September 2013 Chemo Group
Comments
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Love it KJ. Very inspirational.
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great news lighthouse lady , hoping my wife has the same result. Her tumor is now at 0.8 cm, think it was 5 cm to start. Hope everyone had a great Christmas.
Well be spending New Year's Eve day getting chemo, so I'll be watching lots of sports those two days while my wife rests. Down to last 2 ACs then a dr appointment filled January in prep for February surgery:
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here's me, my wife natalie and our sweet dog bailey in front of our Christmas tree
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nice pic art. happy new year. iii hadd chemo xmas eve and still had a greatt day with family and kkids. love the dog.
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kjsimpson
great post, thanks!
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Thanks MamStewart
a friend told me about that OTC med also. I will get that as well as cranberry tablets just in case.
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Nice picture, Art
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Thanks for the replies to the UTI. All is ok, the Cipro worked fast.
My MO is on vaca but I will see the nurse Tuesday chemo day. Talk to her about OTC meds. I am worried. I will be very susceptible since I have to wear a pessary (in my vagina).
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art..nice to finally meet you and your wife!
In all honesty? Aside from hair loss, some digestive issues, and some here and there neuropathy from taxol...chemo wasn't as bad as this hideous cold I've been battling. At least on chemo I had energy to do things. Good grief.
My hair one week post final chemo. It's growing like crazy but super white so hard to see
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Art, your wife and I are on the same schedule. My 3rd AC chemo will be New Years Eve and surgery will be in Feb. some time. Great picture! Thanks for sharing it with us.
KJ, thanks for the stirring post. You are right, we come through as stronger women.
Peacock, love the shot of the new hair. I think for a lot of people it comes back white in the beginning and then can change to darker colors as more hair grows.
Knightzoo, thanks for the pics of your dome! I STILL haven't shaved my hair and it is really looking scant compared to 4 weeks ago. My husband wants me to hold out through all 4 AC treatments just to see how much I have left in the end. Mine seems to fall out a lot for the first 7 days after AC and then the second week, it just sits there. Judging from your pictures, AC #3 might just do my hair in...or very close to it.
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KJ and LHL: Thanks for the positive vibes! You are both absolutely correct! I have been feeling like I could move mountains lately too. Christmas got me all pumped up and it is sticking around. I have always said that I was thankful for this time in my life. I was just going along, acting like I had an endless stream of days in front of me, not focusing on the really important things enough, you know the stuff that suddenly becomes important when you find out you have cancer? Now I know, even if I never have to face cancer again, that my days are not guaranteed. It has changed so much about me, and all for the better! Even to the point that I feel like I am finally past my sister's rejection and I can move on from that. I never thought I would be able to walk away from that with peace in my heart. I think it has made me a better mother, a better friend, and a better person in general. I am excited to finally stop procrastinating and do something to live for myself for once -I have a ton of hobby stuff I have collected over the years with intentions of "someday" finding the time- and also to do all the volunteer work that I have so wanted to do. If I had time to battle cancer, go to school, and raise my kids by myself, I can surely find a bit of time for other things. I have seen the error or my ways in taking my time with my kids for granted. It is so hard when you don't have any help, no one to ever take them for a bit, or ever even get a break, and a lot of the time you just want them to grow up! It can bring out the worst in you as a parent and I will be the first to admit that I did get frustrated a lot. I think in dealing with my own mortality, it has helped me to see theirs as well. Not just that they are growing so fast but that their time isn't guaranteed either. I have been struggling to just keep us alive for so long and all but the bare necessities of life kept getting pushed to the side that it became habit; my thoughts of what is necessary have surely changed. I won't say that I am grateful for cancer because I hate it. I hate everything about it. But I am grateful for what it has taught me. After living an entire life of depression, being free of that and finally knowing what it is to live is an amazing gift. I understand the term "live like you were dying" now. I have a lot of damage to undo with my kids; I know this was so very very difficult on them, and I was dealing with a lot of issues with cancer even a year ago, but life is going to be better than it ever has been for all of us! Even if something catastrophic happens with my health and I only have a couple years left, they will be the best years of my life and I will go to my grave knowing that my kids know that I love them and I put all the right priorities first in their lives.
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Nice to finally see you and your lovely wife Art!
Peacock: that is what mine looked like when I shaved it the time before last. The last time I shaved it on Christmas (my LAST time and a Christmas present to myself!) I did have some darker stuff growing in. So, the third time is a charm for the white to go away? Or however much length that is that I shaved off? Three times of about that same length. It is growing in now and it feel so nice, I can't stop rubbing it lol. All the little pokies from my old, dead hair are finally gone! I have nothing but nice baby soft hair. I told my friend it feels like a shaved rabbit lol. I can't tell what color it is yet, as it is just breaking the surface, but it is looking lighter than my old hair still, I think.
I am kind of freaking out that you all have your surgeries scheduled so close to the end of your chemo. I still don't have my scheduled yet..nor do I even know what doctor I am going to... I changed my mind about having the DEIP procedure done. I think it is the right thing for me, but just not the right thing for my life. Going 4 hours away if I have any issues just really isn't an option for me. Being able to see a surgeon here is town is a necessity. Now I just need to find one that isn't a complete a$$, does good work, and takes my insurance, as well as can book a surgery date in short order that will coordinate with my BS's schedule....Serious prayers, and positive vibes are very much needed! If I have to have rads, then it isn't as big of a problem, but if not, then I will have to have my surgery booked within the next 6-1/2 weeks (and even that far out has me freaking a bit-I am willing to bet money that they will find additional cancer in my breasts other than the initial tumor-I just feel it is there and I feel like they are ticking time bombs!) So, if you all could spare some fuzzy warm wishes and thoughts, I would really appreciate it! In the meantime I will search out PS and keep positive that all will be okay!
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art beautiful pic! Hope the last 2 ACs are se smooth for natalie.
Kjsimpson, love your post so true, you know when i did my 4AC i thought god it was 3 months of hell i would never get thru this, that was 4 months ago. To date, im doing taxol 4 diwn, 8 to go. My tumors have shrunk from 6cm to 2cm total. That legal poison is saving my life and killing any other cancer cells, so i am lucky and instead of complaining how bad it was, i am grateful that this drug is helping me. Yes who cares if we have boobs or not, i want to live. See my daughters graduate, enjoy my retirement. Oh boy its one of those emotional days..........
Peacock, my hair is starting to grow back its been over 5 weeks since last AC snd im doing taxol.I have dark hairs coming in along with the white leftovers started sbout last week. It must be the bananas i eat everyday lol
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Does anyone else in our group have IBC?
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Art - So nice to see you and your wife! Hope she's doing well.
Peacockgirl - Wow you have more hair than me! LOL Mine is growing in completely white, too, but I'm 3 weeks PFC and it's not as long as yours.
mamastewart - I have a lot of the same feelings regarding my kids. It's so easy to just let the days fly by and not really appreciate the time we have, especially when you're tired/stressed/sick/annoyed, etc. Each night I look into my son's eyes and my daughter's eyes and tell them I love them. No matter how much they might have ticked me off that day, I want them going to bed knowing how much I love them. Good luck finding a PS. I hear you on not wanting to go far away. My surgery is 3 hours away, and I hate that. I'm going to have to drive that far each time I get my TEs filled, or if I have a problem, and for any recon procedures. Ugh. I'm sorry you're worried about finding more cancer. Try to focus on how much damage the chemo has done to your cancer, instead of thinking there will be more. {{hugs}}
KJ - I don't remember anyone else posting about IBC. I could be wrong.
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Sorry, what is IBC?
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Alfranco,
IBC is "inflammatory breast cancer". It is a relatively rare form of breast cancer. I found a great facebook group for those with IBC. Was going to share it if anyone else had IBC. -
simplelife: guess well have to start a fen surgery group. Do you know what you having? Natalie is leaning towards bmx.
She list her eyelashes Christmas Eve morning. Now has watery eyes non stop, any pointers on how to remedy that or make it bearable.
Thanks.
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Art: I think the watery eye issue is actually caused by dry eyes. Your eyes are trying really hard to re-wet themselves but the tears are concentrated and not wet enough, also I think chemo just irritates the eye. I had to do steroidal eye drops the day after but I never did ask why- surprisingly lol. If she uses just a regular lubricant eye drop regularly- not the "get the red out" type- it should help some. I didn't have this issue too much, maybe the steroids drops helped? I can definitely feel that my eyes are super dry though. I can barely wear my contacts anymore.
Neuropathy: I forgot to weigh in on this. I did have some mild numbness and tingling left over from the round before when I got the last one; it never went completely away. A few days after my last round I had numbness clear up to mid-calf on my left leg! That was pretty terrifying. It only lasted a couple days though. Then a few days later I developed a spot on the ball of my foot that was 100% numb, as in Novocain numb. I kept checking the bottom of my foot because it felt like I had something stuck there. The complete numbness lasted about two days and now about 2-3 days later (4-5 days from onset) I can still feel the spot but it is just numb-ish like everything else and not completely numb like it was. So, I just want to reassure you all that it does get better! I was sick much of this time and only took supplements (L-Glutamine, L-Carnitine, and B6) twice, maybe. I am guessing if I had taken them like I should have, it might not have gotten so bad and/or gotten better faster. At any rate, I am only 10 days out from the most brutal and it is bearable again. Annoying at times, but bearable.
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Art: I will (hopefully) be a February surgery girl...or March. Arrrrghhh! The sooner the better, I think, especially since both mine and my little girl's birthdays are in March! I am having a BMX for sure with tissue expanders and later implant recon.
Lighthouse: I am glad that I am not the only one that feels like they have failed, and also glad that you are making sure that your kids know you love them every night. It is weird to think that it was something that we didn't always think of before. Kind of like an instant permanent life change. I am so sorry that your PS is so far away! It is great that you are going to be able to make it work though. There is just no way that I can. I don't have the support system to be able to make the trip who knows how many times if I need to; not only no one to watch the kids but no one to drive me either. Planned things wouldn't be so bad but what are the chances of getting off scott-free without having to make a single unplanned trip? It is not a chance that I can take. Especially for something as complicated as a DIEP. It is what it is, and I have made my peace with it. I am sure I will find a more than competent surgeon in my area that doesn't have a secondary degree in jerk lol. He does do great nipples though...grrrr....lol never thought I would be talking about this...and neither do my male friends that read my Facebook posts lol. Life is just too strange.
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gah..just got released from ER. I spiked a nasty 102+ fever this afternoon. Onco on call told me to go to ER and get another CBC and blood cultures. Nobody would still ..let me take any Tylenol. So...CBC, chest X-ray, flu tests, blood sent off for cultures, urinalysis, special IV person to access my port again...then finally 2 stinking Tylenol. Fever down, told I could go home. Having said that my white count is 20k but I am not neutropenic
I know they have to rule out scary things like sepsis, or a port line infection but it just seemed silly to me they wouldn't let me take 2 Tylenol at home and me telling everybody my husband has the same thing he's just 5 days ahead of me in sickness. Oh well...insurance covered it all. Just grateful I didn't get admitted. And if you've never had a nasal probe for flu ? Woooo you ain't living. Art..refresh eye drops are great. That might help your wife.
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Glad you are ok, peacockgirl.
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refresh works, thanks peacock for the suggestion. Hope u feel better.
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Peacockgirl,
Glad you didn't have to stay at the hospital. Get better. The flu is rampant right now where I live. I'm hiding out at home.
Art,
If you find a cure for the watery eyes, let me know. The only thing that has helped me with some relief is regular doses of cold medicine. -
Wow.... I just realized I HAVE to have surgery in February. 8 weeks out will be February 12th. I don't know why I was thinking March, but my sister who is coming down to help me was too! Now I am seriously freaking out. Tomorrow can't come soon enough so that I can can get on finding a surgeon!
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Just got off a very busy 24 hour shift at work. Crazy day, but soooooo good to be back! I am probably missing a few things here...sorry if that's the case.
Art: I love the picture of you and your wife! I hope Natalie's last 2 treatments have few side effects. Her wig is awesome! It is interesting seeing pictures of people in their wigs; though we may think everyone knows it is a wig, and people who know us best do know, I can not tell form any of the pictures of people who have posted them...so that means that pretty much everyone at the store, mall, etc has no idea either.
Peacockgirl, I am so glad that you were not admitted. I was sent to the ER for all of the same tests a week PFC and was equally frustrated to have been sent there. I hope you feel better and better each day.
Mamastewart, I hope you are able to find surgeons that you like and get that surgery scheduled.
KJ: I laughed when you referred back to running out of the chemo room; I had forgotten about that. Now, one by one we are walking, skipping, or running out...for good...as we all finish, and come out of this temporarily weaker physically, but much, much stronger mentally. I love your attitude!!!!!!!!!!
I am 5 weeks (plus 2 days) PFC. If they had stuck with the original plan for 6, I would be finishing next Friday. I am so glad to be able to taste my food pretty much normally...finally this week. I feel about 90% physically, but have lost endurance as well as flexibility and some strength. I feel like the skin on my face has aged about 10 years in the past few months. Yikes! My hair looks just the same as Peacockgirl's. It is taking it's sweet old time, but it is progressing. As far as kids, I used to teach middle school kids, about 10 years ago. One thing I definitely noticed is that those who have had to deal with adversity such as having an ill parent or sibling, are more patient, compassionate, empathetic, and resilient. We teach them these things, but they get it on a level not attainable previously, so though they have had to endure, the life lessons they have learned in the process are priceless. They will come out of this stronger mentally as well.
I hope everyone had a weekend of minimal side effects and maximum healing.
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Art love your pic tell Natalie hello and I am hoping her next two ac treatments go over with no se
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KBee,
It is amazing what we can do when we have to do it. It is also amazing to watch the power of family and friends to shore us up for the task. I am so grateful for my family and friends (in person and virtual) that have had confidence in me. It allowed me to 'fake it' long enough to make it. -
Peacock, I'm glad you are okay and back at home.
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Peacock, I am very happy that you were not admitted!
KJsimpson, your post about two pages back was so inspiring. I'm a Civil War buff and I like to think of my cancer fight being like the experience of the 20th Maine at Little Round Top...they were at the far left end of the Union line, running out of ammo and under assault...but Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain made them fix bayonets, take a position at a ninety degree angle to the rest of the brigade...and charge! And the Confederates they were facing...surrendered.
Keep up the good fight everybody!
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