April 2011 chemo

You got that right, Bernie Ellen!

KiwiMum, I had a check up with my MO today and I went into the chemo room to say hello to the nurses. You are right. It was nice to see them again, but it felt strange to be back in that room.

Kiwimum -- Glad it was relatively uneventful.  It must have been quite strange to be back in the chemo room for an infusion.  I can only imagine all the things going through your mind at the time.  I still haven't gotten my teeth issues resolved, so the Zometa is on hold for now.  I guess I need to get on the stick.  Part of the problem is that we are volunteering as campground hosts for 3 months in an area where I don't know the doctors and dentists, so I have to find somebody to go to. 

Axtella -- Sorry to hear about the joint pain.  My only issues with the Femara are hot flashes and night sweats, but they're not terribly severe -- not bad enough to switch medications.  Hope the joint pain problem goes away for you.

Hey pals!

Linda...so sorry to hear about your daughter.  Yeah, it seems like everyone thinks crisis is over, but I'm still so terribly tired too.  I'm having a hard time motivating--still getting all my work done, but it always feels so last minute and stressful.  I hate that.  I can't remember how old your daughter is.  Maybe she's got something else going on?  ((hugs))

Annie, my hair is curly too!  I HATE IT!!!!  It's ridiculous looking!  I can't believe I'm going to type this, but I think it may have looked better BALD! Sheesh. 

Love to you all.

Linda -- I'm so sorry your daughter isn't being more understanding.  You don't need more stress; you need compassion and understanding.  Like Profbee said -- maybe something else is going on?

Profbee -- I HATE my hair, too!  Very curly and short and ugly.  I actually think I liked the bandanas better.  But I just keep telliing myself I'm just happy to be alive....and the hair will eventually grow back to something better than this....I hope!

Hi everyone, I am exactly one year PFC today. I never thought this day would come. I do not especially like the hair I have now, but I am so happy to have any hair at all. Today was an especially good day for me because the medical center where I received my surgery, chemo, and rads had a cancer survivor celebration and luncheon today. There was an inspirational speaker who is now 55 years old, but he lost his right leg and left lung to osteosarcoma when he was in his teens. He does every kind of sport imaginable now and he never gives up hope. I am guessing he has bad days and exhausting days just like all of us, but we are all in this together for the good and the bad times. Thanks for your support.

I think I was the last straggler to finish chemo in our group! My last one was May 23.
I am going in next week for my one-month-out checkup and blood tests. It's weird to be done.

I have a tip for taming the super curly, poufy hair: After shampooing, towel dry and apply a ton of extra-hold mousse.
Then part your hair and comb it into shape. Let it air dry, do not blow it dry.

Voila, an actual hairstyle!

(p.s. I have avoided this new BCO for the last month because I feel so dismayed and betrayed by the damage they did to it.)

Agree Windlass.  I do not like this new layout at all!

Hi Ladies,

Its been a long while since I posted on the american site and on this thread, (was known by name of sarahsweety and live in the UK), but just wanted to bring you all up to date with my story and hope it inspires and brings some hope, I did chemo (last april)/surgery/rads finishing Jan this year, I already knew I had spread to lymph nodes and both lungs, basically as of the last ct scan done this May the results are and I would like to quote the dr "The results of your ct scan are very good, the stuff on your lungs is unchanged and is the same as a year ago, infact I'm not convinced that it is cancerous nodes on your lungs it could just be scar tissue from the chemo or from an unrelated flu/chest infection, the rest of the scan is clear!!!!!! As you can imagine this news has blown me away, as I've spent the past year since dx thinking that I had it on my lungs, anyway ladies (profbee, windlass, berniellen, merilee, anyone else who remembers me) just wanted to bring you up to date, sending you all big hugs and wishing continued good health for all.

Love and light

sarah xxx 

Really happy for you Sarah.  Often think of all the ladies.

Pawprint, great to hear you are doing so well.

I had my one year mammo in March and have just had a check up.  all looking good 

Hi Profbee, glad to hear you are sounding so good.

I'm doing well just a dodgy hip and breast pain.  Hubby says that's no excuse for sitting around.

Love B. 

Hi All!

It took me forever to get caught up on our b oard, as I've been away from it for so long. It was so nice to read above where everyone is in their "new normal" lives. Sarah-that was such terrific news! Windlass - I had DIEP - it was difficult to make that decision, but I am happy I did. Are you doing one? I can't recall. Just this month, I had my nipples and tattooing done. I really didn't care about doing either one. The thought of someone touching my boobs with surgical tools for cosmetic purposes seemed ridiculous, but once completed, I have to tell you - something about it - makes a big difference! I had the time off, so I figured I'd go for it. It's as if I feel somewhat normal again. I was also surprised at how much feeling I have! I have all my feeling (except the nipple area) in the left, but not a lot in my right. Windlass - if you have questions, PM me, and I will be happy to answer them. 

On another note, how does everyone feel about this new label we carry - Survivor? I am having trouble with it. I feel like the name needs to be something else. I feel as if soldiers are survivors because they made a choice. We were just handed something and plowed our way through as best as we could. When people say I am an inspiration, I think, "really? I just did what I had to because I had no other choice." At my place of employment, I have become the face of BC. It's not who I am, nor whom I want to be. Does anyone else get this feeling?? I just turned down opportunities for 2 speaking engagements. As an educator, I know it's important to educate, but...I don't know...maybe I'm just not there yet. Thoughts?