**NEW** Starting Chemo March 2009

pickle

Christy: I am 13 weeks PFC and my hair is about 3/4" long and fairly thick. It sounds like yours is doing great...1"....in 9 Weeks.....wow! You are way ahead of me. My hair was always thick and I am so happy it is returning that way because I heard that Tamoxifen can thin hair .....keeping my fingers crossed that doesn't happen. I ditched my wig weeks ago....actually I rarely wore...maybe 5 or 6 times.

I am going to try and post a new pic with my salt n' pepper hair (if I can figure out how to do it.)

I bet you are really looking forward to being done rads and getting your permanent implants. I still haven't decided and I can't get in to see the PS for consult until January 13th.

PattiB

RAymon - I lost my eyebrows about 6 weeks after las chemo and eyelashes about 2 weeks after that.  They do come back quickly, they eyebrows seems to grow back sticking all difference ways so once I had enough of them I had them waxed to shape them again.  When the hair grows back, I had this white short fluf hair on parts of my face, hairline, above & below eyebrows so the waxing took that away and made them seem more defined. 

CCbaby - My last chemo was 5/13 so I am almost 4 month PFC.  I was still wearing headgear mid to late July.  Hair seemed to fill in all at once but was still very short in August.  Recently it has gotten really wavy, but still not enough length to style or part it.  I haven't worn any headgear for a little over a month.  My hair has come in super soft, and the color is the same, I do have a few more grays but still most is not.

Pickle - Thanks, I had a nice relaxing long weekend and tomorrow is my 1st day with the kids back at school.  It should be a fun, busy day.

MichelleinSJ - Good luck with the position.  I am definitely going to the Life after Breast Cancer conference that Penn is having on Friday.  Let me know if you can make it.

Congrats to all that had good reports.  Have a great week ahead.

pickle

My hair looks like it did when I first got it buzzed off before chemo.

1) This was 5 weeks ago when my great niece was born. The baby had more hair than me.

2) This was 4 weeks ago. Me and two of my dearest friends. A liitle bit more hair

3) This was 2 weeks ago at my SIL's 50th....It grew a lot in a couple of weeks. By the way, hubby is wearing my wig...lol

sakura73

Pickle what fabulous photographs! You look beautiful.

 Well, I can hardly believe it, but I am Post Fucking Chemo! Final session today went very smoothly. And it was a day much lovelier than I could have hoped for because my ex boyfriend drove me to the hospital and had coffee with me between onco appointment and infusion. He had been with me at the first chemo, and at several subseqent ones, and he was for that reason, if no other, the person I would have chosen to take me today. It was a journey he helped me take, and that he offered to drive me today was wonderful. It was a lovely day and we had coffee outside and then said goodbye.  I don't know often we will see each other - he lives a long way from me on the other side of the city - but our parting today was friendly and gracious. 

 I was meant to have my radiation measure up today but although I told them ages ago I don't want tattoos they had forgotten and didn't want to mark me up with pen and tape because it might come off before start date on 21 Sept. So now I am being measured on 22 Sept and start radiation on 24 Sept.

I told the onco I am still undecided about taking Tamoxifen. He looked at me like I was an idiot. I want to keep my ovaries of course, so I don't have that option. I just don't like thinking of estrogen as the enemy.

Much love to everyone. Thank you for all your support. I am glad to be joining the PFC ranks, but am thinking very much of those yet to finish whether on our thread or on other threads.

gymmom8

Sorry for the long absence.  It was nice to be catching up on all the posts and see that I was in your thoughts.  I finished chemo on July 23^rd (after a delay due to low WBC).  My legs, feet and hands are slightly swollen and painful.  I assume it is neuropathy.   I finished rads on Sept 2^nd.  My skin is burned and I have a few small blisters from the radiation. I am peeling and my tissue expanders feel tight.

I am having a bone density scan on Thurs. and another CT scan sometime next month.  There was a finding of a small nodule on my lung and enlarged lymph nodes on my good side at a CT scan a few months ago.  A follow up scan showed the lung nodule gone and the lymph nodes reduced by still bigger than normal.  The next scan will hopefully find nothing unusual. 

I am saddened by some of your posts and encouraged by others.  I am sorry for the hardships faced but am glad for all the positive vibes I feel while I am catching up.  The kids are back at school and I am starting a new routine of exercise and healthy eating tomorrow.  I guess that's really today since it is 3:45am and I can't sleep.  I will post again once I finish catching up!  Thanks for still being there!

Cyndi     

Dawnmrn1

sakura73!  What a strong woman you are and I admire you! You have carried yourself with grace thru this whole drastic period!  You made it into the land of PFC!!!!!!:) Congrats!  I'm glad the BF took you and helped you end a chapter of your life, bittersweetly! After all you have been thru Rads is a walk in the park!  They mark you and it comes off and they mark you again!  The tatoos are pinpoint I am a walking freckle so you can't see mine!!!:) Keep up the great attitude!  I am so proud of you!

Cyndi!  Glad to hear from you!  Congrats on being PFC!  Hope and pray yours scans come out well! I finished rads on the 3rd and I am peeling and having muscle spasms! What else is new!!

Pickle you are as pretty in those picture as you are with your thoughts on the boards!  Nice to see you!!!

Happy Tues!  Love, Dawn

nasharayne

ccbaby - I'm 10 weeks PFC and my hair is maybe 1/2 inch and I think that's a stretch.  I read an earlier post where you said you were using aloe on your hair so, I've been doing that. Any other tips?

pickle

Rachel: PFC!!!!! Yahoo! I am so happy for you. I second what Dawn said. You really have handled everything with such grace and dignity. Really touching that Damian went with you today.

Cindi: Nice to hear from you. Congrats on being PFC and PFR too. Will you be taking tamoxifen?  Praying and sending positive vibes for the all clear on your scans. Is your daughter doing gymnastics this year? Good for you for starting exercise and healthy routine. There is a motivation thread on here that I read occassionally....it's encouraging.

Dawn: Are you on tamoxifen? Just wondering because you mentioned muscle spasms. I am having joint stiffness/pain and some leg cramping...especially in the morning. I think it's the tamoxifen SE's

PattiB

Congrats RAchel!!!

ChrisC433

I have been reading posts and trying to keep caught up.  Congrats to those moving on.  Prayers for all and extra ones to those still on the journey.

Have been feeling like crap!  Wedding Oct. 3rd and getting burn marks from radiation.  Have to look for a new dress that can hide them more.  Hair seems to be at a standstill and I can't stand this wig anymore.  Work with elementary kids so don't want to go "topless" too soon.

I think the rads are wearing me down...that and having 4 boys, 3 in sports all over the place!

Thinking of you all,

Chris

pickle

Chris, Sorry to hear you are feeling like crap. When are you done rads? It sounds like they may be wearing you down and you're probably really tired and frustrated with this friggin BC stuff. I don't blame you one bit! You've had a long journey and I can't imagine how busy you must be with work, 4 boys, ongoing treatment....wow...how do you do it all? No wonder you feel like crap at times.

Have you talked to anyone in the make-up field that may be able to help cover the burn marks? Have the nurses suggested anything?

As far as the wig goes...have you considered topless? It's actually quite liberating but of course it is something that you must be comfortable with.

If you are still going to wear a wig for a while, then why not consider treating yourself to a new one. It may make you feel better and help you get over the hump until you are comfortable without a wig. Goodness knows....you deserve it.  Maybe a new wig and new dress is just what you need to feel renewed and special. Reward yourself for all you do!

Thinking of you

Hugs

Beth P

Mom_of_boys

Sakura... WOOOO HOOOO for you!

Pickle...  OMG!  I absolutely love the pics you posted.  Talk about a head that was made for short hair! 

PattiB... Hope the first day with the kids went well.

Dawn... Muscle spasms?  Wow... never heard of that before.

Chris... I remember the different sports/different direction days.  Although I miss it now, it really can wear on you!

ccbaby

Pickle....I LOVE your new pic! You are absolutely beautiful!!

ccbaby

Nasharayne....I was using aloe vera everyday, twice a day until 2 weeks ago. I bought Nioxin shampoo and follicle booster. The follicle booster stays on your hair and you apply it twice a day. I feel like that is helping me too.

bethr

Hi All,

 Pickle - Your pics look great!!!  I applaud your ability to go topless!!!  But you look great so it must have been fairly easy.  My hair is coming back slowly, but surely, but I can't stand the thought of going topless. 

Rachel - Congrats!!!  And I'm happy your ex-BF was there for you for the last one and that you've both agreed to be friends.   Fantastic!!!

Well, my 19th RAD day was cancelled today because the machine was down.  This is the 2nd time that's happened.  I'm concerned because it justs adds another day on to my end and I really want to get it overwith!!!  Oh well....  at least it gave my skin another day after the three day weekend to re-coop.  I've got some nasty read blotches....  The RAD staff told me last week that's how it should look at this time after 18 treatments...  It wouldn't bother me so much if it didn't ITCH so much.  I'm now a lotion fanatic!!!

 My best to you all,

Beth

Dawnmrn1

Muscle spasms is something I have been plagued with since my first mastectomy and tissue expander, they got worse during chemo, from the taxotere, now it seems the rads have taken over, I hope when I stop peeling they will lessen. My pecs go into such a tight spasm it wakes me up at night!

Chris1  Feel better soon!  Kids can pull you in all directions and it is all about them, nothing about you!!! Take care!    Dawn

inthemoment

Pickle - Great head (uh,oh - can I get censored for that? LOL) No, not kidding - you really look wonderful.  Since I've not seen a pic of your husband without a wig, I can't comment on whether or not this new look of his is an improvement

RACHEL - I really feel inspired to write something very deep after hearing of your ex's involvement to the end with your chemo, but I can't - I can't see a damn thing through the tears running down my face - it is such an inspired ending to FC - I know it's not the one you wished for, but the "Friend for a Reason" poem springs to mind - I'm so glad that your friend was there for you!  Oh my, all that mascara, made to look like real eyelashes, is now looking like Indian war paint!  .

 GERI

ChrisC433

Pickle and Dawn-Thanks so much for the encouragement.  I talked to a seamstress tonight and she is going to use the bottom of my dress that she is going to cut off for hem and use it to make wide gathered shoulder straps instead of the thin ones on the dress now.  That will make me so happy to wear the dress I originally picked out for the wedding.

I've thought about a new wig, but hate wearing one so much I think another one will just add insult to injury!  Maybe another month and I can go wigless!

I love my boys and to be honest...as much as they wear me out...they keep my mind occupied.  I think I am just done being a patient.  I've had 17/35 rads.  I am getting real red around my collar bone so he is going to skip a few sessions in that area to help it heal.

This board has been such a blessing for me.  You all have been very supportive to all.  Even when I don't post, I feel the love and support going from one person to the next.  I would love to meet each and every one of you for a big hug someday!  Maybe we can plan a cruise next year that we can jump on...

Take care,

Chris

Dawnmrn1

Cris!  What great news about the dress! I agree this thread has been a godsend!  Everyone is so supportive and I too would love to meet everyone! Maybe in a month you hair will grow, I am sure you will look great.  Sorry about missing some TX. Hope your skin holds up!!  Good Luck!  Dawn

Alyad

Rachel, I am SO happy to hear you are PFC!! I was so sad when I read about your breakup- I read your blog and it was just so senseless. You are a wonderful writer.  to me it really sounds like he has his own issues going on and nothing you could have done could have caused it or changed it. He is a poorer man.

for anyone on the FB group I posted a video on my profile of me ringing the bell last friday. Saturday morning I woke up with a sore throat and I felt miserable through the holiday weekend. I struggled to go in to work today only bc if you call in following a holiday there is a company policy against getting paid for both. IN retrospect I'm sure I could have talked to one of the owners and they would have made an exception, but instead I drugged myself up and had my DH drive me in. I muddled through for a few hours- tho I did have to tell my supervisor I wasn't up to one task. Then around 3pm I called DH to come get me, stick a fork in me, I'm done.

I'm not even setting the alarm tomorrow. I'm running a low fever. The sinus infection is just like salt in the wound- my skin is so fried. I was using cilvadene cream they gave me , it didn't seem to help much. I read something online about using emu oil for radiation burns , it seems to be helping some. I'm having a bit of a pity party- it just seems so unfair to finally be done and its like my immune system just went ahhhhh!!! and collapsed the next day. my underarm is really painful purplish in places- itching  stinging, tight. I am just so tired of not feeling good. I had a couple weeks between chemo and rads where I felt good- I will feel that way again soon.

Dayla

sakura73

Dayla I loved your bell ringing video. I am glad you are taking the day off tomorrow - it is so unfair that it is NOW that  your immune system goes down, but I think our bodies are like that - soldiering on while it is necessary and then collapsing when they can. You are entitled to a pity party. Hope you feel better soon. Thank you for reading the blog!

 Cyndi good to hear your news - hope the new routine is coming along well! I need one too.

Dawn  sorry to hear about the muscle spasm.

Chris that's so great that you can still wear the dress. Post a pic so we can all see it!

Bethr hope the lotion is working for the horrible itches! I need to figure  out what lotions to use for when I start radiation in a fortnight. All recommendations welcomed!

Geri sorry to ruin your mascara!  I have started wearing it myself and almost feel ready  to go and get my lashes tinted. I used to have it done regularly pre-chemo and it really makes them look longer. Need  a few more lashes to make it worth while though.

Pickle thank you for continuing to be such a warm and supportive leader of this group.

Thank you all for your kind comments about my ending of chemo and resolution with Damian. It is a good ending, I know, even though, as Geri said, it is not the ending I wanted.

Gina are you out there? How are you? And bwbly and Buddy?  Hope everyone is doing well.

pickle

CCBaby: I am using Nioxin too. I've used it since I got my pre chemo hair buzz. I don't have the booster though. I'll check that out. Thanks.

BethR: Keeping my fingers crossed that your itching settles and that the machines are back in working order .....no more delays. You must be so anxious to get it over and done with. Hang in there

Chris: Sounds like a wonderful solution to your dress. It would be great to meet everyone wouldn't it. A Cruise......That's a fun idea

Dayla: I just saw your video....you look fantastic and such a beautiful smile....and wow... a lot of hair! I think that's a great idea to have the bell to ring. I don't think they had anything like that at my cancer center.

A sinus infection.....dam I really hate those. They really hurt and make you feel miserable. Glad to hear that you are not setting your alarm....a few days rest may be just the thing to get you back to feeling better.

Geri: I'm not sure if hubby looks better with or without my wig but my wig is definitely thicker than what he has...lol

Thanks to all for the lovely comments about my "topless" pics. Such a warm and supportive group.

It would be so wonderful to all get together for a group hug and a few laughs.....your thoughts???

Hugs

Beth P

kim40

Hi Ladies!  So much catching up too do.  I'll have to do it later! 

We had our "Dance for the Cure" event this past Friday.  And for only 2 months of planning - it went off without a hitch!  We raised $3000!!!  I was so happy!!  Hopefully next year we will be able to raise more but not bad for a long weekend and short notice!

Francine - Are you coming to Halifax!!!  PM me and let me know - it would be great to meet you.

To the rest of gals - I think of you everyday and sending warm thoughts and hugs your way! 

ChrisC433

Now if I could just stop eating all the time...

It seems like I am hungry all the time!  Need to diet for a few weeks to make sure my dress still fits!

Looks like a rainy week here in PA..time to catch up on some rest!

My hair is a little over an inch long.  I dyed it with natural product so the gray didn't show so much.  18/35 rads today.  Funny how one of those chains you make at xmas time to count down days can mean so much now...rip another one off!

Take care,

Chris

gymmom8

Dawn - more and more of my skin is peeling away.  I also have some blisters that have formed but all in all it is getting better.  It's tough to stretch the arm when the skin is so tight.  I have to make sure the blisters are not oozing any color.  One week post rads and my skin is worse in places but much better in others.  It's weird how that happens.

Sakura - I'm glad you ex-BF went with you to your last chemo appt.  Now you can move past that faze of your treatment and leave him behind as well.  Rads are much easier and you'll be able to find someone who is also easier to be with.  You deserve the BEST!!

Pickle141 - the chemo seems to have put me into menopause (prematurely) so I just started Femara (an AI).  My onc will have my hormone levels tested again in 4-6 months and see if they still show me in menopause.  My daughter is still doing gymnastics.  She practices 6 days a week for a total of 24 hours.  She still loves it!!  It will be a more difficult competition year for her because she moved up another level and the skills are much more difficult.  This will most likely be more of a learning year for her.  Thanks for remembering and asking about her!  And I love your pic!!  You look awesome.  Everyone says how much I look like my son right now.  He has a buzz cut (and he's 11).   Do I look that young????  I don't think so, but if I can, I'll get a pic posted.

Anyone else taking Femara?  I am feeling achy and wanted to know if it's from the femara.  I haven't been able to do much of my new walking routine.  When I got home from walking yesterday, my legs, feet and hands were very swollen.  I am having neuropathy issues.  I read that it is at its worse 3-5 months AFTER chemo ends.   Anyone else having this issue?  Everyone says to just give it time but I am tired of everything and want it to be over with now.  Ok. I'm done complaining. 

Chris - that is great that the changes can be made to your original dress.  I started going "topless" about a week into rads.  I was really nervous about it and thought I looked ridiculous but am glad I did it.  Now I go out all the time without anything on my head.  I feel so much freer.  I never really liked my wig.  When my 6 year old neighbor asked me what happened to my hair, I explained that I had to take some medicine that made it fall out and she looked at me and said, "Okay," and that was it.  Kids are great that way.  They ask questions, then it's no big deal anymore. 

I must get my kids to finish their homework and start dinner.  No rest for the weary.  And I am very tired today.  I think I'll get control of the remote tonight and just chill out!!

Cyndi

Dawnmrn1

Hi All I just lost a whole post! Cyndi!  so good to hear from you, I too am 1 week post rads and have leather like peeling skin, no blisters though!

Kim!  congrats on the $3000, way to go girl!  Money will help us fight this disease!!!!! thanks!

Dayla Hope you feel better!

Francine Enjoy your cruise!  Dawn

inthemoment

Hi NanaA - Just sending good thoughts and big hugs - I believe your thyroid ultrasound is today, and I'm thinking of you and holding that Good News Train at the station until you get your results back - bronchoscopy on Monday?  We're all here rooting for you!

Geri

kim40

Cyndi

I too take Femara and have achy joints.  Sometimes I feel like I'm over a hundred years old!  For me, I think it is a combo of Femara and Herceptin.  Once I get up and get moving, I'm o.k.  First thing in the morning is the worst for me.  But after that, I'm fine. 

My hair is growing in thick and I think curley!  Still too early to tell but definelty not enough to go outside topless.  Soon, I hope, soon.

pickle

NanaA: Good luck today. Sending positive vibes and warm wishes.

Cyndi: I am on tamoxifen and am having a lot of joint pain and soreness. I guess it's a SE. No swelling though. I hope it settles down soon. Is joint /muscle aches & discomfort listed as a femara SE too?

Dayla: Hope you are fever free and feeling better today

Kim: That's awesome. So proud of you.

Patti: How are you doing on Tamoxifen?

To all you gals having rads today....another one down!!!. Thinking of you and sending hugs

Beth P

Mom_of_boys

As far as the SEs from the Femara... yes, I'm having them as well.  I'm not a complainer... worked at least 40 hours thru chemo, etc. and have been told by many that I have a high pain tolerance.  BUT, I'm stepping back a bit from the Femara and considering my options.

As far as the rads.. I used several lotions.  Pure (or close to it) aloe vera gel worked the best by far!

~Jan~