Starting Chemo March 2015

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited January 2016

    When I see pictures of all of you on Facebook and such, I think everyone looks so nice, but when we see ourselves, we hate how it looks. I think we all are eager to catch a glimpse of the pre-cancer us. I just try to keep in mind that to others, my hair just looks like a cute short haircut. Of course, the fact that I get to wear a ballcap at work and can just throw it on my head anytime I am having a particularly bad hair day helps. I can tell you that in November, I met up with several gals from my Sept 2013 chemo gang. No one's hair had any hint of chemo. It was all shoulder length or longer, normal hair (well other than my buzz cut). It's coming.......it just takes insanely long to get there. On a brighter note, when I look at my pictures from November and look in the mirror now, tehre's such a HUGE change that I get excited!

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  • Meme117
    Meme117 Member Posts: 194
    edited January 2016

    SpecialK thanks for the info. I'll see what the BS says next week. I don't want it for 2 years, keeping it in place doesn't provide the comfort for no recurrence.

    Avmom sorry your date was at the hospital, hoping all works out for the best.

    With regards to hair, I've had it colored and trimmed twice. Right now I'm in need of a trim, my bff has a salon and she called it too bushy, going next week.

    Anyone have snow? I'm due for up to 2 ft, argh! My husband goes out to plow so I'll need to shovel, I'm thinking of it as my exercise for the day.

    I'm heading back to Florida in 2 weeks and will ferry down key west. I've never been so if anyone has tips I'd love to hear them.

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited January 2016

    Someone posted a time lapsed video of hair regrowth and it looked like normal hair at around 16 months. So only 11 months to go!

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited January 2016

    Anyone who had short hair by choice, how did you style it? I had no clue that straight up was a legit direction for hair growth lol. And...mine is straight straight straight and so thick you can't see my scalp.

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  • greenae
    greenae Member Posts: 540
    edited January 2016

    Hi My March 2015 Friends,

    I am checking in to let you know the bracelet has arrived safely in New York, just in time for the SNOW! It is so cool to look at these charms and remember who added them, and what each represents. I added glasses because chemo kicked in some sort of auto immune thing that affected my eyes for several months. It really pissed me off to have to wear my glasses (like Coke bottles!) instead of contacts. Thankfully, my eyes are better now.

    I hope everyone is doing well. Even though I don't post much, I read and think of all of you often. I had a rough time for a bit, but seeing a SW and taking an SSRI has helped. I don't know what I would have done without all of you and BCO. I am so happy you're here. i just had a scare with my first mammo of my right breast since dx, and luckily the 2nd mammo and US cleared me. Changes (cysts) from the reduction sx gave me a new baseline mammo. I swear I hate "failing" tests!

    So hugs to all of you, and thank you, Shaz for sending me the bracelet. Katy, I will take good care of it for a bit, then send it on to Sue. Stay warm and safe, and HEALTHY!!!

    HUGS!!!

    arlene

    PS Katy, you may think you look like a poodle...but

    image

    I look like that puppet, Lambchop! I don't want to cut it...it feels so good to have hair...but I am not liking the Lambchop Look...LOL

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited January 2016

    I love seeing our traveling bracelet! Thanks for the heads up Arlene!

    And don't try to mess with me. I've seen your beautiful photo on FB. You look FANTASTIC!!!

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  • avmom
    avmom Member Posts: 324
    edited January 2016

    Thank you so much, everyone, for your good wishes. One good thing about this cancer adventure has been DH's willingness yo get medical attention when he isn't feeling well. A year befor all this started, he had a very bad, though slow, allergic reaction, and I finally had to come home from work to find him with his eyes almost swollen shut, and dial the healthlink number for him and hand him the phone before he would agree to go to the hospital. The healthlink nurse told me not to panic, but to be sure I had my cellphone with me when I drove him to the hospital, in case he collapsed. Even then, he insisted on having a shower before we left. They pumped IV antihistamines into him and he responded right away, but he was a very sick guy. Now, he will call himself, and takes their advice. The healthlink is a great resource - you get a triage nurse on the phone immediately, and they have access to on call MDs.

    The weather reports stateside are ominous. I hope everyone stays safe if you are affected by the winter storm. The weather here has been wildly variable -just a week ago it was in the minus 20s Celsius, and today it was plus 11 C (maybe mid fifties, Fahreneit?)

    Hugs to all.


    On the hair front, mine is growing SLOWLY. I've been trimming it around the edges, and it almost looks like a deliberate pixie cut. I'm not minding it short, so I think I'll keep this look, but hopefully will have a bit more of a fringe in front. Think Jamie Lee Curtis, or Dame Judy Densch, though I'm nowhere near as attractive as either of them.
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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited January 2016

    I hear poodles are very intelligent.

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited January 2016

    Well of course. It simply wouldn't do to be a Bichon Frisee.

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited January 2016

    Awwww look what I just found.

    image

    And here's Jack en route to his job this week. I just love my guy in a uniform!

    image

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited January 2016

    He's a cute doggie, too!

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited January 2016

    just melts my heart

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited January 2016

    My heart is breaking. Bowie is not well. Been to the vet this morning. We think that the cat has scratched his eye. 2 eye ulcers and an impact Injury to the back of the eye. He's in a lot of pain. 2 different eye drops and pain meds. He goes back Tuesday. If no better he will go to the eye specialist.


    image

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  • slothabouttown
    slothabouttown Member Posts: 449
    edited January 2016

    oh Bowie! So sad for those big beautiful eyes! I hope he gets well quick...

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited January 2016

    I know sloth! He's up and playing now. Which is scaring me.

    image

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  • DavisD
    DavisD Member Posts: 338
    edited January 2016

    Just popping in to say hi.  Snowed in and feeling a bit sentimental. Read some of my posts and wow! What a year it's been.

    I appreciate every piece of wisdom and encouragement from my sisters of March :)

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited January 2016

    Sending healing thoughts and love to little Bowie. And to you too, Sharon! It's terrible worrying about our little ones. Totally dependent. I'm glad he's getting good care.

    DD- I've seen photos of your neck of the woods! I think those scenes, in combination with being trapped in your house, definitely can bring on reverie. I'm glad you were able to connect with some positive high points. You have also been a big part in my sanity and healing!

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  • rleepac
    rleepac Member Posts: 755
    edited January 2016

    Had Herceptin yesterday. I hate how it makes me more achy and puffy for a few days but I'm down to 3 more left so I can stick it out.

    I also got an iron infusion yesterday. That's got me feeling pretty icky too. I'm supposed to have #2 of 2 next Friday and then they say it could take 6 weeks before I feel more energy. At least there's something to look forward to.

    Scheduled for colonoscopy and endoscopy for ongoing GI issues on Wed. Yippy skippy...

    So far, 2016 has had way more medical appointments than I was hoping for :( At least I haven't gotten any bad news though! The rate I'm going I'm going to meet my maximum out of pocket expenses soon

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  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited January 2016

    Got bored and spent a little time with the flat iron. Hair still isn't quite long enough for that little bugger to work completely.


    image

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited January 2016

    Oh, Sharon. I hope Bowie is ok.

    Theresa: You look beautiful!

    Bekah: I need to get a colonoscopy this year too. Ugh. No fun.

    Get to go out to dinner tonight. I am going to have a good stiff drink. My daughter and her ADD are killing me. She has a book talk to give Monday and has had like a month to work on it. She got obsessed with one piece and basically did NONE of it. School is no help. They just want to tell her to do her homework. I keep telling them she is not capable of managing all this stuff. It's like she is the first ADD kid they ever had. I feel like she needs to be homeschooled.

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  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited January 2016

    Just realized one year ago today I hadmy cancer lump removed. Funny how time passes.

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited January 2016

    Poor Bowie. I hope he heals quickly.

    Theresa, looking great!

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  • Meme117
    Meme117 Member Posts: 194
    edited January 2016

    Sharon oh sorry about Bowie, hope he heals quickly!

    Theresa you look fab! I too use a flat iron event though it barely holds the hair.

    Allison sorry about your daughter and your frustration, hope your drink helped!

    Di how much snow?

    We are at at least 2 ft of snow with drifts it was up to my waist. I had to shovel a path for the dogs and was able to shovel a path to street and walk them a bit. Made veggie soup, chili, chocolate cake and watched the intern, Not a bad snow day❄

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  • Lovemylab
    Lovemylab Member Posts: 80
    edited January 2016

    Hi everyone

    I should be walking on the beach but I'm still here in wintery MN. Had bad bladder pain the night before flight and I didn't want to travel feeling so bad. I had trip insurance so now trying to recoup some funds. I have visit w urologist on Monday but I think it's going to be more of the same, "we don't know why you keep reinfecting" except herceptin makes you more vulnerable. No more trip planning for me until this stuff is over. Is it ever OVER? Thanks for listening.

    Mo

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited January 2016

    Mo, Sorry about the trip. I sure hope those bladder issues clear after Herceptin is finished.

    Sharon, I hope Bowie heals soon.

    Teresa, I love the hair! I have a 1/2", 3/4", and 1" flat iron left from last time. I am just now able to use the 1/2 one without burning myself!

    I hope everyone is shoveled out from the snow.

    Uneventful here; I go to Gyn tomorrow for evaluation of spotting. Gut feeling is that it's fine, but because of tamoxifen previously, I am guessing there is some sort of testing in my future. Not worried; just annoyed. Don't like going to Gyn; ranks right up there with the dentist!!! Bllah.


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  • IndyGal35
    IndyGal35 Member Posts: 340
    edited January 2016

    Hey there. It has been a very rough few weeks. I wanted to post so badly, but I didn't want to be a Debbie Downer.

    On 12/30, out of nowhere, DH informed me that he hasn't been happy in our marriage since we had issues and almost separated 6 years ago. We have been married 17 years, and I thought things had been fine since 2009, but he says he's been in misery and wants to leave me. It's just insane. Apparently, he has been looking for apartments and jobs near his brother in Missouri, and he had 2 interviews out there this week.

    After dropping the bomb on me, he got so mean and hateful overnight, and it was beginning to worry me a bit. I finally had to file for legal separation this week and ask him to leave the house. He's picking his stuff up when he gets back from MO tonight.

    He still says he wants a separation for several months and not a divorce, but his plan is to move to MO. I can't help feel that he's having a midlife crisis or something. This isn't the man I know and love, and I want NO PART in this separation, but I feel like I need to give him what he wants. Begging and clinging have only made it worse.

    He's hosing me so bad with my finances since I'll be carrying the mortgage and a huge burden of medical debt while he is out "figuring out who he is." I'm already utterly drained and weakened from treatments and surgeries, but I feel like he has destroyed what little bits were left of me now.

    I could sure use your love and prayers for me and for him.

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  • eheinrich
    eheinrich Member Posts: 792
    edited January 2016

    Lee - there are no words. I am so so sorry you are going through this. Separation is so hard, even when friendly, I can't imagine being dropped such a bombshell. Please never feel like you can't share something because it's depressing. If that's what this board & sisterhood was about we'd have 6 posts instead of over 10k. I was thinking about you the other day - had noticed that you'd been quiet. I am now firmly planted in your pocket as you move forward.

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  • BBwithBC45
    BBwithBC45 Member Posts: 727
    edited January 2016

    Bekah, I was thinking the same – I was hoping this year things would wind down, but I continue with a bunch of doctor appointments, tests, surgeries, etc.

    Eileen, I'm hoping your PS takes into account that you are not happy with your reconstruction outcome and remedies the situation. We have to live with this for the rest of our lives, so we need to feel comfortable with the results.

    Karen, I have a gynecologist visit tomorrow too! He'll go over my ultrasound results. If my ovary and its cysts have not shrunk, I may have to make decision about getting oophorectomy. I was hoping to avoid it.

    Lee, I am so sorry to read that your husband is jumping ship. It would be considerate if he at least waited until you were done with all the treatments and feeling better. You went through so much in the past year and all he thinks of is how he "is not happy". So much for "for better or for worse"… Sorry, I get angry when I see that happening. I wish you serenity and I'm sending warm thoughts and hugs. And as Eileen said – we are here for each other "for better or for worse", so don't isolate and write whenever need be.



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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited January 2016

    Lee, I am so sorry about what you're going through with DH. I definitely would consult with a lawyer due to the financial impact. We are here for each other in the good and the bad; please do not ever fear being a Debbie downer.

    BB, I hope your Gyn appointment goes well


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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited January 2016

    oh dear Lee. Like Eileen said. Exactly what she said. There are no words but sending love and thoughts for peace and a way through for you. We are here for you. We will always be here for you. So don't isolate and know we are in your pocket. So much love coming your way.

    Maureen- so very sorry about your trip. You must be so disappointed. I know you know you can and will go another time, but sometimes we hang on to something and invest it with a lot of power to make everything better. If it doesn't happen it is much more than a change of plans. It's the crash of a dream. I am holding you in my thoughts. Hoping you feel better very soon, and this reminder of why you had to cancel goes away and you finish treatment without further incident. Hugs.

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