Sept 2012 chemo

Amy4978

whenlife... I agree for those of you who really want to remain private or do not have a facebook page and only want one for the purpose of the hotties group make one up under a diff name... we now have 15 in the group and 5 more invites were just sent out!

The sept ladies are blowing up the feed and im loving it! so much faster and can share things way easier...

Faith-Focus-Finish

For those that are joining the FB page, does that mean you won't be posting here any longer? 

Amy4978

I will post in both!

adagio

Is the facebook page only for exclusive people or can I join - I started my chemo in November.

florbo

Wow!  I was gone for a few days recovering in Houston with my parents and boys and so much has happened.  Facebook page!  

Congrats to all who have finished rads and chemo!

Welcome to the group, JEM!  This has been an amazing group of ladies.  I get so much support just from reading/venting/etc.

Cindi--Thanks for keeping track of all the stats!  I am M, 2C, and "self."

kjiberty

HI Ladies:

Just wanted to stop in and say I was part of the April/May 2012 chemo starters group that created our own FB page.  We have invited other people on who weren't orginally part of our group.  It can get very big, so if you have to decide whether to add someone.  Just know you are all at different levels at your journeys.  YOu might meet someone who has just been diagnosed and think she may be a good fit for your group.  Here's the thing:  They may benefit more by being on the group (i.e., March chemo starter) on BCO.  Just sayin....

Also, I LOVE our group.  We share so much.  From our fears, to our family pics, to happy and maybe not so happy events.  Just REMEMBER to post on the private page so no one else (the public and the rest of your FB friends) can see.  It's been fun watching all our hair growth, sharing our S/E's on tamox or AI's, etc.  OUr travels, births, weddings, etc. We can IM each other as well as IM as a group with 4-5 people.  I have even skyped some.  Some of us are doing runs together now as well as meeting them across the country through our travels.  I live in Illinois (near timbek2--who BTW--is a DOLL!), and am going to FL next week and meeting one of my "sisters" for lunch next Saturday.  Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

We have set up documents on the site: 1) our BCO screen name, real name, dx, treatment, etc.; 2) we eventually did a x-mas exchange, then valentine, now Easter for anyone interested.  2) we have set up a google calendar if someone wishes to post things, like their PFC date, end of treatment dates, mammo dates, birthdays, so we can keep them in our pocket and wish them well, 3) We share healthy living tips, weightloss tips, tips on managing our families/lives.  We are a true sisterhood, and I applaud you all for taking this next step in your healing process!  

jojo2373

Chitown, I had my stylist do it. I was too afraid myself!

jojo2373

Kjiberty, great advice! Thank you. I have been following your hair updates for quite awhile. We have a bond that will carry on and a deep concern for each other. I will post here as well, but wanted to second Amy's post that you can be part of our group on fb and only that. Everything we post is private and no one else can see. We are in our own world. It is actually more private than these posts!

Jem3

Cindi--I am 46, found lump myself (didn't show on a mammo), 3 children, married.  Thanks.  I know I came late to this community (though I've been reading the thread all along) but I am so happy to be here.  Thanks!

Cocobean

Hi cindi,

Please add me, thanks.



Illinois, Self, M, 2 C, 36

PatinMN

Cindi, you can add me as well. Eden Prairie, MN, age 60, found on mammogram.

Foreverchanged72612

Ok, so there are ups and downs in this rollercoaster ride of cancer, right? I told you all about my down moment when I was refused for a massage. But then I had a real up moment. My boss at work (though I'm not back at work yet, we still keep in contact) took me out for lunch to celebrate the end of chemo. He kept saying how great I looked (I was wearing my wig). What a boost for my self-esteem!! Then he asked if we could stop by the office. He and I share the same sense of humour - he told me that he wouldn't have suggested it had I looked like shit. Ha ha. So we did and I got to see everyone that I haven't seen since diagnosis because I immediately went on long term disability. Chemo-brain struck when I forgot my cell phone on someone's desk. My friend at work came by yesterday to give my phone back and she said that there have been lay-offs and re-structuring and the morale at work is super low but my visit to the office boosted everyone's spirits and changed the mood. Awww, it really made my day.

Melrosemelrose

FYI:  I've been travelling for a long time with kjliberty since last year when we met in the March/April 2012 Chemo thread.  We are both in the same private fb group that she told you about.  If you have privacy concerns about fb, you can set up a fb account and not use your real name and biolographical info.  You supply as little or as much information as you want to share.  You can have private message another fb person and just start chatting away. If you want post pictures, you can.   Yes, there will be day that you want to move on and not come on the BCO website to find your "sisters".  So the fb private group is a way to continue your friendships that you can made.  The BCO website will always remain here and will always be open for you to come back to to get information and support whenever you need it.  Wishing you all the best as you start the next adventure in facebook!!!  HUGS.... all of you have come so very far..... I've been the lucky one here who has been able witness your transformations.

Cindi74

These are the Members of the Exclusive September Club No One Wants to JOIN.
If I've left you off, please let me know. This was updated March 14,2013..

If you send me updates--chemo survived, what is left to go, anyone left out, will add it. Remember the 5 year reunion on line. This board has been a life and sanity support. Thank all of you. Hugs.

7312012------- M 47
301724------- Vermont
Aic------- 1 C. 35
Aliasismo------- radiologist 56
Allurbaddayswillend------- M, 1 C. 48
Amy4978------- Howard City, MI 34
AmylovesBubby
Bearcub------- Prince George, British Columbia M., 3 C. 8 G radiologist 55
Butterfly14------- Self Clearwater, FL 3 C. 44
Cgesq------- New Jersey radiologist 2 C, 50
Cherioo------- Florida 4 C. 46
Cindi74------- Apopka, Florida radiologist 3 C 6 SC. 21GC M 75

Cocobean, Illinois, M 2C, 36, Self
Damiana9------- Burleson, Texas
DonnaDo8------- Self 2 C. 42
Englishrose75------- Self Diagnosed Milton Keynes United Kingdom 2 C. 37
Ergirl
EvaNJ

Faith 45. Self, no children
Firestorm531------- 1 C. Texas 41
florbo------- Dallas, Texas, M, 2C, self
Foreverchanged------- 72612 Self Chelsea, Quebec 3 C. 38
Frannygirl------- Louisiana

Hopex3 Vancouver.WA Self 52
Internutz1------- Van Alstyne, TX USA

Jem3, 46, M, 3C, self
JodiRocksthePink------- M, 2 C. 39
Joemommy------- Portland, Oregon 1 C. 46
Jojo2373------- Maryland Self.....5C. 50
Justegan------- Wolcott/Kingston Dr. Diagnose, 23
Kathec----------Los Angeles, CA

KelleyB

Kidsandlabs
Kstillie
Laura_g

Linn65 Indiana
Lokimax2------- Siler City, NC
Marianelizabeth, M 3C  64

Mariposa123------- Bay Area, Californiz 2 C. 44
Melrosemelrose------- (visitor from April) Houston, Texas
Mindy703------- M, 3 C 41
Momto5children
Movinonmom
Mycancerjourney------- Illinois
Neta69
Nickythebean
PatriciaHurtado------- Miami, FL

PatinMN,  Eden Prarie, MN, 60 radipologist

QueenKong
RSDavid------- 3 C. 4G. 58
Runnergirl71------- Fort Collins, Colorado
SandeeAR------- Conway, ARm, M, 2DD, 53
Sheerbab Dallas------- , Texas Self Diagnosed M, NO C, 43

Shock2bhere--------------RI--M. radiologist 48
Sjayne2u Ohio
Sparkysbrat------- East Tennessee Mountains
SugarlandlDC------- Houston 3 C. 43
Tara88
Terri07-11
Timbek2-------Peoria, IL., radiologist, 3 C. 40
Toastiecat
Twinsplus1 3 C. 44
Usmcblondie 25
Waitingforthenextstep
Whenlifegivesyou lemons------- Minneapolis M radiologist 46
Wendy49------- Michigan 2C M self 49

That's 65. So many enduring together.

Appointment now for reunion on this website in five years!
Code: M=Married, C=children, GC= grandchildren, SC= Step Children "self" =self-diagnosed, radiologist=how diagnosed

Cindi74

I deleated the last list and updated this one.  In the befinning we had one or two young graduate students.  Are they still around?  What a great supportive group!!  You all kept me sane through those early days.  You lions enduring reconstruction--so brave.  An 80 year old survivor told me last week that her only regret was in not having reconstruction.  I think I'm still the oldest of the group.  I love being grandma.

Amy4978

Cindi.....Wow we have really grown... I remember when where were just a few of us! I sent you off an invite cindi kust go to your email and accept then I can put you on FB

Shari0707

I want to join Facebook group too.. How do I do it.. I had chemo in October thru march 1.. Waiting for surgery on the 28th

Jojo help me get on it!

kelleyb

That's terrific!  I wish we all had a work situation that was so supportive.

marianelizabeth

cindi I wrote yesterday to be included on the list but got missed. Copy/paste:

cindi, M, 3C, self (mammorgam 7 months before missed it), 64

Thanks! I am in the Facbeook group.

Mariposa123

Okay.  I am having a really hard day again.  I hate this whole reconstruction thing.  It is uncomfortable and the way that my phatom boobs itch- but I am completely numb freaks me out.  Plus I am having this issue where I feel like my weird foobs get in the way of my arms when I put them down... like they are too close to my arm pits.  Does anyone else have these issues??? 

Just been feeling sad and wishing things were normal.  I saw a hairdo yesterday on pinterest and for a moment thought it would be fun to go and try it out... and realized I don't have any hair.  I had forgotten.

On the flip side, my husband has been a lot more supportive- and I have been better about not nagging about every little mess around the house.  So, at least that is going okay.

Cindi74

You are in, Marian.

Mariposa,  hang in there.  This too will pass.  Hugs

Cocobean

Mariposa,

From my experience, the numbness was really weird and it bothered me more in the beginning. I definitely still have it, but either it's gotten better or I have more used to it, but I just wanted to give you hope that over time that sensation will not be as bad as it is now.

Also, feel like my boob/TE on the side I had cancer and rads is soooo up under my armpit and the space between my foobs is very wide I see my PS on Tuesday and want to ask when I have the exchange if those things will change. Let u know what he says.



Hang in there it's a lot to get used to, but I believe we are strong, adaptable, survivors...and it will get better.

Faith-Focus-Finish

Mariposa - From my experience, the numbness was really strange at first (and it stills bothers me). I try really hard not to think about them.  When I get shooting pains or when I can feel the TE digging into my ribs or into my armpit, it's hard to ignore.  With regards to some sensation coming back, my PS said as time passes, some of the sensation should come back. Glad to hear your hubby is being so supportive. 

Cocobean - Mine are up under my armpit too.  It feels like I am wearing hard 'floaties' all the time.  I too have a wide space in between.  My PS he will be working on all that with the exchange.  I'm curious to hear what your PS says.

Jem3

Mariposa--I had a lot of itching at first, too, but it did subside, as did random stabbing pain.  Also, after my exchange surgery (Jan 23) things felt much more comfortable.  Still numb but not as uncomfortably numb.  I know exactly what you mean about how strange the numbness feels--almost painful.  Now, halfway through rads, I'm uncomfortable again, but I am hopeful that it will subside once rads are finished.

jojo2373

Even though I only had a lumpectomy, they went high up through my breast incision for my 2nd level nodes. I am completely numb under my arm area and outside of breast. I figure this will never change. I tried once to shave before rads and said, no! No shaving if you cant feel it.

Hopex3

Mine feel like its under my armpit as well...the cancer side! Almost feels a little lumpy. I don't have the numbness but stinging pain in between the boobs. They just feel hard as rocks. I have 420 cc's in.



I know I said this on FB but I am so flipping tired! Hoping its just leftovers from surgery and all and not a reoccurence. My bloodwork was all normal though. Hate this...always will be wondering do I call the dr. Or not.



What have you guys done about those fine hairs that have appeared on our faces? I was looking at my face in the sunlight and OMG! It goes all the way down my neck. Hoping they will just fall out! Thanks cancer!

Faith-Focus-Finish

Hi Hope - I too am always tired.  I get up, have breakfast, wipe the kitchen counter and I'm ready to go back to bed!  It sucks.....I have left all the little fine hairs alone.  I'm keeping my eyes on them though. : )))

Amy4978

Hopex.. I took my hubbys clippers and shaved all those damn hairs off and now it just looks normal.....Its from the steroids I think.

bearcub

Mariposa and the others who are having some scary issues going on after surgery, my heart feels so sad for all of you. For all you have been through so much and it is such a long road. I am like JoJo, I was fortunate that at this time I could have a lumpectomy and I still get weird pains but I know it is nothing to complain about compared to what you are going through. I wish I lived close so I could come over to your homes and give you all a hand and a hug. Stay strong, this too shall pass.



I did ask doctor about dying hair and she said if I wanted to go for it that was okay, I am 17 weeks pfc. I also went to the dentist and had a cleaning today.

florbo

Mariposa--I'm sorry you are having a hard day.  After I had my mastectomy in 2009, I felt like my arm and foobie were sticking together.  I have numbness around my armpit and some of the arm and shoulder back area.  I itched internally a lot because most of my recovery was in the warmer months.  The itching seemed less during colder months.  When I'm itching and can't find any relief, I found that if I scratch myself up and down on my breast bone, it alleviates the itching sensation.  Hang in there!

I went to see my radiation oncologist for the first time this afternoon.  He was very nice and thorough.  He also gave me a tour of the CT machines, treatment rooms, and the room where the physicists do their calculations.  I go for the CT and simulation next Tuesday.