Has anyone started a Dec 2011 group?

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  • snobordkykmom
    snobordkykmom Member Posts: 33
    edited January 2012

    Hey ladies. Waiting to see if temp goes back down or if I'm making my first trip in to ER.

    Shaved head on Sat. couldn't take the dead rat at the bottom of my shower anymore.  At school today, it was "Show and Tell" time for my 5 Monday classes.  The kids were awesome, just took what I said ("The medication the Doctor gave me is making my hair fall out, so I shaved it all off"   "See you guys snowboarding on Thursday" ) and off we went for the rest of the class.  Four more days, 18 more classes to go.  Kids are priceless.

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  • momof3boys
    momof3boys Member Posts: 896
    edited January 2012

    Sno- I hope your fever goes down. I'm sure the kids take your mind off of everything, but you must worry about the germs? It must be hard being a teacher and going thru chemo in the winter!

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  • rachelvk
    rachelvk Member Posts: 1,411
    edited January 2012

    Sno - That's great that you were able to do that. Kids are great. But I agree about the germs - take care of yourself. I guess you've got your hand sanitizer at close range.

    I'm surprised how much my hair is sticking around. I got it buzzed last Wednesday, and it's certainly getting sparse along the edges so I can't wear it as a haircut anymore, but there's still a lot of hair hanging out, even with the recurring rat in the shower.... I always knew my hair was thick, but this is amazing. I just wish I had bought a few more turbans. The wig is okay but itchy, and there are only two or three of the other headcoverings that I've decided I feel okay in. Time to put in another order... But my Mom sent me about a dozen of her old brooches that just rock the scarves and turbans, so that's been great. 

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  • GracieG
    GracieG Member Posts: 118
    edited January 2012

    Sno - Joining in to say hoping your fever goes down and no ER trips for you. Sounds like you have a great group of kiddos you teach.



    Rachel, that is so great of your Mom to share her brooches with you, I bet they do look great.



    Just my luck that my BMX was in October, of course right in the middle of Breast Cancer Awareness month, so you can guess how many BC pins I was given! I love them all & have been wearing them on the ball caps I am wearing in leu of a wig or scarves. For those of you wearing scarves, I applaud you! I've spent hours trying to get them to tie right & they just end up looking like big wads of badly tied laundry on my head! I do wear a turban when my head is chilly that one of our local cancer support groups gave me & would love to get a couple of more. Anyone have any good resources for where you got yours? I did get a couple of nice knit hats to cover my ears for when it's really cold outside.

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  • markat
    markat Member Posts: 909
    edited January 2012

    Sno hope you are feeling good today.



    My onc explained to me that the hair falls out depending on if it's in a growing phase or dormant phase. I still have some some stubble. The wig is much more comfortable with less stubble.



    I'm a big fan of the crocheted looking hats with a bill in the front. They cover the whole head and ears. Jc penny had some nice ones. I'm not a fan of the turbans.



    I'm 2 weeks out of tx 2 and still pretty tired. This is supposed to be my "good" week and it seems just like its not. Oh well. Hope everyone is doing good!

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  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited January 2012

    markat - I was wondering how you are doing.  We are on the same schedule I believe, only you are one day ahead of me.  Sorry to hear you are still feeling tired when you should be feeling good.  I had 3 days of really bad fatigue, days 4-6 and then I improved pretty quickly.  Of course I had that reaction so they pumped me full of extra meds that probably made the fatigue worse.  I feel pretty good now but I'm dreading treatment #3.  I'm scared of having another reaction.

    I rock my wig at work and any time I leave the house.  It gets itchy by the end of the day but like the SE's, nothing I can't handle.  I wear my halo and hats at home.  I know it seems stupid, but I feel better about myself if there is the illusion of hair hanging out of the hat!  The DH has been wonderful about the whole bald thing....about everything really. 

    I hope everyone is feeling well.....gentle hugs.

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  • markat
    markat Member Posts: 909
    edited January 2012

    Hey Kelly glad you are feeling good. I think I just have the blahs. I'm sick of having cancer, thinking about cancer and talking about cancer...if that makes sense. Also my daughters 8 th bday is this weekend so I'm trying to get the house in order and.also planning a baby shower for my best friend. Stuff that should be easy just doesn't feel as easy as it used to be.



    I'm trying to stay positive though! Sorry for the rant.

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  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited January 2012

    Markat you can rant any time...this is the place for it!  I know exactly what you mean about being sick of having cancer.  I know everyone means well, but for Christmas I got 12 items that were breast cancer pink ribbon related.  I know I am the walking poster child for breast cancer now but I don't want to open my dresser drawers and have nothing but pink ribbon to choose from.  I don't want to think about it 24/7.

    Good luck with the birthday party this weekend....my "babies" are 18 and 24!  I hope you feel better so you can party!

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  • Baileybump
    Baileybump Member Posts: 172
    edited January 2012

    Kelly & Markat - I'm so glad to hear you say that!  I received a few pink ribbon things, too, and I'm thinking "do I need to be aware of breast cancer?"  I'm pretty darned aware!  I, too, was diagnosed in October. . . pink is my LEAST favorite color.  Wink

    Gracie - I like the items I purchased from headcoverings.com.  They ship quickly and seem to have quality stuff.  I got a few hats that seemed "snugger" than others.  I will like donate them.  Maybe when my head is completely bald (I have a smidgen of stubble) and not so sensitive, they will feel okay.  But for now I can't stand a snug hat.  I could send them to you. . . maybe your head is smaller?

    My husband's 83 year old aunt sends me hats in the mail.  She crochets. . . it's her way of doing something for me.  They are lovely, but I doubt that I will ever wear all of them!  Seriously, if anyone needs a hat, I'd love to send some your way.  Send me a private message with your address.  Smile

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  • rachelvk
    rachelvk Member Posts: 1,411
    edited January 2012

    Markat and Kelloggs - Good to hear from you. Rant away. I was down a few days ago just feeling like there was so much I should be doing (like starting to pull together tax info before chemo brain really digs in, and trying to keep my apartment from becoming a hoarders paradise) but I'm so busy trying to work while I can, and rest when I can't. Fortunately, I'm still lucky with few SEs, but I'm hitting the day 8-10 low immunity period and holding my breath.

    I will be looking for a few more headcoverings, since I don't think I'll put up with the wig all that often, but I'm set on crocheted hats - got a great (but slightly big) one from my best friend, who loved making it so much that she's making me another, and more for her other relatives and friends. I'll check out headcoverings.com. I got my hat halo today and think it will work well. 

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  • vanlex
    vanlex Member Posts: 121
    edited January 2012

    speaking of headcoverings, I have picked up 4 page-boy style hats at Target this week, on clearance.  they are $7 each right now and they have lots of variety.  They have a couple of styles that are almost like a crocheted hat, and they are wonderful because there is built in insulation!!!!  My head tends to get really hot...just thought I would share.  :)

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  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited January 2012

    I have so many hats right now I'm sure I will never wear them all too.  I usually wear them around the house, sometimes with my halo.  I think I am in danger of becoming the Imelda Marcos of wigs though!  I have 3 right now but there are a few more I would love to purchase.  I'm going to practice restraint and remind myself that my baldness is only temporary...it's only temporary...it's only temporary!  Bailey - I have still have stubble also and find the more form-fitting hats uncomfortable too but I'll hang on to them for now, donate them later.

    By the way...I wonder if you ladies are having the same experience with the body hair.  I shaved the head because the hair just kept coming out.  I still have stubble after almost 3 weeks.  But I still have to shave my legs and armpits.  I thought that would be a little bonus to my hair loss.  Anyone else still having to shave?

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  • Terry71
    Terry71 Member Posts: 293
    edited January 2012
    LOL Kellogs YES I still had to shave I was so looking forward to NOT that when I went for my MO app I old him and my primary nurse they LIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I said Im friggen bald and still have to shave my legs? whats with that? haha they got a giggle out of it..... Im 8 weeks out from last treatment and my hair is growing Smile It looks really dark so far and I dont like it but will take what I can get until I can color it....... Hope all you wonderful ladies are doing good, feeling good and Smiling... Hugs to all xx
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  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited January 2012

    Terry - Glad it's not just me!  Congrats on being done and for getting the hair back...that's awesome!

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  • markat
    markat Member Posts: 909
    edited January 2012

    I wish I could afford to buy another wig, but my head's too big for the cheaper wigs. I still have stubble on my legs and under arms.



    How many of you have had surgery already? Mx? Lump? For those that had mx did you just get TEs? I haven't had surgery yet and have been researching the different types of reconstructions.

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  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited January 2012

    I had lumpectomy X2 (unclear margins) prior to chemo.  My tumor was 1.9cm so my BS said lumpectomy was the way to go.

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  • Whatashocker3
    Whatashocker3 Member Posts: 209
    edited January 2012

    Ladies, what about your menstrual cycle. To my wonderful surprise yesterday I have started my period although come Jan 18th I go in for infusion #3. I am a little ticked considering all the other crap we have to go through. I though we are supposed to stop our cycle once we start chemo. Pls let me know what is happening with everyone else. I also have cramps! Never had them before. :(

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  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited January 2012
    Whata - I've seen alot of different answers on some of the threads.  I had a period a few days after my first TCH infusion.  I was due about a week ago for another but it hasn't come yet.  I am hoping it's gone Tongue out 
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  • heatherb8
    heatherb8 Member Posts: 263
    edited January 2012

    markat..I had a lumpectomy using radioactive seed placement rather than wire guided..apparently they are getting better margins using the radioactive seed process..I will have 7 weeks of radiation after my chemo treatments.

    Kellogs..I decided I wanted to do a test with my legs and arm pits and didn't shave them for awhile so I could see what was going to happen..here is the result...my leg hair I've lost some, but not all and my armpits nothing..I do have some stubble on my head although I do see some spots with nothing, but mostly the stubble is hanging around after two infusions..third one scheduled for Monday..Yippee.  I too have three wigs..two I bought and one someone gave me that didn't wear it..I too would like another but I already have quite a bit of $ invested and it is only temporary..the one is blonde and curly and I haven't worn it yet..it makes me look washed out, but I'm thinking once treatment is done and I get a little of my color back and such I'll give it a shot.  The one I wear mostly I think I'm going to have cut a little shorter (inverted bob) in a few weeks just to shake it up!  I do have to say getting ready is much faster and I kinda like it!!! Instead of an hour I'm done in 20 min!!!

    Whata..after my first infusion two days later..Aunt Flo showed up...nothing like adding insult to injury..after my second treatment however..i had some sorry to be gross..."brown ick" for a day and that was it..

    Hi Rachel..headcoverings.com has some nice hats..I got a few I wasn't too thirleed with, but most of them I was (specifically the soft baseball hat).  I struggle with the turbans..they are just not my favorite look for me, but I bought quite a few knit hats at Target that I wear quite often and love..being winter I wear them to the store around the house, etc.  they are comfy and great!

     Hope you all have a great day!

    Heather

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  • rachelvk
    rachelvk Member Posts: 1,411
    edited January 2012

    vanlex - I saw a great one at Target a few months ago, when I was just starting to come to terms with the outlook for chemo, but didn't pick it up. Maybe I can find it now.

    I thought I was losing some body hair (if it's not TMI, the first hairs I started noticing were on my underwear, and a few underarm hairs came out very easily), but that seems to have slowed down. I'll be bummed too. Because of LE concerns, I'm not supposed to use a regular razor on my right side and haven't bought an electric razor yet, so I've let that side go, and it's all still there Grrrr.

    My period seems to be a very consistent SE, if you can call it that. I dropped the pill before chemo, and got my period about 6 days after my first tx - one week early. And it was heavy and long - lasted 9 days. Same thing seems to be happening after tx 2, almost to the day. However, I also have some thickening of my uterus lining (had to have a biopsy last week just in case.... everything's okay at least), so that might be a unique case. But I'm tired of having to run out and buy another bad of pads when I assumed the last one I picked up was going to be it. 

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  • momof3boys
    momof3boys Member Posts: 896
    edited January 2012

    Hello everyone-

    Whatashocker... I got my period right on time last week, about 6 days after my 1st TC treatment. It was heavier and cram pier than usual.

    Now everyone, don't yell at me but I did go out this am and get a pedicure and a shellacked manicure. I was careful to quietly tell them I was undergoing chemo and they assured me they knew the routein... Very careful, no cutting, etc. I figured the shellacked manicure can do nothing but help, since it is basically 7 layers of polish upon my own nails, makes them very hard. We'll see. My onco nurse said if I felt up to it, go ahead... I do feel so much better. Just looking at them was getting me down.

    My next TC is scheduled for 1/19---next Thursday at noon.

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  • FLislander
    FLislander Member Posts: 243
    edited January 2012

    Hi everyone

    Finally recovered after last AC start taxol Tuesday

    I only had one period after first treatment, now I've moved on to hot flashes.....



    Surgeon told me last week I have to have masectomy, so I'm also researching about options. I've heard from some the expanders can be a pain in radiation which I have a month of after surgery. Any suggestions would be great

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  • RachelsLife
    RachelsLife Member Posts: 16
    edited January 2012

    FLislander - Sorry to hear you need a mastectomy! I had a bilat mastectomy with TEs - the radiation oncologist told me expanders are beneficial during radiation 1) because they keep your skin from adhering to the muscle wall and 2) they bring the surface to be irradiated closer to the skin's surface.

     Rachel

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  • momof3boys
    momof3boys Member Posts: 896
    edited January 2012

    Hi Flislander- I had a BMX and immediate TE reconstruction 11/11/11.. I haven't had any issues and the fills are painless. I have a decision to make regarding rads, but my PS assures me that there is a very small percentage of women that have issues (I'll probably hear from all of them) and that anything that occurs, he can fix. I'm not naive, but try to look at the benefit of radiation and recurrence, and hope for the best cosmetically. I was not a candidate for other reconstruction (not enough to pinch an inch!, and was not interested in using my back muscles and creating another issue to contend with.... It is a very personal decision, I know. People have very definite opinions about reconstruction.

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  • FLislander
    FLislander Member Posts: 243
    edited January 2012

    Thank you guys

    I've been reading too much and when I saw a few bad experiences it scared me, I have to meet with my surgeon in one month to come up with the game plan so I feel a little more relaxed about the expanders

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  • tiedyemom
    tiedyemom Member Posts: 117
    edited January 2012

    Hello Ladies,

    So glad to have found this thread!  I'm due for my fourth round of AC this Monday, then I move onto 4 rounds of txotere, one every two weeks.  After that, it's onto the double mastectomy with reconstruction, no word on radiation yet.

    I shaved my head about 4 weeks after my first treatment and I really think it's been the hardest part for me so far!  It's had such an impact on my self-esteem.  My hubby and boys are wonderful about it, but I HATE it!!

     I seem to be having a harder time bouncing back after each treatment.  The more treatments, the longer it takes to "feel good again".  Anyone else? 

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  • momof3boys
    momof3boys Member Posts: 896
    edited January 2012

    Hi tiedyemom

    I just had one of 4 TC treatments so far. Second is scheduled for 1/19. I had a BMX with immediate TE on 11/11/11 and have o say that was difficult, but my most emotionally difficult day was when I went to pick out a wig, so I understand where you're coming from. I cut my hair short pixie like before my first treatment, so now I'm in the 'waiting mode' for it to fall. My husband and boys and family and friends have all been amazingly supportive.

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  • Mardibra
    Mardibra Member Posts: 1,111
    edited January 2012

    I had my fourth and final AC today. Now moving onto T. This round has definitely been tougher. So, yes it is a cumulative effect. I'm hoping T will be easier. After chemo I'm having a UMX and then radiation. I've opted for DIEP reconstruction.



    The biggest disappointment so far has bee the hair thing. I'm bald with hairy legs and armpits. What the $&@;!! So unfair.



    I'm so tired right now but the OMG heartburn I have cannot be controlled and being horizontal only makes it worse. Ugh.



    Happy thoughts to all.



    Christine

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  • markat
    markat Member Posts: 909
    edited January 2012

    Christine hope the heartburn eases up. Are you having the DIEP done at in NOLA or just locally. It seems like a big surgery but very intriguing too.



    Whata- my last period was right after my first tx on 12/5. I haven't had one this month.

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  • GracieG
    GracieG Member Posts: 118
    edited January 2012

    I am 6 days post tx and feeling pretty good. I forgot how bad the insomnia is for the first few days after treatment, but finally had a good nights sleep last night.

    Bailey - Thank you so much for your kind offer of the hats, I just measured my head & it is 20" from the middle of the back of my head to over my eyebrows, is that considered small? Hell if I know. I know the petite hats I ordered from TLC direct were huge, the family got a good laugh about how big they were, so I returned them.

    Kellogg's & Tracy - I had to laugh when I read your posts about leg & underarm hair! I intentionally didn't shave my legs before treatment since I figured it would fall out anyway - right! I even had to pluck a chin hair tonight! I was so sick of losing all the little head stubbles I told hubs today to take a wet washcloth & just smart rubbing. That did get a lot of it off, but not all.

    What a - I'm post-menopausal, so can't help with that issue, but I see many here have.

    Momof3boys - I'm getting a manicure tomorrow! I don't see a thing wrong with it if you're not having any nail problems.

    Christine - I'm so sorry about the heartburn. I haven't had since my first treatment but the onc did give me an Rx for Prilosec that I've been taking since before treatment, hope yours gets better.

    Bloodwork in the morning - here's hoping for a good WBC count!

    Stay strong all.

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