Starting Chemo in December 2013

Holli- your wig looks great,sometimes it is just nice to have hair again. I have 4 wigs but only wear 3 of them, the last one I really do not like. I got one for the ACS and the other 3 were used ones from the Cancer center. I am going to take the last one back there for some one else to use.  \Barbara

Holli- I took a pic of the cartoon with my phone and edited out the words!  I bought it was awesome too!  I added it to my blog!  I also love that shirt and I will be ordering it,  You and I seem to have the same humor;). Must be all the damn kids we have lol!   I am thrilled you had such a great day!  I was prayin for you to not have a reaction, and well you must have had a lot of prayers sister.  You had a great day!!  One more to go;). Happy for you!

Holli - you rock it bald!  I am loving the pics. 

Went to a wedding on Sat, had an awesome time, danced, had fun, didn't drink - it was the day after chemo.  I was still in the roid rage mode, so I really over did it.  I was wore out and hurt for three days.  Had to take a lortab to sleep on Monday I hurt so bad.  But it was a great time with a bunch of kids in their mid 20's.  It was a friend of my oldest daughter's, so she was a bridesmaid.

Yeah, guilty of the "doing good" even when I'm not.  People really don't want to hear the bad stuff.  Guess I have developed an internal hemorrhoid, starting bleeding after a poop, then get in the shower and blow bloody hunks out, I'm ready for this to be over!  And no one wants to hear about these SE's.

Tomorrow is Taxol #10 and am feeling the cumulative effects.  Props to all of you that are done, the rest of us will get there soon.  The rad girls, keep the info coming

This is both my daughters.

Loving all the beautiful photos ladies. So pretty and aren't we fierce warriors???

I am also in the "suck it up buttercup" group who doesn't really say how they are honestly doing. For me it depends on who us asking. 

Taxol was on the menu today, and is most likely on the menu next week. I will end up with 9 of 12 actual doses for the taxol. 13 of 16 total treatments. Not too shabby. Bring on the pain, I am ready!!! For once. 

Here is the hair... 4 day progression. 

Jodi I put the original cartoon on my post from earlier without all the background stuff.....i was on my work computer and couldn't figure out how to copy and paste without it! Not having my clearest day today...i think they call it chemo brain! Isn't that a hoot though? it's exactly how i feel every week.  I feel like a freakin steam roller has run over my body again today....i feel like how i used to feel with the neulasta shot on the AC.....and on top of this, my "butt" problem is totally acting up.  Think I may have an infection from the hemorrhoid surgery, so called surgeon today and he put me on two different antibiotics. I just don't think my body is getting a chance to heal itself because every week since the surgery i've been assaulting it with chemo, so I don't know what is going on.  Seriously..........just want this over with!!! 2 more weeks!!! not even that now, 11 more days! Last treatment....APRIL 21! 

cha, cha, cha, chia!!!! ROFL. 

I want Mexican food, a margarita and karaoke for dinner tonight. My 11 year anniversary and I want to go out. Still hopped up on steroids. I have not had one alcoholic beverage since my journey began. My MO says all is good in moderation, onc nurse says body will let you know. 

Has anyone had any beverages other than hydrating fluids during treatment? 

I have a glass of red twice a week, normally at least 3 days out from chemo...I will try a margarita when all done because it tasted like soap to me when I tried one a few weeks ago.

My hand joints are hurting and stiff, is this neuropathy or just part of all the aches?  Took my Benedryl nap now anticipate the up all night sweating with steroids tonight.  I hate the blow fish look.

Hanging in there my typical response to people, also tell them I'm getting there, I will be my new normal soon and I'm still as mean as ever, usually gets a smile out of them.  

My hair looks similar Robin, after I shaved it a few weeks ago it is coming in fast and darker, still have some white fuzz but I don't think I will shave it again, see what the fuzz does, it looks better than before.  

Robin, I have had beer and margaritas, but not at the same time, usually day 5 or 6. The margarita didn't taste quite right though.  Wine does't taste right either.  My body didn't respond well to beer the day after chemo, won't do that again.  

Jodi - I think Juzo makes kid sleeves, I thought I saw them on their website.  Your arm sleeve does look too big, it should be smooth.  It is normal to get a line around the wrist area.  I will wear my sleeve and guantlet tomorrow and look at my skin when I take it off.  Binney correct me if I am wrong and I will yell at my LE specialist.

Robin - You are making me feel like my hair isn't going to grow back....  I am 4 weeks out and just seeing little tiny white hair sprouts. Your hair growth is impressive.  Happy Anniversary.

Chicopeach - Great picture of you and your daughters.  

"Hanging in there" or "Bald and bitchy"  are some of my responses to people.  Now when they ask me how rads are going, I respond "Just burning from the inside out."  I am being dramatic and usually reserve that commit to close friends and family.  

Kim

Congratulations to all the ladies that have one more chemo down!!!

It's hilarious that you started posting about "Hanging in there".  That has been my go to phrase, but just yesterday I started answering "Shitty!" Woohoo! You should see the faces.  I figured since I've been crying so much because of my forced break and my neuropathy is only a smidge better (at least there's a difference) and I feel shitty, I'm going to say it! Screw everybody, if they don't want to know don't ask.  My acupuncturist turned into my therapist yesterday when I told him I was shitty.  He was so proud of me for telling it like it is! I FEEL SHITTY!!!!

My biggest problem between my feet and my lumpectomy is not being able to really work out this last 2 weeks.  That always makes me feel bitchy.  A friend is getting my bike out tonight so I can get out and about and relieve some of this stress.  Also going to Ocean City Wednesday through Saturday to stroll on the beach and relax. 

I had a Strong Bow (hard cider) last night, I only drank a 1/4 of it.  So sweet, not at all like I remember it :-(

going to make an eval appt with a Lymphadema specialist for next week. She is located inside a nursing home. My insurance will pay for the eval. My rings aren't fitting me anymore. I've actually lost about 4 pounds but I'm so swollen. Pretty much everywhere. Thanks Binney for all the info. 

Chico I know all about the horrible hemmorrhoids! I had to have emergency surgery the week after my first Taxol treatment.....I had struggled since December when i was on AC and got to a point where I wasn't eating, because what goes in has to come out, and what was coming out was like shattered glass! the pain was beyond horrible.  I had a 4 inch long internal hemmorrhoid that had completely ulcerated.  It has gotten a LITTLE bit better, but still struggle with it all the time.  Seems like it just doesn't want to heal!   I am hoping and praying when i stop the chemo my body will be able to start healing itself...it's seriously been the worst SE ever.  Ugh.

robin, happy anniversary! I am so jealous of your hair. :-) I had tiny bit whitish growth 4 week into taxol. I haven't seen much since then. My eyelashes and brows are still falling. Counting down to May 2nd and hopefully it can grow faster after taxol.

Missy, very sorry to hear about you in pain. I had the same problem since my first pregnancy and it got a lot worse during my second. I can relate how you feel. It really socks you have to suffer this during chemo. Sending hugs your way. 

Djj, enjoy your bike ride! The weekend weather in DC will be perfect!

Take care, everybody!

jodi, happy anniversary to you too!! Mine will be in May, after chemo. Yay! I totally agree with you. I was so stressed out last year at work. One thing I kept telling my friends was "I have never been this busy in my life!" Just when I feel finally things calmed a bit, BC came. It did make me think a lot what are really I important in my life. Many things I used to stress out with really not worth it. I am trying to spend a lot more time with my family. My DH is a great support for me in this journey. He goes to almost all my appointments with me. My parents came to help too. I am so grateful.

Riding the steroid train right now. Hope you all have a better sleep!

Hope my December 2013 Chemo Sisters are doing well! I'm almost 2 weeks out from BMX with reconstruction. Surgery wasn't too bad, but the drains are such a pain. Hoping to have them out on Tuesday. That would be an awesome belated 50th birthday for my sweet hubby. He has been doing the drains, taking care of the dressings for drains, and even helping me with showers. He even put aside running so that he can walk with me instead. Did I mention that even though I was quite the trooper during chemo, I've been a bit of a baby with the BMX??!! 

Okay, now I want to be a baby about the latest TC SE - my eyebrows and eyelashes are jumping ship!!! Last chemo was February 21st, and even though the eyebrows/eyelashes thinned some, I thought since my hair was doing so well (at least according to the two guys at my house), I might escape the complete loss but they seriously look like they are going to go completely. Any advice??? I think I may try the eyebrows PatAlameda mentioned, but I'm scared they will interfere with new growth.

I used Brian Joseph's before, during, and after chemo, and I was sure it was helping. Not so sure now. I'm thinking of going back to Latisse and using it on the eyebrows even though I know it is not recommended for brows. 

Any suggestions???  You guys are the greatest!!!

Keep smilin'...keep shinin'...