Starting Chemo October 2009

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  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited April 2010

    Jaclyn, it was great to see your post, although I'm sorry you're having difficulties.  Let's cross our fingers that your last chemo won't have to be put off.  I'm glad you're almost to this finish line!  Are you having to do rads once you are done?

    Dee, hooray for you, no rads!  I'm sure you were glad to hear that.

    Isabelle, on to the next phase, the 6 weeks will go by faster than you ever thought.  I just finished my 4th week and am amazed that i'm 2/3 finished!

    Peace to all,

    Shelby 

  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited April 2010

    Shelby's right, rads go so fast...at the beginning I thought it would never end...but then I was done...my skin is purple and I am flaking in large chunks...much like cornflakes on my chest...sexy hot.

  • Scoobydoo
    Scoobydoo Member Posts: 499
    edited April 2010

    Hi ladies. It has been awhile since I last checked in. I finished rads on Wed and am really happy about that.  I had some major burns, under my arm and breast.  The burn under my arm has completely healed, but I still have burns under my breast, which is starting to heal.  I have very mild LE so my arm is wrapped in compression bandages which is really annoying.  But saw  my PT today and she said everything looks really good.  She thinks the swelling was due to rads and that it is so mild I will not have a lot of probs with LE.

    I am starting to regain my life back.  My hair is now covering my head but is only 1/2 inch long.

    Michele- I am having the flakes as well.  Not attractive.

    Isabelle - I also can not believe how fast rads went and my txt was 7 weeks long.

    Anita

  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited April 2010

    Michele, you sexy beast, I'm sure you ARE hot...literally!  Much love to you!

    Anita, I'm glad to hear that you're done with rads!  Do you mind my asking when your redness/swelling began during your rads?  I'm 4 weeks in and just starting to get pink under my arm/side of breast.  

    Yay for hair!  Mine is still extremely short, not even 1/4 inch yet, but there are some sections that are "laying down" rather than standing straight up on end.  At least I don't look bald anymore!Still have to wear the scarves, though, I don't want to be mistaken for a man.  I'm not so thrilled about my new eyebrows - they were full before, now they look HUGE after not having any for a while!  I may have to get waxed before they even grow in all the way!

    Hugs to everyone!

    ~Shelby 

  • joanneasiata
    joanneasiata Member Posts: 719
    edited April 2010

    HI LADIES

    PHILLIPA

    FINALLY yah for you finished  what a relief hope yourS/Es arnt to bad my last one seemed to be the worst for me

    JAQUIE

    Glad things are going well for you and only one to go

    ANITA

    Its good to start life back up again isnt it my hair is about 1 " long now SALT and pepper in color which i love and its lying flat ive put my wig and scarfs away now not that i wore them much and  it was like closing a chapter in my life, i walk around showing of my beautiful hair Ive had lots of great comments from people saying how much it suits me and i should keep it really short i was just thinking how before we were talking about our hair falling out and whether we should clipper it all of or not and whether to go topless or not and now look we are starting to see it coming back how fast time goes ah

    good to see everyone is starting to move on with life now ,take care all

    PRINCESS JOJO

  • Scoobydoo
    Scoobydoo Member Posts: 499
    edited April 2010

    Shelby - hmmm that is a good question.  I think the redness happened by the 3rd week.When the areas started to turn real dark is when the bad peeling began.  A little pink is normal.  I am large chested so I was told up front that I would have bad peeling.  The area under my breast is really healing and it doesnt hurt anymore. How many weeks do you have on rads?  You might want to get domeboro and soak gauze pads in a warm water solution 2-3 times per day.  it is a miracle worker!  You can get domeboro over the counter at most grocery stores.  I wish my onc would have told me about this stuff before the bad burns. 

    JoJo- That is so awesome your hair is growing back so fast.  I wish I had an inch. I am around 1/2. It is funny how fast time flies.  I can not beleve rads went so quickly and even chemo.  I have had some comments from strangers on how my short cute suits me.  How funny.

    Anita

  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited April 2010

    Speaking of hair...when can I color it...it is gray and that has got to change SOON.  it is also sparse, so I don't want to waste to much money on only half my hair.

  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
    edited April 2010

    Michele: I think it's best to wait a while before coloring hair as the early growth still has the chemo drugs in it and doesn't take color as expected so it can look sort of weird. I met a woman a few weeks back who was on her second color treatment post-chemo. She was striving for blonde but it looked more yellow. She told me the first color was so awful and she was very happy with this. I thought it looked terrible.

  • azdiva
    azdiva Member Posts: 201
    edited April 2010

    Hi All - 

     Michele - I colored my hair already!  Just use a 10 volume, which is less damaging on the hair.  I could not stand the gray!!

    Had my exchange surgery on Thursday.  I think they look weird.  I hope it gets better as the swelling goes down.  Feel like I've been hit by a truck, but that is because of the lipo not the foobs.  The foobs do not hurt at all!!

    Feeling a little depressed because I know I have a few more surgeries before I'm done with all of this.  I just want it to be done.  Depressed about tamoxifen as well because I don't want to gain more weight.

    Hope you all are having a good weekend!  I want to go outside but I am in compression garments and am hunched over like a 90 year old woman!!

    Love -

    Laura 

  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited April 2010

    Laura ~ I felt the very same way after my exchange.  Pretty depressed and dreading tamoxifen.  While my foobies are far from perfect, in clothing they are fine.  I am so sick of hurting the thought of switching them out is not even an option I am done and will put nips on these when I can.  Rest and heal it will get better.  And I am losing weight on the tamoxifen so far ~  Try not to worry.

    Michele ~ my hair is like a charcoal grey.  DH calls me his little mouse.  I cannot wait to color it.  It is still pretty short but I did go in 7-11 for coffee this morning without my hat just to feel liberated !!!  :)

    Have a good day.

    :)

  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
    edited April 2010

    Alicia: good for you taking the plunge this morning.

    Laura: hope you are feeling better soon. It must be horrible to be housebound because of the compression garments. Could you sit ouside in the shade? What do you mean by a "10 volume" on your hair?

  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited April 2010

    Laura, it has been a few days since you posted...was hoping you were well.  Glad to hear your boobies are in...Can't wait to see the PS for mine....sounds like it will be a long road for this...my onc won't even refer me until six months after rads..whaaaa...oh well I guess I have to do this the right way, not the fast way...slow and steady wins the race...

  • jeanl151
    jeanl151 Member Posts: 146
    edited April 2010

    Hey girls, glad to read about everyone's progress on this road to recovery.   I have 9 rad treatments left (total of 33).  I am peeling like crazy in arm pit and on nipple.  It's itchy but not painful so far.   My hair is growing too. It's still only 1/2 inch and oh so grey.  I am not brave enough yet to go in a public place like this.  I like to ride in car with no wig and window open!! 

      take care and best wishes, Jean

  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited April 2010

    Jean, you would be surprised that nobody pays attention to your hair.  I work in sales, in a busy store.So far only a few people have commented.  They either had cancer or had a close friend or family member with cancer...Go for it.

  • joanneasiata
    joanneasiata Member Posts: 719
    edited April 2010

    HI ALL

    JEAN

    Im with Michele go for it Ive been topless for most of the time and really no body takes much notice except for the ones who have had personal dealings them selves with cancer .

    As for the coloring I'm a hairdresser and i think its fine to colour your hair but remember if your naturally dark and wanting  to go a much  lighter colour you will more than likely go a very gold tone, yeh yuckie ,so if you just want to cover greys or go one shade lighter or barker or in the reds  i think it would be ok ,i would do it at this stage, but i really love my salt and pepper look while im this short maybe latter ill put colour in it ,       and for that consultation it will be $50 thanks lol

    Im feeling your pain Laura and anyone else who is undergoing surgery take care and remember time goes fast so don't rush into things

    BY ALL

    PRINCESS JOJO

  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited April 2010

    Thanks for the haircoloring tips JOJO ~ we are going on a CELEBRATION cruise 2nd week of MAY, I may color it for that if it is a bit longer ~  I am happy to report 9 weeks PFC, bottom eyelashes are BACK, tops are 1/2 in..lots of them just short still !!!  Starting to look a bit alive again.  But I really want my hair back already !!!!!!!

    Have a good day girls,

    Alicia

  • suz45
    suz45 Member Posts: 796
    edited April 2010

    Hi, Sort of breezed through all the posts since the 2nd. Congrats to all who have finished chemo or rads, also surgeries for that matter! {{{BIG HUGS}}} we are getting there step by step!

    I used a light ash brown (natural instints) semi permanent color on my salt & pepper hair just so you could see it right before I left for mexico, I also had semi- permanent lash extentions done.. WOW now those were worth every penny. I have lost a few but they still look fine and dh says they make a world of difference. They really took away the chemo look... my lashes were coming in but still very fine and short. I did a crash and burn my 2nd day in Mexico on the wet tiles, so they had to shave the area that needed stitches. Lol I would have complained if I was consious.

    Oh fyi, I didnt have a problem being in the sun for a week.. I covered any radiated areas with a good 80 spf and the rest of my body with a nice 30. It really evened the color out and I rarely wore a wig, just a sunhat to cover the stitches lol. Figure I'll ask the surgeon to remove them on wed as the doc in mexico was going to charge another $400. (he already got $400 to put them in)

    Sooooo 2 more days and I go in for my surgery... Im  nervous of being boobless for a year or two and also how Ill feel after the surgery. But ya gotta do what ya gotta do, and the docs say no way for immediate recon Frown so I'll tough it out. The girls are leaving on Wed whether I like it or not.

    Time to get some housework done as Im running out of time, Lots of love and Hugs Suz

  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited April 2010

    Suz, good luck on Wednesday...I will be thinking of you and sending out well wishes...don't forget your boobs are trying to kill you...so you must get rid of them...it helps to think like this...it got me through.  Big hugs.

  • suz45
    suz45 Member Posts: 796
    edited April 2010

    Great advice Michele.. thanks and Hugs, Love Suz

  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited April 2010

    Suz...  you will soon have another hurdle jumped.  Make sure you have lots of soft pillows. I will be thinking of you tomorrow and sending up prayers all goes smoothly.  It is an emotional thing to lose your breasts, I took pictures of them the night before surgery so I can remember them.......  be strong and remember what Michele said ~ they tried to KILL you !  We are here for you when you are on the other side of surgery.

    Hugs ~

    Alicia

  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited April 2010
    Alicia, like the new pic.Smile
  • azdiva
    azdiva Member Posts: 201
    edited April 2010

    Hey Suz!

    Just wanted to give a word of warning about the eyelash extensions . . . I had them about 2 years ago, and agree they are fabulous!  And addictive!  The only problem was that I kept having the gal make them thicker and longer.  Which makes them heavier on your real eyelashes.  Which, eventually, causes your real eyelashes to break.  When I finally decided I didn't want to keep up with the maintenance anymore, it took about 3 months for my eyelashes to recover.

    Good luck on your surgery!  I actually found the mastectomy to be the most painless part of this whole experience.  I hope you find it the same!

    Laura

    P.S. to Michele - 10 volume refers to the amount of peroxide in the developer. 10 being weak, 40 pretty strong.  The peroxide lifts color out of your natural hair and allows the new color to go in.  When you use a 10 volume it is pretty much a semi-permanent color, less damage to your hair.  I used the 10 because I was going darker than my normal hair.  It would not have worked if I wanted to go blonde. 

  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited April 2010

    Laura ~ thanks for the eyelash extension tip !  I am going tomorrow to have them done......  we have a Grand Opening of a new business venture tomorrow night.  Being I still have not much hair I just want to LOOK better.  We are also going on a cruise in May.  I figure I will keep them on till then, hopefully my lashes will be longer by that time.  I have a lot of lashes they are just about 1/2 their normal length.  I hope I am not making a mistake....... 

    Thanks Michele !  Wish I was a doll that you could pull the hair and make it grow as well as flip the head from blonde to brown.  I had one of those when I was little.  I think it was a Barbie Makeup head ~ LOL
    :)

  • suz45
    suz45 Member Posts: 796
    edited April 2010

    Lol, I just wish I could pull on the hair and have any hair :-). Alicia the eyelashes last about 2 weeks depending on how you care for them.

    Laura, I wear glasses so luckily I cant go longer... but that said I can see how they would become addictive, I really love them. Iremember from my last chemo my eyelashes cycled out 3 times (yes I lost them 3 times after chemo) so i figured this couldnt hurt Kiss

    Love and hugs Ladies and will pop in when I get to a computer. Right now Im still home with a VERY dry mouth, Surgery is at 1:15 byyeeee Love Suz

  • snuziq
    snuziq Member Posts: 107
    edited April 2010

    Suz - I am thinking of you today as you go for your surgery.   I agree with Michelle; get rid of those things they are trying to kill you!   In fact, when you get the replacements there is a t-shirt that says "Of course they're fake - my real ones tried to kill me!"  

  • snuziq
    snuziq Member Posts: 107
    edited April 2010

    I just caught up on posts.  Congrats to everyone who has finished and those who braved surgery! 3 cheers for each of you! Cool

    Things here are going okay BC wise.  I actually could wear a regular bra today since the radiation burns are better.  Well, back to dealing with the soon to be ex-husband things.  I just wanted to pop in and check on everyone.

    Suzi

  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited April 2010

    Thinking of you Suz.....

    :)

  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited April 2010

    Suz, thinking of you on the day of your surgery...

    My hair is coming in SLOWLY, it's still very short and you can still see my shiny scalp through it.  But it is so soft, I love to feel it!  I'm sure it will get less soft as time goes by, but for now it feels so good.  Just wish it were longer!

    My eyelashes are also growing in, about 1/3 of the way I would say.  My eyebrows are coming in quite nicely, almost too nicely!  I always had full brows, and you can tell now, although they are still short.  I'm already considering waxing them!

    Love to all,

    Shelby 

  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited April 2010

    ((((((SUZ-big and gentle hugs))))).

    Lash report...yes indeed I have some coming back, but mostly on the bottom.  Not so much on the top.  Nose hairs are back as well and my bush baby is growing like a BAD weed...gotta do some bushwacking soon.

    I am wearing a bra again...couldn't last week...felt strange to go to work commando...oh well.

  • jeanl151
    jeanl151 Member Posts: 146
    edited April 2010

    We haven't heard from valeriekd in a long time. If you are out there Val,  happy birthday. I hope everything is going okay for you.

      Jean

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