Hair Hair Hair - Another question

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  • pejkug3
    pejkug3 Member Posts: 902
    edited September 2011
    Cyborg!  How exciting!  I remember when you were just getting ready to start chemo...

    I'm 13 weeks PFC - my scalp is completely covered.  My hair is thicker than it was before, I think.  I'm seriously considering going topless soon. 

    You'll be surprised at how quickly it comes back.  :)
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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited September 2011

    My onc wants me to keep it for 2 more years. According to the chemo nurse once I get it removed, if I need it again it can't go in the same place. I need to get it flushed every 3 months. My onc did say I didn't have to keep it in but she would like me too. I think with HER2+ we are more likely to recur in the first 3 years if we reoccur. It's not a huge deal. I schedule many the flushes when I have appointments scheduled anyway so it reduces the amount of extra trips. Also, since I had nodes take on both sides, LE in one arm and pretty sure LE in the other (no swelling just heaviness) I can use the port for blood draws.

    Yay Cyborg

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  • marial
    marial Member Posts: 255
    edited September 2011

    I had my port removed Aug 17th when I had my thyroid removed..2.5 months PFC..I could not wait to get that thing out of me..it grossed me out too, like survivor11..I lay in bed, and feel the line..it has bugged me from the day it was put in..I totally do not mind needles or anything but it always freaked me out getting poked in my port,,not sure why...it never hurt..but still tender where it was..I have horrible veins, so I hope I don't need one again..I would have kept it if my oncologist wanted me to, but she was I favor of me getting it out, so I did it as soon as my next procedure happened!



    Yeah Cyborg!



    Thanks for the replies on my wig question everyone!

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  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited September 2011

    Marial...do you have scar tissue where it was? My incision area is swollen and tender and quite scarred... And it has been a month. I should add that the infection probably didn't help... And had a redo diep on that side about 10 days post port removal

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  • jackifp
    jackifp Member Posts: 185
    edited September 2011

    I told my BS I want the port out in April when I'm done with Herceptin. Her response was, " Oh, no! Keep it in for 2 years. If you keep it, you won't need it." A bad juju thing, maybe - if I get it taken out, I will need it? I like her a lot: her positive energy and enthusiasm has been amazing thru all these months. Routine checks, and she asks for details about chemo, nutrition, everything, even tho her part is basically done. She says she's a glass half full person, and oncologists are glass half empty people due to the nature of their job.



    So I guess I'll keep the blessed port awhile...

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  • jackifp
    jackifp Member Posts: 185
    edited September 2011

    I told my BS I want the port out in April when I'm done with Herceptin. Her response was, " Oh, no! Keep it in for 2 years. If you keep it, you won't need it." A bad juju thing, maybe - if I get it taken out, I will need it? I like her a lot: her positive energy and enthusiasm has been amazing thru all these months. Routine checks, and she asks for details about chemo, nutrition, everything, even tho her part is basically done. She says she's a glass half full person, and oncologists are glass half empty people due to the nature of their job.



    So I guess I'll keep the blessed port awhile...

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  • marial
    marial Member Posts: 255
    edited September 2011

    I think I may have some scar tissue where the port was..I see my BS tomorrow, then a follow u

    Oncologist onOct 3rd..was planning on having my other side mastectomy in Aug,but was postponed due to my thyroid cancer, so was reschedule for Oct, butthyrlid surgeon asked me to postpone till Nov because she wants to make sure my thyroid levels are ok before my next surgery,,ugg





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  • ksmatthews
    ksmatthews Member Posts: 812
    edited September 2011

    I have to keep my port in for 1 year.  Im ok with it, even though if I look at it or touch it, it freaks me out too.

    I think I have scar tissue from my lumpectomy cause I can feel a small lump.  My ro dr felt it and said it was scar tissue, but now I am so worried.  Do any of you have this?  It is right on my incision line.

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  • mccrimmon324
    mccrimmon324 Member Posts: 1,076
    edited September 2011

    Kmatthews. I have them too. I was completely freaked out but my oncologist said it was scar tissue.

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  • AimeeMac
    AimeeMac Member Posts: 241
    edited September 2011

    Kmatthews - I have a seroma (fluid filled scar tissue) that is about the size of a golf ball under my lumpectomy incision. I talked to my surgeon about having it aspirated before my 1 year mammo, That thought is not too pleasant, but I don't want it to block the view on the mammogram.

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  • YamahaMama
    YamahaMama Member Posts: 221
    edited September 2011

    Cyborg, great news!  I think since your hair waited so long to make an appearance, that means you're going to get the best hair of all!  Smile  You and I had PFC the same day...I said that my Independence Day was really July 5 this year instead of July 4! 

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  • hdangelbaby
    hdangelbaby Member Posts: 731
    edited September 2011

    hey lago, same here on the port. they told me 2 years also, and, for the same reasons.

    made me happy i had a port yesterday. i went in for 3month follow up which included blood work. so of course having it done by the port is easier. then they left it accessed just in case the doc wanted to test something else.

    sure enough they think either my b12 is low or my thyroid is acting up.. so more blood drawn, but only one stick!!! that's when i love my port!

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  • ksmatthews
    ksmatthews Member Posts: 812
    edited September 2011

    He did tell me that mine could be a seroma.  I dont go back to my onc until Nov.  guess I will just not worry and trust the RO

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  • survivor11
    survivor11 Member Posts: 550
    edited September 2011

    Have to report that I shaved under my arms tonight. Who knew you could get so excited about that.

    I can actually see the hair growth on my head now in the mirror instead of just feeling it. Feels like x-mas every morning when I go to the bathroom and see if I can see any new growth. Getting a little obsessed with it.

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  • FLwarrior
    FLwarrior Member Posts: 977
    edited September 2011

    I have shaved under my arms too, but it terrifies me.  I have no feeling under the arm from the SNB.  Eventhough I am using an electric razor, I am scared I am going to cut my skin! 

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  • pejkug3
    pejkug3 Member Posts: 902
    edited September 2011
    I'm passing my scarves and headcoverings to my MIL.  She was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer in May.  (Ugh!)

    My wigs will be donated to my cancer center.  I live in a primarily rural town and we have limited resources for wigs and such.  Most of the wigs I've seen in the donation room are short gray wigs.  My brunette longer wigs may be a great surpise for someone else!
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  • YamahaMama
    YamahaMama Member Posts: 221
    edited September 2011

    Pejkug3, so sorry to hear about your MIL's dx...  Hopefully her treatment is going well... 

    I also plan on donating my wig to my cancer center...  I feel like they should have a pretty good idea who needs a wig, and it's only been worn about a half-dozen times.  I may do the same with some of the scarves and probably most of the hats--for sure the ones I ordered and didn't wear. 

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited September 2011
    It's been a month since I updated my hair transition. I just got a hair cut but you can tell the top is getting longer. I have some bangs but they keep trying to curl up. Hopefully with a little more length it will weigh them down. You can also tell it isn't 80+ degrees with humidity anymore. No more shiny face. linky   
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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited September 2011

    lago - I am right about like your 4/10 pic now.  Did you color in April or May?

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited September 2011

    April 19th my hair wasn't colored. April 29th it is. I went topless on the 28th. The next day I was in the hair salon getting it colored.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited September 2011

    lago - I had Herceptin today and the onc nurses made me take off the "underhair" and hat so they could see my hair.  They all exclaimed that I should go topless, but I am not ready yet.  Too short and too GRAY!  Maybe next time - 3 weeks will have gone by and maybe I will color it.  This is off-topic but they did cut off the bad fingernail last week.  All of it.  Unfortunately it is my wedding ring finger, so now it is really ugly and I can't wear my wedding ring.  They are culturing it for fungus, yeast, or bacteria. It seems to be growing but remains to be seen if it will lift again. 

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited September 2011

    Sorry to hear about the fingernail. 6 of mine are still lifted but only one badly. I see my podiatrist next week. I have a feeling that problem toe nail might get abused.

    BTW when I wear my LE sleeve/glove which is most of the time I can't wear my wedding rings. Granted next time I'm getting a guantlet. My hand/fingers don't swell so I don't really need the glove, nore the expense of it.

    Back to hair. I would color it now. I know it made a huge difference once I colored it. I looked more normal going topless.

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  • Lowrider54
    Lowrider54 Member Posts: 2,721
    edited September 2011

    And there it goes...I started shedding yesterday and it is amazing how quickly it is coming out. 

    I was hoping it would last through the wedding but I need the scarf do now...oh well.

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  • AimeeMac
    AimeeMac Member Posts: 241
    edited September 2011

    lago - love your bangs!

    You always look so happy in your pictures, but you are looking healthier in every picture. Cool

    I just got my first trim today. Was sad about my stylist cutting anything off (feel like I waited so long for every millimeter), but she really cleaned it up around my ears and it looks like a cut I might have actually planned to get.

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  • Denise2730
    Denise2730 Member Posts: 648
    edited September 2011

    Hi Veggie!

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  • Denise2730
    Denise2730 Member Posts: 648
    edited September 2011

    Lago - you have the most beautiful smile.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited September 2011

    lago - The fingernail is a bummer.  When I still had the nail I could cover with polish - now it is pretty clear there was a problem!  The finger swelling seems to be getting under control though.  I put a right handed ring on (slightly larger, dominant hand) a band that looks like a wedding ring, because I felt funny with no ring, DH actually thanked me which I thought was sweet.  I was surprised that it didn't hurt more when she cut the nail off.  I guess because it was already lifted.  It feel really weird when I bump the finger though.  If I am going to see people I put a bandaid on it.

    I think I will text my hairdresser and see if she can color the little hairs.  I may be more willing to go without hat/wig if the gray is not showing. Also, I think it will look like more hair if it is darker.  Maybe I can get DD to take a pic of me so you all can see my mostly salt, some pepper hair.

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited September 2011

    Thanks everyone.

    Aimee I am happy. I'm feeling great except for some stiffness from the estrogen sucking drug but I can live with that. Don't be afraid to cut the hair. Like I said I never buzzed mine when it fell out but now that it's grown back I  have my stylist buzz the sides and back. I'm doing it backwards I guess but it looks like a style and not like a chemo grow out. BTW nice to see you hear. Was thinking about  you the other day. Wish you lived here.

    chiluvr Thanks. My parents paid a lot of $$ for that smile. Tongue out Husband likes it too.
    Smiling at you http://www.lauren3g.com/transfer/bc/smile.jpg

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  • AimeeMac
    AimeeMac Member Posts: 241
    edited September 2011

    lago, I'm coming your way again next month. Will be in Chicago the first week of October; not sure of my dates yet but probably Tuesday through Thursday. Would love to get together again over Thai food. Maybe I can meet some of your local BC friends!

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited September 2011

    I'm getting nipples on Oct 6th so Thursday is out.

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