September 2013 Chemo Group

70scharger: I will definitely take a spot in your trunk. And south is good. Mexico sounds perfect!

KJ: That is awesome about the shirts! I would never have thought to do that. Yay for you! And I tried to "like" your no like button post xD The IMRTs are great to

Sorry I have been MIA for a bit. I had my first fill last Wednesday. I seriously asked my friend for a gun on the way home.... I hurt more than with my surgery. I even took a whole Lortab beforehand (I debated on taking a half or a whole) I was beginning to pass out from pain on the 20 minute drive home. I have never hurt that badly in my life. I took another Lortab when I got home and 800mg of Ibuprofen and went to bed for the day. The next day was much the same. It is better now unless I sit for very long. It is weird. I will have to either stand up or lean way back. Sometimes it happens even when I am standing, too. I did discover if I kind of push on the TE on the side near my armpit and move it over a bit, it goes away. I guess it is sitting on a nerve or something there. So weird, too, apparently that nerve was connected to my nipple because I sometimes will get shooting pains in my nipple (that I no longer have) when I push on that side. I have two folds in my right side and I guess that is what is doing it. My left side is completely round like a breast should be, but my right has 2 flat sides on it. They said it would correct itself when it got more saline in it, so I am hopeful. I don't really want a square boob. My left side is great; no pain at all. I am guessing I have about 100cc of fluid in my TE so far (I am not sure what he put in during surgery). My PS didn't even want to do an expansion my last visit because he thought it was a bit too soon, but he did one "just to say we did one." Just 50cc. I am thinking maybe I should have asked for more to pop that fold out. I guess, by comparison future fills should be more pleasant! I sincerely hope, anyway. I can't do this if I am going to be literally put down for 2 days after a fill. 

Other than that, life is good. Life is great! I made a 12 layer rainbow jello shots "cake" for my friends' birthday party tonight. It turned out perfect and I can't wait for him to see it! When he invited me a month ago I thought there was no possible way I would feel up to going, but I do! First time on a party bus, too. I am super excited! I hope that everyone is doing well considering all the crap that we have to deal with. Soldier on, ladies. Tomorrow is a new day

hey ladies! Hope you are all doing well and carrying forward. Been busy taking care of nat all week and working from home. She's doing well, today was the first warm day in NYC since her surgery. We took a nice long walk with bailey and then went to the supermarket. She's taking a nap now. We see PS on Monday, nat hopes to get the drains out. Is there certain level they look for. 2 are at 20 and other 2 10 or less.

See BS on Friday for path report.

If drains come out, we resume herceptin on 11th, if not, then the 25th.

Nat's not happy with the hair progres, it's a peach fuzz that has not gotten all the way to the front yet. She's almost 8 weeks PFC.

Kbee- ugh on the running deal for me too. I felt good so went for my usual 3 mile loop yesterday that I *used* to do. Could run the first mile non-stop then it was just walk run walk run the whole rest of the way. it took me almost the same amount of time 4 miles used to!! Gonna take me a while to build back stamina. (and OH my quads HURT today)  I will have my next bloodwork check on April 1st. C'mon hemoglobin! I'm looking at finding a local 5k to do this spring to motivate me to get outside and run at least 3x a week. My hope of doing a full marathon in October might have to go on the backburner. (sigh)

In other news I finally dropped almost 6 pounds without trying too much. I had a hunch I had lost some but was afraid to step on the scale but was pleasantly surprised. #goodbyesteroids

as for all the classes I teach, really when you do it for a living like me you coach *a ton*. I do NOT participate 100% ever. In fact I participate so little of the time I have to do my own workouts on the side. but I'll tell you if this nerve pain in the arms doesn't go away soon....as far as my fitness teaching career goes....

I Might Retire Tomorrow hahah

TE question. My right (non-cancer side) TE is "squishy" compared to the left. They are supposedly filled to the same amount right now. Is this normal? There isn't a very noticeable size difference between the two foobs... just the shape is off a little.  I know there was a lot of skin removed on the left side so that side is "tighter", but I wouldn't think that would have anything to do with the TE itself. Like, I can push in on the right and feel empty space, and can feel far less empty space on the left. Makes me wonder, can these things leak? I have an appt with my PS on Thursday for my last fill, and I will ask him then. I don't know... just seems weird that they are two totally different feelings.

hair still a shadow. Eyebrows are visible but blonde. Eyelashes may be ready for mascara soon?! Still no armpit hair.

Clickchick- Glad you are getting 2nd opinion...they all seem to have different ideas/knowledge.

Betterday-  My nipples were black and scabbed and one popped out at different time as well, now they are both 'normal' again..My mx was 9/13 and exchange 10/13

LHL- OMG!  I LOVE your hair!  I am SOOO envious!  And KBEE,Peacock girl and Viji yours look totally normal too! and Simplelife it seems like you have lots ready to sprout!  Mine still has spots of NO hair and fuzzy wispy kinds growing...I think all of yours looks fabulous!  I remember starting chemo and you all were ahead of me and I was envious of being done, now it's the hair!  HATE my itchy wig! 

I made the mistake of drying it with a hair dryer after washing it the other day and now it looks like Barbie hair and one side sticks out and drives me crazy!  LOOKS awful too...I need to go to the wig store and have them fix it...

KJ- You are a funny one!  You always make me smile too!  I think we all have our sad moments...and they sure seem to hit at the worst times. 

Alfranco- congrats on being done with radiation.

Running- how are you doing with PT?

I am still having swelling / lymphedema in foob and armpit area...the PT says it's grade zero or it will go away...but it is SOOO annoying! 

I am flying to Colorado tomorrow so wearing a sleeve thing and compression socks for the possible blood clotting with Tamoxifen.  Annoyed at having to wear those too.  Seems like just one more thing. 

I have been feeling good and positive and staying busy.  Working out on elliptical 20 minutes/time and walking and going all day, energy is good.  But I still have thoughts that creep in and some bad/sad days...I want them to go away!  And NEVER come back! I am SO over all of this and just really want it to be gone.  Time will help I hear and I'm counting on that! 

Sorry If I missed anyone but I read the last 4 pages and then wrote this...

Praying for all of us to be CANCER FREE FOREVER!  DONE!

Gramof2boys, that is seriously long hair! Unbelievable!!!

Wow Gram, I need your hair secret!

Patti, I think the Flying Sharks are from Atlantic Iowa...the Nishna Valley YMCA.  They were at the same meet!  Small world!  We will actually be in the Twin Cities for a meet in early April, then will have a break for a couple months.  When I go fo rmy appointment at the end of the month, I am goign to ask fo ra referral for PT.  I do notice my hands swell a lot when I run.  They have always swelled a little, but now they swell a lot.  A compression sleeve sounds like a good idea now, but I am not sure how I would tolerate it in July!

Audra, It sounds like you are staying really busy.  Hope the trip to Colorado goes well.

Knightzoo, I was allowed to start walking (as in for exercise) as son as my drains came out, jogging slow at 2 weeks, and running "normal" at 3 weeks.  Slow jog is pretty much my norm though, so there really was not much difference!  I was running 3 or 4 miles a month out from surgery (about 10 minute mile pace).  But...I did BMX before chemo, so I do think my recovery was easier because of that.  I am a month out from exchange and am not running that much yet.  I run a mile, walk a mile, run a mile, etc.

Michelle, My TEs did feel different on the 2 sides, and one always had a corner that just wasn't right...was so annoying.  I hope your tooth is better.

Peacockgirl, I was hoping to run the Dam to Dam...a local 20K, which will actually be a half marathon this year, in June.  It has always been on my bucket list, and I really, really want to do it.  I just am not sure it is doable!  I ran 2 miles on Friday and was completely sucking wind.  I hate trying to get back into shape. 

Kelly, So glad you are getting other opinions!

Mama, I hope future fills are less painful.  I hope you had fun on the party bus!

alfranco, I am wearing a sports bra, but not a tight one...and it is pretty comfortable.  With my TEs I wore a cotton t shirt every day.

Since I was at a pool fo r20 hours of my weekend, my ball cap got a bit hot.  Needless to say, I went topless for quite a bit of the time. I always hated the wave in my hair.  I was hoping it would come in straight, and that somehow the chemo curl would bypass me.  No such luck.  The back is all kinds of wavy.  I liked my straight wig, so as soon as it is long enough to get it relaxed, straightened...or whatever it is I need to do to it...I plan to.  I need a bit more hair first.  My new avatar was taken at the motel this weekend.

Art, Yahoo for no more drains!  Get that sonogram sooner, rather than later, and if she has ANY shortness of breath, get her to an ER.  The calf pain is hopefully just muscular, bu tit could be a blood clot, and if it breaks free and travels to the lungs, it could cause a PE.  Sugery plus inactivity (or decreased activity) are big risk factors.  I say that not to scare you, but because I have seen too many people in my years as a paramedic not call right away.

Running,
Those IMRTs were awesome!

All,
Was gone all weekend for baseball.  So fun to watch son play.  Lived in Washington State for 42 years and had never been to Walla Walla.  Didn't miss much.  ;-)  But, the field was nice and the sun was shining for a few minutes.

Big news at the ranch is that the eventually-to-be-X (separated for 12 years... seriously!) asked me to finalize it Friday night.  Turned it over to the attorney today.  Seriously... after 12 years... could you have waited TWO WEEKS until after I was done with radiation???  What a... oh... nevermind... family forum and all.

21 down/ 9 to go!! Single digits!!

I Manage Rough Things

simplelife,
I can't explain why, but rads make me tired.  Very tired.  I would give yourself a break through rads, but then make a BIG effort for no excuses afterwards.  I seriously come home from rads and just want to go to sleep.  It could be that I'm working 9 hours a day before rads and that saps my energy too.  But, it is what it is right now... and... off I go to bed...   ;-)

peacock - here is some metformin info linked below.  I had no blood sugar issues prior to treatment.  I had huge blood sugar spikes in relation to steroids, and since treatment my glucose level has not fallen back below 100.  It is only slightly elevated above, but it makes me uncomfortable enough that I would consider metformin.  A lot of people not enrolled in trials can't get their oncs to give them metformin, but their primary care will.  Oncs have a tendency not to prescribe until they see rock solid clinical trial evidence of benefit.

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/research-updates/2013/metformin

SpecialK, that's exactly what my MO said when I asked her about metformin.  She said no randomized studies have been done and that there are side effects, so she said no.  I am going to ask again the next time I see her though.

Kbeee, too funny about the shampoo. My DD laughs at me for even using shampoo at this point.  There is nothing exciting happening up top yet, but using shampoo makes me feel good. 

Anyone else having ingrown hair issues from hair regrowth?  It's not horrible or too widespread, but I've noticed it.  Using a loofah to see if that helps.  Any other suggestions?  I guess I should just be happy things are starting to grow again.  Now if it would just start to grow up top!  I even loofahed my head (gently) to see if that would stimulate anything!!!

KJ, I think I need to do that now, even before anything substantial starts to grow back.  My stragglers that managed to hang on through chemo are now sticking straight out of my head.  The last time I shaved was at the end of December.  I should probably do it again so I don't look so funny.

So, my night sweats are starting to diminish (good thing) but man o man am I moody (bad thing).  Could that mean my period might be coming back!?