Chemo May 2013

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited October 2013


    so my hair is growing back... I think....?


    It's a salt & pepper mix! Very disappointing as I had auburn hair with a little gray around my ears when I started chemo.... BUT...


    I'm thinking about coloring what I have a crazy color like blue, ore purple.... Just so I can watch the growth... I'm still wearing a hat, but.....


    I was in the rads waiting room today and 2 ladies came in a few minutes apart saying how excited the were... Tomorrow is their last day! I felt myself being so happy for them! What an achievement! I'll be there soon!


    Lorrie

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited October 2013


    & been struggling with a couple of my girls who think I'm feeling sorry for myself & just need to "buck up".....


    I sent them the link to invite them to read my journey on this page & also added the disclaimer that I feel safe here to say what I feel...& to not get offended.


    Hubby says tonight that I just need to let it rest & that they will come around..... He's probably right.


    Gotta love what we are going through, plus shielding others...

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  • Annie54
    Annie54 Member Posts: 247
    edited October 2013


    Hey Lorrie,


    I've got a head full of fuzzy stuff also! It's thin and colorless but I can feel the wind blow through it :). From what I can tell from other peoples experience...we should see our hair growing in pretty fast now. I'm still a couple of months away from going hat/wig less - want to have full coverage - but dang....we are turning the corner for sure!


    I'm 17/33 rads. Breast is pink and I've got the itchy bumps. RO says they are not from "burns" but rather dried out skin. Either way all I want to do is scratch - which I can't do! Hope I get through the rest of my zaps in one piece with no skin breakdown. I'll be done October 29th....can't wait!


    Annie

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited October 2013


    Woke up this morning with my left arm kind of tingly/numb....?? Glad to have RO day with my rads apt. this afternoon. I'm definitely getting more worried about lymphedema... Last visit when I told her about the tugging muscle under my arm, she asked me to stop lifting/overusing that arm.. no picking up the grandkids, etc (kind of when I had my picc). It's way worse now. Even typing is weird, like I don't have full control of my fingers.... Ugh!


    Annie... I remember when I finished chemo, I got a head full of the white fuzz & was thinking it was all gonna grow back white... ha ha


    Hope everyone is doing well!!


    Lorrie

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  • Teresa_G
    Teresa_G Member Posts: 259
    edited October 2013


    Congrats on counting down the radiation treatments. They will be over soon. We can all hopefully have a nice holiday season. Those of you that lost nails, are they growing back now?

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  • Ukkate
    Ukkate Member Posts: 292
    edited October 2013


    So I colored my hair on Saturday because it was so grey. Just bought the cheapest box of brown. But it's so thin on top I didn't have the courage to go wig-less to the wedding I was djing. I wish I'd done a crazy color now. Oh well. It's much thicker on the sides. I read on here that some women don't get thick growth til they are done with hercepten. I have to regularly shave my legs now though ;(


    So one more wedding and I get a few weekends off I can't beleive the last 4 weeks have been 6 day work weeks. No wonder I'm so beat!!!

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited October 2013


    good news Monday.....


    Nurse & Dr don't think I'm getting lymphodema! (I secretly trust the nurse on this one!). They think I'm holding my arm protectively with my boob from the pain I'm feeling -as well as feeling residual neuropathy from chemo....that makes sense actually. my feet and lower legs every once in a while feel the same. So we will just watch for any lumpiness or swelling, but they think I'm fine with that.


    The other thing is that all the dr visit rooms were full when I got done with my treatment today and asked me to wait in the 'gown waiting room'... Well a half hour later I poked my head out & they had forgotten about me.. The nurse felt so bad she gave me gift certificates to a local pizza joint here.... Haha, but the truth is that I took a little snooze & didn't care about the wait! I'll hide in another waiting room next time.


    She also gave me a bag full of goodies to use to help draw out the heat. She explained that the sunburn look on the outside is worse on the inside cuz the inside never gets exposed & that's why it's hurting.


    I asked about the waves of dizziness & she asked about my daily routine. Work, make dinner etc... She says that I need to start cutting back on things. That I may feel well enough to work 8 hours, but the body is fighting to heal from the chemo as well as the rads &I'm actually doing more damage by not resting it. That ill eventually hit a wall and i still have a long way to go. That I need to be more in tune with wether I'm feeling tired or not & chill out & rest, even though I think I can soldier on.


    I wish I had my family in on that chat! Haha


    Anyhow.... I hope everyone is doing well today


    Lorrie 13/33

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited October 2013


    Lorrie, love the snooze story! Lol


    Have the nurse put the "less work" in writing...then mail copies to your daughters and post at home.


    Enjoy that pizza!


    Pat

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited October 2013


    Kate, congrats on the hair color. Enjoy your break after the next wedding.


    Annie, I hope you can find something to ease the itch.


    Pat

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited October 2013


    pat... I'd rather just set up an apt where all the girls can join & hear it for themselves... Not from their belly-aching mom...


    How are you doing, by the way? Recovering okay?

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  • carla53
    carla53 Member Posts: 264
    edited October 2013


    Annie I someone mentioned on one of the radiation forums about Calmoseptine ointment for itching. Found it on Amazon and now have it on hand just in case.


    Lorrie got a kick out of your story about waiting in the waiting room.


    Nice to hear some have enough hair to dye. It's kind of funny. Even though I am looking forward to growing my hair back, I will miss the feeling of rubbing my bald head and will miss the breeze on a bald head on a warm day. Silly but true.


    Carla

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  • Annie54
    Annie54 Member Posts: 247
    edited October 2013


    Thanks Carla for the info on Calmoseptine - will see if that helps. I also will miss some aspects of my bald head - like the ease in getting ready in the morning! I was on TCH so mine is just beginning to sprout but should be a couple of months before I have coverage.

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited October 2013


    haha... As I shower, brush my teeth & go this morning, I guess I'll miss not having to do my hair when it grows back in.... But not enough to keep it this way! I am looking forward to new hair! :)

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  • Teresa_G
    Teresa_G Member Posts: 259
    edited October 2013


    I love the feeling of my almost 1/2" baby soft hair. I rub my head all the time, people must think I'm crazy. I too will miss the ease of running out the door without having to do my hair. My eyebrows are looking pretty good again too.

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  • Ukkate
    Ukkate Member Posts: 292
    edited October 2013


    I will not miss having no hair. I love hair!!! Love feeling it, love styling it, love pony tails. I miss using mascara! B

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  • LJaeger
    LJaeger Member Posts: 58
    edited October 2013


    My hair is growing in pretty fully, but it's that soft duck hair still. It started white, then greyish, and the roots are light brown (if you see from my picture, I normally have full dark brown hair). My coworkers say that from Monday to Friday I look like a different person each week. It's definitely an adventure.


    And the rate of my eyebrow hair growth rivals NASCAR. Dare I say I will actually miss not having to pluck, and also miss shaping up the perfect eyebrow (instead of the way my left eyebrow grows, which pulls a bit of an alfalfa twist!). Who knew there could be ups to being so hairless.


    Happy to report that my eyelashes are starting to come in now. Not close to mascara length, but they are there!

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited October 2013


    Carla and all, regarding missing the bald/short hair...who would have thought that back in May! We have all come so far.


    Had my one week post op appt. today. I had 3 of 4 drains pulled, no pain at all! I volunteered hubby to pull a drain, and the doctor jumped on the idea as hubby will be pulling the drain when we are back home sometime.


    All I can say is better him than me! Lol


    Feeling good. Still a bit bent over. Whole tummy is numb. MIL asked if it was flat and I really can't answer because it looks "odd". "Baby pouch" is definitely gone along with those lovely stretch mark reminders for my 3 pregnancies where I had put on 65lbs each time.


    Packing up to go home tomorrow. Late flight so kids won't know we are home about midnight. We lied and told them Friday...figured they would at least go to sleep Thursday night!


    Looking forward to doing more of nothing at home. (Not really but I need to positive self speak that doing nothing means faster healing). Not looking forward to getting hubby motivated to do work! Lol


    Oh, regarding healing...I had read on one of the boards of using Manuka honey for healing. I purchased it. I am using in my daily tea, half teaspoon or so, and also applying to a blister spot that appeared after surgery...possibly a reaction to surgical tape. It is an expensive honey, found it on Amazon, look for 450 something...I forget its not units, but some rating...wonder if radiated boob would benefit? You could also scrape it off and serve it to tech on some crackers!


    Pat

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited October 2013


    Glad to hear you're doing we'll, Pat!


    Yup! We all sure have come a long way since our DX.... The hours of educating myself, I feel, qualifies me for an MD degree of some kind.... Haha ! Same goes for a degree in psychiatry too... ( then I'd be able to write my own scripts! ) wait, that may be dangerous until I'm done with dealing with this pesky cancer stuff! LOL


    Could you imagine grossing out the techs.... I should do something like that for my treatment on Halloween .... Or at least something.... Pour fake blood all over my boob and say "is this normal?"


    Lorrie


    14/33

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited October 2013


    lol Lorrie

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited October 2013


    ugh... Am I losing my mind? Yes you are, Lorrie... See! (Talking to yourself is a good sign of losing it!)


    I go to get my glasses & get sidetracked & end up sitting back down and getting comfy to realize I still need my glasses.... So I get back up & go potty.... Sit back down and get comfy to realize.... I STILL need my glasses... Then I get up, feed the dogs, sit back down and get comfy & STILL haven't got my glasses! UGH! Either they are zapping my brain too.... Or I'm getting the tiredes that they are telling me about!


    Wait... What website am I on & who am I talking to? LOL... Kidding!


    I HOPE! Lol

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  • MariaNL
    MariaNL Member Posts: 118
    edited October 2013


    I'm finally finishing chemo tomorrow. I have been reading all of you posts but have not been posting much myself. I feel like you all are light years ahead of me.

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  • Ukkate
    Ukkate Member Posts: 292
    edited October 2013


    Maria, congrats on finishing chemo. It's a huge milestone


    Patty, I remember being so scared to get my drain removed! You'll feel great when they're all out


    I went to the dentist yesterday for my 6 month clean (cancelled from July). Boy, did I have a lot to update on my medical records!!!! No cavities tho. But still need my wisdom teeth out. I might do it now as we have surely hit our medical deductable

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  • LJaeger
    LJaeger Member Posts: 58
    edited October 2013


    Maria, Congrats on your last chemo! While you may feel light years behind us, we're all in this together - days, weeks, or months apart. Do something special to celebrate how far you have come, you deserve it!

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited October 2013


    Maria, congrats! I agree with lJaeger plan something special. The good part of being last is you have seen the path to feeling better DOES happen! Hugs!


    Lorrie...was trying to read your post but couldn't find my glasses, can I borrow yours?

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited October 2013


    Yay, Maria.... Congrats!!

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited October 2013


    ok, I'm in tears, about to have a freakin heart attack.


    The surgeon that did my mastectomy called...as we are shoving our clothes into luggage trying to get out of the room in time. There was additional cancer in the right breast (original breast). All I could hear him say was "you will never doubt your decision now". Lefty showed nothing...I don't care. But now my head is spinning. Wouldn't chemo have killed the cancer? So how could it have been found? I can't remember if he said 9mm or 9cm....fuck me. I'm so tired.


    I have a follow up with oncologist on Tuesday...it was already scheduled...so now I need to find out what this shit means. I reached out to my nurse navigator, she is so nice, and got voicemail...again, fuck me. I have to wait 3 more hours before I go to the airport,...I hope I can get some answers.

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  • Teresa_G
    Teresa_G Member Posts: 259
    edited October 2013


    OMG Pat!!! I hope your nurse navigator calls you back before you get on the plane. I can't even imagine, sending huge hugs and prayers your way!

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited October 2013


    my nurse navigator is off today...I had finally called my center and asked if she was in as I know she takes a lot of time off. I don't even know if she will recognize my message of a sobbing, sniffling mess barely audible...guess I will have hubby call her tomorrow!


    I will call back the New Orleans doctors office soon, that nurse was out to lunch. In the interim I have posted under "just diagnosed" here and hope someone will be able to weigh in with what this might mean and treatment and all the crazy crap.


    Just wish I never answered the phone! Not that it would have made it gone away!


    Pat

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  • Teresa_G
    Teresa_G Member Posts: 259
    edited October 2013


    Pat I wouldn't think they would have you do more chemo but maybe radiation to the surrounding area? I am so sorry you have this to deal with, you were at the end of the tunnel. Good thoughts coming your way!

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited October 2013


    big breathe.


    The doctor himself called me back and has calmed me down off the ledge.


    First, margins were very good...nothing near the chest wall or skin...so no radiation.


    It was 9mm of multifocal invasive lobular.


    Had I not had this mastectomy who knows when it would have been discovered, so he is very happy for me that I chose to do the mastectomy. SO AM I. I always said I was 99% sure of mastectomy, now it raised it to 100%.


    Will see my oncologist Tuesday and ask why this cancer wasn't killed by chemo. NED my ass!


    Pat

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