Starting chemo January 2009?

My hair came back even finer and softer than it was before-- no thick and curly for me -- oh well.. it is hair.  It is black (used to be brown) with some wisps of grey.  I had some wispy grey hair through chemo -- I had my hairdresser cut out a few of the remaining ones -- she was surprized to see they were half grey and wirey and half black and fine all in the same strand.   Weird!   My med onc says my hair will return to normal in about a year.    thinking about highlights, but I kind of like the black.   And maybe I'll have bangs some day!  LOL!!!!  

My hair is curly and it looks like a poodle head with flat sides.  That style with my ears which swear are growing makes me look, well, you can imagine! 

Oh yeah, I did go ahead and dye the old gray away.  Did just get a haircut today, though!! whoo hooo and it's grown long enough I might have to dye it again!

I swear the chemo brain doesn't seem to be going away.  I edit more than I type lately! irgh.

Kim, good for you, that is wonderful that you can accomplish so much after the last year.  Yes, unfortunately, I think knowing who bozo is dates us. How about Mr. Green Jeans, does that date us too.  Oh yeah, and romper room

Bozo, Mr. Green Jeans, Capt Kangaroo.. I know them all... yikes... I am going to make an appointment today for my first haircut.  I don't have any bangs but I need to work towards something in the way of a short haircut.. instead of this mess.. I look like Mike Brady from the Brady Bunch.

My mom did GREAT handling her mastectomy.. there were no surprises and while we don't have the full path back yet.... things look good for her.  They did find a lymph node (questionable as she had a ton taken out 20 years ago)... and it was Negative.  She has to meet with the oncologist and I guess they plan to do the onco score test... which she is nervous about coz she knows that onco score was the only reason I had chemo... so she has one more hurdle to feel real relief.  But, she is handling this with great strength.. and at 72, I'm proud of her....

BerkKim.... I am headed to NOLA (Center for Restorative Breast Surgery) in February for 2 flaps that don't use muscle like the Tram.... they specialize in it down there.... if you are interested in researching other options.... here is their site... www.breastcenter.com.  There are threads on this site that rave about the surgeons there... I had limited options too because of previous rads...

Anyway.... enjoy the holidays Jewels... much different than last year, eh?

Holtbolt:   Good news that your mom is doing well.  Praying for a low onco score for her.   Yes it is a very different holiday this year ....but I do keep thinking about "this time last year".....we have all come a long way.

And yah, I know that whole cast -- even Mike Brady LOL!  

Take Care Jewels

kmmd, I thought I would get the all clear on the healthy side too but I had gotten called back for another ultrasound and another mammogram after had those 2 things 2 weeks prior.  They decided mine is just a 5mm very dense area of tissue, so hopefully they are right.  Are you going to get another mammo in 6 months?

Holtbolt, I am so glad to hear your mom is recovering from her surgery.  My mother got a bad mammogram the other day....it was her first ever mammogram (she's 58) and they found a 3cm "something" and are going to biopsy it, so of course she is panicking like you wouldn't believe.  I can't really calm her down, but I do understand what that feeling is like, until you know for sure it's nothing, you are just freaked out.  The doc said if he was a betting man, he would say it's not cancer based on shape (round and smooth) and that it appears more as tissue than tumour, so she is just waiting for appt.  Prob won't be until after Xmas. 

For me, I am doing great and have my reconstruction surgery......well, mastectomy of healthy side and expanders put into both sides......June 23rd.  Then fills every 2 weeks and then he lets them sit for 4 months after all full and replaces with permanent implants......I figure by NEXT Xmas I will be a complete person, physically.....emtionally, not so sure lol. 

Thanks everyone....

Jilly... sorry to hear about your mom's mammo... Kmmd.. sorry you did not get the all clear.... but you know how many times the scare is all for naught.....  it's frustrating I know...   

Jess... Jan 25th will be zooming up on you once the new year hits...   Jilly... I hope to be all done with reconstruction too by NEXT Christmas.... this journey is a long one isn't it??  I have learned alot about patience this year....

I actually started today...Dec. 16.  Am doing neo-adjuvant chemo, 8tx 3 weeks apart.  I was literally in the hospital from 9 am until 11:15 a.m.  Home by 11:30.  Had only a 30 second bout of nausea - and nothing since.  Did feel woozy a few times tho - make sure someone drives you there and back - just in case.  Having trouble sleeping tonite - but it gives me a chance to check out the forums!

Thank you kmmd- I am ecstatic about my exchange.  I hope it goes well and I don't have to undergo more surgeries.  The radiation may have shrink wrapped me a bit too tight and so not good when I am trying to heal properly.  We'll see. It will be interesting to see how my "new" foob feels.  I have changed how I hug those around me cause I don't want them to feel the hardness in my chest. 

hi friends! hard to believe so much time has passed since our treatment! i wanted to tell you that i was invited to speak at the TomoTherapy, Inc. annual meeting in Madison, WI, last week, to talk about my cancer experience and radiation experience with TomoTherapy. it was an experience of a lifetime to meet the inventor of the TomoTherapy machine, get a tour of the manufacturing plant, meet the amazing employees, and speak in front of hundreds of people and thank them. they projected some of my photos of my experience on large screens behind me (it was held in a megachurch because there were so many people), and included a self-portrait of my bilateral mastectomy, which gave me the opportunity to talk about the importance of annual mammograms starting at age 40 (or earlier if we have family history). i never dreamed that cancer, chemo, and radiation would lead me to madison, wisconsin, and public speaking! this link documents my experience there:
http://deborahlattimore.smugmug.com/Other/TomoTherapy-Presentation/10675326_4u9M3#743227837_m444A
hugs to all of you - happy holidays!

Hi all it has been a long time since I have been on so much has happened.  I finished everything, my hair is growing back black with some gray.  I went back to work, my job I had was not avaliable but at least I still had a job.  Probably the worst thing is trying to get through all this and our home burnt down, and we lost everything.  No one was hurt though, we were at church.  Trying to get everything settled with insurance that is a BIG headache.

Everything is looking good have a follow up on Jan 6 hope to schedule a scan and see how things are.

Lisa, not sure what I missed, but if you need the support of your group tomorrow, we all are here for you

rsben, dont' know what to say.  Your home burning down is way too much for someone to have to handle after the last year.  My heart goes out to you and yours

Everyone else, Happy Holidays for whatever you celebrate.  We all still doing a New Years toast?

rsben - Yikes!  That it horrible!  I can't imagine dealing with losing a home right after dealing with BC. Many hugs to you.   I have my follow up on the 6th as well and I have the same hair. 

Ysben.  That is horrible.  Are you getting help and support?

Renrel!  I was just thinking of you and there you are! 

Bev56-Hope to hear from you again.  Toast with us on the 31st?