2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS

You (((all))) make me smile this very early morning!! I'm not ven sure why I'm up this early except that sleeping is difficult still with the neuropathy, and I'm more than a little antsy about seeing the surgeon this morning...

I keep going back to the fact that I never even had the chickenpox while my brother had just about everything! I get zero colds and only a rare case of tonsillitis (last time 20 years ago!!!) So...I am forcd to start examining my life at 58 and wondering how it can be made different and meaningful. Anyone else go that route?


Graycie...at least you had it done in the privacy of your own home and with great love I'm sure. I think our Oct. group could put together a book of BC humor, for without it, some days would be unbearable! I am slowly discovering that I do have a sense of humor...ok...albeit a little one!! *lol*

Definitely the wbc will have to be addressed today. Guess my Onc. will have to be notified and consulted on this one.

You know what's funny is that my son has never seen me with the darker color or super short and certainly not bald. He had a beautiful round head full of blond curls as a baby and I remember well his first haircut...hope he doesn't cry at mine!!!

Tracy...really hope you are feeling much better today and that we all trudge onward and forward in this battle we join hands in.....

lots of love,
kate

wow...I hadn't paid a visit to the Oct group for a few days. So much happening. I hope everybody is getting their WBC's in order, doctor appointments, infections...oy... what happened in the last few days?????
My wbc was too low for my second chemo that was supposed to be on Mon. I was devastated and surprised since I feel so GOOD! She is going to try it tomorrow (Wed) and I do hope I can get it. In the meantime, I was having the season of "Fall" on my head and for all those not sure if it's time for the "buzz"...I buzzed. Or I'm buzzed or whatever. My wig specialist was amazing and my husband went with me (he's been with me for everything) and we had so much fun! I was shocked at how I was reacting to this. He didn't let me see my head (nor did my husband see it) until the very end. He put the wig on before I could see the baldness, and whisked me into a styling room, He cut the wig in the style he wanted (I wanted..whatever) and then he sneakily put another wig over this and pulled my wig off from underneath so that it could be washed and blown dried. In the meantime, he kept coming back to me and putting different colored wigs on so I could see myself in all different colors and styles and we just laughed the whole time. After my wig was ready and he put it on me, he took me back to this private room to show me what my head looked like without my locks. I saw that I looked like an alien and then he put my wig back on me (my wig is very nice). I left feeling very pretty and thoughts of the alien in the mirror disappeared until......... I got home. I had a meeting after that (and nobody noticed!) and then it was time to go home and remove that wig! I did it, looked at myself from all angles, realized that I have big ears with no hair, and then put a warm cap on to go to sleep in. This morning, I took a shower and when I got out put a towel on my head. I couldn't stand looking at myself and my husband still hadn't seen my head. So, he came to me, and I slowly took the towel off and just CRIED! Finally, I cried. Maybe it won't be so hard now.
Good luck to you all who are getting wigs, hats, buzzes, whatever.... it takes some getting used to but WE CAN DO IT!!!!
ravdeb

does anyone know a good place to order wool headscarves? i love my scarves, but know that they're going to be rough in the winter. does anyone know where to get wool ones?

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Jane What do you actually do with work? Special-Ed at School? I work with the mentally retarded Adults though love my job but hard at times because they too have medical problems that I have to stay away from, I am taking on more office work so I can hole up when i need to. Hope you are doing well

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Yes, I normally (when not on Chemo) teach at an elementary school--Kindergarten through 5th grade, special ed./moderate to severe. I miss the kids, but not the paperwork!
Jane

Well, lucky me, I caught the flu after chemo!! I am finally feeling better now but OH MAN what a week!!

Got my time report from work and even though I called in sick one day last month, I still worked an average of 42 hours a week......I cannot believe how strong I have been able to be. Only 2 more treatments to go!!

Hello Ladies!

I'm on day 6 post A/C #2 and I am a little slower recovering than the first time. Does anyone know if chemo has a cumulative effect on the body? It's the appetite and fatigue I am concerned about. I am so tired of toast, oatmeal and mashed potatoes, but everything else tastes bitter.

I need to catch up on reading your posts so I know how you all are doing.

Bye for now.

Way to go Kate. It does feel good, doesn't it. Because my chemo was delayed, I have already had 2 "haircuts" with the clippers to keep it feeling soft instead of stubbly. Just remember to have a hat handy for blustery days.

Don't understand the carotid surgery or "leg & foot thing" what is the cause/cure?

Nancy

Jane, didnt explain that one very well did I??!!
I am off of work still - prob till Easter time, but it is a mainstream school so my own kids go there. I am there every morning and evening dropping off and picking up so I am going through this with 350 kids watching every step!
Debbie!

i don't think the worst is necessarily yet to come. my onc. told me that the first chemo is always the worst and it doesn't really change after that...your body gets used to chemo. she did say that the fatigue gets a little more and is cummulative, but it's nothing debilitating. so, there's no reason to expect that things will get worse if the first chemo went okay! my 2nd chemo was a breeze and i'm expecting number 3 tomorrow to be the same.

-amy

amy:
I wanted to suggest Land's End for scarves and hats made of that polar tech fleece material. it is extremely soft and extremely warm. My friend's husband is naturally bald in his early 30s and he sleeps in a polar fleece hat at night to keep warm. I have polar fleece winter wear and it is great. Nice warm wool would also be fine. do you knit? I am a knitter and I suggest soft, soft merino, or a blend with alpaca (warmer than wool) fiber. You can find items all over the internet, but I find making my own is a great satisfaction as well.

Hope you are well today,
marymelodi

Debbie,
You and I have so many things in common! I had my second A/C on Nov. 3. That was my second of 4 A/C's every 21 days. I am also a teacher on health leave, but I do have to see all those kids twice a day every school day because my son, who is a fifth grader, goes to the same school.

Do you think you will be ready by Easter time to go back?

Amy,
Thanks for being so optimistic and brave about your 3rd chemo coming up. That teaches me, a scaredy cat, how to behave.

Tracy,
What a beautiful Christmas idea! I might have to try something like that with my brothers this year. But my 10 year old will have to get one of those super duper 80 dollar yo-yos.

Grayce,
Hope your ear is better. You don't need an infected cut at this point in your treatment. Glad to hear the mange is gone. Take care.

Kate, I agree with Brenda you have a great attitute and you will get through this fine... ....Hugs, Grayce