Has anyone started a forum for Chemo in Dec 2008?

Bonnie,  woohoo on being done.  

I know I can't wait till I finish up.  Two more to go and then I can party too.  Probably not by buying a wig tho.  I hardly wear the two that I have now.  Scarves are the easiest for me.  I've found 5 different ways I like to tie them for different looks.  Those poor oncs are probably so tired of us complaining about the hot flashes because there really isn't anything they can do for us.  Especially those of us that are ER+.  I'm sure it is the steroids messing with you.  I'm beginning to hate them.

I hope your kitties are going to be ok, Bonnie.  It is hard with senior pets. 

Pretty much just the Hard as Nails and keep your hands and feet out of hot water.  Even when showering.  If you're doing cleaning with any kind of commercial products, wear rubber gloves, but again do not use hot water.  Keep your hands cool.  You might try using some ice packs on your hands/feet.  Also Tea Tree Oil rubbed into the cuticle can help.  Stinks, but would be worth the smell if it gives you some relief.

I haven't seen spots but a friend on TC told me that her vision was affected. Her oncologist advised not to seek an eye exam or get new glasses until the SEs from chemo are over.

Hi everyone, I have noticed my vision is blurry as well, Anyone having problems with their hearing?  Sometimes it is hard to hear.  Not sure if it is due to my sinuses or what.  

Bye for now,

Mimi

We had a family party last night, so I thought I would try the wig on just for fun. Thank god I was being realistic and brought a scarf with me, I lasted about 2 hours and I had to rip it off my head! My MIL was laughing so hard, I started itching on my forehead, started scratching and by the time I got done, I had to move my wig around a little! LOL! I don't think I'll try that one again...

As for a wig cap, I didn't have one to wear under the wig, so I took an old pair of nylon, put it on my head and cut up the extra, it works just like the wig cap they sell.

Maybe they were right that long wigs aren't comfy. But it was just for fun.

Caroline and Mary L -- My wig is more comfortable if I use some masking tape in a few places so it won't slip.  I can wear it for 6-7 hours at work, but almost never wear it at home.  The new one is fun and I did wear it for a few hours this weekend.

Mimi -- My hearing has been terrible for the past few weeks -- lots of ringing in my ears and it's hard to hear conversations or the TV.  I'm hoping it's not a hearing loss, but is instead related to chemo.

Today is day 4 from TC #4 and I've been really fatigued and sleeping a lot this weekend.  Also have some bone pain from the Neulasta, but it's not too bad.  My tongue feels weird, the bad taste has returned and nothing tastes or smells good.  This was my last chemo, so I'm looking forward to improvement in a week or so and a couple of good weeks before surgery and rads.

Take care,

Bonnie

Good morning Divas!  I wish my taste buds were still out of whack.  Unfortunately I can taste everything and liking almost all of it!  Salt is good to me and I'm probably over-salting everything.  My boyfriend and I went to Denny's for breakfast yesterday and I cleared my entire plate. I did return to "Curves" on Friday and Saturday and started working out again.  That felt good.  Hopefully I can get my appetite under control. 

I woke up bitchy as "you know what" today.  I think it's because I haven't had a period in over 2 mths.  I'm just continually PMS'ing here and to make matters worse, I woke up around 4:30 a.m. having a hot flash.  UGH!!!!

Apfuentes, my fingers are tingling too and the middle toe on my right foot is now numb.  It's such a weird feeling.  For my hands though, I find that holding them under really cold water helps a lot.  I'm so anxious for my hair to start growing too!  I had another dream last night that I had my hair was back!

Caroline, that's too funny about your wig!  On the weekends I try to avoid them at all costs! 

Mary, how is the radiation?  I'm anxious to get started with that.  I should start probably around the beginning of April.

Have a wonderful day ladies!! Love, Elaine

Good Morning All -

I too have vision problems and onc said they are from the chemo but will subside.  I wear my reading glasses constantly these days - makes me feel old.  I am 16 days out from last TC and starting to feel better but still notice fatigue and that I need more sleep than normal.  Have some odd aches and pains and the pain in my right wrist is extreme - don't know what that is.  I have an appointment with PS next week to schedule nipple surgery - was hoping I wouldn't have to go under again but they said yes, it's with anestesia.  Still haven't found a bra that I like.  Anyone have any suggestions?  I'm not to wear underwires so have just been wearing my Spanx camisoles.  My girlfriend put a temporary tattoo of a Celtic Mermaid on the back of my head yesterday - many compliments!!  Too funny.  Hope everyone having treatments this week all good things and easy SE's.  Anyone taking Arimidex on here?  I start that in 2 weeks. Have a good day all.

Bobbi

Day 7 from last TC treatment and no taste buds here either.  Yuck.  My tongue is very raw. 

Colleen - I will start Tamox after my exchange surgery on 3/11.  I am 90% ER+ so I feel like I need to do something to keep that estrogen away.  There's a whole thread on SEs on the hormonal treatment board...kind of scary to read.  I'm already super moody and somewhat depressed...I think Tamox may put me over the edge.

 Bobbi - I love my Calvin Klein bralette, although I hardly wear a bra anymore.  I bought it from Nordstroms.  http://www.cku.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2980915&cp=3001650.3001635.3001640.3001608&parentPage=family

I'm also going to do the temp tattoo thing.  Might as well have fun with it!  Also, I have the bloated stomach thing going on...not sure what that's about.  I've been very gassy though. 

Hi everyone,  haven't logged on since my last tx, just had major fatigue this time.  I spoke with my onc. about a clinical trial using osteoporis meds.  They usually give these meds to pts with bone mets to help prevent fractures, now they're testing them to see if they prevent bone mets.  I'm looking into joining, have to do more research, they apparrently randomize you, and you take 1 of 3 differrent meds.  It's a 3 year study, but of course you can stop at anytime.  Just thought I'd put that out there in case anyone is interested.

apfuentes, I'm also going to start Tamoxifen, not until after rads which start on the 9th.  Everyones reaction is different on Tamox, so I'm not going to get exciteda about it, just try it and see what happens.  It's worth a try to me d/t my oncotype being 30.  I have friends who haven't had any problems with the drug. 

On another note, my rad onc informed me that I can't take any vitamins or herbal supp while on rads, he says the antioxidants can interfere with the effectivness of radiation.  So there goes the vitamins for hair growth!

Have a good day everyone and keep your chins up, spring is right around the corner.  And when in doubt eat a hot fudge sundae!

WAAAAA! I am so envious of all of you who are talking about exchange surgery already. I can't have mine until 6 months post radiation. So I'm looking at more than a year post-surgery. I'm so anxious to get rid of this cinder block on my chest.

Okay, 'nuf with the ranting and raving. I'm seriously happy for all of you who are able to move onto the next steps. It's exciting to see so many of us are reaching the light at the end of the tunnel.

My taste buds don't come back at all between Tx anymore.  So I guess I won't taste anything until oh, let's see, maybe early in May?  My last Tx is March 25 but if I can't taste anything after 3 weeks now, I sure won't then either.  Right after Tx everything tastes like lard.  You know Crisco?  About a week later nothing has any taste at all.  Not even fruit and veggies any more.  There is just nothing unless I use Franks Hot Sauce,or anything else really hot.  But that's all I can taste.  And really  Franks for dinner is not that good either.  Losing taste is much worse than losing hair could ever be!!!!!

My taste buds are also MIA in a big way.  This is day 5 after TX #4 and I'm very fatigued, alternately hot and cold, achy, mildly nauseated, have a sore tongue and everything tastes terrible.  The SEs will probably last at least another 10 days.

Our cats are feeling better since we made them homemade food out of boiled chicken, chicken broth and rice.  They love the chicken and it made them feel better overnight so now we are researching a complete homemade diet for senior cats to see if we can keep them somewhat healthy for awhile.

The new wig I bought last week is actually comfortable -- it was on my head from 7:30am until nearly 7pm today with no problem!  It is very soft and lightweight -- feels completely different than the other one and looks better, too.

Rest well,

Bonnie

Hi Divas.  I'm so sorry for those of you without taste buds.  Trust me, if I could give mine away, I'd glady hand them over!  I'm eating EVERYTHING and it's starting to show.  Luckily I returned to the gym so hopefully I can work off some of these calories.  It's nice to taste again but this is ridiculous. 

My wigs have become very comfortable now that I'm used to them.  I got them at a local wig boutique and they are "Rene of Paris".  They were expensive but very good quality and they fit nicely.  I actually don't mind wearing them as much as I used to.  I guess feeling better and not being nauseous all the time helps a lot.  I'm just ready for my hair to grow back!  I check it every day with my magnifying mirror and I swear it's growing a little bit. 

Bonnie, I'm glad your kitties are doing better!

Have a great day Divas!  Love, Elaine

Update for missing eyebrows ---

  Did anyone see the model on the Academy Awards show who was wearing "eyebrow extensions".....I kid you not!!  Said her brows were overplucked and this was something new....wonder how much that little cosmetic procedure costs????? Unfortuntely, I think I will just have to pull my wig down a little further in the front and hope the bangs cover the brows!