April 2015 Chemo Crew... Starting in April? Please join us!

AndreaC

Hi everyone!

Yes please Susan! Would love to see an almost done rads pic!

Ankle - so sorry to hear about your mom! It was caught early though so she should be fine. You don't need the stress right now though. My son-in-law's mom was diagnosed a couple of months before I was but it was early for her too...after a lumpectomy and rads she is doing great now.

Lynne and Lorraine, so great that you could meet in person! I think I live too far away from any of you for that, but who knows...I do love to travel! Gotta get done with rads first.

I know how important it is to get exercise, but my migraines started when I was swimming...had another going for a hike. The rest have been while doing very little...walking up a flight of stairs, brushing my teeth, having a shower, going to the bathroom. I'm afraid to do anything now! I'm sure this is just temporary though. I'm having a good day today. Something else that has been going on with me lately too is that I get huge bruises very easily. Saw my GP yesterday and she sent me for bloodwork. My platelets and hemoglobin are a little low, but not critical. I imagine that's just lasting effects of the chemo.

Good news...the MRI of my brain is Sunday and I will for sure start rads on Monday! Rads had been postponed because my RO was having difficulty coming up with a feasible plan for bilateral rads...she had rejected about 15 of them. We have decided to go with radiation on the left side only, which was the side with lymph node involvement.

So I'll be moving in with my mom in Victoria for 6 weeks (home on weekends). Oh joy.

Andrea

ksusan

Okay, two images, taken just now on my phone. They actually make my skin look redder and more grainy than it is. At that, I just treadmilled for an hour so I'm a little flushed. I had some tiny red dots show up on my chest after today's treatment, but it's hard to imagine they won't be gone after a bath and moisturizer. The skin there is still completely smooth.

Here's #26 of 28 whole-breast irradiations. I'll have 5 more boosts along the scar only after that.

Here's a close-up of the blisters, which are smaller than they look from this angle--from the top of the top one to the bottom of the bottom one is .5 cm. They don't itch.

gingeel

Thanks for sending us those! It's good to see what the blisters actually look like, cause I pictured huge water filled blisters. Although it still looks painful. Didn't realize how far along you are. #26! Almost done!

Andrea, maybe your low platelet and hemoglobin count is giving you the migraines?

Have a great night everyone. I'm beat. Gonna rest my calf.

ksusan

Not painful. Sleep well!

littleblueflowers

Thanks for the pix, ksusan. It's not nearly as bad as I imagined...I was thinking peeling hide and oozing sores. What did it do to your muscles? I remember you said you rowed...

ksusan

My right shoulder and arm are a little tight, but not bad at all. Mastectomy scar is a little tighter. I expect once I can work out fully I'll be back to comfortable full range of motion very soon.

I did light rowing through last week (week 4) and the same American Cancer Society range of motion arm stretches--on the floor: over the head, hands behind neck with elbows toward the floor, stick-em-up; finger creep up the wall, lean into the doorway. Don't push if it's tight and hurts--relax into it, or hold at that point if going further is painful. I've done them slowly and deliberately. Plus your LE arm-pumping and finger-twiddling. I've also done some manual lymph drainage right before and after each treatment, and drunk a lot of water and a whey protein shake in the hour before my treatment, plus water afterward.

I'll post photos when I'm done with WBI, done with boosts, and at a week and two weeks out if that's helpful.

Rockerwife

Hi everyone just checking in. I finished the first week of school with my new class of 5th graders. On day one I did an activity in which they got to tell me what they already knew about me. So they knew my son is also in 5th, but in another class and a few other things. Then one student stated, we also know that you always wear that thing on your head. So I said," do you know why?" Jokingly I told them it is a brain warmer. Of course, they all said, "no it's not." We know you went through cancer,but we didn't want to say because we thought it would be mean. They were too funny.

One of my boys told me he liked it and that I look like a gypsy especially with my hoop earrings. I said thank you that was the look I was going for. Meanwhile I have no bottom lashes and only a few top ones. About 1/4 of my left eyebrow and maybe 3/4 of my right. My hair is coming in super gray. No more super smooth lady bits. That stuff is growing faster than the hair on my head.

All healed up from Rads. I used an organic aloe by Aubrey and medical barrier cream by Epionce. Seemed to really helped. I did get super red and itchy. Also had the stiffness and a rash that KSusuan wrote about. It took 2 weeks to feel better.

Good to be back at work and not focusing every second on cancer crap. Just trying to get back to normal. Have a great weekend.

Lisa

mamajencoz

Hi ladies. Stopping in for an update. My 16th and final chemo is monday 17th. No rads just Herceptin til next June so my deportation party will have to wait. I've kept up with all of you on here weekly. Im more of a reader then a poster. I have my final chemo sign all ready to go... 2 more days. I'll continue to pray for those still treating, send praises for those done, and rejoice in the victories.

Alibeths

any more tips on rads? I'm so nervous. What about swimming

SueH58

Alibeths - my RO said I could swim in my pool but had to immediately go in and wash off the chlorine. Turns out I had a detour for chemo, so by the time I start rads pool season will be just about done here in WI.

I also spoke with the dietician at my clinic yesterday. I asked her about eating hormone-free meat, dairy, etc. She said that the hormones in meat is different than the hormones in your body, so it shouldn't affect cancer. Now it may be healthier to eat grass fed, but she didn't feel it would affect my outcome. Thought I'd pass that along.

littleblueflowers

What about sweating during radiation? Is that bad? I start Monday too! Has anyone tried that gloves in a bottle stuff? Thought maybe I could smear it all over my radiated side as an extra layer?

Eyebrows...this explains it all!

littleblueflowers

Eyebrow angst. Ladies this is way more important than I thought lol

littleblueflowers

Oh jeeze will it finally link??? Eyebrows. This explains it...

Ha! It worked!

lovlilynne

Aw, poo, I just realized that the JDRF One Walk is on October 3rd, putting retreat into jeopardy. DD1 who has T1D wants to have a team this year. Given DH's "I'm not doing that" attitude, I doubt I could hand this one off to him. I'm having Tess check with her friends to be sure that they would sign up as team members before I give up on the retreat.

gkodad

I have calf muscle cramps but didn't consider it part of my neuropathy. I just figured I'm so pathetically out of shape from chemo, my muscles were in rebellion when used.

Thanks for pictures, ksusan. They were reassuring. Do they do the superclavical field separately? I'm having trouble imaging how that will be done, although during the simulation they stressed I had to keep my head turned so my throat doesn't get sore.

I've had radiation on the left side in the past, but I didn't need chemo with my first breast cancer, so no problems at all - skin just turned pink. The RO said chemo adds more stress to the situation, so it won't be as easy this time. (thanks, chemo - one more side effect to add to the list.)

I'll go ahead and order a second tube of maiderm. I've already got aquaphor, cetaphil and aloe vera, so I should be able to lube up my entire body. In fact, I'm close to having my own pharmacy. My sister had a bowel issue the other day and I showed her my "chemo supply closet" and invited her to help herself.

Rockerwife

Thank you Littleblue! The video was hilarious! Especially the "sperm" shaped eyebrows. I think I might've drawn those. Opps

gkodad

I loved the eyebrows...hilarious! Then I watched hair, nails and underwear.

Rockerwife

Littleblue I sweated during rads. I went to the gym every morning during rads and I was fine. I never had too much fatigue since the morning exercise gave me energy. By the afternoon I would feel it more and nap if needed

littleblueflowers

I never realized how much I relied on my boobs to distract men from my intelligence. My friend and i used to call it coyote feminism lol. Not proud or it, but there ya go. Lack of boobs is forcing me to use other social coping strategies. Interesting to be my own social experiment....

ksusan

Yes, the supraclavicular radiation is my first zap, then I get a zap on the main field, then another zap on the main field from a side angle.

I think the issue with sweating is about irritating your skin.

Coyote, anybody distracted from your intelligence by your breasts is not paying enough attention. Speaking as a lesbian, I assert that one can appreciate both simultaneously.

AndreaC

Good Saturday to y'all!

Not a great day for me...headache again but not one of the bad ones. Taking it easy. I just wish that our neighbour who loves anything that makes noise would stop weed-whacking/chainsawing/lawn mowing.

Thanks for the pics ksusan! Kind of gives me an idea of what to expect. Side note - your underarm scar is so much nicer than mine. Mine is raised and red (both sides). The scar across my chest is nice and neat though.

I ordered a frogg toggs cooling patch and some Aquaphor from Amazon last night...better late than never! Was contemplating Miaderm but it's so expensive! I have Shea butter and aloe creamthough, we'll see how that all works.

Getting ready to move in with my mom tomorrow to be closer to the cancer clinic for my rads. Kind of looking forward to it, I love my mom but am not pleased with her choice of boyfriend. She is 75, I think he is around the same age. I haven't met him yet but he is an alcoholic and "going through a divorce" but is still living with his wife. Hmmm. This could be an interesting six weeks.

Andrea

lovlilynne

KB - did you survive the parties?

Andrea, I only ordered one tube of the Miaderm - I want to see that it is the fountain of youth for that price! Best wishes with you and your mom. Forgive me, but chuckling about the 75 year old boy friend - I just can't picture it. So sorry about your migraines - that is the worst!

Jen/mama - congrats on last chemo! We all will be cheering you on. Great picture!

Lisa - so cool to hear from someone who has this all in the rear-view mirror now! Even back to work - so cute about your students' comments. How is your hair growth? Care to share?

Scarlett - thanks for the heads up on Tamoxifen, it seems like SE are so different depending on the person.

Reneee, how is FIL?

Leg cramps - if it's potassium, MO said I would be losing it with the diuretic, so need to eat one tomato a day (or a banana, but she focused on tomato).

Last night the family traveled into Boston to have dinner in the North End. In that past, we did this for our anniversary since DS was about 2 years old. We have dinner at this small (7 tables - including the small, two tables for 2 in the windows) restaurant whose specialty is calamari. Then we go across the street for the best tiramisu and some cappuccino. It's really a wonderful evening - I've loved doing it for our anniversary - better than any present that Chuck and I could exchange. This year, though, I wasn't feeling it - if I don't do all the planning, it doesn't happen. Chuck gives me a hard time - he likes it, but doesn't love going in the city so he kinds complains. I just figured it had run it course, and maybe it has, but we went last night (just not for anniversary), and it was great. It was such a nice summer night.

ksusan

Andrea, thanks! I'm so happy to be part of a community where we can compliment each others' underarm scars! I'm glad you're happy with how your chest has healed.

littleblueflowers

ksusan, you always say the sweetest things!

gingeel

Happy Sunday beauties.....

Blue, loved the eyebrow vid...hilarious. I especially loved the uneven brow bit! Gonna have to check out her tutorials. She's great! And, listen, from what I know from this discussion board, you are a witty, intelligent, and beautiful person...no boobs needed. Just saying.

Rockerwife, I think your students are so cute and sweet. They are smart, too! I like that you had that discussion with them. I have a 6th grader (my kids start 9/2), and he is pretty aware of all that is happening. Hope you have a good class.

Gko, my calf is still sore, but I'm not limping anymore! I have my own pharmacy too. I actually have a ziploc bag full of my pills!

Andrea, how's the head today? I bet you can't wait for your MRI tomorrow.....Hopefully, it'll be a nice treat being with your mom, but the boyfriend situation is pretty funny. My mom comes out almost every week from NJ to help me, and I appreciate having her around.

Lynne, your family tradition sounds lovely. Happy that you guys didn't skip on it for freakin' cancer, even though it wasn't on your actual Anni. Your family is beautiful.

Mamajan.....love your pic. You look so happy. Good luck on your last chemo!

Well, I had a beautiful Saturday. Went to the beach with kids and my SIL, who is also my best friend. We went around 3, and stayed til 7! The ocean was so peaceful and soothing to the soul when the sun is starting to set. Goes to show you, Friday I was limping from calf pain and almost fainting, and Saturday I was on a boogie board riding the waves...no joke! It's crazy what chemo does to you. I told my mom I literally live day to day. After the beach we went and grabbed some chorizo tacos from a food truck.....it was an awesome day.

ksusan

Rpayton

ksusan your hair looks great!!! Hooray!

Hope everyone had a nice summer weekend. Hard to believe we are half way thru August!

littleblueflowers

Nice hair there!

Mamajen, you are so pretty! What a nice shaped head you have!

Glad you feel better GinGeel! I want to try boogieboarding...is it hard?

Lynne, you have a beautiful family!

Here is where I was working today, yes I know it's Sunday

ksusan

Pretty, and looks like good tinder, too.

littleblueflowers

yeah the fire is to skiers left. It's only 2600 acres though. This was the pretty view when the smoke lifted!