Sept 2012 chemo

OMG- that is too funny!!!  Thanks ladies for something to laugh at tonight!

Thank you so much for your warm welcomes, everyone.  I look forward to being part of the conversation, here and on Facebook.  Hang in there, Mariposa.  I am thinking of you and it will get better.

Welcome, Jem!  You'll find a warm and supportive community here (or on FB).  

Kelley

We have 13 ladies in our fb group so far and loving it!

but I have an update just to make sure it is as private as possible some ladies want to be discreate and I completely respect that so when you PM me or jojo to get an invite please send both the following

Your email address along with your FB Name

This way we can be completely sure you are a sept2012 lady

Much Love!

Hey Ladies!

Today was my last radiation treatment, yes! So happy! Also so weird to think I don't have to go there everyday anymore. There is a little part of me that feels unsettled, but mostly I am really really happy to be done and moving forward. For the other rad gals, hang in there, the finish line is getting closer!

Also, got my period. It really light and at first I wasn't really sure it was happening, but it's back. I am just going to try to take it as a sign my body is continueing to recovery and bounce back from chemo and I will look forward to experienceing menopause all over again in 20 years. 

I'm going back to work on 4/8, so I am trying to squeeze in my dr appts before then...really I am sick of dr appts, but I have the time off now so... Going to my ob/gyn for a check up, the last time I was there, he told me I had cancer, so I have a lot of emotions around that, but I know I need to take care of myself. I am also getting set up with a gerneral practictioner, I never have a reg dr, just saw my ob, but I know I need one. And going to dentist. yeah, so much fun. 

And going to see my PS next week, very curious to see what he has to say about how my skin held up during rads and kinda getting ready to think about my exchange surgery, been doing a little daydreaming about getting these TES out and getting some squishies in. 

We are going to FL in a 1.5 weeks, so excited! Ready for some sunshine, warmth, and some celebrating!

Jojo- Your hair looks great! 

Toastie-I'm sorry to hear about the situation with your mom, I hope you can get her to see a dr. '

Amy- I'll looking forward to joinging the fb group, thanks for setting it up....love the name. 

Jem- welcome! 

Hope everyone is doing well! 

Forever:  I don't understand?  Why won't he do massage if you have had cancer?  That seems odd to me.  Sorry about that.  I would be disappointed too.

Cocobean:  I think if I wasn't ER positive, I would have been happy with my period coming back... but for now, I  just got my first shot to hibernate my ovaries.  Been having some horrific hot flashes all day.  Not good on top of the stupid surgery pain.  Sorry I am irritable today.  My surgeon won't do my exchange surgery until six months after I finish rads.  Is anyone else on this kind of timeline? 

Since I went into my surgery, my son has regressed and decided he is no longer pooping in the potty.  Cleaning up with expander pain and arm pit pain has been excruciating.  Uggh.  Feeling sorry for my self today. 

I actually have had a couple of massages since diagnosis but just not at this particular spa. I even have a prescription from my family doctor for massage to relieve stress since my diagnosis. The guy said sorry, it's a decision of the massage therapists at the spa. It sounds like they all jointly decided NOT to give massages to people with cancer.

Damiana, just pm me or amy with your email address! glad your finished

Forever changed, I had a couple of appointments shortly after surgery with a PT who specializes in lymphedema prevention and treatment. I was told to avoid massage on the affected arm and the chest. I wonder if the massage therapists are trying to avoid being accused of causing lymphedema (and being sued). I know there is special training for massage therapists who work with cancer patients - a woman here who runs a school brings her students (once they have learned enough) to my infusion center once a week to give free massages. I was a lucky recipient one day - it was awesome.



I haven't signed up for Facebook - call me a dinosaur... if I ever decide to take the plunge I'll join in.

Jojo can you tell us what hair dye product you used.....I am totally grey and totally scared.........but don't think I can wait much longer to get rid of the grey.....i want to be young again!

thanks

Forever--so sorry about the massage, though the lymphadema risk makes sense.  My shoulder is hurting from rads--I feel like I could use a massage right now!

Damiana--congrats on finishing rads!  Enjoy that 3 week break!

Mariposa--so sorry about the potty training.  My 6 year old has been "holding" and is terribly constipated.  I am sure that one of the reasons for it is my being in active treatment again with rads.

I met with my oncologist today and am trying to decide whether to go on Tamoxifen or Zoladex/oopehrectomy and an AI.  There's a little bit of research (from the San Antonio conference) that ER+ cancers with hi Ki67 (mine was very high) do a little better on an AI--but the research is on postmenopausal women.  I'm 46 but was premenopausal before cancer.  Although I'm not getting my period now, I feel some cramping and my hot flashes have diminished.  Anyone else trying to decide between ovarian suppression/AI and Tamox?

cocobean and damiana, yay for last rads but not yay for back to work! It has been a bit of a hiatus for appts. between chemo and surgery but next week they all start up again. Blood work is first on Monday and I am paranoid after having to be put to sleep with gas last week for the anesthetist to find a vein after the preop nurse could not. Now rethinking MO and PS advice to have port out!

Forever, sorry about the massage too. Seems that the therapists don't want any possible "issues" in their court though none of us seem to have any idea of what those issues could be. I see my PT Friday and am looking forward to hearing what he thinks. One drain out this AM but second will be in a few more days I think.

Mariposa, I think I will have my first fill on the 20th when I first see the PS post op. Not looking forward to it and glad I am still a few days away. My PS says 3-6 months minimum before exchange after rads and seemed to lean towards the 6 months. I guess that is to minimize chance of failure.

cqesq, I too LOL about the porn group. Can you imagine a calendar with us? More LOL.

cindy74, what I would do for some sun/warm! And you have left it! 

Welcome Jem!  You are not alone. 

Congrats Cocobean on the last rads!!!  Woooo Woooo Yippeee Yippeee!!!  Enjoy your trip down here.  The weather is gorgeous!

Damiana - Congrats to you too!!  Yeah!!!  Enjoy your 3-week 'vacation.'  Hair chalk?  Sounds pretty cool.

Forever-I did a lot of research on this too and I found most massage therapists won't work on cancer patients (after surgery though) due to the potential exposure to lymphedema.  I plan to search for someone local that has experience in this area.  It's a shame they won't do it before your surgery.

Mariposa-Keep the meds coming!  Hang in there!  I know the expanders suck.  Mine have been in since last July.  So tired of being in pain / being uncomfortable.

Jojo-I am so sorry you are having such difficulty with the blisters and peeling.  Sending you a big hug ... only one more to go!

Whenlife-I agree with you.  I look like I am ready to join the army too!  I don't have any time available to me either.  I used it all up - and I have to be out again for the exchange surgery.  I can't wait to plan a real vacation!

All of us in a calendar?  How grand would that be!!

Hugs to all! : )))

Cindi - Thanks for keeping the list updated.  I totally agree - This board has been a life and sanity support.

I admire everyone here!  We are awesome!

Faithfocus - You'll need a facebook account to be able to view and update the "hotties" group page.  

Here's a thought.  If you're not ready for your own personal facebook page you could opt to create a facebook account based on another name.  All you need is a valid email address to join.  If you use a different name and an email that you don't normally use then no one else will be able to easily find your page.  That'll get you into facebook without committing you to friending everyone else in your life who's already on facebook.