Starting Chemo February 2009?

Artemis

Kristine ~ great news that you'll be finished with Herceptin and TE's very soon!  Yes, I get tingling in my node arm from time to time.  Is it more noticeable after you've been active, if you're tired or something like that?  You might want to see about getting a lymphedema sleeve if you haven't already.

Kerry ~ I want some of those magical boobs, too, LOL!  I told Mr. Artemis that I'll get reconstruction when I turn 50.  There's nothing like a pair of perky girls for a 50th birthday gift.

Jamie ~ so glad you're continuing to do well.  I'm a member at Timtam's (signed up to help me decide if I wanted single or double Mx), and I think it's wonderful that you're willing to share your photos there.  Thank you so much.

apple ~ still praying for the house!!

Hugs to all,
Artemis 

ETA:  Kristine ~ LOL @ REAL fake boobs, heehee! 

KerryMac

So, do you send TimTam a PM and ask to get access??

Artemis

Yep, Kerry, that's how ya do it.

kmn0701

Who is TimTam?? I know this has something to do with pictures but I need a little more info.

Artemis, I'm going to have to look into the sleeve. Probably a good idea.

KerryMac

I've wondered about a sleeve for myself too - although I wouldn't even know where to get one from....I have minor swelling between two finfgers - nothing bad but don't want it to get worse.

apple

weddings?

i play Here comes the Bride and various things.

glad you're doing good Jamie.. i'll add you to my prayers for a speedy recovery

gcpommom

It's so good to see so many posts...that so many of us are still here, even though I've been MIA lately, lol.  It was a crazy weekend, we had another car die on us (I now have 4 cars that don't run)....and are down to one car, so I am stuck home this week.  It sucks that I can't work this week, I was just starting to get back into the subbing....

Jaimie:  It is so good to hear that all went well.  I don't remember if you were having one breast done or both?  5 hours isn't that long compared to what I've read about these flap procedures, so that's encouraging to hear.  I've read of 10+ hour surgeries and that freaks me out!

Kristine:  you look wonderful!  I was wondering how you looked without pink hair, lol!!!  I get a lot of tingling and pain in my arm, mostly in the mornings, but really no swelling so wasn't sure it was lymphedema.  How exciting to be finishing H and getting your 'real' boobs!

Artemis:  I don't have a sleeve, but I don't think I'll be bowling ever again....although it was so much fun, my arm has NOT liked it one bit. It's been painful and stiff ever since....if there is any swelling, it is so little that I can't really tell if it is swelling or just my imagination...but it feels weird. 

Apple:  Hope everything works out with the new house....will you guys be moving there, or are you flipping it?  Houses are sooo cheap right now, it's crazy the deals you can get.

Bethie:  That's awesome news, and you sound like you're doing great!  You always sound so energetic in your posts, lol, send some my way!

Kerry:  I'm with you on the questions about recon, and the indecision.  Heck, I can't even decide whether to go off blood thinners, more or less more surgery.  It's frustrating and scary.  I definitely need to get new prothesis/bras in the meantime, since the ones I have are just too uncomfortable.

Jaimieh

Judy what size bra do you wear ??

Jaimieh

Judy what size bra do you wear ?



Apple geez I had a case of the duhhss.

apple

we got the house and now I face a MOUNTAIN of work.. We have a business in our home. (my husband' office is FULL and we also have literally 5000 books.  (my husband is a packrat).

it will be great eventually.  it's a bit scary.  We really had no intention of actually moving altho the time is right, the market is right... etc. etc.

for pictures you can read this thread..

http://well-temperedforum.groupee.net/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/9130004433/m/981109424/p/1

gcpommom

Apple:  Congratulations on the house!  It does look like you have alot of work ahead of you, but it will be awesome when you're done!  You can truly make it your own.

Jaimie:  Well, I'm wearing protheses that are roughly a 36B...if I ever get around to getting new ones, I will probably go a bit smaller (I'm wondering if these are actually a full B/small C)  I was probably a full A/small B prior to mast.

Jaimieh

Judy I asked because I have some bra's and prostetics that are 34c's that I will be getting rid of in a couple of weeks .  I would love to give them to someone that I know   I believe I have 4 or 6 bras that I can send with them. 

KerryMac

I'm a 34, but am only a B.  Shame! I could do with more bras.

Apple - house looks amazing, loads of work, but very rewarding once it is done. Fantastic! It will keep you busy. 

jaimie - how are you? Heading home tomorrow? bet you will be happy to see your kids. 

apple

i was a double A.. now I only wear a bra for special events.. and then even then, rarely.

(the house location is superb.. the surrounding neighborhood is really nice, if modest... the surrounding cul de sacs have big new split levels for families and across the street are nice nice big homes.)

BeNthr

Hi all, 

My 23 year old girlfriend is starting her first chemo treatment this Friday.  I have been searching and searching for a young stylish head scarf for her.  I think I have been to about every site there is, some of which seem quite expensive.  Does anyone have any tricks that are just as effective or a particular brand they prefer?  So far I have one site I have found that seems like it may be a good choice, can I post it as a recommendation or is that not OK?

-K 

apple

i bought silk scarves at thrift shops, garage sales, estate sales and consignment shops.. so comfy.

Jaimieh

Kerry you could always do suprise Honey I am trying so new girls....lol..... 

I am still in NOLA chilling today   I think I have walked all fo the french quarters happily.  We went todya and I bought myself a bracelet and got some T-Shirts before we had to return the rent a car.  It was $75 for 3 days of a rental car so not bad at all. 

I feel great and after tomorrow I will be getting more things off so I am hoping to feel even better.  I have my Onc Q pain balls and they will be coming off tomorrow so I will be left with 2 drains and all of my compression garments.  The bad part is that I found out that I am allergic to the compression bra and I am blistering  (my back) so I have padding all over the place.  I am hoping that we can come up with an easier option maybe a cotton option that would work. 

So a year ago today I started Chemo and this year I was out shopping at the french quarter.  I am happy that I am still here

K~ Another option is hats. 

KerryMac

Jaimie - but I still have one real one! So yep, it would be a surprise! Otherwise I would definately be a C!!! Or a D on special occasions.... LOL!

Glad to hear all is going smoothly! Will your Dr at home just follow-up once you are back. I was in New Orleans many many moons ago - 1988 I think, and loved it. I remember we took a steam boat cruise somewhere, and wandered the French quarter. Sure beats Chemo! 

gcpommom

Jaimie:  thanks so much, but it wouldn't fit me!  You must be tiny, girl, to wear a 34...you too, Kerry!  glad to hear you are doing so well, and that you had a great day!

Benthr:  I went to the fabric store and bought clearance soft knit materials in all colors, cut them to size, then tied them on my head...the knits kind of curl under at the edges, so I didn't have to sew anything (which is good, I don't sew).  I think it cost me like 2 dollars a piece.

sue50

Hi Gals!!!!  I wanted to check in and see what you are all up to! I just read the last few pages, glad to hear that so many of you are out and about.

I have been back to work full time, busy all the time. My son has been sick a lot this winter but is doing ok this week. And he had all the vaccines, go figure.

 A bunch of us walk a mile or so every day at lunch time. During winter we do 17 laps in our warehouse. I just changed my avatar so you can see I have hair again! It is grey and still too curly for me to deal with, but it's there!! I have tried to get used to the curls... each haircut it is getting straighter so that's good.

 My onc has me on a 3-4 month schedule for followup visits, she doesn't do scans. So far, so NED. Still on Tamoxifen, getting used to hot flashes as a way of life. On of my co-workers thanked me for heating up his office...ha ha. Collecting cardigans and Luisa Luisa camis. 

 I have been thinking of all of you a lot, and where we all were a year ago....! Happy anniversary, girlfriends! I went XC skiing a couple of weeks ago with my hubby and son; I kept thinking how weak I had been, it's almost unbelievable that I can ski again. Also playing my bagpipes again, yippee.

And my mom....! Her Alzheimer's is better now that she's in assisted living (regular, not a dementia unit). She is actually knitting again, right now she's knitting chemo caps for the local hospital.  Amazing, to think she couldn't remember to eat just a few months ago.

 Take care Furies! I will try to keep up with you.

Stay well,

Sue 

KerryMac

Sue!! Great to hear all is well with you, and you sound busy and happy! Don't we love our friend NED!!

My hair is super curly too - I haven't had it cut yet, I'm waiting until it is a bit longer, but it is very bushy. Glad to hear your Mother is doing better.

Stay in touch, we're all going to have a great year!!

Jaimieh

Sue I am happy to hear that you and your family are doing well   Amazing how different a year can be ?? 

I'm home, I'm home and I feel beat up but fabulous.  I got a decent nights sleep even though my son has a cold and coughed all night long.  I don't care though I am happy to be home.  Now we have to get ready for a snow storm that is supposed to be coming our way tomorrow and then another next week. 

KerryMac

Glad you're home safe!

gcpommom

Sue, wow, it's great to hear from you and that you are doing so well!  It is hard to believe it's been a year....my chemoversary was Feb 3rd.  Glad to hear that your mom is improving as well, that's wonderful.  It really sounds like you are back in the swing of things.  I also have the curly hair.  I haven't cut it yet, and probably won't until it is to my shoulders, lol

Jaimie:  welcome home...I bet the kids were happy to see you.  Are you healing ok? 

I've been busy mosaicing this week since I have no car and can't go to work.  It's been fun, but hopefully the car will get fixed this weekend, lol.

Have a good weekend

xpectmiracles

Hi Furies! I am back in USA, yet stranded in Chicago because of snow. I had trouble getting my pictures off my blackberry onto web, so sorry no pics. The mission was great! The first couple of days I ended up getting a lot of hip pain by evening; so I swallowed my pride and told them about my chemotherapy. I still get hip and/or knee pain when I push myself hard. We worked out a schedule where I took frequent breaks and I felt much better in the evenings.

My most memorable moment of the mission was with a woman who had just had a mastectomy. I was working in post-operative recovery and she was just coming out of anesthesia. She was mumbling something I couldn't understand. When she was more awake I asked her to repeat what she was trying to say and she said, "Thank you for the surgery, Ma'am."

That made the whole week worth it!

gcpommom

Hi Cheryl!  Glad to hear you had such a great experience.  sorry you're stuck in Chicago...it could be a while, here in MI we're still gonna get another 4-6" tonight after getting 3" today, not sure if chicago is getting the same?

Busy weekend, hubby got his car running, so I'm not carless anymore.  I worked today, so that was good.  Probably won't be any school tomorrow with all the snow, so I get tomorrow off anyway, lol.  I started mosaicing a guitar, but I am now stuck...kind of like writer's block but for art.  Anyway, here's a pic of the beginnings of it:

Magister105

I'm starting tomorrow, February 10th! I'm nervous as a cat and hope I can sleep. It's great to see such support for one another!

xpectmiracles

Hi Magister! Sorry you had to be one of us. But, I'll tell you I have met the greatest people here. Have you connected with a group of women starting chemo the same time as you? That is when I found the link to others going through the same thing was most helpful. Reach out whenever you need to!

Jaimieh

Cheryl~ Sorry you are stuck in Chicago.  It sounds like your mission was very much appreciated. 

Judy~ Your guitar looks amazing.  I understand completely about a block.  They are very frustrating but you will get thru it.

I am still home recovering with my friends drain #3, and drain #4.  They are a PITA literally but they need to be there.  I had to have one advanced in further last Friday which hurt like hell but my lovely and wonderful local PS did it.  It's now working great!  They will be in any where from 7 more days to 42 more days so I am hoping that I can get them out sooner.  The only thing that is hurting my recovery is the fact that we are under snow here in MD and we are getting another 10-20" tonight....grrrr...  I figured I could go to the mall after dropping the kids of each day and get walking but that is not going to happen any time soon.  I found out that I will be heading South again at the end of April for Stage 2.  I am really looking forward to it and I love what has been done so far so any more improvements will be awesome.  My last stage will be sometime before the end of summer and should be quick. 

So is anyone up to anything fun ???  Yeah I have to live thru others right now since the only fun I am having is inside my house and that is not that much fun since I have so many restrictions. 

KerryMac

Cheryl - sorry you are stuck! Do you have friends to stay with, or are you in a Hotel? Hope you get bhome soon, it must be just frustration at this point1

Judy - that is fabulous! You have such a talent. Glad ypu have your wheels back.

Jaimie - ewww, drains. Lets hope it is closer to 7 days than 42....Glad to hear you are healing up nicely though. We had hardly any snow at all, everything has missed us this year. 

Not much exciting happening here. I have decided to tackle our staircase and upstairs hallway - so I am sanding and will get it all painted hopefully before summer! The banister has about 100 coats of paint on it, so scraping all that off will keep me busy!

Have agood day everyone.