Starting Chemo in December 2013

thought I would add a picture of the fun experiences we are having.  I usually am able to score one of the private rooms since I work in the Health System. but  sometimes I end up in the main open room.  The chair s are wonderfully comfortable, the recline and have heat and massage built in.  Too lazy to bother with the wig. 

Barbara

I have a woman MO- maybe flowers?  Cards for the nurses.  I can't wait to ring that bell!  There is a bell where I go to ring on the last chemo.

Anxiety- warning :  I worry that the lymph node will still have cancer after chemo.  And worse after rads- then what?  They didn't want to take it because it is close to my lung, but they can't leave it in there with cancer!  You think they would take it during reconstruction since I already had a BMX?  I think I might email and ask what happens if the node still has cells after rads.  So worried they will say more chemo or different chemo.  No one else here has an internal node right?  Everyone else was armpit and side?  Am I the only one?  They said that is why they were so happy I went to Houston.  I guess I am a freak.  Just hopefully a cancer free freak.  I don't mean to worry anyone else just my thoughts!  I solve one problem and my brain immediately goes to the next on the list.

RHGSR-hope your friends is ok and it is just a bacterial issue.  We can't feel them anymore so she could have burn it with a curling iron for all we know!  Positive thinking and praying for her!!!

AC question-  day 8 for me first one.  Have a headache tonight between the eyes.  Stress, sinus or SE??  Y'all I did very well this first one.  I go back in two weeks.  No neulasta shot for me yet.  They never gave me them with taxol and they didn't with AC first dose.  My WBC was like 9.1 before the first AC.  It has been as low as 5.6.  They said anything about 1.5 you can have chemo with the shot.  Hugs and love to all of y'all!  I thank God for each of you. Hate the way we met, but glad we did.  Have you noticed that our board is one of the most active ones!  It is always up there because one if us post at least every few hours.

 Congrats One Texas!!!!  Big big day for you!  Who is next?  We should have a list lol!

Kimmie - healing thoughts headed your way, for you and your dad. 

Jodie, happy to hear you are doing well on the A/C!! I really did okay on it, I had so many more good days than bad.

RHGSR-so scary for your friend, you both have my prayers!

Congrats to all who are finishing up with their treatments!!!

Today should have been Taxol #8 and last week should have been #7...the newest game plan is to still count the weeks as if I have received the chemo. The neuropathy seems to be a little less, need to document again this week. If it continues to improve, I will receive a couple more doses of Taxol, but will not go past the original week #12. MO wants me to continue with my other treatments on schedule (tamoxifen and rads)

I am going to keep the ovaries and go with the original plan, unless BRCA shows otherwise. I will deal with it then. AI's supposedly work better for ILC, but bone density then becomes an issue. I will end up on them eventually, as I will become post-menopausal at some point in my life. Choosing to follow nature's path. 

Barbara - love the photo!!!

I have only wore makeup twice in my life. The last time was 17 years ago for a friend's wedding.. The first time was for pictures, 20 years ago. I bought some the other day, to fill in eyebrows and make eyes pop a little. Here is my end result. 

Jodi,  my MRI showed the internal mammary lymph node was slightly  larger  on my involved size but not big enough  to Bx or call it definitely involved.  It will be interesting to see if there is any difference on the repeat MRI that is planned for May, before I start RT. The plan now is to add a field of RT to that area just in case.   

Barbara 

love your picture Barbara !!

I need to take at least one while I'm in "the chair" :0)

Here is one of me and my youngest enjoying the first day of spring!

robin - you look gorgeous dah-ling!! 

holi, you both look adorable. How I envy you have temps warm enough to go bare headed, still too cold up here.  Friend of mine, who is only 37, and having chemo for breast Ca, told me her 9 yr old son ( also has boys age 1, 6 ) insist she wear her wig out in public when  with him. 

Barbara

thank you Robin!!

Barbara- that's my age. My kiddos are close to those ages too (2,5,9). My 9 year old is the sane way. Ha ha. 

Don't envy the sun too much. My head gets sooooo HOT !! I found one scarf that is super thin.  That is usually what I wear. But if I'm at home (or even driving in the car) I'm bald. 

Jodie, I add my pics from both iPad and iPhone! To add pic to post - there is a box above where you type, it is a rectangle with 2bumps in it. Right next to the chain looking thing. 4 options to the left of the smiley face!

ok I have to share this pic of LuLu which was two weeks before dx.  It really fits the (&":$@ happens!  She fell down and face planted during the photo session.  Never cried!  Then I put a pic from her today not messy;).  No more today promise;). 

robin, you are very beautiful. Your eye brow looks great!

Barbara, nice picture! 

Rsghr, you and your boy look so cute together! Jealous of the warm weather you have too. They are talking about another slushy day here.

Jodi, I can' believe you are wearing a wig! It looks so natural and great on you. Lulu just made me laugh so much. She is adorable! When I had AC, I always had huge headache at around day 7 and last for at least a couple of days. I tried to drink a lot of water and took ibuprofen,  which seemed help. I asked nurse and she told me it could be the SE. Take care!

J4DC- that makes sense!  I worked hard today moving furniture.  And did not drink enough water actually about to go make a big glass now.  And the timing is the same, maybe it is a SE.  I took a tramodol and that did nada.  So, I took two Aleeve because i know I am not running any fever.  It feels better now.  Thanks! I'll increase my water starting now!!! 

The face plant picture became the favorite of the entire photo session!  Here is my other two.  Emery is the oldest and Ellison.  Then no more tonight lol!  It's Robin's fault!

We like hair accessories in the South lol:). 

Kimie, so sorry to hear about your dad.  He's in my thoughts.

Onetexasday, CONGRATULATIONS!

Robin, you look beautiful! I'm glad the neuropathy is a little better.  I HATE NEUROPATHY!

Jodi, adorable kids.  On AC I would get mild headaches right behind my eyes.

To those that had chemo yesterday and today, wishing us minimal side effects.  I have Taxol 8 today, reduced 20%.  Hope that helps with the neuropathy.  Did I mention I HATE NEUROPATHY!!!

Question:  I've seen the married ladies over the last 4 months use DH and I can't figure it out.  Does it stand for Dear Husband or Damn Husband?

You all are so beautiful, wigs, bandanas and bald!  I think the inner strength is shining through.  Love the pics of the little ones.

My 21yo told me "Mom, you don't have cancer anymore, between the surgery and the chemo you have done already it is gone, the rest is just to make sure."  We are really close and she is used to me being the rock, I know it is hard for her, but she is right, I know it is gone, just making sure , same with ya'll.

Had a bad headache after my first AC, it was more in the back to front, took a lortab and slept.  Didn't happen again.  

Bought some new make up, got a powder foundation since the forehead now goes to the back of the neck, didn't know where to stop with the liquid.  I like it better than the old stuff.  Never wore it much before but won't go out of the house without it now, just feel like I look like a chemo patient.  With my glasses and light eyebrows and lashes no one noticed them anyway so don't do anything there.

Can' t imagine the worry about another BC diagnosis, especially so soon, hope the blister is nothing, sending those good vibes her way.

Wow, thanks for posting all of the pics! Beautiful! I'm not completely bald, so unless I am in my yard or around the house, I wear something on my  head. Not a big fan of the wig, but wear it when working with clients.  Love the kids' comments. They tell it like it is!  I am still anxiously waiting hair growth.  I have gotten pretty good at filling in my brows as well. Luckily, my lashes are still hanging on. I told my DD, at least I don't have to worry about my "mustache" for a while!

Holli, I hope your friend is okay and all is well.

onetexasday, congrats!

DJJ, I hope the dose reduction does the trick. DH?  Hmmm, when I was married, it depended on what day it was...mostly the latter. Lol.

Jodi, Jackie, Love the wigs!

Robin, great job on the eyes.

Have a wonderful week-end ladies! You all bring so much light into this crazy place called BC.