Starting Chemo March 2015

greenae

Hi all

My eyes drove me nuts throughout chemo. They were so dry I had abrasions, and couldn't wear my contacts for the first 2 months. I also had scleritis, which is Not fun. I had to take an NSAID (Flurbiprofen) for the first 6 weeks of chemo to calm my eyes. My opthalmologist is Wonderful, and totally understood how I felt about brows disappearing 6 weeks PFC. It was yet another reminder! My eyes are blue-green, and I use Timolol gtts for glaucoma, because it doesn't darken eye color.

The Latisse is drawn across your upper lashline, only. The Allergan study showed no eye color change in any of its users. The study wasn't large, so I just am sure to be very careful with my brush. Not sure if my brows would have grown back at the same rate without it? But it gave me a sense of control to be doing something about yet another "gift" from chemo. I am cheering on all our lashes, brows and hair!

The latisse was $145.00 for 3ml. Insurance doesnt cover. Blaaah. I started using it 2 weeks after implant/reduction/lift recon sx.

Hugs! Arlene

shaz101

Neverthought. Don't dismiss your issue. Eye problems are huge! my eyes are still dry and blurry and it's bloody annoying! I've been holding up getting them tested for the same reason. I'm not sure if they will resolve themselves. I'll give it a few weeks.

My lashes and brows are just about gone. I was thinking how lucky I was to keep them! Thought too soon.

My thoughts are with you all. Especially those being deported! If it's anything like getting a pic line removed, it's gone before you know it. It was painless for me.

eheinrich

My eyes had problems too. I have an eye exam scheduled to address vision changes. But my eye twitch is gone!!!

I have scheduled my TE placement surgery for 8/27 (aka Build a Boob Workshop) . Really want to have all of this over with, but really don't want more surgery, but really want to have two boobs. Blech

Meme117

Thanks for the good wishes. I'm in my hospital bed getting ready to sleep so thought a quick update. 2 hour surgery and there was a tumor in the lymph node so BS removed them all, boo hoo. I'll meet with her tomorrow and get all the info. Who else had this? I'm not sure how many I was kinda in a daze when she talked to me.

Best wishes for port removals - I'll have mine till next April. Seems so far off but I'm sure it'll be here in a snap. Life just keeps flyng by

Jackbirdie

Maryellen- thanks for checking in. Glad you're being looked after. Still in your pocket, thinking of you...hugs, Katy

slothabouttown

Build a Boob workshop ! now I'm trying to remember that other hilarious phrase you came up with during chemo. WTH was it? Oh yeah BOOB HOLE. Well good luck at the workshop and goodbye boob hole!

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wpmoon

E - your build a boob workshop is scheduled on my birthday. So here's hoping it's a great day!

Trvler

Maryellen: I am glad you reported in and I wish you and easy recover.

avmom

Hey, Katy,

Just popping in to let you know how my deportation went. It was a loooong day, as things were backed up at the hospital, but when I finally got in, there was very little drama. The procedure was done with local anaesthetic only, and injecting the local was the most painful part of the entire process. The port was out in minutes, and I had a good evening. This morning, the incision site stings a bit, but only if I touch it, and my shoulder is a tiny bit achy. Otherwise, it's all good.

I hope that this helps with any anxiety you have about being deported. I already notice that the place on my neck where the catheter went into my vein is more comfortable - I never did get totally used to that!

I'll be thinking of you today

IndyGal35

Build a Boob. That's freaking funny

Maryellen, sorry to hear about the positive node. Keep us posted when you meet with the dr today!

I met with a counselor through EAP on Monday. My biggest goals are to work through my anger/resentment issues and to relearn myself. I need to find balance between being afraid to do things (quit a job I don't enjoy) for fear of recurrence and going a bit nuts trying to fit everything in now. I know exactly where I am psychologically, but I don't know where I want to go. My hope is she can help me find a balanced path to get there.

Meeting with the RO today.

Was supposed to get another fill with the PS on Thursday, but the spasms are so bad. 500mL at 4 weeks post-surgery is unfathomable right now.

Going back to work today. It's not by choice, but I'm almost out of time off. I may just stare at the computer for 8 hours and drink fluids, but at least I'm a warm body, right?

Trvler

I am wondering if it makes sense to lidocaine the area before going for deportation? It sounds like it would. Has anyone done this?

Trvler

Lee: I think fear of recurrence for a period of time is 100% normal and you have to let yourself live through the fear. That's just my opinion. Of course talking about it doesn't hurt. But personally, I think the only thing that helps that is time. (And maybe hair regrowth.

slothabouttown

Mary Ellen, thanks for checking in here. I had a positive node that didn't show up during the dissection but the pathologist found it. I was back in 10 days later getting bunches of lymph nodes and my remaining breast removed. That was the clincher for the radiation too.

Hope you'll keep us posted and get lots.of good rest these next few days.

ksusan

Good luck, Katy!

I don't think lidocaine beforehand is needed, unless someone has trouble with pain from shots, in which case check with your surgeon about using a topical beforehand or in the office.

Second the neck relief--immediate and great!

eheinrich

Maryellen - so glad you checked in. So sorry about the node. Another topping on the shit sandwich.

av - glad all went well. Katy?

Lee - talking through that is a good idea. We aren't meant to shoulder this alone & while friends & family can be great they can't offer the kinds of advice/support a pro can. Yay you for doing it.

TE people - did you stay overnight after placement surgery?

Jackbirdie

I'm on my way now. Thx everyone. I did put lidocaine in since j had leftover. Checked with surgeon. He didn't care.

shaz101

Good luck katy.

maryellen I had a positive node as well. Bugger of a thing. It was found during pathology and I had to go back and get more removed. They all came back negative. Thinking of you xxx

Jackbirdie

All done! Thanks everybody! it wasn't too bad, just like everyone said. What I didn't expect was how emotional I would be. Truly the end for now. Hopefully forever

greenae

congratulations, katy!

A new beginning! A new home! I am so happy for you!

Love, arlene

pboi

Congrats Katy! You must be so relieved, time to celebrate 🎉

PB

Jackbirdie

Very relieved....

I am at this moment contemplating the best way to celebrate. I was thinking a nice real margarita with fresh limes and simple syrup. A REAL one. But all of my glasses are packed! Doh!

littleblueflowers

Congrats, Katy! Way to be a human again! Just wait until the stitches come out- best day ever.

Leighrh

WOOHOO KATY!!!!!!! That sucker is GONE!!!!! NEVER to return!

Jackbirdie

Thanks Leigh, BP, and everyone.!

Littleblue- dissolvable stitches! And they are under the skin!No return for stitch removal. I can shower, but must not scrub.

I only go back if some ugly things happen, I think I'll be ok!

Thinking about a maggarita....original style with fresh limes (potassium) har

mysunshine48

Just saw this, Katy! YEA

Meme117

Katy sounds like the port removal was a piece of cake and I'd love love a fresh margarita 😄

I'm home relaxing watching As good as it gets, seen it a hundred times but love it. Can't do much till drain comes out which should be 3 days according to BS, that would be Saturday so let's hope for Friday. Have yet to take a Percocet maybe before bed. Didn't sleep well in hospital so many creepy noises. I know this sounds crazy but I felt as though someone was in my room twice last night, I heard a woman call my name but when I awoke no one was there. It was so very real and happened two times. My cousin thinks ishe was my grandmother or my aunt and to look at it as a positive.

Jackbirdie

Maryellen, so glad you are home and resting fairly comfortably. It wouldn't surprise me that your grandmother and/or aunt were there watching over you. And here in this life we are watching over you. You are in my thoughts dear. Don't worry, don't think about anything, just rest and give your body what it needs to heal. Peace, rest and PROTEIN.

shaz101

great news katy.

I'm glad your home now maryellen. I hope your recovery is as painless and quick as possible.

Italychick

Maryellen, glad you're home. Don't discount that they paid you a visit. My Rational side is skeptical about that kind of stuff, but my Sicilian side totally believes in it.

Scared myself last night for no reason. Felt a sore spot in the back of my head and said wtf! Then filed it away. Today I adjusted my glasses during my bike ride and realized one pair of my glasses is squeezing on that spot in the back of my head. Phew! But I felt like a total dumbass for going to the bad place.

so-she-did

Maryellen, sorry to hear that you had a positive node. Glad you are now home and resting.

It has been a whirlwind of a 48 hours! DDs surgery went well. They placed two pins in her humerus but were able to reduce the fracture in her radius without pins. She spent the night in the hospital last night (University of Minnesota Children's so she was in great hands!) and went back to my parents' house this morning. There is lots of swelling so no cast yet. They are planning to start driving Friday and arrive back here on Sunday. She was showing off her monkey bar skills to my friend's son and fell. Her feet slipped on the wood chips and she caught herself with her arm behind her. Poor kid! Not the best way to end a vacation, but at least she didn't start it that way.