Starting Chemo April 2009

Lesley, I hope that your pain and discomfort passes soon. I totally get the feelings that you have when you look at other people. I feel it less these days, but I remember that during my BC, sometimes I couldn't even bring myself to go out because it was hard for me to see everyone just getting on with their lives. As you say, this too shall pass, and I am much better now than I was, but I do want to get my surgery over with and try and close the circle on this as much as I can. Enjoy the rest of your time away.

Helen, how are you doing today?

All is ok with me, a bit "under the weather", but generally ok. I have a wedding of 2 close friends tonight, second wedding for both, so that is nice and something exciting to look forward to.

Sending you all hugs, Judy x

Judy - enjoy the wedding!!!

Helen keep us posted ok!!!!

Thanks for the kind words Judy.  I think there was a short one year after radiation and before my reconstruction odyssey I felt it a lot less but of course was NOT enjoying my new shape.  Then the summer of 2011 I got my weight back to where it was BC (before cancer) so I could fit in my old clothes, I had hair I was feeling pretty darn good about things and THEN whammo the impants they were a rejecting so the 5 surgeries in 15 months has taken it out of me    Two were big, 12 hrs and the last 7 hrs so if you have surgery every 3 months and it takes 6-12 weeks minimum to start to feel normal I have not been normal for 15 months.  Right when I would start to feel normal I go under the knife again.........

Then a few days ago someone from the DIEP/GAP group just finished her stage 2 about 2 months ago just found out she is stage 4......she was diagnosed stage 1, then had a recurrence or second in the other breast.  Just scary because you have CT scans etc to do flaps so she was fine.  I was stage 3 then my stupid brain starts WHIRLING and I would be so sad if I spent the last two years chasing breasts and not enjoying life and then end up with metastatic disease.  Sorry not trying to bum anyone out just venting frustration.

I very rarely think of recurrence just once a year on my "cancerversary".  Then when I had all this surgery and the CT was ckear AND my clinical trial was over and I had a bone scan I knew I was in the clear 3 years.

Onward and upward it does not good to wallow in stress and negativity I do believe that contributes to poor health.

Hugs

Lesley

Home ahhhhh. Now I just have the nasty bug going around and can't tell you how wonderful coughing is with an incision around my entire torso. When you have the flaps on the hip/flank you sort of get a free butt lift and at stage 2 they make the front match the back so you get abdominoplasty ouchee but this summer I will be loving it all I am sure!



In the home stretch, just one more small procedure to form nipples then tattoos. All the big work is done. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.



I do feel compelled to help others. I know or at least I have heard some ladies have luck with implants after rads, but I do not

personally know of any, only failures, contractors, pain, etc. I would like to hear from someone who has had 30+ rad sessions and implant success over 7 years.



If there are not many or any I wish women would not choose this at all. It "seems" an easier option but I lost so much time and had 4 surgeries I could have avoided...



Have a great week ladies!



Judy keep me posted on your surgery plans I am totally here A's moral support.



Helen, big hugs hope you are doing ok, 2012 was not so great for you, me either frankly, but I have high hopes for all of us for 2013!!!

Amy I hope you are getting some R&R this holiday season. Titan hope your heart is on the mend from your recent loss : (



Anyone I forgot my best to you too! A new year is around the corner and it might be silly but it always marks a time for new chapters and new beginnings. I know we can do that any time of course, but a new year is symbolic I guess!!!



Lesley

Judy - ditto to exactly what you wrote above. You always put it so perfectly.

Love to all and onward to 2013.

(I do have to say that 2009 - the year we all were diagnosed) is really starting to seem like a long time ago - and that is a GOOD thing.)

Happy New Year Everyone!

I've been lurking but have read about Titan's sadness (sorry!), medical struggles of Lesley & Helen (hugs), stress of Amy (taking control), the fullness of life of Judy (remember to take care of yourself), Geri (you go girl) working through her single life. My how our struggles and life have changed us. To all of my sisters mentioned and not mentioned, my wish for everyone is a healthy and happy year. Hugs to all.

Betsy

Happy New Year everyone!

Ditto that Titan!

Hope everyone is doing well! Have a great weekend!

Hugs, Judy x

Hope everyone has a terrific weekend!  Amy let us know when you find out!  MY swelling is going down and my shape looks GREAT and I am drain free!!!  Just to encourage you ladies still considering some recon.  Not fun the first couple weeks but REALLY worth it.

Hugs

Lesley

Yay on the mri for you!

so ladies..now that we are approaching 4 years out...did you guys keep your wigs?  still have mine in the closet...!  

Yes I have my wig (and some scarves) in a drawer somewhere.  I guess in time maybe I will donate it. For now, I mostly forget that it is there.

I also have my wig and I subscribe to the point Leslie made - I am superstitious about donating it, as if that would be like thumbing my nose at the very idea of bc returning. Yes, it may be foolish, but I don't want to anger the gods! I did give many of my hats and scarves to a woman I knew who was going through chemo ( although I still have a few like you do Amy).

Let's pray none of us will need these again for chemo, but as Leslie said, Helen - I would be honored to give you my short reddish wig.



Geri

You ladies are too wonderful. Thank you so much for your offers. I don't want to give up yet and going back to a wig would feel like I was giving up ..... I have upped my dosage of Biotin and (I'm embarrassed to admit it) I purchased - from the Shopping Channel, a laser comb that is supposed to encourage hair growth. So I use it for 11 minutes 3 times a week and I'm hoping it will help but it might take 3 - 4 months to see a difference. I can't believe I did it and I can't believe I'm telling anyone. But if all fails ... I will come back to you. 

The dermatologist told me to take 1000 mcg 2x a day. The acupuncturist told me to take 3x that amount ... so that would be 6000 mcg. My nails are also horrible so I hope it will help my nails as well. 

Lesley, glad that you are beginning to feel better.

Amy, how exciting about the Ultrasound, please keep us posted.

Helen, nothing to be embarassed about - if you find a product that helps you, then go for it! Hope the MRI is ok on Monday...thinking about you.

I left my wig in the US - at the American Cancer Society. My sister had sent it to me from the UK. (she didn't want it back). She used it when she had BC a couple of years before me. I didn't wear it, I found it hot and uncomfortable. I did have a halo made from my own hair when I had it cut short before chemo. I hardly wore that either but still have it. I mostly used scarves. I gave most of them to the chemo suite before I left the US. I completely understand why we would hesitate to give them away though. Let's hope we never need to use any of them again...

I had a good weekend, we had dinner with friends on Friday night and a lazy day yesterday.

Hugs to you all for a great Sunday! Judy x

Titan, hope you are doing ok and that your son leaving wasn't too difficult. You did make me laugh when you wrote about cleaning his room !

Helen, how did the MRI go on Monday?

Hope you are all doing ok. Sending you all hugs, Judy xxx