Anyone starting Chemo in August 07?

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  • mtlion322
    mtlion322 Member Posts: 29
    edited September 2007
    Hey Nash,

    I see you are on 5-fu also, no not really, That was when I started getting my taste and went to the doc, day 8 I started with thrush, just wait to see if your tongue starts turning white, call the doc! See my post of 09-03-07 found out that was thrush and went to neutropenia.

    Cindy
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  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited September 2007
    Wow Cindy - what a busy few days you've had! Sorry you had to go through all that!

    I did a little research on thrush
    [/http://www.answers.com/topic/thrush-4?cat=health]
    (If this link doesn’t work, you can cut and paste it into your browser.)
    I didn't realize they were related, or that it was somewhat serious, but yes - the lowering of the wbc in neutropenia causes the susceptibility to thrush. From what I read, the real problem is if the thrush remains untreated and gets into your system. That’s probably extreme though…and as long as it’s taken care of, everything is fine.

    Sorry, I had a little trouble following your post – your port placement went well, your MUGA scan went well, and the chemo itself went well? You were fine (except to learn about the pastor backing out!) but then you went into febrile neutropenia and the thrush? Wow – hopefully the next time it will go more smoothly! I’ve heard they don’t like to rearrange treatment days, but under the circumstances, maybe a day or two wouldn’t matter. I hope your daughter finds a pastor quickly, and the wedding proceeds without a hitch! (ok, maybe one “hitch”.)
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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited September 2007


    What do you take for thrush?? My tongue feels weird! Now I am scared!

    HARLEY
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  • PixieDust
    PixieDust Member Posts: 28
    edited September 2007
    Hi Everyone! My husband signed me up on this board asked questions when I was first diagnosed. He was doing all the research since I was too scared at the time to see what I would have to go through. I'm finally at the point where I know my path and I have all the power to fight the battle and win this! I found the lump myself in May in the shower. It was only a couple weeks after my 34th birthday. I have two young boys, my youngest was only 20 months and my oldest 3 1/2 when I found out. I got a lumpecomy in June, got dx on June, 28th when they told me I had breast cancer - tumors 1.2 cm, .6cm and 1 inter mammary lymph node that was .5mm (LVI). I had a lat mastectomy on Aug 1st, they found 1 more lymph node totaling 2 out of 23. I'm triple positive ER/PR/Her2neu, Stage 2, Grade 3 which is pretty scary. Doctor's say I was lucky I found this when I did, even though not so lucky getting dx. I have no history at all in the family. I look to the positive side of everything. It could have been far worse if I found it months later. Anyway, I am keeping my chin up had my first session of Chemo was on 8/24, felt yucky day 3-6, dizzy, fatigue. Not as bad as I thought. I'm still able to keep my routine with the kids. I have to be strong for them. I'm having 4 DD (AC),12 weekly Taxol and the year of Herceptin and Lapatinib. My next chemo is Sept 10th and I'm ready to buy my wig this week. However, I'm not really prepared for it to fall out. Any tips to help prepare yourself would be appreciated. This really is a great site and so far it's really helped me ease into this and fight the big fight! Thanks so much to all of you for coming here and sharing your words of encouragement.

    Thanks!
    Stacey
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  • OneFeather
    OneFeather Member Posts: 10
    edited September 2007
    Hi Ladies,
    I'm just joining you, I had my first chemo the very last day of August. I'm going to have to go back and read and see what's going on with everyone but wanted to say hello and hope you all had a good holiday weekend. I lost a whole day! I took my anti-nausea meds yesterday and ending up sleeping about 16 hours.

    Sharon
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  • Myrajuc
    Myrajuc Member Posts: 117
    edited September 2007
    I was diagnosed September last year. 6 cm tumor on ultrasound. Did sentinel node biopsy right away. Had lymph node dissection immediately 2 weeks after diagnosis. 10+/16. Started on chemo 3 weeks after surgery. Did 3 DD AC (scheduled for 4-6 DD AC) every 2 weeks, but tumor didn't feel like shrinking. Switched to weekly Taxol/Herceptin for 2 weeks before mastectomy. Had mastectomy in December. Started chemo again 3 weeks after surgery. Completed 10 more weekly Taxol/Herceptin.

    My margins weren't clear after mastectomy. Did 7 1/2 weeks of daily radiation. One week of boost!

    I'm now completing one year of Herceptin infusion every 3 weeks until March of next year.

    I'm doing really good! I turned 38 this year.

    Email me at mjucutan@yahoo.com if you have questions. I check this board once in a while, but this board was a life saver for me the past year, so I really want to help out and answer once in a while.

    Re the hair loss. That was very traumatic for me. I think it's what validates that you are really sick with cancer. It happened the 2nd DD AC on the third day. Before that my hair was shedding lightly on pillows and when I touch it. When I went to the shower, it just all fell off. In clumps! Literally in clumps. I was so scared. It won't stop. I had my hair cut before I started chemo, really short, 5 inches off. I called my husband right when I got out of the shower and he shaved it.

    I had a wig ready to wear. It wasn't so bad, except when I was wearing it for a long time, it gave me a headache. After a while I switched to scarves. It was winter last year when I was bald, so it got cold. I just wore the beanies at home. My lashes didn't fall off with the AC and Taxol

    I had no nausea and vomitting during AC and Taxol; but I had bone pain. I had Neulasta the day after AC. But Neulasta since it's a day shot was too strong for me, and gave me really bad bone pains. My onc switched me to Neupogen, but you have to take it as a 6-day injection, but in lower dose. The bone pain was tolerable with it. My husband (who's a medic) would give me the shot in my stomach (where the fat is) before I would go to bed. I hated it!

    Please email me mjucutan@yahoo.com if you have questions.

    Take care all of you ladies,
    Myra
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  • mtlion322
    mtlion322 Member Posts: 29
    edited September 2007
    Kaye: Sorry abt the post, trying to keep my brain straight, what is left of it really sucks and even my kids look at me like I am kinda strange(they know it is the cancer and I have a hard time with my train of thought). Thanks for the link on the thrush! I just went to the doc on tues and they did a blood count, no mouth involvement, and then boom! But I tried to warn them abt my lack of immune sys from the begining, knew it would not take much for me to have something go wrg! But now they are really aware so the second chemo should not be as hard! A yes the wedding from crazy time! While I was at the lowest time after chemo, Sat and Sun had no ideal abt the pastor, but my mom along with Sara, re arrainged the pastor, location and time, everything is good and has worked out except for the "one hitch" we do want! God is Great!

    Harley:prescription given is Nystatin. Don't freak yet! My tongue had a white coating to it, I thought it was because of the chemo, change in diet, and who knows what else. Than I started with fever and chills. They said when I got to the hospital that my white count was 0.5 when I left on on Sunday it was 4.5!

    Found out that being neutropenia is deadly! You do not have to have an infection, you just have no white cells to fight any infection.

    Pixiedust and Onefeather: Very sorry that you had to join this group, but let me say this, you are with a very strong loving, God fearing, determined women who will beat this bug and you are in very loving arms, I just can not say how wonderful all of these ladies are.
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  • mtlion322
    mtlion322 Member Posts: 29
    edited September 2007

    I also wanted to welcome mom42july2007, Jelliclecat, livin42today, WIbeaglemom, chemomom, emg326 and francinehay to this group! If you had to join a club, this one could not be any better! All of the women are so wonderful, caring, considerate, and loving! I know all of their posts and exprience has been such a wonderful help to me when I started this journey!

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  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited September 2007
    Harley, I copied this from that same article:
    Description

    Thrush (Candidiasis) is a superficial yeast infection of the mouth and throat. Other names for this common condition include oral candidiasis, oropharyngeal candidiasis, pseudomembranous candidiasis, and mycotic stomatitis. Thrush is characterized by the presence of thick, curd-like white patches on the tongue and inside of the cheeks. The underlying tissue is red and inflamed. The roof and floor of the mouth and the gums may also be affected. Thrush may be easily diagnosed by the appearance of the lesion. To confirm the diagnosis, a sample for microscopic analysis may be taken by scraping the lesion with a tongue depressor.

    Thrush itself is a harmless infection; however, Candida may spread throughout the body (systemic infection) to the kidneys, lungs, joints, bones, and brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). A systemic infection can be very serious, especially in a cancer patient with a weakened immune system.
    Treatments:

    Thrush is usually treated with the antifungal drugs clotrimazole, nystatin, or amphotericin. Clotrimazole is taken as a lozenge which is allowed to dissolve slowly in the mouth. The commonly used nystatin is taken as a solution that is swished through the mouth, although recent studies have shown that nystatin may not be as effective as the newer antifungals. Amphotericin is taken as a tablet or solution. The duration of treatment may range from five to 14 days. Often, thrush resolves with local treatment alone, however, systemic medication (such as fluconazole) may be used in some cases.

    The whole article was not to long, and pretty interesting.
    I don't think every case of "coated tongue" is thrush, but it certainly bears attention. My coated tongue was taken care of by the Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash, so I don't know if i nipped it in the bud, so to speak, or if it wasn't thrush at all. Call your nurse, she'd know, and be able to give you an rx if it is thrush.
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  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited September 2007
    Here's a link to Neutropenia info from the Nccn and ACS:
    Neutropenia
    I'm practicing...let's see if this link works.
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  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited September 2007
    Welcome PixieDust (Stacey) and OneFeather (Sharon)!

    Stacey, It's so hard to hear of women in their 30s going through this stuff… with little kids in tow. I'm so sorry. On this thread alone there are a few - Nash, Chemomom (Angie), Kidsmom, I really feel for you all. And your dh sounds like mine, doing all this research and helping reason out all these details when our heads are swimming. Good men.

    The combined wisdom and experience and information on this bc.org site is priceless. I'd be lost without it.

    Sharon, I WISH I could have slept the first day or so after tx! The steroid I get the days surrounding my tx gives me power unlimited – I feel like Atilla the Hun, or Alexander the Great, and as fun as THAT is, after the second tx, my actual body is so fatigued, but the brain is still going – yet there is nothing in there (the brain) that makes any sense…
    Remember the commercial for “Restless Leg Syndrome”? Well I get “Restless Brain Syndrome”. All this activity, but nothing gets accomplished. The good news is: it gets better, the farther away I get from tx. (I’m on Taxotere/Cytoxan every 3 weeks, x4, and I’m halfway through.:D wheeeee!)

    Cindy – sounds like you’re doing a little better, I’m so glad. I’ve tried to put a link to a neutropenia site, but I can’t figure out how to make it “link”. My husband will fix it. (It’s what he does, duh. )(Done. dh ) The link will still work if you cut and paste it into your browser. I just can’t make it be a hyperlink. I thought the info on neutropenia was helpful. I was told by my onc that we will be neutropenic during that time period no matter what, but with the Neulasta, Nupogen etc. the wbc won’t go as low, or stay low for as long. We still have to be very careful during that time.

    I’m going to try to work all this week…Should be interesting!
    (Keeping in mind that I actually do very little there under the BEST of circumstances!)
    Have a great week, girls!
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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited September 2007


    Thanks, Kaye

    Hope you are feeing great! When is your next tx?

    I am freaking out, because at the same time I noticed a white coating on my tongue, it's spotty, I also came down with the fever and chills yesterday afternoon... I have been pretty much out of commission all last evening and last night... I went to bed early, just after dinner (which was eaten at 8PM, kind of late for me!), but I figure if I was STARVING, I really needed to eat... Also, I figured if I was starting this neutropenia, I should not be hungry... I don't know...

    One thing through this whole tx, I have been getting VERY HUNGRY!!! That is a good thing, I guess....

    But, I feel better today, and my temp. was normal this morning, so I'll keep a watch on my symptoms, and if I start feeling feverish again, I'll call my doc.

    Thanks again! You are such a sweet person!

    HARLEY
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  • emg326
    emg326 Member Posts: 102
    edited September 2007

    will my mouth taste like a sewer throughout the treatments or will it come and go? so far, that's bugging me the most. Nothing tastes good!

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  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited September 2007
    Oh Eve! Isnt' that awful? Mine didn't last but a week or 10 days, but they were some of the strangest 10 days of my life! Mine started a day or two after tx, then was gone about 10 days later. For my 2nd tx it didn't seem to last as long, nor be as severe...but maybe I'm just used to tinfoil now?
    Tortilla Soup from Boston Market seemed to taste the most like what it was supposed to...And SALTY CHIPS. and chocolate.
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  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited September 2007
    Thanks, Harley!
    Do take care. If it ever gets over 100.5 GET YOUR BUTT DOWN TO A DOCTOR. I've heard that as long as it goes back down, you should be ok, but 100.3 two times in a 24 hour period should be the limit. That's when you NEED to call. That was on some site I found.

    My next tx is Sept 12. It seemed like #2 was easier, so hopefully that will be the case. I'm heading into my two "good" weeks now. Feelin' pretty normal, thinking a little better than last week.

    Take care and be cautious this week. Are they ordering blood work on you periodiocally during this time? My onc didn't, both times, (she's on vacation) but believe me - THAT will be my question for next time.

    Hope your fever stays down tonight! I'll pray for that...
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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited September 2007
    Kaye,

    Yes, I am feeling much better today! This has been the pattern for the last 2 txs... About a week after my tx, I usually feel achey, and then feverish, and I get the chills... Well, it's hard to get to the dr., after office hours, and that is when this wbc episode ALWAYS happens!! But, after a long nights rest, I feel much better!

    I am so glad that you are having an easy time of it.

    My txs have been good, too. I just have some minor se's and then that wbc episode the second week, but so far, after the ONE episode, I am ok... I am hoping that will be IT for me.

    AND, I only have TWO more txs!!! I will be FINISHED!!! YIPPEE!!

    I am a little concerned, because I have to go to the hospital tomorrow with my MIL, for her mammogram. I promised her I'd go, since she went with me. We have gotten a lot closer since all this happened with me, and I want to return the favor, to be there for her mammogram. She had an aunt, I think with bc... but, she is 78 y.o., and going strong! I doubt she will have any problems, but she did have one very abnormal mammo several years ago, and I remember that we were ALL very scared for her!

    Take care... We'll share bc battle stories, I am sure!! Are you having any further treatment, rads, or hormone therapy? I get hormone therapy after the chemo is over! Oct 9th is my last tx! Then, on Nov 9th, it's reconstruction for me!

    Hugs,
    HARLEY
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  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 2,600
    edited September 2007
    Hi, OneFeather and Pixidust! (PD--I posted to you over on the Young Women board).

    Thanks for the thrush info, you guys. The chemo nurse gave me a good hint, too--she had me go out and buy liquid acidophilas at the health food store. You swish it around in your mouth, then swallow it, and it helps restore the bacteria balance in your mouth and innards. I also started using the Biotene mouthwash twice a day instead of once and really swishing that around for 30 seconds. These things seem to be keeping my mouth from getting worse, and dare I say, it may even be slightly better.

    Had a 400 cc push of 5-FU last Thursday--was assured by the chemo nurse and onc that I would feel fine. HA. Felt like crap--more nauseous than ever, etc. Although, my kids woke up queasy this morning, so maybe we all have a touch of the stomach flu, which would be good b/c I don't want to feel like crap two weeks straight every chemo round, thank you very much.

    OK, hair started coming out in the shower today. And so it begins....ugh.

    Here's a funny--one of my friends was telling me today about one of his friends who had a bilateral mast. She bought her prosthetics at Nordstrom's (had no idea they sold such a thing, but OK). Anyhow, she came in wearing them and announced she had her Nordstrom's rack on. I thought that was hysterical.
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  • chemomom
    chemomom Member Posts: 171
    edited September 2007
    Hi ladies. I haven't posted in a while. I have been very blah, in general. It has been hard to keep my spirits up. My oldest son just turned 5 and is starting Kindergarten tomorrow. That has me all upset over whether I will see the same milestones for my younger son, who's 2 1/2. And then even if I can get past that, i get sad about the possibility of not seeing what kind of men they turn out to be (HER2 2+ and a freakin' huge tumor have me thinking the worst). So when I am not crying or taking Ativan, I have been trying to let my brain travel elsewhere. I admire you ladies who seem to have figured out how to stay positive... I can't seem to get there.

    And chemo #2 seemed to do a number on my digestive tract. I was not so much having what I consider to be diarrhea, as just having painful stomach cramps and frequent trips to the latrine. It happend last tx for a few days, but this time it went on for 5 days and was really getting hard to take mentally. Especially when i am supposed to be enjoying my kids. I could barely get off the couch except to head to the john! But I do check the posts regularly and it really helps me just to read what everyone else has to say.

    Kaye-- you are 1 day ahead of me in treatments and yesterday was the first day I strated feeling a bit more like myself. And i managed to work all day today. Well-- I was THERE all day, what I have to show for it... not so much

    Also, for emg326, my mouth "tasted like a sewer" for several days. Might be getting better now, but things still taste "different." But at least not as yucky.

    Well, i just wanted to check in and say hi to everyone. Hope you all have a good evening and better days to come...
    Angie
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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited September 2007


    About your friend's Nordstrom rack... too funny!
    Sorry about the hair... I STILL look like SLUGGO!!

    Take care,
    HARLEY
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  • PixieDust
    PixieDust Member Posts: 28
    edited September 2007
    Thanks for the welcome! I haven't been on here much today. My youngest son who is only 2 y/o had a fever of over 103 since Saturday. Seems to be a virus and on top of that an ear infection. In fact, I was really sick with 102 fever the day I was supposed to get chemo which was 8/20. Maybe it was my luck that I got it before I started and not after. I ended up starting it four days after. My husband got sick last week with the virus and my oldest son after my chemo. I just hope I don't get it again because it was really nasty. I did give myself the Neulasta shot the day after so maybe that helped. Any tips on not getting sick would be helpful since my house is still contaminated. By the way, I do work full time and am working from home throughout chemo on my good days. I also plan to take my FMLA hours when necessary. My work is very supportive and I don't have to be in the office (my boss happens to be in a different state anyway). I feel it keeps my mind off things. Both my kids are in daycare during the day so they bring all the germs home. Not getting sick for me will be very difficult. I was told just keep washing hands, but is there anything else that will help?

    Thanks!
    Stacey
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  • Monkeygirl61
    Monkeygirl61 Member Posts: 49
    edited September 2007
    Hello Everyone,

    I wanted to add my thanks to everyone for their posts. You all have really helped me. Even though I haven’t posted on this board before, I’ve been reading since about Aug 20.

    When I found out I had bc I had 3 things planned: my 3rd trip to Fan Fair in Nashville, a Keith Urban concert, and our 9th annual OBX trip. I’m happy to say I’ve done all 3! My 1st chemo was Aug 23 and we left on Aug 25. It wasn’t as bad as I expected. I’m ready for #2 on Thurs. Thanks girls and keep on posting!
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  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited September 2007
    Nash! Nordstrom Rack - I LOVE IT!!!

    I'm sorry about the nausea...and the hair. It gets easier. For example, I was a blonde today at work. I didn't have any more fun than when I was grey. So that whole thing is a lie. I'll let you know about redheads tomorrow.

    Thanks for the acidophilous tip! Hope you feel better!
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  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited September 2007
    Angie, I was so happy to see your post!!! You made my day! I think about you alot, and wonder how you're doing. I'm sorry you've been struggling...this is stinkin' hard, no doubt about it.

    I have a friend who was dx's when she was in her 30's, her kids were little, her tumor pretty darn big, and her insurance wasn't very helpful - that was almost 9 years ago. She went through it all, persevered, and I want you to know her daughter just graduated from high school, her son is a junior, and she's doing fine. (Like a steamroller, sorta.) It does happen. Don't give up.
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  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited September 2007
    Hi Stacey, re the hints for controlling the contamination:
    My daughter bought a gigantor container of those counter wipe things with bleach, several hand sanitizer wipes (one for the car, my purse,her purse - you get the idea)and antibacterial liquid soaps for each bathroom in the house. One of my closest friends is a nurse, and she said all that stuff is overrated, not useless, but overrated, and she says good hand washing habits really is what makes the difference. So I figure, I'll do both!

    It's good you can work from home a lot - THAT should help a little. The kids in daycare - now, there's the challenge. Besides stripping them at the door and hosing them down with disinfectant, I don't know what can be done!
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  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited September 2007
    Hi Tami!
    I’ve been following your posts for a while, too… You were a day behind me for your first tx. You must be every 2 weeks, because my next one (3rd) is the 12th. #2 was easier for me somehow, I hope it will be for you, too.

    Hooray on the 3 accomplishments!!! What’s an OBX trip?
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  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited September 2007
    Debbi - HAPPY 31ST ANNIVERSARY TODAY! That's quite an accomplishment!

    I know you have #2 coming up tomorrow, I'll be praying for you...hope all goes well.
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  • Monkeygirl61
    Monkeygirl61 Member Posts: 49
    edited September 2007
    Kaye,

    How silly of me, OBX is Outer Banks, North Carolina. This year my sil and bil and friends of theirs came fom CA to spend the week with us so it was extra important that I made it.

    Yes, I'm every other week for 4 ac, then 4 taxol followed by 33 rads. I got my wig yesterday. I'm going to shave but until I see the 1st clump come out I just can't do it.
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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited September 2007
    Angie,

    Welcome! I know this BC is a tough thing to deal with, and to get through tx, but this is the place to come for encouragement and information. These are wonderful women!

    I guess staying positive is a tough thing to do, but I have a much better prognosis than some women here, so it is easier for me... I still have my moments, though.

    Good luck to you! We'll all be here, supporting you and helping you through this maze of bc options and emotions.

    Hugs,
    HARLEY
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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited September 2007

    Pixie..

    LOVE the name!

    Hi and welcome to the club no one wants to join! Sorry about your fever/virus!!! You are right... it's best that it happened BEFORE your first tx...

    You will get through this... we will be here with you every step of the way, holding your hand in cyberspace!

    Just wanted to welcome you ...

    I have to get going soon because I am going with my MIL to support her when she gets a mammo... she was with me when I got my mammo, and the results, which threw me into this terrible, confusing, emotionally upsetting world of bc!

    YES WASH YOUR HANDS!!! THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT!! I have cats, and I am the primary care taker, so I wear gloves and a mask when I clean the litter box, but also wash my hands after...

    Good luck! You can do this! ! We will be here, to encourage and to lean on...

    Hugs
    HARLEY
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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited September 2007


    Too funny!

    I am now a redhead!! I kind of like it, as I was coloring my hair a reddish brown that wasn't too bad before the bc dx.... of course, since Feb., I haven't colored.... I was kind of getting used to the gray streaks in my hair... but that was the first to go... NOW I JUST LOOK LIKE SLUGGO!

    Take care
    HARLEY
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