MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

marlegal

Diana, I don't think any of us who went through chemo would care to take that trip again, but we also seem uniform in our belief that it was doable. For me, counting down the weeks and treatments helped immensely. Mine was just over 4 months - so about the same as you - and then I did the month of rads too - again, that's the normal course. The good news? I'm looking at this in the rearview mirror now, not the front windshield. Eyes on the prize hon. We'll help you through it, just like these awesome women, and the chat room in particular, carried me through my treatment. And I too would advise you to get your hair cut for a good cause, and then shave before it actually falls out. I was given that advice and followed it, and I truly believe that's way less traumatic in the end than catching your own hair in your hands. Start wig shopping now if that's how you want to go, or hat buying if that's your choice. Take a fun girlfriend to make it silly and fun. Hugs.

Eli, if you haven't left yet, I hope you have the bestest vacation ever. I have no doubt your blood tests will

3jays, good to see you pop in...I'm not exactly a frequent visitor anymore either. Or I should say a frequent poster...lots of times I pop in to read but don't post.

Janis, you win for best post in last 3 pages, hands down What an awesome surprise for you. I just loved your story

reesie

Mar, you should join my dragon boating team!

bellamarie

I am 51.. i think i belong here.. i am 10 days post op.. whew.. still very tired.. was hoping to go back to work next week.. financially i need to.. i dont know what my body says though.

How long have u all been off work? or should i say when the energy come back i had a left side mx with te..

elimar86861

Welcome, bellamarie!  Everyone bounces back from their surgeries at a different rate.  You are right to listen to your body.  Hopefully you will be back to work soon.  We have a couple who also have their tissue expanders now, and Sherryc just got her exchange surgery.  I didn't have that particular experience myself.

marlegal, I like your perspective.  "I'm looking at this in the rearview mirror now, not the front windshield"  

Dianarose

Bellamarie- I went back to work 2 weeks post-op part time. I got tire easy, but I am glad I did because it really helped me to move and not sit around. Just know your limitations.

Elimar- what do low platelets mean? Where are you going for your vacation. I hope someplace sunny and fun.

The PS did my fill on the left side today so they are even now. She said being how I have to do chemo there is no reason I should have to be lopsided for months. She can take some out if it is in the way for rads when the time comes. They look like real boobs now and I don't have that expander sitting on my rib which was causing a bad burning pain.

elimar86861

Dianarose, So glad you don't have to be lopsided for months.  I don't know exactly what the low platelets are, but I think there are some bad connections between that & the bones and liver.  You need the platelets to make your blood clot and heal wounds.  I don't plan on getting any wounds and I'll just have to come up with some platelets from somewhere when I get a redraw in a few weeks.  I made the tech use another vein to get the blood today, and he had trouble and my blood was coming out at a snail's pace.  He probably didn't get my "best blood" where I keep all my platelets.  I'll let him get the good stuff from my A-list vein next time.  I only got my CBC results instantly, so I'm calling about my CMP tomorrow.  If that is normal for liver function, I will feel even less worried.  I feel good and healthy AND I am going with my older boy (the graduating one) on a cruise to Alaska.  My first cruise, and my 48th state.  Sunny, no; fun, I hope so.  At least they won't be checking my platelets there!

Dianarose

Elimar- I hope you have a great time in Alaska. My friend has been twice and loved it. I had great platelets before my surgery. That's what I was told and didn't really know what it meant, but if you have a shortage I will give you some of mine. I hope you post some photo's of your trip when you get back.

Eph3_12

Jealous! Love cruises-Alaska is on the list!!  Have a blast!  Don't check in!!

reesie

Elimar the slow blood draw can definitely be the problem. They might not even be able to do the cmp.



I've had a couple of slow draws that hemolyzed so they couldn't use them. That's probably what happened.



You'll probably be back to a regular reading for the next one.

elimar86861

Thanks for sharing O-reesie-of the-many-more-blood-draws-than me.  I will take your word for it.  I really wondered if that could actually be a factor.  Low platelets can make you bruise easily...well, after all that needle twirling to get into the vein, I have no bruising at the site (good sign) and I only had a speck of blood on the cottonball bandage, which is like always, so no extra bleeding or anything.  I just think this is a false alarm.  

Remember when David Letterman had a segment called, "Is this Anything?"  Well, I don't think the "low platelets" are anything.  I just don't.  Sure, I Googled it, but I don't have a fear factor about it.   Not gonna "borrow worry"on this.  I will let everyone know how the next draw goes.  I am really beginning to feel like I am DONE with cancer.  Some people do wind up in that "over it" category, so why not ME?

sheila888

Have a great vacation Elimar......

Sheila♥

Paula66

Enjoy your cruise Eli!!!  Take tons of pics for us.  Plus I bet you'll find some really good MP pics along the way too!

Momine

Marlegal, from my first chemo till my last cancer-related surgery 9 months passed. I still think of it as doable with a few bad spells here and there. 

cmbear

Eli, have a fantastic cruise! I think I have an idea about your blood problem. . .

  

You really ought to check your closets and under your bed, before you go to sleep at night!! 

barsco1963

Welcome Bellamarie - hoping that you are getting lots of rest and you are healing well from surgery. Take your time getting back into the swing of things. Come visit here often for lots of fun, friendship, support and encouragement.

Eli - An Alaskan cruise! Maybe it will be your "farewell to cancer" cruise. Hope so!! Enjoy your trip and bring back lots of pics so the rest of us can enjoy the virtual cruise.

Meece

I have 14 months left until I am supposed to be "Over it".  My onc said she would get me to year 10, then I won't need to see her again.  She may even release me this Summer.  It is a bit scary to cut the apron strings but I don't think she'd do it unless she was confident I will do fine.

elimar86861

Not going for another week.  Have to get through the graduation first.  Will have to be good as I know this cruise will be a great opportunity to watch the whales and EAT LIKE ONE too.  Heehee.

cmb,  LOL!  I'd give up a few platelets for Johnny!

madpeacock

Ooohh....Johnny....

Speaking of weird blood: At my last onc visit I had low WBCs and almost low RBCs. A few weeks ago I had a regular physical and had even lower WBCs and now low RBCs! Then going back through my labs over the last year or so, the WBCs have been consistently low and have gotten lower recently. Hmmm. The RBCs have gone back and forth to just in range to just under range. And I didn't have chemo, so not an aftereffect of that. Supposed to go back to onc in July for retest.  I haven't had so much as a sniffle in years, so infection doesn't seem to be a problem. My guess is my autoimmune problems are brewing up a new "complication" as there are plenty that affect the blood counts. Sigh.

Welcome Bellamarie! I work from home and had a lumpectomy, so my return to work opinion doesn't count for much, but you need to listen to your own body. Can you go back for shorter hours or a few days a week to see how you do and then return to full time? 

Oh meece! I would so love to be "over it"! I'm not even at one year, so my road ahead is long. 

dianarose - glad you're not feeling lopsided any more! I have no advice about chemo, but I like the eyes on the prize thought. 

Hugs to you Eph. Wishing strength for you and your mom.  

Sherryc

Eli have a great time on the cruise.  I have always wanted to go on an Alaskan cruise.  Hope the low platlets are really nothing. Oh and I have not had my exchange surgery yet.  I still have TE's.  I have only had one fill get a second one on Friday.

Welcome bellamarie- With my lumpectomies I went back to work pretty quickly.  With my BMX I decided to take my time and rest for a change.  I pushed myself through rads and my dad being sick and passing so I just decided I needed some time to myself to heal physically and mentally.  I went back to work at 5 weeks post BMX.

Dianarose glad to hear your PS filled your left side.  No point in going lopsided for months.

carollynn79

Elimar have a great vacation!  You will love it it is beautiful!!  Not sure on the low platlets but glad I don't have them as I am bruised enough!!  Like you said try not to worry until you know you have to!!

cmbear I love your responce to El !!!

Dianarose

MO just called and is ok with my choice of CMF chemo verses the AC/T. He said the difference in the long term outcome are pretty much the same. The CMF doesn't do so much damage to your heart. He hasn't figured out if he wants me to have it every 2 weeks, 3 weeks, or weekly, but would have an answer to that on Monday and we will start the beginning of June. As they say, Get her done. He also said I would not need a port. I am ok with that too. I just want this to be behind me. I have learned so much from all of you on this site and would be lost with out you.

I can't thank you all enough.

Jeannie57

I am new here and am enjoying reading the posts.  Such camaraderie! I just got a port and will start CMF on May 25th.  I'm feeling strong and ready.  

Dianarose, so glad you have some answers! It feels so much better to have some kind of treatment plan.  When you know how often you'll get chemo, you'll feel even better.

Momine

Diana, I am so glad to hear that you have sorted out your treatment situation in a way that you are comfortable with and that your doc is comfortable with. 

beachbum22

Hello all,  I finished 6 rounds of chemo six weeks ago, I am her2+ and am now receiving radiation.  Can anyone tell me how long it took for them to get their hair back?

Sherryc

Diana so glad you have made your decision.  No onward you go.  Get her done.

Jeannie-welcome this is a great place to hang for fun and support.

Paula66

beachbum mine started coming in 2 months after chemo.  I didn't think it would happen but once it did, it took off like wild fire.  It also came back very curly.  That part I wasn't too crazy about, but I had hair so I was ok.  It comes back so soft as well.

diana its good to see you are getting a plan put together.  Chemo is doable and you will see that in the end.  The SE are different for everyone but hang in there.

Welcome Jeannie!  Thats my sissys name as well.  The gals around her are great!

elimar86861

Jeannie58, welcome!   You will be a week ahead of Dianarose on the CMF, so you will have a buddy doing it with you here.  You can probably find a thread for that particular chemo as well, where everyone compares notes.  No the best way to spend a summer, but in the big picture it hopefully leads to many, many more summers to come.

Hello, beachbum22!  I won't say the rads time goes by quickly, but is IS a lot shorter than chemo.  Keep your rads skin moisturized (I used the 100% aloe gel) and keep yourself hydrated.  Eat lots of protein to build yourself up after chemo and rads. Glad Paula66 left you a hair comment since I don't know about the hair myself.

Marple

I worry/wonder about anyone who has had a BMX and will get chemo.  How do they (the Drs.) decide which arm to use for the infusion?  I have lymphedema and so.........I worry/wonder.

cmbear

Welcome to the new gals, ladies or whatever we women go by these days! Dianarose, glad you have a tx plan you are comfortable with. We're with you on this! Jeannie, you're lucky to have Diana as a chemo buddy. Beachbum22, everyone is different with their hair coming back. I had taxol first and then AC, and it actually started to grow a little, and I mean a little while I was going thru AC. I finished in December, and by the following June I had a thick head of hair, long enough for a cute short style. Don't worry, it'll grow, and that baldness will be but a distant memory. Marple, are you asking if they took nodes out of both arms??? That's not that common, so don't know about that one. Maybe a port is the answer. That's what I had. Sounds like a question for Binney4. 

I do believe I am thirsty for an afterdinner adult beverage.Hmmmm. . . lets see what I can whip together. . .

 

Binney4

Diana, the National Lymphedema Network position papers on breast cancer-related lymphedema recommend seeing a well qualified lymphedema therapist before treatment for baseline arm measurements, personalized risk reduction guidelines, learning a gentle self-massage routine to help your compromised lymph system cope, and helping you decide how best to use your arms for chemo infusion. If this hasn't been suggested to you, do bring it up. Any doctor on your team (even your GP) can give you a referral. Here's information about finding a well-trained lymphedema therapist near you:
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

I know it's hard when you're facing cancer treatment to think about this apparent "side issue" of treatment, and our doctors are often not well informed about it, but lymphedema is for life, and it could limit you in your career on-going. Your call, of course, but like Marple I too have lymphedema, and I worry about these things.

Be well!
Binney