Calling all TNs

JazzyJ

Just a little weepy this morning :-(.

DorisMarie

Any one ever have the rapid heartbeat side effect? i'm assuming it is anemia..starts long about the 5th day after tx..is better this am..was kinda bothering me yesterday eve...

DorisMarie

hugs jazzy..I ordered red curley hair when mine regrows....did not buzz cut..still got some..all white..looks like ostrich fuzz..LOL..

Babs37

((((Jazzyj)))) I know how you are feeling right now because it was a very hard thing for me too to loose my hair. Just before my hair fell, my husband and my son (who was 4 at the time) shaved my hair. The rest came out all at once in the shower. I remember it like it was yesterday. I cried a good cry in the shower that day.But I got used to my "new look" fast enough. Your scalp will be a little tender in the beggining but it will get better. I wore scarves at first when my scalp was tender and waited a bit for the wig. REMEMBER ***IT WILL GET BETTER!!***

borntosurvive

Just trying to catch up after a long weekend away.  I'm hoping everyone was a SE free week and that all good things come this week. 

It was hard for me to lose my hair but I just kept saying it was all temporary.  I LOVED my wig and I knew that once I was done it would all grow back - and it has grown back very quickly.  I realized that I didn't need my hair (or boobs) to live and infact needed to get rid of them in order TO live.  It's hard though when you read magazines and it's ALL about the boobs and hair.  I just thought of my bald head as my "warrior hair".  Hang in there xo

Best thing this weekend:  well there were lots!  We spent a great weekend with various friends and family.  On Canada day my DH took my youngest home to bed and I stayed at the BBQ with my oldest son (3.5 years old) and we watched the fireworks.  His face was priceless.  He was exhausted but hung in there.  When we were driving home he was half asleep and said, "Mommy will we be on the road forever?".  He just wanted to be home in his bed.  I'm blessed every day to be able to share moments with my family and create memories.  One day at a time.  xoxo

Fighter_34

LuvRving-Your story is very inspiring! (((HUGS)) Live with no regrets. I like that.

Annie (((SMILE)))

I was one of the millions w/o POWER (*&^%$) this weekend. We got are lights back late Sunday evening, but there are still so many w/o power.  Send happy thoughts our way as we try to get back to normal.

Ladies let's enjoy what we have!!

Tazzy

Traffic Circles... oh what fun.   They installed the first one where I live now a couple of years ago... and I remember watching people driving up and not having the faintest idea of who had right of way, or what to do.   The sheer terror on their faces.    Coming from England I'm used to 'em.

Great jokes Bernie & Cocker.

Good luck Jazzy - its ok to be weepy (well I think it is anyway).   Thinking of you for your 2nd treatment.

Happy, positive thoughts coming your way Fighter.

To everyone else hope you are having wonderful days with very minimal, bearable SEs. 

JAN69

DorisMarie---I ordered straight red hair for my regrowth.  Orders somehow got mixed up, and I was delivered gray again!  It has come in thinner and softer than before and very hard to manage.  I've had a couple of trims, but it still looks like I'm a chemo patient.  (Don't worry younger gals, I'm old and thinning hair is part of the old-age package.)

For me, getting buzzed was a huge emotional ordeal.  It was the outward and so very obvious symbol of my disease.  No scarf, hat, cap, could cover it up.  Far worse than my mastectomy!  Yes, hair comes back.  Not always in the color ordered.

To all of you who are in treatment, hugs and love and support to cope with the SEs.  Focus on the goal:  NED.  

Jan

BernieEllen

Two neighbours were having a chat when one said, 'I took my dog to the vet today because it bit my mother-in-law.'
The other asked, 'Did you put it to sleep?'
'No, of course not,' said the first, 'I had its teeth sharpened

kathyrnn

Jazzy- I'm glad the the mouth sores are better, but please don't recommend Ron's Rum to any newbies, it will just confuse the h*ll outta of them :-). Did you order your wigs from Paula Young. If you did they are returnable. Happy Anniversary. As to the Buzz, it is a shock to all, but just own it and think of it like your "warrior hair" like Fighter said. (((HUG)))



I know it's wrong Tazzy, but I do love those "sheer terror" looks, too!



I just took poor Mom to have two teeth pulled, so I'll be spending the holiday at home.





Titan - now that is plain scarey. Up here only motorized vehicles allowed on major highways and there is a minimum speed limit. Buggies would not be allowed up here, only on regular roads.



Luv - I definitely want to see that video.



Cocker & Bernie - thanks for the laughs.



Doris - I had rapid heartbeat from the anemia, but be sure to mention it to your doc.



Nope Jan, you win. Standing behind 50 people with one item each would put me over the edge. Funny how the written word is different, it never crossed my mind that you would be 70. Your persona here is much younger.



Riley, Thank God my Mom is almost blind, she doesn't notice things like that anymore.



When it comes to the hair loss, I guess I'm like Inmate, I decided to own it and make it joyful. Feel bad for my poor chemo nurse that day. My chemo was 3 hours late, she couldn't get an order she needed (onc's office is 100 feet away). Told her to get the order or I would because I has 25 friends coming to a Shave The Head Pool Party at 6:00 and I had cooking to do!!!!

We had a blast. I had made silly things for everyone to wear. We played get to know you games because some of my friends hadn't met each other. We ate like pigs! When it was time to shave my head, each one of my friends took a swipe. I didn't say anything, but that stat 1 in 8 was in my mind, realizing that statistically 2 people in the group could be hit with the disease. All I can tell you is that it was a wonderful night of Sisterhood, and i'm glad I did
It that way. Plus I learned
hat swimming with no hair is really fun!

OBXK

Mamabr - Welcome! I am sorry you are in the position of making such a big decision on your own. I hope you get some good advice here.

 Kathy - Stiff hips - Oh Yeah! I forget... after I've been driving for 20 minutes, I spring out of the car and almost fall on my face, as the hips don't do that anymore. I look like the evolution of man from the car to the market.

 Jazzy - The good news is, your scalp will feel less sensitive soon. It was a hard thing for me - both times. HUGS!

Here on the NC coast we say "Come on vacation, leave on probation" We have VERY serious speeding and DUI laws.

Had my blood work done today ... $177.00! Hope to have the results on Friday, so I can move forward in my head.

Happy 4th!

LuvRVing

Kathy - I don't have the ones my daughter  took, but I found this one on Youtube and it is pretty much the same thing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BliGIPQ_KHc

 Just got back from the eye doctor.  At least BC hasn't messed with my eyes yet.  New supply of contacts are on order and my glasses are still good. 

And ouch, your poor mom.  That sounds dreadful.  Hope she's not in too much pain!

My pupils are dilated, I can barely see this screen.   Talk to you all later!

christina1961

Lovelyface, "Clean up" is what the trial nurses termed the role for the Halaven after less than a complete response to the neoadjuvant chemo - the hope is that it "cleans up" any microcells that could possibly be floating around in the body following treatment.  One of the trial nurses likened Halaven to a "detergent" not due to its physical properties but because of this potential "clean up" action. From what I've read it seems to my uneducated brain that it is similar to a taxane drug in the way it kills the cells, but it has a different type of action than the taxane.  The hope is that it is more effective against taxane resistant cancer. I think there will be so much more knowledge about all these drugs in 10-15 more years but hopefully by then there will have long been a cure that is much less harsh on the body- and prevention!

JazzyJ

DorisMarise, Babs37! Borntosurvive, Fighter 34', Tazzy, Jan69, Katherynn, OBXX - thanks for the hugs, tips and encouragement. I stopped and got my head buzzed on the way to treatment, so I am sitting here in the recliner with a Beanie on. And you know, it's not the end of the world..... another challenge down.



Borntosurvive - Nothing like a good family and friend filled BBQ. 10 minutes is like forever to kids, right?!

DorisMarie and Jan69 - Cinnamon is on my wish list along with a 28" waste and a butt lift

Fighter34 - Sooooooo sorry to hear about the power! Miserable heat. Hopefully you didn't have damage in your area.

Tazzy - I was one of those confused people when near Boston a few years ago! I almost got us killed!

Katherynn - I understand your point, but I don't think I recommended Rons Rum as much as I tried to make a joke of the name. Would never recommend an Rx drug, but will pay better attention to my wording. Sorry :-)



Hugs to all!

JAN69

Kathy---Oh thank you!  I'm going to print and cut the compliment about my age!  I can't judge how others see me, but I'm so surprised by my age, too.  I've dusted off the exercise bike this week, and go at it about 15 minutes (2+miles) and feel pretty smug when I get off.  My daughter and granddaughter are coming up Saturday to make peach jam.  I can hardly wait. 

One more road story.  Why do they need to repair the road on 4th July week?  Whole miles (or so it seems) of motorhomes, trailers, boats.  Not a nice welcome to our neck of the woods, and makes the locals really pissy. We'll be staying home this week.  Don't want to be tempted to get the gun out.

Jazzy---Good luck with your waistline dream.  I'd be happy with any waistline.  Muffin top, pear shape, droopy 1 boob, that's what I've got and never dreamed of owning.

Christina19---Have you had radiation?  That's what I thought was considered the clean-up.

 And to those of you who have been buzzed lately, love your attitude!  Now the wait-and-see what the new hair will look like.  My best to all.  Jan

TifJ

Losing my hair was the hardest part for me too. I never noticed, until I had no hair, how many hair shampoo/products commercials there are on TV! I just wanted to throw something at the TV every time I saw one!

Cocker_Spaniel

Good Morning Ladies

Lovelyface - re eyelashes.  I have no eyebrows and all my eyelashes are gone except one which is hanging on for dear life.  I just don't have the heart to pull that little one out who just wants to stay,  so leaving it there.

Kathrynn - no mate, its me that will  be away for the five weeks. I have to go up to what is known as The Lodge in Hamilton. Its really very nice.  I will stay there from Monday to Friday and then home each weekend. My dear fellar will be at home in his cafe which is only five minutes away from home.   Its just that I have never been away from him and will miss him so.   If he wasn't starting the cafe he could have come up with me.  They are just like motel suites with lovely large rooms and an ensuite and you go down to the dining room for you meals.  A shuttle bus takes you to the hospital every day for your treatment (half hour) then brings you back and then you can do what you like for the rest of the time.

Painting - good to see you. Glad you found the time to drop in, in between painting.  Hope your shows are going well. 

Titan - are there many accidents in those traffic circles that you talk about. They look and sound like a nightmare.

Melissa119 - I too wondered if the chemo was working as apart from days 3-7 I felt great.   So hopefully it is. 

Jan69 - I'm 65.  I'm not sure who is the oldest on this site as don't know everyones ages.  But I would never have picked you for 70.  You sound so young when you type (Does that make sense).  You must have a young outlook.  I choke up when I hear about little children having cancer. They bear it so bravely must better than I did.  At least I have had 65 years,  some of those little soles don't seem to have had much life at all.

Dormac - I lost my hair at the 2 week mark.  Was a bit painful but its very nippy when I go out because the hats have little air holes in so your head can breath and the cold air goes through it.  I'm looking forward to my hair coming back. 

Jzzyi - can you not get fish and chips in Florida.    Your 2nd treatment will go fine.  Just you hang on in there.

Titan - what are Amish Buggies?

Borntosurvi - hang in there with your memories of your family they are priceless.  Your little fellar "will we be on the road forever" sounds absolutely gorgeous.  I just love children's little sayings they are so cute.

Fighter - sending "light" happy thoughts your way.

Kathrynn - what's Ron's Rum.   Oh your poor mum.  I feel sure nothing is worse than going to the dentist - you are completely at their mercy and I always hope they are having a good day lol.  I twist my paper tissue around and around in my hand until its in shreds.  Hope your mum is ok.

Karen - why do we "think" we can still spring out of a car and then find we can't anymore.  I still think I am young enough to do lots of things until I try to do them.  Flaming heck, your blood work is expensive. 

Have a good day ladies.  Kick up those heels and have some fun.  Annie                                                 

Tazzy

For me losing our hair is so hard cos its the first ourward public showing that we have cancer - but then once I got used to it, and I have, it became an outward public showing that I am fighting and beating this disease - so take that cancer ! 

Tifj... I noticed how much bloody money I saved on hair products

And if you notice on the link that Luv sent there are no traffic lights or no lines for each lane.  Chaos at its best.   Have to wonder why there are not so many accidents.

Cocker_Spaniel

Cocker_Spaniel

DorMac

Inmate - Congrats on the good news - Keep up the good work!

Kathrynn - what a clever and positive spin to put on losing one's hair! Keep up that attitude!

LuvRVing - that was a scary video - it might help if they had lines painted to indicate the lanes - those motorcycle riders sure do take their lives into their hands!

Kellycbk - sorry to hear that you had nausea so bad - I have to admit, that was the one SE I feared the most. Luckily, with TC, I didn't have it. My sister had it, as well as very bad mouth sores, and I know she considered stopping her chemo because of it until they gave her something that helped a bit.

Painting - glad you had the chance to pop in and say Hi! Good luck with your shows.

Jazzyj - happy anniversary!

CS - hang in there, lone little eyelash - it's making a statement!

CS and Bernie - Keep ‘em coming - we all love the laughs!

Good luck to everyone going through treatments this week and/or dealing with SE's - hope they are all minimal. Hope all Canadians had a safe and happy Canada Day and wishing our American neighbours a Happy 4th of July!

Also, good luck and hope relief comes to those dealing with the heat, fires, flooding, etc.

Doreen 

JAN69

Annie, So thoughtful of you to wish us Yanks a happy 4th.  I taught English to foreigners for many years.  They never caught the spirit of our unique holidays.  I'm sorry, but you are the only NZer I know, so I don't have a clue what is unique to your country.  Just keep telling me I sound young, that helps me more than anything the sod ever says. You haven't mentioned your hands and fingers lately (unless I missed it), how are you doing?  As you can perhaps tell, I don't do much around home.  I have time to "play computer" any time I choose.  We are fairly isolated here in the mountains, so meeting friends for lunch is a special treat.  Going into the "big city" is an event.   I miss teaching horribly, but at my retirement, my husband, the sod, was having serious heart trouble.  Then along came the triplets, and my grandma persona took over.  Cherrio, or something like that.  Jan

JAN69

For those suffering from mouth sores,  I found that brushing my teeth with todler or kid size toothbrush didn't irritate my gums.  The bristles are softer.

kathyrnn

Haven't caught up yet but Jazzy, no, no, no! I was just teasing you. (see how the written word doesn't come across right sometimes. That's why I put the grin sign

after.). I was just sitting laughing to myself, how confused in the future a newbie with mouth sores would be when you told them to ask their doctor to prescribe "Ron's Rum". Then I got laughing even harder when I imagined the doctor's perplexed look when they got the request. Just teasing hun, just teasing. (HUG)

DorisMarie

hair..is gone..shaved it off..what was left up there looked frazzled..and sooo stubborn about hanging on..so..I'll be going topless for the 4th...

sore mouth..1/2 teaspoon salt and soda in a pint of water..rinse and spit often..especilly after eating or drinking...I use the baby toothbrush and biotene toothpaste..and very gentle with the flossing..

mouth was a wee bit more raw this time than with 1st tx...

Tazzy

Amish buggies... would that be horse and cart ?

onvacation

Yes, that is how the Amish get around!

JazzyJ

Tifj- I feel the same about weight loss commercials.... They are all BS!

Jan69 - that dream left when I married a Chef..... Muffin top too. So hate the Baggie butt thing. I've never had a butt..... All from the waste up.

Cocker- we can get Fish & Chips in FL, but not like in England. Somehow the batter there stays crispy from one end of the fish to the other. Never had better. Funny story went I went in to a REAL Pub, the ceilings were so low that I had to be careful when walking around. I am 6' in my bare feet, so had to watch myself!

Tazzy - I really love what you wrote and plan to feel the same way very soon!

DorMac - A great anniversary, thanks!!

Kathernn- Thanks for clarifying... I thought is was funny but I am easily ammused and take very little personal :-) Hugs back!!

DorisMarie - We were shaving partners today (virtual). Free if the 'wait'......



So glad I listened to earlier advise (can't remember from who?) to buzz early. My hair just started falling out today in great mass, so after having a good cry, I made an appointment with a very kind gal who got me in right away. Soooo glad I saved myself the worry of the wait... I don't do that very well. I just can't believe the amount of hair just from this morning..... Like a Bear shedding in the spring. Is was unreal!



And lastly, 50% of the way through phase One now, A/C. After giving me 3 doses of port plunger, they finally got blood drawback and all was good from there! Hubby and I even went to Lobster Lady for dinner Beanie and all!



Hugs to all! Glad you are a part of my life.

Tazzy

English fish batter trade secret....  lemon juice and beer added to the mixture.   My Mum was in catering

JazzyJ

Lemon Juice and Beer.... Will have to give it a try, or hubby will since I dont cook. Just told him about it so will let you know how it goes. Thanks for the tip!