Starting Chemo July 2013

2bluestars

Angela you sound so much better!  I'm glad your doing better.  And the hair...icing on the cake!  Thanks for the tip on the cream.  I'll start tonight.

Girlstrong..I'm gonna look for Citylash.   My hair isn't growing in uniformly either.  Long on top, shorter on sides.  No hair on legs, yet face is covered.  I'm just glad it's growing.  :-)  What surgery are you having?

Girlstrong

2bluestars: I will be having a bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders placed immediately. Exchange probably won't happen for several months but at least I'll have something. Oh, my keranique shampoo arrived I the mail today; it's like Rogaine bit for women. I'Il let you all know how that goes, wish me luck

2bluestars

Girlstrong, I agree "at least you'll have something. "  I wasn't expecting to be so devastated when I saw my new body.    It would have been nice to wake up with something, no matter how small.   My ps told me he would do te's at the same time as my bmx, but my bs, ro and pcp all recommended I wait till after radiation.  In fact, my bs recommends that I wait a full year after radiation to start recon...that ain't gonna happen.  I am going to (hopefully) start recon the end of July or first of August.  

In the meantime, I posted this in the surgery thread,  I
called to make an appointment for a prosthetic fitting and was told it
would be the middle of January. I had no idea it was a "process" to get
them. I really thought you could go into the store and walla...boobs.
Called the American Cancer Society for a set of "temps" and they don't
do that here anymore.    I am getting used to the new me, so I've decided to wait on the prosthetic too.  I'm guessing they wouldn't be too comfortable if I get burns from the rads.

Let us know how the shampoo is working.  I've been taking biotin.  Don't know if it's helping or not, but I take it anyway.  :-)

TwoHobbies

Bluestars you can wear all those scarves that are popular now.  Who will know?  You're right that when you starts rads you probably won't want to wear a prosthesis anyway.  All I wanted on my chest was the softest tank tops. 

When do you all think you'll ditch the wig, or have some of you done it already?  I have about an inch of hair.  Right now it is so cold that I wear winter hats in the house or a hoodie.  I'm still wearing my wig at work as I can't see wearing a ski hat at work nor a hoodie.  I don't know when I'll have the nerve to ditch it there.  Of course I'll have to color because I am way grayer than I knew.    I'm actually thinking about experimenting with color and maybe decide on a new color.  If you see a picture appear of a punk looking boy with blue hair appear above my name, well that'll be me!  That avatar I have now is how I feel, but not how I look! 

Hannariggs

Hi Ladies,

     I just flew back from Vegas and boy are my arms tired(sorry couldn't resist)!  As all of the gorgeous fireworks were going off, I thought of all of you and wished us all a healthier new year. It only gets better from here.  When I first began my journey I came to terms with my immortality.  I think that was the hardest part. The not knowing.  Oh, make no mistake the treatments were no picnic, but I would do it all over again to live.  Now I think everyday is a bonus and I for one plan on making it count.

  I thought of the new patients just getting diagnosed and how scared they are.  I became a volunteer for our local cancer center and Monday I get to speak with my first patient who requested to speak with another breast cancer patient(I guess I can say survivor at this point).  I hope I can ease their mind and I pray for words of encouragement for her. 

Happy New Year to all of you.........God Bless us all

m1970

For those of you doing Rads, moisturize BEFORE you start feeling uncomfortable and ask to be shown the entire treatment area.  There were areas I didn't know that were treated that I did not use the aloe cream and I burned there.

Nocompromises2013

hi Ladies 

Apologies for my tardiness - been too busy partying and boating in the Aussie sun -  hehe. 

Happy New Year to everyone may 2014 be happy, very healthy and filled with fun and excitement - you have all been incredible in 2013 and a great support forum - I feel priviledged to have shared our journeys together 

JeriG. Well done on Hiking Xmas day. What a beautiful place to have  been - I spent my 30th bday in Yosemite and Sonoma Valley and loooved it all 

Here's to health and happiness 

S xxx 

lisacm

soriya, I haven't done my rad yet. I have to do chemo first, but all three of my docs recommended rads even when they thought I had a stage 2 grade 1 tumor. I am really shocked that your doc isn't recommending it. You should have a consult with a radiation oncologist at the very least. It can't hurt. 

soriya123

Lisacm, I spoke to my RO, she said I dont need rad even though based on my age,grade and tumor type.  she said if I have 4 positive lymp nodes and if my tumor is 5cm she will agree to rad.  she said it doesnt really benefit me.  so i dont kno ..... if she yes i need rad, i would do it.

soriya123

lisacm, if you have lumpectomy you have to do rad no matter what.  if i have lumpectomy yes for sure i will need rad.  

lisacm

Soriya, I just read that you had a mastectomy. I'm sorry for not realizing. It's a good thing not to have to do radiation. Unfortunately I have one axillary  node involvement so my BS said rads no matter if I had lumpectomy or mastectomy. I am happy for you that you can be spared the radiation.

soriya123

lisacm, no big deal, no need to say sorry

lark

Hello firecrackers- its been a long time since I've posted but I try to keep up with you all. So glad for the progress we've all made. Praying for health for each of you this year and strength for those of you still having rads or surgery. It's been almost 3 months since my last chemo. That sure went faster than the time during tx!  My energy is almost normal now, but I still feel so stiff and achy all the time. Really need to get into an exercise class. I can also relate to the lack of sex drive, dryness, ugly duckling feelings, etc, that some of you mentioned. Its reassuring to hear this from others. I'm always wondering if its from the chemo, tamoxifen or being thrown into menopause. Probably all of the above.

My hair is only about 1/2 inch long, but is growing and getting thicker. I was hoping to get rid of the wig soon, but theres no way. I WISH I looked like Jamie lee Curtis. No such luck.  And I just noticed the fine peach fuzz all over my face too! I'm wondering if its because of taking biotin. Anyone else have this who does NOT take biotin?  I might have to try the nono too.

I have a couple of appointments coming up that are on my mind all the time... Mammogram next week and colonoscopy on 2/4. Colon cancer runs on both sides of my family so thats a concern. And this will be the first mamm since finishing tx. I hope to be able to rest a little easier once these arent hanging over my head. The nurse practitioner already warned me not to be surprised if they call me back since scar tissue from rads can make it hard to read. My boobs were always small, but now it'll be like squishing raisins. Ugh. I don't know how they'll be able to see anything.

Hannarigs - so happy that you are able to volunteer at the cancer center!  You have a great way of using humor, but also being sensitive. You'll be great.

Nocompromises2013

good to hear from u lark ... I am 4 months post chemo and have been on Tamoxifen for 3 months 

My hair is now a good inch all over - my FiL and MiL reckon it looks very 'trendy' others have said chic and Parisian !!  I have always avoided a pixie cut due to my big nose but I am pleasantly surprised - I am no Jamie-Lee either ))   I haven't had it cut or styled yet but yesterday someone asked me if I had as they reckoned it looked styled - yay 

No peach fuzz but definate normal facial hair plus the occasional gate crashing stubbly ones on the jaw line grrrr

I do have some aches and pains mobilizing out of bed or when getting up from sitting that is def more than b4 and I reckon it is the Tamoxifen but more than manageable - wears off after a few steps 

Still playing golf and gave dropped 9 strokes in 9 weeks ( can almost claim to be a proper golfer now ))) 

Hugs to all - maybe see you all on some other threads xx

JeriGrace

lark, good luck with your upcoming tests. I don't have my first mammogram until March but am already worried about it.  I have the fuzzy face but don't take biotin. When I googled it I found that it is not that uncommon. It seems to appear when hair is starting to grow back and is sort of like that first soft hair that grew on my head. Most people say it eventually goes away on its own but I couldn't wait since I was attending a wedding and didn't care to look like a gorilla. So I just shaved it. Waiting to see if it comes back. 

NC, glad to hear your golf game is going strong. I am starting Arimidex this weekend and hoping the side effects won't be too bad. It's supposed to cause joint pain and stiffness which I don't need anymore of since I already have arthritis. 

I was supposed to start back to work on Monday and was looking forward to it. However 10 inches of snow and -11 degrees have kept the schools closed all week. I'm hoping we will be back tomorrow. I really want to get back in a normal routine. Thinking of all of you still in treatment and recovery. Stay strong!

m1970

The fuzzy facial hair is totally normal after chemo and is not a side effect from any supplements you are taking.  Newborn babies are sometimes born with this hair, called lanugo. As the follicles mature, the hair is replaced with thicker hair in concentrated areas, and thinner almost invisible hair in other places.  Some babies are born furry because the the follicles are less mature.  We see this process happen in adults if the follicles are stressed by chemo or malnutrition such as anorexia.  The condition is temporary.  You can help it go away by eating a well balanced diet.

However if you are growing courser hairs in unwanted places this might be due to hormonal changes. Of course both could be happening.

At first your hair might be thinner, or coarser, or grayer, or curlier, than you recall.  It takes time for your follicles to recover.  

Waiting to color is good advice, but not advice I could personally follow.  If you can't wait do a test patch before doing your whole head.  You may find the color reacts differently to your new hair than it used to, and you may not be happy with the results.

Also of course you want to hold on to every millimeter of new hair, but cutting off the unhealthy ends might make it grow faster and look better.  Don't put off that first haircut too long.

You can invest in all sorts of fancy hair growth products, but I recommend inexpensive apple cider vinegar.  This neutralizes the ph on your scalp clearing up any scaliness/dry patches, unclogs pores allowing more hairs to grow, and closes the cuticles in your hair making it shinier.  You can dilute it in water and put into a spray bottle, or when your hair is thicker you can put it into a squeeze bottle or add to your conditioner or use instead of shampoo and conditioner.  So many hair products cause buildup and create more problems than they solve, problems that appear to require more product.  You need to be careful not to let it get into your eyes as it does sting.

Nocompromises2013

good advice as always Marsha 

So JeriG. You have minus 11. !!! Rug up !!

And we r forecast for  over 42degree (107degrees ).  tmrw - air con and swimming pool for me 

lark

Thanks Jerigrace and Marsha for the information.  Very helpful.

Speaking of eating a well balanced diet, has anyone made any significant changes? I'm eating lots more veggies, especially kale and broccoli, and trying to cut back on sugar and less wine. If you havent already google 'fight cancer with food'.  Theres lots of good information if you're motivated to make changes. I figure any changes I make are better than none. 

Have a good weekend everyone.

TwoHobbies

Hmm, I can't decide if 107 F is worse than the -18 that we had.  I don't like either and both are kind of dangerous.  Is that unusual temps, NC? 

Marsha how long are you supposed to wait before you color your hair?  I'm thinking about doing it soon.  This chemo cut and gray hair makes me look just like an old lady who had cancer.  Oh wait a minute...Did I...Am I? 

I do have aching and I'm on arimedex (anastrazole) but I swear mine is left over from chemo because I ached before I started it.  It's annoying but not stopping me.  I was having trouble sleeping though because its worse by day's end and so my oncologist put me on gabapentin when I told her I take ibuprofen every night.  She said that is bad for your liver.  And actually it has helped a lot.  My hot flashes are pretty miserable too but I look at it as a sign of a good drop in estrogen which I need.  I was wondering the other day how long they will last but I'm really afraid to ask!

Lark I am doing the Paleo Diet for the most part.  By no means am I 100% but they recommend sticking to it 80% and that I can do. It is helping me lose weight and I feel good and happy.  I don't know if that last piece is the diet but I'll take it.    

Nocompromises2013

funny you should say that 2hobs. My daughter asked me yesterday would I rather freeze to death or burn to death .... We decided freezing would be less painful ???

107F yesterday bit unusual for Perth ....only 100F  today   

Rightly or wrongly I haven't really altered my diet but I have kept going with a drastic reduction in my EtOH  intake so would love to see my liver enzymes stats 6 months on 

I see BS Tuesday for first checkup  - yikes

m1970

twohobbies

I don't know how long you are supposed to wait to color, I just know the hair might be fine and soak up the color faster and you might get a result as if you left it in too long so if you do a test patch you should reduce that risk.

TwoHobbies

There was a recent study that pointed out some of the food substances that specifically kill breast cancer cells in the lab, and the interesting thing to note is it was the combo of nutrients, not one alone, that worked.   Based on this I started eating a meal a couple of times a week that includes all these ingredients, although of course I don't know how much to include, or whether we will need to take supplements or if food is enough, but its worth a shot.  One of my dilemmas is it includes soy isoflavones and resveratrol, which is high in red wine and of course soy has been controversial and alcohol is not good.  But I decided I'd eat whole soy (edamame) and mix my red wine with grape juice and only do it a couple of times a week. 

 Here is a link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131122103901.htm  

NC, thank God for modern things like AC, warm coats and furnaces!  I admire our ancestors who lived in these climes without those.

Marsha, I'll do a test on the hair color, and maybe I will wait until I'm sure I'm ditching the wig. 

Nocompromises2013

ok little update on our heat wave 

Due to high temps. We just had a massive bushfire come thru yesterday 

44 homes lost 

We have lost 1/3rd of paddocks 

No power so No A/c anymore 2hobs 

House safe

Family safe 

Total devastation. Looks like Armageddon here !!

Welcome to 2014 !!

Only 82F today but pretty windy !! 

m1970

nocompromises, I'm so sorry to hear about the disaster in your hometown.  It's hard for me to imagine a heat wave when we have just had record low temps.  I'm glad to hear your safe, but sad to hear of the devastation.  I know it can take years for a community to recover from something like that.  Sending you strength.

soriya123

oh nocompromises, i am sorry to hear this.  i am glad tol hear that you and your are safe.  

TwoHobbies

Oh no, NC. How awful. I hope all were able to get to safety, and that the weather will take a turn for more favorable conditions.  

Nocompromises2013

6 days on still no power ((

JeriGrace

That is just awful.  Are you able to work? What about food?

TwoHobbies

NC I was just reading and seeing pictures.  It sounds like they have a lot of repair work and it could be a while before you get power.  I'm so glad this didn't happen when you were going through chemo.  As miserable as it is, that would make it worse.  We had a power outage that latest a day and a half this past summer and I was hot and sticky and spent all night lying there planning what hotel I was going to the following night so I can only imagine how unpleasant it is to be without power for 6 days.  UGH.    Stay safe. 

Nocompromises2013

Thanks for your thoughts ladies

yay power came back on ..... Sat mid-morning 

We borrowed a noisy generator from work and had it going during the day to keep fridge and freezerS hanging in there, it also powered mobile phones ( think it has wrecked an iPad ) and a couple of lights and the toaster each morning ) 

I cooked a bit with gas and we had hot showers at nearby friends house or cold showers/ pool at home and were invited out to eat with friends a couple of evenings 

I skipped work Monday but went in wed and thurs. Insurance assessor cane out from MEL and saw us Thursday and said no probs. so we will see what figure they offer us. Reckon the damage  runs to about $20,000 minimum 

Yes I had that exact same thought re chemo ... That would have been toooo much !! 

Snuck  out of hot Zone to see BS on Tuesday and he was 'very happy' - so that was good news 

Can my life get back to normal now please ?????

NC xx