The Chemosabe March Cruise

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  • Keenie
    Keenie Member Posts: 258
    edited July 2007
    Love the Nioxin! Now, my hair is " minty fresh" !

    christine
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  • GrammyNancy
    GrammyNancy Member Posts: 666
    edited July 2007
    Playwrite...you are such a hoot! Love your picture with your reading material.

    I have white sprouts but sprouts are all that it is...you really have to look closely and have the light just right. Never lost all of my eyebrows or eyelashes although they are pretty thin. Going to go buy some Nioxin!

    Nancy
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  • rosebud1962
    rosebud1962 Member Posts: 196
    edited July 2007
    WEll ladies, I'm done! Yesterday was my last rads treatment. My Rad Doc took off on her lunch hour to find me a special gift. It was heart shaped sunglasses that had rose colored lens. She told the techs. that I was to wear them during treatment and that she wanted some pics to prove I did...lol
    They have a tropical scene on the ceiling to look at when you're being treated and I suggested they needed some naked men up there to make this worth my while. She said these glass would allow me to see them..LOL I didn't but I did look like Elton John.
    The techs did hum the graduation march and I receive a diploma and a coffee mug with candy in it. I am so glad to be done! rosebud
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  • playwriter
    playwriter Member Posts: 316
    edited July 2007
    YAY, ROSEBUD! Onward and upward!
    Just don't forget us still here on the cruise, we'll miss you!
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2007
    Congrats, Rosebud. Now you're actually finished! What a feeling that must be. I hope you don't miss all the nice people from the cancer center too much!

    Miss S
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  • pmarsh34
    pmarsh34 Member Posts: 108
    edited July 2007
    Congrats Rosebud, happy dances all around!

    I am adding a new doctor to my team. Tomorrow I have an appointment with a gynecologic oncologist. Ultrasound yesterday showed something on right ovary that could be nothing or "something more troublesome". Tomorrow I will find out more.
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  • GrammyNancy
    GrammyNancy Member Posts: 666
    edited July 2007
    Hurray Rosebud....and a gift of rose colored glasses...I'm so happy for you.

    Patti....prayers coming your way for a good report on your ultrasound.

    I am having a bone density scan not a bone scan.

    Nancy
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  • jacqniel
    jacqniel Member Posts: 720
    edited July 2007
    Yea, Rosebud!!!!!! Happy Dance! Happy Dance! I love your rad doc - sounds like a peach.

    Patti - prayers that your scans show nothing to be concerned about.
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  • rosebud1962
    rosebud1962 Member Posts: 196
    edited July 2007

    I'll be keeping you in my prayer Patti. I hope it's nothing..Rosebud

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  • BettyeE
    BettyeE Member Posts: 267
    edited July 2007
    Am I the only soul left in treatment? I will have my last FEC Tues. Aug. 7. Who else is out there?
    Bettye
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  • jacqniel
    jacqniel Member Posts: 720
    edited July 2007

    Unfortunately, I will be in treatment for a very long time. So you will not be alone! We can toast each other together! Prayers for smooth sailing as you belly up for the last time.

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  • maxgirl
    maxgirl Member Posts: 407
    edited July 2007
    Congrats, Rosebud!! It's nice to know the finish line actually exists. Sounds like you had a great treatment team.

    Patti, I'll be thinking of you tomorrow and hoping that the news is good.
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  • playwriter
    playwriter Member Posts: 316
    edited July 2007

    Patti -- I am praying that it's just a nothing. A spot on the lens, or something like that. God is with you, and so are our prayers.

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  • Cynthia1962
    Cynthia1962 Member Posts: 1,424
    edited August 2007
    Bettye - I'm still in tx...had my 3rd Taxotere today. If all goes well, my last T is Aug 21st. Today, I almost didn't get chemo because my white count was low. The onc said to give it to me anyway and just have me come in the rest of the week for neupogen shots. My red count wasn't looking so good, either. I bet there's a Procrit shot in my future, too.

    Patti - hope you get good news.

    Congrats to everyone who is through will chemo. I can't wait! I hope if you're having radiation, that it's going well for you. I haven't been reading your new thread yet. I'm not ready to know what's in store for me yet.

    Rosebud - And a big Wow and Congrats to you for being done with chemo and rads. That is so great!

    I hope you're all doing well!

    Cynthia
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  • jacqniel
    jacqniel Member Posts: 720
    edited August 2007

    Cynthia - sorry you are having 'blood problems'. Those shots should do the trick - and you will probably have more energy because of them!

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  • LisaSDCA
    LisaSDCA Member Posts: 2,230
    edited August 2007
    Patti - let us hear what your gynec. oncologist had to say today! It's good to have that specialist available to you. Many people don't even have one in town. I've got a Gyn/Onc on my 'team' too. But he's having to wait in line while I get this bilat.mastectomy and reconstruction lined up. Which has been an exercise in frustration so far.

    Rosebud - ain't it good to be done?!? What an extraordinary Rads doc and group you had!

    Bettye, Cynthia and Jacque: we will be rooting for you each and every treatment - and beyond!

    Cynthia, I had Neupogen after every single treatment (self-administered) and it helped keep my neutrophils from tanking. However, my anemia persists and today makes five weeks since my last taxotere. Hope that whatever you need, they get you going on it soon, so you can feel better as well as have numbers that please them.

    Jacque, the oral supplement that has been mentioned that is supposed to help with hair growth is Biotin. Pretty easy to find, and not expensive. I've been taking it for a while and still only have that 'five-o'clock shadow' thang going on - but it has only just now been five weeks. I think I would be foolish to expect more! Of course, the one place that is growing more enthusiastically is the right front where I have a cow-lick. Nothing else along the hairline, but this distinct light brown swirl.

    Nancy - whew - glad it is a bone density test and hope that it comes back strong and STAYS that way!

    Always sending up a special prayer for my Chemosabe Sisters!
    Lisa
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  • pmarsh34
    pmarsh34 Member Posts: 108
    edited August 2007

    I met the gyn onc yesterday. He said that he didn't think that the mass on the ovary was malignant since it didn't shrink during my chemo. But he also said, "there's only one way to be sure". What that ended up meaning is that I am going to have a complete hysterectomy in a couple of weeks. I am going to talk to my rad onc about it today because I want to make sure he is okay if I have to miss some rad treatments while I am in another hospital getting surgery. They are planning a minimally invasive procedure so hopefully I will only be in the hospital overnight and only have to miss a couple of rads. So I guess I don't need to worry about getting my period anymore! I am thanking God that I have my two girls already. I keep reminding myself that I am going through all of this to insure that I am around to see them graduate from high school, college, etc.

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  • Keenie
    Keenie Member Posts: 258
    edited August 2007
    Patti,
    You have a wonderful attitude - your girls are your priority through all this!

    I had a hysterectomy 7 years ago, which was done by laparoscopy. I had to be careful for about 2 weeks, but the recovery went very well. And yes, I haven't missed my period one bit.

    We'll be praying for you - let us know the date when you get it.
    Christine
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  • jacqniel
    jacqniel Member Posts: 720
    edited August 2007
    Pattie - good luck with everything - so much to digest when you are already knocked down with treatments. Your attitude is great, though! Don't be surprised if the rad doc isn't as enthusiastic about the surgery as you hope - I will keep my fingers crossed for you!

    Lisa, thanks for the info on the supplement. You would think I could remember it since it so closely resembles the toothpaste I have been using (Biotene). I can't take it yet, but will as soon as I get to move on from my present tx.
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  • GrammyNancy
    GrammyNancy Member Posts: 666
    edited August 2007
    Patti...happy to hear that the gyn onc thinks it is B9 and I agree with everyone that your attitude is great. Will continue to pray for you as the details come together.

    Cynthia and Bettye...hang in there, the end is in sight!

    Jacque, moving on to a new tx plan...that sounds encouraging...what's you new tx?

    Lisa...where do you find Biotin?

    Prayers for all my sisters!\
    Nancy
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2007
    Hi gals,

    I am missing our old times here.

    Patti, so sorry to hear you have to have more surgery. It is nice that the procedure can be so less invasive these days. Hopefully, it will prove no malignancy and you will heal quickly.

    My hair is coming in slowly. Of course, I am on Herceptin, so I'm not expecting anything fantastic to happen. I am taking Hair, Skin, and Nails vitamins which can be purchased most anywhere. Biotin is the main ingredient. I still need some Nioxin shampoo. My hair is white fuzz on the sides with the top being longer.The top never completely fell out. I always had a tiny little crew cut with bald sides. An extreme Marine haircut.

    Rads are going well. After Friday, I'll be 1/3 of the way through. So exciting!

    Take care.... thinking of you ladies still on chemo. Just keep on keeping on!

    Love you all!

    Miss S
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  • jacqniel
    jacqniel Member Posts: 720
    edited August 2007
    Nancy - no new tx yet. Just dreaming of the day. I expect to be in on my present tx of Abraxane, Avastin & Aredia for a long time. My hope is this combo will kick the beast into remission and I can go on a hormone pill or shot.
    Good to hear from you Miss S. Glad the rads are going well!
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  • pmarsh34
    pmarsh34 Member Posts: 108
    edited August 2007

    Jacque, you called it. Rad onc decided that I need to wait until after hysterectomy to start rads. I guess I better enjoy the time before surgery!!!

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  • rosebud1962
    rosebud1962 Member Posts: 196
    edited August 2007
    Well, I hope you all have a great weekend with no se! It's so hot here that the weather lady on TV baked cookies inside her car on the dash to prove a point. Like I needed to see that to know it's hot..LOL
    Patti..the hysterectomy that you are getting is that an out patient opp? I've heard that they can do it like that and you hardly know it's been done with a min. amount of down time.
    I haven't started taking anything for my hair cause I just don't want to take anymore pills. I'm letting it come back in it's own way. The thing is I still have no eye brows or lashes and that's what make ya look sick. I start work next week and I'll see how my co-workers react to yoda on a fork lift. LOL..Have a great one ladies..rosebud
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  • pmarsh34
    pmarsh34 Member Posts: 108
    edited August 2007

    Rosebud, it isn't quite outpatient but it is only an overnight stay in the hospital. There are also a lot of benefits to getting it. Number one is no more periods. I am just bummed out that the radiation is put off a couple more weeks (maybe a month) because it just puts me that much further from finishing up this icky journey. I just want to be done!!! I was also looking at going back to work (I will be looking for a new job) and this puts that back, too. Kind of hard to get a job and tell a new boss that you immediately need to have time off for surgery. Such a wonderful journey this is. I truly wouldn't trade this experience for anything. As icky as it is, it has been a God filled and wonderful journey.

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  • shorfi
    shorfi Member Posts: 791
    edited August 2007
    Quote:

    Rosebud, it isn't quite outpatient but it is only an overnight stay in the hospital. There are also a lot of benefits to getting it. Number one is no more periods. I am just bummed out that the radiation is put off a couple more weeks (maybe a month) because it just puts me that much further from finishing up this icky journey. I just want to be done!!! I was also looking at going back to work (I will be looking for a new job) and this puts that back, too. Kind of hard to get a job and tell a new boss that you immediately need to have time off for surgery. Such a wonderful journey this is. I truly wouldn't trade this experience for anything. As icky as it is, it has been a God filled and wonderful journey.



    I had to tell my new boss that I needed surgery a week after I was hired. It was no problem because when I interviewed for the position I told them that I was a breast cancer survivor...I wanted them to know up front what was going on with me. That worked for me and I work for a marvelous manager. I had the privilege of being interviewed in "Cancer and Women" magazine and this one of the issues they felt women were concerned about (employment).

    Take care and I wish you the best!
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  • HollyHopes
    HollyHopes Member Posts: 497
    edited August 2007
    HI Everyone,

    So glad to catch up with everyone's news. It's hard to stay tuned in with the demands of full-time work and all the rest of the 'life' issues that I've put on the back burner for the past several months.

    I am going wigless at work now with no apparent negative impact. I have teeny tiny little bits of wispy white hair on the sides of my head (1/16th of an inch long) and black stubble on the top. It will be interesting to look like a skunk for a while!!
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  • playwriter
    playwriter Member Posts: 316
    edited August 2007
    patti -sorry u have to go thru more surgery, but if it keeps you around longer, that is awesome. i won't start rads till mid-august, so maybe we can keep each other company.
    missS -- you go, girl! just a few more weeks to go.
    holly - i am amazed that you can work and go thru rads and still have energy. you are amazing!

    i'm in wichita visiting my parents for a few days before the girls have to start school (the 15th). had a lady come up to me in the Grandy's bathroom the other day and ask if she could pray for me -- i thot that was so nice. and a lady in church today gave me a bracelet that said "hope" on it. so kind of her!
    blessings to you all. it's hot here in kansas, too....
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  • HollyHopes
    HollyHopes Member Posts: 497
    edited August 2007
    Hi Playwriter and Household Queen,

    Rads are not bad at all. The only SE I've had is a bit of tiredness...which I deal with my getting to bed at 9pm and trying not to be too social over the weekend. I also have a little redness and soreness under the breast which is being radiated. Nothing that tylenol can't handle. Rads is a breeze compared to chemo.

    I leave work at 3pm each day, drive 10 minutes to Kaiser, get my tx at 3:36pm and am on the road by 4pm.

    So far my favorite cancer benefit is that people offer to let me 'cut' in line at the grocery store...must be the bald head!!
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  • jacqniel
    jacqniel Member Posts: 720
    edited August 2007
    Holly, so glad that rads hasn't been too hard on you. I agree it is much easier than chemo!

    I love your story about the prayers and bracelet, Terri. I had a guy behind the counter at a coffee shop ask me about my cancer (his dad died last year of cancer) and then asked if he could put me on his prayer list. Such a sweet, young man. Also, when I had my port surgery a woman, whose husband had a procedure done at the same time and had visited with my MIL during my surgery, came to my recovery area and gave me an angel braclet. I think God puts these earth angels all around us - and we just have to acknowledge His presence in their actions.
    Hugs everyone - Jacque
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