Has anyone started a forum for Chemo in Dec 2008?

Well lost half of one of my nails today!   But at least it isn't too tender...since they have been lifted off the nail bed for so long, the area toughened up...now I just need it to grow out FAST! LOL  It looks lovely!  NOT  I'll just cover it with a band aid when I need to go anywhere. 

Hope everybody is doing well!  Off to Zumba!

Lisa, I'm two nails down with the rest not far behind. As you noted, since they have been lifted anyway, the nail bed is much tougher than I anticipated. Ugly, for sure, but not as tender as I'd imagined.

Hope you don't lose any more!!!!

You're right about the insult Firni. I had one "good" nail until yesterday when it started to lift. 

LOL: I yelled at it, but it didn't do any good.

Glad to hear things are settling into place for you. Must be nice to look in the mirror and start to really enjoy what you see.

Lisa - so sorry about the nails.  So far mine are hanging in there but I stare at them constantly.  Going to start letting my hair come in this weekend and see what it looks like.

Firni - glad you are getting used to the new girls.  I know how you felt at first look - I'm still getting used to mine and how clothes fit and look.  My nipples are flattening out and the color of the tattoo has faded but I'm due for a touch up in 2 weeks.

Exercise has gotten me through this whole ordeal and I have even started to run again.  It's so nice to be outside.  Have a good weekend all - we are heading to the beach this afternoon.

Thanks Ladies! 

It really isn't that bad.  I've only lost the top half of one nail.  They others are growing out pretty quickly and they are very tough!  I just keep trimming off the dead stuff as they grown. I think I caught the one nail on something when I was working out in the yard. 

I really can't complain...I know others have gone through much worse!

ditto!!

Hi Everyone!  I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day! 

I just had to post today to say WTH.....I started this weekend.   Yuck!  I thought chemo was putting me into menopause.  I guess NOT......!  Good news is, not having night sweats anymore!

Have a great day!

Sonia

Darn, I never thought I'd say this, but I wish I would start.  My doc said I'd go into menopause but he didn't say anything about "temporary".  I'm gonna be 45 so I guess it was bound to happen....

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day!

I am 44. Had my last period Sept 08 one month before DX. Nothing since then. My onc said there is a small chance I might go into menopause after chemo, but she thinks I am still too young for that. I've been having hot flashes since I started chemo,but is not as bad since Taxol as they were with FAC.

Happy birhtday, Lisa - I will surely forget by Wednesday.  Still suffering from chemo brain - I heard that lasts for a long while - ugh!

What I hear is that if you're close to menopause it could last, otherwise there's no way to know when it will come back. I'm 34, last period 12/08, last chemo 03/23 and still not back. I wouldn't mind if it lasts for a good bit, I do have hot flashes but not too bad.

Lisa - Happy Birthday

Would you ever consider switching medical oncologists after chemo, if you knew you'd be working with them for the next 5 years?

Here's my dilemma: I like the guy BUT he doesn't seem too serious about being my partner in planning my future. I've tried to have a serious discussion with him about AI side effects and a prophylactic mastectomy: each time, he says I worry too much and to stop paying attention to the studies and statistics.

I asked if he was going to monitor my estrogen levels ("no"); take baseline cholesterol levels because AIs are known to raise cholesterol ("no").

I called him a week ago for help about the water weight gain, and he said he wasn't concerned. Well, a few days later it settled into my surgical arm and I now have lymphedema. Who knows if a prescription diuretic would have helped but from what I've read, there is no cure for lymphedema once you get it. You just have to learn to manage it for the rest of your life.

Today, my radiation oncologist said I should call my medical oncologist about the dry cough I've had for a couple of weeks because it could indicate heart damage due to chemo. When I called, he referred me to my general practitioner because he thought I just needed a prescription-strength cough syrup.

I'm feeling like he's not taking the potential side effects seriously. Or am I perhaps becoming way too focused on the "what ifs"????

Texas, I second Lisa. Find somebody else that cares and is willing to work with you.

Lisa, Happy B-day and have a drink for me too. ( still doing chemo).

Caroline, I was able to get some financial assistance thru the Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief.  The didn't want to see my bank account balances where everyone else did.  I found that if you have anything in savings and something in checking, you don't qualify.  But I only had to submit my most recent tax return for the Co-Pay people.  They paid $1700 of my chemo co-pay.  For as much money as we don't have, I haven't had good luck finding help.  My cancer center social worker said that you almost have to be out on the streets before getting assistance because money is so tight with all these foundations.  If you know of any that are a little looser with their money let me know.

Texas, I would find a different onc.  If he isn't willing to work with you and tells you to ignore studies and stats, forget him.  I don't know that he did such a great job getting you thru chemo, you've had such a hard time.  My onc doesn't do scans, blood tests or anything like that either.  Makes we wonder why I have to see him every three months.  I'll ask him.  Other wise, why wouldn't I just call him if there was a problem?  My GP will order any blood work I want done.  Not scans tho.  I'm so so sorry about the lymphedema.  Will your onc give you a referral for a specialist or is he not concerned about that either?

Where does one go to get a bone density test done?

Happy B-day Lisa!!! 

Firni, generally the places where you go for any kind of imaging -- including mammograms -- also do bone density tests. They are quick and painless, you even stay fully clothed as long as you don't have any metal on your body.

I see my medical oncologist in June, and will ask him about future tests. Like you, I don't understand going into the office unless there's a problem to discuss or a test to be run.