Starting Chemo October 2009

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  • joanneasiata
    joanneasiata Member Posts: 719
    edited April 2010

    HI LOVLIES

     Suz hope all went well rest up take care

    Suzi ive been thinking about you, i hope things are going fairly smoothly on the home front put yourself first ok were here for you if you need some venting ears

    My lashes are getting there as well ,ive tried the lash extenders also and loved the look i used to do them my self over here you can buy the kit with the glue but i found i used to sit infront of TV and pick at the glue and in doing that sometimes i would pull out the false lash and my real one or if some were coming loose and i would go out side i could feel them waving around in the breeze now that was a weird feeling , i am tempted to do them again though.My down south hair hasnt been seen since chemo  i still look Bald i wasn't hairy there to began with

    VAL

    If your out there hope all is good drop a line in to say hi and happy b/day to you also

    Well more cleanning to do

    OH does any one have a real achey body it feels like ive got arthritis all over im just wondering if its a side effect from chemo  body trying to heal still

    OK byby

    PRINCESS JOJO

  • suz45
    suz45 Member Posts: 796
    edited April 2010

    Hi Everyone.

    Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers. YOU helped me through all of this and now Im home. We did a quick trip to Costco for my prescriptions then came home. I pretty much crashed..

    The funniest thing, the anithesiologist told me to think of a nice dream I would like to have right before putting me out and I told him I was going back to that beautiful beach in mexico.... well when I woke up after surgery I just kept talking like I was still in Mexico. Lol took them a while to get it through to me that I was post op Cool I was sure I was at the beach bar with all the swings...heh heh.

    Anyway I had a bit of a nasty first night trying to get the right mix of pain meds at the hospital. But we got those kinks worked out and Im back at home. Wish I was wearing more bandages, as there is only a layer of gauze and the stretchy surgical tape... just in the front. Also have 2 drains, would much rather have a few layers wrapped around the torso. It looks so minimal that i will ask the home nurse (when they come) to beef it up a bit.

    Will touch base later, Love ya all. Hugs Suz

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

    Suz, good to hear you are hoem a d doing well...I too only had a thin bandage.   I didn't see a drop of blood.  I guess the tape and bthin bandage worked...happy healing.

    Yah Val where are ya....check in.

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

    Suz ~ glad to hear your are home and all went well.  REST and take your meds.  Hope you are feeling ok.

     JOJO ~ I get achey too at times.  I think it is being up and active all day after laying around on chemo for months.

  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited April 2010

    I think the achy-breaky is also from lack of estrogen if you are still in chemopause or menopause.  I know my knees are always creaking and cracking, never had that problem before chemo.

     Suz, glad the surgery went well.  I love the idea of being on the beach instead of on an operating table!

    Got lots of homework to catch up on and a presentation to prepare!  Y'all have a great day...

    Blessings,

    Shelby 

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

    Suzi: so glad to hear you have the surgery over. Here's hoping that you feel better and stronger by the day.

  • valeriekd
    valeriekd Member Posts: 287
    edited April 2010

    Hi Ladies! so strange, I have not visited the thread since radiation and today something moved me and here I am and read you wanting me to drop in! Must have been vibes! Radiation was so unbelievably psychologically bad for me that I just hid. I was used to the Boston hospital but could not go there daily for rads so i went local. It affected me badly b/c most of the txists were men and I have an assault history so I had to arrange it such that I went when women could help me but the whole vulnerability of it all sent me into such a psychological spiral - weird. But I finished on weds and am feeling MUCH better with some backlash anxiety but on the mend. I have missed you guys and am going to go and catch up on all your posts right now!!!! Much love and hugs - Valerie

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

    Good to hear from you Valerie. Sorry to hear that rads was so difficult for you. I'm sure you're very relieved to have that behind you.

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

    Val, so good to see you back again...sorry rads were so hard for you, and that it brought us bad memories...big loving hugs for you...

    Jojo, I too have achy breakie joints...mostly in the AM.  once I am up and going it is ok...perhaps it is just in my head?? But it make sense that it is the estrogen thing..

  • MarieK
    MarieK Member Posts: 911
    edited April 2010

    Hi All!

    Suz glad the surgery went well - I too only had Mepore strips across my staples.  You don't really need more than that and it makes showering and changing the dressing easier.

    valeriekd - sorry to hear about your trauma with radiation.  I too am finished now and I have to admit the time went much faster than with chemo.  So glad it's over for both of us!

    Jojo- I'm achey too - every time I get up from any position it takes much effort and groaning.  I agree it must have something to do with lack of estrogen.

    Started Tamoxifen today - so far so good.  Just taking it until my OOPH in July as ordered by med onc.

    Today is my first day back to wearing bra and prosthesis in over 6 weeks. 

    Feeling pretty normal today - it's really true - Look Good Feel Better!

    Have a great weekend everyone!

    Marie

  • MarieK
    MarieK Member Posts: 911
    edited April 2010

    Alicia - love the new avatar - I must change mine too!

  • jeanl151
    jeanl151 Member Posts: 146
    edited April 2010

    Val, so glad to see you back. Sorry rads was a difficult time for you. 

    Suz - glad surgery is behind you and healing begins.

      It's nice to hear of everyones steps forward.  I am 4 treatments away from being done with rads. I can't wait.

    Jean

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

    Thanks Marie ~ I have even more hair now... have to update soon.  Still not enough though!

    Val ~ Welcome back, glad you are done with rads.  So sorry you had a tough time emotionally.  As if it isn't all bad enough......?  Then to bring back painful memories for you.  (((HUGS)))

    Goodnight girls, I am in classes this week from 9-5 Monday-Wednesday oh lordly !!! 

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

    I am so excited...A few months ago I applied to a program offered here in Ontario.  It is called Cottage Dreams, and they match up cancer patients who are done with treatments, with people who donate their cottage for a week..I have been accepted...Yah me.  I still don't know when it will be or where, but I don't care....I requested a wonderful area on Lake Ontario that we vacationed at last year.  I was diagnosed a week before we went so it was a bit of a bummer time...this is my do over year...I wanted this so much for my kids.  We are waiting until we know the details before we tell them...

  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited April 2010

    have a good week learning, Alicia!  And Michele, that is AWESOME.  wish they had a program like that here!

    Val, nice to hear from you.  Hope things continue to improve for you!

    Hugs to all,

    Shelby 

  • valeriekd
    valeriekd Member Posts: 287
    edited April 2010

    Thanks for welcoming me back ladies.I hope everyone is doing well - I love that cottage idea- I think it should be international.

    How long is everyone's hair? I almost have an inch and its so soft. Its like petting a little puppy up there. 

    Oh and sorry about the achiness-my knees are snap crackle popping also- it is definitely the lack of estrogen (arimidex for me).....oh well I think its worth it. 

  • Hopbird
    Hopbird Member Posts: 387
    edited April 2010

    Hi everyone....I've been missing awhile, but wanted to catch up on everyone.....

    Congrats to Philippa for being done and Jackly, it was good to see you're almost done!

    Can't remember when I was here last.  Had my post-chemo surgery March 10, with good path report.  (It was node removal... )  They did my rads simulation today.  In between I think I've been just getting better and trying to have "normal" life for a few weeks.

    Hair?  Well, my eyelashes never completely came out, but they still have some thickening up to do.  My hair is over an inch long and very soft.  I'm also salt and pepper and like Jojo am getting so many compliments I'm in less of a hurry to do something about it.  We'll see how long that lasts!  hahahaha!

  • suz45
    suz45 Member Posts: 796
    edited April 2010

    Michele, I would love some more info re: the cottage dreams. I could fly out if necesary, or even better.... I wonder if they have the same sort of program here in BC and I could use my boat. I was also in the middle of vacation planning when I found the cancer last summer Undecided but Im ready to carry on and enjoy life.

    I saw the surgery site (sort of ) yesterday when my nurse came in to change the bandages... So far I still have a lot of swelling so it seems really lumpy. My port area is very odd looking as they didnt use the same incision that they would normaly use to remove it. It has a weird divit (from swelling) and is very discolored and  wrinkled...Im sure everything will even out as it heals.

    Anyway Im sore but feel way better than I thought I would at this point and I already am down to one drain!! Love and hugs all, Suz

  • joanneasiata
    joanneasiata Member Posts: 719
    edited April 2010

    HI ALL

    Val maaate good to hear from you the vibes were very strong we are a very powerful bunch of women arnt we. keep on being a tough little cookie not long to go until its all over  i know you can do it if you dont feel strong at times remember all this will make you stronger and on those real scary times for you just think of me standing right besides you holding tightly to your hand .

    MICHELE

    How WONDERFUL gee you must be ecstatic im glad for you and your familyhope the time goes really fast up until you go then really slow when your there

    As for my achy body my onco orded bloods to check things out  it could be swelling in my joints im glad to hear of some of you having sore bodies as well  not that im glad that your suffering but it kinda seems normal now to me and im not worrying as much  ,now i know how old people feel  a new kinda respect for them now

     just over half way through rads, for me its all going well getting the normal redness i do enjoy going to see them at the center they are all so lovely im thinking on my last day ill bake them a bunch of cookies for afternoon tea

    Well look after yourselves 

    PRINCESS JOJO

  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited April 2010

    Hair report: Mine is still VERY short, but filling in.  It's about 1/4 inch long (I'm jealous of you 1-inchers!) and darker than my usual color.  I'm assuming that's because it's not in the sun, which we have a lot of here in South Texas.  I wish it would grow faster!  It is very soft, but I imagine the texture will change once it really starts coming in.  My eyebrows all fell out, but are growing faster than my hair seems to be!  I also actually had to get my eyebrows waxed yesterday, they were coming in so full!  Not long, but a lot.  I've always had full brows.  They look much better now.

    Hugs to everyone,

    Shelby 

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

    Hi girls.

    Good to hear from you Val !  An inch of hair  ~~ you luck girl.  Maybe I have 1/2 an inch of mouse fur.  More than I have in my avatar picture though.  My eyebrows are mostly back.  (shelby I think a waxing would help me too)  and eyelashes are almost back too - just a bit short on top, bottoms are good ! 

    Hopbird ~ glad to hear you got a good path report on the nodes.  woo HOO !

    Suz ~ hope you heal and feel better with each day.  Be good to yourself !

    JoJo ~ hope your aches are just the after effects of chemo.  Hang in there.  I'm achey too !

    Michele and anyone else I missed.  HUGS !

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

    Suz45, as far as I know it is only offered in Ontario...

    I had a lady come int the place where I work and she had gone through chemo...her hair was growing fast...she said she had used something called Clova, or clove...something like that...she got it at a place that sells hair products to African American people....something to check out.  She said it made a big improvemnent...

  • valeriekd
    valeriekd Member Posts: 287
    edited April 2010

    Hi ladies- thanks Jo Jo for such a nice image. Its all so much better when I don't feel alone. I read a book by survivors of ovarian cancer last night and could relate to it all. I actually enjoyed it. now to find one re:BC Ca survivors- I bet there are a million. Go ta cold today (with a fever) and its funny - after chemo nothing feels that bad!

    We should all post pictures in 6 months to see what our hair looks like! It'll take me that long to figure out how to post it. Be well my friends. Love, Valerie 

  • joanneasiata
    joanneasiata Member Posts: 719
    edited April 2010

    HI ALL

    On the hair subject ive been using a product call something like NIOXON  ITS BEEN GREAT. MY BLOOD TEST COME BACK AND ALL OK SO I GUESS ITS JUST A NORMAL THING EVEN IF THEY SAY ITS NOT SO MANY WOMEN HERE  (SORRY CAP LOCKS IS ON )  are experiencing achy bodies, any way what do these people know  how many of oncos have had a good dose of chemo or rads ????

    YOUR LITTLE  (mmm med ___large )   PRINCESS

    JOJO

  • Piffken
    Piffken Member Posts: 91
    edited April 2010

    Hello everyone,

    I hope you are all doing okay. I thought I would let you all know that I am back. Not full-swing yet but getting there. I know I haven't posted in awhile (since December actually) but the chemo ended up making me really, really sick and I my daughter had to take me to the emergency room.

    Things got so bad that my mom came all the way from Germany to help me at home, as I could not get out of bed for weeks. It was horrible. She has just left a week ago and I am slowly but surely regaining my strength.

    Since I last posted, I have completed all my chemo treatments, but the Onco ended up switching me from Taxotere to Taxol after the first dose, because that is what made me so sick and the SE were horrible. I still have some of them now and it has now been 2 month since I finished chemo.

     I've had my surgery the end of February (lumpectomy) and am finally back at work. They did find some lymphnode involvement, which really scares me, especially since I had the chemo first and there were still some small cancer cells around.

    I still have no feeling in the bottom of my feet and am still experiencing bone pain. Did anyone else have these symptoms so long after chemo? I started Radiation Monday and will have to go for 7 weeks. They want to be relatively aggressive with Radiation. We will see how it works out.

    My hair is starting to come in, maybe about 1/4 of an inch. It is a mousy kind of grey with a lot of silver. Didn't have too much grey hair beefore I lost it and it was brown. it now looks more like it's going to be black but it's still a little short to really be able to tell. I'm curious to see what the texture will be like, for now it is soft and fuzzy and my son loved to rub my head.

    That's it for tonight ladies, I will now have to get caught up with everyone else's posts. Looking forward to reading them all. Piffken

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

    Piffken: glad to see you're back, but sorry you had to endure such a rough time with chemo. Hopefully the SEs will subside soon. I think you are going to find rads so much easier after what you've been through.

  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited April 2010

    Piffken, what a terrible experience!  I'm glad your family was there to see you through.  At least the chemo part of it is over, although the SE's linger on, I'm hopeful that they too shall pass.

    Mary is right, the rads part is much easier than chemo.  It's just a drag to go there every day.  

    Jojo, I want to get some of that Nioxin!  Wonder where we could buy it here in the states?  My hair is growing sooo slowly, it's not even 1/4 inch long yet, and so much darker than it used to be.  I need something to help it along, or I'll get more depressed!

    Peace to all my sisters,

    ~Shelby 

  • joanneasiata
    joanneasiata Member Posts: 719
    edited April 2010

    HI PIFFKIN

    Good that your all finished with chemo, yep its a horror my last does was in Feb and I'm still feeling really sore in my body, Ive heard that it takes as long as you were on chemo  say 5 mnths it will take 5 mnth for your body to heal so just hang in there and be good to yourself take it easy ,it was really nice of your mum to come and stay with you your lucky .

    SHELBY

    I got it from the suppliers  ill have a look on the bottle and see if Ive got the proper name and were its made

    JOJO

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

    Shelby: Nioxin is sold by Belleza (sp?) which sells a variety of haircare products is found it lots of shopping malls. I think I also say it at Sallys Beauty. So I think it's pretty widely available though you won't see it at CVS or Walgreens.

  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited April 2010

    There's a Sally's not too far from here...I'll have to go check it out!

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