Starting Chemo February 2009?

Kristine ~ great news that you'll be finished with Herceptin and TE's very soon!  Yes, I get tingling in my node arm from time to time.  Is it more noticeable after you've been active, if you're tired or something like that?  You might want to see about getting a lymphedema sleeve if you haven't already.

Kerry ~ I want some of those magical boobs, too, LOL!  I told Mr. Artemis that I'll get reconstruction when I turn 50.  There's nothing like a pair of perky girls for a 50th birthday gift.

Jamie ~ so glad you're continuing to do well.  I'm a member at Timtam's (signed up to help me decide if I wanted single or double Mx), and I think it's wonderful that you're willing to share your photos there.  Thank you so much.

apple ~ still praying for the house!!

Hugs to all,
Artemis 

ETA:  Kristine ~ LOL @ REAL fake boobs, heehee! 

Yep, Kerry, that's how ya do it.

I've wondered about a sleeve for myself too - although I wouldn't even know where to get one from....I have minor swelling between two finfgers - nothing bad but don't want it to get worse.

It's so good to see so many posts...that so many of us are still here, even though I've been MIA lately, lol.  It was a crazy weekend, we had another car die on us (I now have 4 cars that don't run)....and are down to one car, so I am stuck home this week.  It sucks that I can't work this week, I was just starting to get back into the subbing....

Jaimie:  It is so good to hear that all went well.  I don't remember if you were having one breast done or both?  5 hours isn't that long compared to what I've read about these flap procedures, so that's encouraging to hear.  I've read of 10+ hour surgeries and that freaks me out!

Kristine:  you look wonderful!  I was wondering how you looked without pink hair, lol!!!  I get a lot of tingling and pain in my arm, mostly in the mornings, but really no swelling so wasn't sure it was lymphedema.  How exciting to be finishing H and getting your 'real' boobs!

Artemis:  I don't have a sleeve, but I don't think I'll be bowling ever again....although it was so much fun, my arm has NOT liked it one bit. It's been painful and stiff ever since....if there is any swelling, it is so little that I can't really tell if it is swelling or just my imagination...but it feels weird. 

Apple:  Hope everything works out with the new house....will you guys be moving there, or are you flipping it?  Houses are sooo cheap right now, it's crazy the deals you can get.

Bethie:  That's awesome news, and you sound like you're doing great!  You always sound so energetic in your posts, lol, send some my way!

Kerry:  I'm with you on the questions about recon, and the indecision.  Heck, I can't even decide whether to go off blood thinners, more or less more surgery.  It's frustrating and scary.  I definitely need to get new prothesis/bras in the meantime, since the ones I have are just too uncomfortable.

Judy what size bra do you wear ?



Apple geez I had a case of the duhhss.

Apple:  Congratulations on the house!  It does look like you have alot of work ahead of you, but it will be awesome when you're done!  You can truly make it your own.

Jaimie:  Well, I'm wearing protheses that are roughly a 36B...if I ever get around to getting new ones, I will probably go a bit smaller (I'm wondering if these are actually a full B/small C)  I was probably a full A/small B prior to mast.

I'm a 34, but am only a B.  Shame! I could do with more bras.

Apple - house looks amazing, loads of work, but very rewarding once it is done. Fantastic! It will keep you busy. 

jaimie - how are you? Heading home tomorrow? bet you will be happy to see your kids. 

Hi all, 

My 23 year old girlfriend is starting her first chemo treatment this Friday.  I have been searching and searching for a young stylish head scarf for her.  I think I have been to about every site there is, some of which seem quite expensive.  Does anyone have any tricks that are just as effective or a particular brand they prefer?  So far I have one site I have found that seems like it may be a good choice, can I post it as a recommendation or is that not OK?

-K 

Kerry you could always do suprise Honey I am trying so new girls....lol..... 

I am still in NOLA chilling today   I think I have walked all fo the french quarters happily.  We went todya and I bought myself a bracelet and got some T-Shirts before we had to return the rent a car.  It was $75 for 3 days of a rental car so not bad at all. 

I feel great and after tomorrow I will be getting more things off so I am hoping to feel even better.  I have my Onc Q pain balls and they will be coming off tomorrow so I will be left with 2 drains and all of my compression garments.  The bad part is that I found out that I am allergic to the compression bra and I am blistering  (my back) so I have padding all over the place.  I am hoping that we can come up with an easier option maybe a cotton option that would work. 

So a year ago today I started Chemo and this year I was out shopping at the french quarter.  I am happy that I am still here

K~ Another option is hats. 

Jaimie:  thanks so much, but it wouldn't fit me!  You must be tiny, girl, to wear a 34...you too, Kerry!  glad to hear you are doing so well, and that you had a great day!

Benthr:  I went to the fabric store and bought clearance soft knit materials in all colors, cut them to size, then tied them on my head...the knits kind of curl under at the edges, so I didn't have to sew anything (which is good, I don't sew).  I think it cost me like 2 dollars a piece.

Sue!! Great to hear all is well with you, and you sound busy and happy! Don't we love our friend NED!!

My hair is super curly too - I haven't had it cut yet, I'm waiting until it is a bit longer, but it is very bushy. Glad to hear your Mother is doing better.

Stay in touch, we're all going to have a great year!!

Glad you're home safe!

Hi Furies! I am back in USA, yet stranded in Chicago because of snow. I had trouble getting my pictures off my blackberry onto web, so sorry no pics. The mission was great! The first couple of days I ended up getting a lot of hip pain by evening; so I swallowed my pride and told them about my chemotherapy. I still get hip and/or knee pain when I push myself hard. We worked out a schedule where I took frequent breaks and I felt much better in the evenings.

My most memorable moment of the mission was with a woman who had just had a mastectomy. I was working in post-operative recovery and she was just coming out of anesthesia. She was mumbling something I couldn't understand. When she was more awake I asked her to repeat what she was trying to say and she said, "Thank you for the surgery, Ma'am."

That made the whole week worth it!

I'm starting tomorrow, February 10th! I'm nervous as a cat and hope I can sleep. It's great to see such support for one another!

Cheryl~ Sorry you are stuck in Chicago.  It sounds like your mission was very much appreciated. 

Judy~ Your guitar looks amazing.  I understand completely about a block.  They are very frustrating but you will get thru it.

I am still home recovering with my friends drain #3, and drain #4.  They are a PITA literally but they need to be there.  I had to have one advanced in further last Friday which hurt like hell but my lovely and wonderful local PS did it.  It's now working great!  They will be in any where from 7 more days to 42 more days so I am hoping that I can get them out sooner.  The only thing that is hurting my recovery is the fact that we are under snow here in MD and we are getting another 10-20" tonight....grrrr...  I figured I could go to the mall after dropping the kids of each day and get walking but that is not going to happen any time soon.  I found out that I will be heading South again at the end of April for Stage 2.  I am really looking forward to it and I love what has been done so far so any more improvements will be awesome.  My last stage will be sometime before the end of summer and should be quick. 

So is anyone up to anything fun ???  Yeah I have to live thru others right now since the only fun I am having is inside my house and that is not that much fun since I have so many restrictions.