**NEW** Starting Chemo March 2009
Comments
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Raymon: How wonderful to see you. Your hair loooks great and you are bee-yoo-tee-ful too! It would be great to have you join us in NYC. It will be the trip of a lifetime for me for sure.
CCBaby: just two herceptin left....what a trooper you are. March is just around the corner and a wonderful new chapter begins for you!
It will be one year from dx for me on the 23rd and I feel the same way as others have stated. Disbelief, wonderment...did this really happen to me? When I look in the mirror I definitely see someone different than a year ago and I never thought I'd say this...but I do like the new me. I think I am over the grief of losing my breast, losing my old life and to some degree losing my innocence about it all. . Honestly I didn't think I would ever have the epiphany and appreciation for all that is new but finally I do. I have decided to appreciate all that I have and not dwell on what was lost.
The start of 2010 has been the happiest of times that I remember in a very long time. I know that alot of the younger gals are still dealing with much more than me ( fertility etc) and I want you to know that you are in my prayers and thoughts each and everyday.
Francine: Good luck on Tuesday. I hope it's your last fill and your exchange will come quickly. I have heard that the TE's feel like a brick on the chest.....I guess I'll know soon enough. Are you having a lot of pain too? Take care and let us know how Tuesday goes.
Hugs to all
Beth P
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NYC Meet, Greet and Eat!
Ok ladies here's the list so far. If I've missed anyone let me know and we are anxiously waiting to hear from the rest of you. If you missed the original post go to page 123!
Francine
Beth P
Beth R
Chris
Diane
Michelle
Nasharyne
Malle
Luv 2 Sing (pencilled in)...but I would love to put it in ink....lol
Where are the rest of you?
Bunny, Nadine, Buddy, Arnie,Ann Idiot, CCBaby, Chick(Tracy), Dawn, Gina, Cyndi, Janet, Janine, MaidMarion, Michelle54, Moborn, Mom_of_Boys, Ricki, Annette, NYDeb, PattiB, Rachel....gosh I hope I haven't missed anyone
Hugs to all
Beth and Francine
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Raymon, your hair looks great! I decided to take a new pic too- I should take another with it fixed soon. This is just sitting around out of the shower air dried. its kinda fluffy but it has mostly stopped sticking straight up. Other than a trim from ccbaby a couple months ago, I haven't cut it at all. I want to grow it out on top and keep the back and sides shorter for now. I will get it cut (and possibly colored) sometime in the next few weeks.
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All of you gals look wonderful!!! I'll have to start taking more D3 to see if that will move the growth along a bit.
Christy - mine is kind of slow going too, but I'm told that it is the Herceptin. Only 2 left!!! Way to go!! I'm still going until July. I will be so happy to have that done and overwith.
I understand what you gals are feeling about you anniversaries. I was d/x on the 6th of January and a friend of mine took me out for lunch and we talked about all that I've been through the past year. It seemed really surreal to me that I acutally went through that. The 13th marked one year from my mastecomy and to tell you the truth, that day was very hard for me. All of those emotions came rushing back...being scared and unsure what the future held for me. It was for me a very emotionally draining day, but I got through it.
I wish I could go to NYC with you gals. I'm so disappointed, but my son will be even more disappointed if I didn't stay and watch him bowl in the Provinicals. Hopefully, we can have another gathering next year and I will be able to make that one.
Have a great day ladies. Thinking of you all (((HUGS)))
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Hi All! You all look great! I hear what you are saying about anniversaries,mine is Friday. I am a different person from a year ago. I live for now not for the future, I try to do everything today and not worry about tomorrrow! I do worry about my 15 yo, and fret if I will see her grow up. I feel good and look awful. My hair has been cut and colored but even after 7 months I won't go without my wig! I am so sick of it. I have no bangs and the scalp shows thru on top, not very attractive. As for NYC, I'd love to go but I think I will be visiting my dad in SC in April, and I can't do both, Bummer. Happy to hear of everyone s progress. Thanks for the support!! Love, Dawn
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Hi all,
I just wanted to check in. Wow! Everyone's hair looks fantastic! Growing slowly but surely... On that note, since all of you have shared your latest pics, I'm obligated to share mine since I'm kind of just hanging around at home today...
My natural color is actualy salt and pepper with a HUGE amount of salt, but I've colored my hair for years. I put a rinse on it that's actually dark warm brown, but with my hair being so white, it's more like a dark blonde. In a couple of weeks, I'm thinking about getting it cut an colored by someone who knows what they're doing (smile).... and man is it curly... but I think that will lessen when my hair gets longer...
Dawn, I understand your feelings about the wig. It became somewhat of a security blanket for me and I made a New Year's resolution to stop wearing it. These past two weeks have been so difficult. I'm almost 6 feet tall and have gained alot a weight and man did I get ALOT of stares for a while. It was really kind of depressing. But I stuck to my resolution. And each day gets a little better. And I think at times the problem was more me being self conscious about it. But, as I said before, each day gets better... I know you'll decide when it's best for you to go without it. The decision is yours and no one elses, but once you decide to go without it, I'll be pulling for you...
Take care ladies and have a great day!!!
Beth
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Hello all
You all look beautiful! Pickle I especially love the colour and the funky cut, but all of you look great. Bethr I so agree with you about each day getting easier once you go wig-free. I still feel self conscious because I look so different from my old self, but gradually I am becoming accustomed to it. And I like your colour too.
And I find it so hard to remember being bald! Does anyone else find that? Whatever hair issues I have now, having no hair at all seems such a long time ago.
I am in Singapore again for 2 days - only one work meeting so the rest of the time is for shopping and eating. What a terrible life I lead. My diagnosis anniversary is this Friday. I am not sure what I feel about it.
Really wish I could join you in NYE for Meet Greet and Eat 2010, but Australia and New York are a leettle too far apart for that. Sigh. If I win the lottery, though, I will be there with bells on.
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Raymon,
How nice to see that things seem so much better for you. How is your husband doing?
We would love to see you in NYC.
Your hair looks so great and you do too. What a nice smile you have.
Stay well,
Hugs,
Francine
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Just realized that I missed the last page of entries so I will respond now. Yes we are all going through the same feelings after this year..Beth, Rachel, Kim, ..It has been a long one to say the least. But as Rachel said it is hard remembering being bald. We have all moved on.
Bethr your hair looks good. Let people just think you like short hair. Who cares it is hair.
Dawn..hope you will soon be able to ditch the wig.Too bad you can't make NYC.
Beth P..No pain form the TE just a hard rock. Hopefully tomorrow will be the last.
Dayla- Wow I think you may be the winner of the most hair contest. Looks great. I have cut mine twice. But it is so curly and I love it.
Hugs,
Francine
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I think Michelle has me beat on the hair- we both started chemo nearly the same day- but I she had 6 weeks head start on me I think since I had 6 treatments. FWIW, I was taking Vitamin d3 for a bit too didn't know it helped hair growth- I was taking it for health. I did take biotin for awhile as well to help hair growth, but then it seemed to be doing just fine so I stopped. I'll probably fix my hair with goo and stuff wed, I'll try to take a pic then. dayla
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Honestly gals...who would have thought we'd be discusing curly hair, thin hair, hair cuts and coloring our hair a year ago. What a difference a year makes.
Dawn: Glad to hear you feel great and I'm sure your hair isn't near as bad as you think. As you can see from the pics , everyone is growing at differnet rates. You will know when you're ready to ditch the wig and there is no right or wrong time frame. Whatever makes you the most comfortable. So sorry you can't make NYC. If your plans change feel free to hop aboard!
Kim40: I didn't realize you are still on herceptin. I really don't know much about it other than they infuse it. Is it given monthly? Are there SE's.?
NYDeb: How are you doing? When do you finish chemo? Think of you often and wishing you well.
BethR: You look so happy in your pic. Brings a smile to my face. Your hair looks great.
Rachel: How lucky to be in Singapore. That's great and nice to have leisure time there on the company's bill...lol. Too bad about NYC for you. I will keep my fingers crossed that you get a big windfall!
Dayla: Love the hair lingo..."goo and stuff" Too funny. Look forward to seeing the new pic!
Who else is still doing treatment besides tamoxifen or AI's?
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Yep, I'm still doing Herceptin until July. It is given every 3 weeks. I'm lucky though, I haven't had any side effects other than a runny nose every now and then. How about you Christy??
I will be starting Zometa this week also - anyone else??
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Hi Kim,
I take Zometa as an infusion twice a year to strenghten my bones as well as to prevent a recurrence of cancer. I have had two so far( June and Dec.) and felt nothing . Some ladies experience joint pain. I take it in the same place as I had my chemo but this is not chemo and takes only about 45 minutes. A piece of cake...
Good luck..I have heard it can't hurt to take it.
Hugs,
Francine
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Kim...I have absolutely no side effects from Herceptin. I have always had a runny nose even before cancer, so I don't count that as a side effect. lol How long is your drip? Mine is an hour and a half. Today is the first time that I didn't have to get bloodwork before my treatment. I have had my blood drawn at least every 3 weeks since chemo started. After today I only have 2 Herceptins left! YAY!! I will so glad not to have to go to the hospital for 'something'. I think my car can drive itself there now.
Rachel....I look back of pics of myself bald and it is hard to believe.
Dayla..I showed your pic to my dh and he said...wow..she has super thick hair!! Was your hair thick like that bfc (before f'n chemo)?
I went to the local health food store and bought some more vitamins and supplements. I watched this documentary movie last night called The Beautiful Truth.....it freaked me out...it is about what causes cancer and how you should eat only fruits and vegetables (The Gerson therapy)...it is worth watching. A friend of mine has watched Food Inc and said it is very informative too.
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I'm still getting Herceptin also. Three more to go.......I can't wait. My infusion is only 30 mins and I don't get any labs but, I'm still sick of going. I do get the running nose and I have read on the herceptin thread it makes it harder to lose the middle that was gained during chemo so, I'll blame that on herceptin also. With all that I'm still glad we got it.
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ccbaby, I think my hair is thicker. I have always had a lot of hair- but it was pretty fine in texture and didn't have much body. I think the hairs themselves are slightly coarser maybe? Everyone seems to think its darker esp when I have product in. I myself am not sure- I think my hair just got somewhat lightened/reddened by sun when it was longer and since its short its my natural dark brown (with a few more grey hairs now)
I have hope those might go away? I know I had a couple before- but I have a few more . I had some grey ones show up down south-those I did not have before. I actually found a couple that started grey and then turned brown in the same hair. those are most certainly coarser than before- hate it- esp after DH made a comment.
I saw Food Inc when it was here this summer- made me want to go out and start a garden, stop eating so much processed food etc. I find the changing of diet and supplment taking all very very overwhelming right now. I have to admit I'm just in kind of a holding pattern right now- counting the days til we leave to go hiking. I've struggled with low grade depression for years- I switched antidepressants a few months ago so one that was tamoxifen compatible. I am horrible about remembering to take meds and vitamins including tamoxifen so I really can't say if I'm having problems with them, or if I just need to take them more regularly.
right now I just feel really scatterbrained- more so on the Tamoxifen- I feel like I have the concentration span of a gnat and I feel mildly irritated often.
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Hi ladies,
As we are talking about hair my eyebrows have not really come back to pre chemo time nor has my hair down south. Both much sparser than before.No grays there only on my head.
I went today to see the PS. He said I still need one more fill. I am upset as this stuff just keeps hanging on and hanging on. I am waiting to put most of this stuff behind me. I am also upset because my husband and I were planning on one of our trips early in March and now with the exchange coming the dates may not work out. I am not usually down but today I am not happy . I must say that I did have my best day ever in Maj Yongg. I guess some things worked out well today. Also to make matters worse my breast is very tight and sort of painful. I took a few advil and hope all will feel better tomorrow.
Dayla..Hope you get things together as I am sure you have much to do prior to our journey.
Kim, Christy and Nasharayne ..So great that you will soon be done with your treatments. Yes it has been a long year for all of us.
Tomorrow should be a better day as I am hoping to see Avatar in the movies with my husband and in the evening I am going with four others lady friends to see and off Broadway play. They say this play is like a Chick Flick. I will tell all about it after I see it.
Yes ladies we should all eat healthy. But I believe in moderation in all aspects of life.
Hugs,
Francine
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Dayla: Your hair does look really thick...beautiful on you. It can be overwhelming to amke too many changes in diet , supplements etc. I agree with Francine...moderation. I saw Food Inc too and I do buy organic as much as possible but it is quite pricey. I take tamoxifen and vit d. That's about it for me. I don't know what else you take but tamoxifen and of course your antidepressants need to be taken consistently and at about the same time each day. Maybe that will help with feeling scattered. I have a somewhat shorter fuse than I used to and feel that my concentration isn't what it used to be but I think a lot of that is lingering effects from chemo. They say it takes about a year to get everything out of our systems. I am sure your hike in the fresh air and sunshine will be wonderful for you.
Francine: It sounds like you've had a tough day. So sorry to hear that you are delayed again...darn! But I must say you are already looking on the sunny side of tomorrow. Avatar and the theatre sounds lovely and just what you need. I hope the advil gives you some reprieve and that you feel better tomorrow. Thinking of you and sending hugs.
Have a wonderful evening everyone
Beth P
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Beth,
As usual your kind thoughts are already making me feel better.
I must say that this fill , my fifth is the only time I have had discomfort. In two weeks when I go again I will take something before the fill.
Thanks again,
Francine
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Francine, I'm sorry you are having pain with your fills and that your vacation might get messed with your surgery- when does it ever end?
Dayla
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Francine,
Can you have a fill in longer to push back the exchange surgery a few weeks? I don't know much about it!
I am worried about my hair...haven't had to shave legs in 2 weeks, hair down south is disappearing again. I diyed my hair so I can watch the roots for new growth! I think the Aromasin is causing hair loss/slow growth. Not sure if it is worth the pain to go back to Arimidex.
No results on bone scan yet...hope no news is good news.
Smile ladies....we have hair, have our wits, and our cancer free! Some days this is as good as it gets...
Chris
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Francine -
Glad to hear that you don't have any SE's from the Zometa. I have met some ladies who have and I was getting kind of nervous about it. I hope you start to feel better soon!
Christy - My Herceptin is for 1/2 hour every three weeks. I don't get any labs done either. By the time they get me all hooked up and lines flushed,I'm there for about an hour - which is not too bad. The nurses there are really nice so time flies by rather quickly.
Dayla - I guess you will be going on your hiking trip soon? Takes lots of pics!
Rachel - Hope you are having fun in Singapore!
Hope everyone else is doing well!
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Hi Ladies,
Been very busy. Yesterday we saw Avatar. A little long but good. Then at night I saw a play in Manhattan with four ladies. Sort of a commentary ..funny and not ...on women's lives. But near the end it was about a women getting BC. I was not upset but I am sure my friends felt umcomfortable knowing I had been through it.
Today I went to the gym, had a manicure and pedicure, went to a book club at my local Gilda's club and this evening I am off to another book club. Busy day. Oh yes Chris my hair is still growing. I am now coloring it.
Chris..Great comments about where we all are. Too bad about your hair slowing up. I am thinking about how to get my trip in.
Kim..I wouldn't worry about Zometa. I believe after all we have been through so much of this stuff is a piece of cake.
Dayla. When does it end? I just love your hair.
Hugs,
Francine
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Thanks Francine - Going today for my first one! I'll let you know how it goes.
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Kim: Good luck today. Thinking of you!
Hugs
Beth P
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Kim, How did the Zometa go. ?
Beth..Wow I love the new Avatar..
Watching the Haiti telethon. How very sad . I went there years ago on a vacation. It was so poor even then. It is so great that the world is coming together for Haiti.,
Have a great weekend..
Hugs,
Francine
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Francine: My avatar is a beach in Punta Cana. We are going there on Thursday.
I am watching the telethon too. Isn't it amazing that the world can come together as a global community at a time of crisis. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the world could see themselves as "one" all the time. Tomorrow is my "cancerversary" and in light of all that is going on in the world, I know that I truly have small troulbles compared to others. It certainly put things in perspective for me.
Hugs to all and please keep the people of Haiti in your prayers.
Beth P
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Hi All,
I'm just checking in before I go to my yoga class. I'm going to a yoga class run by a 12 year survivor. I've only been to one so far and it seems like it will be good. Everyone in the class is a survivor so it's a strength booster to be with other women going through the same things.
Sakura, thanks for the sympathetic comments on the wig/no wig/hair... I'm so sorry you won't be able to make it to NYC. It would be great to meet you.
I watched the Help for Haiti special last night too and donated. Everyday when I see it on the news, it breaks my heart.. ESPECIALLY when they show the kids.. so sad... As Beth (pickle) said, it really puts everything into perspective..
I noticed the comments related to pube's... Interestingly mine look kind of like a reverse mohawk, with a bald line going down the middle??? WTF... (smile).....
I hope you all have a great weekend!
Beth
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Hi ladies,
Thought you all would find this interesting. My best friends son in law is a surgical resident. The hospital where he works sends volunteers each year to perform minor surgeries in underdeveloped nations. He volunteered to go last summer. Coincidentally he ended up in Haiti three days after the Earthquake. His hospital was not in Port of Prince. Here are two links to learn about what he did . His name is Scott Sundick.
Yes seeing the children and knowing that there will be so many orphans is so sad .
Hugs,
Francine
Doctors On The Ground Describe Desperate Situation In Haiti » MTV Newsroom
The CRUDEM Foundation, Inc. | Image Gallery - Incoming Patients
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Thanks Francine. Very interesting and to hear it straight from someone who is there is amazing.
Beth R: People pay to have that strip down there....I've heard it referred to as a "landing strip" lol
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