Starting Chemo in December 2013

jb - i had this too.  About 13 weeks PFC, several of my nails simply ripped right off, about halfway down.  One of them had something that looked like fungus underneath, and since it didn't go away for several days, I went to the dermatologist.  She said it was just classic Taxotere damage, no fungus.  Shortly after that virtual all of the rest of my fingernails ripped off at about the halfway point.  The good thing is that the yellow part is gone and the rest of the nail looks better.  I am taking Biotin, and even though my hair is growing slow as molasses, the nails are growing fast.  They look almost normal and I am 17 wks PFC now.

good morning girls. Had to share. Heard this in the car this morning. Enjoy your day! YouTube video below. You are all radiant! Perfect, lol

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-ORyLcSdcfE

hip hip hooray. My MRI was good small disc but not bad enough to do anything bat it now. No tumors in the spine or mets in the bones.  Now I can just ignore the numbness in my foot and calf pain and get on with life.  Next doc apt in 3 months with the Mo. 

 I just got back from a 1.5 mile walk.  Everyone have a great weekend

Barbara - that's fantastic!

Barbara - Awesome news.  Have a great weekend.

Jodi - I can relate to your comment about hating the 8th floor, reminding you of chemo.  I have a certain style of blouse that I cannot wear, as it reminds me of chemo.  One of my friends can't listen to meditation tapes, as it reminds her of chemo.  

Off to San Francisco today, the weather should be in the 60's..... I live 1 1/2 hours inland and it was 109 on my car thermometer yesterday.....

Kim

Barbara, great news!!! So happy for you!

Kim, enjoy your getaway.

I read up a little on Zometa. May ask my MO about it next month, since I have bone loss.

 Maybe it will be approved, sooner than later, for BC prevention. I doubt I will be able to pay for it on my own, but will check into anyway. I do feel better that I am taking Tamoxifen as it can actually improve bone loss. 

I will be changing insurance soon as my former is cancelling me...non-compliant with the Healthcare Act. UGH. Looking for  insurance that has my current Dr's. Has anyone else had problems having your providers on a new plan? 

Enjoying my week-end!!! I think this is the best I have felt since my DX! From the depths of Hell, to a huge looming black cloud, to gray clouds, to white clouds, to clear days, to bright sunshine. 

good news Barbara

I had the nail issue too, it's better now at first I had no idea what it was, then I realized it was my old nail under there, it was weak, peeling ... Uugghhh.

Now I am experiencing the gift that keeps on giving...a period from hell...day 7 today...uugghhhh. First one since chemo stopped.

Kim, that is the plan, every 6 months for at least 2 years or as long as I can afford it.

My BC of course is an HMO, another reason I hate it but have no choice, other then a high deductible plan that would cost a whole lot more with my cancer and my husband's Huntingtons

Barbara -  Glad this dose was covered.   

Michelle - No judgment here..... Great picture, thanks for sharing.

Kim

Michelle, you both look truly happy

Loving the short hairdo.

Enjoy the rest of your visit to Texas.  I am heading off the New  Hampshire Thurs.  to visit my son for a few days. My husband wants to go also so it will not be a stress free trip. Taking 2 days to drive each way instead of my usually straight 8 hours driving when I go by myself. 

Keepthefaith - I met with the PS to get a second opinion yesterday.  He made me feel confident in my PS.  He said that I have a good PS and he doesn't do TE's, he does Tram Flaps, as the risk is really high that the skin will not heal after a second surgery due to radiation.  I knew this, but my skin looks great, so I am going to be positive and believe that my skin will hold up.  He also said that he would wait a year before doing anything on a radiated breast.  My surgeon said he wouldn't do anything until at least May on the TE side.  I hope this info. helps you, I know you are not dealing with the exact issue that I am, but your breast has been radiated and they will probably make you wait awhile before they will perform any kind of surgery on your radiated breast.

Kim

Barbara -  I think every dose should be covered.  Insurance companies....arrrghhhh!   

Michelle - He's cute!! Glad you got to visit and it helped you feel better.

Jodi, my big toenails are still holding on.  I'm babying them to hold on to them as long as possible as the new nails grow under them.  I cut the fingers off rubber gloves and put them on my big toes (toe condoms) during showers.  I just want them to last through September! Sandel season over! Finger nails have grown out but when the think the tips are grown out they release from the nail bed.  Just a little and it just makes the tips uneven so I have to keep them painted....frustrating.

I'm ready for the joint pain to STOP!! My muscle aches are much much better.  My feet still burn after I'm on them for a while but the tenderness is much better.  My hands still get numb on and off throughout the day.  They don't seem to be getting any better.  That scares me.  It doesn't stop me from doing anything so I should be grateful, but it's uncomfortable.  I just keep telling myself, I have my feet and it could take up to a year for it to get better.  I see MO on Friday before Herceptin, I have a bazillion questions for her. 

this board has been quieter since we're all finishing active treatment. I've been reading here but not posting much. It's hard to go back pages to comment but this one is a long page so that's good.

Nails and hair, my thumb nails only developed a deep divot at the base when starting chemo and the R one developed a dark vertical line down it. Now that it's been 6 months since starting chemo those nails have grown out and the deep indentation and dark line is now at the tip and of course broke off. I actually used super glue on the indentation so it wouldn't break off early. And keeping polish on them is good so yiu don't pick at them which I would do because they are so thin and peeling. 

DJJ, My eyebrows are also thinning at the again but it makes sense about the growth stage. All the hairs came in at once so it's normal to loose them at the same time. Until it gets staggered I guess. It's easier to use eyebrow pencil to fill in when there's still some there

My hair is coming in and curls returning. It's still white but I'm getting used to it. Still only about 1-1/12" long and the curls make it look shorter. The sides are very straight though and still very fine and soft. I'm kind of liking it.

Barb, good to hear about the MRI. And I will also ask mo about zometa on next visit 8/19. Also metformin used for tn. The AI's doesn't help me due to TN. Hope you can enjoy your trip to NH to see your son and that your DH does well on the trip.

Michele, you two look happy. Your eyes sparkle and it makes me smile. No judgement or explanations needed. Just be happy.

Jodi, that makes ME emotional thinking of your last years calendar and how much has happened since that last X you placed on there.good luck with your return to school and coaching next week

Kim, so what surgery are you having on 8/19? I've lost track, just the reduction of the good side?

I'm 2wks post rads. Skin is great, boost area is light tan now and I can keep my bra on all day now...lol! L breast looks about maybe 1/3smaller than R but I'm small anyway (B) so small is still small and that's what padded and push-up bras are for. I can always get an extra pad (chicken cutlet) for the L.

I dropped off 2of my wigs and some hats and scarves at ACS today. I told them I'd be interested in being a support person for any newly dx woman. I spoke to the coordinator for the BC division and organizer of making strides against BC for our area. They are having a kick off breakfast for the making strides. It's this tues and she asked me if I wanted to be one of the speakers. They have room for 4 speakers and have 3 so far. I showed her my NO MORE CANCER, finished rads letter I wrote. She thought it would be good to share. I said maybe, but after thinking about it today I think I will do it. I'll modify the letter a little and then give it a go. What are everyone feelings about Susan g komen vs ACS making strides campaign. Thinking of doing a komen 5k race for the cure in albany ny in sept.

Well this is the longest one I've written in a while. Glad we are all still here even though the activity is a little slower, but that's a good thing I think.

Love ya girls, hope everyone is well

Michelle- that is a beautiful picture of the two of you. I'll echo the rest of the ladies... No judgement here. I can see love and joy in both of your eyes. Makes my heart happy. 

So ladies I have had a cough for almost 3 weeks now. Cough so hard at times I either gag or pee. Ha ha. Finished a Z- pal on monday. No help.  Probably just my allergies. And before BC I wouldn't give it a second thought... But now...

Anyway , see my MO next week for follow up. Will ask him about it. 

Hope you are all doing well. 

Holli

charusa, good to hear from you. Good luck with your rads, too! 

holli, michelle, hoping your symptoms and tests are nothing! Seems like I had a cough a few weeks ago, but it finally cleared up...just seemed like it took a bit longer than usual. 

Michelle, are they doing PET scan as routine follow up? I would be nervous, too! Take some Xanax!:) 

My mammo and MO follow up are coming up the end of the month...UGH! Then follow up with BS. I guess we need to get used to it. I HATE being a patient!!!! 

Lisa, good for you; I looked in to 'strides'...nothing in the Austin area. Thought that was strange. I am going to take "Erica" (my wig) to ACS next week. I am making myself wear it on Monday for a closing. These folks have had their house in contract for almost 2 months and I don't want to freak them out the very last time I will see them...will be glad to tell Erica good-bye!!! 

djj, I hope your joints lighten up for you and you get all of your questions answered. 

jodi, sorry about your nail issues. Yeah, I'm sure the calendar was a weird thing to see. 

Finished Susan Love's book. Was interesting. I ordered another, "Living beyond breast cancer". Anybody here reading or have read it?

Enjoy your week-end, ladies. I think of and pray for you all often.

((HUGS))