The Living Life Hang Out

Well, happy to report I had a better night's sleep last night!  I woke up probably 3 or 4 times, and woke up early (probably 5:30 a.m. or so) and couldn't get back to sleep.  However, the sleep I had was much more restful.

The darkened room was FABULOUS.  I've heard having complete darkness facilitates melatonin release.  Add on to that that I took one melatonin.

I used my cold pack in the pillow and switched it out during one wake up/bathroom break (using another cold pack I kept on my bathroom counter in a small cooler).  I really feel it helped soothe me and help me fall back to sleep.

So, it wasn't perfect, but definitely better.  Maybe I was just so tired from the prior several night's poor sleep that I would have zonked out no matter what.  I'm encouraged, though, and will keep doing what I'm doing!  

mlb, we talked a little about the chillow earlier in the thread.  Glad to hear your friend finds it helpful - I'm still assessing how the cold works for me and how long these things are gonna last...may invest in the chillow pending that.  Thanks!!

Hey Lisa and Stacie, I'm with you.  No one can understand how the effects of this can impact our self-image.  It is really rough sometimes.  Some effects were as bad for me as I expected and others not so.  My eyebrows/eyelash loss was not as traumatic as I thought it would be since I didn't lose all eyebrows.  My eyelashes all disappeared but I wear glasses so I don't think it was so noticeable.  They are now returning (in most places), so the time period of loss was not as much as I expected.  I gained 13 lbs on chemo and was really unhappy about it (was under the mistaken impression that I'd lose weight when I started).  I have since lost 4 lbs and think I will get back to a good weight with a little more effort.  My nails are looking uglier by the day and that makes me mad sometimes.  Why can't this be over with?  Through this I hadn't realized how much of my self-image was tied up in my hair, though...I am still struggling when I look in the mirror and see a different person looking back at me.  Is there such a thing as PTSD with BC?  I think so.  I am convinced we will all get through this and be stronger on the other side, but sometimes it is important to be able to vent when it feels overwhelming...especially to people who understand!

lisa - it's me who still has thrush, now almost 6 weeks PFC.  I had diflucan at 4 weeks PFC, and it almost went away, but at 5 wks PFC I had my Herceptin only infusion...it came back with a vengeance the day after.  Herceptin lowers your immunity some, so I suspect since I hadn't kicked it fully, and it took hold again.  I've called the doc's office today, but haven't heard back yet.  Hoping to get a full round of Diflucan to kick it once and for all.  Doc only have me one day of it before.  He is concerned about my liver, but I'm really getting sick of having thrush this long, so I'm willing to take it several days. 

kjiberty:  I take Midnight before bed with my sleeping pill and then if I wake up in the middle of the night I take it again.  I have taken midnight before without my sleeping before my dx  I like the idea of chillow.  May need to try that . Hope you sleep better

dance: sorry to hear about the thrush. Hope it clears soon.  I have taken melatonin for years to try to sleep.  You just can't take it 10 days before any surgery I am told.  There are lots of brands to try, some alot cheaper than Midnight and most of them work and it is too damn hot for herbal teas!   Oh, took my first Tamox pill in the AM because I was worried I would not sleep!! Go figure! Lol.

slak and lisa and ladies: Looking in the mirror with my hair trying to grow back makes me feel like I am in my eighties! Very few eyelashes, a wig that does not fit well. I think it hits all of us now and then. I started a book CBT for dummies!  Hoping it helps. I just take things one day at a time. 

lisa: hope you are feeling better!!

lisa2012  I will trade.  What is CPT never heard of it.  CBT cognitive behavior therapy.    Oh,  stopped ambien because it kept waking me up in the middle of the night. I am on restoril now and sleeping much better. Just FYI  You might want to take armidex in the AM if it is causing sleep issues.  There is a whole thread on Armidex also just FYI too.  I have been taking stress vitamins, magnesium and calicum for my mood swings.  Hange in there..

Stacie- Thanks for the abbreviation lesson! I guess I was close.

Hope everyone is doing well as can be expected!

kijberty: I do not think it would hurt!  Neither would melatonin for now.  Hope you find something that works for you.

dance: how are you doing with your thrush?  Hope it is better

This was my better day. Even with the pain of all my port came out today! Yipee!

Dance- Thanks!  It is a great but painful feeling to have that off my chest! LOL!  I do hope you can kick that thrush's butt!

Stacie- good for you getting your port out tomorrow!  Congrats! I do hope it is easier on you. I had to take vicodin twice today for the pain.  I was told to rest easy for three days as well.

Dance:  You will be there soon!  And we will be happy for you then too! Just one day at a time!

Sending you hugs Lisa! Don't apologize for your meltdown.... if my DH says I am sensitive one more time I am going to hit him with a nonviolent communication book!!!! I am emotional ++++ - when someone asks how I am I start to cry.... working on that! vjm

About time I check in.

My PS will take my port out when I do my exchange surgery Aug. 29th. I wish the thing was gone now but I can wait. Yay on everyone who's gotten theirs out.

I'm really hoping my year starts to get better. Some of you know that I lost my Dad last week. The funeral was yesterday. It was a good send off for him but I'm sure going to miss him.

 Got home & found a letter in the mail from my insurance company. They denied my appeal for the Oncotype testing that they refused to pay for. I'm taking the letter to my MO on Tues. Pretty much it says that in her records she sent them, she had already decided that I was doing chemo & that the test was investigative. There's $4175 that I didn't want to spend. I guess I'll wait to see what Genomic has to say about it.

Husker:  I am so sorry to hear about your dad.  Hopefully, Genomic will help you out.  I can't believe your insurance company didn't pay for the test.  It's even covered by medicare now!  Makes no sense to me.  Sending you hugs and prayers.