Starting Chemo March 2015

Thanks for your comments to far. I've been reading your posts and already have warm feelings for you all. You're all so unique and fun and interesting. Too bad it's cancer that brings us all together.

Katy, curious as to what you would have done if your score was a 20. I know there's no going back.

Mary--I'm so sorry to hear about your port, but I love your sense of humor. May as well buy the U, C & K right away to save yourself a trip!

Sue- I honestly don't know what I would do with a 20.

I can tell you an interesting thing my MO told me when we were discussing it.

One patient of his refused the test. (It's about $4K but ins usually pays). When asked why she said she was having chemo no matter what the GD number came back as. So why waste time and money she said. If I get any advantage at all, I'm doing it!

I ordered this shirt.... I plan to wear it to chemo sessions... of course none that my mother will attend.... but the rest of them

Leigh! Love the shirt!

Mary- I read the linked articles. Exactly why I am always making snerky references to pink tutus and the like.

I posted it to my caringbridge blog (which everyone said they wanted me to do, but I'm pretty sure nobody reads it- and it's not all negative! Promise! )

It might be that every time you get on the site you are pestered for donations. I find it offensive.

This site, BCO, accepts donations, but it's not in your face.

In case anyone missed it yesterday, Trvler made a donation to honor this group: the "Starting Chemo March 2015" group. There is a thread if you click on her avatar you will find it.

Sue,

My oncotype score was a 19. The score only rates your chance of chemo helping assuming you do 5 years of Tamoxifen. Some of the side effects of that include depression and fatigue which I have struggled with for years. I also will have to change some of my psych drugs as the cannot be taken w/ Tamox. If I can't tolerate Tamoxifen if I don't do chemo then I've done nothing to try to prevent recurrence. I'm 46, if a few months of shit can help me get 40 more years I don't see a problem with that.

The decision is based on so many factors and so individual.

Good luck making yours

~e

I am wondering about Supernannymom and Princess. Has anyone seen them lately?

Diane- haha I made a mm tincture for my standby stash. Can't smoke.

MO couldn't care less.

And you are too sweet. I will PM you details on the infinity charm bracelet.

Still looking for the perfect F in solidarity with NinjaMary

As far as the coconut oil goes, it is solid up to 76 degrees and then it will liquefy. Just spoon, or finger gouge a little out and rub it between your hands (if applying topically) and it will melt real quick-like. If using it in your mouth, it will liquefy quickly too. A little off-topic but it also has a high smoke temperature so you can use it to fry veggies and things and it takes a lot higher temperature to make smoke. And, it is a medium-chain fatty acid so it doesn't contribute to cholesterol which makes it even better than olive oil - my PSA for the day

I've tried reaching out to Shaz but I haven't heard from her. I'm sure she will check in...just hope she's out there doing something fun and not suffering from nasty SEs.

I shaved my head quite a while ago and I still have some areas that are like stubble and I have to re-shave. I'm under the impression that those follicles will probably fall out during the Taxol but for now they are hanging on and being annoying. I've been shaving my underarms and legs about once every 10 days.

Bekah

by the way, does anybody have prune looking fingertips?

my fingernails are looking good! They give me ice packs to rest my fingers on during chemo (must be akin to cold cap theory) and I treat the cuticles and underneath the nail with tea tree oil every day. Maybe it's working?

Oh duh, Theresa, sorry. I see now you said fingertips, not nails. Oops! Maybe someone can benefit from the nail advice......feel like a dork now

yes I just revised my post, while you were writing yours.Chemo brain?

I think I'm going to order one of the lesser expensive bracelets. It would be nice if we all had one to remind us of our connectedness even though I think of this group often anyway. I hope some day we will all be healthy and able to meet in person. Some luxury spa or something sponsored by BC org ha!

Good to hear from you Theresa. I used the coconut oil on my teeth and gums and was able to enjoy pizza for the first time for a long while.

Katy,

You serious crack me up! "Eff that I'm plenty aware." Literally LOLing here! Thank you also for the words of support and advice. I do think my little rash is yeast. I remember your picture and mine is not nearly as bad. I struggled with yeast after I had my son and was breastfeeding. My a-hole doctors office never called me back today. So irritating. Not sure which is more irritating--they didn't call me back or me not wanting to bother them so I didn't call three times. Ugh! My mouth sores are a little better today but it pains me to eat. F cancer is right!

Hi Sue, I never had an Oncotype test. For me, the decision to start with chemo came after my HER2 came back positive and they found the cancer had moved to my lymph node--thankfully it was only one. I know lots of people who just want to get their tumor removed but I guess I was more concerned with making sure the cancer didn't spread anywhere else. Just my story though, everyone is different.

Carrie- even the hydrcortisone cream will give you some relief until the fu$ktard calls back.

Theresa I had to laugh after I burned my finger AGAIN (chemo brain) trying to cook.

my left index finger shriveled up like it was in the bath too long. In solidarity with yours

In case you were wondering, I made nice pork strips with carmelized onions, apple and sage with roasted Yukon golds. Finished by deglazing with a little almontillado sherry and whipping cream. A friend came over and slaved in my garden 3 hours. I felt I owed her a good meal. Although my mouth is a bit dead at the moment, it brought back great memories as it was one of my mother's signature recipes. And other than burning my finger, I didnt mess it up too bad