Starting Chemo February 2009?

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  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 2,631
    edited March 2009

    Question - My scalp feels like I have had a tight pony tail for 48 hours straight.  This just happened this morning.  I am going for my 2nd A/C on Wednesday which will be 14 days.  I guess this is the beginning of the signs that my hair is going to come out?

    How soon after getting a very sore scalp does your hair start falling out?  Just wondering when I should make arrangments to get my head shaved. Cry

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  • Gramof3
    Gramof3 Member Posts: 301
    edited March 2009

    lisa,

    I asked my onco about this too, and she said if I did develop a yeast infection (which I have had  problems with in the past) to call and she would prescribe diflucan. 

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited March 2009

    Apple's fine Jancie... i am fortunate now not to have many side effects hardly.. i really am worried about the possible neuropathy.. my onc prescribed B6 and glutamine.. i'm going to wait on the glutamine a bit.. it seems i'm on so much stuff as it is.

    i wore my wig to church.. i love my community, but i am getting a bit tired of all the worries and concerns of friends that know i'm doing chemo again.  i want to talk about the weather.  (snow).  i guess it's March now.

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  • jrgolomb
    jrgolomb Member Posts: 1,236
    edited March 2009

    KerryMac--I finished FEC #3 last Thursday.  Dealt with a fever 100.1--didn't call cause it never reached 100.5.  Feel so much better today.  Ached from head to toe , as bad as a flu.  My daughter raised almost 500.00 for a new cancer center near by our home.  As it stands,I go to a center one hour away and as I worried whether or not I had to call cause of a 100.5 fever, I dreded the thought of driving one hour away to get help.  I am so PROUD of her.  She talked to people on the radio and was such a natural!  The money will be used to get chairs in there for chemo tx.  Wouldn't it be great if I had to drive just 20 minutes away for tx?  Hugs all.

    Jess

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited March 2009

    Jancie - yep, it sounds as though it is about to fall! Mine started feeling loose day 12, was coming out in handfuls day 14 and we buzzed it day16. Now I am fuzzy, I am not sure whether I will get the bowling ball look or not....! But having a wig is great, it is nice to go out and just feel normal for a bit.

    Apple - I am starting Taxatore next round. The nurse who butchered my hand Friday (yes Sue, it is green!!) told me they will give me an ice bath for my fingers to prevent neuropathy. She said they have had great results from it. Not sure if it is worth asking your clinic or Onc about it. Mind you, I am sure a margarita would probably do the same trick...!

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited March 2009
    Jancie -  you really can feel it when your hair starts coming out.  this hair falling out without shaving hurts.  it;s about driving me bats.. that and the little hairs that get in my nose and eyes.  i'm going to have shave i think... oh yeah.  mohawk for the kids first.Undecided
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  • kat4pink
    kat4pink Member Posts: 63
    edited March 2009

    Suzmarks - Thanks that makes me feel better.. I have been worried about not being able to start Wed... My fever is down today but my lungs are a mess.. coughing spells where I think I am going to cough out my port! lol

    I am an animal lover.. the picture is just one that was sent to me in an email it is a puppy with his paws pulled up... Hard to see I know...I have been meaning to change it.

    Hope everyone has a good afternoon!

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  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 2,631
    edited March 2009

    Kerrymac - I with you on the margarita versus the ice bath! 

    Apple - I know you are waiting to take the glutamine but if it will prevent the neuropathy, I am all for it.  It is a supplement so not like putting another drug into your body.  I am so tired of taking drugs already and I am only through 1 treatment.  I told my hubby last night about the SE I will experience once I get on Taxol.  I just don't want you to get a problem especially since you love playing the piano.

    I wore my red wig to church today with a goldish/brown colored hat on top and it looked really cute.  In fact one lady who didn't know I had cancer thought I had died my hair since this wig goes to my bra strap like my old hair did until I cut my ponytail off.

    I figure I am going to wear wigs/hats combination when out in public except for chemo treatment where I want to relax in a nice little cap in the recliner chairs.  But then again, I will drive to the cancer center and straight back home.

    I have cancer group support through the American Cancer Society tomorrow night which is also my 8 year anniversary.  We haven't met in a month due to the last holiday that was on a Monday so I really want to go.  My husband was totally understanding and said that we could go out and eat dinner on Tuesday night instead.  I would love to wait until this weekend to celebrate but this weekend I will feel like crap since I am getting poisoned again with chemo on Wednesday.

    KerryMac - no loose hairs yet but I am sure by Wednesday (my chemo day) that it might start falling out.  If I can't get a friend to shave me right away once it starts falling out I will just wear a cap so that it doesn't fall all over the house.  I told my husband that there is no chance that I would be that one billionth person that doesn't lose their hair on A/C.  I so wish I was on a regimen where it would just thin out instead since I have so much hair.

    Apple - I am not doing the mohawk for the kid - no way in heck.  I am going to do this away from my hubby and my home.  I don't want either one of them to watch as my head is being shaved.  No doubt as the months pass along it won't be such a big deal for me to go around bald headed but I am not in any way, shape, or form ready to embrace my baldness.  I know it will happen, I know I have to deal with it but I sure as heck don't have to show it off.

    Kat4pink - what kind of animals do you have?  I am also a MAJOR animal lover.  I have always been told I had more compassion for animals than humans.  Never did get offended by that comment since I think animals are awesome and some humans are outright evil! Laughing

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  • kat4pink
    kat4pink Member Posts: 63
    edited March 2009

    As of right now, I have a shitzu (our baby.... such a great breed!) a min-pin and a half yorkie half chihuahua and a cat. We have had up to 5 dogs before... we are suckers for animals, my husband, daugther and I.  My daugther and I used to volunteer on Saturdays at the local animal shelter.. before she became a teenager! lol My shitzu and cat are inside, the other 2 are outside... When I am sick my shitzu snuggles up to me and doesn't leave my side.. especially after my last 2 surgeries.. he has helped heal my spirit.

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  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 2,631
    edited March 2009

    Kathie - you sound like me with the zoo I have over here, 1 border terrier, 1 westie and 3 cats.  Good thing my horse doesn't live here also Laughing  My pets are all so comforting to me when I am having a bad day.  When my husband is not around I end up with 2 dogs and 2 cats sleeping in bed with me.  Normally only 1 dog and 1 cat jumps in bed with both of us.  My husband doesn't mind the cat on the bed but really doesn't want the dog up there.  So we are at a stalemate on this issue, I want the dog, he doesn't - the dog gets the choice.  Oh without a doubt, the one cat that sleeps with us, she runs the house and is the alpha pet of the household.  Even my dogs won't dare get into a conflict with her.

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  • calgal1943
    calgal1943 Member Posts: 11
    edited March 2009

    Hi  Just joining you guys. Had my first chemo Feb 20. AC  every 3 weeks for 12 weeks then Herceptin every week for 12. then radiation.Didn't do much research before Whirlwind from diagnosis on dec 29. surgery Jan2.  So glad I found this site. Have gtten so much info already. And to have others to talk to!!! I have grown kids helping but live alone. Ended up inthe hosp a couple of days cause thought I had a stroke or something 4 days after chemo, side of my face went numb.  weird but ok now. starting to get strenght back.  Look forward to sharing with all of you. Love to us all                                                                                                                 

    Karen B

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  • Denali
    Denali Member Posts: 347
    edited March 2009

    Welcome Karen!  I live alone too, but my adult kids live within 3 miles from me and are a great help.  I don't mind having no other adults in the house.  When I feel cruddy/fatigued from chemo, I'd rather be by myself and just rest.

    Well, I'm not entirely living alone--I'm another dog lover and have 2 German Shepherds.  I have no grandkids, but I have a grand-dog.  In fact my son's German Shepherd is the brother of one of mine.  So I get to babysit lots and many times have THREE German Shepherds for days at a time.  Ever try to sleep on a queen-size bed with 3 BIG dogs stretched out??  Not easy!

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  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 2,631
    edited March 2009

    Karen - Welcome and WOW - that was quick between diagnosis and surgery!  Glad that you joined our group,.  Did you ever find out why the side of your face went numb?  I have never heard of this before relating to chemo. 

    Denali - I want to see pictures of your german shepherds.  They are one of my most favorite breed of dogs!  I wanted so bad to get one but my husband was of the mindset that big dogs belonged outside and not in my book!!!  Dogs belong in the house with the humans so I opted for smaller dogs instead.

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  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited March 2009

    Janice your ponytail comment is exactly what my hair felt like before it started coming out.  I finally shaved it at 16 or 17 days after I looked down at my 3 yr old at his school and he had my hair all over him.  So off it went with the A5 clippers :) 

    This round of TCH I have some neuropathy...booohisss....  but my face was undercontrol with the acne :) 

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited March 2009

    Loving the animal stories! We are going to get a dog after I am through Treatment. Our kids have been putting the pressure on us for a while, and we thought we would wait a bit until they were older. But really this has been a wake up call that life is too short for putting things off.

    We are thinking of a Golden Retriever, they are great with kids, but do have a lot of hair! We already have two Siamese cats who rule the house, am not sure quite what they will make of having a dog around.....

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  • gcpommom
    gcpommom Member Posts: 883
    edited March 2009

    Hi girls, I'm back and want to say thank you so much for your kind words, I did get a chance to sneak online over the weekend, and I felt like I had an extra army of support with me over the weekend knowing you all care so much.

    We had a short service and luncheon yesterday for mom.  I am so very worried about my dad.  They were married for almost 60 years, and even though my dad is the smartest person I know, he is basically helpless in household things like cooking and laundry.  He is so very depressed right now, and it's scaring me.

    Of course, my period decided to start yesterday before the service, why not, right?  One more fun thing to deal with.  I was hoping it would not show up this month.  Oh well.

    So, on to my own health and chemo:  I have treatment #3 tomorrow, and really wish I didn't have to go.  I just want a break right now, you know?  I had a rough time with #2, was nauseous alot.  My onc doesn't want me on anti-nausea meds the whole time, but to try ginger, food, etc, to help with nausea; plus, I hate feeling drugged and tired from them, plus the constipation.  So I try to get through without if I can.

    I finally took one of my wigs and cut it myself so it looks like my old haircut, and what a difference!  Not only did many people not know it was a wig, but I got compliments on my hair from people, including 2 teenagers at the mall!  It cheered me up, I had been feeling awkward with the wigs on.

    I've had one stubborn ulcer way on the back of my tongue which has made eating very painful.  I am trying my darndest to get it to go away before tomorrow. 

    I haven't had a chance to go through and read many of the posts I've missed, but hopefully you are all doing very well. 

    (((hugs)))

    Judy

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  • Denali
    Denali Member Posts: 347
    edited March 2009

    Judy:  So sorry this continues to be such a difficult time for you.  Remember your mama is always with you.  Is your dad living independently still?  Maybe it's time he moved into assisted living.  While I've never had these experiences with elderly parents (my parents died when I was a kid), I have so many friends who have gone through this. 

    Yes, I don't know what I'd do without my spoiled shepherds!  I've always had German Shepherds and I have a bumper sticker on my car that says, "My Shepherds are smarter than your honor roll student."   The shedding I don't like, but right now my hair is shedding as fast as theirs.

    Here's my photo albums.  I made the site for my sewing, but I made one album of the puppies so I could make a calendar to give my son for Christmas.  I have an older shepherd Sierra.  My son's puppy is Cody, mine is Lexi.  They're 1-1/2 yrs old now and they get into lots of trouble together.  Here's my site--click on the puppy photo and then hit 'slideshow:'

    http://www.queenbee.myphotoalbum.com/

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  • buddy1
    buddy1 Member Posts: 750
    edited March 2009

    KerryMac ,We just got a Golden Ret.  He is so much fun.  Very goofy. He is full of love.  We also have a cat.  We are still working on this...  We also have chickens.  We have to keep them in a pen because he like to chase them.  They are bird dogs...

    Denali...Thank you for sharing those beatiful pics.  I love those sweet little babies.  I didnt have a chance to look at the other photos yet,  but I will.  I also was a quilter.

    Does anyone know If i will have to stay out of the barn once I start treatment.  I had heard that I do.  Because of the poop.  Chickens are probably the worst.  and we bring the eggs into the house everyday, I have to wipe them off a bit.

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  • REKoz
    REKoz Member Posts: 590
    edited March 2009

    Just have to comment on the dog conversation! Denali, my daughter's dog is LEXI. . I HAD 2 dogs, Tobie and CODY. Tobie is a Bahamas "potcake" and we adopted Cody at the shelter a few months later. According to the vet, neither dog would grow past 50lbs. Both ended up 90 plus. I live in a TEENY cottage and their constant fighting for attention was so stressful. Love them both but Cody was the rambunctious most needy one and both needed to be the only dog. I stressed hugely and everyone told me I was crazy to live with this insanity. I just could NOT put Cody back in the shelter. He just needed so much love, it would kill him. When I was diagnosed, it became clear that I could in no way recuperate under those circumstances. My DSO asked one of his friends who lives alone if he would "keep Cody for a few weeks while I recover." 2 weeks later, he called and BEGGED us to keep him as they became fast buddies! I could cry as I type this because this could not have been more ideal if I had planned it. I see it as perhaps the biggest gift of my getting bc. Joe and Cody are indeed best buds and go everywhere together. Meanwhile, Tobie is a love, much happier and calmer and we take her everywhere. She sits next to me every day when I'm here on the laptop just snuggling. I LOVe giving her the attention she needs. I know you dog lovers will appreciate this story because it is such a happy ending for all involved.

    DOGS ROCK!

    Ellen

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited March 2009

    Judy - I am so sorry you are facing such a hard time. I cannot even imagine all the extra stress you are facing. Try to find some time to look after yourself through all of this. I wish there was something more I could do, but know I am thinking of you.

    Denali - what great photos. They are so naughty, puppies. I forgot about the havoc a dog would cause to my garden...I am a very keen "learner" gardener, and hope we don't get a digger. Think Retrievers are though.

    Buddy1 - I think you need to stay away from poop during treatment. I am not changing our cats litter box, any excuse though. I think it is about avoiding infection

     It's sunny but freezing here today. Wish it would either warm up or snow,  one or the other. They are forecasting a wintery March, just hope the snow is all gone by Easter this year!! I am feeling not too bad since Friday, am feeling more tired though, guess that is the accumulative fatigue you hear about! Oh, well, only two more months left.....

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited March 2009

    Judy - my heart goes out to you at this time.. I've lost my father and my mother in law.  Fortunately my husband and I both have 8 siblings and our families are very supportive of our parents.  One thing we have done is keep alive the parent's memory by getting together on the wedding anniversaries, Valentine's Day, their birthdays.. any excuse to celebrate the person we so hugely miss. 

    I hope your father fares well as he adjusts to his new life.  You can not do too much to support him.  I also hope you are doing well yourself.  you are in my prayers.

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  • calgal1943
    calgal1943 Member Posts: 11
    edited March 2009

    My theory about my face going numb: I have a pinched nerve at the base of my skull. Sometime it affects the side of my face. I think I did something to trigger it and th e chemo just made a whole lot worse.  tried to explain to drs but they wiouldn't listen so had to go through another mri and them telling me the cancer may be in my brain  but all clear. Just another frightful experience. I too have a great doggie companion. A shitzu]yorki.

    KarenB

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited March 2009

    Oh, you poor thing. I tell you they start testing for everything once you get the cancer diagnosis. Right before Surgery they thought I had Ovarian tumors, turned out my Dr was feeling my Bowel...go figure. Still, glad it was nothing!

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  • kat4pink
    kat4pink Member Posts: 63
    edited March 2009

    Judy - I am glad you checked in, we have all been thinking about you. I don't care how old you are, it is never easy to lose a parent. I hope your Dad can find some comfort somehow. I hope your next treatment is SE free.. you deserve an easy one!

    XOXO

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  • webwriter
    webwriter Member Posts: 535
    edited March 2009

    calgal, that sounds horribly scary! I'm sorry you had to go through all that. Thank goodness for our companions, eh?

    EVERYBODY-- I'm coming out of my chemofog phase and ready to update the list again. Let me know if you don't see your update over the next couple of days. The chemofog may have lifted, but the chemobrain remains. If I miss you, please don't take it personally! I can't even keep track of my shoelaces right now!

    Judy--thanx so much for checking in. With everything you have going on, dropping a line here is a major favor to all of us. We're thinking of you SO much, but didn't expect you to fill us in any time soon. I'm glad you're hanging in there as hard as it is. We're pulling for you all and sending extra comfort and peace to your dad.

    Love the critters ya'll! I have, currently, three cats, sadly down from four last fall when my 18 year old "Boy-O" left us. They're a pain, but I don't think I could live with out them! Hubster is a lab man, so my guess is that once Little Monkey is a little older, there will be a chocolate colored puppy in her future. ;)

    I'm not thinkin' I would recommend anybody else trying TC dose dense after this round. I dunno if it's different for you AC dose dense gals, but I seem to be crashing harder and sooner with each one. I'm thrilled to be "half way" but I gotta wonder half way to WHAT?!  No decadron high this time at all. But then again, I'm on my feet (if you can call it that) a lot sooner too. Weird stuff this.

    And I'm tired of shaving already. Can we just get it OUT and OVER for the duration? Happily, Apple, those lovely chin whiskers were the first to go and stayed gone. When they come back, I'm sickin' my Braun on them post haste!

    Jancie--how goes the hair loss? The ponytail pain became nearly unbearable for me about day 17, but that's TC, so I'm probably later than you. I know that this is going to be really hard for you, but I promise you can get through it, and the doing of it is much, much worse than the living with it. Much like chemo. We build it up in our minds until it's this horrible monster. Then we do it and find out that while it totally sucks, it's not what we thought it would be. (What DID we think anyway?) Honestly? The pain relief was worth every strand going. Two weeks out of that and I forget I'm bald if I don't look in the mirror--or Little Monkey doesn't remind me as I'm wandering about without my hood pulled up again. (She says I look like a baby, which probably IS a bit unnerving for the little imp!) You've planned for it, you've agonized over it, when the time comes, like everything else, you'll just DO it. And we'll be here to listen about it. ;)

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  • gcpommom
    gcpommom Member Posts: 883
    edited March 2009

    Thanks to all for your support, it means alot to me, and I'm hanging in there.  There's just so much to do, 90% of the stuff at my parents house was hers (she loved sewing, crafts, etc), and my dad can't bear to look at it right now. 

    Denali:  my dad is only 76, and quite healthy thank goodness.  He has many brothers and sisters in their 90's living on their own, too, so I guess longevity runs on his side of the family.  .

    About dogs:  I have 3 chihuahuas and a yorkie, and I'll tell you, it's noisy here.  They yap at everything.  I've always had yorkies, they're very smart dogs.  Chihuahuas, however....well, they're interesting.  Not good at potty training, so we deal with that daily, and you never know which dog did it, so it's hard to break them at this point.  When my DD moves out, someday, 2 of them are hers, so they will go too.

     Off to my dad's house now, talk with you all later

    Hugs

    Judy

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited March 2009

    Lots of laughs!Laughing

    my hair is almost gone and my husband said "Honey look at your pubes!

    the triangle is gone but the fringes remain.. talk about freaky looking.  (Please don't ask for pics).

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2009

    (((judy))) you're a love for checking in. you haven't been far from my mind. i hope it helps a tiny bit to know we're all here for you.

    Buddy1, I stopped scooping the cat poop 17 yrs ago, when I was pregnant ... hee! (I still scoop the doggie poo on our walks, I take my mini-purell with me and wash good when I get home.)

    Denali, what gorgeous shepherds ... they should be show dogs!

    Ellen, LOVE your cody story! I so do heart happy forever-home endings. Our own zoey forever-home story still makes my heart skip a beat, how it all came about (talk about serendipity)! But I often fear I'm too long-winded in here, and there's no way I can just put it in a nutshell. Suffice to say, the universe brought my long-awaited perfect corgi to me.Laughing

    psst ... I just figured out how to post pictures in my profile, if anyone's interested. the 2nd one is w/the wig. i'll post a better one after i get it trimmed next weekend.

    Took a snow day today. I could've made it in - I only live a few miles from work and I have a Honda pilot - but there's a ton of snow and EVERYTHING's closed, so ... why not? I just feel a little guilty since I'm taking weds & thurs off for chemo. Thurs I have a "look good feel better" class, so I want to sleep in so I'm not all woogly by 4 pm. A dear friend is taking a hooky day and coming with to hold my hand, bless her.

    lol @ apple!

    off to shower off what's left of the hair. le sigh.

    (((everyone)))

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2009

    (((judy))) you're a love for checking in. you haven't been far from my mind. my heart aches for you & your dad. i hope it helps a little to know we're all here for you.

    Buddy1, I stopped scooping the cat poop 17 yrs ago, when I was pregnant ... hee! (I still scoop the doggie poo on our walks, I take my mini-purell with me and wash good when I get home.)

    Denali, what gorgeous shepherds ... they should be show dogs!

    Ellen, LOVE your cody story! I so do heart happy forever-home endings. Our own zoey the corgi forever-home story still makes my heart skip a beat, how it all came about (talk about serendipity)! But I often fear I'm too long-winded in here, and there's no way I can just put it in a nutshell. Suffice to say, the universe brought my long-awaited perfect dog to me.Laughing

    psst ... I just figured out how to post pictures in my profile, if anyone's interested.

    Took a snow day today. I could've made it in - I only live a few miles from work and I have a Honda pilot - but there's a ton of snow and EVERYTHING's closed, so ... why not? I just feel a little guilty since I'm taking weds & thurs off for chemo. Thurs I have a "look good feel better" class, so I want to sleep in so I'm not all woogly by 4 pm. A dear friend is taking a hooky day and coming with to hold my hand, bless her.

    lol @ apple! 

    bought the monostat, but now i don't think i need it. i think i was panicking. it's on my list of questions for weds. many thanks for the suggestions. you people are such a comfort, you really are. 

    off to shower off what's left of the hair. le sigh. 

    (((everyone)))

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  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited March 2009

    Thanks for the laugh apple ....loll..... 

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