Has anyone started a Dec 2011 group?

Naan, you are so close.  Congratulations! 

Almost 4 weeks out from 12 taxol, I have alot of fuzz on the sides and back of my head, but I'm pretty nervous about the top.  A few sprouts. 

I return to work on June 1st, and don't know what to wear on my head.  I've been wearing the ball cap with hair.  Hate my wig.  Everyone at work does know about my diagnosis, but when I stopped by the other day, the only question I was asked was how was I feeling.  No one was intrusive.  So I was glad about that.  I won't wear a scarf to work, even though it's comfortable, so I guess I'm looking at hats again.  My daughter bought extensions so we can attach them.  Will see how that works. 

Maria snow, so glad you are almost done with the A/C.  I know it may be hard to believe, but looking back now, it did go quickly.  It is an emotional rollercoaster, the amazing women sharing here were an unbelievable support, I had a few relatives that I relied on, and I did seek counseling.  I believe in prayer, and God was my biggest support. 

A dear friend of mine who had been through chemo 5 years ago said the drugs themselves also affected her emotionally. 

Be kind to yourself, and ask for the help that you need. 

Hugs to all,

Laura

Whata I was done on 3/20.



I just can't wait to feel normal again...if that ever happens. I'm so sick of doctors.

Congrats Naan! Did you ring the bell or run out of there as soon as they finished. . It is time for the healing to begin.



Do you have to do rads?



Celebrate somehow do something special for yourself.

No bell rInging, but I ran out as soon as they pulled out my picc line! Planning to take a weekend trip with my gal pals and enjoy some hot tub time, pool time and get myself a full body massage on 6/2 can't wait. For now want my picc hole to close so I can take a real shower! Will have surgery 6/8 and radiation after that, one down 2 more to go!

Victorious, yes I did!

Congrats naan!!

Congrats Naan!

Lori - I wish I had the guts to ditch my wig.  The Herceptin is slowing my regrowth a bit and I'm just not ready to go topless.  I am so tired of my sweaty head though....Tamoxifen is giving me wicked hot flashes and I just want to rip the damn thing off my head!  Good luck with your surgery next week.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend....gonna be really hot here!

Kelly I hate to hear that the hot flashes are bad...yuck! I'm really not looking forward to the hot humid weather this weekend in southern Ohio. I can't swim yet after surgery.

Hmmm - Somehow this thread was deleted from my Favorites. I was wondering why everyone had been so quiet. Sorry to have missed the past week.

Kelly - I'm so sorry to hear about your mother. It's too soon after everything you've been through to have to bear something else. I can only wish you the best as you help your father, and hopefully your family will all be able to support each other as you all need. Be sure to keep taking care of yourself.

Naan - Yay!!!! Glad to hear you've hit the finish line as well. I hope you start bouncing back quickly.

Dougieswife - It's always sad to hear about someone else who has to go through this. I'm sure you'll be a great support for your friend. I wish her the best as she starts her treatment. If you feel being there for her is important, by all means - but I'm sure if you go ahead with your surgery, you'll recover quickly enough to be there for her afterwards. Is she local?

I'm also trying to decide what to do for my head. My hair is actually coming in at a great clip (ouch... no pun intended initially). It's all soft on top, and while the top is thinner, I have a good covering of peach fuzz all over - and dark, not gray, at that! I suspect in maybe 2-3 weeks it will be long enough to go out without a hat, although I'll clearly be seen as either a survivor or just different. I'd like to pick up a few kerchiefs (cotton). I never did scarves because they just aren't me, but as I get a little hair, they might be comfortable.

I'm trying to decide whether to go up to my parents today. I've had a sore throat and chest cough. Strep test came back negative. But with surgery in just under 2 weeks, I want to stay healthy. 

Happy a happy Memorial Day, everyone! 

Okay...officially going with just a hat!!!!  It is SOOO hot and my hair is really starting to come in (the top is VERY itchy) so...heck with it.  For some reason, I feel more confident in just a hat.  I feel more like me and not like I am trying to "hide" something.  (which is surprising!)  

One thing...so, we were at a Memorial Day service yesterday and of course, there were times when you were supposed to remove your hats..I didn't...I hope that wasn't too disrespectful.   

I haven't been on any of the BCO threads for a while, but am so sorry to hear about your mother's passing, Kelly.  Your role has quickly shifted from "patient" to "caregiver" as you now focus on your dad.  Don't forget about yourself, though!  Your body still needs you to pay attention to it. 

Way to go, Naan!  You made it to the light at the end of the tunnel.  Take a deep breath and hope you enjoyed that weekend with the girlfriends.

I finished rads a little over a week ago and for me, the radiation was harder than the chemo (hard to believe).  I had terrible burns and ended up taking a week off from the rads.  I hope everyone has better success with the rads than I did.  I started Tamoxifen yesterday and so far (2 days in), so good.  I'm hoping my worst SEs were radiation-related, which quickly healed once the treatments were over.

It's so good to see the majority of the conversations switch from dreaded chemo to HAIR!  It's definitely a positive progression for this journey we're on.  Stay cool - - it's been a hot stormy couple of days in Central Pennsylvania.

T-5 hours till I leave to go to the Surgery Center for the big Exchange!!!!!!  I'm nervous, excited, anxious, scared, and every other emotion in between.

My eyelashes that fell out are starting to grow back...I have some stubble coming in!!!  wooo hooo!!!!!!!  I noticed the other day that I have hair on my arms again!  Happy Hair Dance!!!!   It's funny...the back of my hair feels like a lamb....it's really soft but in tight curls that stick to my head, LOL.  

Had my Herceptin today and all went well.  Had an interesting talk with my MO.  He said that I was his most positive patient and talked to me about volunteering with the SOS program.  That is a mentor program that they have, but you have to be 1 year out.  Not sure if that is one year from dx or end of tx.  I will see.  I'm not sure that I am the most positive person, but I do try to be.   I was telling him about the Fit Bit pedometers at my last appointment and now he is going to try and get grant money to get people who participate in the survivorship program one.  He said that I inspired him...who knew??  It's really weird, because I bet we are about the same age, with me being a bit older possibly.  I think I kinda like that in some ways because he "gets" me.  

Anyway....it is so great that we can all start talking about more positive things and not the horrible SE's we've all went through!!!  It's time to get out there and enjoy our summer!!!   

So today was my last Chemo. When my pump went off, with the last drop of Herceptin, I started singing Queen's "We Are The Champions.". My nurse took a moment talk with me about how far we have come. I didnt go through this alone. My sister took me to my all my treatments, my mother in law took me in for fluids almost every day the week after chemo, and helped wih the kids. My mom and helped take care of me in the hospital when I was septic and had my BMX. My husband was here to take care of me during my first chemo treatments and my mastectomy.



What I forgot to mention is that he is in the army and stationed out of state. We moved the kids down to Fl last Jan because he was getting medically retired after 14 years. He gets out at the end of next month. Finally. It took forever and should not have taken this long.



So, I end my chemo roller coaster just as my kids are finishing school. I feel like I have missed so much this year, it brings tears to my eyes. But, I have the rest of my life o look forward to!



On a side note, my MO filmed a commercial the day I got my pet scan results indicating my lump was gone. They were planning on filming with just one patient, but by chance I got my results and filmed me too. He commercial is on their web page and YouTube.



Lori - My MO's commercial was about patient centered care and he stressed about a patient's positive attitude.



Kelly - I'm sorry about your mom's passing. My father-in-law passed suddenly a few years ago. It was a rough time for everyone. Jus wanted you to know I'm thinking about you. Also, I found some really cute hats at TJ Maxx and Ross. Take care.

Thank you Rachel! Much luck with your exchange. Keep us updated how it goes. I am working on referrals to plastic surgeons. How will it have been from tissue expanders to exchange? Take care, and congrats on the new place!

Lori I hope you are resting and recovering.



Congrats Sunrise! It's so nice being done with chemo.



Good luck Rachel.