Chemo June 2010

Welcome Chili, glad  you surfaced and we hope to hear more from you.

Joan, how are you feeling today? Did you see the doctor?

Tina, my, you are going to be busy.  If you could only harness the energy of the little ones to do housework....

Dmom, your gyn onc sounds like she has your best interests at heart.  More waiting for you, but it could well be worth it.

My hair is still (or rather isn't) growing.  Then today, my eyebrows are all falling out.  I remember reading about eyelashes doing this until they get in sync but the eyebrows?  Does this crap ever end? I dealt with everything over the last year.  Why now does 1/2 eyebrow falling out totally send me into a really foul (fowl?) mood and feel like it's too much to cope with......I worry about my self sometimes!

Love and Hugs to all, Mimi

Jackie - I have also struggled with sad feelings and thoughts post chemo and rads. Funny thing is that I also work full time and travel a lot. I am traveling about 2-3 times a month now. I did a little bit of travel during chemo and rads. This work thing can take a toll on you, in addition to treatments. I need to work to pay bills and have insurance. I'm have an ooph in May. My manager asked me how much time I'm taking off. I told him it's a 2-4 week recovery. I think he only heard 2 weeks. He told me I could take the 2 weeks off and maybe work from home after that. I know he's trying to spare me from going on disability. I told him that we will wait and see. However, an ooph takes time to heal. I am NOT going to be a superwoman anymore. That got me nowhere. I told him I have no problem going on disability if needed. Anyway, you probably need some rest and a little relief on the travel.



Chill- welcome to our discussion. I'm glad you posted here.



So, I've been having this pain in my thigh for a couple weeks. I had leg pains after rads. Then they subsided when I went on vacation. The pain came back, so I called my onco. Her nurse told me they want to see me right away. I immediately panicked. I hate this whole worry thing with cancer. I am going to see my onco this morning. I did some research online and I think it could be nerve pain because it's a burning feeling, very moderate, not enough to take pain pills (more annoying than painful). My DH said they probably want to see me right away just to make sure I'm ok. My friend who finished chemo a few months before me said she has pain in her hip and knee. She had a scan and it was arthritis. She's 2 years younger than me, too. So we will see. I'm still really nervous to have it checked out, but a little relieved that I'll get some answers.

Hi Ladies !  Welcome Chilli !  I am so glad you posted !  When I click on the top of this group I always wonder how the ladies who don't post much are doing. 

Chilli, Dmom and kitty-  My guess is everything will turn out all right for all three of you as you continue to monitor new problems.  BUT you have to be careful now and go the extra mile medically.  I just wish there was a way to turn off worry while waiting to hear from a doctor.

Mimi thanks for asking.   I know this sounds stupid but I didn't go to the doctor.  I haven't been dizzy or forgetful since.  I do have a head cold.  Also, minutes before I left the house on the day I felt dizzy my husband shared some serious financial news, and I realize I have probably been on Ambien too long.  So, I have been treating my cold, cutting down on the Ambien and trying to teach myself better stress management techniques.  My guess is I was having a mild panic attack with the added fun of a stuffy head and potent sleep medicine.

Mimi and Toni-  the hair thing really stinks.  It is the last visible symbol of our illness.  I had heard eyelashes and eyebrows can fall out again.  I wonder how long that goes on.  Mimi I hope yours grow back quickly.  Toni- the howdy doody image is just too funny. 

Tmarinna being a Grandma is tiring.  You are gonna be one busy lady chasing that baby boy !

JFV--sounds like you are doing better.  be careful!

Kitty--glad you are getting that leg pain checked out, though I think Dmom is right about it being vacation withdrawal! 

Dmom--I've been following along with your tales of to Tamox or not, and I hope you can get a good clear answer soon and be at peace about it.  I'm thankful that I at least don't have to deal with that, and feel for all you gals that do.

Sherry--Yay for Spring Break!  As a school employee (on leave) I know how wound up the kids can get this time of year, and how much the staff looks forward to a break! One of the reasons I am on leave is because at work I am on my feet all day, esp. the 2 hours I do lunch and recess.  I hope you get some relief soon!

I, too, am losing some eyelashes and eyebrows again!  Grr!  Hopefully they won't all go again--that would make me mad!

Painted the room my grandson will be sleeping in and boy am I sore!  Taking ibuprofen!  I wish I could afford to pay someone to do that for me!  Incentive to go back to work, I guess!

Chili,  welcome to our group.   I am glad you have decided to contact us.   No one should be alone especially with this diagnosis.  Please feel free to PM me or ask any questions to the group.  There isn't much that someone hasn't had experience with and we don't hesitate to give advice whether it is wanted or not.   It does help so much to talk to those in similar situations.  I just know that your thyroid will be okay and am praying for you to have peace and benign results.

Kitty-I have had a similar pain off and on since surgery in May,2010.   My pain is in the upper thigh and hip and sometimes hits other places down the leg.   I know that I have some spurring arthritis on my spine that showed up on my Bone Scan in May just before the Breast Surgery, so that is probably the culprit for my pain.  Mine is most likely nerve pain from something pinched in my back.   My pain is not excruciating but does ache and burn enough to interrupt sleep at times.  It is worse when I have had a really bad day at work(like yesterday) where I am at warp speed all day and meeting myself coming and going.  Also I ended up working overtime which never helps my feet and legs.

I saw my BS this week for f/u.   She examined my cancer scar area on BMX and said that I still have a good bit of swelling and reaction from rads that I finished in Nov.   I know it can take many months for this to all heal(if ever completely does).  This accounts for my tenderness and pain on that side at least for now.  

I did not work during chemo or after surgery so was out on short term Disability for about 4.5 months.  I did go back to work 6 hrs a day after starting rads and 1 wk after finishing rads went back to full time.  So far am doing as well with this as can be expected.  I do get pretty tired but I did before all of this after some of my most grueling days.  I am trying to loose some weight and eat healthier and get a little more exercise to see if these things will help. 

Jackie, please try to go easy on yourself and don't let work or anything else stress you out too much.  You did so well all during treatment and surgeries and your implant problems it is a shame now for things to get so tough.  I am thinking of you and sending good thoughts and a hug your way.

My BS did not think any tests or blood work was needed at this time but I see Chemo Onc in April so we will see what he thinks.  I am praying we will all get good results.

DMom,  I am with you on this DR thing sucking and it never seems to end.  My calendar is full of things related to this BC and I try hard to not let it be the driving force in my life.  I am not BC but BC is me!!!!  My little old lady friend is not going to have anything done and I cannot blame her at the age of 94.  I would consider a uni mast if I were her and was physically able but that may not be the case with her.  I will try to keep up with her progress and may can offer some comfort to her.  She is so alone it just breaks my heart.  That could be any of us.  

Well, must go check with my DD and SIL in Okinawa to make sure all is well with them.  The situation on the mainland of Japan looks grim but so far has not affected their little island too much.  Sure hope they can get control of things in Japan and the aftershocks and nuclear meltdown problems will get better.  I feel so bad for all of them.  Wish there was more I could do but only can pray and send a little money to some organizations that will help.  We don't have a whole lot extra but can spare a little in such disastrous times.  

Hope all have a great weekend and no worrying about BC!!!!!!!!!!    Ginny

Ladies,  I finally posted an avatar but it is just before chemo in June when my youngest daughter got married and my other daughter was home from Okinawa for the wedding .  This is the three of us just after the ceremony.  It was a very sweet and small garden wedding that was one of the best days of our lives.  Ginny

thanks to all for your kind comments. It is nice to join the group.  

  Today is pamper day.., my dd got me a gift certificate for a massage at xmas, that I finally went for this morning.. it was lovely. I could use that more often for the sore, stiff muscles.      this aft i'm going for my first haircut post chemo.  not that she has a lot to work with,  it's only about 4 to 5 cm , but i'm hoping she can at least shape it up a little  so i can do the spiky thing.  bring on the hair paste!    I did not know about the eyelashes and eyebrows falling out again,... that caught me by surprise... good thing for eyeliner.

  Dec and January were tough as I had what finally got diagnosed as costocondritus.. or inflamation of the cartilage in the chest, which was very painful, and i couldn't do much of anything or it would flare up again.  Good excuse to get the kids and hubby to carry the laundry baskets and grocery bags though.   I figure  it was side effect from rads.  But  after taking it really easy for a couple months and 5 weeks of arthrotec (anti-inflammatory) it seems to be mostly better. It is very nice to be able to get active again and feel somewhat normal.   Heck i might even be able to handle a bra again soon..  I couldn't stand anything the least bit constricting around my ribs,  Sure cuts down the wardrobe options for work, good thing for long scarves and loose tops. 

The rad onc said the sore breast tissue from rads should be gone in a couple months.  something to look forward to.

   Still waiting for the appt for my first post-treatment mammo and ultrasound which is supposed to be in march sometime.  And of course waiting for biopsy results.... working on convincing myself  to go with the bigger odds, that it's nothing. ( but then,  my lump was supposed to be just a cyst )   

  hope you all have a nice weekend. 

gin2-  I say we get to use BC as an excuse for things like getting under a house.  We have work that needs to get done under our summer house.  I just do not need to run into spider webs and start sputtering and screaming.  I don't plan on using the cancer card but when it comes to crawling under houses I just might!

chili-  Glad your pain is finally starting to ease.  Good for you pampering yourself with a massage.  We could all use that.  I 'm having my first mammo and US  this Monday. I am not looking forward to my sore rads breast getting squished.   I guess after all I have been subjected to, I can deal with it.  I love your strategy of looking at the good number when dealing with statistics.  It sort of turns it into a positive instead of a negative situation.

DMom - I'm interestingly following any posts about Arimidex as I am supposed to be taking that.  Onc put it off in the beginning of February because I was having so much joint pain.  He told me to hold off for two weeks to see if the pain got better before starting on it.  Well, the pain isn't getting better and I'm still not taking it yet.  The bottle is just gathering dust on my counter.  Onc is probably not going to be happy about that, I don't know.  I don't go back until mid-April.  I will see what the rheumatologist has to say next week.  I just wish I didn't have to take it.  It's supposed to give us better protection for a recurrence, right?  I am taking Vitamin D (1000 units) and a B complex onc wanted me to start on after radiaiton. 

I have not experienced any eyebrow or eyelash hair loss since they've grown back in.  Of course I only had 6 eyebrow hairs on each side to begin with before BC and now I have about 4 on each side.  Before chemo I had 3 armpit hairs each side.  None have grown back in yet - yay!  As for head hair - it is really thickening up.  And the curls!  Oh my - can you say chrysanthemum???  I am going to get some kind of gel or product this weekend to see if I can tame those suckers!

sherry-  I'll keep you posted about the Arimidex.  Like you, it scares me, but I may have to try it.  About those pearls.  Bon posted that her vacuum grabbed hold of hers and nearly sucked her in!!  Only Bon would be vacuuming in pearls!  We thought it would be fitting to all wear pearls to our Florida get together.  I'm going to start saving too.  DH said he might want to come, but I think it should be just us girls.  I am looking forward to it!

Jackie,  Hope you weekend has been a wonderful one!!!   I want to give you a big (((Hug))) right now.  I have been feeling a lot "drippy" myself and it is good to know I am not a lone.  You have said close to what I am going through.  You are right we are going to have good days and BAD ones and now that it is over were to now.....  It is good that we have these ladies here and they just get it without trying to explan where you are coming from...   I don't post much but I come here to not feel soooo alone.  I have a good support team at home but sometimes... well you know...

I am sure your PET scan will be all good...  One less thing to worry about..

Prayers to all...

hi Joan, have fun with the ultrasound tomorrow :-) I did one too, but they didn't make me drink beforehand... i completely know what you mean about sneezing! 

i'm getting ready for my ooph - going into hospital on weds lunch time for afternoon surgery, staying there overnight. starting to worry but not too much...

Hi girls!

I went to see my onco on Friday.  She thinks my pain is nerve pain (and not mets in my leg - thank God).  Anyway, I'm getting an MRI on my lower spine on Thursday - Happy St Patrick's Day!  Anyway, I guess I'll know more then.  I'm getting spasms in my pelvic area (this is new).  I can't believe I posted that on a forum - LOL!  Anyway, I'm wondering if this all could be related to my ovarian cyst.  Although it's on the left side and all my symptoms are on the right side. Hmmm...

Happy birthday Liz. And here's to many more birthdays!

Lizzyanne...A very Happy Birthday to you!  After this diagnosis I now count every day as a gift , challenging though they may be, and this year I celebrated for just having made it to another birthday, so I do know how you feel. Do try to truly enjoy your birthday. It's a celebration of your birth and of your courage.

There is a Bette Davis quote..."There comes a time in every woman's life where the only thing that helps is a glass of champagne". So today I'll raise my champagne flute in a toast to you!