Anyone starting chemo in Aug. 08?

Thanks Misty.:)  Baby steps with the hair. Its winter anyways, I am sooo happy about that. I don't know where your at ,but I am in MI so its sooo cold here. Hats are a must right now anyways

I have been reading about expanders and reconstruction. Women were talking about all their pain, and I was freaking out a little. Then they all said they would do surgery and the expanders 100 times over ever having to do chemo.   That expanders are nothing compared to chemo. 

I think we are all doing AWESOME.  It sounds like chemo is the worst of it all, and then its maintenance after.   Man I am happy they made that clear

I am getting psyched about new boobies

Hi, Stacy & everyone...  First, another big WOHOO to Alibug!  You are my inspiration for what's ahead!  And, Stacy, I am thrilled to know that you're up and running with such a full-time schedule while still doing rads!  You, too, are an inspiration!

Misty, I've also been wondering about Gail.  Knowing her a bit, I have a feeling she's just on to other things already, but I'll give her a call this week if she doesn't check in here. 

Deen, I don't feel like I've particularly "aged," but I certainly don't feel as energetic as I did pre-bc.  Still hoping that will come back when I'm done with rads and my hair, eyebrows & lashes grow back.  But, for now, I just feel kind of at loose ends, like I need more energy and maybe even a new direction to feel revitalized.

Tonya, have a wonderful trip and Happy Birthday.  Bette, how did Tom's support group work out? 

(((Hugs))) to everyone above and everyone else.  I just have to tell you that after being away from these boards for a few days, it is crystal clear what an awesome group of strong women you all are!    Deanna

P.S.  Will anyone else here be joining a January rads group?

Wow Alibug, congrats are in order.  I am so happy for you! 

Bette, How proud you must be of Tom for taking such an active role in a support group.  To have support like this is absolutley a blessing!

Lisahugs, maybe you could post a photo of your baby for us?

As for here, last Saturday I  threw an 18th birthday celebration for my eldest DD .  The years pass so quickly!!!! Turn around and they're tiny, turn around and they're grown............

 So my youngest DD is just 4 and I plan to be around for her 18th as well !!!!!  My first rads treatment is tomorrow.

I went without my hat today.  It started getting colder outside, and I think I was expecting compliments which didn't come LOL. So baby steps

Roya,theres Ella. She's getting more photogetic now.  God bless you during your rads. This part really is easy except for not knowing how the skin will take it.   I am just sooo worried about the new boobies part. Its all in Gods hands, and will be better than what I can imagine.

Stacy,  your right. When I start getting down about anything and negative thoughts try to creep in, theres a part of me that is like "there is NO WAY  I  will leave this baby girl "

Lisahugs, that is the cutest, most adorable baby!!!!!! You are sooooo blessed! Yes she will grow up seemingly so fast so enjoy every moment!!! Soon enough you will be holding those grandbabies and you will look back at now and realize that all this chemo, mastectomy, and rads was so worth it!

Today was first rads and it was very time consuming since they had to take more pictures and  etc. but after today they said that the whole process should only take about 10 minutes from start to finish.  It is only the first round that takes so long.  There is a bottle of aloe in each dressing room for afterwards.

Bette, hope you are ok what with the winter storm watch.  Keep warm!!!

I had an appointment at lunchtime, so I had to drive in the sleet and snow. I took my time and got home safely. Now it is snowing and the cars are covered. It is pretty if you don't have to drive. I have chemo at 9 AM tomorrow. I may walk if there is ice and snow on the ground. It is only two blocks away.

My BC cookies came out really well. I hope the nurses like them.

Tom is home nursing his cold. I'm hoping he is better by Saturday so we can see each other !

I am so anxious about this last chemo. I know what happened the last three times, and I really don't want to go through it again. But if that is God's will, I will celebrate Christmas in the hospital. I'm sure there will be other patients celebrating with me on the oncology floor.

I am definitely in a nesting mood today. Trying to get things done before I start to feel the SE's. I so do not want to do this. I have to hang on to it being the last one.

Have a good night, and if you are in a cold snowy place, keep warm and safe.

Bette 

Deanna, I wasn't familiar with the term curcumin so I googled, it seems to be the same as or part of turmeric?  I read that it was supposed to be good for fighting cancer but didn't know about it helping radiation treatment.  I've been trying to sprinkle turmeric on whatever I can. I'm hearing about all different kinds of creams that are supposed to be the best so I don't know!  Apparently our centre gives you some so I'll see what the nurses say.  I've got some glaxall base cream and I've heard lubriderm, and I do have aloe vera gel.....I guess I should go over the info pack and video that they gave me again.  I go for the set up / simulation session next Tuesday, then I'll find out when I start.

Bette I wish you the best with your treatment tomorrow, it's the last one anyway!!!!  Maybe you'll get a break.

Chemo is over, except for two-three weeks of SE's. Whatever comes I will accept from God's hand and deal with it. For now I have a headache and a cough. Considering the weather, it is a very good afternoon for some Tylenol and a nap.

Bette 

Hello ladies, yes baby is so alert. We have a activity bouncer on the way for her, I am soooo excited. She loves to bounce and wants to touch everything. I put her by the Christmas tree and she was very gently stroking the needles. Amazing to me

Life here is ok. I am doing my best to get past what my husband did (pill addiction during the major part of this). Its very difficult to trust him,. and it sucks. He's working on making it better, but I can't seem to get past it.   This whole BC experience (and of course having my baby) has made me think about SOOOO much now.  Life will not ever be the same.

Bette- I am praying for you too. The Bible says 2 or more in prayer  will send the demons to flight (2,000 right . So in the name of Jesus we pray you have peace and are able to push past any side effects you have. We pray that only in Gods will do you have any side effects, and if you do to reveal the purpose for them. In Jesus name we pray. Amen

Thanks Jeannine- I am healing so slowly. But am healing    I am with you on the confusion of the ovaries being removed. I have had my obgyn  scaring me with stories of his late sister in law(28 when she passed from reoccurence).  He's more afraid of me having another baby then I am. And is making it out to be like I will die for sure if I do too.    I am not ready to make any decisions about this now.  And I am really thinking that it can come back anywhere, so taking out my baby maker just doesn't feel right to me right now.   This is where my faith, and relationship with Jesus comes in. It is in Gods hands ALL OF IT.  And the "enemy" doesn't want me to have any more babies that will grow up knowing God and knowing he is a defeated foe.  

Now if I was done having babies I honestly think I would do it. No more periods, hello   I did premenopause, it sucked but was doable. Now yrs of that would be a little much, but its going to happen someday anyways ?  Sorry if I sound a little ignorant.  The hot flashes stunk, but I am already moody and emotional so that was nothing new:)

Its going to be ok.It really is

I  

I am praying that all of you have a wonderful holiday season.  I am posting this from the comfort of my hospital room, I have been here since Sunday with laryngitis and pneumonia.  My son's friend brought his laptop today so that I could "reconnect with the world" LOL.  I was hoarse, coughing for a few days, but when the shortness of breath kicked in I moved quickly to the ER.  They have pumped me full of 2 anitbiotics, 2 breathing tx a day, tx for a staph inf that started after I got here, and generally let me rest (I requested a "Do Not Disturb" sign on my door and NO BP, temp,etc between 10pm - 6am).  Thankfully I can go home tomorrow, and hopefully will stay on track to have #7 on Monday, I don't even care if I can't eat Christmas dinner, I'm intent on counting down!  Last tx is 1/14, surgery 1st wk of March, then rads, just don't know how many yet.  Going to make appt 1st part of Jan with PS for so he can see the "before" effect.

Bette - I'm praying that you are resting well with minimal SE's, and can spend the holiday with your loved ones.

I've reflected back on my "thankful" Thanksgiving and need to share with you all how much more it means to me today.  First of all, IT SNOWED!!!  That of course is not at all the most important, but remember I live in south Louisiana, it actually stuck to the ground.  It started at 3am, lasted till about 9am, and there was no trace of snow on the ground by noon, oh well, I got a little snow anyway.  12/06 was a memorial svc for my uncle, dx w/pancreatic cancer in October.  It was a beautiful svc and I walked away knowing he was at peace.  12 hours later I was awakened by a phone call that one of my Bayoudemons sisters was killed in an accident.  The driver of the bike, another of our members, was in critical condition, but she was killed instantly when a truck ran over them.  She would have been 51 on 12/15, the burial was delayed until 12/12 and the week was just unbearable.  The world lost a wonderful woman.  She participated in all of our fundraisers (Bayoudemons is a motorcycle club that holds fundraisers for individuals in need and for organizations such as Hospice, St. Jude's, MDA, etc.). She was a Sunday school teacher, left 2 adult children and 1 teenager, 6 grandchildren, and of course her husband and other family members.  I think the stress, the crying, being around too many people, etc contributed to me being sick, but I am determined to rest for the next two days and be there Saturday for my Bayoudemons family as we host a Toys for Tots drive.  My friend who passed had battled cancer 8 years ago and won, I found out last week that it had recurred and I beleive that she is at peace having passed doing something she loved, instead of going through the tx and losing the battle.  She was a very strong supporter for me and always told me how much she loved me and was praying for me, and I miss her greatly. But I am going to fight a little harder now cause I know her prayers are being heard even louder now, cause she'll go up to God himself and say "Excuse me, but we need to chat about something...."  

Anyway, she encouraged me to use this board and I thought I should give her a little kudos for all of the advice she gave.  And again, every day that I awake, I am thankful for that day, no matter what it brings.  I hope everyone has a wonderful, peaceful holiday, and looks forward to a new year of blessings.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Hugs and Kisses, Prayers and Merry Wishes~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chelli, so many life changes for you!  I am especially sorry for the sudden loss of your friend.  She must have been so very special.  This is something that we are never truly prepared for and to be taken  so quickly must be very difficult for you.  I am glad that part of her legacy for you is that you will fight even harder because of her prayers.  This can be inspirational for each of us.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Deanna, My wig salon said I could use Woolite on my synthetic wig. I have used it many times and it has worked fine. I use half a capful in a sinkful of cool water, suds gently and then rinse. I blot the extra moisture with a towel, then dry on a wig stand. When it is completely dry, shake it out and it should return to it's original perky self. Hope this helps!

Bette 

Wig cleaning - I ordered a package of wig shampoo / conditoner / hair spray from tlc or headcovers, it wasn't very expensive.  I thought at the Look Good Feel Better workshop they said to wash them every 3 - 4 days.  It's the cap part that gets dirty.  I don't wear it every day so I've washed it about once a week.

Roya, You're welcome to the info

I'm hoping for the day when I can lay aside the wig, scarves and hats. I would like to have cute soft, short hair for my March 28 wedding, with a fancy hat or flowers to dress it up. We will see. Chemo is done. The countdown to HAIR is on.

I am tired today, but no fever so far. If I get through Saturday and Sunday alright, I may have turned the corner and be getting over this ordeal.

It sleeted here all day and is now freezing. Hopefully Tom can make it over the roads tomorrow to visit me. I miss him so much.

Bette