The Chemosabe March Cruise

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  • jacqniel
    jacqniel Member Posts: 720
    edited July 2007

    Terri - I will be thinking of you on Friday as you get that needed, but nasty thing out. Sorry you can't do the hurry up version of the rads, but your onc knows best - and I think Rosebud is right about it being easier on your skin.

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  • GrammyNancy
    GrammyNancy Member Posts: 666
    edited July 2007
    Question for you ladies. I was scheduled to start Arimidex this week and and I was reading everything I could find on it, I noticed that a bone scan was spoken of often as a base line to see how your bones held up. Well, I've never had one, so I called my onc and they said of course you should have a base line, when was your last one? I replied never. So now one is scheduled. My question is what other test, scans, etc. should one have during this whole BC experience. I'm just afraid I might be missing one.
    Thank you all,
    Nancy
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  • jacqniel
    jacqniel Member Posts: 720
    edited July 2007

    Every onc is different. Some believe to do all scans possible on a regular basis while others only scan if there are symptoms. Over the last four years, my onc had me do a CT scan every 6 months (because of the spots on my lungs), and an MRI and a breast MRI yearly. At different times I have had bone scans, brain MRIs and once - a bone density test. When I was dx with mets last Dec. a PET/CT was ordered. Hope this helps - it is all so confusing!

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  • Keenie
    Keenie Member Posts: 258
    edited July 2007
    Hi Jacque,
    You certainly have been well-screened! I've been wondering about the breast MRI and both my onc and rad onc seem unwilling to go there with me. I'm not sure why they don't promote it, but I could have it privately done here in Canada for a fee if I wanted it. Anybody else have an opinion?!
    Christine
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  • Angelflight
    Angelflight Member Posts: 163
    edited July 2007
    Just checking in ladies and catching up.

    Great news on the lazy radiologist Jacque. Good news is always a blessing with all this.

    Glad to hear you girls got your ports out. Can't wait to get mine out but have an appt with the surgeon next Thurs so will have to wait for a date for it. It will be the last day he will be in the office here and I'll miss him. Hope the new surgeon will be as good.

    I'm 4 weeks post TAC now and feel like my normal appetite is coming back. Not eating 24/7 like I was. I'm anxious to get weighed next week at my appt. and see if I've lost any weight. If not something is WRONG!!!...lol

    Hey about the bone scans. I've been waiting for a bone scan approval for months now. First it wasn't requested and found on some girls desk after they fired her. Then it was sent only to be coded wrong and denied. It was re-sent supposedly about 4-6 weeks ago and still nothing. I'd really like to get it done before I start the Armidex next week but it doesn't look like that's going to happen.

    I only have 2 more weeks until I can start exercising so let's hope I don't start getting any bone pain with the stupid Armidex and get knocked off track.

    Hope everyone's enjoying their summer and getting back to somewhat normal lives.

    Love,
    Angel
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  • LisaSDCA
    LisaSDCA Member Posts: 2,230
    edited July 2007
    I have had only a bone scan and it was due to symptoms (pain and slightly elevated tumor markers) but was ALL CLEAR! I have a notoriously penny-pinching HMO and had no pre-treatment scans at all.

    Lisa
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  • playwriter
    playwriter Member Posts: 316
    edited July 2007

    i had a cat scan, a bone scan, a SNB, and an echocardiogram before chemo started. i thought they would do another scan after chemo ended to see if there were any damage, but apparently not.

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  • pmarsh34
    pmarsh34 Member Posts: 108
    edited July 2007
    I had a CT scan, a breast MRI, and a bone scan. All were done between my surgery and starting chemo except for the MRI which was pre-surgery. My onc doesn't do any post-treatment scans.

    Angel, I had my port removed in the surgeon's office. Maybe you can call and see if they can do it while you are there. It only takes about 15 mins to take care of it.

    I have an ultrasound of my right ovary scheduled for Monday (same day as my simulation). It is follow up of something the onc saw on my CT scan pre-chemo. Hopefully it is nothing.

    Have a great day ladies!!!!
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  • jacqniel
    jacqniel Member Posts: 720
    edited July 2007

    Patti - prayers that the spot IS nothing.

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  • playwriter
    playwriter Member Posts: 316
    edited July 2007
    Keep us posted, Patti!

    POrt removal went fine. I'm home now, had some soup since I was STARVING. Going to go rest for a while.

    Blessings to you!
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2007
    I had a breast MRI, a CT scan, a bone scan, an ECHO, and a PET scan.

    However, only the breast MRI was done before my seven positive lymph nodes were found. I'm not certain if the other scans would have been done if I had no positive nodes.

    Add to that each doctor being different and who knows?

    Lisa, so cool about your results!!! WTG!!

    Patti, thoughts and prayers for your ovary U/S.

    Glad everything went well, terri. Go you!!!

    Hope everyone is well and planning a great weekend!

    Miss S
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  • GrammyNancy
    GrammyNancy Member Posts: 666
    edited July 2007
    Thanks for your answers, you've put my mind at rest. I've had PET scans and MUGAs and now will have the bone scan so I guess that is pretty normal. You've put my mind at ease.

    Patti, prayers for the ultrasound on Monday.

    Nancy
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  • GrammyNancy
    GrammyNancy Member Posts: 666
    edited July 2007
    Playwriter, we must have been posting at the same time. Congratulations on your port removal...things are getting back to normal.

    Nancy
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  • Keenie
    Keenie Member Posts: 258
    edited July 2007
    Hi Patti,
    We'll be praying for your scan on Monday. If your docs recommend removing it . . . just as an encouragement . . . I've lived the last 7 years with only one working ovary. I'll be 47 in a few weeks, and I'm still considered premenopausal. I have had plenty of hormones and wasn't on HRT. And of course, now, won't ever be.
    Christine of the Hot Flashes
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  • maxgirl
    maxgirl Member Posts: 407
    edited July 2007
    playwright: Sorry you have to do the full course of rads. Kaiser won't pay for the shorter version...yet. Glad the port removal went so well. My BS won't do it until after rads.

    Nancy: I'm pretty sure the bone scan is different from the bone density test you would do for Arimidex. I've had both (the bone density a couple of years ago), and they were very different processes.

    I had thorax CT, bone scan, MUGA scan, and chest X-ray as baselines, but there's nothing planned to check up after the treatment.

    I had a breast MRI last month because I was concerned about the non-BC side where I have calcifications that could hide small tumors. All clear this time.

    Keenie: I plan to get yearly breast MRIs, in addition to mammograms, for the reasons above. My BS said she'd refer me for them.

    Angela: Glad to hear you got your normal appetite back. So did I, but coming from the other way. Now I have to make sure I don't eat too much!

    Lisa: Big phew on your bone scan! Congrats!

    Patti: Hope you have smooth sailing and good news on Monday!
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  • playwriter
    playwriter Member Posts: 316
    edited July 2007
    image
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  • playwriter
    playwriter Member Posts: 316
    edited July 2007
    [image]image
    My friend Deanna and I at the Harry Potter event last Friday.
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  • Keenie
    Keenie Member Posts: 258
    edited July 2007
    Hair 2008! Yes, that will probably be when we'll all be able to enjoy our products and stylists again. I must admit, I don't really miss the 25 minutes and 4 pounds of product it took to get my old hair in place.

    So, Terri, what ARE the new styles? I'm planning on the "short, speckled grey and black" look. I hear it's all the rage. . .
    Christine
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2007
    Great pics, Terri! Gotta love it! You're beautiful as always.

    Kennie, I'm with you, only I think I might choose the white crew cut.

    Yawn.... lazy Saturday here...

    Miss S
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  • Angelflight
    Angelflight Member Posts: 163
    edited July 2007
    OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! I have HAIR!!! I was reaching for a blouse in the closet when I met my face in the mirrored door. I have about 1/2" to 1" little grey sprouts everywhere. Funny thing is I've been looking in the mirror each day and if I hadn't been there face to face with it I would have never noticed them. Let's just hope the brown ones will start although I do have a five o'clock shadow as of now.

    Terri,
    Can you send me some of the hair fairy dust...hehe

    Angel
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  • LisaSDCA
    LisaSDCA Member Posts: 2,230
    edited July 2007
    terri - you crack me up! Hair Preview indeed! I think there are maybe three out of the nearly 20 pictured that we may be able to aspire to in 2008. I think I am just beginning to see the faintest hint of five o'clock shadow on my scalp.
    Of course, I do check it every morning.

    Nancy, I agree with Max - I believe you are in for a Dexascan for bone density prior to Arimidex. Very different from a bone scan, not at all horrendous, and pretty durn quick!

    Lisa
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  • LisaSDCA
    LisaSDCA Member Posts: 2,230
    edited July 2007
    Angel - we were posting at the same time. Congrats on your hair! Even though we used the same term - "five o'clock shadow" - you have much, much longer hair than I do. Mine literally looks like something that was shaved yesterday morning and needs to be shaved again. You can completely see scalp. Of course, I do have those few wild hairs that never went anywhere and kept growing from the buzz cut back in March so they're a few inches long. But wow, girl, if I had 1/2-1" all over, I'd be looking to get some product and go commando!
    Whoo-hoo for you!

    Lisa
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  • HollyHopes
    HollyHopes Member Posts: 497
    edited July 2007

    I have NO hair - I mean it - nothing!!! No shadow five o'clock or otherwise...does anyone ever STAY bald??? So jealous of my hirsute sisters...:)

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  • maxgirl
    maxgirl Member Posts: 407
    edited July 2007
    Terri: What a riot! You're looking great as usual.

    Angel: Congrats on the new crop of stubble! It's such a hopeful sign. By the way, I realize I called you Angela, and I'm pretty sure I've done it more than once. Sorry! Can I blame chemo brain?

    Lisa: I check my head every morning too. LOL I suppose it's like the watched kettle that never boils. I've had stray hairs, mostly around the edges for awhile, but I was beginning to think that wearing a sleeping cap was suppressing hair growth. Then this morning the five o'clock shadow appeared. Feels awful, though.

    Keenie: My wig looks so much better than my real hair, that I know I'm going to have to spend a lot of time and money to get my real hair up to snuff. But I still want it back.

    Holly: Take heart. Some people don't like the way their hair grows back, but I never heard of anyone remaining permanently bald.
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  • jacqniel
    jacqniel Member Posts: 720
    edited July 2007

    I am anxious to hear if everyone's hair comes back curly. Four & 1/2 years ago when I went through this, I thought my hair was coming in straight, and then it turned into soft corkscrews! I loved it. I died it auborn and kept it short for as long as the curls lasted (about 6 - 8 months). People would 'pet' me all the time - it was just so soft and pretty. I did get a little tired of it though - even strangers felt free to stroke my locks! While the corkscrews didn't stay, my hair kept a lot of body - which I didn't have before - and some curl. I have to say, I am jealous of all of you and your 5 o'clock shadow! Enjoy!

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  • Keenie
    Keenie Member Posts: 258
    edited July 2007
    All that "petting" reminds me of when I was pregnant and strangers would pet my giant tummy - without asking, even!

    I'm waiting for the curls, Jacque, cos I think I've spent enough on perms over the last 30 years to put three children through college. So far, mine is straight - but very soft and cuddly! I'll post my latest picture later this week, now that my computer geek daughter is home from Band Camp!
    Christine
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  • maxgirl
    maxgirl Member Posts: 407
    edited July 2007
    image

    This is what my hair looked like before on a humid day -- I don't need any more body!
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  • rosebud1962
    rosebud1962 Member Posts: 196
    edited July 2007

    I've been reading and laughing at all this hair talk. Congrats to everyone who is sprouting the new locks of love. Mine started to grow before my last chemo and promptly started falling out again last week. So, has anyone ever heard of that happening? I didn't like the color it was coming in anyway..lol rosebud

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  • playwriter
    playwriter Member Posts: 316
    edited July 2007
    i thought the pic would give y'all a chuckle. we were standing in line at barnes and noble, waiting to get a drink, and i saw the hair magazines and thought a pic of me reading one would be funny.

    i have a few scattered stubblies, all white, of course. DH started letting his hair grow back a couple of weeks ago, and has a military buzz cut look now.
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  • jacqniel
    jacqniel Member Posts: 720
    edited July 2007
    Rosebud - yes, I have heard of people's hair starting to grow and then falling out. I am sure it is because you had another tx. Now that you are done it should start coming in for real very soon. If it should happen again, though, have your onc check your thyroid. Chemo is notorious for messing with it.
    For everyone who also lost eyelashes/eyebrows and they are starting to return - don't be surprised if you loose them a time or two more. It has to do with the growing cycle of the follicles. Before chemo our lashes would drop out at different rates so we always had them. Chemo screws this pattern up and it takes a couple of cycles, sometimes, to get them falling out at different times. Don't be discouraged, you will get them back! In fact, after two rounds of dropping out, mine came back longer and thicker than before! I had to curl them so they wouldn't smudge my sunglasses and glasses! Really! See, there is even a silver lining in chemo.
    Someone, maybe in this thread? posted about a supplemental you could take orally to help with hair growth. Does anyone remember what it is? Also, don't forget to grab some Nioxin shampoo, conditioner and hair treatment. My friend used it once she finished her tx and her hair came back quickly!
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