Starting Chemo in JAN 2007
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I haven't worn my wig in a week. Going to church today topless. I think the itches are from our hair growing? At least that is what I'd like to think. My family tells me my hair is getting thicker every day (so why is it not getting longer too?) Glad to hear from you Sharon. You must miss your family when you are at the "lodge." Mizsissy, still have that date stashed away although I will commute for the day. I'm glad to hear your are back to painting.
My DH and I biked to the gym, worked out and biked home today. That was fun and 850 calories burned according to my heart rate monitor. We seem to be having a good weekend together. Rads are going fine but I know the hard part is ahead so I'm not making any long distance plans. 9 down, 24 to go. Hoping the rest of you are feeling better. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Has anyone heard from RobbinJaye? -
Yeah, Mary, I do think the itchiness is due to the hair. Doesn't make sense as it's a barrier to the wig, etc...
Mine is also getting much, much thicker, but not longer...well at least not on top.
Amera, glad your do is doing it for you. And your DH. -
Amera, my dh loves my really short hair too, he also loves the grey. If my hair were a half in longer and his a half inch shorter, we'd be twins! I'm not so crazy about the grey so I think I'm going to color it soon. He doesn't want me to, but it will make me feel better.
We went to a graduation party today and I went topless, everyone just loved my hair. I am not wearing my scarves anymore...the next big test will be in 2 weeks when I go into the office. -
Mary, My hair did the same thing. It filled in for months before it began to get any length. But think about it. That is how babies hair grows. I remember my son's hair the first few months just filling in. Don't worry, though, when it's finished filling in it will grow longer. I really think it filling in is more important than length. Would you really want long hair if you could still see your scalp? LOL
Shannon -
Lynn hows that infection?
Mel Yeah! Drains are gone. Sounds like you have a great surgical team. I hope you get your diep soon.
Skye hope you enjoyed the corner suite, sounds wonderful.
Robertin How wonderful that you have the chance to help your colleague. He will really benefit from your experience.
Rebecca cant wait to hear about the girlie weekend, sounds like fun. My girls were both flower girls for my brother last fall and they had so much fun with the dresses and everything.
Viddie what is the controversy about procrit? I had those shots with my last 3 chemos b/c my red counts were so low. (It did help somewhat with fatigue not much).
Melia Happy Anniversary!!!! The lunch sounds like a lot of fun.
Cindy How far off the floor are you when you get those tipping sensations? I bet if you could put one foot on the floor (or maybe a chair) that it would help.
TPPJ I really hope those layoffs do not effect your husbands job. Back when I had my 1st surgery, before the mastectomy, my surgeon talked to me about mammosite rads that are in clinical trial but because the DCIS was multi-focal I wouldnt have been a candidate for it anyway. As far as I know it is still in trials.
Sharon Those sutures sound horrible, I hope you can get them out soon.
Mizsissy So glad that you are painting again, your work is so beautiful.
We volunteered at a Paws for the Cause event Sunday that was a fundraiser for my local support group. It was lots of fun the girls made it through a few very hot hours in the sun and the dogs managed as well. My 6 year old helped at the registration table.
Last night I had a dream that I was at the beach sitting in a beach chair when I looked down and noticed that I had very, very long hair all over my legs. I just sat there, watching these long leg hairs blowing in the wind . -
Hi,
Melia,
Your bc lunch group looks like a lot of fun. Glad you found them. This site is amazing. Happy Anniversary!!
Caya,
I am glad your pills, both anti-nausea and diuretic, are working. Sounds like you had a fun weekend.
Sharon,
Sounds like you have your situation under control. I hope your sutures get better soon.It is neat you have a place you can stay at while doing tx. It sounds like you have a supportive group there.
Mizsissy,
Thats great you are painting again!!
Tina,
It is amazing the things they flip-flopon. Remember when babies slept on their stomaches? I also remember when we could only put baby powder on diaper, then only cornstarch- I do not know what is the latest thinking is now. It could go on and on. Maybe progress is good, but what if they are wrong, then right, then wrong??
I hope your husbands job is secure. I know what you mean about anxious filled moments. Sometimes it is like a roller-coaster, and we have to go along for the ride. We will all get off safely soon.
Amera, Lynn, & Mary,
Thats great that you are all going topless. I am not there yet, but hopefully someday soon. Amera,
Boston is much easier than the burbs.
Tina & Jan,
Ah those dreams!! I also have had a few myself about my hair already long when I look in the mirror- then I wake up.
Jan,
Once again, there is only so much you can read or worry about. My onc told me that I should not worry about it unless I got the shot extremely often.
http://www.medpagetoday.com/Nephrology/GeneralNephrology/tb/5231
Viddie -
Tina- a big UGH on the news regarding DHs company. Hope the mayhem does not touch your family. That business with the female soldier is similarly disturbing..there is SO MUCH misinformation out there, and stories like that just feed it. I can not tell you how many times I have had to explain that the Drs are NOT going to give me some kind of test at the end treatment and decide whether or not I graduate. Every person that I talk to about it is shocked that basically end of treatment comes, and you just get a handshake and are told to cross your fingers. That vitamin business sounds to me like an echo of the whole adriamycin business but not quite as annoying. Practices constantly change, and we have to make decisions based on what is best for us in the moment.
Happy anniversary melia! When was your anniversary? Mine was this past Saturday 11 years.
Skye-I am very worried that you are so burned so fast. It took several weeks for me to get burned, and I credit the cream that I was given. I do not think cornstarch is enough go in there and insist that they give you a script (I use Biafine) or go out and buy aquaphor (it is cheap, and they carry it at CVS).
Yay Amera! I think it is a milestone you are officially PAST IT!
Sharon, that sounds like quite the place to take care of treatment. What an amazing amount of support! I guess socialized medicine has its perks.
Lynn how is your infection doing?
We had a nice weekend. My sisters dress is AMAZING, and the girls were very cute we selected dresses for them as well. We did have a minor trauma, however ..My sisters cocker spaniel unexpectedly turned on Owen and bit him on the nose. It was absolutely horrifying. Owen is fine, the bite was more of a scrape than a puncture but still. The worst part is that this dog has always been very friendly and playful, loved the kids (and owen) and has NEVER even growled or anything. SCARY. I have some pictures of the kids, and my sister in her dress, but I have to go up for my zap now, so I will have to post later (when I finish reading the posts I missed)
Cheerio! -
Hello Gals,
Not much to report in my neck of the woods except that I am feeling GREAT...the work on the local bike trail was finished this week with a big ribbon cutting ceremony, blue grass band, horsemen, and parade...and dh & I ride ten miles almost every day. I haven't had any SEs from the femara. My brown nuked boob is a normal color again, and except for some dimples close to my arm, looks like nothing happened.
I haven't lost any weight since rads, and I think it's because cocktail hour has become a daily event. I want to knuckle down and lose ten pounds before mid-July, so it's got to go!!!
Summer is here, and I am looking forward to some quiet and relaxing time, and I just hope I don't hear any bad news about my sisters this week!!! Mena is at a critical point in her treatment; we are just hoping and praying that this last chemo is working. I am trying to arrange a visit with her, but she's scared to death of flying, so DH & I may have to drive all the way to New Jersey one weekend and bring her back here. Then we can drop her back home on the way to Maine. She gets her scans on Tuesday and results on Thursday and we are praying for positive result!
Caya, do hope you are feeling better and tolerating the Herceptin. What we have to go through!
Mel, I am so proud of the way you just handled your surgery and that's great news from your doctor about how well you're doing. When is the recon? Jan, that is such good news about your surgeon; has your recon been scheduled?
We're getting into our last steps here and getting our lives back together!!!
Melia, a belated Happy Birthday!!! How is your dear cat doing? We're adjusting here to the new order of things in our family.
Sharon, I just luv your picture; I don't feel my skills are quite up to painting it yet, but I hope before too long!!! Where are you in treatment and when will you be done with all of it?
Lynn, I hope that port infection is under control...what a bummer!!! My hair sounds a lot like yours. Gee, if we all got together we'd all look the same. Imagine a group picture of 24 salt&pepper half inch headed beauties!!!!
Where are you Robbin, and how's your hair?!! You're the best hair grower of the bunch!!
Joni, Mer, and you other rads girls, be careful not to overdo when you get into weeks 3 or 4. You do have to take it easy, but it's just temporary. You *will* recover.
I think about all of you everyday....
xxxoooo Mizsissy -
Oh, Rebecca, pooooor Owen. Damn dog. I'm so tired of hearing about people being bit by dogs. The scary part here is he was formerly friendly. I would never suspect my bichon would bite anyone because he's so people oriented...but you just never know I guess. Looking forward to seeing your pics.
Shannon, good point on long but "scalpy" hair. Icky visual. Well, I went out last night to the country club soiree....TOPLESS. It was a riot. Many people walked right past me, didn't recognize me. Others did huge double takes. Kids were the funniest...they couldn't stop looking back for second peeks. I wore a bright like green top w/a floral sash, white capris, BIG, BIG earrings...did I say BIG? I think that's the key to de-butching the do. And Lynn, I think you'll feel a world of difference once you throw some color in too. Makes it look like so much more hair.
Good for you MisZ on those ten mile bike rides. I'd need an adult beverage after that too. I'd like to start treadmilling again and get off, say another 7 lbs. or so. A whole section of my closet opens up if I do that...
More overcast gloom here today. It cleared out last night for the party. The fireworks were SPECTACULAR and it's nice because I now have my own little group of friends...only took five years..to sit with at these events. Very nice families. One of their daughters is going to watch my kids on Thurs. while I see the onc. and do herceptin. -
Viddie, when I saw your comment about "flipflops" I couldn't resist sharing some of these...dh emailed them to me this am.
Ads of yesteryear:
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Mizsissy, good lord those were funny...gross too! Imagine, using Lysol for feminine hygiene. Gads!
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argh...just got back from my zap, and my Dr has deemed me too burned, and I have to take two days off. I am fairly bummed because that means that this is going to be two days LONGER. I am not in a lot of pain, but I suspect it is because the area of greatest irritation (under my arm) is pretty numb. I also think that I have some irritation of the muscle in my chest (the poor stretched one) because I have a deep muscle ache there that just wont quit.
It just feels like it will never end -
Amera, what I can't get over is the poor woman who thought she was too smelly for her husband..OMG!!!!
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Hello all:
Those were too cute MS. Makes you laugh at how time changes things.
I have my last rad tx today at 2:10. Afterwards I'm going over to my sister's house, and we are going to watch "Miss Potter" and have tea and cake!!
I held the shower for my nephew's fiance on Saturday, and it was very nice. We had 12 guests, and she rec'd some lovely gifts. It was nice and fun to feel normal again.
I've been reading all the posts, so I hope everyone is having a better week.
Sharon sounds like you're having too fun at "The Lodge" in TO.
Well have to head out for the hospital, big hugs to all!!
Love ya...Joni -
HA HA Miszissy... those were a riot!! Tape worms hmmm haven't tried that yet! LOL
I will be having a marathon doctors week, today I got zapped, saw the rad oncologist and he checked me over, they took some measurements of my arms to keep a check on any lymphedema just in case. Then I went for my 6 month check with my breast surgeon. she felt no lumps or bumps!
Tomorrow I have rads of course, go to hosp. for a dexa scan, then an echocardiagram. On Wednesday back to the hospital to get my port out!! One more step to normal!!
My hot flashes are so awful I am waking up 4-5 times a night soaked. During the day I sweat like nobodys business. If I have one when I am outside I get attacked by bugs! Yeck!!
I am still very tired and if I do just a little bit of exertion, I sleep for hours! I hate it!!! -
Congrats Joni on your last zap! Rebecca, so sorry you've had a setback.
Re the sweating and bugs...I went for a nice early morning walk/run and they bit up my head. I had a heck of a time fighting them off and now I'm all itchy - mosquito bites on my head? So be careful ladies, next time I'm wearing a hat and bug spray. -
Mary you are right, it's weird how the bugs get us. I only hope that any left over chemo in me gets them! Ha! All we need is west nile now huh?
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I just had to jump in about the mosquito bites. I've been camping twice, and each time I got bitten all around my hairline, where my turban didn't cover the new tender exposed parts (exposed by hair loss, that is). It would take about day after getting bitten, but each bite turned into a hard itchy large bump that itched for days. Especially around the ears. I'd probably end up with about 20 bites around my scalp each time and it would get to a point where it bothered me so much I couldn't think about anything else. I ended up taking Predniose both times.
Anything like this happen to anyone else?
Mizsissy -
Well, I can report that I have had no hot flashes for at least a week. In fact, I sort of forgot about them and realized I hadn't had any. I am now 3 months out of chemo and about 3 weeks out of rads. Hang in there ladies, they do subside.
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Amera, it might be because you didn't stay in chemopause? I expect that mine will continue because I have a higher chance of not reverting to premenopausal state. Also, I think mine are more frequent since start tamoxifen..hot flashes are a known side effect.
My infection is still there, I'm so annoyed. Called the surgeon's office today but he's in surgery all day. I have an appt. with him tomorrow, we'll see how that goes.
Joni, congrats on being done with rads! big hugs! Hope you had a nice time with your sister.
Amera, what happened to your avatar?
Rebecca, what a bummer! I am so afraid of being postponed as well. I have July 12th circled on my calendar and that's what I really really want to be my last day of radiation! Keeping fingers crossed! I hope Owen won't be too afraid of dogs now..hope he is doing well. That sure is scary!
Mizsissy, wow, lysol as a douche, guess it would dissinfect! I hope to get back to bicycle riding sometime this summer. We have a bike path about 1/2 mile from our house. -
Hey Ladies,
Joni, that is just the best that you are done with rads. I love it every time I hear another one of us had made it through.
Mizsissy, the old ads are a hoot. Of course, my grandma grew up on lard and she lived to be 95 with no major diseases!
Rebecca, poor Owen! Here I've been looking out for neighborhood dogs and your poor baby gets bitten when you least expect it.
Amera it sounds like you've achieved hairdom! Tina, your outfit sounds gorgeous. I agree the big earrings are key, they make it look almost deliberate. Why is it that the sides grow so much more slowly? At least on me they do.
Had rad #11 today and I can feel the fatigue setting in. Went grocery shopping afterward and the cart felt so heavy. Was all I could do to get them put away and start supper. But it's to be expected. I keep trying to like the male technician but I just don't, and feel uncomfortable every time.
On the mosquitos, a friend of mine who had cancer and chemo 10 years ago said they don't bite her anymore and that I could count on it as a benefit...wrong! They like me just as much as always. No different reactions however.
Tina, I have been hoping to drop 7 pounds or so too but I think it's going to take a while. It would open up a big part of my closet too! Right now I've rediscovered my old overall shorts. They cover a multitude of sins plus I can wear braless tanks beneath without looking too revealing.
Rebecca hope the burns lighten up. I am starting to feel the burn too.
Here's to cornstarch! - Skye -
Hi,
I have been very busy this whole weekend- a good busy. My son has been coming home on weekends since my daughter has been home- it is like the old times. Interestingly enough, they are both (23 & 26) vying for my attention. I love it!! Ill take it anyway I get it. LOL.
Amazingly, I had more energy than I thought I would have after tx this week.. I was doing great both Saturday and Sunday. Then came todayI crashed really hard. I also started taking the lasix on Saturday. It didnt do anything on Saturday, but it finally started working today. Of course, I was up all night last night peeing. I guess you cant have it both ways.
This whole week will be a crazy busy fun week. Two lunch dates and two dinner dates. My dh and dd will have to fend for themselves. The weather has been beautiful here- so sunny and warm. I want to go to the beach, but I guess I am not supposed to sit in the sun taxol and the sun do not make a very nice formula. Hopefully in August, when I will be recuperating from my surgery, I can then sit in the sun a little as part of my R & R.
When I saw my oncologist on Friday, she told me she was going to moniter me very closely after all the tx ended. I asked her how she was going to accomplish that if the protocol is no pet scans, no ct scans, no MRIs, no x-rays, no mammograms since I am getting a double mastectomy, and no blood tests. She looked at me dumbfounded- she had no answer for that.
Mizsissy,
Those are a riot!!! Thanks for sharing.
Joni,
Congratulations on your last rads tx!! Thats cause to celebrate.
Nancy,
You had one long day!!! No wonder you are exhausted- You must be triple exhausted. At least you got it all done at once.
Rebecca,
Poor Owen. I am sure he got lots of hugs and he hopefully will be able to get past this experience. So sorry about your rads tx delay. It is so frustrating. Even though it feels like there is no end, it is going to end, just 2 days later- hang in there.
Tina,
You are so brave going topless to a party. Good for you!! I am glad you had a good time.
Lynn,
Is your infection as bad as it was or getting a little bit better? I am glad you are going to the surgeon tomorrow. Just when you thought you passed a milestone getting the port out- now this. Hopefully he once and for all can give you some stronger medicine that will get rid of it.
Skye,
I am waiting for the top of my head to have more hair. My sides and back are coming in nicely, but the top is taking longer than I would like. Can you ask for another technician? You should not have to feel uncomfortable.
Viddie -
Hi All,
We all sound stronger this week, probably b/c we can see an end to treatment? I have blood drawn today, taxol #11 tomorrow, #12 on the 5th. I feel absolutely euphoric at the thought of being a free woman again. I have zero energy and lots of aches and pains, but nothing awful. My son emailed asking if his girlfriend could visit in the middle of august and I said absolutely, then thought that I will feel so much better by then! Cannot wait.
Lynn, I hate that you still have that infection. Rebecca, I completely understand being upset at a delay; we all just want to keep moving forward. But burning you to a crisp is not a good thing. I hope your boy is feeling ok; funny that a cocker would bite. They strike me as so docile, but I don't know much about them. Tina and Amera, sounds like you are doing well. Joni, big congrats on finishing rads. How was Miss Potter? I tried to check it out to take to chemo this week but it was gone. Skye, the weight will come off ... one thing at a time. Caya, where/how are you? Nancy, good luck with your tests.
Off to work, crazy busy. Lots of projects due this week. The fact that my job is so project driven is what makes it doable during all this, but they are all colliding this week. Baby steps, I keep telling myself.
Melia -
Yikes... got back my pics from the wedding and some from Calif. I need to get on an exercise plan, stat. This has motivated me.
Lynn, I am concerned about your infection. I thought for sure the last course of action w/the stronger meds would do the trick. I don't want to scare you, but maybe long term antibiotics via PICC line would do the trick? My son had septic arthritis at age 2 and had home infusions 3xday for 3 weeks. It was a nightmare w/a two year old, but the infection was so tough to beat, that's what they had to do. You've read about all that staph that's currently going around? They've tested for that?
Tx. 11 Melia and Viddie! Wahooooooooooo!!! Melia, you'll definitely feel like company in August. -
Jan, where are you?
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I know you can't cut/paste pics onto a message here. Does anyone know how to get pics from Snapfish onto this? They snapfish pics don't have an url so you can use the BC.org instructions: www.url_to_image.com/image_name.gif
I send all my pics to snapfish and can't post anything. -
Quote:
I know you can't cut/paste pics onto a message here. Does anyone know how to get pics from Snapfish onto this? They snapfish pics don't have an url so you can use the BC.org instructions: www.url_to_image.com/image_name.gif
I send all my pics to snapfish and can't post anything.
Tina, try using Picasa...it is a free download from Google, and they have a web album (also free) that you can use to post pics to the list. The software is awesome...I use it, and the rest is easy.
Picasa -
Are we chatting tonight? How about 9:00pm ET (that's 8 central, 7 mountain, and 6 pacific).
I'm going out this afternoon to get that new wig trimmed - if it looks good I'll wear it for the first time. I need to be able to take a break from the scarves. -
Tina, I see the surgeon this afternoon. Last week he did mention IV antibiotics. I do think the infection is a bit better than last week, but I've been on antibiotics for 10 days now, it should be gone. I still can't sleep on my left side because of it, and my right side is getting red and uncomfortable because of rads...I'm NOT a happy camper!
I'm going to check out one of the online storage for pictures so I can post. I have never done that, so will hopefully figure it out soon.
I plan to be at chat tonight!
love and hugs,
Lynn -
Quote:
Amera, what happened to your avatar?
Oh, I just got sick of looking at myself. I am thinking up a new one. Not comfortable having my photo taken now so I'm not sure what I will use.
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