April 2015 Chemo Crew... Starting in April? Please join us!

Renee, so sorry to hear about your loss. I know that it's a relief that he's no longer in pain, but I know that the loss is never any less painful for loved ones.

Addie, for my hot flashes my naturopath has pushed me to get enough EPA (1500mg) from fish oil and 2 tbsp of ground flax. They were pretty bad during AC and really effected my sleep. Knock on wood, they've pretty much gone away since I got on board with the EPA and flax....or maybe it was the switch to tax/carb.

So many messages I have wanted/needed to comment on, but haven't. Neuropathy is catching up with me. The tingling turned into some numbness in the pads of my fingers...and now I have that smashed fingertip feeling I have read about. It's hurting to tap out this msg on my phone. So sad and disappointed that the l - glutamine doesn't seem to have done it's job...nor the icing. My nails still seem fine, but from what I see recently with some of you, is that they may turn on me yet.

I am so tired of awaiting my next body part to malfunction. Next tax/carb in Monday 8/24. Last one isn't until 9/14. Just when I thought I could see the light at the end of the tunnel, I may have been mistaken.

Apparently my hair is what makes me recognizable. I had someone reintroduce themselves to me yesterday. Rather than awkwardly tell them that they know me and I know them, I just reintroduced myself. And then they told me they would pray for me. And then I said a prayer for them and their poor memory.

DizzPark - I ran into someone at Labcorp waiting room who I know socially and through our kid's school. She looked right at me blankly when I said hello. After 2 minutes of sitting across the too from me she said, "omg, so sorry I didn't recognize you!" Did I mention I have kept my hair with cold caps! So basically I look like such sh*t and haggard from chemo that I am up recognizable even with hair! I feel like I've aged 10 years from this process. Not a good look!

Georgi61 good to know I'm not alone in the nail problems. Yep mine got bad 2 weeks post chemo too. That gift just keeps giving. Ha-ha.

Kbeee I know what ya' mean about wishing to be invisible. Of course it is when we look our worst we are recognized. Geeeesssh

ankledolphin hugs back and anyone else needing one today too.

Dizzpark mom thanks for condolences. I have nuropathy too bottoms of my feet, especially my right foot. Was talking with a patient that is on chemo every 3 weeks and she takes magnesium.

Thanks for the condolences on my FIL. So far MIL holding her own. I think my son living with her helps. Giving her hope and someone to care for.

Tank Girl, LB. Tank Girl.

The Today Show isn't the best source of scientific information

Lynne, I used scar sheets after I had a skin cancer removed from my face. I had a horribly thick scar that developed. The sheets really softened it up. I got mine from a burn unit nurse I knew through son's scout pack. She said that they really make a difference in scar healing, so I tried it and was pleased with the results. I didn't even think of it for after bmx since I figured the scars will be so much bigger, but it may be worth a try.

Really not sure where to put this update at....

My beautiful wife had her lumpectomy last Friday. Dr. stated that he got the tumor with good margins and a good node with some surrounding tissue. Currently waiting on pathology report and praying for good results.

Yay for deportation, lynne! So excited for you!

Ksusan. Yes. I want to be her. And I want her on a tshirt...that picture ROCKS!

Positive, thanks for the frogs lol. Sounds like you are having g a good summer. I love the idea of shaving g patterns into your hair! Do it!

The today show can suck it. Sensationalist ic bastards. Enjoy your wine Steph! You earned it!

I haven't had a day off in 2 weeks. I'm tired! And hungry. I need a wife lol. I missed the new young cancer support group..seriously though, who under 40 can be somewhere at 5? Don't we all have to work??

mamajen, what a beautiful woman you are! Congratulations for finishing!!!!! You are awesome! Good work! Big congratulatory hugs!

Deportation went fine, but ouch! Started burning as soon as I was in recovery. I've been icing it almost constantly since. OR nurse said surgeon had to cauterize, so maybe that was causing burning? Discharge instructions are the same as when they put it in, which seems excessive? No swimming for 2 weeks?

mamajencoz - so beautiful, sister! your pictures are lovely.

Kbeee and Littleblue - I want to get back to work and be busy again. Two more weeks to go.

Lynne - hope the burning resolves. In 2 weeks, the pool will be all your as kids will be in school! Spa time!!

Stephmoen - yes, my back hurts and I think hmmmmm.... And then I correct myself and say "TODAY is my day!! Not a day for cancer, but a day to realize that I survived 2 surgeries, reconstruction, chemo, and so much more." You survived an amazing amount of trauma - it's time to belly dance!

mamajencoz-OK I'm balling my eyes out right now!! The pictures and sentiments were absolutely beautiful!!

Lynne-congrats on the "deportation"-gotta remember that phrase when mine comes out in a few months.

To everyone who is on rads and exhausted-it does get better but damn it takes a while so hold on

Positive Spirit-thanks for being a rebel!

Kbee- I still thank you so much for putting us all in touch with one another. I'm also struggling with trying to keep my "life thoughts" at bay.

Update on me- the new "real but fake" boobs were put in last Thursday. So after a week or so the soreness has diminished and I appear to be healing without complications (which is a nice change of pace for me). On my follow-up visit, the PS smiled and said, "I think you will be very pleased with these"- my response- "as long as they aren't trying to kill me-I'm sure I'll love them"- Sometimes, the expression on people's faces when stuff like that comes out of my mouth is priceless!

My hair- Well what can I say-it's growing (albeit so very, very slowly). This week I've been venturing out "hatless" which takes a bit of courage on my part. I LOVED the threads on being invisible b/c that would be great right about now.

I'm tolerating the Herceptin extremely well. Looking forward to getting back to work in a week. Not sure what to do about the hair situation b/c I work with middle schoolers - figure I'll cross that bridge when I come to it (although I did wash and spruce up my wig just in case I chicken out).

Getting ready to bring my son to college next week so I've been an emotional basket case. Such bittersweet feelings-so excited for this next chapter of his life yet I'm constantly getting flashbacks of him as a toddler and young kid. Gosh-time really does go by so fast.

Again, my love to all of you as we continue on this "journey" of sisterhood!

Fran

Fran, we must have been posting at the same time. Is this your first going to college? I went through that last year. It was very exciting and emotional all at once. DS didn't venture far from home - about 45 minutes away, but decided to live on campus (we did consider having him commute, but in the end decided that his program - game design - would lend itself to late nights and lots of collaborative projects. Well, maybe not as much as a freshman, but that was our rationale anyway.)

I was so involved last year (but trying to be as hands off as possible). No one would ever call me a hellicopter parent, so I was constantly checking in with DS to see what he wanted me to help with (or not). This year is totally different - he is on his own! LOL, he moves in on 8/30, and DH will not be there to help, so I'll drive him and he'll have to do all the heavy lifting (to his 3rd floor room). He'll also have to get packed all by himself (he's welcome to the list I used last year). I figure that he needs to take control of his life at this point. I'm happy to help, but he's the one ultimately responsible.

When I think of what I was doing at his age - I had started a full-time job by the time I was 19, navigating the business world, owning a car, paying room and board, etc. It makes me think that I've failed as a parent that my kids are not self sufficient.

Anyway, just wanted to let you know that I can relate - and if you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer if I can.

Lynne

This fire season has been bad so far. Last year we lost almost an entire hotshot crew. Yesterday my DH went to recover the bodies of two men who crashed their plane in the mountains near hear. Every time I see the faces of those brave men we lost, I want to cry. It's just too close to home. To much death. My heart goes out to their families.