Starting chemo September 2014

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  • badhairday
    badhairday Member Posts: 178
    edited June 2015

    I'm trying hard to be patient with my hair, but it is driving me crazy! When I wake up in the morning, I look like I shoved a fork in an electrical outlet! It is crazy thick and very heavy!

    I am so enjoying the new boobs! I can sleep on my side now! Haven't been brave enough to attempt sleeping on my tummy yet! I do have to say that I enjoyed not having to wear a bra for the last 10 months with the TEs. My PS wants me in a sports bra almost 24/7, and it is a bit annoying. But I am healing well and feeling good, so that is what matters!

    My uncle is doing very well! He is off the ventilator now, and showing much improvement. Today, he was flirting with the nurses, complaining about the lack of coffee, and insisting he wants to go home now. In other words, he is a lot better! He still has a ways to go, but he is in a great hospital, is getting fabulous care, and the outlook is so much better than it was a few days ago. He gave us quite a scare! My aunt is amazing and strong and ready to kick my uncle's butt if he doesn't do exactly what the doctors say.

    It sounds strange to say this, but I have gotten so much out of being the person who has been stepping up to help a sick loved one, instead of being the sick loved one! Feels so good to be the helper instead of the helpee! And I feel like the crummy cancer experience has helped me be a better support to my aunt and uncle, because I now have a different insight into what is helpful and I understand what even the smallest things mean to somebody going through a lengthy illness.

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  • Nomatterwhat
    Nomatterwhat Member Posts: 587
    edited June 2015

    LOL!!!  Now you know how I feel about my hair.  I do agree that the cancer experience certainly has opened my eyes as well.  I have a friend who is now dealing with lymph node neck cancer and I am there for him whenever he wants to talk and for however long he wants to talk.  Even though it is different cancers, it is still cancer. 

    Where are you Jean??

    Rose, you doing okay??

    Poppy??????

    Toby is in TN on vacation, lucky woman!!!!

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  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 2,026
    edited June 2015

    Hi it's me raising my hand! Here I am. Recovering from rads is going ok. Still a bit swollen and armpit is stiff. Fatigue is major, also foot and leg cramps, neuropathy in feet, joint pain, nail loss and general weakness. I've been trying to do some walking and mild exercise and it's so slow getting any strength back. Hubby was diagnosed recently with myasthenia gravis, a rare muscle disease that leaves him very weak as well. I have to do almost all the driving to our many medical appointments. We just hired,someone to help with the housework once a week. I am trying to stay positive, reminding myself that I've finished the major part of my treatment. Just herceptin/perjeta every 3 weeks till November and Femara for 10 yrs. Hope everyone is recovering well. Love, Jean

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  • PoppyK
    PoppyK Member Posts: 1,805
    edited June 2015

    Lately, I only pop in from time to time because of all the end of the school year activities for my 3 boys. I'm so thankful I'm feeling well enough to not only attend the events, but volunteer to help. I'm such a crazy school parent, I even volunteer for things my kids aren't involved in. Since yesterday was the last day of school, I should be around more.

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  • Tobycc
    Tobycc Member Posts: 789
    edited June 2015

    Hi Poppy! So glad you are feeling good enough to do all that!

    Hugs to all

    K

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  • Nomatterwhat
    Nomatterwhat Member Posts: 587
    edited June 2015

    Good Lord, Jean!!!!!  I hope things get better for you.  Both you and your husband rest and take it easy.  Please do not over do it.  I would hate to hear of you two sharing a room in the hospital.  Maybe, this person can drive you both to the doctor's when need be. 

    Poppy, you have school this late in the year?  It is fascinating to me how our states differ from one another.  Our schools are usually out by Memorial Day, depending on the snow fall over the winter.   

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  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 2,026
    edited June 2015

    My new housekeeping helper came today. She is wonderful. A friend as well as a helper. I have a pristine clean master bath and we organized my dresse, drawers and top. She will be here each week and we will slowly get this large h9use cleaned and decluttered. I'm beyond thrilled. Love, Jean

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  • Rose0766
    Rose0766 Member Posts: 92
    edited June 2015

    badhairday, glad your Uncle is doing better!

    My husband went in for a ureteroscopy Tuesday morning while I was getting herceptin, he did ok thru the procedure, the Doc got the stone out and he came home in the afternoon. By midnight he was having so much pain, we had to go to the ER. Apparently, some patients develop severe ureteral pain after being scoped. He was admitted to the hospital for pain control. After 2 days on dilaudid, he was able to come home last evening. Long couple of days. He still has a stent in and will have to have that out once the swelling and irritation from the procedure goes down. Thanks for asking about him

    My implant feels so weird. Every time I sneeze or strain my arm, I feel my pectoral muscle squeeze the implant. Hoping that sensation gets better or becomes less noticeable.

    Hoping everyone is enjoying the spring weather!

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  • Nomatterwhat
    Nomatterwhat Member Posts: 587
    edited June 2015

    Oh, Rose, I hope your husband is okay now.  It definitely sounds like a long couple of days.  Take care of each other.  As I tell my husband, we have to take care of each other, nobody else will. 

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  • PoppyK
    PoppyK Member Posts: 1,805
    edited June 2015

    Rose, That is rough. I took care of my mom after she had her stones ablated. Very painful situation. I hope your husband's recovery is smooth from here on out.

    Jean, Your helper sounds wonderful! I don't think my house will ever be in order as long as I have the kids and pets around. Come to think of it, the DH collects more than his share of valuable stuff... junk! ;-)

    Nomatter, All the school districts are different out here. We were one of the latest districts to end the school year. We started school the last week of August and just finished this week.

    My chemo curls are so crazy! My hair is about 2 inches long, but is so curly that it rests close to my head. Everyone tells me it's cute, but I haven't had short, short hair for a long time. Between the short hair and all the weight I gained, many acquaintances and friends who haven't seen me for a while don't recognize me.

    I found out chemo has left me with osteopenia, so now I have to take meds for that. Yet another problem I didn't think I would have to face. I still tire easily and hobble around from time to time.

    Happy weekend Ladies!

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  • Tobycc
    Tobycc Member Posts: 789
    edited June 2015

    Just got back from week in TN- wonderful but am just beat :)

    I found a solution to straighten the tight curls if interested: I put my ball cap back on for a few hours and wa la was much straighter

    K

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  • Nomatterwhat
    Nomatterwhat Member Posts: 587
    edited June 2015


    Welcome home!!!  Now to start another work week -- another week closer to retirement!!!  WOO-HOO!!!!  I will have to try the ball cap trick. 

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  • LARock
    LARock Member Posts: 229
    edited July 2015

    Mammogram and ultrasound day. Why does my mind immediately fill with stressful "what if" scenarios???? Does it ever go away?

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  • PoppyK
    PoppyK Member Posts: 1,805
    edited July 2015

    LARock, I used to be fearless until BC. I was a bit emotional on first mammo since diagnosis and treatment. When I didn't pass, I ugly cried for about 5 minutes. I'm thankful the subsequent US showed the findings were B9. I don't know if the fear/emotions/stress ever will go away because we know how awful the results can be. Hugs!

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  • Tobycc
    Tobycc Member Posts: 789
    edited July 2015

    keep us posted LA!

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  • Rose0766
    Rose0766 Member Posts: 92
    edited July 2015

    I don't think the fear is ever going to go away, and people that have never had cancer just do not understand. I've had people say to me that no one knows what their future holds, but we as people that have been diagnosed, treated, and lived thru a cancer diagnosis, get it. It's not like other illnesses, like diabetes or hypertension. Those things you live with and if they are treated properly, you live your life. You can actively do something health wise about that. We don't know why we got cancer, and what caused my cancer may not be what caused your cancer. And why people have a recurrence is another mystery. I'm 7 months out from chemo, still on herceptin, and started tamoxifen in April. I still feel crappy. But I LOOK SO GOOD, for someone that's been thru cancer treatment. If I hear that one more time I'm going to spit nails at someone

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  • Nomatterwhat
    Nomatterwhat Member Posts: 587
    edited July 2015

    What a great birthday!!!!! My husband took me to Texas Roadhouse and gave me a gift card to the local car wash. Now if I can just get him to go wash my car!!!!!

    Vacation coming in September. We can't decide -- Richmond/Virginia Beach or San Diego Zoo. What do you think ladies?

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  • PoppyK
    PoppyK Member Posts: 1,805
    edited July 2015

    Happy Birthday!

    There are great things to do either place. Have you been to both San Diego and Richmond/Virginia Beach? Do you have friends/family in either place? The weather in San Diego should be wonderful in Sept. Is it still humid in Virginia in Sept? Good luck choosing.

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  • Tobycc
    Tobycc Member Posts: 789
    edited July 2015

    Happy Happy Birthday and vacation planning!!!!

    xoxoxo

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  • Nomatterwhat
    Nomatterwhat Member Posts: 587
    edited July 2015

    Thanks, Poppy and Toby!!!! Have not been to either place, but we are leaning toward Richmond and the NASCAR race and then on to Virginia Beach for the next week. We actually try to go places that we do not know anybody. Aren't we bad??? LOL

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  • PoppyK
    PoppyK Member Posts: 1,805
    edited July 2015

    Hey Toby!!!!!

    Nomatterwhat, I understand wanting to vacation where you don't know anybody!

    Since I'm a SoCal girl, I've been to San Diego many times. When the kids were little, we would go there during Spring Break. The Zoo is spectacular. I'm not into NASCAR, so I'm no help there.

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  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 2,026
    edited July 2015

    Still on femara and herceptin / perjeta infusions but I'm recovering from all my other treatments. Lingering neuropathy, hip and knee pain. Nails and hair are slowly growing back. I now have lashes and brows. Worth it all to save my life.

    Love, Jean image

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  • Nomatterwhat
    Nomatterwhat Member Posts: 587
    edited July 2015

    Love your hair Toby!!!!

    Jean you look FABULOUS!!!!

    LARock, did you get results yet?

    BHD where are you?

    Rose, yes, that is a stupid comment, but we ALL look fantastic for what we have been through. (I know you are spitting nails at me for saying it). Next time someone says that to you just tell them "I know, I look better than you and you haven't been through cancer treatment".

    I was commenting on how old I just turned (55) and how time has flown and my husband said that at least I got another birthday and he would rather get old with me with fake body parts than look at me sitting on the fireplace in an urn. Hmmm...I think that was a compliment and that he still loves me. Next month we celebrate our 33rd year of marriage and we are going to Richmond to the NASCAR race!!!! YAY!!!!!!!

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  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 2,026
    edited July 2015

    Ya gals, not too bad for 72. Married 40yrs. Wonderful kids, grands and 1 adorable great granddaughter. I would like to be around to see her grow up. Love, Jean

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  • Tobycc
    Tobycc Member Posts: 789
    edited July 2015

    I love you guys!!! :)

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  • PoppyK
    PoppyK Member Posts: 1,805
    edited July 2015

    Nomatterwhat, You decided where to go! Sounds like fun! If you ever come to SoCal, you must let me know. I've met a few of the ladies in real life and they are even more amazing in person!

    Hey Toby! Good to see you.

    My bc surgery was one year ago today.

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  • LARock
    LARock Member Posts: 229
    edited July 2015

    Jean, you look great! What a wonderful family you have been blessed with.

    Happy belated Birthday Nomatterwhat! Hope you enjoyed. Richmond and Virginia Beach will be wonderful in September.

    Not sure what to say about the anniversary PoppyK. Do we say "happy" anniversary? There's nothing happy about cancer.

    Thanks for all the positive thoughts. All is good. DH and I have been in Calgary, Canada all week. Beautiful city and Banff is spectacular but I'm ready to go home. Miss my kids and pups.

    Xoxoxo


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  • PoppyK
    PoppyK Member Posts: 1,805
    edited July 2015

    Good to hear from you LARock!

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  • Nomatterwhat
    Nomatterwhat Member Posts: 587
    edited August 2015

    Thanks ladies, what a fun birthday!!!! We went to dinner and had ice cream!!!!

    Congrats to you Poppy for a one year anniversary and NED. My anniversary of surgery is tomorrow the 4th and NED, myself. I cannot believe it has been one year since I have had a BMX!!!! WOW how time does fly, even when you have not had fun!!!!! I am so thankful to have you ladies to vent to when I needed to vent. My husband gets tired of listening to me sometimes.

    Well, vacation plans have changed!!!! No Richmond (damn)!!!! The son was sent to OK for work for a short six weeks and now it has turned into an extended stay for possibly three to six more months. I sure miss him!!!!! So now, we get to go to OK and help set up an apartment for him. Maybe we can make time for the Grand Canyon or maybe even Colorado in the two weeks of vacation we have.

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  • PoppyK
    PoppyK Member Posts: 1,805
    edited August 2015

    Nomatterwhat, Congratulations on your anniversary! You're right; For such an exhausting year, it seems to have passed quickly!

    Glad you will get to see your son on your vacation! That is truly something to look forward to.

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