Calling all TNs

pavlovsbell

You ladies are so awesome and I so appreciate your advice about my school program. If I can get the universes to align, I would elect to have surgery during my final four days of class, because then I have a week off before the next class. I saw the MO today and she says I am "clinically" a stage 1a...and of course, we hope I remain there after surgery. She said I could either do chemo then surgery, or surgery then chemo. She feels strongly that from a oncological perspective, they are equally effective. I'm wondering if things are different from a patient perspective?

Loved hearing from those of you who are years (yay!!) out from diagnosis!

Lisa and Simple, you are in my thoughts and I'm sure we are all ready to hear your good news.

Pavlovsbell

greenae

Hi Friends

Lisa and Simple...thinking of you...sending HUGS! and good results.

Welcome, BAT...great info and friends are here. My PR was weakly positive...which is really negative...no Hormone Therapy for me. Surgery, Chemo, and Recon is next. Wishing an easy road for your wife.

Linda, CONGRATULATIONS! and thanking you showing us light at the end of the tunnel!

To all who are still doing chemo...minimal SEs are my hopes for you...I have 2 more weeks til I am" freed" from my last TC.

Sure don't want to be vain...but do you know of any tricks to get some hair and eyebrows growing? I am not sure if more lashes and brows will go? I lost half to 3/4 of each. I have 1/2 " white and brown fuzz and hairs in patches on my head. I hate that I have to go to Recon SX July 7, with no hair or wig. And I totally forgot this dilemma...what do I do if I make it to a pool or beach by summer's end? I try to distract myself from TN worries by thinking about getting some "normal." I know the hair is months away...as long as it comes back...I'm good.

Hugs to All!

arlene

BAT

Thank you, Arlene

I was afraid of that...just one less bullet to shoot at the cancer.  UGH!

Vr,

BAT

greenae

That's ok, BAT.

We Are Tough and We Will KILL those cells!

Chemo works more efficiently on (KILLS!) rapidly dividing cells, i.e. TN, high grade cells.

WE GOT AMMO!

hugs!

arlene

Lisaj514

hi gals, mammo and U.S. were clear! Yay! Radiologist said scar tissue and normal surgical and radiation changes on L (lumectomy) and normal glandular tissue on R. It was the same radiologist that has seen me prior that read the scans. I actually asked her "are you sure?" I really was ready to hear that there was some suspicious area to biopsy. Relieved! I was actually calmer that I thought I'd be at the test. I think we get mentally stronger as time goes on. I'm normally a crier when I get nervous. And it hurt on the L sid but I worked on my breathing to stay clam, except for when they tell you to hold your breath, Lol!

Well thanks for the good wishes.

Waiting for your results, simple, and hoping for good things

slyv, how are you doing with your treatments?

Arlene, I was so anxious about the hair regrowth also. If you have 1/2" already, that's great! It will grow fast now. And this is the perfect time of year to go really short. No one will probably notice, and you live in NYC, so you'll look edgy and cool. Wear big earrings, some cool sunglasses and go for it. I actually used coconut oil and castor oil on my head. Look it up. Supposed to stimulate hair growth. Don't know if it helped but it felt good to do something. Rubbed it in my head then put a bandana on over and left on for an hour or so then washed off. I bought something called model brows online rec by a BC.org girl. Brushed on brows, maybe helped. A friend sells essential oils and cedar wood oil is supposed to be good for hair growth. It just felt good to be trying something. Made me feel like I was in some control. This was how I looked last summer

when just starting to go top less. About 2 wks after this I finished rads and no covering full time unless in an air conditioned place then wore a baseball cap. Filled in eyebrows here. Second pic is a 5k I ran 1 wk later!

gf

greenae

Lisa

GREAT NEWs! I am so happy for you! And I know you feel relief. Ugh. Waiting for results is the worst.

Wonderful pics, and thank you for the hair advice. My hair is much more sparse than yours is in the 2 pics. I am afraid. But I just had last TC 1 week ago, so hopefully, in a month or 2 it will thicken. And I will try some coconut oil, tree oil, and ask my MO about vitamins, etc. Love your earrings, and funny... Date of first pic is date of my upcoming recon sx, and I see my favorite salad dsg in your cabinet. Lol! Great shot of you finishing! I can't wait to get back to the gym. One more week of SEs, and I shd be good to go!

You look Mahvellous!

Stay Healthy!

Love, arlene

slv58

Lisa-YEAH! I'm so happy to hear everything is normal and good for you for being proactive! Please Ladies never give up on self checks and being aware!

Simple waiting to hear from you- we are all here sending prayers and positive thoughts, hugs.

Arlene you look so great! I know your nervous about your feelings after chemo, but trust me, with time you will feel more confident in your body and know things will be fine. Cancer won't be on your mind all the time and daily life will resume with much more normalcy.

My daughter forced me to go out without my wig a little before I was actually emotionally ready, but she thought I looked great (love her!) and knew I needed to get past the hurtle of wig wearing. I have to tell you having her support during my "coming out topless" experience was not only really helpful but I never wore my wig again!

I hope everyone is doing GREAT! I'm making it through chem with very few SE, thankfully! My hair is thinning quite a bit as this chemo attacks cancers ability to replicate rather than fast growing cells. Not sure if I'll loose all my hair again but it's ok- been there and it's really not a biggie in the scheme of things! Love to all

Shari

greenae

Shari

Thank you! I agree, I was so prepared for the hair loss, it has been the least of my issues. My wigs look better than my real hair did, and I am looking forward to not having to dye it brown every 4 weeks ever again. But my real hair was thinning, so I guess I am afraid the Taxotere may have made that issue worse? I have read some rotten things about re-growth troubles after Taxotere, and am hoping my hair could maybe come back thicker? I will wait and see. Just happy to be here, and can't wait for recon to be over, and life starting again! Thanks so much for your words and support!

Love, arlene

slv58

Arlene I came back from docetaxol with the hair I always wanted! I loved the color when it came in- a silver grey, I decided to wait and see how it looked before dying it and am happy I did! As time went on it lost the silver :-( but took on an ash blonde (?) as in pic. I don't dye it and it is much healthier and shiny. It has come in a bit thicker and definitely straighter! I don't know if it helped but I used nioxin shampoo and conditioner as well as taking biotin and B6.

I must admit the first year of hair growth seemed very slow but has since picked up and now have my pre chemo length- actually longer! Hugs hon! 😃

eileenpg

Arlene= Here I am with my BF on my post cancer trip. Six months since chemo. I had brown hair to my bottom of my jaw line. This is my new color and the new me.

Everyone says I look great and yes "YOUNGER"

greenae

Thanks, Eileen and Shari!

You both look Great! I will be patient and hope for hair as nice as yours!

I will ask my MO about the vitamins/supplements when I see her . My PS won't let me take anything until after my recon sx.

Hugs!

Arlene

anotherNYCGirl

YAYYYY LISA!! So happy to read your update!!

Everyone looks wonderful in their photos!!

My hair was soooooo slow to look like real hair, but it is, indeed, happening! My dermo and onc drs said to try biotin, which I was taking until last week's lat flap procedure. Maybe it helped, not sure, but will go back on it in a few days. I am very salt and pepper colored, more so than pre-chemo.

Arlene, my eyelashes and brows fell out a few weeks pfc. They were quick to return though!

MomMom

Lisa - So, so happy to hear your great news!!!  You were in my thoughts & prayers.

Simple, praying for an equally good outcome for you next week. 

Eileen, you & your beau look marvelous!!!  You are in Paris - right?  Good for you!!

Everyone looks great. 

Paula

greenae

hi anothernycgirl!

Hoping ur recovery has been smooth !

Oh boy... Ya think this last round will knock out my lashes and brows? I am 10 days PFC. Omg! That's the first time i used PFC! Actually, PFI... Final infusion, but who's counting? Lol

Beautiful day in the 5 boros...Enjoy!

Love, arlene

pavlovsbell

You guys are SO inspiring! I'm known for my long auburn hair, so I'm extremely anxious about the impending hair loss. It's stinking hot and humid here in KY and I really dread the idea of covering up. Unless I have a really malformed head shape, I think I may go for it!

Pavlovsbell

simplelife4real

I got my biopsy results last night....FAT NECROSIS!!! Best news ever and I'm glad I didn't have to wait out the entire weekend for it. Thank you for everyone's kind words and support. I really appreciate it.

Now I feel like I can get back to my "regularly scheduled programming!!"

eileenpg

Simple= For the first time in my life I love the word"FAT" Congratulations.

Cocker_Spaniel

Simple who would have thought we would be ecstatic to have fat necrosis but we sure are.  Wonderful news. Now you can stop worrying.  Some retail therapy in order perhaps??

Eileen you look absolutely wonderful and the young man with you is a "bit of all-right" too.  You don't look younger, you look young.

On the subject of hair. I never could wear my wig it was so uncomfortable and I thought it looked false so I wore hats (as it was winter) and then tied on pretty scarves as the weather got warmer.  I was very naturally  auburn pre chemo with wavy hair but mine came back in thinner, grey with silver tips and straight as it could get. I don't miss the red but I do miss the wave.  A lot of people on chemo come back in with really curly hair but alas mine didn't. 

You ladies on here are all looking so fantastic.  Would re-born be the word.   

Pavlosbell one of the ladies here in Taupo didn't want anything on her head winter or summer and just went natural.  Her head got a nice tan and she looked wonderful.  I always wished I had her courage.  If your weather is so hot just go au naturale.

My beloved friend Linda.  I could hardly believe it has been six years.   Must be the same for Titan and Gillyone now.  So wonderful to hear from you.  Yep my sense of humour has not abated although not so much on here as we used to have.  Remember when we used to laugh the whole day through, so much better for us than any chemicals. The vinegar only comes out at the same time that the word recurrence comes out and I think always will.  Just hate that word and nobody needs to hear it unless necessary.  Hope your gorgeous girls are well and happy.  Keep in touch my friend with all that you are doing.  We need 'old timers' like you.  xxooxx    

anotherNYCGirl

Simple, - WONDERFUL NEWS!!

greenae

yayYAYYAYAY!!!!! Simple---so glad to hear!

slv58

Kay, Yahoooooooo! And Yepeeeeeee! Fat necrosis is wonderful! Let's celebrate ladies

MomMom

Kay, Wonderful news!!! I'm at the beach and didn't think it could be any better but you've made my day with your fantastic news!!

Paula

shorfi

Simple...fat necrosis is absolutely wonderful news. Went through that myself four times and it's music to your ears when you here it. So happy for you

Lisaj514

simple, that's great! So glad and relieved for you! We've had some good news here. Let's keep it goin

Luvmydobies

Lisa and Simple, so happy to hear your good news!!!!! WooooooHoooooo!!!!!

Teka

Yes, carry on with good news!!

I would like to share the following........................

Friday night we kept hearing a noise outside that sounded like an animal in distress. Husband went looking and found a fawn about the size of a cat with its leg caught between some sticks. He was able to free the leg while the mama was blowing and stomping her feet. Probably the doe and fawn will graze in our freshly planted vegetable garden this Summer.

*Good Morning, Everyone*

Oddswinner

Cisplatin is the chemo that I'm doing and it's working, 3 out of 4 infusions and my tumor has shrunk so much they couldn't measure it last time. It's bitter sweet, hate the side effects and permenant damage, but if it's kicking cancers butt, I'll take it!

Cocker_Spaniel

Oddswinner what side effects are you getting but so glad its working for you

ALHusband

Oddswinner that is GREAT to hear that Cisplatin is working. Especially great for me because that's what my wife had. However, we never really knew if it did anything at all because it was post lumpectomy (adjuvant). My wife couldn't have Adriamycin because she had had stage 4 Lymphoma 17 years prior to her BC, which they treated with Adriamycin, and Adriamycin has a "lifetime limit". That said, they gave my wife Cisplatin and Taxol. You'll see that it says "carboplatin" under "Chemotherapy" in her profile...but that's actually not true. It's just that Cisplatin is not an option when you're checking the boxes to create a profile, so we picked the closest thing to it. Well she had her two year "cancerversary" this past April and all is well so I guess Cisplatin was a good choice!

ALHusband

Oh. And THREE CHEERS FOR FAT NECROSIS !!!!!!!