Starting chemo November 2012

Well Junebug next time the opportunity arises, pull off that wig and throw it at her ..(guess you won't have to worry any longer, she'll throw you out.. Boy I can get nasty when I'm sitting behind a computer but you know what - she deserves it and I love your idea.... I also love the plan you and your husband came up with......You go girl and you know we are all behind you.... Love Tricia

Junebug, as bad as this is, when a person doesn't look sick, people don't take it seriously. You wear a nice wig, probably makeup, and you're young and pretty. So, they think you already have this all behind you.



I'm amazed at what I have found out about BC since being diagnosed. I thought BC is BC is BC. Never in a 1000,000 years did I have any idea how extensive it is.....the different types, causes, stages, treatments, SEs, chances for recurrence.



Chances are, they don't have a clue either. So, it may look like they are uncaring (though your boss sounds like a real Bi Otch).



Go in one day without makeup..wear a scarf instead of a wig..look like you're ready to barf on her. Oh heck..go ahead and barf on her, even if you have to chew a pack of crackers and spit them in her lap.



Blessings

Paula

Paula, good luck with that nasty woman! Sneaky - yes, exhaustion and aches and swollen legs grew for me - and are just now subsiding (not the fatigue) 7 weeks PFC. Rads make every day busy and if I nap I cant get any work done. My nails are finally done bleeding adn starting to lift off so I cut them  - and bought gloves. Onc sent me to dermatologist who says no nailpolish have to watch for infection. But he suggested a 1:5 vinegar to water dip daily - better than hydrogen peroxide. No hair growth the speak of but still night sweats.

Oh ELeni, I think if you with all these issues, so not fair! I get my port flushes every three weeks when I do the infusiosn - til November.

 I don't get back here as often as I want to - partly because I have more specific questions for other taking the same drugs, so computer time runs out, but if you are on FB, please friend me at leslie lehr or like me at authorleslielehr so we can keep up the support and encourage others to sign on with breastcancer.org - it would have been so hard without it, right?

Oh, hair!  On another link people are taking LOTS of Biotin, anyone have an opinion on the amount daily? Dont we just pee it out? 

xo

sickofpink/Leslie

Mafe Good luck with your surgery, we will all be here praying and supporting you.  I am from South Jersey 30 miles from Atlantic City, 30 miles from Philadelphia...I know soooo many people who have or had breast cancer and it's scary.  I often wonder if it's because we live in a farming area "The Garden State".  So many people in NJ have cancer of one kind or another and it seems everyone who found out I had breast cancer  either had it or knows someone who did - heck the statistics are 1 in 8 right?  Most of them are survivors - just like us!!!!!!  Last fall I walked in the Making Strides in Ocean City and I plan to do it again... My guess is your from North Jersey....Well?

Thank you, Tricia (5LuvBugs). Yes, I'm from the northern part of NJ. I never knew how many women are affected by the disease (breast or other types of cancer for that matter) until I was diagnosed. A few years ago I lost a co-worker, whom I admired so much, to BC. Years after here I am... on the same boat. Whew!

I'm not really looking forward to my surgery (mastectomy) on Tuesday next week. It's not so much about the procedure itself but the psychological effect it may have on me after of not having a real breast (no sensation and all). It can be devastating... I already am actually. I'd like to hold on for the next few days. Yeah, there's reconstruction but it will never be the same...

Then there's radiation and hormonal therapies to follow for 5 weeks and 10 years respectively. It sucks but what are our options?

Mafe, I had a umx with immediate rconstruction with T/E on March 5. Really, there was never any consideration in my case of a bmx as there was no sign of any BC in the left breast. It is such an individual decision but for me I am now glad to have one "real" breast with sensation not to mention how much more difficult recovery etc. would have been with both. 

Thanks txjunebug and marianelizabeth for sharing your insights and experiences with BMX and UMX respectively. While the surgery is a personal decision, hearing from others help a lot. I am crying inside, but I feel confident this is what's right for me... at least for the time being. My gene testing came out negative. Who knows what's down the line for me... we can only hope and pray this is it!

Thanks again for all your support. God bless us all!

Praying for you Mafe and Keetmom - positive thoughts for your surgeries   Junebug also sending positive thoughts and prays for your daughter Michelle & you  - try not to think too deep, it will make you crazy... Mariana hope your recovering quick and feeling better.  Take Care girls

Tricia

Sending good thoughts and prayers for MAFE, who had surgery yesterday and Keetmom who has surgery on Friday and  Anyone else who has recently had or will have surgery...Your cheering section is here waiting when you get back

Hi ladies,

Was thinking of you Keetmom, glad it went ok. And Mafe, how are you holding up?  And Mariane Eliz?

Junebug, it worries me that you keep saying she got it from you. You got it from somewhere too, and there is no blame involved. She got it because of whatever whacked out version of universal causality made it happen. And you saved her life by giving her the opportunity to to learn what could have awaited if she had no idea. Maybe the bright side for your daughter might be that she can get great fake boobs and never need an excuse - for saving her own life. How strong you all are.

5Lovebugs has helped keep me posted - I've been swamped with writing blogs and essays with my book coming out next week and I'm SOOOOO tired. Sometimes, my topic dives right into Cancer, and I worry that it sounds like an excuse or an invitation for extra help or pity ...and yet it's not, but I do need help. And I need to say no more often. I did an essay about my daugher growing up --then I got cancer. About my newish marriage - and then I got cancer. Interviewers ask what I am working on now..and I write: answering these questions! This is hard enough! We are all here, and not hiding this, but it shouldn't define us either. Not any longer than it has too, and of course it has to, to get through it much of the time...A long tunnel.

Mostly I feel like a puppet whose strings are usually not tight enough, A marionette. I trip a lot, too, Anyone else?

One more week of rads but still stiff etc from chemo. A gal before me at rads is using Rogaine! Anyone else? I'm trying Latisse now for eyelashes, but nothing yet. Has anyone had luck with fake eyelashes? I just put on eyeliner and thick framed glasses so far. My eyes still tear too much for anything to stick. Getting better, though. Have finally mastered scarves enogh to show others when I do my chemo lite infusion.

Has anyone started hormone blockers? I want to put it off for a few weeks until after my main book events. Willnot be traveling, just too tired. Now I have to find a dress that covers my port, gloves to cover my nails that are mostly gone, shoes to cover my black toes, a wig, eyelashes ---I feel like an imposter of myself. Then maybe I'll wait until after my birhtday, Then wait until...I don't want to take hormone blockers at all. Anyone else Her + on them yet?

Okay, take care ladies.....I feel like I am talking to you in my head all the time.

xo

sickofpink, I am much better, just in time to start rads. I had the CT planning on Tuesday so I am thinking some time this next week. You really did get way too many S/E from chemo! My eyelashes are growing back slowly as is my hair. Still have numb toes and taste buds not much good but nothing terrible.

Like Paula, I took Anastrozole (generic of Armidex) for a few weeks but my MO took me off as we were trying to see what was causing some S/E (depression mainly) and I will go back on after rads. But we are HER- so we will take armatase inhibitors.

sickofpink, what is the name of your book? Kudos to you for doing this while going through all the crazy treatments!

I will start on my AIs in a few weeks...they needed my overies out so I was forsure in menapause.(cant take tamoxaphin due to a genetic disorder I have) .today I got to shower and take off the ace wrap...glad to be put back together...this surgery was 100X easier then the masectomy! I have to keep reminding myself to lay low!!!

OK Girls it's time to send good wishes and positive thoughts to our very own author Leslie, know to us as SickofPink - Her new book will be on sale May 1 "What a Mother Knows"  and she will be at book signings for many days ahead (mine is on order and I can't wait to get it)  Tomorrow she will be on a radio interview!!!  You worked through chemo tears, exhaustion, falling finger nails and everything else but you did it and it hasn't been easy.  Now it's time to enjoy and be proud.. .God Bless...

OK girl, you go and know that your "sisters" are here and we are all so proud of you!!!

Thank you 5LuvBugs for the tip. I just placed my order, can't wait to get my copy.

Congratulations Sickofpink (Leslie) on the release of your new book, "What a Mother Knows"