Calling all TNs

Hello ladies, guess what?  My hair started falling out in chunks today.  I had chemo last Thurs, 4 days ago.  I'm amazed at how fast my hair started falling out!  This is great news!  No hair = chemo working!  Yes!!!!!! My hair grew back after chemo, so no worries!  I had my beautician (sister-in-law), cut and shave it all off. 

The first time I had chemo, the onc recommended I shave it off, so I did and I'm glad he did cause would've been crying all the time if I saw my beautiful at the time very long hair fall out in chunks.  Stubble loss doesn't bother me. 

Right now I live in a region of CA called the valley where the tempts are a little, ok a lot warmer than LA area by at least 20 degrees. It's been in the 90s and 100s here, so not gonna miss my hair there too.  I also have chemo induced menopause, yes it was confirmed with blood test of hormones by my onc, he said you are right smack in the middle of it, so not even beginning.  I get hot flashes or maybe it's the tempts here, but anyways the AC better be on all night or I can't sleep.  I am usually a person who is just hot in body tempt so add menopause, current weather tempts, u get the picture!

My friends and family complemented me on my baldness before cause I have a pretty nice shaped head, I can rock this style.  I kind of want to walk around commando style and see how people react.  I think I'm pretty sexy looking bald!  That's my opinion, u gals can judge as soon as I figure out how to post new pics.  For my parent's sake maybe i'll wear a hat in front of them.  It's so hot out though! ugh!  I hate summer chemo!  I don't like wigs either, too hot and itchy!

Hello Dear Sisters,



I've only had a chance to do a quick glance at the thread, but I want to let you know that you have all been in my thoughts and prayers.



This "milder and easier" chemo has kicked me in the ass for this first month (from the woman who sailed her first chemo).



As always it's "I've got good news, I've got bad news" The good news was the biopsy on Leftie was benign but they'll recheck in 6 mo. The bad news is the biopsy site got infected. In the middle of this Mom got sick and had to go to the hospital for a week. I was also sick. There was a debate in the ER by the doctor who needed to be admitted more. I will tell you if I hadn't packed some Depends for Mom, that I ended up having to steal, it would have been UGLY!!!



Last week I thought we were heading into better waters when Mom took a fall and injured her shoulder. She is now totally dependent and requires constant care. Today, I'm working on trying to see about the hoops I have to go through to get her into rehab. (Please don't even ask about how helpful the VNA is. She had VNA services order for ASAP on Friday, and on Sunday I had to call and ask when they were coming. Weren't gonna come till Tuesday till I whipped out my broom).



So ladies, please know I think of you every day, and I'll catch up on everyone as soon as I come up for breath.



If someone can post a note on any important news I've missed, I'd greatly appreciate it.



Love you guys

Fighter, Angelisa: Congrats on your milestones, ladies. We need to be reminded sometimes (often) how many women go on, living their lives away from these boards, healthy and hopeful for the future. 

To all those in treatment, hugs. Be kind to yourself. Don't beat yourself up about diet or exercise. Best thing, just try to get out for a brisk 20-minute walk on those days when you feel well. That is one small thing that will help, physically and emotionally.

Kathrynn: Sorry for all that you're going through, but good to know the biopsy was benign. 

Kathy, there are quite a few of us that have hit the 3 year mark in the last week or so! Congrats to us all!

Hi Ladies.  I need to vent for a moment.  I had a biopsy in June that resulted in a local recurrence of TNBC via a skin met on my breast.  I had the final boost of my 33 radiation treatments on 8/26 and I will start chemo again on Monday but before that, I’ll have surgery tomorrow morning for another port (I had mine removed after my first chemo in 2012).  I’ve researched my options for hours, met with my MO multiple times and had a MO consult in Atlanta to arrive at the decision of doing chemo.  Now that you’re up to speed on my situation….I must complain about my crazy next door neighbor.  I was outside yesterday and she stumbled over (quite intoxicated) and asked how I was.  Here is our conversation:

Crazy:  How are  you?

Me:  Good

Crazy:  Are you sure?

Me:  Yes, just a little tired.  I’m starting chemo on Monday.

Crazy:  Why?

Me:  Because I have cancer?!

Crazy:  Well, I know a guy that went that extra step with treatment and died.

Me:  Thank you but I really don’t want to talk about this.

Crazy: Well, why are you doing chemo?  It might kill you.  Don’t do it.

Me:  I’m doing chemo to save my life and I’m not going to stand here and talk about this.  This is not what I need a week before I start treatment.  I’m sorry that guy died but that’s a negative subject and I will not discuss this with you.

Needless to say, I stormed into the house and slammed the door.  How DARE her?!?!?  She knows NOTHING about my cancer.  She knows NOTHING about what I’ve done to ensure I receive the best treatment possible.  I’m so DISCUSTED by her.  Who says something like that?  I know I shouldn’t let her ignorance bother me but I’m still fuming 24 hours later.  Maybe I’m directing my anger at her instead of letting myself be scared.  I don’t know.  I knew you all would understand my anger, as I’m sure each of you have been presented with ignorant statements at one time or another.  Thank you all for providing a safe place to vent.  There are some things others just can’t understand.

We may Carol.  LOL! 

Naan - THANK YOU!!!!!  That's I how feel.  I was so disgusted by her.  I would give anything for them to move.  The whole bunch is just worthless.  Never in a MILLION years did I think we would have such trash living next to us when we built our house 5 years ago.  Ugh!  And that's just the tip of the iceberg with them.  It's much much worse than that one story.  Thanks for sharing my anger! 

Thanks Inspired.  Walking away was one of the hardest things I've done this year.

way to stand your ground beachbound. You sound like one tuff cookie. She's a dumbass, your neighbor. It is umbelievable how stupid and insensitive people can be....and being drunk doesn't excuse her behavior...she is simply an idiot....

Julie I did ask for the cream you recommended and the doc (not mine) she is on vacation said that I was on the downhill now and if I could stand to just keep using what I have he would rather not start me on something else.   I will try and if I don't see any relief I will go back and tell him I want it.   I think it might have something to do with being in the boost stage, but I am not sure.    

CONGRATS!!! to all the ladies out there that are way out.  

Beachbound I have been dealing with the same thing or just the ones who say my __ __ had breast cancer went through the treatments and it went to their brain and killed them.....and blah-blah-blah.   My mom used to say she would never do chemo and so when she started her chemo, I said mama I thought you would never do chemo and she said honey when you are staring death in the face you do a lot of things you never thought you would.    I just keep telling myself people who said that particular thing have probably not faced it yet.      We all have to do what we can and even though I have said I am NEVER going back, I go back because even though I have days where I am not sure I want to fight anymore, I still fight because I truly do want to live.

Julie I forgot to add that I was told I was in full blown menopause to but I have had a couple periods since then, so don't trust that to much......:)

Thanks ladies. As much as I hate to admit it, she has caused me so much anger and stress. I was cooking dinner tonight when the doorbell rang. My DH answered the door and it was Crazy asking to talk to me. Luckily, he did not let her in and told me she wanted to talk. I said NO. Tell her I'm busy with dinner. He came back in a few minutes later and said she was crying and very apologetic. I said Good for her, I still don't want to talk to her and have no desire to ever talk to her. Good for her for realizing she's an idiot and was completely insensitive with what she said but I have no desire to talk to her. She can go cry to someone who cares. Now....I need to relax so I can sleep before my surgery in the morning. Good night ladies!

beachbound, I guess crazy neighbor had time to sober up and realize what an insensitive moron she is...ugh. I hope your port surgery and chemo goes well.



Julie-I want to say that your attitude is inspiring but I don't know if that would be something stupid to say. Sometimes people will say things to me like "you're so strong" or " I admire your strength" and I just think that I didn't sign up for this or what other option is there. Little do these people know that I'm really not ok and that I cry in the shower or when my kids are asleep. Anyhow, as someone who is really struggling to get through this (really bad), I really do admire your strength and positive attitude. I am reluctant to post anything because I feel that I'm unable to articulate my thoughts but I've been following this thread and I've really been moved by you.

Kathy - what a day! Hope you and mom made it through in one piece.



Julie - I live in the humid south - I just rocked the bald look too.



Beach - inhale, release, repeat. Now wash an Ativan down with a nice Merlot best wishes to you.

Beachbound, good luck with surgery tomorrow, will be in my prayers. 

Grace, you are so sweet. There are times when I am overwhelmed by my current situation, but I don't want to waste time sulking and feeling sorry for myself.  I have too much to live for and do.  I'm really glad you posted, made my day!  ;P  Nothing shared here amongst sisters is stupid or dumb, just express yourself freely, nobody here is going to judge you.  We are all one, sisters in this fight to live and prosper and thrive!