Starting Chemo January 6, 2014

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  • birdlover23
    birdlover23 Member Posts: 54
    edited August 2014

    Carpe - That just stinks.  Not fair, you've dealt with enough.  Be strong, we are all thinking of you.

    White lines across nails, I have them also.  Yes, they are a "record" of chemo.  I am 5 weeks post checmo and the lines are about halfway down my nails.

    My very, very short hair is getting wavy.  I had poker straight hair before.  I am thinking to dye it in September and try to go without hats, at least at home.

  • carolsue63
    carolsue63 Member Posts: 126
    edited August 2014

    Tek -- I did a year of Herceptin in 2010, and didn't really notice any SE's. I'm now on my 3rd round of Herceptin + Perjeta after completing 6 rounds of TCHP, and I'm feeling pretty darn good. I go for an Echo every 3 months, and so far my ticker is holding up just fine.

  • birdlover23
    birdlover23 Member Posts: 54
    edited August 2014

    Has anyone found a good hair dye for our delicate new hair?  I am hoping to use something as natural as possible.

  • SmartassSmurf
    SmartassSmurf Member Posts: 157
    edited August 2014

    Hello Ladies,

    I am almost 4 weeks out from my BMX , and have been doing pretty well. I had my second follow up with my surgeon this week and all is good there. I cannot remember if I shared on here that they did not find any further cancer in the tissue removed, so that was a huge relief because of the positive margin last time. 

    I had my 2nd radiation consult & received my three new tattoos. I officially start next Thursday with my 33 sessions which should end in early October. Ready to go! I am a little nervous because while I tan easily/rarely burn, my skin is light (especially this year), I am naturally blonde & have very sensitive skin to everything but the sun. I hope my skin holds up...it certainly.has not liked any of the tapes or chemo. I have been so allergy/rash ridden for the last six months that I should have bought stock in Benadryl! 

    Birdlover - sorry I have no tips for you on natural type hair color, but am interested to hear if you learn of one. I am going to ask a friend.who is a stylist, I just have not seen her yet.

    Carpe, I hope you are doing well, I have been thinking of you.

    PS My EYELASHES are about 1/2 the normal length already & my brows are long enough to hold the brow stuff together to blend them into real brows that do not sweat off!

  • birdlover23
    birdlover23 Member Posts: 54
    edited September 2014

    Hi Everyone!  I hope you are all doing well :)

    Hair dye - Mastey is a natural one that was recommended to me, but only hair stylists have full access to it.  I learned the hard way when I ordered it from Amazon and it was only part of a kit :(

    So, I broke down and bought a normal chemical-filled kit.  The color is not as dark as I would prefer, need a darker color when covering white/gray, I guess.  But, at least I don't have white hair popping out from under my halo/wig now.

    Carpe - let us know how you are doing.  Praying for you.

  • CarpeVinum
    CarpeVinum Member Posts: 116
    edited September 2014


    Thank you for thinking of me, ladies. I am hanging in there.

    My hair has grown so much I actually got my hair cut!! (shaved pixie) and I love it. I colored it myself using L'Oreal Mousse Absolue in a dark brown for the undercut (it's a reusable mousse that is FANTASTIC and so quick and easy) and Shea Moisture Hair Color System in a light brown for the top.  Didn't damage my hair at all. My top layer and bangs (if you can call them that lol) are still the very fine first new growth that is like baby hair and it didn't harm it at all. I'm ready for a trim of the undercut already, it's still very curly and I like it clipped right down. I bought myself a mini flat iron that also hasn't harmed my hair (I straighten the top a bit.)  So, rest assured, your hair will eventually grow :)   My eyebrows still haven't made much of an appearance though. I'm thinking they've flown the coop for good. I can live with that.

    I finished my 10X external beam rads on my soft tissue lesion near T4 spine and also finished my 5 CyberKnife treatments on my T4 pedicle. I am almost pain free at the moment, just a nagging ache still, but I have my next Petscan scheduled for the first week of Oct.

    I just returned from a trip home to Vancouver by myself (no hubby or punks!) and had the most relaxing yet invigorating time. My best friend since high school treated me to a weekend at her place in Whistler/Blackcomb and we went ziplining at Cougar Mtn. SuperFly was the name of the company if any locals are interested. I still can't believe I did it. 640 feet above the ground (through the alpine trees) and reached speeds of 50 mph. It was amazing.

    I think I mentioned that my family has been chosen to spend a week at a beachhouse at Lake Tahoe and we leave on Sept 24th. I can't wait to meet other families who are going through the same thing we are, and to just relax and enjoy ourselves. I'm getting in all the traveling that I can, while I still can.

    I haven't had time to read through everyone's posts. I've found coming here to be a bit depressing sometimes but am keeping you all in my thoughts and hope you are all feeling well and having an easy time with your treatments and recovery.

    XOX Wendy

    oh ~ I've linked the haircolors below for anyone that is interested. I think I bought them both at Target. The Shea is in the ethnic section.

    I'm also adding a link for TAG Superfly at Whistler. Click on the video and watch the ziplining. Words can't describe how scary yet exhilarating it is but this video gives you an idea.

    http://tagwhistler.com/activity/superfly/

     http://www.lorealparisusa.com/en/brands/hair-color/mousse-absolue.aspx

    http://www.sheamoisture.com/Hair-Color_c_138.html

  • SmartassSmurf
    SmartassSmurf Member Posts: 157
    edited September 2014

    carpenter & birdlover, glad you are doing well and your hair is doing well too. :) Carpet it sounds like you have some fun things happening in your life right now with your travels. ENJOY!

    My hair is not long enough yet to do much, but the upside is that I basically do nothing with it but towel it dry. I have chosen not to wear my wig or hats anymore, so I occasionally get comments from people. I mostly just do not care. Recently I ran into another BC patients at my cancer clinic, she looks about a month behind me in her barely there hair. She told me I was the first other woman she had seen not wearing wigs or scarves. I thought about it, and I have to say the same of her. I am embracing my short short hair...maybe 1/2 " long right now, with a little waviness that might be in there? 

    I am back to work FT, and that is kicking my behind a bit. Weekends have been for resting, so I send the hubby off to hunting weekends with his family. It is a win/win for both of us. 

    Take care & enjoy your increased energy and the fun things in your lives that you are finally able to start doing again!

  • CarpeVinum
    CarpeVinum Member Posts: 116
    edited October 2014


    Hi Ladies ~ just checking in to see how you're all doing. I have a Petscan tomorrow and could use some positive thoughts for no more progression or new mets. I've had enough these past 21 months!

    My Little Pink Houses of Hope retreat had to be cancelled due to the wildfires near Tahoe. Very disappointing, but it has been rescheduled to the beginning of November. I'm hoping for some snow! My 9 year old son has only seen snow one time, when we visited my hometown Vancouver BC a few years ago.

    I hope you're all doing well and moving forward with minimal (or no) side effects! XO

  • chipmunk57
    chipmunk57 Member Posts: 58
    edited October 2014

    Carpe, in your pocket for tomorrow. Good thoughts.

  • CarpeVinum
    CarpeVinum Member Posts: 116
    edited October 2014


    Thank you chipmunk! Smile

  • birdlover23
    birdlover23 Member Posts: 54
    edited October 2014

    Carpe - Thinking of you today with your scan.  Hope you get just a little bit of snow in November, not too much!

  • Sam2U
    Sam2U Member Posts: 233
    edited October 2014


    Carpe---you got this!! sending positive thoughts, and I'll be sending snowflake vibes for November!!

  • birdlover23
    birdlover23 Member Posts: 54
    edited December 2014

    Hi Everyone!

    I just wanted to say Happy Holidays to you all and that I hope you all are doing well :)

    Carpe - let us know how you are doing.

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