2012 sisters

Thanks ladies Tazzy and 2friedeggs - I need that today! and of course my dog would decided to have an major accident on my white carpet so guess I have no choice but to get motivated to clean up that mess! For the love of pete and yuk! my house smells like .... I am going to need a big ole bottle of wine after today! ok maybe a glass but dreaming about the bottle! any dam tips on how to get this out of my carpet LOL

Chrissera - I had a friends who had to do that a few times during chemo to boost REC and they did not say anything negative about it but sorry I don't have much experience. I am sorry to hear you have to go through this.

 Juneaubugg - trying to make that appointment to cut my hair was the hardest part but glad you are going to make it an event with friends as it helped me a lot to do that. Sorry to hear about you being scared for chemo and understand as it is not fun but I am a big weeny so if I can do it so can you:) I had never in my life had an IV till  this journey and needles scared the heck out of me and still do more than some of the other stuff. depending on your treatment decision - Tazzy has some good advice on chemo above.

Lots of love to all!

chrissera, I had a transfusion last Monday. I had shortness of breath and I was just exhausted. I actually dropped to my knees at the grocery checkout the day before. I went in for my normal neupogen shot and when they checked my counts, they kept me right there and did the transfusion right away.  I slept through the whole thing! They offered me a bed or recliner and due to exhaustion, I chose the bed!  I walked out of there a different person.  My nurse said I might not feel better until the next day, but it was almost immediate for me.  Please don't be afraid.  The hardest part is the IV or being stuck in your port. 

Juneau - totally missed your post (4 hours ago) as we must've posted at the same time.   Good for you on the hair cutting party - keeps you in control.

Chrissera:  good luck tomorrow.  Please keep us posted.

Mcook... oh! dear naughty doggie.  Have you tried that Oxi-Clean or stain remover at all?    I'll happily share that bottle of wine with you

Hope you can all manage to enjoy your Friday's and weekends.   DH & I are off out tonight with friends for Music in the Park (local bands) and dinner.  Then tomorrow off to a friends for a bbq - I am doing dessert, strawberry layered cheesecake.

liefie... thank you for your wise words.   Its just so frustrating eh?  After my chemo finished I just feel as though I've been left hanging.   I know I haven't, or any of us have.   Its just that for the past six months my life has been every 3 weeks chemo and knowing how it will pan out...now I just sit and wait.  

And as I wait, I bake or garden or read... although I find reading hard as my concentration for that wanders terribly now.   Gardening is good, the baking not so much - least for my butt. 

And that is what I keep telling myself liefie - there will be time to diet when all this is over.... just as I finish making a plum pie.  The wedding sounds wonderful and so happy you were able to enjoy yourself to the fullest.   Indulging is good therapy

Cindyl:  Doing the happy dance for your friend... and you of course.   Group hugs.   What wonderful news.

Vballmom1 - your thread just reached 1002 posts - woo hoo and thank you so much for starting.

chrissera : for now have you tried protein drinks like boost or ensure?   Also if you have access to one through your cancer centre ask to speak to your cancer nutritionist.   Still try and drink plenty of fluids.  good luck.

Happy weekend all xx

Welcome back lostinmo...... glad you are home.  Everyone says the same that they have more issues with their underarm than the actual mx - and the drains.  Rest up and check in when you can.

Thanks for offering to make that sacrifice - I should find another distraction really, but unlikely to happen. 

I am trying to get some pictures of my garden on here...but they wont seem to copy over... I'll keep trying.

Take care and positive vibes for a good recovery.

Welcome ckolendar - sorry you have to be here, but you've landed at a great spot with lots of support and comfort.

Cant help you on the TE's I'm afraid.   I lost my brows and lashes (all other hair went with A/C except them) when I was on taxotere... didn't notice them going, just suddenly they were gone.  I am  4 weeks PFC and they haven't grown back yet.   I am assured by all my health team that they will return - no timelines as everyone is different.   I did have to chuckle at your post though with the Cptn. Kangaroo and Groucho Marx brows.   I dont know how they grow back... I'll keep you posted when mine start.

Maybe someone else will come along and let you know.

its one heck of a roller coaster ride for sure.  Hang in there - we're in this together, no holds barred either.  Whatever you are feeling share and we'll be there for you.

welcome back Lostimo yep the underarm and numbness of the back of arm from the nodes was the worst for me too; not bad but just worse than the other surgery. I still have some occasional arm numbness and its been 5 months since my node surgery. Aren't the drains a nuisance; they are just bulky too made me feel real thick around the waist and with 2 fried effs for fooobs the thick waist didn't help my figure. lol Now I see you talking about icecream since you had to go mention it.lol (that won't do much for my figure either, oh well)

mccook301 ohhhh stinky. Yea that's tough. My dog did that once and my son called me while I was out and told me about it. I said just get some tissue and pick it up. He said Mom you never saw anything like it. I was so aggravated with him for saying he couldn't clean it up until I got home and saw what he meant. I never saw anything like it. It took me forever to clean it and get it up with my floor scrubber. It bothered me for a while just knowing it had been there so I eventually got hardwood lol. The dog never had another accident since-guess he doesn't like wood!  

ckolendar glad you found our group but sorry how and why. Boy you move fast which is really a blessing in disguise. I have gone thru testing, biopsies, mris, lumpectomies and nsdmx since last September. It wasn't until my lumpectomy the end of January that they found my idc. I can't help you at all hairwise as I didn't have chemo but your comment about the unibrow cracked me up. Heck some people have SO many brows, wild and unruly, it's a shame they can't donate some for the cause. I do however know exactly what you mean by the odd shape of the expanders. I had a nsdmx so I thought mine reminded me of 2 fried eggs (hence my name). I have had several fills since though, and now they are the twin peaks; SOOOO hard and heavy. They make it nearly impossible to sleep with now; I'm afraid they are going to crush my ribs while I'm sleeping. lol I am having a few healing issues but hopefully I will have my exchange in September. I can't wait. So I will have pointy madonna boobs to look forward to? I read in the exchange posts about a "drop and fluff" period before the implants look like they are supposed to. So I guess we have yet another time to look weird. I hope mine don't drop too far but that they get real fluffy. ofcourse I have no idea what fluffy boobs look like so I better watch what I ask for right? 

Groucho Marx brows!  haahaahaaa  Great visual on that one!

Tazzy - you're so good at keeping up with all the posts and new people, I'm lucky if I can keep up with what day it is and my chemo hasn't even started yet!  ^5's ya

Met with my MO today, she's completely AWESOME!  Camp Chemo will run 12 weeks - ACT with Tamoxifen/Femara for 5yrs afterwards.  I picked up some head coverings today as wigs have zero appeal to me.  It is crazy to be looking forward to NOT having to fuss with my hair for a few months?  LOL  Now I may opt for fake lashes... and I know I shouldn't have been surprised to see them, but the wig place also had fake eyebrows.  Definitely the humorous part of this journey...

Now if I could get my mom to calm down, I'll be good.  She wants to know everything but everytime I fill her in, she cries.  She cried over my incisions, she cried over the need for a port and I know she's crying over how long I will be involved with Camp Chemo.  My mom is normally a very strong person and I know its selfish, but I need her strength right now.  Her heartache is breaking mine  It tears me up that I'm making her cry.  And not telling her isn't an option, she went off when I tried to withhold info.

*hugs* to all and welcome to the new ladies! 

I am new to this thread but I had to share this!!!

Tonight was my first time to go out in public with no wig, scarf or hat since the first weekend in February.  I did get some stares since there aren't too many women who have crewcuts these days but it felt so liberating.  I was so sick of covering my head!!! 

 My son said "Mom, do you know you don't have anything on your head?" and I told him I knew but that it was OK and that I was ready!!! My bestfriend told me I looked beautiful and my husband said I looked fine!  I got through it and it was OK.  My one friend said "You look good but I could never pull it off."  I wasn't sure how to take that comment because it wasn't so much about looking good or bad but more about being so tired of always having something on my head when I left my house!!! 

 Anyway, thanks for letting me vent and if I was an encouragement to someone out there who is considering leaving the house without her head covered, then I'm glad I could help!!!

Hi all.  While I have come to the discussion boards quite a bit over the last month, this is my first post.  The help and support here is awesome!  I just had my JP drain removed yesterday afternoon.  My armpit has been sore for a few days and I assumed it was due to the drain; however, last night and this morning it has become painful and tender to the touch and there is some swelling.  The area is not warm to the touch and I do not have a temp.  Has anyone else experienced this after having a drain removed? 

I took a real shower all by myself just like a big girl!!! I even shaved my legs (the bottom half) and washed my hair (upside down). And I put a real shirt on all by myself. I think we might have to cut it off tonight to get me out of it. But I feel like a real person! Off to a family birthday party later on today nice and clean and in my real clothes. Just look a bit flat chested...

Here's to a lovely day for all of you. Hope some sunshine and happiness comes your way.

jpmom - thinking of you as you prep for surgery, and all others scheduled to go this week.