had to put on it 2x a day.  I just got back from a 2 week vacation in upstate NY and am feeling ok.  Just fuzzies on the head - lots of white fuzzies. (Last chemo 7-16).  Feet are numb.......neuropathy is bad.  I am geting Avastin - next one scheduled on Monday.  One problem - for the past week and a half I can hardly move my arms.  Very painful - muscle like pain.  Thigh muscles the same.  Is this common?  I cannot get up from a sitting down postion very easy.  Went on 3 college visits with my 17 year old - lots of walking.  Anyone have this problem??  Thanks.......also very nice to read about other "survivors".  Thanks

Kathy

Grace4me

The numbness in the tip of my fingers is much much better, my last chemo was may 6th........I can't decide to go topless or not...................I got to tell you all, my boss took me in the office where I now have worked since march,( I lost my job of 20 yrs, 4 days after I left the hospital from by double mastectomy)............anyway.....I was asked if it would be alright for the next Buddy's Race for the Cure to be done in my honor.  I'm felt so blessed, I cried and cried. We will be walking in November.  I told them anything that I can do to help find a cure, so our daughters do not have to go through this I will do. My arm still hurts so bad, but the ortho doc can't see me til the 26th. I have a torn muscle in the shoulder.  I go tomorrow to see my plastic surgeon about finishing up the breast reconstruction and my husband just got out of the hospital with infection in his kidney and blood from a kidney stone blocking his urter.....looks like he will be going to surgery pretty soon............when it rains it pours.  But you know I feel blessed to be able to work, to make supper for my family, to take my dogs out on a walk, to do the laudry, to study spelling words with my 9 year old, to go to the mountains, to..................live my life again not confind to a chair. Yes, my joints hurt and I get so much more tired then I use to, but I want to see my kids graduate, get married, have families and I pray we all get to do these things.  I'm rambling, sorry. So much fear, so many feelings.

living4today

Grace...how honoring, I understand the tears and the fears...

 Quick question for anyone who had done rads.  I have had 17 out of 28 txs done and since Friday I have literally "crashed", whenever I try to do something (load of laundry, etc) I start to get short of breath.  My DH tried taking me to a garden center this afternoon, but I was barely able to walk in to the store and we left right away.  It is so hard to think about going to tx tomorrow.  I don't know if it is because they are radiating both sides so my total table time is 30-40 minutes every day.  Thanks for your help.

Kim

apple

Grace4me..

your boss sounds wonderful.. it is good to count our many blessings.  .. good to have hope.

MicheleS

good morning everyone!

I'm going in for the mammogram today.  Prayers would be appreciated!!

Hope everyone has a great day!

xxoo

xpectmiracles

Kathy,

I experienced similar thigh pain. The muscles were very weak and shakey with the least exertion. I would get a lactic acid burn with the muscle use, too. It has eventually gone away. I still have somewhat numb fingertips and bone pain at times. 4 months PFC.

Michele, put me in your pocket, I'm going with you. You are not alone!

living4today

Saying lots of prayers for you Michele!  Keep us posted!

apple

big big prayers to Michele.. i'm going to the doc too.. for a follow up.. no big deal - except i'm late.

MicheleS

all clear! just fibrous tissue.  I'm so glad I'm having the mastectomy; the stress isn't worth it.

Jaimieh

Oh Michele~ I was coming to post to tell you that I have been thinking about you today and instead I get to say WHOOOOOO!!!!  Your right the stress isn't worth it but I think you are normal to stress about it. 

Apple~ Thinking about you and wishing you a nice boring visit. 

Kim~ Have you had your RBC checked ??  If they are still low you will be winded and feel like garbage.  I hope your next couple of weeks of rads flies by ((bighugs)).  Hang in there sweetie you can do this....

Grace~ Your new boss sounds like a keeper.  I hear you on being grateful for everything now.  When I am feeling well I don't even mind cleaning the toilet (eewwee) BUT it makes me grateful that I feel well enough. 

Kathy~ I still get "Stuck" sometimes because of muscle weakness.  I have been told it can take up to a year post treatment to go away.  I was not thrilled with the time frame but not much we can do. 

I have a doctor's appt tomorrow afternoon for my new, new foobies.  They look fine on the outside but they have surgical tape on them still.  I have not had them wet yet I have been using the shower hose and keeping these babies dry to try and prevent anything from happening.  My arm is finally healing and the swelling is going down. 

Oh good news for me at least.  My kidney doctor had plans on taking some kind of tool up my uretha and pulling the stint out while I was awake in the office.  Well on Friday I had an appt. with him and told him that I wasn't coming to that appt. and I was going to find another doctor if he couldn't put me under at least under twiligt.  Finally after about 10 min. he agreed to the procedure while grumbling but I do not care.  I felt like it was a huge victory for me  

Well I hope everyone is starting their week off right

gcpommom

Michele:  So glad to hear your good news!  What a relief!

Kathy:  I so understand about the aches....mine have been bad lately...it seems the more I do, the worse it gets.  Getting up from sitting has been really painful lately.  I finished chemo 6/2, so I will be patient and hope it goes away soon.  I do have days when there is less problem with pain, but this last week has been bad.  On a good note, the numbness is pretty much gone now.

Kim:  from what I remember, I did get tired at the end of each week, but it sounds much worse for you.....you should ask your doctor for sure....I know the shortness of breath could also be caused by anemia or dehydration....be sure you talk to him/her about this.  You poor thing....maybe you need a break from rads?  I know how awful that shortness of breath is, it's scary, too.

Jaimie:  thank goodness you fought for the twilight....I would never have been able to do that without some sedation, it sounds uncomfortable and painful.  I'm glad he gave in, and good for you for making him do what works best for you, not for him!

Well, I had my appt with my Plastic Surgeon today.  It didn't go very well.  While having recon isn't at the top of my list of things I can't live without....I still wanted to have a chance to feel like me again, and was curious about his opinion.

Well, he scared me to death about the possibility of getting another blood clot being extremely high since I have had one already.  He isn't very positive about doing any sort of surgery, although he said he probably would perform the surgery if I decide to go through with it, and that he has done recon on PE patients in the past. 

And to top it all off, I can't get an implant on the right (which would have been the quickest surgery), since I had rads in 2004 (even though my skin did great), so he'd have to do the flap using muscle from my shoulder/back area on the right, which I totally did not want to do, and an implant on the left.

So for now, I do research on this I guess, and a lot of thinking.....this is so frustrating, like another kick while I'm already down.  It's like if I decide to do it, I am being vain and taking unreasonable chances, he made me feel stupid for even considering it.  But I am so uncomfortable in my own body right now..... *sigh* 

Hugs

Judy

Jaimieh

Judy~ If your insurance will cover it get another opinion.  BTW, a lat flap is apparently my next stop if these don't work.  ((bighugs))