November 2009-Starting Chemo

Melinda41

Linda; how long do you have to wait for the results, keep us posted!

JustmeAlicia

Brenda ~ no results yet?  I am going to go with the notion No news is good NEWS !!!!  grrr...

Linda ~ good luck with your scans today ~ hope you get results quickly as that waiting game is the hardest part.

I went to the gyno last week for the crotch problems.  It has BEEN better since.  And I am just doing the little things he suggested.  2 cranberry extract pills each day, a&d ointment to protect the area when not in use, (LOL)  gentle soap down there no deodorant soap ~ and the vagisil cream on the outside if it gets itchy.  I had no infection or anything he said it was just looking irritated ~ tamoxifen messes with the PH.  (I feel like a swimming pool gotta check my PH levels?!)  Oh well TMI I am sure ~  oh and lube when doing it !  so far it's been better ! 

How is everyone else doing?  Melinda, Michele, Sue, Nette?!  everyone ! 

Back to school was bittersweet yesterday.  My son started middle school, he wanted to know why he has to get up when it is still night time.  (it's dark at 6 am)  His bus comes at 6:55, and my daughter's bus 6:45.  I feel like I have put in a full day already. 
Have a good day girls !

Alicia

micheleboots

Ok, Alicia, I gotta ask, why the cranberry pills?  What is the a&b ointment?  I also get crotch issues.  TMI..I hate lube.  Why cant they make a warming holder for that stuff.  Nothing kills the mood like freezing cold slime in your hoohaa.  Or perhaps is having to stop that romantic moment to squeeze the slime in/on  the places it needs to go.  Sorry if anyone got a visual there.

Melinda41

I am not currently having hoo haa issues (knock on wood), but last year I had a bout of oddity. I used something labeled 'long acting vaginal moisturizer', I think it was generic Replens. It specifically says estrogen free. It wasn't goopy and did seem to last for a few days. It isn't a lube, it is just to replace the natural secretions we have (secretions, what a silly sounding word).

I have been feeling really 'off', Sudafed seemed to fix it so I assume I was just sinusy. My blood sugar has been wonky too. Just something else to keep an eye on. I think that is a rare SE of the herceptin.

I am going to be in a silly fashion show next week, raising money for the BC program at the Y. 

And....I went on a date last weekend. And....I am going to see him again. I think I am rejoining the land of the living. 

Melinda41

I was very nervous, but I googled "lube warmer" and this is what I came up with.

It is for a mechanics grease gun. Can you imagine your hubby's face if you had this lying by the bed. But, it has cigarrette lighter adapter in case you are getting freaky in the car!

micheleboots

Melinda, you made my day...my dh and I get freaky in the car often...we once went parking and a guy came after us with a rifle.  I guess that is a lesson to us never to trespass with your pants down. 

Glad to hear you are starting to do the dating thing.  be sure not to leave your lube warmer near your bed and freak this guy out.

BrendaSharon

Cafe' 

So good to hear from you Linda. I hear ya with the tests.I got some news, just not all yet.  I'm still waiting on my brain scan results. We are certainly all something else. Seems once the big -C- has hit we sure go thru some s@%t, but at least we still have each other.

Anyhow, my mammogram was good so I'm happy with that. Don't like my bone situation but it's not all that bad I suppose. And I don't really know what they are meaning by my lingula having chronic fibrotic change. I go to my rads onc for a follow up tomorrow. I need to ask some ????'s

Alicia, You are sure having a time of it with the personel area, so sorry. I wish I cared anymore, but I don't and haven't had an interest in sex since the beginning.Good thing my DH loves me lots.Wow, tiring as it is, I wish my children where still at school age because they would still be living at home. I'm always missing them. 

Michele, Your visual gave me a good laugh. How has your dizzy been? You must stay upright in a car you know, maybe that will help. (Ha-Ha) you go girl

Melinda, Good luck with your whoo-whoo too! !~~~ Don't over heat the lube ~~

Sue, As I said above results are not totally in yet. Soon I hope! 

Nette, I'm jealous I don't have skype! It sounds like a great idea though.

(((((Group Hug))))) 

Melinda41

OK, here we go.... 18 volt or 12 volt, one hour recharger and......10,000 psi pressure!

Claire_in_Seattle

For everyone who doesn't have Skype. 

The basic software is FREE and can be downloaded and installed from their site.  Then you create a user name which is associated with your IP address.

So connects that way (between IP addresses).  As long as your computer has a microphone and speakers, you can use Skype.  Calling out to a landline or cell phone is how they make their money, but calls between computers are free.

You do need to check that your microphone is on prior to using   This one isn't as obvious as speakers.

You can use with or without a webcam.  Webcam picture is choppy.

Cafelovr

OMG...To great! Woo Hoo...I'd scare DH off with that one

JustmeAlicia

Dr. said the cranberry pills help keep ph levels where they are supposed to be.  A&D oinment is the protective cream you put on a babies bottom when diapering.  I guess I now need it in my old age almost ready for diapers again phase......  LOL  This whole waist down issue is annoying.

Melinda ~ love the look of that tool... could picture that on my nightstand.  LOL

Brenda ~ keep us posted on your dr appt !

doronet

OMgosh!!!  So many laughs from this page!!  But where would we be without a sense of humor, huh?!  

Alicia:  Sorry you are still having trouble "down there."  I'm with Brenda: I haven't had the urge since all this started, if not before.  My problem isn't needing the grease-gun, though.  I need a tire jack, as I believe I've gotten smaller and need "stretching."  TMI here?  hummmm?

My daughter and I do the webcam thing through AOL instant messaging.  Is a great way to keep in touch with college kids. (She'll show me her outfit for the day.)   I think we can do videos through facebook, too.   Will have to check on that.  Anyone else have a web cam besides Alicia and me?

Melinda-girl:  hitting the datin' scene again.  you go, girl.  And yes, definitely put the lube warmer and the "power washer" away on those nights.  Then again, it might make for some fun evenings

School started here yesterday.  Is weird to have the  house quiet again.  Hate waking up with my DS at 6a.m.  He catches the bus at 6:45, too.  Is light now, but will soon be dark at that time. :P

suzieq60

What a crack up - I'm still laughing and I'm at work.

Melinda - good to hear you are dating!!!! Hope he's nice.

 Brenda - let us know as soon as you get those results!!!!

Linda - Hope your tests go well too.

I catch the bus at 6:45!!!!

Sue

micheleboots

Melinda, that thing scares me....

suzieq60

Hi Girls,

 I popped in to my hairdresser this afternoon as my fluffy sides were really annoying me and looked ridiculous. One of her staff described them as "wings" and that is exactly the right description. Anyway, I asked for advice re the fluffy bits as I wasn't sure if I should get them cut as they would probably grow back the same. She said they probably wouldn't and offered to trim it on the spot. She also trimmed the back a bit. She said my waves are really strong. We've decided to leave colouring it for a while to see how it looks when it's longer. They still don't ask me to pay which is so lovely. I'm so pleased with how it looks now - hurray!!!!

Sue

doronet

ummmm, Sue, pic of the hair, please?  Glad you like it!  

suzieq60

No pic yet. It's basically the same except shorter on the sides. I'll see if DH will take one. It's funny how it really hasn't got that much longer but it really nice and thick like before. Once the warmer weather hits it might grow faster.

BrendaSharon

CALLING ALL WARRIORS

Got all my results, even on my brain

I AM CANCER FREE ~~ NO METS NO WHERE

I feel so blessed and happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Oh and my lil onc who managed to get all my tests for me said she thought I needed to talk to the big onc. She feels the T-Mox is more than I need to be on. It is causing to many side effects for me and she doesn't think it is necessary. She said he needs to get me on something a little easier on my body. She is sending her notes to him for my follow up with him on Oct. 8th. 

(((((Group HUG & Hip-Hip-Hurray))))) hope all have a great weekend

JustmeAlicia

So Happy for YOU Brenda ~  this is just great news.

CELEBRATE life !!!

Melinda41

Brenda Sharon: (my bold button is missing??) I am soooo happy for you, enjoy dancing with NED and being done with tests and pokes. I hope that they decide something good about the Tamox.



Here is something I have been wondering about. You know the sticky at the top with all our chemo dates? I was wondering how everyone felt about changing that, just maybe show the chemo graduation date but add the current state of events, tests results and scan status, etc.



I did copy and paste my dates, that was the best record of chemo dates I had, thanks so much Brenda for keeping up with that.



What's the current roll call:

Brenda- clean

Linda- clean

Alicia- clean

Nette-clean

Michelle- do you still have cardio stuff going on?

Sue- you are good, right?

Mabelle, Claire... who else?



I see surgeon next Friday to do the Clyde check.

JustmeAlicia

MY hair as of today !  Getting a bit fluffy...  Not good at this sorry if the pic is too big, next pic will be my new BC tattoo I got 2 days ago. 

JustmeAlicia

Ok trying again ! Last pic was HUGE ~  here is my hair growth as of today.  Next will try to post a picture of my bc tattoo I just got !

HUGS !

JustmeAlicia

  it is just 2 days old.  needs to heal ~  I love it, it is on my inner ankle.

BrendaSharon

Alicia,  VERY NICE

BUT....I don't even know why I looked at it and cried....

I'm not sure what happened I just felt a sense of "It's finally over and then the flood gates opened.

I'm glad that I can say these things here, because we all just get it and understand each other. 

It is a beautiful as you are!! 

JustmeAlicia

aww Brenda ~ sorry I made you cry !  I cry on here so often, celebrating good news, sad for others bad news.  WE have made this journey together and formed a special bond that is hard for others who have not gone through this to understand.  YOU girls complete me and carry me when I need it.

For that I am grateful........  We are WARRIORS !

Claire_in_Seattle

I am assuming I am just fine.  Will know more in three weeks when I have my three month checkup.  Having annual physical in about 10 days to see how the rest of me fared during the past 12 months.  I am hoping all is well there too.

Unless something is amiss, I won't be having any scans.

This weekend, I am training for the last major cycling event of the season which is next weekend....Cycle the Wave..... and which supports battered women.  Plan on doing the hilly metric century.  I have to do miles today through Sunday, or I will be dead meat.  Haven't done anything major in a month or so, and I can feel the difference in fitness.

(July was getting my fitness back to a year ago, and August was about getting the rest of my life back on track. Still doing work on my career.)

If I plan the blackberry-lined Interurban Trail, I can eat my fill of those too.

Back to medical stuff.  I had the dentist two weeks ago.  Last of three year, megabucks mouth redo.  YAY!!!  Best news is that my gums are healthier than even a year ago.  I was thrilled.

Hoping everyone else is enjoying September.

suzieq60

Brenda: Yippeeeee!!!! I knew you were fine.

Aicia: Love the hair!!!!

I haven't got any tests until October - but I'm fine right now.

Had a good day at work yesterday. We had a showcase of work done during the previous 2 weeks and I got to demonstrate my work. Yes, I actually accomplished something!!! I developed a screen in our Insurance Policy software to capture accident history for auto insurance. I was SO proud of it as it represented my brain switching on again. Believe me it's been an uphill battle to get there. Yes, I know I'm a computer nerd but I love programming so much.

Will try to nail down DH to take a new hair pic.

Sue

Claire_in_Seattle

Sue.....use the timer on your camera.  That's how I did mine.  Put on top of a roll of paper towels to get the right height.

Congrats on your work achievement.  I know what you mean.  I found out last month that I have my game on again.  So really marked entree into the next phase of my life.  I was so stoked.

micheleboots

Melinda, as far as I know I am good.  I had a mammo a few months back and all was good.  Big onc said that they don't do scans unless there is a problem.  So I guess I am ok.  I am still waiting on the cardiologist report.  I think I will call him next week.

Clair, good luck next week.

Sue, yes indeed we want to see a pic.

Alicia,you are looking hot.  Love the tat.  I am a big chicken and couldn't ever get one.  Besides I have 5 compliments of rads tech.

suzieq60

OK - here goes - new pics. It looks so much shorter with the sides chopped but it needed it so badly. The hairdresser said the waves at the back are really strong - she couldn't believe it!!!! The top is wavy too but bigger waves. I love my new bright shirt!!!

Sue