**NEW** Starting Chemo March 2009

Options
12467…182

Comments

  • gymmom8
    gymmom8 Member Posts: 86
    edited March 2009
    Laurie41 - I can't seem to find a Look Good Feel Better class near me anytime soon.  Please let me know how it goes so I can figure out if it's worth a drive to a more distant place.  I'm sorry you're having trouble with the scarves. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2009

    Gymmom -   I can't sleep either.  I went and picked out a wig yesterday.  The lady doing the fitting had the personality of..........well none frankly.  I tried to kid about the hair loss thing and she was so stoic, made it very uncomfortable.  I had nightmares all night about my hair falling out.  I'm on day 14 and my head aches this morning, so it was probably more of a premonition than a dream!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gymmom8
    gymmom8 Member Posts: 86
    edited March 2009

    NYDEB - I'm sorry you are not sleeping either.  I had a great experience when I purchased my wig.  Very nice shop and people were great.  I do have to bring the wig back for proper fitting when the time comes.  The bangs also have to be trimmed.  I am going to take pics of all my friends (guys and gals) wearing my wig and put a collage together.  I think it will make a funny memory when all this is over.  And where would we be without the laughs? 

    I'm also sorry to hear your head aches.  I keep thinking all this head itching is a sign but at least it does not ache yet.  I guess it is just down the road for me. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gymmom8
    gymmom8 Member Posts: 86
    edited March 2009

    I just did a join request on FB.  I'll see what happens next!  It looks like the cocktails are being served there!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • didle20Diane
    didle20Diane Member Posts: 404
    edited March 2009
    Gymom8...I got your request...........you are in!

    Gina, are your eyebrows intact?  Lucia said hers didn't fall out until the second treatment.  I couldn't get into a Look Good Feel Better class until after my second chemo but was given the number of the coordinator who I can call anytime for phone tips.  I thought that was nice.  One step at a time.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jdeking
    jdeking Member Posts: 408
    edited March 2009

    Morning all!

    gina - the hair thing is amusing every day to me when I see less and less in the mirror! I have a tuft on the top of my head and a full monk-style crown across the back. My scalp is so WHITE! I think I even have some white fluff growing back in so it is not shiny bald. I really look like a demented chicken till I put on a buff, then I look like a pirate. I have been wearing hoop earrings to accentuate this look. So far it is still funny to me, though I am sure one of these days I will have a pity party for myself. My hair is fine, so I haven't worried about the loose ones coming off, though I had heard the lint roller is invaluable.

    laurie - I hear you about head choices... I do really recommend the buffs from www.PlanetBuff.com as they are comfortable and easy. They have "polar buffs" if you live in a cooler climate, but for me the Texas summer means as light and cool as possible! You can get similar ones cheaper at Amazon by searching "buff headwear" and I believe the company is called HeadCase, but the quality is not as good.

    Cyndi - I am so sorry you are still not feeling great and dealing with mouth sores! I hear you about the sleeping thing too. I slept from 11p - 3am last night and was then wide awake. I wish I could have a normal, sleep aid-free night's rest like in the old days! And I know our bodies need that time of rest and repair. It is so frustrating!

    Ok, I am off to FB to find you guys and join in! Have a great morning!

    Janine 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dawnmrn1
    Dawnmrn1 Member Posts: 446
    edited March 2009

    Morning All!  gina gina! thanks for the headsup on the lint roller, I am 10 days out, and still a full head, wy wig is in the closet and I bought one of those hallo things to wear under hats, I think the wig will drive me nuts, it's hard to tell what it will feel like with no hair, I have a small square head, block head, so I'll have to go back to the wig shop, and have it fitted!  My wig lady also does the Look Good Classes in my area, she is warm and funny!

    To Those of you who don't sleep!  I am there with you!!! I think that is the worse part of this whole thing!  I feel bad for my family, if I get up, the whole house does, so I lay there and worry! This to shall pass!

    Hopefully my hair will last until next Thurs. 2 of the people I work with are having me shave theirs in sympathy, I think they are nuts, but the thought is wonderful! Then they will shave me!!!!

    To those having treatment good luck!  To those who had treatment feel better!!!! Dawn

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jdeking
    jdeking Member Posts: 408
    edited March 2009

    Dawn - Oh my goodness, that is crazy but awesome that your coworkers are letting you shave their heads! I love it! Are they all males? Good luck, I hope it hangs in there!

    I realize in my last post I referred to my hair in the present tense! Correction: I HAD fine soft hair, now I have none. The little pieces falling out are soft though, and don't bother me.

    Ok, back to work, for real this time! :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marshall2000
    marshall2000 Member Posts: 110
    edited March 2009
    jdeking: I meant to post back when i saw your pictures you look awesome with your buffs where did you get them  i know that a wig is going to drive me crazy. i work in an er and i keep imagining doing cpr and having my wig flop off onto the patient OMG that would probably be more effective as a shock than the difibrillator (please don't anyone take offense at my humor it is not meant to be disrespectful in anyway)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • buddy1
    buddy1 Member Posts: 750
    edited March 2009

    Good morning girls.  Does anyone have a problem with their dog trying to attack their wigs.  He thinks its a cat.  At least our cat is off the hook for a while.  I am going to attempt the photo posting today.  If you see some boo- boos pop up you will know why. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Rusty123
    Rusty123 Member Posts: 18
    edited March 2009

    Ginagina - Thanks for your kind words.  I didn't sleep well last night and I am really anxious.  I know that it can't be as bad as I imagine.  I'm hoping that once I get through the first one it will get better. 

    This forum is wonderful and wish I could participate more.  I'm still feeling a little shell-shocked.

    Again, thanks for the kind words and all the best to all these wonderful women.

    Diane

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2009

    Buddy -  I tried on my  "dew rag" the other day and my dog jumped up and tried to take it off my head.  I can't imagine what he'll do with a wig.  I evision myself running around the yard chasing him , bald, as my neighbors watch in horror !

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jdeking
    jdeking Member Posts: 408
    edited March 2009

    marshall - I have 2 kinds... ones that tie from myskullcaps.com and buffs from PlanetBuff .com. You can also find similar items on amazon.

    The pic I posted features one of the skullcaps that you can tie tightly in the back, no worries about it falling off and shocking anyone! Heehee.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marshall2000
    marshall2000 Member Posts: 110
    edited March 2009

    jdeking: oops guess i should have read the posts this morning before i asked where you got your buffs. the answer was right there duh! lol.

    MOB: I hope you are doing ok. I can't remember if you were going on a trip or what and i haven't seen a post from you in a bit. I hope you are well and if you are on a trip i hope you are having a great time.

    sh** i had something else to tell everyone and totally forgot, errrr that gets annoying as h e  double hockey stick(lol that's what my son's gf little girl says when she wants she to say hell, no cussing for the wee ones at my house)

    anyway, no more constipation thank foodness.  i was up the other night puking and puking but then all the damn laxatives kicked in and the puking stopped immediately i think i was just full up and something had to go.  oh yeah now i remember my story.  so anyway i had been up all night in the restroom(waah waah waah) and i finally laid down to get some zzz's. i had this crazy dream that my kitty was fighting this giant 8 foot rat, and i was hitting the rat with a baseball bat and yelling for it to stop, the rat turned around and snapped at me with these huge fangs. needless to say i woke up in a hurry. well, a few minutes later i was changings my linens and there was a nasty disemboweled mouse right on my pillow where i had just been sleeping  it was still warm  it was disgusting my cat brings me all his little gifts but it usually from outside and he lays it at the door. i thought it was just a bad chemo dream,not. totally off the subject but thought i would share.

    I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GREAT DAY!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nicole0714
    nicole0714 Member Posts: 48
    edited March 2009

    Francine,

    Yes, definitely check with your oncologist first BEFORE taking anything. I should have mentioned that fact. I did check with mine, and she said to go ahead. She also has me take sublingul vitamin B complex. She is young, out of Boston (Dana Farber), and very aggressive in getting women back on their feet. She is a mom of young kids (like me), so she gets I really don't have time for these side effects. But yes, please check with your oncologist first!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JenniferK
    JenniferK Member Posts: 27
    edited March 2009

    I requested to join the FB group too :-)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2009

    I think I have finally figured out this picture thing.  I feel so technically challenged.  I made us do one last "family" pic last time my boys were home, while mom still has hair !  Okay, so I can't get the picture size right yet grrrrrrr.  Maybe next time.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mom_of_boys
    Mom_of_boys Member Posts: 556
    edited March 2009

    I'm BBAAAACCCCKKKKKK!

    Had my second tx yesterday (TC).  All went well.  No allergic reaction of any kind.  I'm back at work this morning feeling fine... just like after 1st tx. 

    Thank you very much for those that asked about me in brief absence.  Too many posts for me to answer each individually, BUT suffice to say... I read every one.

    NYDeb -- THANK YOU for posting the big picture!  Your "boys" are knock-dead gorgeous.  But, aren't all baseball players?  Wink  You family is beautiful... 

    EVERYONE -- I am loving the big pictures of your families... please keep them coming!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • crusader1
    crusader1 Member Posts: 1,222
    edited March 2009

    Hi all,

    MOB- So glad to hear all went well with your chemo yesterday.

    Gina- I believe you are on for tomorrow . Hope all goes well with you . May we all do as well as Jan.

    NYDeb- Wow what gorgeous sons you have. I bet it is the Finger Lakes air . Maybe the pretty area breeds gorgeous children..Great family picture. Too bad you are having trouble sleeping.

    Buddy- When I got my wigs home I told my husband to put them very high up in the closet. I was told the cats love the wigs too.

    I went for my weekly blood test yesterday. They do it at the office and you spend less than a hour at the office between seeing the doctor and getting results. Thank God all was fine with mine.

    My hair keeps falling out . I am not sure how much longer I will be able to go out without shaving it off. The scalp also hurts but I really can't complain. I hope the hair will last till Monday as we have a dinner appt.on Saturday with a friend and Sunday we are going out with my granddaughter who has no idea I have cancer. My daughter in law told her I was to be wearing wigs as to try out new hair styles. Not what I would have said but ...

    I bought a number of hats on line and in stores. Someone do post a picture of yourself in a buff.

    Have a great day..

    Hugs to all.

    Francine

    Okay ladies - How does one join FB. I have absolutely no idea.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • crusader1
    crusader1 Member Posts: 1,222
    edited March 2009

    Photobucket

    This is my husband and I at my New Years Day brunch . I invited many friends over four days before my mastectomy so I could keep myself busy. My surgery was on January 5th.

    Notice the cake .It is from a fancy bakery in my town where Meridith Viera of the Today Show shops. Very expensive. No I didn't buy it a friend brought it. The cake has a picture of Central Park on it.

    Hugs,

    Francine

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • didle20Diane
    didle20Diane Member Posts: 404
    edited March 2009

    Just got back from my day 8 after treatment appointment....WBC are low so I need to watch for fever, hopefully counts will go back up next week so I can remain on my current chemo schedule.

    Francine,  I could eat that whole cake....looks delicious!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mom_of_boys
    Mom_of_boys Member Posts: 556
    edited March 2009

    didle20... Have you received the neulasta shot yet?

    Francine... Awesome cake.  I think I'm planning a trip to NYC in the fall to celebrate!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dawnmrn1
    Dawnmrn1 Member Posts: 446
    edited March 2009

    Francine!  Great picture!!! I agree about keeping busy!  If I lay around I feel awful if I keep going I get tired and have to stop, but at least I did something!  It's fun to keep active.  About your grandaughter, she should be told,she WILL find out!!! We have a terrible history at my house!!! We have had some one sick since my daughter was 3. She is now 14!!! We tried to keep things from her when she was little, but she always found out. She was 8 when my husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer his MD called at dinner time with the BX results, she heard the whole conversation, saw our reaction, and moved forward!!!Sometimes it is hard but the truth prevails, we always have answered her questions, and gave her time to process, not bombared her with over the top information. Now she is well schooled with cancer. She has an aunt,my mother who died of colon cancer 11/2 yrs ago, my husband ,my husbands father and me with BC twice. In her 14 years and she hates it can you blame her!  She is afraid and I am too.Just a heads up!! There is also anger sometimes if they aren't told!!! My daughter has been there!!!!

    Good Luck and Keep Smiling! Dawn

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ginagina
    ginagina Member Posts: 327
    edited March 2009

    Dawn - right on! exactly how I feel too.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ginagina
    ginagina Member Posts: 327
    edited March 2009
    MOB - yeah! you're back. Glad you are feeling good. Steriods? Guess they are good for something.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bolerodiva
    bolerodiva Member Posts: 27
    edited March 2009
    jdeking - I travelled and competed for many years; U.S. finalist for 7and champion 5 of those yrs from 1988-1992. Retired before got back into competing and tried a couple new partners but did get back into the finals for 5 more yrs. 1998-2002. Had acl replacement and retired at 41 still wearing my 2 pieces back then! I still love to dance and for me it is all about the performing and being the music. Not really any favorite dance; they all have their uniqueness (just like this group!). If I can make someone feel something through a dance then it's special! I think it has always been my therapy and escape just haven't been able to do much the past few months but that will change.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ginagina
    ginagina Member Posts: 327
    edited March 2009

    Oh, I love a good laugh in the morning!

    Marshall - wasn't a wig falling onto a patient in an episode of ER? or Scrubs?  And the discombutlated mouse...while part of natures master plan, it is still...er...gross!! You had to clean that up, right? 

    NYDeb - Love the pic of your family. Such cute boys!!

    Buddy, NYDeb, Francine - oh so there is a benefit to being in a pet free (well dog and cat free) environment.  So far, the gold fish could care less! If a wig was EVER to come into this house, I dont think I would have a problem with them.

    Didle - Yep, still have the eyebrows THANK GOODNESS.  How did your kiddos do at the dr office yesterday? Mine would have torn the place apart. No thank you!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cpanasci
    cpanasci Member Posts: 35
    edited March 2009

    For what it's worth, Traditional Medicinals makes an herbal tea called -- wait for it! -- Smooth Move. It acts like a jackhammer, so drink it at bedtime but don't expect to wander too far in the morning. I swear by it even when I'm not chemo-pasted.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mom_of_boys
    Mom_of_boys Member Posts: 556
    edited March 2009

    cpanasci-- Yep, I used the Smooth Move herbal tea pre-BC.  You are exactly right... it cleans out all!!!  HA!

    I still have my eyebrows as well... hoping to keep them until I go to my Look Good Feel Better class. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jdeking
    jdeking Member Posts: 408
    edited March 2009

    Jan - I cannot believe you are back at work the day after treatment! You rock!

    bolerodiva - wow, we have a champion ballroom dancer in our midst, that is super cool and I am very impressed! I know that must be terrific therapy, though I have 2 left feet and find it hard to imagine!

    Good luck with keeping up your counts didle! I hope they jump up!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories