Has anyone started a Dec 2011 group?

Options
1…4647495152…68

Comments

  • dougieswife
    dougieswife Member Posts: 171
    edited April 2012

    The back of my head is getting softer, so it must be growing. I still have a couple bare spots that I hope and pray starts to grow!!!



    I agree...I have my times of "what has just happened to me?" My scars have never really bothered me until now, either. I think I just wanted the cancer out it didn't matter. Now, it seems, there is more time to process everything.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rachelvk
    rachelvk Member Posts: 1,411
    edited April 2012

    Lori - I'm sorry... I had to switch the date of my surgery to June 7. I have a violin recital June 3, and when I finally put the two dates on the same calendar realized there was no way that was going to work. I'll be thinking of you on the 31st!

    Snobord - Glad to hear your port is out. And while maybe I can't speak to having it out yet, my bmx was nowhere as painful in the aftermath as the week following my port placement! Ask if they'll give you a Qball, which delivers lidocain almost regularly, and you'll have other pain meds as well. When you say red, are you talking about the skin all around it? I've watched the skin around the tube leading away from the port up toward my neck (before it turns to go back down) gradually turning red, and my MO has never said anything about it. I assume it's from all the violin playing - it rests right there, though I try to put an extra layer of padding. I hope the pain eases up, and all the best as you prep for surgery! I understand your husband's concern, but you do need to rest up after chemo.

    Mardibra - So glad to hear you're home and on the path to recovery! You made it, girl!

    Whata - Yeah, it's over, and we did go through all that. I'm already feeling a little different - not 'normal,' mind you. I would suggest finding a support group or counselor. I've heard that it's usually 6 months or so after you finish treatment that you hit the wall - you're no longer in 'crisis mode,' where all your effort is aimed at making decisions and dealing with the SEs, so you have the time to sit back and realize what exactly has hit you. At the same time, all those friends and family who have been around to support you have decided that you're cured and recovered, and that you should be 'getting on with your life.' Good luck. We'll all be navigating that road together.

    Peacock - Good luck with your tx. We'll be glad to welcome you across the finish line.

    I finally got to see my nephew yesterday after five months. He was celebrating his 1st birthday! It was so great to get to hug him again. I felt a bit off this morning, very achy for some reason. I'm better now. I guess it's still one day at a time. This normally would be the middle of my 'good' week, but I don't have any more treatments! Hopefully things do keep moving onwards and upwards. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • victorious2012
    victorious2012 Member Posts: 61
    edited April 2012

    Sitting here on the eve (well actually early morning) of my last treatment.  Can't believe tx#8 is finally here.  It's been a long road.  It's weird, I'm not excited or happy like I thought I would be, just this weird calmness and ready to get it over with.  I'm hoping it will go smoothly and that SEs will be manageable.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mardibra
    Mardibra Member Posts: 1,111
    edited April 2012

    Victorious - today is marathon Monday here in Boston. I can see you "crossing the finish line". Congratulations on your last tx!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Whatashocker3
    Whatashocker3 Member Posts: 209
    edited April 2012

    Victorious, I wish this be your easiest treatment ever. I wasn't overally excited either. But once your 3-6 day is up you don't have to ever feel that shitty again.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mardibra
    Mardibra Member Posts: 1,111
    edited April 2012

    Caught a glimpse of my bald head as I walked by a mirror today and quickly stopped. Thought my head had some dirt or lint or something on it. Turns out its 5:00 shadow! Yeah for hair!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • victorious2012
    victorious2012 Member Posts: 61
    edited April 2012

    Mardibra - I love it!  It feels so nice to "cross the finish line".  Also, so happy to hear that you are seeing signs of hair growing back.  That's when you know you are really moving past this.  Keep us posted.

    Whata - Thanks so much. It would be wonderful if this was the easiest one yet.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

    I can't believe this day has come.  I remember when I started on 12/19, it seemed like 4/16 was so far away.  I can honestly say this period went by fast.  Even though I know I still have to pay the piper for this tx, it's nice to know I don't have to go back for more. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Whatashocker3
    Whatashocker3 Member Posts: 209
    edited April 2012

    Mardibra, I have hair on the sides but very little on the top. I look like a balding man. I am trying the olive oil rub to see if that expediates the growth. My onc says it takes about 3 months to have a G I Jane look. One month down....two to go. I so want hair, I don't have lashes nor brows. :(

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mardibra
    Mardibra Member Posts: 1,111
    edited April 2012

    Nothing on the top for me either.  Ive go teeny tiny short eyelashes that barely hold mascara but my brows are coming in like gangbusters!  Im going to need a wax within the next week.  Im about 6 weeks since my last chemo so to see something on my head was very encouraging.  Im not sure about you but im not looking forward to wearing a wig during the hot summer....that is gonna suck big time.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rachelvk
    rachelvk Member Posts: 1,411
    edited April 2012

    Victorious - Welcome to this side of the finish line! I hope the SEs are easy on you this time. But remember - as each day goes by, it's one day closer to fewer and fewer SEs.

    mardibra and whatshocker - Wishing you speedy hair growth. I'm waiting for my lashes and brows to fall out... Undecided 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 3girls
    3girls Member Posts: 94
    edited April 2012

    Had my last of 16 chemo treatments today!!  Went into Boston on this beautiful day with good friends and watched a friend run the marathon!  It feels sureal! Still have rads to go and herceptin every 3 weeks but it is nice to put this behind me.  I was lucky and did very well able to work FT which was a big concern for me.  I do have some tingling in feet and hands and some nail issues but otherwise did well.  I didn't postmuch but read all your comments and found them very helpful.  Thanks.  good luck to all!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • victorious2012
    victorious2012 Member Posts: 61
    edited April 2012

    Rachel:  Feels good to be on this side.  Thanks so much for the encouragement.  Now that you are almost 3 weeks PFC, how do you feel?  Are you starting to feel normal yet? I'm def looking forward to making it past the inital SE storm (days 3-7 for me).

    3girls - Congratulations!  It's great we crossed the finish line on the same day!  Good luck and I wish you mild SEs.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Whatashocker3
    Whatashocker3 Member Posts: 209
    edited April 2012

    Congrats 3 girls! It does feel good to have the chemo step out of the way. I personally had about 3 wks off and asked to go right into rads so I can start healing quicker. It makes you a bit more tired but that may be because I went into rads fairly quickly.



    Rachel you may not lose your lashes and brows as I lost mine pretty much the second week of taxotere2. I will keep my fingers crossed for you.



    Anybody doing anything special to attract hair growth?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rachelvk
    rachelvk Member Posts: 1,411
    edited April 2012

    3girls - Congratulations!

    Victorious - I have had fleeting moments where I feel 'normal,' at least in a post-cancer sense. I still get tired easily (did I mention I applied for and got a handicapped sticker? It's a total lifesaver), and my fingers are acting funny. Not quite the same tingling as previously, but I can tell something's up. Hope it passes quickly. My taste is almost back to normal, though I never completely lost it - I really credit the olive oil swigging for that. Tell all your friends!!!

    Speaking of normal, I guess it's time to shut off the computer and go to work. That will be hardest part of transitioning back. I've been working almost FT as much as I can, but with a very flexible schedule and understanding boss. It will be hard to start determining when I need to take it slow in the morning... and when I'm just being lazy!

    Have a great day all. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Peacock
    Peacock Member Posts: 86
    edited April 2012

    Congratulations to so many of us!

     My final chemo is Thursday, so I'm seeing that finish line too. I was also thinking about the Boston Marathon, as I watched a friend run the NY marathon from my hospital bed, day after BMX. It's such a fitting metaphor for us!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mardibra
    Mardibra Member Posts: 1,111
    edited April 2012

    clap clap clap!  Im so happy that more of us are seeing the finish line!  26.2 miles is nothing compared to chemo!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • krewton
    krewton Member Posts: 4
    edited April 2012

    Okay, I am done lurking.  Final TX Thursday - 4 A/C, 12 taxol, and not nearly as bad as I thought - besides the hair and nails!  Went college shopping with my daughter the past week and good to know I'll be around to see her graduate.  Congratulations to the sisters who never knew I was listening, and thank you for all your good advice and the support you didn't know you gave.  I plan to continue spying on everyone here, and maybe popping back in from time to time, but just so thankful it's almost over.  Uni MX in May, and then the rest of my life to live healthy!

    Karen in NJ

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • markat
    markat Member Posts: 909
    edited April 2012

    Victorious and 3girls Congrats!!  Peacock you are sooo close!

    Glad you came out of lurking Krewton.  Congrats your soon to be final tx!

    The back of my head is definetely getting fuzzier.  My eyebrows and eyelashes are still pretty bare though.  Also all of my body hair is starting to grow back in...it's itchy!

    I'm still in a fog from everything and getting ready for surgery is scary, but this too shall pass right?  I'm proud of all of us.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rachelvk
    rachelvk Member Posts: 1,411
    edited April 2012

    Karen - Where in NJ? You can PM if  you prefer.

    Markat - You'll sail through surgery. You made it through chemo, which is so much harder to recover from. What surgery (sorry if I forgot...). If you're doing more than a lumpectomy, definitely look into physical therapy to help recover.

    Anyone having swelling foot issues? It's not huge huge, but both my feet look like someone pumped some extra air in them and they've lost their usual contour. And I am achy all over in the morning. But still making it through work okay. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Baileybump
    Baileybump Member Posts: 172
    edited April 2012

    Congratulations to the REAL marathon runners!  This side of the finish line has a spectacular view!  For those of you facing radiation treatments, chemo is truly the hardest part.  You'll do fine.  I had my 17th rad today.

    I'm 9 weeks PFC (I had 4 tax/cyt) and I've just lost my brows and lashes in the past week or so.  Everyone says "the gift that keeps giving."  I'm getting tired of these gifts!  My left thumb still has numbness, too.  It could certainly be worse, I know.  On the upside, my hair is growing nicely!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • markat
    markat Member Posts: 909
    edited April 2012

    Rachel I'm having a BMX with TE reconstruction...or however that should be worded :) Both my hands and feet seem a little swollen lately. I think I've really slacked on my water intake though since chemo is over.

    Bailey glad to hear that the radiation isn't so bad for you. I'm hoping that I don't have to have radiation but I think it depends on how many lymph nodes light up during surgery.

    Now I'm just trying to decide if I want to get my herceptin the day before BMX or wait until the week after the surgery when I don't feel like leaving the house and get it.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • victorious2012
    victorious2012 Member Posts: 61
    edited April 2012

    Thanks for all of the well wishes!  It is great to be in the PFC club, albeit only 1 day PFC :-)

    Krewton:  Thanks for chiming in. Great to know that you are part of this special group of women. Good luck with everything on Thursday.

    Peacock:  Can't wait till you cross the finish line on Thursday.  We're rooting for you.

    Rachel, funny you mention the swollen feet.  I noticed yesterday, for the first time in 4 months of chemo, that my feet looked a little swollen.  It wasn't major but just a little.  In addition, for the first time, it hurt to walk, mostly my ankle and feet felt sore. The pain hasn't been too bad today (thank goodness, hoping this doesn't stick around).  But it's hard for me to tell if my feet are still swollen.  I will keep an eye on them.  I've definitely had them elevated whenever possible. I'm also achey in general today, but I know I owe it to the Neulasta shot.

    Bailey, I can't believe the eyebrows and lashes decided to fall off at 9 weeks PFC.  I would definitely think I was in the clear by then.  I haven't lost lashes yet and my brows have thinned somewhat but are still there.  I refuse to celebrate though because I know it can happen at any time.  I'm hoping they grow back quickly for you.  I read on the boards that they usually grow back in 2 weeks.

    Markat, I am also having a BMX with TEs.  Mine is 6/1 so I have some time to prepare.  But I'm really hoping it is much better than chemo.  I've read on these boards that it's not so bad.  Hoping that's true.  When is your surgery?  Hang in there.  You will get thru it just as you did chemo.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mardibra
    Mardibra Member Posts: 1,111
    edited April 2012

    I had a UMX on 4/13 and it has been a breeze compared to chemo. Hoping the same for you ladies with surgery coming up.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HKM
    HKM Member Posts: 1
    edited April 2012

    Hi there,

    I am new to all this. had breast removed 4 weeks ago and last Thursday went back in to have a level 2 Nodes removed...  Waiting to hear on Monday coming for the results on thoses.  Got my frist meeting about Chemo on the 27 April :-(

    H.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • markat
    markat Member Posts: 909
    edited April 2012

    Victorious my surgery is 5/2.  I'm just hoping I won't be a big baby about the pain. My port hurt so much after it was placed!

    Welcome HKM. You might want to look around at the Just Diagnosed section.  Or a thread under the Chemo section for the month you start chemo.  Like April/May Chemo.  I'm so sorry about your diagnosis but you can learn a lot and receive a lot of support on these boards.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • krewton
    krewton Member Posts: 4
    edited April 2012

    Rachelvk: I'm in Hillsborough, getting treatments at CINJ New Brunswick.  I have a great team.  I'm bringing armfuls of multi-pink roses for the nurses who have been so supportive.

    Also strange you mention swollen feet - I just discovered my new cankles yesterday!  My head looks like a balding man and I have about 4 eyebrows and just as many eyelashes.  Weird to draw your face on every morning.

    victorious2, baileybump and markat, thanks so much for the well wishes (I feel like I already know you!)

    This is one strong, loving and brave group of women.  Good luck to everyone with surgeries coming up!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Peacock
    Peacock Member Posts: 86
    edited April 2012

    Can't wait until tomorrow's treatment is done!!

    I'm taking GS cookies to the nurses  -- then my diet begins :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mardibra
    Mardibra Member Posts: 1,111
    edited April 2012

    congrats Peacock!  Another one over the finish line!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rachelvk
    rachelvk Member Posts: 1,411
    edited April 2012

    I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one with cankles (well, actually I'm sorry to hear some of you have to deal with it too). And the ankle aches! Except for the first two tx's, I really didn't have a lot of joint/bone/muscles aches, even with the Neulasta, but the past 2 weeks it's been almost constant, especially in the morning.

    Good luck tomorrow, Peacock! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • naan1004
    naan1004 Member Posts: 520
    edited April 2012

    Had Taxol 8/12, can't believe I only have 4 left, then on to surgery 5/25, then radiation



    Welcome to the new folks, congrats to those who r done



    RachelV, have u spoken to your drs about the swelling, u should it might be nothing but better safe

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories