Chemo May 2013

Softballaholic-So sorry that you have the many reactions to treatment that you are having. Why can't you get disability? I too am getting it. Well waiting for my first retroactive check, but it has been approved.

Lorrie-Thanks for all the eyelash tips.



A good weekend to all - Carla

Hi ladies hope you all are doing well today. Last night I got. To walk with the survivors in the relay for life. It was so unreal and felt beautiful and powerful. I still can't believe I had cancer. I say had because they cut it out and it's gone. That's the way I have to look at it.



I feel really swollen, and fat. My face looks swollen and puffy I'm sure from the steroids. I've been feeling like I'm starving the past week and have been eating more than usual. I'm guessing gearing up for round 2 on Monday.



My eyesight seems blurry too anyone else?

Good luck on Monday Angie.... You've had a rough first round....

I'd suggest writing down all your concerns so you don't forget to ask something. You're there for a while. Plenty of time to get some answers!



Purchased fake lashes today... Not really sure if they are going to work. I'll give it a shot, but may be too much hastle... We'll see... I'm not gonna bother with them until Monday for work. Well, may give it a test run for Sunday dinner with the girls & fam.



Hope everyone else is enjoying their weekend! I'm a bit achy today & just beat! Going out to eat with the hubby was exhausting! & he wants to go riding tomorrow so we're up early to take the Razor out to see of we can find "Valley of The Giants".... it'll be Nice to

be out in the woods!



Happy thoughts all...

Lorrie

The last few days I have been losing lots of hairs.  Not really clumps but hairs.  I decided that today was the day to take care of it and had it buzzed to 3/4".  I took a scarf with me but never put it on.  It ended up not being as big of a deal as I thought it would be, maybe I will go without scarves more than just being at home.  If people don't like the way I look without one breast and hardly any hair I don't really care.  At this point for me it is being comfortable.  My fake boob doesn't feel comfortable to me......it just isn't a part of me.  The important thing is that I am trying to take care of me as best I can.

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.  I know I am knowing that next weekend will be a crappy weekend after round 2 for me.

Teresa glad you are confidant and comfortable!



I have a bunch of scarves, I need to either practice wearing them, or return the few I purchased from Target (the rest were from .goodwill, no returns as I am too late).



Currently I am wearing a buff everyday. So easy to put on. And I was very fortunate to have purchased two new "dressy shirts" from Kohls that my buffs actually almost match, and it wasn't intentional! http://www.buffusa.com/sports/



Pat

aw, Kate, that's the pits.  I haven't had to deal with that, thankfully.  Hope you are feeling better soon!

alibeth,  Have you signed up for the "look good, feel better" class?  Tying scarfs intimidated me.  that was the most important info I walked away with from that class (okay, and how to put on eyebrows without them looking like I'm surprised all the time)

Oh Kate, I wish they could something more for you and your SEs. Sending hugs.

Hi All

Hope everyone is having a peaceful Sunday. The last time I posted, I was having a terrible time with SE's from my first round (chemo brain!!). Thankfully, that went away (as many of you said it would) on day 5 and I've felt better and better with each day since. Gearing up for round 2 on Wednesday. I feel ready to take this beast on again and get it past me!

Friday I bought a wig and hair peice (like an old bald man-haha)...my hair is supposed to start falling out Thursday, according to my Oncologist. I was planning on buzzing my head as soon as I start shedding, however, somebody told me that buzzing my head would leave my head itchy and uncomfortable. Also, letting it fall out naturally (with the follical) will allow it to grow back baby-soft instead of prickly. I am wondering though, even if you buzz it, don't those little hairs fall out anyway and grow back baby-soft? Arg!? Perhaps I'm over thinking this!!

Can anyone speak to this? I guess the alternative it to let it all fall out, but that doesn't seem ideal either. 

I got my hair cut short (took 12 inches off) on Saturday and went to a party immediately afterward where everyone just loved my 6 day haircut! We all had a good laugh about that. I've had long hair forever and I finally found the right hair cut for my face just days before it all falls out. Oh, the irony!!

I find it almost impossible to know what to do about this damn hair. Not only the buzzing issue, but also regarding what I'll want to wear - wig, scarf, funky half hair with hair, go commando? The suspense is killing me! I guess I'll just have to wait until I feel my asbolute worst on Friday, have half a head of hair and then figure it out 

Stay strong everyone! I love reading all your entries...they are tremendously helpful!

Shannon

Question-has anyone had any alcohol while on chemo or had any direction from your oncs regarding it? I really really want a beer!

Lol Shannon!!! I love it!

and brandy is danday?

And Beer is near! I am having one! Cheers ladies!

Btw Shannon, sounds like you have been partying and you forgot to invite all of us!



After enjoying more than a few glasses of wine week 3 of my first round of chemo, and a bunch of questions came up about alcohol here I asked my MO during round 2 chemo and she said 1/2 glass of wine was fine. (Fine for who I don't know! Lol). She was worried about ulcers.



This round I've only had 2 glasses of beer at one sitting. I've been a good girl.

Oh and 1/2 glass of wine, in honor of my MO. (Or because that was all that was left in the bottle!, however you want to look at it!)



Ask your MO to see what they have to say.

Pat

Teresa, I went a few months wearing wigs and hats.  Two months in, it started getting hot out, and I decided to embrace my stubble.  I've now been to a wedding and to a graduation party with no covering.  It takes a while to get used to it, but I tell you, it's so much easier to not have to deal with a scarf or wig.