Starting Chemo in December 2013

RHGSR- Sounds like you are going to have fun tonight...with that thought in mind it depends on how comfortable you are going to feel going out topless. I have gotten used to it around the house and don't carry my bandanna with me to every room in case someone comes over but I have not even gone to the mailbox without covering my head. The main thing is don't spoil a good time out by worrying about how you look to others, you aren't going to enjoy your company or the movie if you are being overly conscience about who is looking at your head. I see the pictures posted here and all these women look so beautiful bald and yet I look at myself and can't see it. I have a wig with bangs that could be trimmed but I just wear it a little more towards the back so they don't bother my eyes. Maybe you can use a curling iron, most wigs you can use them as long as it is on low heat, and curl them under. If I have to walk to the corner store and it is hot out I wet one of my bandannas before I put it on and in this heat it is dry by the time I get home. At least at the movies it is usually kept cold. Bottom line my advice is wear or don't wear anything that will take away from having a good time!!!! Have fun...be brave...and relax...hope you enjoy the movie it looks like a good one!!!!

Char

I pretty much made the decision to be bald early on. I was just more comfortable. I really could give a rat's ass what anyone out there thinks or says. My cancer, my head, my way!!!! 

You are all such an amazing group of women. This board feels like "home" to me. A great source of comfort and well-being comes from all of you. It has helped me through the journey and toward healing. Thank you all. 

Do it!  But bring a hat or something in case the theatre is cold!!  Nothing worse than being cold in the movie so that you can't enjoy it!!!

Well- it is definitely a cycle!  Can you believe this!!!!  Last chemo days away and I am cycling?!?  I am really frightened by this:(. Noooooooooo estrogen.  Praying my dr says no biggy, but really worried that my hormones are that strong!!  

beautiful day with gorgeous flowers. Nature is amazing. No rain, sunny and warm just for us! Made me happy!

Hello ladies - 

DH & I took both moms out on the boat today to Old Sacramento for lunch.  Our water is so low here in CA that we had to go to 3 boat launches before we could get our boat in the water.... we took out the Jet boat (Which can run in shallow water)  Crazy.... 

Lisa - Wow, pretty flowers.  Looks like you were having a great day.

AKChristine - Hello & Welcome

Jodi - I am sorry that you are cycling.  I am going to think that if this were an issue we would be warned.  I don't recall my MO ever saying that it would be bad to have a period during chemo.  I would call your MO on Mon. to find out what they say about this.   Keep me posted.  Sending a hug your way.

Kim

jbokland- that is so awesome!!! Did you post the news show? I think I saw your head bling on there. 

Jodi- I cycled once on AC. Then I spotted with the first two DDTaxol. But nothing since then. I agree with Kim. Call your MO on Monday for piece of mind.  

Lisa-awesome pictures.  So glad the weather was nice and you had a good time. 

I had a blast tonight. Went to dinner and a movie with 3 of my girlfriends. I rocked bald! I just get so hot with any head covering. Felt a little self conscience when I thought about it but for the most part, I didn't think about it too much. Here I am before I left. Had to draw my eyebrows on as most are gone now. 

Rockin it is right!!!! Good for you and you look BEAUTIFUL!!!!

The flower pictures were so pretty.....we are just finally starting to get green grass here in North Dakota but no leaves yet on the trees....soon I hope!

I would also call you MO tomorrow on the cycle issue.  I had a hysterectomy about 12 years ago so i have not had to deal with that issue.  I did have one ovary left when i had it....regret that decision now more than ever and want to get it removed.  My issue i'm having right now is i have a lump, small, sort of oblong shape on the top part of my bald vajayjay.....its over sort of to the side kind of toward my leg.....my concern is its a lymph node but i think those are down more by the panty line?  I'm just watching it for a couple of days and hoping its just a cyst or a hair follicle coming in or something like that....but nowadays any lump or bump worry me! 

Happy Mothers day to everybody!!!

Michelle

thanks ladies!! Not just for the sweet comments but for the advice prior. 

I forgot to add that we saw the movie "moms night out". It was really really good and pretty funny. A very light hearted movie. Just what I needed. 

Happy Mothers Day to all the mommas. 

Love all you gals!!

Holli

I thought the forum was unusually quiet until I realized it was no longer updating in my favorites.  I missed you all the  past week. You ladies are a truly wonderful support group. 

I saw my BS on Wed and she said the MRI was clear and scheduled me for mammos and US in 6 months. I presume I will alternate MRI and Mammos every 6 months since my cancer did not really show up on the regular mammos.  Asked if I wanted my port out but I said I would rather keep it for a while.  I hate getting stuck 3 times for blood work or IVs. I sort of think of my port as a good luck charm. It really does not bother me much so it will stay for a while.  She is going to remove a cyst on top of my scalp in 2 weeks. Good time since she will not have to cut much hair ( <1/2 inch) I will still be wearing wigs or scarves while the scar heals.  

I go for mapping on the 15th. They will do a CT scan for heart position. I will discuss with the RO breath holding etc when I see him before the mapping. Trying to figure out if it is better to get my treatment early  AM before work or in the afternoons after work.  Any advice considering  this from the experts. 

Robin and DJJ. Not the news that  you want to hear. Hoping that all goes well for each of you. 

Mikesgirl, congrats on finishing RT. What a relief to get both the chemo and RT done. 

DJJ .  Your talk was fabulous.   I am impressed you walked 7 miles each day. I am scheduled to walk for 2 one hour shifts at Relay for Life next weekend, Friday night and Sat morning. 

Oranje- so happy your LN was neg, that is really a big deal. Now rest and heal for a while. 

Holly - you still rock the Kojack look. just wish insurance would not be so difficult.  My insurance denied my second option request at Sloan Kettering.  Only will approve in network surgeons. I am changing from an HMO to a PPO in July so I will hopefully be able to go then. 

Charusa  happy day, no more chemo!  Sort of a let down feeling. Do you have RT next? 

Barbara.  Happy Mother's Day to all. 

Ive been off the grid for a few days getting settled into  my condo in toronto, its been a gong show.  I flew in last week on tuesday with my hubby, we jumped around hotels for a few days spend a ton of money on cabs, decided to rent a car, which we should have done from the start, I am now settled and have been catching up on the posts., my husband flew back home today and now here I am at my home away  from home for the next 6 weeks, Ive gone to a couple blue jays games, big ball fan, and have wandered china town.  I have a lot of time to fill and in Toronto its easy to find things to do.

Jodi- I had a full friggin period while on chemo, only once but it sucked, couldnt use tampons, my oncologist told me my period will likely return because of my age, that was one thing I was hoping would stay away..lol

Lisa514- I am doing the breath hold for radiation its exactly like the video I posted,  I have done 2 so far theres nothing to it.

DJJ - I am pissed off for you.... this whole right breast thing should have been addressed at the start, for F@#$ sakes... it is bull s#%...  sidenote your speech was awesome !!!!

Missy - OH MY GOD re:bodyaches... there are days that I feel as though I am one hundred and 10 ... the joint pain is redonkulous.  I was done chemo in march for gods sakes and the pain is still very present, I have done a lot of walking the last few days, probaly 3-5 km a day which is a lot when you dont ever do it...lol I get in bed at night and my whole body hurts, my hips ache.... it sucks

my hair on my head is finally growing as are my lashes, my eyebrows look foolish as I lost the ends of them and now its growing in again and its all out of sorts....FRIGGGGG...

so happy to be back in touch 

chat soon

jbokland, love the head bling. I just can't go out bald....yet. Don't know why. Too self conscious, I've aways been. Hmm... time for some insight and soul searching maybe. This disease makes you think about yourself and how you feel about your body and appearance. I just love the rest of you who go out topless and your attitudes. I've been so used to covering my head due to the freezing winter we had and now my head gets cold easily. You rocked it holli! Im still very bald with a few sparse fine hairs starting to show. No hair on arms, underarms, bikini and pube area and loosing eyebrows. Feeling good physically, wish hair would start to grow.....you'd think id be used to waiting for things, but not!

Kimie, good luck in Toronto, it's beautiful there. Will you go back home on weekends? 

Missy, good luck with fiancé!? Congrats on your hair. Soon I hope for me. I'm sure mine will come in gray...um silver too. Like that better.

4D CAT scan on thurs to see if respiratory gating is needed according to anatomy, breathing and heart movt in relation to rad beam needed.

My birthday is wed 5/14. 54 yrs old! Whaaat, me, no way

And.....I get my port out tomorrow. I'm ready for this to be out. Sensitive, protrudes a lot, bothers seat belt when in passenger seat (it's on right side). Had to have blood work on Friday for the surgery tomorrow and did it the regular, normal way, from my arm, no problem. Another milestone for me in getting to the other side of this

Holli, wow, the goodness of people is real, it's so nice to see there are good people out there. Everyone should pay it forward some day, I love that concept.

wow. Those are gorgeous. Especially those yellow ones with the red stripes. Amazing!!

Amanda, the wait sucks!  I hope you hear good news soon.  If it's not good news . . . you know we are here for you.

I am jealous of those with hair.  Just changed my avatar to show off my current hairstyle aka peach fuzz.  I never got a smooth bald head, these wispy hairs remained and that's all I seem to have still!  If I squint I swear I see new stubble but DH doesn't think so . . .

Holli, congrats on the harvest!  Looks yummy!

I love the head bling.  I'm still wearing scarves.  It's so warm out but my hair coming in makes me part bald part hair.  A couple more weeks and I will be going topless too.  I'm so tired of matching my scarves. 

Kimmie, glad your settled in.  Sight see, read books, walk.  Make it enjoyable.

Seven weeks out and my legs still ache.  My hips, my quads, my hamstrings.  Not to bad, but when I'm active they act up fast.  Speaking of active.  Hiked five miles yesterday.  Feet are doing so much better.  Still crap but good crap.

Jodi, sorry you are dealing with a period.  I haven't had one since before chemo and hope to never have one again. 

Amanda, I'm sorry you have to wait.  I hate the waiting!!!

I have my surgical biopsy on my right breast calcifications scheduled for Thursday and I will have to wait until Monday to get the results.   ARRRRGGGGGHHHH!!!! Another scar. Let's get on with the radiation already!!!