September 2013 Chemo Group
Comments
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Back from the PS - am now using xeroform dressings and crossing fingers. My internal dissolvable stitches dissolved themselves a little prematurely, also on another antibiotic. I go back in a week and he did mention that he could restitch in the office if need be. Have to change the xeroform three times a day. Fun times! I am relieved that he was not more freaked out and ready to take me back to surgery.
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Good news both Knightzoo and SpecialK! Crossing my fingers too, that Knight will get some more range of motion and SpecialK's skin will heal without further surgery!
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Yay, Knightzoo, for your boys!! Awesome!!
Intensely Maroon Rashy Ta-Ta!!
But... The good news.... Imaging Marathon ReachesThree!!
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KJ, you're so close! You're really going to enjoy this vacation, and you really deserve it!! I'm heading out on spring break vacation soon too. Caribbean cruise. Aaaahhh, can't wait. I have a feeling this vacation is going to be better than any other.
And my hair is finally starting to grow, at 8 weeks pfc. I can see darkness on my scalp now and it's fuzzy to the touch. Not really hair yet, but at least something is starting!
Knightzoo, my PS said the rib pain should start disappearing in a couple of weeks. I hope yours does soon. My sternum is also painful to the touch. Did you have that as well?
One weird thing on ROM, my right arm is way better than my left. And my cancer and node removal was on my right. I totally expected my right to be worse, but it's pretty close now to normal. My left still has a ways to go.
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A lot of catching up to do!!! I have worked 72 sicne Saturday! The good thing is that I have felt good enough to be able to work 72 hours in 4 days. I am back there for 12 hours tonight, but it we have no calls overnight, we can sleep while there, so it is not as crazy as it seems.Running, I love the picture with your daughters and glad to hear that PT is helping.
Betterday, Glad to hear pain is from arthritis...it is such a relief to have "normal" problems!
Vintage, How are you feeling and healing after surgery?
KJ, Good news on echo. Sorry to hear about the burning from rads, but so glad it is almost done and that there's sunshine and relaxation in your very immediate future.
SpecialK, Great story about the police car! I hope you heal without need further surgery.
Knightzoo, Congrats on your sons' hockey win! How exciting! They must be thrilled. It will be nice to have something really positive to look back on from early 2014...not just the cancer stuff!
Alfranco, Love the picture! You look great!
Viji, I also have to remind myself not to sweat the small stuff.
Audra, I hope the lymphedema is easing.
Michelle, I love the horse picture, and also your selfie. Your hair is coming in very nicely, with good, complete coverage. I hope your cold or flu bug goes away quickly, and that all goes well with the rads mapping.
So the scar experiment is going well. I saw a slight difference after a few days, so I am continuing the experiment with that scar and expanding it to another one! I have been going topless full time lately, without even the baseball cap. So far, I've had all good comments. Most people ask if I am going to keep my hair short. NO is my prompt reply...I love short hair on everyone...just not on me...it accentuates my giraffe neck. For now though, I have kind of enjoyed the quick showers. I is just long enough over the past few days, that I can put a little gel on it and feel like it does something other than just go 143 different directions. It almost looks like I had it cut that way.
I hope everyone is doing well. I work 12 hours tonight, 18 hours on Friday, and then I am off for the weekend. I do really love my job, and it is sooooo nice to be on the care giving end and not the care receiving end.
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KJ...I've heard the last week is the hardest on the skin and it keeps on cooking for a couple weeks afterward. I'm glad you are taking some meds with you for it on your vacation just in case you need it.
Betterday, are your right handed? I'm wondering if you got your ROM back faster on the right side because you were using it more after surgery. We sound like we are in similar places with our hair. Do you have eyelashes and brows? I was really happy with how quickly those came back.
SpecialK, I'm so glad your PS is more optimistic about your skin being able to heal. I really hope it works out for you.
I'm doing fine. PT worked on my armpit yesterday to loosen it up. I'm getting back into exercising and I'm now up to 20 minutes every day of some form of intentional aerobic exercise. My goal is at least 30 minutes a day, but I have been building up slowly from 10 minutes a day starting three weeks ago. I can tell my heart is getting stronger. It's good to start feeling good again. I just hope to maintain this when I go through rads starting in two weeks. I'm also doing strength training with my arms every other day....starting slowly with very light weights. I'm up to 1.5 pounds now (told you it was light!).
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Simplelife, I have been trying to exercise too. Building up seems to take so much time.....I just uploaded a new avatar. I think I'll snap one where I am actually smiling!
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Kbeee, this is too funny. I went on Yahoo and searched for hair at 8 weeks pfc, and your picture popped up first in the search results! I was like, I know her! Not sure where Yahoo pulled the picture from (here?), but seeing you made my day. (It's probably also a good reminder to all of us to be careful what we post.)
Simplelife, I am right handed. You must be right that I'm using it more. Guess I need to start exercising and stretching the left side more.
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Ladies,
I am so far behind but it was great to read and catch up!
KJ - Almost there woohoo woman!!! I also experienced a sudden change but mine was a little sooner than yours (at about 23 treatments or so). Mine healed pretty fast and the vaca will do wonders for you too!
LHL, Running, and Alfranco - Such beautiful pics and kids!
Art - So frustrating we all understand. We can only make decisions based on the information we have at the time and then go with our heart. Either way you two are in this together and your support and whole hearted 'in the trenches with you' is awesome.
LHL - so sorry too about your friend. Eventually we will all be there (hopefully many decades in the future) but the strength and planning we do at the end does help heal our loved ones. I cannot imagine what she is thinking about now but it will be a relief to her loved ones not to have to figure out what she would have wanted and all that. They can focus on missing her...ok I am about to cry now....cancer (and all death earlier than we are ready) just sucks!
Kbee - wow to your energy - my hat (not wearing one anymore but figuratively) lol is off to you!
Knightzoo - congrats to your boys!
Vintage Gal - hope you are feeling better - everyday it will get a little better but it takes time. Gentle hugs...
SpeacialK - Glad the news wasn't the worst that you expected (strange what we are happy about now huh). Your reconstruction has been long gentle hugs to you too.
Viji and Audra - I am so happy to be feeling better and better but I do have my days when I am right back in June and devastated. Sometimes it feels like yesterday and the waves of emotion and fear really penetrate. But mostly I am thankful that it feels like a while ago and I don't think of cancer too much. At least in a very emotional way. I am less anxious than I thought I would be (I am a total type a control freak type) but every once in a while I do look at my 2 yr old and wonder just how long I will be here for. But BC or not....let's just say I totally understand your feelings and think that it is unrealistic to think that we will be as 'carefree' as we were pre-BC. This has fundamentally changed each of us and I think those days will happen. Hugs though - we all understand.
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hope everyone is well and hanging tough. And for those going on vacation, awesome!
Lots of medical updates, sonogram much better, one of the veins had "total recanalization", which is a good thing. Her leg is much better, they said she can exercise. She continues in the blood thinners and follow up sonogram next month. Nat had her first fill Tuesday, things look good but the nipple in her cancer side looks angry. PS will monitor, said still sensitive from operation. We met with RO, he said close margins and original tumor size lean towards rads. He wants to see us again in 3 weeks to make sure tissue has healed. He said she has 10% risk of recurrence and rads will reduce it to 50%.
Herceptin resumes Tuesday.
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uh, I meant 5%
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Hi ladies. I have some questions. I started chemo on Dec. 5. I did 4 a/c followed by 4 dense dose taxol. Monday was my last infusion
My question is, how long does it take to grow back eye lashes and eye brows? I have very few lashes left and no eye brows. I know that some people lose them long after they are done so there are no set rules. I'm just looking for a little hope. I hate not having eye brows. My hair is already about 1/2-an inch long. In spots. (Not everywhere) I shaved my head bald on NY eve. 5 days later I had stubble. So weird. Thanks for your input. -
Hi Mikesgirl,
I am almost exactly three months out from my last chemo (carboplatin and taxotere). My eyelashes came back first. Fully back in the first two months. My eyebrows are still coming back, but look like eyebrows again, now. They took longer than my eyelashes. My hair is also about a half inch long. I buzzed it last weekend to get the 'overachievers' in line and improve the symmetry. ;-)
Congrats on finishing chemo!
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Imaging Marathon Reaches TWO!!
Art,
Glad Nat is doing much better.Josgirl,
Good to hear from you!KBee,
Your hair is looking great!Simplelife,
I planned to start exercising during Rads. Was simply too tired each night... full day of work and then rads... went home and went straight to bed most nights. Now my plan is to get at least a half hour of real exercise on vacation and set myself up for success when I get home. :-) Good news is I've managed to lose some weight without exercising. Bet I can lose a lot more with exercising. ;-)Betterday,
Glad you are growing some hair! Feels so good!SpecialK,
You are an inspiration. So much going on and such a great attitude!Lighthouse,
Hope you are doing well. Know you are busy!Running,
Are we there yet?? Vacation, vacation, vacation!! Open, Open, Open!! ;-) -
KJ! Two more rads!!! YAHOO! Interesting Mesas & Red Trails await us!
KBee! Your hair is cute! I'm using some gel too! Its kind of fun to have something to do with my hair! And good for you to be working hard again! It feels great to be busy with things other than medical appointments!!
I made an appointment today to get my port out -- on April 1! Hopefully April Fool's Day will be my LAST surgical procedure for this crazy cancer journey!
My parents are flying in tomorrow from Arizona (sorry about the snow) to spend the weekend and see my daughter's play! The last 3 times they were here, they took care of me after surgery or chemo, so I am excited to have them visit for something FUN!
BetterDay and Audra -- Have fun in the sun!
Simplelife! Very impressive with the exercise and weights too! My son jokingly mocks me for my yardstick-raising exercises, but I told him to have a mastectomy and then see what kind of tough exercises he can do!!!!
Spring is coming, everyone!
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Thanks Josgirl, I hear you loud and clear.
Take care everyone. I am so tired!!!
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Hi KBee
doing ok thanks. Surgeon took bandages off & drains out yesterday, so just steri strips. I am going to shower today! My path report was all clear!
I haven't had Vicoden since the weekend, not even using Ibu so that is good.Still weak but I didn't have any stamina back post chemo yet so I know I need to be patient. (sigh)
I am sure the whole idea of the BMX will get to me soon, wrapping my head around having this caved in boney chest. But right now just healing & knowing I am a step forward towards getting this all done. (rads next)
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Hi MikesGirl
My last chemo *Taxol was Feb 4. Yesterday I saw some itty bitty eyelashes starting! And I think maybe a slight shadow of brows. Hair on head is weird, white uneven wisps, but the shiny cue ball look is subsiding.
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Still so envious of your luscious locks! My hair is growing TOO slowly!!! I am 10 weeks now pfc and still bald areas...it isn't growing symmetrically for sure! And my eyelashes have fallen out in a couple of areas! Just now!!! ARGGGHHHH!!! So I artfully, carefully play with mascara for a while to get them to look like there are some in the bald patches! Too much work! My eyebrows NEVER fell out...my hair on legs is just starting to come in...
I am taking 5mg biotin a day...not sure if it's helping or not.
ALL- So glad you are all hanging in there and positive in the last throes of this awful thing! It will get better! I only think of it a couple of times a day now and am able to be busy and go go go without getting tired! It is awesome! When your body feels better it helps the mind for sure!!
The only thing keeping me from feeling 'normal' is the bald thing...bummer....but it is what it is and I am going to LOVE the gi jane if it ever gets here! I just need my scalp covered...and the weather to warm up...my head is cold...
Running to my ultrasound, 3rd one on lump that appeared during chemo they think is a suture or fat necrosis and 'benign' but check on size and all every 2 months now...gets me a little anxious...BARF!
This is such an upbeat, positive, thread! It's my favorite! No negative nellies on it and I NEED that!
Here's to hair and NEDS! Love to you all!
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Betterday, my rib pain comes back every fill unfortunately. Had one Tues on nonrad side, hopefully last one on rad side next Friday. Last night I had a pinching pull that made it hard to take a deep breath. At least I know what the cause is now. I put on an old bra yesterday and my nonrad side is the same size as preBMX, which is my goal. Just need to even it out!
SpecialK-best wishes for good healing!
Vintage-sounds like you are doing well, good to hear.
My hair is filling in well, (last AC 1/17) I think I'll be sporting the Sinead OConnor look when I head out of town 4/1. Eyebrows are thick and dark enough to not fill in with eyeshadow anymore, eyelashes on bottom are as long as pre-C, top about 3/4 maybe. I've got the face full of white fuzz too - crazy that with all this hair wants, there is spots to get rid of it too! Still nothing under my arms (bonus).
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I'm in the same boat, Audra. 8 weeks pfc and although there are areas of very short peach fuzz, there are also completely bald, shiny areas. My eyebrows and eyelashes are coming in slightly and, of course, the little hairs on my chin are the most robust. lol
I start PT on Tuesday and it's not a moment too soon. RADS are supposed to start soon and at this point, I couldn't get my arm up over my head if I had to. Bring on the PT.
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y'all have been busy! I can't possibly respond to everything but sounds like we are all moving forward at least. I have enough hair these days that people think I've gotten a sassy haircut. it's kinda funny. I'm almost 13 weeks PFC.
KJ-that was my experience with rads, my skin held up flawlessly until the last week of full field. I saw the doctor and he commented on how well it was and that night the itch, BURN and red came on. the silvadine cream healed me fast. like in 3 days. I was surprised boosts did nothing to make my skin worse.
ran 3 miles yesterday without stopping. it was slow but I did it without walking. baby steps. I also had some good thinking time. I happened to have a conversation with a yoga student the other day, she remarked how amazing and lucky it is for me to live in a time where technology (radiation and chemo) are available to combat this disease. Honestly I've never come to terms with it in that way. I never saw chemo/rads as my life saver or this awesome "tool". I've still got a lot of "mental" work to do. I'm bitter and I hated it. It's time to come to peace about it.
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Vintage, so glad your doing well. Yes i guess we have to process the whole feeling of losing our breasts or one of them, a lot to digest, I guess thats what makes us strong to get thru this rough journey. What part if NH are u from? We vacation in Ogunquit Maine every summer with a couple of days in north Conway for shopping! Love it
I have good news! I had an MRI on Monday and saw my onco on Tuesday, tumors gone! There is scar tissue and he said there is also little grains that may be cancer they will know more from surgery, which i still have to have a mastectomy due to the area that was affected. Lymph node disection also. At least the chemo worked.
I am 4 weeks pfc, no eyelashes, no brows, white hair here and there and a little dark shadow in the back of my head, I will buzz some if that white this weekend, its too freaky!
SpecialK hope your doing well
Hoping everyone is doing well and boy I cannot wait to vacation too. Will have to wait til surgery and rads finish blahhhhhh
Cheryl
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Impressive Milestone Reality Tomorrow!!
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Oh... And I found out today that I get to interview for a potential promotion tomorrow!! Yay!!
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Hi Mercedes I am closer to the Seacoast, between Portsmouth And Concord.
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Thanks kjsimpson.
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KJ, congratulation on ringing the bell today! I will miss your IMRT's. They were wonderful. Now, go have a great time on your vacation!
Art, I'm glad Nat is on the mend.
To everyone else....it's nice to see us moving along and getting back to our lives bit by bit. It seems like the days are flying by now that I'm able to get out and do more.
Have a wonderful weekend, whatever you do!
Hugs,
Kay
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KJ - TOMORROW - WOOHOO!!!
Peacock Girl - Congrats on the run. That in itself will start to help you feel better - at least for me it is like I have my meditation time back when I can run. And I feel the same way. I am grateful in the abstract for the research and technology and having 'options' but still pretty angry and feel betrayed by my body. But the residual anger is much better than the despair I was feeling at diagnosis (still feel but much less often). As with anything as time goes by and we get stronger I think we may be able to look back and be more grateful...I hope. I still feel like I didn't learn a lesson or gain a gift from this experience so hoping with hindsight there will be something to latch onto.
A friend of mine just found out she is genetically positive for PALb2 which works with BRCA1 in some way....not sure but she thought she was done with everything....grr.
Vintage gal and Mercedes - congrats on the path reports/MRI results.
And I feel like time is working in my favor as 'meeting' all you ladies seems like a long time ago already and outside of the hair, I feel pretty good. Sending you all strength and hugs.
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KJ - I was behind when I posted - TODAY!!!! WOOHOO on the promotion opportunity too!
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