2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS

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  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited March 2006
    maryannecb...wow!!! you look terrific in that pic!!! Thanks so much for showing that to us. You go girl! And I'm so glad you got to spend such a fun time with your hubby!!!!! YES!!!

    Finish up that Taxol. I've got 2 more to go...this week and next!!!

    Then on to the adventures of rads... I'm going through "training" this week. We get to see a movie and everything. Wonder if there will be popcorn!

    ravdeb
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  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited March 2006
    Happy Birthday Laura...a bit late...didn't get on this thread quick enough.

    Glad to hear you got some hair growing on your birthday. It won't be long now!!!!! (no..that's not the right thing to say...It WILL be LONG now ...long hair, that is!:-))

    Hope you have many, many more birthdays to come!

    ravdeb
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  • debbie444
    debbie444 Member Posts: 847
    edited March 2006
    Missed the day but
    " Happy hair day Laura!"
    Debbie
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  • ake
    ake Member Posts: 684
    edited March 2006
    Rosemarie,

    I can't remeber if you're doing rads...I have awful pain in my radiated side too...ribs and arm...the doctor said it's normal and it goes away eventually. hang in there
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  • debbie444
    debbie444 Member Posts: 847
    edited March 2006
    I am doing rads and i have the pain in my side and armpit area - its done me good to know i am not imagining it!
    Trying to change pic to one of my luxorious locks - see if it works!
    Debbie
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  • maryannecb
    maryannecb Member Posts: 1,453
    edited March 2006
    Debbie-amazing hairdo...is the pain in your skin or deeper? Is it really bad, does Tylenol help? Hope it is manageable

    Amy ditto above for you.

    Ravdeb wouldn't count on popcorn. Bring your own , should get a laugh.

    Fists up!
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  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited March 2006
    maryanne... About Theresa who passed away. It was on the boards and one sister went to the funeral and represented all of us.
    Theresa had cancerous fluid in her brain and was getting rads for this. She was at the hospital for the rads with her husband when she had trouble breathing. They sent her to ER and gave her oxygen. From what I understood, she had terrible abdominal pains while getting the oxygen and died quickly after that. Her husband was by her side and the doctors were in shock. I understand there was to be an autopsy but don't know more than that. I think this is the correct story and anyone who knows, can fill in or correct what I wrote. It was sad. She had seemed to be okay from what other women on the boards said.

    ravdeb
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  • Graycie
    Graycie Member Posts: 839
    edited March 2006

    Ravdeb, Thanks for letting us know about Theresa. I don't remember her but my heart goes out to her family. That is really sad. It does sound like there is more to it. Maybe the autopsy will shed some light on what was actually going on with her. Did they think she had brain met's? That is really scary and something I always worry about....I wish they could find a cure for this horrible disease......Graycie

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  • Graycie
    Graycie Member Posts: 839
    edited March 2006

    Debbie, I am only 2 weeks into radiation but I am also having some discomfort in my armpit and on the side of my breast where the incision is from my lumpectomy.

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  • RoseMarie
    RoseMarie Member Posts: 502
    edited March 2006
    Amy - I'm not doing rads...
    I really hate that I freak...Once I replayed all that I've done the last few days I'm starting think it's muscular and probably from walking two miles pushing a stroller! I'm feeling better today...
    It only hurts on the left side though - maybe my nerves are waking up. I'll certainly tell the doc tomorrow. Have a great day everyone!
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  • RoseMarie
    RoseMarie Member Posts: 502
    edited March 2006

    Oh wow, that's sad, Ravdeb!!! This is the first I've heard of Theresa but I will certainly keep her family in my prayers!

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  • marymelodi
    marymelodi Member Posts: 515
    edited March 2006
    Maryanne:
    Sorry to be late with the Happy Birthday, but you and I are in the same spot re. peach fuzz on top of our heads. I agree that it is so soft I can't help but touch it for comfort and pleasure. Mine is all white. Is yours a different color than you used to have? I think I any new hair I was growing before chemo was white but I had so much old brown hair that I just looked gray. Now I think I will be gloriously white - like an Amazon queen!

    Saw my oncologist today and she told me a story of another patient who was really dejected after she finished Taxol and her eyebrows and eyelashes fell out. Just when she thought it was all over, she lost her last bits. In a couple of months when they grew back she got long, lush lashes, like the artificial kind and she kept telling everyone how she never had lashes like that before chemo and that it was her reward for everything she went through. So, you never know what you will see when it comes back.

    I'm starting radiation on Weds. this week. I have my fingers crossed for no serious difficulties from this.

    Good luck to everyone!
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  • debbie444
    debbie444 Member Posts: 847
    edited March 2006
    Graycie - i am 2 weeks in as well. Its a strange pain as part of that area is numb from the surgery so i find myself moving into positions to see what hurts and what doesnt - a bit like wiggling a loose tooth!

    Dont seem to be able to alter pic at all - you will have to wait in suspense !
    Debbie
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  • debbie444
    debbie444 Member Posts: 847
    edited March 2006
    O.K Maryanne - how did you put that pic in?
    Debbie
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  • debbie444
    debbie444 Member Posts: 847
    edited March 2006
    LOOK - you have to look closely - ITS HAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Debbie
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  • maryannecb
    maryannecb Member Posts: 1,453
    edited March 2006
    Sounds like a pulmonary embolism. That is common in cancer and can be very quick. She wouldn't have suffered but it is so hard on family to be gone so quickly.Thanks for info.

    My Taxotere is 3 weeks apart, wish I was every 2 like many on here then would have been done by now. All my bloodwork was normal today even LFT's so I am relieved. Tests were out of whack last month when I was sick.

    How soon after chemo did you start your Rads guys? My onc says I have to wait 2-3 weeks.

    Fists up!
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  • maryannecb
    maryannecb Member Posts: 1,453
    edited March 2006
    Debbie,I followed Lornauk's instructions kinda to post the pic. It took a lot of space but was a big(in megapixel"pic.

    Here is copy of instructions. She gets pics from file in internet, I selected one from my own.

    "Hi MaryAnne,
    Any problems....don't hesitate to pm me....good luck!

    Please excuse the descriptions…my words! Bill Gates has nothing to worry about!!

    Use a search engine like Google and search for GIF’s or animated GIF’s. Find the GIF you want, then right click and save it to a folder on your computer.

    I will add a couple of sites I use at the end…….if I remember!


    1. Type out your message on BC.Org…. then hit the return bar twice (This leaves plenty of room for the GIF).

    2. Open up a new browser window and type in www.tinypic.com

    3. Click the browse button , and select what GIF u want to use, from the file you have saved it in. Then click ‘Host Picture’.

    4. This somehow changes it into a format that u can use in a forum….don’t ask me how or why! You will notice 4 boxes at the bottom of the page, with a copy of the image u selected.

    5. Left click and highlight the IMG box…third one down. It turns blue if you have done it right.

    6. Go up to ‘Edit’ along the top of the page……2nd from left, click and then click on copy.

    7. Go back to your message at BC.Org and click edit again. Then click ‘paste’.

    8. This puts the IMG tag in the message. Add the rest of your message or signature. Always preview your message to make sure it works ok. If not, just repeat from step 5.


    Now I expect to see pm’s from you all with GIF’s in! Any problems, don’t hesitate to ask! Good luck!!!


    http://www.animationfactory.com/animations/

    http://www.feebleminds-gifs.com/"

    Hope this works for you.

    Debbie nice hair, I can see it. Well sorta...

    Fists up!
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2006
    THANKS GIRLS - FOR ALL THE BIRTHDAY WISHES! I REALLY APPRECIATE IT!
    Had a great day, went out for Fondue - my favorite thing to do!

    Graycie - hang in there. You really will see some hair growing soon! It's so darned hard to be patient though. I really didn't expect it for another month or so. And I can't wait for the day that you let us know yours is finally started to come in! Hope rads. treats you a little kinder - real soon.

    Marymelodi -
    Best wishes to you on Wednesday!

    Debbie -
    I do declare I see your hair!

    Laura
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  • sherryhaire
    sherryhaire Member Posts: 192
    edited March 2006

    Well went to Ps today, In order to have reconstruction I will have to do a DIEP Flap first then heal 3 to 4 months then implants, This is because I have no extra skin to stretch on top and not enough tummy to produce 2 breasts Don't know what to think Has any one heard of this?

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  • maryannecb
    maryannecb Member Posts: 1,453
    edited March 2006
    Sherry too bad I can't donate part of my new belly I got since starting chemo! You must be very thin. Did rads tighten up the skin? I still can't face the thought of reconstruction. I just want to finish active treatment, then forget this ever happened. Perhaps I will change...

    Fists up!
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  • sherryhaire
    sherryhaire Member Posts: 192
    edited March 2006

    I do not have to have Rads but when having the mastectomy they scrapped down as far as they could go. So nothing there but ribs and skin for the most part. Sometimes I think maybe I am just being vain to want to do this when we don't have to have breasts

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  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited March 2006
    Debbie...I can see the hair...really can!!!! Massage that head and watch it grow!!! don't you wish we were Tressy dolls?? Any of you remember those? Just thought of that!

    Maryanne..thanks for instructions on putting pics in. wondered how you did that. When I have more time later I think I'll try that. That is neat.

    I really don't know, Ladies, what exactly happened to Theresa. Although I wasn't in much contact with her, I did read her entries a lot and was in such shock I couldn't stop crying. The reality, maybe?? I don't know. Just the same, it's so very sad and scary. It was the first time that a woman who I had "known" on the boards died. I know others have, but I wasn't familiar with them

    Okay...I'm off to lunch with girlfriends where we will laugh and joke for a couple of hours.

    so, maryanne..no popcorn at my movie about rads tomorrow?? I'm soooooooooo disappointed!

    Be well, everybody and laugh a lot. It's the best therapy.
    ravdeb
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  • debbie444
    debbie444 Member Posts: 847
    edited March 2006
    Sherry - was going to donate part of my tum to you but looks like someone beat me to it!
    I had my 10th rads today - a third of the way through now!

    Is it just me or is anyone else finding being back at work hard? I seem to be having trouble keeping up mentally! I was sat in a meeting yesterday and this language therapist was babbling on at me - i suddenly realised that a) i wasnt listening and b) i couldnt understand half of what she was on about!!!! I just sat there making intelligent noises and flipping through my paperwork!
    I guess it will come back.

    My onc looked at my sore area and cant see anything - thinks it will be to do with nerve regrowth etc. Said the more lymph nodes they take, the deeper they have to go and more damage they do. I had 28 taken so guess they went tunneling!!

    Keep going
    Debbie
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  • TracySeattle
    TracySeattle Member Posts: 690
    edited March 2006
    I start my rads tomorrow! Marymelodi - we can set out on this journey together! If all goes well without any missed appointments, I should be finished on April 18th. I am planning a celebration to invite my friends to. I really want to celebrate being finished with treatment, but I totally understand that this might be a hard time learning to deal with not seeing Dr.s regularly, wondering if the treatments worked and what the future holds. My plan is to keep a positive attitude and move on with my life. I want to do good things for other women that are having to go thru what we have been through!

    On to Rads and then back to life!

    Fists Up!
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  • ake
    ake Member Posts: 684
    edited March 2006
    i finish rads on friday....it's insane. i can't believe cancer treatment is over as of this weekend. granted, i'll be popping my tamoxifen every day for 5 years, but the treatment part will be over. is anyone else freaking out like me?

    my head is almost covered...maybe 2 more weeks until i say goodbye to the scarf? my eyelashes just appeared this week...they're teeny, but i love them my eyebrows are out of control...fuzzy and thick. i can't wait until they're completely filled in and i can wax and shape them. so funny to be annoyed at fuzzy eyebrows when 2 weeks ago, i would have taken them in one unibrow!

    are we still going to write each other when rads and chemo are over? we better!!!
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  • marymelodi
    marymelodi Member Posts: 515
    edited March 2006

    Well, Amy - I hope you will keep writing because as you finish rads, some of us are just getting started (Tracy and I this week). I keep comparing my experiences to yours to see if I am "normal". So, as you move out through the "no treatment" phase and pop your Tamoxifen, I still want to know what is happening. The decision on whether I will take Tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors is not made yet. Will depend results of blood tests to be done in 4 weeks, before my next oncology appointment. My doctor told me yesterday that she would be comfortable with starting on Tamoxifen until the blood tests show I have definitely gone into menopause, and then switch over to the aromatase inhibitors. I have had endometrial hyperplasia for several years so Tamoxifen carries a bit more risk for me, but with close monitoring, we should be able to catch any adverse effects. I'll be interested to know how it affects you.

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  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited March 2006
    Amy...wow! You are just about done! It's time to celebrate, girl. It seems that everything is falling into place... you are getting hair, eyebrows, lashes...this is terrific!
    You will be fine as you are not totally leaving the doctors since you'll have your follow up check ups. I'm so looking forward to that part! You will always have the support of the ladies here, too. Go with it. Move beyond treatments and begin the next part of the journey. You are doing just great, Amy.

    Can't wait to finish MY treatments. I should be done by the end of May with rads. Tomorrow I get to see the movie, minus the popcorn, that will help me understand what you ladies have been through in rads and what I'm going to be up against.

    I wish you all well.
    ravdeb
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2006
    Here is a link to re-size the pics so they are not so big

    http://www.resize2mail.com/
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  • RoseMarie
    RoseMarie Member Posts: 502
    edited March 2006

    I certainly would like to continue writing and keeping in touch with all of you. I had Taxol #9 today so I have 3 more weeks and then will need to make a decision regarding ovaries etc...No rads for me as I had a bilateral mast. and 2 nodes +.

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  • maryannecb
    maryannecb Member Posts: 1,453
    edited March 2006
    Rosemarie do you finish on March 28- that is when I am done too. Can't wait.I thought rads were standard for stage 2...guess not. Sounds like your family is complete and you must be in chemopause so maybe now is the time to do it. How do you plan to celebrate last chemo day? what did the rest of you do?

    Fists up!
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