Has anyone started a Dec 2011 group?

I get my Tamoxifen script tomorrow.  My fingernails are fine but my toenails are a mess.  My left big toenail is gone and the right should be gone soon.  Just in time for summer....bummer!

Mardibra, I have the same tamox se's as Kelly and that is it. Don't believe what you have been reading about it be harder than that. My fingernails on my infusion side are pretty bad and I have one toenail on the cancer side which is lifted but I don't think will come off. As for head hair it is coming alond but a distance away from going

topless. Underarm hair is mia and I am quite happy about that. Leg hair is back:(. As for my period?, I hope never to see it again pls.

Good luck for those of you starting on Tamoxifen. One thing I don't have to worry about (oh, right, I'm TN, no worries there!). I hope SEs stay away.

I think I'm ready to go topless tomorrow. I 'flashed' a few co-workers Friday and they all said how great I look. I'll just keep the hat on when I'm in public (outside of work). Let hair is growing in like crazy (just shaved on Thursday and it looks like I'll have to by Wednesday if I want to wear shorts/skirt); eyebrows are pretty much fully restored; eyelashes are GORGEOUS - double layer, almost; underarm hair is back, but less so on my SNB side, oddly enough; oh, then there's the chin hair. AAAGGHH!!!! No period back yet. I sort of hope mine comes back; I'm not ready to hit menopause yet, because my family has such a strong history of osteoporosis. I've taken calcium for years, but I'd rather put it off a few years.

I hope everyone has a great week. 

I'm with you Julie.  I colored mine over the weekend thinking if I at least got rid of the grey I would feel comfortable enough to go topless.  It looks different, but I still can't ditch the wig.

I went in for my Herceptin today and I almost went topless but then threw on my scarf. I mean, if I can't go to the stupid infusion center without covering my head, then I'm obviously not ready I look like I'm growing a mullet. It's longer and curling up in the back, but still really short and thin in the front. On my way to the plastic surgeon for a TE fill. I'm definitely not going topless there, wouldn't want to scare the ladies getting their botox

Whata - yes, I do have some good hair growth.  It's coming in nice and thick. . . still very short, but also chemo curls (I'm just happy to have some hair)!  I've been working throughout treatment.  My employer is so supportive and wonderful.  I couldn't imagine NOT working through treatment. . . I needed my people!  There is another group of ladies on here - Taxotere/Cytoxan December - planning a get together in Willow Valley PA in July.  The women on this BO site are truly amazing!  I could have NEVER done this without all of your support!

Kelly - I agree with Whatashocker and her posting about living life.  I truly believe that our minds will play tricks on us for the rest of our lives.  Hopefully the games will lessen as time goes on, but for now the wounds are fresh.  The smallest ting will set me off and I think, wow, it truly is still VERY close to the surface.  Some of the ladies in the other group had been posting information on PTSD as it relates to diseases.  I believe we all have some post traumatic stress in our lives from this diagnosis. 

Markat - bummer about your period coming back!  I, too, haven't had one since December.  I'm 44 years old and am hoping it WON'T come back.  I've been taking Tamoxifen since May 29^th and have pretty much SE-free.

Mardibra, how you doing with the hair growth. I have been on tamox for about 6 wks with my side effects being night sweats and hot flashes. I hope you have the same or less in terms of se. Did you go on your holiday to your brothers home?

ARUBA?  Oh gosh, that's my favorite.  My mom, dad, hubby and I traveled there a few years ago.  It was my dad's favorite vacation.  Now that he's no longer with us, I hold those memories so near and dear.  Where are you staying?  We stayed at the Tamarijn - low rise.  We literally walked out of our room and onto the beach.  HEAVEN!

My hubby and I are taking a cruise in November.  We will be on the cruise for the one-year anniversary of my lumpectomy.  I may take something with me and throw it off the balcony.  Shhhhh, don't tell Carnival! 

I'm jealous of the vacations! We were able to go on a cheap one in February, but I was still getting chemo so not so enjoyable.



Are you guys shaving your neck hair around the back hairline? Like the hair that would be shaved if you had short hair? It's growing like crazy and I feel like I should. Too bad it's not in the front.

Good luck Mardibra! Let us know how it goes.

Well I now have a fake left big toenail. My manicurist is my new hero! However, I thought it was only my big toes that were going to fall off...wrong! She said all of them are going to go and she sees lots of new growth. The smaller nails have less to grow sothey are almost back to normal (after the old ones pop off). The two big toes were so gross....black and yellow. Ewww. The right one is hanging on for dear life...thought it was ready to be popped off but I guess not. Freaking chemo! The gift that keeps on giving. I've had fake nails forever so I've never noticed if they were going....I guess that's a good thing. I bought some drugstore hair dye today for my 1/4 hair. Looks like I should hold off?

Omg...me too! Im like an old lady I'm hoping it will subside but I don't think it will. I have my final rads next week. Two on Monday and final on Tuesday. The last 10 days have been killer. The fatigue is bad. Nothing like chemo but not far off either.

Orange...hmmm...not a good color for me. I'm going to make an appointment with my stylist. Have not seen her for ages.

Whatashocker - Thanks. My BF took it at Relay for Life.

I'm planning on sticking around bco for a while but if anyone wants to find me on Facebook, just PM me and I'll send the link. 

Hi Ladies,

I had my chemo at the same time as all of you. Finished in early February. I wish I'd found these boards sooner, but even after the fact, it's so reassuring to know we're all still experiencing a lot of the same things.

Rachelvk - I have redness where my port was. I had it on my chest and upper arm while the port was in, and sometimes the skin was noticeably warmer. I took antibiotics and the warmness went away. But, 3 months after removing the port, I still have redness. I also have some swelling in that arm. One doc thinks I might have superficial blood clots (I've been checked for dvt), another thinks it's some sort of lymphedema (even though it's the opposite side)....I'm going to make an appointment with my BS and see what she thinks. I feel the scarring inside like you do, too. So many weird little things that stick around. I'll be interested to hear what your docs have to say.

Hope you're all well and enjoying the summer so far!