April 2011 chemo

Sarah246

Thanks Kiwimum, I never heard of that cream for radiation. I Googled it and didn't find it  here in US. Is anyone using any other kind of creams for  radiation? Kiwimum, do you know how long you are suppose to start using creams before  radiation.

Rangermom glad to hear you are ok and that things turned out ok.

Welcome Lola, glad to have you here. Don't worry, I had to make myself start posting and it's been interesting and helpful posting  with everyone.

KiwiMum

Sarah246 - I don't know how long you are supposed to start using creams for before radiation but my physio thinks that the more moisturized and soft your skin is when you start the better.

I'm off on a school trip with my 6 year old daughter today.  I don't know why I agreed to going in a bus with 40 screaming excited children?  I will need a stiff drink tonight.

YaYa5

rangermom, it's WONDERFUL to hear from you!  i'm so happy it went well for you and that the anticipation was the worst part.  big sigh of relief and hugs coming your way.

windlass, i won't be finished with TCH until november.  so we'll be doing the 'hard-core" treatment together.  we'll just march right through it and be fine!  

Merilee

Way to go Ranger mom, pay if forward, what a gracious thought. Keep those candles going.

pawprintgirl24

i found out today that i have to pay a co pay for the rads!!!!!! every visit!!!50.00 a day!!!1550.00!!!!i was doing great til then!i think i am going to lose it!!i was doing really good and now this is just the straw that broke the camels back!!!i just want to go scrub all these sharpe marks off of me and not ever go back!!!!!

i think this is the lowest i have felt through all of this!!!UGH!!!!

Merilee

Oh my goodness Pawprint. Tell us again how many you have had so far? That really sucks and I don't blame you for being upset. Insurance does not cover Xclair either at $68 tube. Just shameful that they won't cover  the cream to keep us from burning during this process. And to charge for life saving radiation is an atrocity as well. Shame, shame shame on that hospital as if they are not getting enough, They have to milk a sick  person for an extra $50... Greed at i'ts finest!

Merilee

Merilee

Ginger the hair question

I am about 8 weeks out from chemo and I have 1/4 of hair. Not enough to style in anyway but at least my head is not bald and shiny. First it came in white/Blonde and now it is very dark almost black. I have always been a natural blonde so go figure???????

Lord only knows how it will be in the end, I am taking advantage of it being so short and using scalp conditioner. Hopefully it will help with the hair condition once it grows a bit more.

seeay

Geo - Heard that it always comes in white because the pigment cells are secondary.

Artiecat - did you find a good link to read about the estrogenic stuff?

Windlass - hang in there! Think positive and maybe the new hair wont leave???

Kiwi - ugh! The weight gain and the hot flashes are so annoying!! I hate when people say, "Yes! But you're alive!" I get that...but still...you know...

Ginger and Pawprint- the hair loss is kinda getting to me as well. I am so ready for regrowth - let's go baby!

Profbee - xoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxo

Lola - Most of those SE stopped for me about 3.5 weeks after my last one (just now!) Hang in there -

Rangermom- glad to hear your news! Love hearing positive news! Keep it coming!

OK - so my new favorite line is "Did you have a fun summer?" I heard this over and over at my children's first day back to school (with the scarf on my head, no eyebrows or lashes, etc..). i wanted to respond, "Oh My goodness! It was a blast! next summer you should try it! No - really. It's all you next year!"

profbee

Thanks SO much, everyone! I'm going home later today. Feelin good. Surgery was delayed for a few hours, but smooth sailing from there! Nodes are a lll clear too! Yay! Lots of love to you all!!

sweetcorn

At 6 weeks PFC, what hair I have is mostly whitish, was a dark blonde with highlights.  But now I am noticing the darker sprouts coming in.  We shall see it all ends up looking like!  I also do Nioxin scalp conditioner and Biotin, hoping that helps a little.

It is so good hear Rangermom's good news, and a welcome to Lola.  

Jane

Merilee

Profb

Clear nodes is awesome news!

RangerMom

Articat - what date is your surgery? I know you told us somewhere in older posts but i think its coming up this week. 

Get my drains out tomorrow and the path report. Can't wait.

Profbee - big happy dance you have good news with the path report and the surgery is over and behind you now. Just one more hurdle you've nailed! 

RangerMom

Question = with no hair and a flat chest, I feel like I don't look very womanly so what suggestions do you all have to feel better when going out in public? Besides make up? Did you get a "training" bra or camisole to start with? I think I need to make a trip to my local breast cancer store and see what's available. Please let me know your thoughts. thanks

Merilee

I used scarves and a pretty necklace. And my favorite  essential oil- Patchouli, and pretty tops. No bra or anything for me as I did not do reconstruction or want a prosthetic.

pawprintgirl24

alot better day today but thanks for the pic merilee!!

glad to hear from both rangermom and profbee!

1st rads today! 30 more to go!

artiecat

RangerMom it sounds like you are doing so well!  Yay!!!!!

Thanks for asking about my surgery.  This morning I had a(nother!) breast MRI, and later today I go  for pre-op.  Surgery is Monday at noon.  Expectation is lumpectomy (because the chemo did such a good job on the tumor) and axillary node dissection - it is the latter that I am least happy about.

Merilee

Articat

That is also fabulous that your chemo has living proof of success! Definitely will light a candle for you Monday and send healing light your way. So glad you will be getting this part behind you!

Merilee

Ranger mom

Once those drains are out there will be no stopping you LOL! I only lasted 4 days with drains and finally called the surgeon and told her they had to come out of I was going to do it, they drove me nuts!

KiwiMum

I agree Merilee.  Life gets so much better once the drains are gone.  Mine were only in 3 days and I was so happy when they came out.

Good news about your nodes Profbee. 

You'll be healed before you know it Rangermom and Profbee.

Good luck Monday Artiecat.

geocachelinda

Hi LolaM ,  welcome to the group.  Glad we were of help to you and supportive even if you were just a "lurker"!  I had my last chemo on Monday and am now going thru the SE's of severe pain from Taxol.  I will be starting my rads in Sept.  I am going thru chemical menopause and will be getting my ovaries removed probably this fall.  Going into full menopause at 45 stinks!  I am bald and can't wait for my hair to grow back!  I never realized how much I enjoyed my hair until now!  I am also considering reconstruction and will discuss it with my breast surgeon at some point. 

Merilee

Geo, I am glad  you are done with chemo but sorry to hear about the pain. I used naproxin 600 mg. Hair, yes, hair is good.(New insight for me too LOL). I also have chemically induced menopause. Quite a little jolt eh? Bright spot...no more periods or the cramps that came with.

RangerMom

Articat - will light a candel at noon on Monday too. I have it set up in my cell phone too to remind me so i can say a prayer. 

Geocachelinda - sorry to hear you still have the Taxol SE's but you are done, right? I start Rads too in Sept. Hope my right arm with the nodes will feel better by then.

 I tried to get these drains out last Wed but the BS said no, too much fluid still. Tomorrow at 9:30 am!  Also getting the path report. She took a lot of nodes so I'm curious to hear how they looked. Will post tomorrow. Thanks all

artiecat

RangerMom - did they do sentinal node or the axillary? 

jackifp

Hiphiphurray for ranger mom and probee, blessings your way for easiest possible recovery.

BernieEllen

Last one yesterday.  Best wishes and hugs to you all.  Hope ueveryone is recovering well.

Merilee

Bernie Ellen, yippy about the last one, hugs back at you, ya made it!

Rangermom we will all be on the edge of our seats waiting with you for that path report.

artiecat

Yay and congrats, BernieEllen!

RangerMom

today is a day of celebration for me! Not only the drains are out but the path report came back with an A+. All clean margins on both breasts, and only 3 of 9 lymph nodes positive. So happy this is such good news and all the cancer is out of my body. and she only had to take 9 nodes! She was very pleased with the incisions. Radiation needed only on the right side. Thank you all for your positive support. Got a call from work too that they missed me! Made me feel really good.

YaYa5

rangermom ... HURRAY!!!  that is the most excellent news.  i'm thrilled for you!