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

I heard that they got a very close match on the flu vaccine this year. I have never gotten a flu shot, and I have never had the flu. I really don't want to get the shot, but I know I will have to fight with MO. She made me get the pneumonia, and I still have to get the 2nd part of that (dang that shot hurt my arm!).

KB - congratulations on running and finishing the race with horrible burns on your chest/arm area. I sure do feel for you, and I'm not looking forward to the next 3 weeks. I'll be 4 weeks done on Tuesday, and I'm starting to see the effects in the "pledge of allegiance" (as my RO calls it) area.

Heather, give it at least 4-5 weeks PFC, it takes a while to diminish. Also, I only put the gel in before bed so that I'd just be going to sleep with it in - not sure if that makes a difference or not.

Re: periods, I had gotten very irregular before chemo - I had mine in February right before first surgery. It will be 10 weeks PFC on Tuesday, and I got my reminder on the calendar that i would have been due (if I had been regular). It could be that chemo has pushed me into menopause, but I probably won't know until I got back to MO in November, I'm assuming she will take blood before putting me on Tamoxifen.

Renee, the only thing I like about fall is fresh apples (and all the apple bi-products). In fact, I'm just about to go out to see if I can find some J.Crow's mulling spices - I like the little tea bags to make hot mulled cider. I know lot's of people love the fall, but all the plants dying and leaves falling just reminds me that winter is coming :-(

We put the cover on the pool yesterday, summer is officially over. I still have to put the hard top on the Jeep.

Lynne

Glad you are feeling better, Addie! Did you get genetic testing? Is that why u are getting a hystwrectomy? I'm not scheduled for genetic counseling even until Oct 29. If it comes back positive I really want to get my ovaries out befor january. I wonder if surgical menopause will be worse than chemopause?

Yeah I am sure that I have the mutation. Luckily also infertile, so no kids to worry about passing g it on to. If it was up to me they would already be out when I had my mastectomy! But my onc said to wait until the price of genetic testing came down. Luckily I just got a referral from my gyno to another hospital to do the counseling and testing. Fingers crossed if it comes back positive I can get them out befor my insurance rolls over again in january. I'm already on a payment plan with my hospital. Being broke sux.

I hope you feel better soon Dizz!

I have definitely felt better standing up for myself by writing some letters and signing petitions. Makes me feel less like a victim.

Here's a link to the Poison Isn't Pretty campaign to stop the cosmetics industry giving bags full of carcinogenic products to women with breast cancer via the Look Good Feel Beeter program. Appalling but true.

http://bcaction.org/2015/09/30/tell-these-pinkwash...

Thanks Jackbirdie for the link!

Addie hope you feel better fast. Flu shots haven't let me down yet. I've been getting them for 10+ years. Sure I may still get sick but usually not tooblong. A good MA or nurse knows how to get that shot where it needs to be in the deltoid muscle without much pain to the patient. Ice it if it is uncomfortable or report any side effects. Wait until you feel fully well before getting the shot though.

Dizzpark good luck with treatment. I can't wait to be better to volunteer more and give back.

Kbeee you continue to inspire and you and your girls beautiful! The hair is looking good!!!

Hi all!

Re TN - one of my tumours was TN. I am awaiting genetic testing...it will be covered by the government plan if I wait 12-18 months...if I want it sooner I could pay for it. I am okay with waiting, since it won't make much difference if I get results now or later. I do want to know for the sake of my daughter and granddaughter though. I am seeing a gynaecologist soon regarding having my ovaries out...which I think is prudent even if I don't know if I am high risk or not. I have already had 3 different tumours...would rather not have an ovarian one as well.

Glad you are feeling better Addie! I hate colds...I had one at the beginning of chemo and it sucked. I also had 3 colds in the 6 months I was on chemo last year. For three of those months I was back to work in a germy hospital though. Almost as bad as having little kids at home!

Re watery eyes - they have been a problem for me since last year when I was on chemo for colon cancer and it has continued ever since. My MO tells me it's a side effect of chemo and will go away eventually but could take months. I am planning to see an eye doctor when I get back home, now that rads are finished...I'll see what he has to say. It really is annoying.

Hope you all had a decent weekend!

Andrea

Addie, I think I have your cold 😵

Hahaha oh jeeze. Sorry Addie. Hope antibiotics do it for ya! Hey at least it's not cancer...

My DH does not have melanoma. Thank GOD!!!!! I can poop again.

Thanks Katy. I am so very greatful!

Princess, I slept flat with drains- it just depends on how you will be comfortable.

Just hang in there. You don' t want to keep those drains any longer than you have too. Try to meditate. I am the worst about not excercising. I feel ya!

Thanks ladies!!! I will do my best!

Good news, Jen.

Addie, in addition to coarse, curly head hair, I've developed coarse, curly pubic hair. I hardly look like me.

kbee, I am so sorry to hear that the radiation is doing such a number on your skin. I hope that once the healing starts it heals swiftly.