Sept 2012 chemo

allurbaddayswillend

<- hair 3 months and one week PFC with one visit to the hairdresser about 2 weeks ago. I have not henna'd yet...

Timbek2

Looks amazing. So thick. I love it. Off to rads. Wish me luck!!

Neta69

Thanks everyone for your kind comments!

Timbek, let us know how it went!

Timbek2

It went horribly. They called me in at 11:45. I didn't finish until after 1. They made me lay on that cold hard table exposed with my arm over my head frozen for that whole time. I wanted to cry. I had to go to the bathroom so bad. I don't know why this happened. They had to remark me. Also they gave me my schedule which showed 33 treatments instead of the 28 we discussed. I'm just really upset right now. Hoping tomorrow is a better day. Xoxoxo



Becki

allurbaddayswillend

oh Becki! That sucks! they should have given your arms a rest or two or three. damn. Well, here's hoping that all that extra effort translates into breezey days to come.

cgesq

Timbek,

Sorry to hear about your terrible experience.   That isn't the way its supposed to be.

Sending you good vibes.  I hope it gets a lot easier from here on!

jojo2373

Ahh Becki, so sorry you went through that. Yes lets hope it is very easy from now on.



Allurbad, that hair is awesome! I am 13 weeks PFC, but am not close to that mane.



Rad #21 today. Still just very pink and speckled, but more itchy. I am using the hydrocortisone cream too now. Going back to the simulator tomorrow to prepare for my boosts. Really looking forward to finishing.



Hope everyone has a great week! I am seeing my MO on Friday and my Genetics Counselor, oh and a port flush. Feeling anxious about returning to the cancer center. Plus when they snap on that needle to my port its chemo deja vu all over.

Faith-Focus-Finish

Hi Becki - I hope next time is much easier for you.  If you find yourself in that situation again, please speak up!  Hugs .....

Allurbad & Jojo - Loving the hair!  It looks awesome.

Since this morning, I've been having shooting/stabbing pains where the expanders are (both sides).  When I left to go to work, 2 tires were low on air.  DH is traveling - one neighbor is also traveling and other neighbors - gone for the day already.  I was on my own .... it was 39' - 5:45am - and still dark.  I had to add air to my tires.  It was very difficult for me.  This is a task I have done quite often and without difficulty.  Stupid expanders are in the way .... I'm going to take a valium in a few minutes and go to bed.  I have been in pain all day ....

jojo2373

Wishing Marian all the best tomorrow! We will all be with you in spirit.

Cocobean

Sorry Timbek! It will get easier for you. 

Congrats to those who finished up chemo...YES! 

Neta, Allurbaddays, Jojo- your hair is looking great! love the pics

Sending you positive healing thoughts Marian!

Only 7 more rads left, big snow storm coming, hoping tx doesn't get cancelled, I just wanna be done....burnt and uncomfortable in my armpit...but hanging in there. My eyebrows and bottom lashes are falling out, it's weird, but at least my hair is growing. Nails are very gross. So grateful to be finished with chemo. 

I'm glad we are all moving forward! Here's to growing strength and continued healing! 

fight4two

Timbek - Oh no!! Thats awful. When I had my planning session last Friday, I only had to leave my arm frozen for 10+ minutes and my arm fell asleep and felt terrible, so I can only imagine.... 

I have my first rad tx tomorrow and I feel nervous.  It was supposed to be the 12th so they would have time to create my "plan" but after I pointed out its already six weeks since my surgery they moved it up to tomorrow.  I hope they didn't rush my plan and that its still safe and correct.  I looked at my schedule and there are 35 treatments!! I thought the max that anyone has mentioned having so far is 33, so not sure why I have 35.  How do they even determine how many rads a person gets?? I qualify for the 3 week trial, but they decided against it because you can't radiate the nodal area, and I had positive nodes.  So from three weeks to a full seven??  I'm nervous!!  I hope my pale skin that burns easily can hold up!

fight4two

Cherioo - Did you mention you've started tamoxifen already?  My MO gave me the script but told me to start after rads. Not sure why.

Jojo - is the rads doing anything to your scars? I always thought you were supposed to keep scars out of the sun, and I imagine radiation is worse for them?

Mariposa - Hope you are turning the corner and starting to feel better.  Once I started feeling better from surgery, I thought to myself, it can only get better from here, right??

Neta, Allurbad, Jojo - BEAUTIFUL!!! I love how much hair you all have!! I am sporting a splotchy GI Jane look right now, and can't wait to be able to go out and look like I have a hairstyle.  It feels so distant right now, but you give me hope! To make matters worse, my short hairs are making my wig even MORE uncomfortable than usual!

Patricia - Congrats on being done with Chemo!! Wish I could have seen your dance!! The link doesn't work for me.

Hoping we all have a good week and the strength to endure whatever treatments we have planned for the week.  Keep on fighting on! ((HUGS ALL!!))

jojo2373

Fight, the rads makes the scars darker. Hoping it fades after, but who knows?



I too was told no Tamoxifen till rads over, but I see other MO's give the go ahead.

Hopex3

Timbek! I'm so sorry you had to go through that! That must have been miserable for you! I don't have the experience with the rads but it has to get better. Thinking of you!!



Everyone's hair looks great! Mine is getting a little more thicker.



Faith..Sorry about your tire. It figures, doesn't it! I know what you mean about the expanders being in the way. When I'm driving, it's hard to turn and see if a car is coming. Good thing none of you live by me! Lol.



Had my second fill finally. So far so good. They just seem so high up. Like right under my chin. Sooooo tired today. Even had some leg pain. Did someone slip me some taxol? I sure feel like it.



Hugs to all of you going through treatments this week!!

Foreverchanged72612

Ooo, Timbek. I hope things get better from here on in.

Still trying to get ready for surgery and...I got another cold. My ears are plugged back up and my nose is running constantly. I caught this one thanks to slobbery kisses from my 20 month old. I should have been more careful but who has time to throw on a mask with three little boys running around?! Ah well, in hair department at least there is good news...mostly. I have a hairline again!! It's there but very, very short. The not so good part? My chin hair came back.

Neta69

Oh Becky, I'm so sorry to hear you had such an awful experience! Let's hope it's plain sailing from here on.

Jojo and Cocobean, it'll be over soon! The itching was so irritating! The hydrocortisone helps relieve it. My armpit was the most sore as well.

Allurbaddays and Jojo, Love the new pictures!

Marian, I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. I'm sending hope of successful surgery, quick recovery and healing. Xx

Neta69

Forever, Not another cold! That sucks! Hope you feel better soon.

florbo

Faith--I don't know how you are managing with work and all.  Is your port hurting because of the fills?

KelleyB--Can't believe you're almost done.  I'll do a pole dance on your behalf!

Cindi--Your get-together in TN sounded like a lot of fun. It's good to be able to get out and have a change of scenery.

Mariposa--I remember hurting for about a week before this feeling of heaviness came on my chest that lasted for a few weeks. May be it will be different with fills.  I had a DIEP mastectomy.  I hope your nausea and pain wears off soon.

Hope--Your hair is growing fast.

Allurbaddy--Your hair looks thick.

Jojo--Did you use anything else before hydrocortisone?

Marian--Sending you prayers for your surgery and recovery!

Forever--Boo on the cold.  I've been avoiding close contact with my kids because they have been snotty and coughing.  It's so hard.

Timbek--I'm SO sorry to hear about the awful experience with rads.  I do hope the next one will be better.  I'm not there yet, and I hope that no one has to encounter what you had to go through.  Sending you hugs.

My recovery is coming along.  I am experiencing more pain as the healing progresses.  I have been pleasantly surprised with the range of motion I am having even with the muscle loss.  We will have to wait to see if I'll ever be able to do a push again.  My 10 year old has been having fun empyting my drain in the morning and evening.  He feels very helpful and it is also helping with math--real world situations with subtraction/addition/decimals.  I hoping my pathology will come back tomorrow.

Have a good night, ladies!

Amy4978

Read daily but havent been posting much.... Slowly recovering from my surgery. No joke when they say slow and steady wins the race and this is a tough one for me cause I have a bulldozer personality... I love my outcome so far but def feel I habe developed cording in my right side. I see a pt on wednesday so hoping we can work it out. Sucks though since I am right handed and its painful. Im up to 460 cc and think im gonna go big or go home lol... Radiation simulation scheduled for March 26th.

My brother and sister inlaw surprised me with a trip to the smokey mountains over spring break to a remote cabin in the woods among the beautiful views of the mountains! As long as the hubbys vacation time is approved we are going! I can not wait to get away from the daily life of cancer for a while....

I def can see the light at the end of the tunnel but I am also crawling slowly to it drained from the fight of my life but still not stopping.... Love to all... Keep on kicken ass!

Foreverchanged72612

Wow, Amy, that is just fantastic! Have a great time!!!

Neta69

Amy, be gentle with yourself and give yourself time to heal. A trip away sounds great. I'm going away myself over March break. Can't wait.

Fight, lovely picture of you and baby!

Jojo, I'm with you about returning to the centre. I feel the same. I try to say to myself that I'm there as a survivor and my visit is for prevention, thats all. I try to separate myself from the feeling of being a patient. Chin up, shoulders back I walk through hoping other patients may find some hope seeing me looking healthy and well rather than me feeling scared by seeing some of them looking so sick. You are on your way up and out of this. You've got this Jojo!

Hopex3

Amy..Good to hear from you! It is a slow race. But one that we are all winning at our own time. It's hard for me to stay down too. I did see my PS yesterday and he said I can do more things but just listen to my body. I have 360 cc's. he told me my old boob weighed 750 cc's. that was an eye opener. But he doesn't think I should go that big.

That's great about the cabin. Sounds so relaxing and a change of scenery.



Have a great day ladies!

patriciahurtado

Awwww my sisters .... I'm so happy for everyone here that keep on fighting ............ No matter what hang in there it's been 6 months and we are almost done .......



Becky I know it will get better!!'



Amy sounds so good to me!!!



Going to key west before surgery ....



Forever please take care of that cold ASAP .... My daughter that's 19 is always getting a cold every 3 weeks she's worst then a baby.... I told her to stay in her room with Lysol lol.....



My dance was funny and crazy... Ill try to repost it.... Sure not doing a dance right after surgery!!!!! .....



It sounds crazy but I notice my DH sad about my surgery..... And very stress .... So I decided that he needed a break from all this so I sent him to New York for 2 days ......even though it should be all about us I feel that I need to energize him so he can be ok ... He is very emotional.....and so kind .... So he will be back tonight wohoooooo......



This is it ..... Last week if work ...... It's been nice working to keep myself busy ..... Now I will get ready for surgery test and all that ..... I will go back to those post to see what I need to purchase..... Did anyone buy things that really helped??? Please let me know what I should buy....... I have a recliner already.... 3 large pillows..... I need to get sports bra but what size the one with zips on the front right??? Got some fiber bars .... Lol.....



I don't about you my ladies but I don't want any visitors..... Just my sisters....DH and daughter.....it's easier for my to deal with pain around them ... They make me stronger ...... My parents will come after 2 weeks of surgery





Has anyone lost weight...... I'm not trying to loose any .....after surgery ill deal with it......



Virtual healing to all my sisters..........



Jojo I love you hair .... Neta my hair is long too but I'm missing 20 on the left side and 18 on the right side of my hair line .... Lol....

allurbaddayswillend

fight4two, Don't borrow trouble. I am fair skinned and burn easily too but my skin held up quite well through 25 rads and 5 additional boosts. My nipple was pretty sore and sensitive by the end but it was in the boost field too. I moisturized immeediately after rads and then at bedtime at the least. My RO recommends moisturizing. I'm thinking good thoughts for your first rad today. - love your photo too.

yeah, what is with all the facial fuzz? Should I just let it be? will it calm down and lie down soon? thin out? should I wax it?

Thanks for the compliments on the hair. I think it's my normal amount of hair and still a bit thin where the bangs should be coming in - they are growing the slowest - but it is quite curly so when I get it to lie down this way it is "puffy" and hence looks kind of thickish. I use Dr. Bronner's coconut cream hair stuff to make it lie down - I put the stuff in right after towel drying and then comb it into place...

Mariposa123

Hi all!

I have been reading everyone 's posts but have been too sore and loopy to post. I have been taking my valium and percoset religiously. The drains seem to be the most painful. Hopefully they will get removed on Thursday - and I will get my first fill. I look pretty horrible and bruised right now :-(

Patricia sounds like you ate ready for surgery. Someone here recommended the snap down the front sportsbras from kmart for7.99 each. I am normally a 34 and found the size 40 and42 were the most comfortable. ( thanks to whomever made the recommendation) I have been wearing lots of dh's button down shirts.

Okay- back to bed.. I have been sleeping almost 18 hours a day!

Mariposa123

Ps. Everyone's hair looks beautiful. We have come s long way my warrior sisters.

Denise51

Hi,

This is my first time in any chat room - what a place to start! I recently had a lumpectomy  I handled the surgery well with minimal pain. When I returned for my post surgical visit, my surgeon informed me that I had 3 out of 4 lymph nodes positive and will soon have to begin chemotherapy. Yes, I am more than a little frightened. I have not really had a good cry. My main response to this has been total inactivity - I cannot seem to motivate myself to do anything. I cannot get household chores done, do not answer the phone, nor want to leave the house. I know this inactivity is not healthy and probably is related to depression.

My best friend feels that she is "losing me". My husband and children  have been very supportive, but I feel that I am shutting them out as well. 

 

I do not think about my diagnosis much - am probably blocking it out. This is really my first serious illness of any kind and I just turned 62.

Did any one else respond in this way?

kelleyb

Hi Denise, I'm sorry you've had to join us but you will find tons of wisdom, support, and good information as you make your journey.  Many here have had surgery already, some, like me, are not there yet.  Yes - I think what you are describing is very normal.  I had so much fear and depression when I was first diagnosed (back in August 2012).  Since then I've had a lot of chemo, made a lot of friends on this board and in support groups, and have learned a lot about breast cancer and the treatments we must endure.  I hope you have a great medical team and lots of support - when you are ready for it.  For me, I needed a couple months to withdraw for the most part and let reality sink in.  Sending you a big hug and know that we are all here for you!

Kelley

kelleyb

Wow!  Look at all the beautiful "hair" shots.  You ladies are looking fantastic.  As it's my nature, I've gone the other direction.  Last night I buzzed my wispy growth and then shaved my head.  Feels clean.  I have to undergo one last round of FEC, hopefully tomorrow if the snowstorm isn't too bad, and that means more hair loss.  Luckily Matt is nearly bald himself (very prematurely) and we can make fun of one another's chrome domes.  

Amy and Mariposa - hope your recoveries soften and soon you are feeling ready to take on the world.  I was offered a week at a cabin in the Smokies, so who knows, maybe we'll cross paths!  My dad also offered his place in Florida if we want to get a little sun and beach time in after my surgery.  

Becki, jojo, cocobean - hope the rads isn't too rough on you.  I'm reading your notes and taking notes from them for when it's my turn.

Patricia - Key West - woot-woot!!!  Love that place!  How awesome that your hubby went to NYC.  Our guys need to take care of themselves so they can be there for us.  

Hope everyone is safe from this storm!

jojo2373

Denise, welcome! We will support you however we can!



Kelleyb, 10 to 15 inches of snow in my area. Sad I will most likely miss my rads appt tomorrow. Was hoping for no delays.



All the vacation talk sounds wonderful. I promised myself a special trip when I am done too!