Has anyone started a Dec 2011 group?

Tskaiser75

Good morning ladies. I am on day 3 of VIP visit in hospital.  Hoping to be released this afternoon. Boy this has been a long hard road but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. naan congrats on your taxol treatments, after 4 treatments of AC I was suppose to have 12 of the taxol, I could only take two - SE hit too hard to fast so I had to change to taxotere thank goodness I only had to have three of those; each time was worse, but the best news is I am done with Chemo!!! Yeah me!  It has been a long ride and I too wanted to jump, definitely glad its over! Hang in there naan your time is almost there.

Mardibra

Naan - we are waiting for you to join us at the finish line. Only two more!!

rachelvk

Teresa - Sorry you've been in the hospital. Hope things are getting better. How's the swelling? I still have slight ankle swelling (not quite elephant level) and I probably should call my MO for a water pill - last week she said to call if it wasn't better this week. Hopefully I'll remember tomorrow.

 I get my port out next Tuesday. I can't wait. I hope it's okay being 7 weeks pfc and no flush. I think they said it needs to be flushed every 6-8 weeks, so that should be fine. Couldn't get BF's schedule to work this week, and I'd like the option of staying in Philly if it hurts anywhere near as much as getting the port put in did. That lets me recover overnight before I have to get in a car and drive. I'll also be seeing the gynecological oncologist that day, too. Time to start monitoring the ovaries and plan for an ooph. Maybe towards the end of the year or early next year. I've had enough surgery for a while.

Baileybump

Oh, Teresa, so sorry to hear about your hospital stay.  If nothing else, I hope you were able to get some good rest.  Take care of yourself. . . and CONGRATS on being done with chemo!

Naan - - we're on this side of the finish line waiting for you to cross.  You can do it!

Rachel - - good luck with the port removal!  It will be nice to get rid of that "object" also.

I was placed on a 3-day "break" from radiation because my skin was misbehaving.  Today was day 2 and I am SO thankful for the break.  As much as I want to be done with the rads, I really needed the break.  I'm actually hoping he lets me  have off on Friday, too. . . and start again on Monday.  I have 5 boosts to go!

Mardibra

Theresa - welcome to the finish line! So sorry about the hospital stay. Chin up girl!

Sunrise79

Hello Ladies!



It's been a while since I posted, but Im happy to see that most of you are at or near the finish line!



I had my BMX on March 30, was in the hospital for a few days, had the drains taken out at day 10. The took 8 nodes on the left side and one on the right, and all came back clear. I then developed painful swelling in my chest at my armpits, and axillary web syndrome under my left arm. So, I'm seeing a lymphedema specialist twice a week.



I also started chemo again. TX 5 of 6 is finito! I had a 2 month gap in between 4 and 5 and my hair has grown so much, I look like Sinaed O'Connor, or maybe a chia pet. Im thinking it's going to fall out again, right?



Also, my kids have finally hit their breaking point emotionally, especially my 5 year old. She has been misbehaving so much, she has grown horns. So I'm working on counselling for both of them,



Anyway, that's the scoop, sorry I haven't posted in a while. Hope all is well with everyone!

Whatashocker3

Bailey, I finished my last rad on Monday. Yah!! I can tell you that I am burnt like a pretty bad sun burn. The RO says that my skin will react for another week and then get better. I did nit have a reaction until week 3 and I had a total of 4 wks with a bolus everytime. The gift that keeps on giving. Still looking for some eyebrows it has been almost 3 months:(. They tell me to start moving on but my body hasn't gotten the hint.



I do put coconut oil on my head every night and I take biotin. Does anyone else still have missing eye hair???

Mardibra

My last chemo was 3/1 and my eyebrows started to come in pretty quickly. Eyelashes are back too but very short right now. I put on tons of mascara! I'm most concerned about my head...start growing please. I look like a Marine with patches on the top. But, very soft.



I start rads on Tuesday and they told me to expect a bad reaction. I'm blonde, blue eyed, and fair skinned. I'm hoping it won't be too bad.

naan1004

Thanks ladies, I'm almost at the finish line, will be there with the rest of u soon.



Teresa K, hope u get discharged soon and feel better!

Whatashocker3

Mardibra:( where are my eyebrows? I could do without eyelashes but please give me some eyebrows. This is torture!! Not sure why it is taking so long? But I have no eye hair, a little bit of head hair and my right chest area is burnt.:(. I think for most people the eye hair comes back quickly. Except for me! Lol. Oh well. All in time. Patience is not one of my virtues.



I am dark eyes and freckly and my skin did not react until week 3. Keep slapping on the lotion even if your skin is not reacting. I finished chemo 3/21 and started rads 4/8. I wanted to get it done and over with as I am taking a holiday with my mom and older son 5/28.



I am happy it is all over with but would love to have some progress on my physical appearance so I could feel normal. Not having eye hair is the kicker for me. I can work with the wig but would love to do without painting on eyebrows everyday.



That is it for my complaining I will move on now:). Thank you all for listening.

Mardibra

Whata - I hear ya. Patience is not my thing either. I'm so so anxious for my hair to come back. I know it will eventually but the patchiness has got me worried. I'm sick of wearing a wig everyday and now that I'm about to start rads, I feel like I'm in the home stretch. But without hair I'm such a whiner! Your brows and lashes will come back soon...just hang in there. I should take some of my own advice!

seacretgardn

Teresa, hoping you're feeling better, congrats on being done with chemo yay!

Naan, hang in there, almost done!

Sunrise, sorry about the lymphedema. 

2 weeks since my final chemo, still no eyebrows, no eyelashes.  

My once blonde hair is coming in darker patches but not on top.  My daughter agrees we should buzz my head again until the top catches up. 

I just can't wear the wig, not sure what I'm going to wear to work.  The baseball cap I sport everyday just isn't  right for the office. 

Otherwise it's been a good day and I'm anxious to get started and finished with radiation. I have a few more weeks to wait.

A good day to all!

Hugs, Laura

Sunrise79

Laura, my hair came in patches until it all filled in pretty quickly. At one point, when I was in the hospital for my surgery, I had the baby pattern baldness in the back of my head, too.

seacretgardn

Thanks Sunrise! 

I'll try to have more patience.  I keep dreaming about having hair.  Lots of it!

Hope you are feeling well.

Hugs, Laura

dougieswife

So far, the eyebrows are hanging on...for once, I look like I have great shaped eyebrows...they are a little thinner, though.  Eyelashes...VERY thin and have a bald spot on my left eye.  I always had super long, semi thick eyelashes so as long as I use eyeliner and mascara, I can hide the bald spot somewhat.  On the hair front...it's really starting to come in.  Well, I'm still bald, but fuzzier...and with in just a week, I went from "white", barely visable fuzz to dark brown, visable fuzz on the sides.  The back is getting softer and softer....but...I'm still bald...

I had my 2nd Herceptin only treatment yesterday...it's such a breeze compared to everything else.  I get a really bad backache and my legs feel like lead for a bit but that is it.  

When I was meeting with my MO, the nurse came in first (as usual) and when she went out, I heard her telling my dr that I was in there and I was doing great...my dr. let out a "Wooo Hooo"...that was cool.  He is a really young dr...probably my age (39 as of yesterday, LOL) so I think he "gets" me and my concerns.

Here's a little funny from today.....I was walking to pick up Jake from school and the little neighbor girl passed me.  I had my wig on.  When I got home, I took that thing off and just threw on my hat.  I went outside to get the mail and she was over playing with Jake.  She looked at me and said..."I just saw you with your hair down and now it's all gone".  I didn't miss a beat and just said, "yep"....and continued about my business, LOL!!

Hope everyone has a glorious weekend and Mother's Day!!!!! 

mamabee

Whata - I'm 6 weeks PFC and I haven't had eyebrows or lashes since February. I understand your frustration. My natural hair is pretty light too - dirty blonde/light brown - so it's hard for me to draw in a realistic brow. One eye has some lashes but the other is nearly bare, and I'm not seeing any new growth. My head has white fuzz. At least I don't have to start shaving my legs yet....Yeah, this sucks.

naan1004

Happy Mother's Day!

rachelvk

Lori - Glad to hear your eyebrows are hanging in there. Mine have thinned, but they're there. Eyelashes are haphazard. None on the bottom right eye, almost none bottom left. I'm finding eyeliner does help.

I had some sprouts of new hair, but now it seems like a few of the old hairs that stuck around are taking there leave. What??? Not badly, but about 3 came out the other night as I was checking for new growth. Sigh...

Otherwise I am starting to feel much better. I still have to be careful not to exert myself, but I'm almost back to walking normally for a good part of the day.

Happy Mothers Day to everyone. 

dougieswife

More eyelashes are falling out!! BOO!!!! However, everyday there seems to be more growth on my head!!! Hubby even said that it is really coming on! Yay!!!



Met with the PS today. Got a better understanding of my Exchange. My left side has some scar tissue that he is going to clip. It is also a bit smaller than the right. He was talking about filling it a bit more, but figured it would be ok. I did not want to be filled again. Feeling a bit more at ease about the whole Exchange.

Sunrise79

Hi Lori, it's good to hear your hair's growing back in! Since I had 2 months between tx 4 and 5 my hair grew in pretty quickly. Unfortunately, it started falling out again. My son and I were looking at the calendar and guessed it would start falling out between May 14-18. Well, we were one day off. It started falling out yesterday. I dont want to deal with it fallingout again, so, i went in to Great Clips and had a very nice girl shave it off for me. I think I caught her off guard, considering she had no idea I was sick, but he played it off really well. So, my super soft hair is gone, replaced with what feels like sandpaper.

Take care!

markat

Hey everyone. Hope you all are doing well. I'm recovering from my BMX with TE's on 5/2. I got my path report and the chemo completely got rid of all the cancer....even in the lymph nodes! I was really confused at the BS's office today. She had already called to tell me but today was the official appointment. I actually asked her if she was sure I had cancer to start with. She laughed and said yes you had a ton of cancer. Its probably the pain pills and it will all sink in later.



Still getting herceptin and will start tamoxifen I assume. Have any of you started Tamoxifen yet?

Mardibra

I don't start until after radiation. So, beginning of July.

rachelvk

Markat - Fantastic news! It's always reassuring to see 'proof' that chemo works. Wishing you a speedy and easy recovery. Just keep those arms moving - if you're not working with a physical therapist, make sure to get some good exercises to help your recovery.

I get my port out tomorrow. Yeah!!! I am really glad I had it for chemo, but it's been a pain. It didn't keep me from playing violin, but it occasionally got irritated. I just hope it doesn't hurt as much getting it out - they numb the area, but don't sedate you. Not sure I like that idea... 

naan1004

Rachel, congrats and good luck with the port removal!

dougieswife

I want my port out, too, Rachel....but I have Herceptin for the rest of the year.  Congrats on getting yours out!!!!!!  

markat

Thanks Rachel. Congrats on getting your port out! I have to keep mine for Herceptin also. I'm not getting any PT but I've been moving my arms and have full range of motion.

Kelloggs

Markat - I started Tamoxifen May 1st...so far so good except for the dreaded hot flashes.  I started taking it in the evening and the hot flashes woke me up so I switched to taking it in the morning.  It has improved.  Congrats on the chemo working....feels great to know it was all worth it, huh?!

Mardibra

I keep forgetting I have the port!  Need to make an appointment to get the thing out.

naan1004

Just got Taxol 11/12, only 1 more to go, yay!!!

rachelvk

Yeah naan! My computer is Down so i'm using my iPod A NOT used to tiny keyboard



Port is gone!!!! A little a achy but I can manage. More when I can actually type (such a Dino - I rarely even text.