Sept 2012 chemo

Today is day 4 I am still very out of it due to pain meds I tried to slack off a bit but I soon realized it wasnt time yet. My PS did an amazing job his work looks amazing. I just look deflated once im full I except to look great

I have to say when I woke.from surgery I was in extreme pain I thought it was more.painful than giving birth but once it was under control it has only gotten better. Each day I get better range and am moving more and more.

Just a tip for any of you who have had issues or are afraid of constipation issues I ate the fiber one chewy bars with 35 grams of fiber and it worked fast and well!.

I went home with three drains one of which I think will come out tuesday since it hasnt produced much since the beginning.

I am off to get a sponge bath then a nap. Much love ladies!

Amy, rest as much as possible. Each day you will gain strength. Curious, for NS surgery, where are your incisions?



Well I am seeing some rads changes, my boob looks pinker and swollen. No hot spots or itching however. I have been using Miaderm and Aquaphor many times daily. I had more energy last week, hoping that continues.



I actually combed my hair today! Not that it needed it, but was a glorious feeling it was.



Hoping for a good week for all.

Amy,

Hope your pain soon lessens.  Sound like you have a wonderful hubby!  Thanks for the tip on the Fiber One bars.  I need to try them.  I have constipation with the Xeloda, one of the few side effects I have. 

Terri, I did TC and my last taxotere was on 12/19 so we are pretty close on timing.  After buzzing my head I had slight stubble left here and there but it never grew in between treatments like some others report having.  Last week was when I first noticed that my head was starting to fill in; very slight but finally noticeable.  The sides seem to be very, very sparse, the top has a bit more. 

I was convinced, and am still extremely nervous, that I was that 6% also.  Hopefully, this week will be the week for you; do you have a dark shadow under the skin at all? I noticed a bit of that before the hair came through.

I hope you see it soon, I completely understand how you must be feeling about it.

I’ve been meaning to stop in and say hello to my long lost September ladies.  And share a belated valentine.  I just love this.  Hope you enjoy it too.  http://youtu.be/hqMENnaABFk

I’ve been over in the surgery threads for a while now, consumed with pre-surgery stuff (what to do, who will do it, how to do it, who will do my work while I’m gone, what has to be done, what can wait, what to do with the puppy, rearranging the house to below shoulder level - basically it was like trying to wrap up my life and put a bow on it).  Had left MX on Monday w/TE.  No one was a fan of keeping the nipple, so off you go.  Surgery went well, and pathology came back clean nodes, margins clean.  Off heavyduty painkillers on day 3.  So far, so good.  But I now understand what everyone says about these tissue expanders.  It’s not unlike having a piece of concrete strapped to your chest.   And my armpit is completely numb – hadn’t expected that, and not sure why that is – anyone?

There’ve been so many posts, with such good info, some made me laugh, and others tugged at my heartstrings.  Hope every day finds you all in a better place, mentally and physically. 

Amy – Enjoy that recliner, and pain meds.  Every day seems to get better, right?

Patricia – Love the comment about smoothies in Las Vegas.  Sign me up.

Hi Ladies,

Just back from a weekend at Mont Tremblant (a ski resort not far from here). Had a marvelous time and was so pleased I could ski almost like I did last year! In October, when I hardly was able to walk upstairs at home I sure didn't think I'd be skiing with DH and the kids this winter! I'm not even sore after 2 days skiing. The gym must have helped. I find my attitude to some things have changed for the better. I'm less nervous about stuff that wound me up in the past, less afraid of things that just don't seem scary or embarrassing anymore (black diamond runs) and more game for all sorts of stuff (tubing) I guess I'm thinking "I feel good right now, I have a chance to try this so why the heck not?" In the past I would have fretted and fuzzed far more about the kids too. I was pretty chilled all weekend.



Patricia, I have l lost a measly 4lb. But I have more muscles and I'm much more flexible. The diet went out the window this weekend. I even had a glass of red wine! I have decided to allow myself one a week if I'm good otherwise. Your dragon boat team looks awesome! There is a dragon boat team here in Ottawa as well. Only 1 more taxol!



Cheerio, Jojo and all you other girls doing rads, I so hope you make it to the end without bad skin reactions. Keep lubing and don't use soap on the skin.



Forever, I was also told to stay off the green tea during treatment. Something to do with how the antioxidants help repair cells and when you are trying to kill cells you don't want that.



Amy, so happy your surgery went well and that you have good cosmetic results.



Whenlife, good to hear from you!



Toastie, congratulations on finishing rads!



Mariposa, About the lack of comforting words from your surgeon, I find so many Drs just don't want to give a straight answer when asked about prognosis. My MO only spoke to me once about it. He was so cold and matter of fact when he told me about my % risk and chance of survival. My RO didn't say anything at first but gave me some very encouraging words during rads. I don't know why some Drs are so hesitant to give us hope and comfort! Remember all the times other Drs have told you your prognosis is good instead. I have this list of positive things about my diagnosis and prognosis that my Drs have told me, names of long term survivors I know of and words of hope from survivors I know that I run through in my head whenever the dark thoughts pop up. It helps me.

Hey ladies..............i hope everyone is doing great.....its been a crazy weekend for me ...........emotions every where ....feeling happy sad nervous...hot flashes.....cold front...had an amazing saturday with DH......but inside i was feeling sad for us cause he said that he would love to  pretend that this is not happening ...that all this was not true and he hated that fact i had to go through this he said he would of taken my place any time.........i told him that everything is going to be ok cause im strong........really...really.....i am really scare for the pain that i have to endure just like most of us here......i hope and pray that the pain goes away quick.....i have my appt...with my BS and i still dont know what to ask.....i guess not much ....since i heard she the best ...i will still look and see what to ask but if you ladies give some ideas cause im to nervous to even think about it ...my DH is coming with me tomorrow so i will probably be crying...........next week i will be getting ready with all the pre-surgery things that i will need......

I will stay strong when the time comes...........its just now that i need fueling ......i love you my sisters for always being here me!!!!!

the good news is that i have lots of hair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!..........also should i start taking biotin now or after my last taxol!!!! which is this Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!! .........i will be wearing my warrior outfit.........

So on Saturday i was with my SOS.....and they all have been through surgery and chemo radiotion..and they look so awesome.....i will be with them every Saturday.....to get the rest of my strengh i need.......it was nice to be out there in the oceon and just breathing fresh air .....while we all paddle i closed my eyes and just felt that nice air on my face....thank God for making me strong and asked him to continue to keep me strong.........We are strong here .....im so proud of all my sisters that have and are going through all this......i cant wait to see you all in Vegas..........im getting my tickets soon!!!!.........Jojo dont forget 

Neta69...really skiing whoooo hoooo...... that cold air must of been so awesome......i plan to do that for Christmas in Colorado with my family........even though my sister just got back from skiing ....she is so bruised lol......ill stick to the bunny hill

ohhhh Amy i feel so much on your heelsssss..........ill let you Know tomorrow about surgery.............not ready though........

I will send a longer little message soon... but for now I have an important quick question for everyone...

I have decided that I should buy a recliner.  With my kids getting in bed with me every night- I don't think I will be safe in the bed for a while.  But had some questions...

Would you recommend a bigger seat or a smaller seat???  I wasn't sure if too much room would be a bad thing or a good thing.  I have a couple of recliners that I am trying to decide between.  I really wanted a power recliner, but it is impossible to find one made with environmentally friendly foam.  So, now I am worried if it is too big, it might be super difficult to get out of.  But if it is too small, will all my pillows fit in it?   I want to buy it asap so I can get it sent out super fast. 

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!

Jojo, Neta and Bearcub - No hair.  One more taxol Wed. and then a month off before rads.  I would love an eyebrow.  I paint them on with a brush and mascara.  Very shaky.  I keep on the wig.  keep us posted. You give us hope. 

Englishrose – How is the economy doing across the pond?

Forever – Rest. recover. we are going to feel better. 

Mariposa!!  How is the art doing?  Haven't had a chance to look at the blog.

Jojo – After 11 Taxol I sit during the songs at church.  No energy. but the oncologist insists that in two months I will feel a lot better,

A week ago the skin over my nuckles and one hand got swollen, red, rough, itchy, sore.  Onc didn't seem to have a clue.  Nothing different about soaps, cream. hand sanitizer.  Onc gave me steriod pills, but after reading side effects, bad for infection resistance, and althought one nepogen a week, wbc low.  Will take a few.

I'm only taking vitimins, calcium  with D.  No supplements regularly.  I eat anything I can stand to-- Still not nuch appetite.

Patricia – I can eat potatoes baked or mashed when nothing else seems good.

Amy – Be good to yourself.  Hang in there. Hugs

Mariposa –Good luck with the sugery.  It should go well.

Toastie  ,I start rads March 20.  Will stash pain meds.  All advice appreciated.  Anyone else starting then?

Faith,  I admire your walking..  I feell like my muscles have attropied.  I can barely go 100 feet holding on to dh.  My goal for the 4 weeks off cheno iis to get up to a mile

JoJo  just try to find rewards that aren't fatning.  I got a new windows 8 computer while HP had them on sale and I am hooked on the daily majong challenge.  Horrid time killer.

Oh yes,  Netflix has British/South Africa tv series,  Heart of Africa (I think it's called)  We love it.  Africa animals, good story, interesting charaacters.  One a night for us retirees.  I think there are over 60 episodes, and we have onlty seen about 30.

Hugs,  No SE.  Hair, beaten cancer for all.

Also: I *heart* Cindi!! I swear I feel your calming vibes through your posts. Thank you!

Hi Mariposa-We had 2 recliners.  One was smaller than the other.  I started off in the smaller one and soon decided to try the larger one.  Glad I made the switch to the larger one.  My pillows kept falling off, our (small) dog could not even sit with me (no room for her) and the hot flashes!!!  They seemed more miserable being in a smaller chair.  Both are manual (handles on one side).  As Hope mentioned, it is difficult at first to get in/out of, but it will be temporary and you may want room to draw.  My DH had to "open the chair" for me once I scooted in and got ready for bed.  Closing the chair was so much easier-used my legs, and then my core to get me up.

Cindi-So good to hear from you.  Slowly but surely, you're strength will return.  I'm still struggling with that, but I also think it has something to do with my work schedule too.  We are okay!!

Forever-Over time, I was able to recline all the way back.  It ended up being much more comfortable for me.  I was stretched out, but not all the way.  Due to the BMX and TE, it was good for me not to be completely flat.  I tried the wedge (in the bed), but it did not work.  DH had to help me everytime.  Getting in/out of the recliner, I felt I had more control (used my legs and core a lot).   I slept in the recliner from July-December of last year (through surgery recovery and then through treatment).  Finally forced myself into the bedroom (due to company coming) over the holidays.  Even today, I still prop pillows up to help me get in/out of bed.   TE still uncomfortable and like Hope, I prop pillows around me.  I can't wait for the exchange!!     Thank goodness about your ears.  I can't imagine!  We've had a cold front here these past few days.  It's been 45' in the morning and I'm struggling with that!! : )

Today I am home due to President's Day.  I am so glad.  Going back to work has been so hard for me.  I'm supposed to be working 1/2 days, but once I am there, it just does not happen.  People look at me - I look fine - so I must be fine, right?  I am so tired of the ones that do know about my experience, telling me how great I look. I wonder if they saw me bald, it might sink in more.  Scary thought though...I don't know when I'll be brave enough to go in without hair. Tomorrow I HAVE to leave early to go see my MO.  Thank goodness I'll be forced to go!  This will be my first follow-up since my last treatment. 

Hugs to all!  : )))

Florbo-Thanks for the sites that you get recipes from.  I am going to check them out.  : )))

Forever...I never reclined fully back right away. It was easier to be halfway sitting up, otherwise, being flat would pull on my chest. As Faith said, I would use my core (Abs) to get out of the recliner cause you shouldn't use your arms. I was amazed at how well my fat old tummy worked. It just knew it had to take over! Lol

The wedge is a pillow designed for side sleepers that slips under your back so you can lean your back against it so your not fully on your side. I just use pillows.



Cindi...Keep hanging in there. You will feel better when your done with chemo. I could tell a difference after three weeks. My legs worked better and no more bone pain. My DH and I are into Netflix as well. We will have to look at the African series.



JoJo...I heard that you can't dye your hair for at least six months after chemo as it will turn orange or green. I really don't want to go out in public either with the gray. My DH doesn't want me to dye it anymore. But when it comes to my hair, I don't listen to him! Lol



Neta.. You snow bunny! Good for you. I Agree, I want to try and do things now that I may have passed by.

Mariposa- I rented a recliner from rent-a-center.  I had it for about 2/3 weeks and it cost me $60.  It had a lift on it so I had a little remote control that would lay the chair down as well as stand me all the way up!  It was awesome!  They dropped it off and picked it up for free.  When I have DIEP done I will be renting the chair again.  If you do buy one, you should keep some things in mind- are you having a double or just one side?  If just one, then make sure the handle to recline the chair is on the opposite side!  Bigger seat would be better because you will have a lot of pillows!

Hair- My last treatment was 12/19, around the sides and back I have maybe 1/4inch new growth and it isn't very thick.  On the top I have pretty much NOTHING!  Sooooo basically I have the same hairstyle as my balding husband except that his is much longer    It is driving me crazy that I have nothing on top.  Ugh!  And I know herceptin slows things down- this does not make me happy!

Radiation- it is going well, I am slightly less tired than I was right at first.  Also I am not really burning, but definately pinking up.

bras- I can't really wear a bra right now because of the radiation.  BUT, I only had a UMX, so I still have 'old floppy' and my TE is fully expanded but WAY higher than old floppy.  It has been driving me crazy, so I ended up making a one boob bra!  hahaha!Holds up old floppy, but leaves the other side alone- makes them look pretty even.  Yeah!

Terri - Yes, talk to your MO.  Please don't give up hope about the hair.  I've been taking biotin too and it is very slow growing.  Our bodies have been through just so much.  Each area is destined to re-bound differently.  I should be feeling stronger by now and I still feel like a slug.  Take a deep breath.  It is going to be okay.

: )))