What a week!

MichelleMassey
MichelleMassey Member Posts: 213

Hello again everyone! Just need to vent about my week! Started out Tuesday getting my waist length hair cut off  to prepare for chemo.  Everyone says it's easier to lose short hair instead of long strands. Wednesday lymph node biopsy,  Thursday bone scan.  Friday PET scan and CT scan.  I told my daughter if one more person asks me to remove my bra I'm going to punch them in the face.  Her reply "I fully support that decision mom!" LOL!  Hope everyone else is doing great and thanks for letting me vent.  Have a great day all!

Comments

  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited March 2012

    hi Michelle, holy smokes that is quite a week!

    I got two chemo-induced haircuts.  The first was pre-chemo, I donated my long hair to Locks of Love.  It wasn't quite waist length, but mid-back, so pretty long.  Got a nice bob out of the deal, and it was free to boot.  I had also heard it was easier to lose short hair, and that turned out to be right.

    The second was two weeks post-first-chemo, a buzz cut just after it started to fall out. Stylist said a shave could irritate the follicles and cause problems, so she took the clippers and buzzed it very short, maybe a half inch long.  Most of that fell out but I never went completely bald.  Used Nioxin shampoo for chemically-treated hair. 

    A nice splurge is a satin pillowcase.  Costs ten bucks and it feels so nice against your skin.  Even the nicest cotton can 'catch' your little hairs and give that prickly feeling.

    Good luck with everything coming up!  This is a great place for help & support.  ((hugs))

  • mb1024
    mb1024 Member Posts: 49
    edited March 2012

    I know how you feel!  Last Friday I was told a lump in my breast, as well as a lump in a node, were positive.  That was after biopsy and mamo.  Right away they sent me back to the other side of the hospital for chest X-ray, blood tests, EKG, and to make appointments for a PET scan and MRI.  Had those this week, and now I wait for the BS to get the results before we speak about surgery and treatment.  She initially said it looks like I'm 2a, and I would be a good candidate for a lumpectomy, followed by chemo and radiation.  I'm in and out of panic mode, hoping it's not any worse.  I hope next week is better.  I'm learning a lot from this discussion board - lots of good ideas and support.     

  • MichelleMassey
    MichelleMassey Member Posts: 213
    edited March 2012

    Thanks for the info badger.  I did donate my hair to locks of love also.  I think right now I'm not a wig kind of girl but want to help those that are.  Thanks for the info on the satin pillow case, will be looking into that quickly.  Funny how the small things turn into meaning so much to us huh? mb I know how you feel right now.  Panic mode does drive us crazy doesn't it?  I'm only 2 weeks into this but seem so much calmer now.  Fear will take you as far as you let it.  This board did wonders for me when the fear was going rampant.  Feel free to private message me.  I'm new but can help out all you want in this.  Having a friend traveling the same road helps so much.  Have a blessed night all!

  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited March 2012

    Thanks, Michelle, have you joined a group of ladies starting chemo the same month as you?  The March 2010 ladies were a godsend for me.

    I started losing my hair two weeks post-first-chemo. Come to think of it, that was right around this time two years ago!  I remember being out for a walk on a windy spring day, and my bobbed hair floating off my head like dandelion fluff in the breeze. A few days later, I went and got it buzzed.  Will be out for a walk shortly in the spring breeze and will meditate on that.

    I didn't wear a wig either and went 'commando' most of the time, at work and at home.  When I went to the store or out for a walk, I wore a Milwaukee Brewers baseball cap borrowed from my hubby.  I tried caps, scarves, and a buff but settled on the cap as being more comfy and less conspicuous.  And I didn't want to sunburn my head.

    My hair started coming in by Labor Day, so early Sept 2010.  I went through a wild hair phase where I spiked it up like Guy Fieri, then a period where I had a nice wavy head of chemo curls.  Now it's back to straight but I keep it short and let it run amok like Anne Burrell.  (these two people are Food Network chefs LOL)

    I'm happy to answer any questions & be your friend along the way.  I mostly hang out on the exercise threads since that's my current challenge.  And I play games, which is why I have so many posts.  But it got me through many a sleepless night!

    Hope you have a better week, this upcoming week!  ((hugs))

  • MichelleMassey
    MichelleMassey Member Posts: 213
    edited March 2012

    I wish I could go for a walk! Right now I'm so weak and tired.  Everyone says it's due to my body trying to fight off the cancer.  It is so good to hear that you've been through all this and are doing so well.  It's good to see what's on the other side.  There's a game sight here? I'm going to have to look for that! LOL! Thank you so much for sharing, it really helps.  Hope you have a great day! Going to go check out the youtube link you have on there. :)

  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited March 2012

    yup, Humor & Games, come check it out.  Just remember as a newbie, you may be limited on the number of posts you can make in a 24-hour period.  It's a pain in the neck but needed to thwart spammers.  

    I started a walking program when I started chemo.  Tried to walk every day, even if it was a walk down the street or around the block.  Boy some days I just didn't wanna!  Know what I mean?  So I joined a thread called "Let's Post our Daily Exercise".  It's a great bunch of women who all know the benefits of exercise, but also know that some days you need a little encouragement, other days you can be the encouragement for someone else.  You are welcome to join us!

    Bought a five-dollar pedometer to track daily miles, and post it in my sig line.  Cool

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