2012 sisters

KJ:  woo hoo!

That always makes me laugh and smile that clip... definitely a happy dance.

Tazzy.....too funny....just what we need for a quick pick me up.

Tazzy:  Love it.  It made my day!

YAYYY Lexie! So happy for you! Are you doing rads too?

Question(s) of the day: Is chemobrain a real phenomenon? If so, what is it? Did you experience it (or if still in treatment now, are you experiencing it)? And if so, how did you cope with it?

I am currently having problems multi-tasking and concentrating on complex topics. I really need to be able to do this for my job. My husband compared it to a faulty spark plug--I can have a good day of work, I can solve a crossword puzzle, things seem to be going well and then suddenly I have trouble even comprehending an email. I jump to the next one thinking I'll come back to the prior one, but my mind wanders when I try to read the next one. Sometimes everything's running well, sometimes the spark plug is blocked up with carbon gunk. 

Looking for any suggestions anyone might have. 

tyes rads will start 6 weeks after surgery.

Chemo Brain yes it is real..I have it sometimes the best blog to read about it is at http://chemo-brain.blogspot.com/

Chemo brain exists - I am testament to that.  Sometimes I use to my advantage with my DH    I mean, why not.  Gotta get some positive from this crap.  post-it notes have become my best friend.

http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/planning/ask_expert/2008_10/question_02

Stride - absolutely! MSK in NJ actually had a seminar about it. Wanted to go but forgot! I know - bad joke!

I found that using the note pad app on my iPhone if I'm out is helpful (specially since I can talk to it) or when I'm home I am the post it queen. Love them to begin with! Think I'm going to have some made up at vista print with the ribbon and 2013 survivor on it! February 15 was my mammo and March 8 is the day I got the results of my biopsies telling me I have (had) cancer. So that will be my present to myself. Yes I will celebrate that day because it'll remind me how strong I am. Besides who doesn't like a party!

Enjoy the snow this weekend!

Karen

Stride, I was very foggy and 'out of it' during and immediately after chemo ended. Now, 8 months later, the only thing that really bothers me, is that I often cannot immediately recall/remember names of people or places. I also sometimes struggle to find words that I have known and used all my life. Like your husband said, we're not firing on all cylinders. Most of the time the name or word will come to me in a few minutes or so, but it is annoying. 

Lexie:  Doing the happy dance for you!

Hello Ladies



Man I need to get on this thread more often!



Lots of you finishing treatments! Happy Dance for you!



For all of you still dealing with treatments - I hope SE are minimal!



I will get on here more often too been lurking on 2013 thread and can't seem to keep up with everyone but know I am thinking about you!



I am post exchange surgery by one week and so far doing really good. I had no pain after surgery and getting those rocks out was awesome! Herception final date is April 27th! No scans scheduled yet but I am always going to be anxious about those!



I will catch up on thread and everyone here!



Hugs!



Michelle

Thanks for the chemo brain thoughts, ladies. I guess I need to buy a boatload of Post-It notes. I wonder how much of 3M's profit comes from cancer survivors! Hope everyone who received a visit from Nemo is safe and warm today.

Hey Ladies. Haven't been here in awhile. Been super busy. Its gonna take me awhile to catch up here!!!

Had my last chemos Feb 1. Not feeling satisfied with its completion though as I still have Herceptin till October still. Maybe also as Im not completely out of that chemo side effects yet.
I met with the RO today. He says At least 30 Rads. I start Feb 25.  Question for ya'll...What creams did you use/try on your skin for radiation? Did you burn? Which creams were the best? Worst? Anything I should know?

Hi Miranda, There are a budle of radiation threads here: http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/70

The WinterRads 2012 covers 2012 into 2013. I think it was just started in December 12? anyway, I've been hanging out over there a bit. There are a variety of aloe-based creams and things that many people use for the skin and swear by. I have a sensitivity to aloe so I used california baby super sensitive everyday lotion most of the time. When I needed something thicker (nipple protection) I used Weleda calendula ointment. The rads nurses gave me some little tubes of aquaphor which was ok but I preferred the Weleda as it seemed to calm itching and such better - that is what calendula is supposed to help with. There are some other brands of calendula cream that I see referred to her, Boiron is one I think. I also used sea buckthorn oil on my weekends and days off. it's very high in anti-oxidants and I didn't want to interfere with the radiation so I didn't use it all the time but that stuff has serious healing properties on me.

I'm on tamoxifen too. I've been checking in the hormonal therapy section: http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/78

I had weight loss initially on tamo from a dampened appetite and queasiness. Those sensations are not entirely gone but I've only been on tamo since Nov. 28, 2012. I have not been losing for a few weeks now which is good. I think the tamo combined with radiation made the queasiness more pronounced. I have not noticed a lot of other side effects. it's hard to sort out emotional rollercoaster stuff as being from one thing or another but the tamo contributes a bit I think. Some women experience different side effects the longer they are on the stuff too. fab, huh?  >_<

p.s. I almost forgot to mention, the hot flashes that tarted with chemo are still around... sigh... wake me up at night yes but I can usually go back to sleep.