Starting Chemo March 2015

Trvler

Carrie: I have noticed some people who never had much of an interest in being my friend offering to 'do anything they can'. I don't question that they are genuinely good people but I do think some people do feel the need to be the hero. I can't say why your friend would post that. Who knows what the motivation is? You know her best. I do think they have privacy settings that keep that from happening but they change them so often, I never look. That's why I didn't join the FB group because I just don't trust the settings.

Trvler

Lashes: I can't tell if mine are falling out or browning in but I have had to trim them in the past because a few strands get really long. So now I am taking advantage of it and doing a Donald Trump lash combover.

Jackbirdie

Allison. For the longest time I wanted to complain about that slowness thing. So annoying. I've noticed sometimes if you start a new paragraph it improves.

And I'm with you and Leigh and everyone else. I was laying in bed this morning thinking about changes needed to my diet. Sugar and the occasional alcoholic bev-which turns to sugar) is my hardest thing.

Then this thought popped into my mind : all the controversial suggestions and warnings and treatment differences. The people who run marathons, have no body fat, never touch sugar, are vegan, etc etc, who get breast cancer.

Why would they know about this more than anything else so far? They haven't agreed on hardly anything!

So I'm going to be as healthy as I can. Certainly I will take more care than before. I need to get strong to enjoy my life do exercise is extremely important. But not just to avoid recurrence. But current QOL has to factor in or it wasn't a life worth saving. IMHO.

eheinrich

I just came across this article on weight gain after BC diagnosis & tx. Very interesting.

http://time.com/3957748/breast-cancer-weight/

pboi

Lee...glad to hear youre doing better now.

Post chemo facial fur...I too am glad to see you all mention it. I couldn't remember if I had it before or thought maybe it was a chemopause thing. Does that mean it will go away eventually?

Frustrated by my eyebrows...grrrr! Have had none for awhile, but last weekend so excited to see little hairs coming in. Now realizing hairs mostly coming in on the side closest my nose and not so much the other end! Like I'm gonna get half a brow....noooooo!!!!!!

Katy....hope you have a wonderful weekend with your family! 😊

Allison...that slow backspace thing happens to me too...frustrating!

PB

Trvler

Interesting, Eileen. I guess I am the exception. I feel certain I will gain weight AFTER my surgery. Bleh! I am trying to enjoy trying to gain weight. I feel pretty confident this will be the ONLY time in my life I will be trying to gain weight.

SueH58

Never in my life have I had the problem of trying to gain weight. I'm sure it's hard for those who need to, but I have to admit I'm jealous.

Steph - how are you doing today?

KBeee

The facial fur lasted about 6 months last time if memory is correct... Which it may or may not be!

Allison, My PS told me if my ears damage is too bad I may lose my implant and then they would do a flap surgery. He quickly added that I do not have enough tissue for that though, so he hopes the implant survives! He said he could do a lat flap, but I am not moving muscle... No way... Not with my job!!!

Trvler

I don't want implants because I have had them and there are issues with imaging and even when I do the echo, it can be hard to see around them. I just don't want them. I never thought THIS (losing weight) would be an issue. I think NOLA can take from other areas but I am not sure how I feel about that.

Sue, I have been trying to lose 10 pounds for 2 years now!

Jackbirdie

Eileen- thank you for sharing the article. This issue is slowly moving up my list of priorities. It's been a problem all my life. And I think the fear of losing mine may be the only thing that makes me successful now on a long term basis. Interesting term "long term". What does that even mean any more? Not sure.

I also really liked the video at the end. I don't want to issue a "spoiler" so I'll just say it was fun and moving at the same time, got tears in my eyes.

Jackbirdie

Oh, Sue, I just wanted to remind you that Steoh is in the April group, so she may not have seen your post.?

KBeee

Allison, one of my adept chemo gals Had flaps from her thigh/hip area

Trvler

I do have hips and a butt. I don't want any muscle cut.

KBeee

That surgery is called the GAP flap (Gluteal artery somethingorother) since that's where it comes from. You can google it to get info on that so you can ask about it when you're there.

Trvler

I think I better ask it about if BEFORE I get there since the day after I get there, they are going to cut me.

Jackbirdie

Allison- how's your daughter feeling?

Lee- how are you doing today?

PB- how is your thyroid surgery recovery going? Is your mom still there? Hope you are getting the help and support you need.

I'm waiting..... Family s/b here within an hour or so! Very excited.

Trvler

She's feeling better, thanks, Katy.

Have a great time with your family!

wpmoon

I've noticed some chin fuzz, too. So not attractive. Bald spot, no eyebrows, and a beard... I think I'm turning into my grandpa.

Struggling with fatigue and insomnia lately, also having a lot of joint pain. Not sure if that's Herceptin related or not. So frustrating that we can't tell what symptom comes from where. Most of my nose bleeds have stopped, though, so that's nice.

Jackbirdie

I did a face fur check and so far i don't see any. While I was snooping around in the general vicinity I snapped a quick hair update. Slow progress. But progress.

Trvler

That's about where I am at, Katy. I think I will not look closely for the fur. I wish my nosebleeds would stop. The only safe day is Benedryl day. I am not sure why.

KBeee

Allison, I hear you on the nosebleeds. I am so over them! 2 weeks ago it was about 1-2 per day which lasted about 5 minutes. Now there are 3-4 per day which last longer. I'll take the nosebleeds over neuropathy any day, but they are annoying nonetheless!

eheinrich

Am I the only one having cold flashes? It's almost like getting the chills or goosebumps very suddenly. I was thinking I was a little wonky but the internet says it's a thing. It happens a lot at night or if I'm resting. Coupled with the occasional hot flash I feel like my body forgot how to regulate its own internal temp.

I had my 6mo post-diagnosis check up today with the onc case manager. Didn't think to ask her about the cold flash thing. I was a bit of a train wreck. Walking back into Oncology was stressful enough but last night Alan & I officially decided we are getting divorced. We sat and talked and cried for a very long time - so sad that this is where we are at and all. Unfortunately for the case manager I held myself together for a hot second before bursting into tears after she asked me how I have been doing. Blech. I hate crying in front of strangers.

ksusan

I had cold flashes last summer as a fun perimenopause effect. Now I'm getting hot and cold. It's full-service temperature SEs.

I'm sorry it's come to this point with Alan. I hope for whatever is best for you.

IndyGal35

Eileen, I'm so sad to hear that. I know that things have been supportive and amicable so far, but it just feels like one more loss and trauma for you right now. I hope that this upcoming legal process nurtures a relationship where you two can continue to love and support each other in a place that is healthier for you both

Jackbirdie

Eileen- I'm so sorry. I'm sure you decided mutually and I know it's been some time coming, but a loss anyway. We are all here for you.

SueH58

Knee and others. I have tissue that could be spared from any and all parts of my body. I'd love to donate if I could. 

Katy, thanks for the reminder about Steph. Hope she's doing OK. 

Italychick

Eileen, I am so sorry and hope things turn out well for you. Keep that happy little face I see shining through in your pictures. There is a sweet girl in there, I am sure of it! Life is a journey. I have been married twice, first time for 17 years and now coming up on my 20th anniversary with Roger. I made children and a lot of memories with my first husband, and I hold on to the good memories we had together and let the rest go. I wish that for you and Alan.

SueH58

Eileen - so very sorry for you. I will say that sometimes I feel hot and cold at the same time. Goosebumps from chills but sometimes still feel hot. I agree it's like your body forgot how to regulate. 

Katy - forgot to congratulate you on your new house. Have fun with your family there.  

eheinrich

Thanks ladies.

I haven't noticed face fuzz. But my eyelashes & brows seem to still be thinning. How is that possible? Chemo ended much ago. I realized I need to keep tabs on the leg hair, forgot the hairs grow. It was a scary scene.....

I have this many head hairs:

Jackbirdie

you can haz lotsa hairs