Starting Chemo March 2015
Comments
-
thanks Theresa-
I am so proud of you for doing that half marathon today. You showed more grit doing half today than other days when you did 30. Most people wouldn't even try feeling like their legs are encased in concrete. You remain my heroine. 💞
Here is a picture of my rock garden, taken just now.
-
Beautiful Katy! I bet you can't wait to have your own place. That is going to be so nice!
As always, you are my cheerleader, love you for that!
-
For cosmetic lines with fewer questionable ingredients I like Boscia, Tarte, Korres, and Josie Maran.
-
Indygal,
Today was my lucky number 15 of 20 rads. If my skin holds up they will gift me with an additional 5 "boosts" at the end. My skin started getting red on Monday and today I can easily see the outline of the radiation field on my chest. There isn't any blistering and it isn't really sore. The RO says I'm holding up well and my skin looks like it should. I goop up with aloe, Comfrey gel and calendula cream several times a day and the coconut oil at night. I have designated a few old really soft t shirts to wear as a bottom layer with everything so the oils don't ruin all my clothes. I had bmx without recon and from reading the rads boards it seems like being flat is an advantage during rads because there aren't any skin on skin "friction" areas.
As for fatigue, they say it's a SE of radiation but honestly, all I notice is that I feel a hell of a lot better than I did during chemo. I still go to bed earlier than I did before dx, but I have a lot more energy and stamina than I did a month ago.
Katy- congrats on your house and your divorce ( not sure if congrats are in order in the divorce but I'll raise a glass to your closure tonight. And a second glass to your good fortune in your new home sweet home.)
Theresa- final chemo ass kicking tomorrow! Let the hair growing begin!!
Speaking of hair I finally have a consistent "shadow" of hair under the baby bird/ troll doll fuzz. I also don't have a hand held mirror to see what's happening in the rear so I've been obsessively taking selfies of the back of my head with my phone. My new summer hobby I guess. Bekah probably has a couple of inches by now!
I can't contribute to the make-up discussion since I've never worn any. Unless chapstick counts. I barely have any eyebrows left and what few are hanging on are all pointing different directions making me look like a suspicious character. But like a lot of you have said, I don't really give any fucks at this point, what other people think!
-
Congrats Theresa on last one - so happy for you!!
Katy congrats on new home can't wait to see photos. Here's to a new beginning after divorce! Tutti looks a bit bigger has she grown or is it just the stretching?
Diane I think we are almost on the same regiment, I'm behind you though. I have to call MO for appt, but BS has already said 6 weeks.
E are you doing rads?
Feeling kinda crappy today so 1/2 the day in bed and now bed time - here's to peaceful sleep for us all!
-
Maryellen-
I think she has grown! A lot! She eats like a horse. Kittydom has been quite good therapy.
Here's one little shot I took from the street when I was vetting the (very quiet) neighborhood. It's one story, 2 bed 1 bath. There's a huge fenced back yard for Jack, but I couldn't get a pic without blowing my cover. There's a fireplace too. You can barely see, but there is also a very private, quite large deck in the front of the house where you could put a bbq and a table to eat outside. Very tidy, big kitchen, well maintained. Needs a new roof and that got put into the deal so I won't have to worry for 30 years. Oh let me rephrase that. I won't have to worry about the ROOF for 30 years! 😖
It's in a small town, about 2,000, ten minutes from the county seat. People seem nice. Not super sophisticated, but genuine. Just my style. It is further inland, so ave temps are way up to 70 degrees in the summer, haha! And about 14 more sunny days per year than the coast, where it is foggier. So great for gardening. We can still easily get to the off leash beaches in under an hour. And instead, locally, more country type trails to walk on.
I'm trying not to get too excited. The last several years, even without this dx, have been very,,very hard. I don't want to jinx myself now
-
First time around, I wore my wig or a winter stocking cap anytime I was out (it was fall/winter). I am not sure why I was not comfortable just in a ball cap, but I wasn't. This time, in the summer, I knew there was no choice and as soon as I had the nerve to go out just in a ball cap, I have not looked back. Last night I was clerk or course at my girls' swim meet and wore just the ball cap as I herded...eh...I mean lined up hundreds of kids for their events. Kids being kids and speaking their minds, I was expecting questions. Nope...none. Nada. Kids are so accepting of whatever and my kids don't mind. I am glad I finally got over it and am comfortable, because in this heat, it's more comfortable this way, and I have a huge ball cap collection. Bonus...twice this week at the grocery store, there were long lines and they opened up a lane when I got in line and immediately called me over. Both times I was feeling great (and I often do forget I have cancer on those days) and didn't think anything of it until about half way home when I realized they probably called me over because I am bald and they felt sorry for me! I guess I will let them if it gets me to the front of the grocery line! I know that in my wig I look like a "normal" person and I wear it at work when responding on calls and dealing with patients or teaching, but other than that, I am done with the wig. I always get compliments on how good I look when wearing the wig and never get that just in ball caps, but when it is 90 degrees outside, I just don't care how I look. I want to be comfortable and when it comes down to it, that is all that matters. I honestly think this time around it has forced me to be a little more comfortable in my skin.
I am however HORRIBLE at drawing eyebrows. I was shown in the LGFB class and at a make up counter. I could never draw faces in art class as a kid, and I obviously did not gain that skill as an adult. I am horrible at it though I do keep at it every day trying sicne I have about 10 eyebrow hairs left on each side. Mine only came back about 1/2 after last time, and I am hoping that doesn't happen again or I may be drawing them forever.
-
you guys have been busy today. Just checking in - feeling okay after Monday's last chemo. Usually start to feel it around 4 days after infusion so we'll see what the weekend holds. Had to get IV magnesium cuz I was low this round.
Good luck tomorrow Theresa!
-
Katy - That is the cutest house. I hope you get it. I totally understand about not going into all details of your life. I think you are on an upswing though. I really do!
-
Theresa, congratulations on your last Chemo! I hope you fly through any nuisance SE.
Katy, I am happy you are getting a new start and home. It looks really nice. I hope thing continue to get easier for you. I definitely identify for being nervous when thing are looking up...I too have had so much go wrong in the past years sometimes it is hard to appreciate good things without worrying what will happen next... Did that come across right? I hope so.
My hair is starting to at least feel like it is growing. It is still so white that it is hard to see but it is much fuller :-). Even in the SE Florida heat, I still put on my wig to go out. I wish I was stronger and could get the WTF attitude but I just can't stand the pity looks. When I am out, I just want to forget about it all as much as I can.
Wishing everyone a good day...or at least a decent one :-)
-
Sizzle: It came across right. I, too cannot stand the pity looks. I put my hat on at home and I hate when people come to the door and I have to answer it. Sometimes I make my kids answer it. lol.
Katy: I am praying that all good things come your way. You are due. You have been such an inspiration to all of us.
The house is adorable and I hope you get it. Are you waiting for financing approval? You said you signed a contract?
-
Katy.. I love that house.. looks so pretty!! I hope the buying process goes smoothly for you!
Just because I am fairly vain I guess... I have never gone bald except in the shower..... I have these buffs I wear at home even to bed. I either have on my wig or a buff or a buff and a bball cap. No one including my hubs has seen me bald. I go into the bathroom and lock the door when changing head wear... LOL I am just not comfortable at all with baldness. The only place I go in public without a wig is to the gym... and once I get that ponytail wig I ordered from polly's ponytails, I will wear that to the gym. I guess it's somewhat of a personality flaw..... but I can barely stand to look at my baldness.... much less subject anyone else to it
. I am going to have a very difficult time with short hair too I suspect but at least I do have a new respect for short hair.. any hair...Chair Thursday for me today.... hitting the Taxol at 1pm! First one and I am nervous of course.... Please let this be the one thing that the MO is rt about and let it be easier!!!!
-
I don't feel like I get pity looks! I wonder if I'm just oblivious, but I have been surprised most people don't look at me strangely at all. Maybe this is part of the South's long tradition of keeping up appearances and then gossiping behind people's backs. I started back at Pure Barre exercise classes this week, which are full of mostly young and appearance-conscious types, and I do feel a bit odd there. But I'm the sweatiest person in the world - there is no way I'm going to try to wear something on my head while I exercise.
I start rads today, first appointment in 2 hours. I am so ready to get going with it.
Oh, also, I had my first treatment yesterday of Herceptin alone. So far I feel completely normal, no side effects at all.
-
I don't think it's a personality flaw to not want others to see you bald. Last time around I was very uncomfortable with it. I think this time around my "give a shit meter" is on zero, so I really don't care, and once I realized that the floor did not open up and swallow me just going out in a hat, I have been more comfortable. I also have been a long hair ponytail girl pretty much my whole life so the short hair bugs me more than being bald (since it's harder to wear the wig over short hair than bald hair when I do feel like having "hair)...hence my huge ball cap collection.
-
Katy, here's to new beginnings. I hope that your new place gives you great joy. - we could all use some of that.
Theresa, good wishes on your last chemo day. I'm sending healing thoughts your way about the neuropathy. I know it is no fun - mine is still getting worse 9 days out from my last infusion.
Best luck to all in the chair today. It looks like many of us are finally reaching the end of the chemotherapy course of the shit sandwich. I've been looking, but my eyebrows are continuing to disappear, and the hair on my head appears unchanged since i buzzed it at the beginning of chemo. I'm not quite bald, but have a little bit of light (white?) fuzz that seems to still be the same length as the original buzz. I'm not ready to go commando, but I do go out more often with just a light headcover, no scarf. My fingernails have continued to grow, but they look awful, and filing them down with the neuropathy in my fingers takes a long time.
On the bright side, I seem to have no nausea at all today. That's the first time in months! I even had a cup of decaf coffee this morning, and it didn't taste like crap.
Our 22 year old son has been living about 2 hours away for the past three years, but has moved back into our house for the summer. He is planning to move after the summer, but has taken a job locally cooking at a golf club (he's working on becoming a chef) and wants to save some money and get himself together for a while. I think we will enjoy each other while he is here.
Gentle hugs to all.
-
Love the house Katy!
Good luck to those in the chair today, hoping minimal side effects for you all!
Avmom-My neuropathy is getting worse too and I'm 7 days pfc...ugh!
Good luck on your first rads Molly. Let us know how it goes, I start in a few weeks and am nervous.
PB
-
I have a bunch of white fuzz appearing too, gonna dye that crap as soon as it is long enough, no way am I going white. I'm gonna get organic hair dye from the health food store. Probably end up with an Afro lol.
After final chemo, plus one week, my husband is gonna hit me hard with all the anti-neuropathy vitamins and minerals, so hopefully that will help me recover. I won't take them during chemo.
I think what has helped me is staying physically active. When I outed myself at work, everybody was in shock. One woman asked if I shaved my head, because she couldn't reconcile going through chemo with my bike riding, and the fact that I don't look like a chemo person. So I think that made it easier to ditch the wig for me. 80 degree heat at work made the choice for me. That thing was like wearing a rabbit on my head.
-
Theresa- YAY!!!!!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎈🎈🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🏆 The finish line!
So. SO. PROUD OF YOU!!!!!!
Sizzle- it came across right. Thank you.
And thanks to everyone else for the votes of confidence.
I have a signed contract. I have pre-aporoval for the financing, have started the formal application process with a really nice, really competent lender (a woman, of course), and have the whole house inspection next Monday. Since the roof issue has been dealt with, nobody expects any problems. Of course, there always are, but hoping they are little, solvable ones. Closing will be end of July, my East Coast bro and SIL have just announced they are coming for a visit and help pack! Wow! By the time I actually pick up and move, I'll be close to 6 weeks PFC. I plan to hire people to move and do nothing much more than crook my finger here and there.
-
Katy, awesome about the house.
Just found out my 75 year old dad is having disk hernia surgery in July. Super concerned, because that is not an easy surgery recovery.
Oh, and my 28 year old stepdaughter is staying here, we found out she has been admitted to a psych hospital twice since January. so now we are getting her evaluated and trying to get her medication squared away, etc. I guess they think she is bipolar, and she has been suicidal. Katy, any input you have would be appreciated. You can pm me.
When it rains, it pours.
-
The house is so adorable, looks like good things are happening. Neighborhood sounds nice.
I've started to go out with a bandana and a cap, I can't take the heat. I've always worn makeup and done my hair so this was huge for me but I figure fuck it.
Feeling bone pain and stomach shit, want something to eat but nothing settles it, bleh...
-
Meme117, amen, fuck the wig.
Have you tried plain goat yogurt or something similar? Pepcid AC helped me when I had terrible stomach issues last round. and the yogurt coats everything really nice.
-
Leigh- I'm chiming in here about it NOT being a personality flaw. You must do what you are comfortable with.. Not doing THAT would not be a personality flaw either, haha, but a little therapy could help. Just take good care of yourself. Your psyche, your comfort level, your business.
Avmom, that is great your son boomeranged for the summer. I think you are right and it will be a special time for all of you.
Molly good luck today. Just remember, all of us here have your "6"!
I'm off to my powwow with the MO and blood work to see what those baby whites are up to. Pretty anxious, but I have my questions written down. Over the course of the last week, I have realized chemo 6 yes/no decision has become far less important to me than talking about how to get the most out of hormone therapy. Because I'm not (unbelievably, at 58, without a period for several years) through menopause officially, my option is Tamoxifen, but I'm only 85% ER+, and worried about it being optimal. Since the hormone testing for Tamox metabolism is not standard of care yet, it might after all be better to sidestep the whole issue and do ovarian suppression with an AI instead.
I shudder at the continued place medication will have in my life for the next ten years, and the manipulation of natural bodily functions I'm willing to consider to keep this bitch from coming back. Ugh.
-
Happy to read that so many are getting to the end of chemo.
Here is a quick recount of my experiences so far, 30 days PFC. Each day I am getting better, although I don't notice it as it is happening, just when I think back on the week earlier.
The worst SE of my chemo for me was almost constant nausea. I'm happy to report that it is almost, almost gone now. My taste buds are not completely back to normal, but close. More things are starting to taste like they used to.
My eyesight is improving. I've had problems with blurry vision, especially up close, I kept squinting at the computer while working and I didn't feel like reading anything because it seemed like such a chore. Now my eyes are about 90% back to pre-chemo.
My neuropathy was very minor, little tingling and numbness here and there. Except for outer side of my foot which feels slightly numb, it's all gone. I think I'll go back to L-Glutamine, until I finish the package.
I still have some fatigue, but this could be contributed to my low hemoglobin and RBC. At least my iron is finally within normal limits.
My eyebrows keep falling, about 80% of them are gone, but I think I see some new ones sprouting. Eyelashes are still there but thinning at a quicker pace. I wonder how long it takes for them to come back. Still don't have to shave my legs or armpits.
So far I've had 2 Herceptin-only infusions. It could be a coincidence but both times I had a bad headache the day or two after, Also, mildly aching bones. And another thing which my MO declared weird - my normally low blood pressure is getting high the first week after Herceptin - it happened after the first one, and it is happening now, after the second infusion.
Wishing all a speedy recovery.
BB
-
Katy, my ER is only 41-50%. I started taking Tamoxifen, but I am worried about blood clots (have a history) and uterine cancer so I wasn't sure how helpful Tamoxifen would be for me with my ER+ number. I asked my MO about it and he said that they considered anything above 10% to be strongly positive.
-
Good news on the house, Katy, and congratulations to people having a successful week.
My wife thinks the bald look is kind of hot, which helps
Here's what I did as a fundraiser last summer, so you can see why nobody blinks an eye at the bald:
-
Thanks for the update, BB.
Theresa: I am sorry about your stepdaughter. Hopefully she can get the help that she needs.
-
Katy: I feel the same way you do about taking meds for 10 years. I HATE taking anything. (except maybe xanax)
-
Allison- yeah I like my clonazepam too. And I don't even have two fighting kids!
Ksusan- you rocked that look! I see what your wife sees! Hotness!
Here I am, def not hot, with my game face on, lucky earrings, getting labs done and waiting for MO. Wish me luck!
-
Ladies--found a fun new drink. It's called bai'5 bubbles. A sparkling, antioxidant infusion. The blood orange is really good. It has the antioxidant value of a cup of green tea, so not considered a supplement antioxidant. That 12 ounces went down fast! :-)
-
done with the MO. Had a lively discussion. I trotted out my notes, he trotted out his studies, experience, and opinion.
My counts were up. NE @ 2.7. Normal range. He said i could quit if I wasn't tolerating it. We discussed "what means tolerate?".
Bottom line.
Doing chemo 6
Doing last Neulasta
Doing Tamox to start as he says it is not normally done in the reverse. He says the benefits of ovarian suppression is heavily weighted to younger women when you drill down in the study. We can run the estrogen follicle tests later after all effects of chemo has passed, in case any chemopause is temporary. He is inclined to do Tamox for 5 yrs with possible OS after we determine if I'm tolerating the Tamox. Then AI for another 5 We talked about recurrence and that there's no guarantees. It's all human science and therefore not much better than Vegas. He said that in the nicest possible way. He congratulated me in throwing everything possible at it, and that I'd been a good chemo patient.
We agreed that it doesn't change the outcome to think you know your odds. Its far better to spend your energy learning to live well.
The end. I'm going to take a break from thinking about all of this now and try to enjoy my last week before #6.
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team