Starting Chemo Aug 09

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  • YoYo44
    YoYo44 Member Posts: 203
    edited February 2010

    Happy Monday!

    Congrats Jenn and all you other Saints fans!

    Have a great week!

    Yo

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  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 4,898
    edited February 2010

    Woo hooo Saints ROCK!  Jenn I hope you partied :)

    Lilah

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  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 1,727
    edited February 2010

    She must still be partying - she hasn't let us how happy she is!!!

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  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 4,898
    edited February 2010

    LOL Gilly.

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited February 2010

    The city was wild last night..................

    We watched the game at home with family - when Tracy Porter made that interception for a touchdown, phones and computer lines went crazy!!!!  I ran to the store at 10p to get Championship stuff - the streets were filled with people, honking haning out of their cars, waiving flags, fireworks........ The line to the store was at least 1/2 mile long (no kidding) - it spilled out onto and down the highway.  So we decided to go back later, but we did enjoy the overfilled parking lot, music and fans.  I (and my sister) actually hung out of the car sceaming and high fiving everyone in line - my poor daughter was trying to drive through the madness and was stressed, but handled it well.  Today I am at work, with very few people showing up and the streets are empty.  We're all trying to recover in time for the parade tomorrow night- So far, everyone I know is planning on coming in town for the parade.............. It's going to be wild again tomorrow night. Guess I'll sleep later another time. 

    Thanks to all of you -the Saints have always meant so much to the City, but after all we went through with Katrina they seem to mean so much more on a different level -the players really do involve themselves in community service and have done so much in helping to rebuild and with the children of the city.

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  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 4,898
    edited February 2010

    It's a true triumph Jenn!

    Last night my BF and I went to the movies (sorry - we are not actual football fans)... and there was a TV on in a bar in the mall.  As we passed I said: oh that's the Saints game!  What's the score?  He looked at me as if he didn't know me and said: "How do you know that???"  I said it's from my friend on BCO... she is a fan.  It was early in the game at that point (10 - 3 Colts, I believe)... so glad your team won.  I told my BF we were rooting for the Saints :) 

    Lilah

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited February 2010

    Lilah  - Thanks!!!  As BCO buddies we pss on all kinds of good information.

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  • msmpatty
    msmpatty Member Posts: 818
    edited February 2010

    Jenn - What a great game and a great win!   I was so excited for you.  I'm sure the parade this evening will be wild.  Have fun!

    Patty

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  • Kayel
    Kayel Member Posts: 28
    edited February 2010

    Hi Everyone~

    Jenn3 - There is only one thing to say...WooHoo  Saints!!  What a great game!!  I was so happy they won and feel so glad for New Orleans.  It sounds like a blast there now.  Enjoy!

    Patty~  I am happy you are finished your taxol. 

    YoYo ~ Hang in there.  It will be over before you know it.  It is hard to lose your hair but you will be on the other side soon and find it hard to remember how you looked bald. 

    Lilah~ It sounds like you are continuing to get stronger.

    I am happy to hear that each of you seems to be doing pretty well. 

    I just started radiation on Thursday so today was my 3rd.  We had a 2ft.  + snow storm this weekend and another huge storm forecast for Wed.  Our area is not used to this much snow.  I love it but it makes treatment interesting with the kiddos off school. 

    I thought I would have alot of energy back since I am 4 weeks pfc but I have to say I feel more rundown than during chemo.  Has this happened to anyone else?  I ache all over and just generally feel exhausted.  I also have a sore throat on my left side but my Dr. says it is probably viral since it I have only had a couple of tx.  Just curious if anyone else has had this experience.

    I hope each of you has a great week.

     I

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  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 4,898
    edited February 2010

    Kayel -- thanks!  And sorry you are feeling run down.  I didn't have radiation so can't comment as to whether you are being affected by that.  I do remember feeling tired longer than I thought I would when I was 3 - 4 weeks PFC (though I did feel better).  So perhaps it's viral, as your Doctor suggested (that too can make you tired, not to mention the sore throat)... and/or you are feeling tired from the radiation.

    Lilah

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  • msmpatty
    msmpatty Member Posts: 818
    edited February 2010

    Kayel - I'm about 10 days PFC and feeling pretty energetic.  I was a little tired over the weekend, but I think that's a combination of a busy week and the chance to relax.  I'm sorry to hear you are feeling more tired, but maybe it's a bug....or dealing with two feet of snow!  I hope you get your bounce back soon!

    My radiation Onc told me that rads can make you tired but "nothing like chemo".   I get my scan and tatoos on Friday.  Oh boy!

    Have a good evening everyone.  Stay warm!

    Patty

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited February 2010

    Good morning/afternoon - Last night was the Saints parade............. WOW!!! What an awsome time.  MSN (sport section)had a video clip showing a few floats with the players.  I've seen huge crowds for Mardi Gras, but this by far passed those crowds.  The players were having the best time on the floats the crowds had a wonderful time - there had to be at least 300,000 people that turned out - maybe more, we don't have an official count yet.  I am so glad I was able to be a part of it. 

    The football season started right about the time I started chemo and I have to say win or lose, it was fun.  I hosted my close family members over to the house for the games  - no matter how I felt we enjoyed the games together - it gave me something to look forward to each week and a way for me to give back to some of the people helping me.  Who would have know this was to be the outcome................

    Kayel and anyone else deal with the snow - Stay warm............. I can't believe all of the snow!!!! I know I expected to have a lot more energy than I did after chemo.  There are times I feel really energetic and others I am so tired........... I think it's a combination of starting to do more and our bodies still needing time to recover.    Time and patience......... Just rest and listen to your body.

    YoYo  - How are you doing today?

    Patty - Sounds like you're starting radiation..... how is it so far?

    Lilah - How is the hair doing?  Getting thicker?  And.... forgot to ask, what movie did you see the other night?  I love going to the movies, but haven't been since the holiday season.

    Have a great day!

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  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 4,898
    edited February 2010

    Jenn -- glad to hear about the party!  Woo hoo! 

    The hair is growing evenly but slowly.  It's not thick.  About 1/2 inch long (though maybe just under that).  It's all black (which is nice)... but then as my pic shows I had little or no grey before.  It's actually kinda looking like a trim would be nice around my ears (a little scruffy) -- but am just sitting tight for now.  Not ready to go commando (as it were) -- oh topless is what you say (feels like commando lol).  But hey it's HAIR! 

    I am feeling good and full of energy these days.  Can't decide if it's normal or if it's the resumption of vitamins (which onc instructed) and addition of Vitamin D  and calcium to my diet.  Ah I'll take it, whatever the reason!

    Lilah

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  • msmpatty
    msmpatty Member Posts: 818
    edited February 2010

    Lilah...I didn't have any grey before either!   'Course my "natural" color required frequent root touch-ups, highlighting, lowlighting.  HA!

    Jenn...I haven't started rads yet.  I have my mapping appointment Friday and will start toward the end of February.   I'm actually kind of anxious to get going and get it out of the way. On the other hand, I'm feeling so good that it is nice to look forward to a few more weeks of no treatments.  I'm so jealous that your got your eyebrows shaped!    Mine have yet to re-emerge except for some fluffy little white hairs that are useless.

    Patty

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited February 2010

    Patty - when my eyebrows came back it was like they just showed up overnight.  I literally woke up one morning, looked in the mirror and had to look twice, get my DH and DD to look I thought I was seeing things.  Hell....... I look in the mirror everyday getting dressed how did they show up so fast?  Once the 5 O'clock shadow appeared it was like a jungle over my eyes.  Give it a few more weeks, they'll show up.  I know what you mean about dreading rads - I was feeling so much better I hated to start, but rads really hasn't run me down too much. 

    Lilah - glad to hear you're feeling better. I've read so much about vit D -  I was taking it before all of this, I'm really going to make sure to have my levels checked and take it when I finish rads. Glad to hear the hair is coming in w/o grey.  Mine looks to be light brown, but I can see white hairs sneaking in, which I had none of before.

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  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 4,898
    edited February 2010

    Jenn -- I found out my Vit D level is pretty low (like 21 I think)... so it's a good thing she has me taking it!  And yeah the hair looks nice so far.... but it has SO far to go.  It's a good thing I really like my wig :)

    Patty -- I had the same experience as Jenn.  One day I noticed I had 5 o'clock shadow -- almost could feel the eyebrows more than see them -- and then it seems like a few days later I woke up and there were EYEBROWS again.  Very fast.  Hang in there.

    Hope everyone else is doing ok!

    Lilah

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  • buccaneersdj
    buccaneersdj Member Posts: 241
    edited February 2010

    OMG I am sooo tired.....I haven't been on for awhile; Jenn, I went up to Buffalo for the Superbowl party and was of course the only person up there rooting for the Saints..haha you should have seen all the crybabies! Congrats to you and yours! Anyway, I don't know if it was the flight, the party or a combo of both but I have been draggin you know what since I got home on Monday night. I had my 3 week post rad check-up today, that consisted of the rad doc looking at my boob and saying everything looks good, hell I could have told him that! My hair is a huge disapointment I am now 14 weeks PFC and I'm lucky if I have a half an inch on the sides and back and even less up top, I sill look like a 65 year old man! Is anyone else having this growth pattern?? Lord knows all my other hair is coming back with a vengance..I have lashes although my bottom lashes are longer than the top, I have two big bushy caterpillars above my eyes, super hairy legs and arms and the nether region needs a weed wacker but my radiated armpit and top of my head just can't get with the program! Tomorrow I will be trying to find a facility that does digital mammos and takes my insurance and schedual my first post cancer mammo for next month...uggg that really makes me nervous. I'm glad to see everyone is doing good, even though I don't write on here very often I do read your post everyday on my Blackberry and think of you guys all the time thanks so much for being there for me!!!!

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  • buccaneersdj
    buccaneersdj Member Posts: 241
    edited February 2010
    " mce_src="14 week PFC" 14 weeks PFC not much hair!
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  • msmpatty
    msmpatty Member Posts: 818
    edited February 2010

    Donna - Good to hear from you.   Wah hoo for the rads being done.   The hair return is definitely quirky.   My head is evenly covered with hair but I still have no brows and only tiny white eyelashes.   My legs, pits and nether regions look like a little girls with soft white hair only.   Maybe it has to do with the chemo regimen we did?  I did AC followed by Taxol and my head hair started coming in about week 5 of Taxol (brows took a hike about the same time!).   Perhaps the TAC combo does more of a number on the hair?  Anyway...it will grow!  And you don't look at all like a 65-year-old man!

    Patty

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  • buccaneersdj
    buccaneersdj Member Posts: 241
    edited February 2010

            Photobucket"                                                                                                                                                  Note my bottom eyelashes are longer than the top...weird! You can't really notice how bushy my eyebrows are because they're blonde. My hair came out gray and turned blonde which is what color it was before chemo. Thank God for eyelashes I really missed mascara!

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited February 2010

    Donna - You always make me laugh!!! Thanks for rooting for the Saints!!! It's still so unbelievable.  I know it happened, but it still seems so unreal.  Every year, we say "Well there's always Next Year".  This year was Next Year.  They are estimating the crowds to be about 800,000 for the Saints parade. The crowds were 15 -20 people deep the entire route............ lucky us - we were in the front!!!  The parade they had for the Saints had bigger crowds than any Super Krewe parade or Mardi Gras day I've seen.  I am so happy for the team - they really do give a LOT back to the city and are involved all over in so many projects - they are a great team!

    I'm sorry to hear your hair is growing back so slow - what about talking to a dermatologist?  Maybe they have a special shampoo that would help stimulate the growth.  I hear ya' on the rest of the hair.  It's growing like weeds...................  By the way .......... you look beautiful in your picture and nothing like an old man!

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  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 4,898
    edited February 2010

    Buccaneer -- You look adorable!  Be patient -- it is growing!

    Lilah

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  • msmpatty
    msmpatty Member Posts: 818
    edited February 2010

    Donna - Your eyelashes are fabulous!  I'm thinking your hair looks pretty much like mine did when it started growing. It will be fine!  Mine has gotten a lot thicker than it was at first.

    Patty

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  • Karen09
    Karen09 Member Posts: 320
    edited February 2010

    You look great Donna!

    I just finished my first 5 treatments of radiation. Not so bad so far but I am tired.  But I was tired before I started too.  lol!  16 more to go. 

    Hope you are all doing well and enjoying the weekend!

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  • weety
    weety Member Posts: 1,163
    edited February 2010

    Karen09,  I'm just about halfway through with my rad treatments, too.  I am sooo tired.  I know they say that fatigue can be a side effect, but I'm tired of being tired!  Plus, my onc says with the little bit of radiation they give now, and with it being much more pinpointed, the fatigue is more hogwash than real.  I'm not so sure I'm buying into her story. . .

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  • weety
    weety Member Posts: 1,163
    edited February 2010
    Lilah,

    I remember you had said you are a teacher.  What grade do you teach?  Where?  Are all the budget cuts affecting you at all for next year?  I teach kindergarten in southern ca, and the budget cuts are going to be felt full-force this next year.  Our district just voted to not only do away with class-size reduction (which was 20 kids per class) but to raise it all the way up to 30 in grades k-3!  (4th and 5th were already at 30)  Wowzers, is all I have to say.  I have enough seniority (15 yrs) that I won't be in danger of losing my job, but there are going to be over 400 k-3 teaching positions in our district cut because of this!

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  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 4,898
    edited February 2010

    Weety I teach at a University.  So far, so good.  I do think my department chair was asked to make cuts but she is determined not to cut teachers. 

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  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 4,898
    edited February 2010

    Hey how is everyone???  No posts since Sunday :)  That is not like us at all! 

    Lilah

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  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 1,727
    edited February 2010

    I'll post later - I have news to share!!!!

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  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 4,898
    edited February 2010

    Spill Gill! :)

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