May 2010 Chemo

Hi all!

Jersey Skipped your post yesterday, but I liked your story about watching Desperate Housewives with your friends - nothing is better that a shared laugh :-)!

Denise You're probably right that prevention is best, but I'm not sure if it's good to scare women... Instead I'd love that gyns and GPs tell us more about BC and prevention, but they have so many things on their plates that they usually skip this part unless you ask... But, yeah, on the whole it's good to have some reminder in the media.

Jenn What a sweet babe your little guy is! Great to hear he went off reassured you're in good hands :-).

Latte Great to hear about the panel you went to. In this regard I was reassured by the cardiologist who does my check-ups - when I went there for the first time, he told me that anthracyclins (the A in AC) might damage the heart, but that the probability was low. However, the tx was so successful now that the patients live longer and healthier lives than before, that they simply had to watch them to see if there isn't any long-term damage. This really is good news for all of us!

Barb Great to hear your results are so satisfying. Hopefully Tamoxifen won't cause you any of the SE's you're worried about!

Hugs to all!

I wanted to let you all know that tomorrow morning I will be taping a segment for Good Morning America on those penguin cold caps I used to save my hair. I'm really excited they are doing this but I'm also nervous about the whole thing. I only found out today and it's happening tomorrow morning so at least I don't have too much time to worry. Supposedly the segment will air on Tuesday 10/26 between 8am and 8:30am EST on ABC. I'll let you know how it goes and if anything changes. OMG!!

Drim:  omg I am so happy you are doing this!. I wanted to do the cold caps but didn't have the manpower. If more chemo lounges would have the freezer to store the packs, many many more of us would still have our hair. I am happy you are making people aware that there is an alternative. Did you approach them or did they find you? I have to say not having hair for me is the worst part of BC. I am so resentful that after zillion of dollars raised for this disease that  no one was able to come up with a way to keep your hair. Really makes me feel that if this was a man's disease there would be a solution.  WOW.. so excited.. I am working but will have someone tape it for me. 

Redbarb: I did the walk 8 years ago. It is totally amazing from beginning to end. The music, the speakers, the volunteers. It is quite overwhelming. I don't think I can do it again though. I have come to hate the color pink(lol)

libraryjenn: such a sweet sweet story...brings tears to my eyes.

Denise - how small our world is. Funny how the reporter stopped you and in the end  you were able to chat a little bit with him about his wife. You were in that spot at that time for a reason.

2 weeks until I go for my pre-op. I am still leaning towards the silicone implants. From what I read on these reports they are the ones most liked. Looking forward to going with my friends. I need a night out of eating and drinking.. Just a mindless experience.

Hi Everyone!  I just read all the posts I've missed over the last several weeks.  I've been MIA because I've had really severe radiation burns, plus I've been working each afternoon.  I started the first of 5 boosts today, & will finish next Wed (the 27th), thank heaven!

I think about all of you every day, & will write more this weekend.  Love to all. 

Redbarb   HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  Hope its the beginning of a great year for you!

Irishtess.. Just think only 5 more to go..so sorry about the burn.  I found out today that I will not have to do the Boost..I was so happy to hear that!

Drim I am programing my set to record the story ..this way I will have it if I forget!  

Hello May Warriors,  Wow, a lot has happened since I have been away in Paris!  I have readl all the posts but will skip individual responses for now.  Paris was wonderful!  Great food, beautiful art and much fun time with my Sweetie.  I will tell a funny story.  Arriving in Paris very tired, we decided to take a nap in the hotel room. About an hour later there was a knock on the door and in faltering english/french, hotel staff asked to come in.  I quickly covered my sweetie who was sleeping on the bed, and let her in.  She checked the minibar and I asked her how to work the air conditioner.  She said I would have to call the front desk.  I decided to wait, since we had the windows open.  In a few minutes there was another knock.  The front desk had been informed that our air was not working.  I hesitate, but let him in.  He quickly remedies the problem and leaves.  By that time, I am wide awake and sit down on the bed. It is only then that  I notice my image in the mirrored wardrobe across the room, and start to laugh hysterically.  I am wigless,  left boobless, and a big sticker on  my new sweater is running across my left chest, declaring it is "Small".  At that moment I though I may never show my face at the front desk, although it is necessary to walk by it in order to leave our room.  Ha.  What a start to the week.  

I missed you all so much and I am so thankful that you are in my life.  Hugs,  Patricia 

Thanks for the birthday wishes, but it wasn't my birthday it was my co workers.  You can wish me Happy Birthday in Feb. 

Patricia: I laughed out loud at your story.  I think we get to the point that we can't tell when our hair is on or off.  I have walked outside to get something out of my car and realize how way down the sidewalk that I was wigless.  I'm glad you had a great time in Paris.  I would love to go over seas one of these years. 

Denise: Sorry about your disability being stopped.  I hope it you it all resolved quicky.

Hang in there Irish.  You'll be done soon.

Very funny story Patricia.  Once I was at the Dr's office getting a shot in the butt and I feel him pick a sticker off my butt.  He hands it to me and  it says "Inspected by # whatever."  I had bought new pants and suppose it got stuck somehow.  But I couldn't stop laughing even at the time.

Well, we're all still sick with colds.  I'm taking care of Gage by myself with bf being gone on the harvest.  Its been a big challenge but its got to get better.  We have a new YMCA so I signed up yesterday although I haven't actually exercised yet.  But they have free child watch while you work out so I figure I'll be pretty motivated to go just to break up the day. 

Have a good weekend!!

Hugs to all my wonderful May ladies. Sorry I've been so quiet lately.

As you know, I had to go through a series of physical therapy treatments for the axillary web cording - I am happy to say that the treatment was totally successful and I have no more cording as I write this.

Unfortunately, I also had during all that period of time bouts of fatigue. Forgot to mention that I've been also walking, so between the PT, walking and trying to tidy up the house, I was exhausted. I did post here and there on the forums but not here - I knew that I had so much to post that it felt like a huge thing I didn't have the strength to do - not sure if you ever feel like this, but I guess you do and you know how it is.

I had the revision on my breast reconstruction Wednesday the 20th and I feel pretty happy with the results (the ones of you who have access to the pictures forum can see, I posted there). I am still in quite some pain on the right side so Percocet is my BFF right now lol.

Talking about eye vision - I was supposed to go see an eye doctor too but it will have to get postponed till November or December - my insurance pays only 4 specialist visits a month, and with the oncologist wanting to see me once a month, and the follow-ups from the surgeries, I'm afraid it has to wait.

I did have horrendous sleeping problems, I'm wondering if it's the Arimidex. I will as about melatonin, seems that it's working good.

I also had Vit D issues - in September my levels were 18, way too low, so they've put me on prescription VitD. Beginning of October levels were 34.5 (still too low) so I started D3 OTC as well - and it seems to have helped both with the recovery from the web cording and with the pains I had in my hips and thighs. I'll have another  blood work on that next month and we'll see. They want me at 55-60, which my surgical oncologist thinks it's the best (and he's the expert in all this so I go by what he says).

As it's been so long since I posted, and so much to catch up on, I don't even dare to respodn to each of you (besides my Percocet kicked in sohere you go dizzy brain).

I only can say that I love you all very much, you are all such wonderful, strong ladies and I wish you a smooth sailing through what is left of the treatment.

Big hugs for all.

Day   So glad to hear from you again...and nice to hear your happy with your revision...I too had some cording, the lymphedema nurse really worked them out for me too..there was a big change in my arm motion after..About your eyes my ONC told me not to even try to get new glasses till after a few months after chemo..that my eyes will change a lot ..I went into the eye place to ask about my current glasses they were so out of shape form falling asleep on them..they fixed them for me.while I was there the eye doc came out and he to said to wait. .Aren't you one of the moderators of the picture site?  or something like that?

 Majdula...I still get that over whelming tiredness but not as much..seem now  when I over do it I get nausea, more then tired..but it goes away once I sit and be still for a bit..I guess my body is telling me to take it easy...I am down to one nap a day..but I am going to bed earlier and earlier..

Which for me is a good thing ..when I go back to work it will be early morning again..

OK 3 rads down 22 more to go!   Thanksgiving will be coming fast this year!

thanks for the info on the picture forum...  I am getting anxious and worried about making the wrong pick. I wish I knew what to do!, Is anyone else having reconstruction in the next few months? if so what are you picking for implants. I would of liked DIEP but the waiting list is too too long and I want this over with by the end of the  year .  My new years resolution is to have a BORING 2011.....lol

hope you are enjoying your weekend

Hi everyone,

Just thought I'd pop in to make it easier for you all to contact me for access to the Picture Forum. Like someone said, it has nothing to do with BC.org and is a completely separated personal website that I've been managing for 4 years or so. I originally started it for us to share the pictures of "hair before/after chemo" with one another but at some point, it became more about breast reconstruction. Our forum is invited-only (in order to protect privacy of those post their most intimate pictures) and we ask new people to have been here for long enough and posted enough so that we can see if they really are who they say they are. If anyone is interested, PM me for the password, link etc. Click on my name and hit "send member a private message" on the top right side of my profile page.

Hugs,

Fumi

Yea that was great of Fumi ...I have registered now awaiting email confirmation....

Day ..How you feeling now? Hope you doing better...

I cant believe how well I'm starting to feel, almost normal..rads are going good so far only 4 down but still technicians are great and getting along well with them..

Have had to shave my legs weekly and I have tiny eyelashes starting to grow back..they are pretty light but they are there...whoop whoop! And my hair can actually look messy..lol...its still thin on the top but I can see tiny growth there too!

I have been getting an itch inside my body at the armpits lately...an itch that cant be scratched..inside..any one else getting those..kinda frustrating!

Denise - yes, I have major phantom 'itch' issues that I cannot scratch.... they drive me nuts!!!