September 2013 Chemo Group

Ok, I'll play.  I don't go topless anywhere except occasionally at home, and I haven't posted a picture ANYWHERE of me without a wig or hat.  

This is 6 weeks PFC and the second one is 8 weeks PFC - as slow as my hair seems to be growing, that's a big change in two weeks!

I hate how old my face looks.... gosh, I'm only 40 (41 on Sunday).  But 6 months of stress and chemo and surgery takes its toll I guess.

I had to go get my drivers license renewed today - how lovely that my ID pic will be me in my wig for the next however many years.  LOL

Michelle! You are cute!!!! There is nothing wrong with the shape of your head! And I second the bravery remark Running made. I know how self-conscious you have been. Isn't it a little bit liberating though? Good for your! I think I missed a ton of posts. I am going to have to go back and read some more. Now I need to go to bed. I haven't slept very much for the last week or so. I think it is the ever looming surgery date. My sister will be here in ...9 days... WOW. Can someone hand me a paper bag to breathe into, please? lol. I am having a post-chemo party tomorrow night. It will be really good to get out with friends. It has been 32 week since I have went out and done anything at all fun without children. And my MO okayed me to drink, so I shall partake and forget the worries of the last 5-1/2 months if only for a little while. 

LHL - brave for sure. don't forget that being exhausted makes you look (and feel) so much older but it's Not permanent!! But even the short time in between pics is such a difference. But your head is cute - mine had weird bumps that I would never have uncovered without this journey......Happy birthday too!  You are brave to post the pics - I never thought I was a self conscious person but I still can't work out in the gym without a hat. Silly really but I think it's more I don't want people to think anything other than I'm there to work out. Ugh I need to get over it sometime soon - just too hot! 

Mama- have some fun. Relax and distress a little. Best you can do for yourself before surgery and recovery. Just think it will be over before you know it. 

For rads - I loved emu oil. It does take a lot of dedication to apply all that specialk listed but if you can it will probably save you some skin problems. I had moderate skin problems and didn't apply anything until I was done but I was uncomfortable and couldn't work out for a few weeks at the end. But I used the emu oil once I was done and the healing has been so fast and amazing. I'm still a little orange but otherwise fine. 

Warrior - yaaaaaaaaaaay for you!!!!!  Feels good to be done and give yourself a break the next few weeks. We don't rebound as fast as we want but like simple life we do get the mojo back. Congratulations!!!

Viji - all I can say is wow! Your experience besides sounding awesome is also life affirming and just sounds tremendous. I'm jealous but the pics are great.  Need to break out of my mold too. Good blazing the path for the rest of us!

Joining the picture club. These were today (02-01-14)...

This was just before diagnosis (July 2013)...

KJ, Cute little stubble of hair.  You have a nice smooth head and you look great!!! 

Running,
Thanks.  I've been told I have a very symmetrical head.  ;-)

VintageGal,
I should have added that they will tack on the two missing Herceptin infusions onto the end of my treatment regime, so I get all the infusions I would otherwise have had.  It does make scheduling a little less complicated.  Won't have to run from one appointment to the other.  The radiation treatments are about 30 miles from the infusion center.

LHL,
I look my best in the car.  ;-)

Hi All,

Don't have much to say today, I'm 19 days pfc and 11 days to surgery.....just enjoying the relative calm right now.

Lighthouse and KJ, love the pics! Thanks for posting them.  KJ, I also wondered about all your pics being in the car.  Maybe that's where I should do mine too..will I look better there? LOL.

Happy Superbowl Sunday!

Kay

Happy Birthday LHL!  I hope you get spoiled rotten.

Mama-have a great post-chemo party.

Thanks for all the surgery well wishes....I'll try to post Tuesday and let you know how it went and if I got to keep my nipples.  Haha.

kj love your pics don't worry soon we will get our swag back, when i got up this morning, i glanced in the mirror and for a split second i was looking at an old man, no brows, white and brown fuzz on my head, face now blotchy from taxol yikes! Scary.  I have 3 more taxols and I'm done. Still have surgery snd rads though

LHL. Love your pic also, and i don't mind going topless especially when shopping my head is itchy with wig or hat, and i usually have my makeup on so i don't look too physco.! Lol.  Happy, happy birthday to you!

Knightzoo good luck

Happy superbowl. Go broncos!

You go mama!    Over-indulging in adult beverages and making out... woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the birthday wishes ladies.  It's been a pretty low-key day, but a good one!

I could almost pass for having hair again if not for the top being so sparse. Kind of thinking about shaving it again since a lot fell out a few weeks ago. I'm paranoid about dead hair possibly sitting in The follicle and blocking growth like it did before. I suppose this will be about my last chance before surgery to clear it out. i am just so excited to have hair again though! Suffering a bit now might make for a better time la

LHL, Happy Birthday!!!!!  I hope you had a relaxing day!  I used to hate birthdays and getting older; I appreciate it more now.  Great pictures!  Your hair growth is taking off fast and furious!!!

Knightzoo, Hoping all goes well with your surgery, and that your recovery is smooth.

Mama, Sooooooooo happy for you!!!!  You deserve much, much, much happiness!  Glad you were able to get out and have a good time.

KJ, Lol about all the pix in the car.  Looking good.

Mercedes, We are in your pockets for these last couple of taxols.

I wish hair growth was like the Playdoh hair salon set.  Sit in the chair and it grows all the way in an instant.  I am so not patient, even though it is coming in.  i would have a great haircut...if I were a guy!  I have a giraffe neck, so I really like hair long enough to go to my shoulders.  My wig looks good...afraid that in a few weeks, my hair will peek out from under it and make the wig harder to wear.    I will post a picture in the next day or so.  I hear you all on the feeling like I look older.  My face seems to have aged 10 years in 6 months.

Did anyone catch the Superbowl ad with the cancer survivor in the car?

Happy Birthday LHL!  Way to go Mamabear!  Good luck Knightzoo!  I saw that ad at a SuperBowl party with friends from my running group who have been very supportive of me!  That was kind of neat!  

Knightzoo, we are in your pocket!

Mama, whoo hoo on having so much fun the other night ....laughing a lot and kissing a new guy!  Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!  Thanks for posting the hair pic.  Isn't it exciting to see hair start to fill in!  I look forward to seeing that on me.

LHL, happy birthday!

I feel like I look like I've aged at least 10 years since being diagnosed.  I have decided one thing for sure....I'm coloring my hair when it grows back in.  As it was falling out, I was left with almost all grey/white hair...it was NOT a pretty sight.

I inspect my head every day for signs of new hair, but none yet for me. I'm only 20 days out from my last AC, so I think that would be expecting too much to see hair...but it doesn't keep me from looking.

The thing I want most right now are nose hairs and eyelashes.  I think I'm going through a box of Kleenex a day between my drippy nose and my watery eyes.  Eyebrows would be nice too.....just to eliminate the "alien" look.