Starting chemo Dec 2007

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  • bapnkat
    bapnkat Member Posts: 104
    edited April 2008

    Congratulations Jeannie!!! 

    Hey,  My gyn called today.  Talk about Scary.  Why is it when they mention test results on the phone I get all panicky...  Anyway, he called to tell me that my PET scan I had back in December showed no cancer in the chest or abdomen and no lymph  node swelling in the chest or abdomen.  Also, that I have a large fibroid mass or tumor..which we knew, but he said the fact that it is slow growing makes him feel it may not be cancer.  I have a 12 by 12 by something uterus which I guess should be 7 by something by something if it were normal.  Anyway, I guess my hysterectomy will be taking place in mid September. 

    I haven't posted on the radiation page.  I think I'll just stick mainly to this one as I feel a "connection" with you all.  I think it would be cool if we all got together someday.

    I have white fuzz all over my head.  Very slight, but noticeable.  I wonder how fast it grows.  I can't wait for rads to start, but my onc says I have to wait until the second week of May to give my body time to heal from the chemo.  I feel so good already!!

    I hope you all are doing well and enjoying the spring.  I wish the gas prices were not so bad!  We are paying almost $4.00 a gallon now.  YIKES!  At least it's warm out anyway. 

    Well, got to run.  ((HUGS)) to all!!!!  God Bless!!

    Kate

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  • JeannieBell
    JeannieBell Member Posts: 38
    edited April 2008

    Hello Ladies!

    Well, I must say that this go round w/ the SE's have been far fewer than before..... Thank Goodness!   I've been a little tired today, but not as bad as I have been in the past...

       I have an appt. with my Breast Surgeon this morning to get my referral for the Radiaition Oncololgist and for my check up after the Chemo....Thanks for all the well wishes ....

    Kate - I'm with you on sticking to this page instead of the radiation page.   I went to the rad. page a few times as well, but that is a bigger group and I too feel a connection with all of you... And yes, it would be so cool if we could all get together to meet someday...I hope that your Tumor is nothing at all but a blob or smear on the

    scan.... I will be praying for that for you...Keep us posted on your upcoming date of the Surgery... would like to know about it...

    My husband shaved my head this past Saturday... I never lost all of my hair, just looked like I had long baby hair all over... Kind of a new begining for me.... I didn't want the short hair coming in under the long baby hair.... GROSS!    Any way, gotta go to the Dr.  I post a little later...

    Love and Blessings,

    Jeannie

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  • kimbly
    kimbly Member Posts: 398
    edited April 2008

    anyone finished chemo have their hair coming back???? I am 3.5 weeks out and so impatient!!!!

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  • beasgirl
    beasgirl Member Posts: 241
    edited April 2008

    Hi all!!

    Haven't posted in a while, but I've been thinking about you. I got a crappy cold as I was recovering from my (easy!) surgery, and today is the first day I've felt back to back-to-normal! It's beautiful here--my son and I went for a bike ride on the bike path--everything is growing, everyone is out and about--I love it!! 

    Thank you Sal, for your ode to spring, including the wind on your fuzzy head.

    I haven't been brave enough to head out (ha ha) without my scarf--it's very public around here, and I'm not ready to deal with "compliments" about my fuzz. It's REALLY almost there--the longer, white stuff even lays down now instead of sticking straight up, and you can really see lots growing in underneath...I kinda like the look, actually, even the color! I've been waiting for no scalp to show through...I think maybe another two weeks and I'll be there.

    Jeannie--CONGRATULATIONS!! You did it! I hope your se's aren't too bad--soon you'll be joining us feeling better. Wahoo!

    Is that all of us? Everybody's done!? PAAARTYYY!!!

    Hope all the rads are going ok. Sounds like you're all ticking them off. No fatigue, any of you? You are tough ladies. Maybe chemo just makes everything else seem like cake...? (Not me! I whined and moaned though my cold like I'd never been sick before in my life...) 

    My boobs are gloriously symmetrical now, and my right one is nice and perky. I saw the ps today for follow-up, and he liked the look of everything, too. I may do a little fat grafting, if and when I do the nipple stuff, or I may just leave well enough alone, but anything that's left is local anasthesia, in-office kinda stuff. Yahoo! Now I have to lose that 15 lbs so my lower half can match my upper half.

    Blah blah blah. I feel so great today. Spring, cancer behind me, hair growing...we knew it was coming, and it feels SOO GOOOD!! 

    love to all--

    Amy 

      

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  • suz45
    suz45 Member Posts: 796
    edited April 2008

    Hi All, Well I go in for my rad simulation this afternoon. Am a little nervous but it cant be worse than chemo!

    Amy, Its really great to hear your feeling good and are out <<cycling>> whoo hoo. I hear ya on the 15 lbs, thats about bang on what I gained through chemo. Now 15 lbs wouldnt have been bad except mine all seemed to gather around my mid section. Hard to find a pair of my jeans that will close in the front without a monstrous muffin top hanging over the edge. I'm not gonna worry too much about it until after radiation is done. Yoga pants are much more forgiving so thats what Im gonna wear for now.

    My bike got stolen last year and I havent replaced it yet. It was a pretty solid mountain bike and I dont even want to think about some of the trails Ive been down or cliff edges Ive clung toUndecided Long story short, dh and I had a park ranger ask us where we came from and we told him, His words were "you rode bikes along that trail"! He had never seen anyone try it, the trail was about 2 feet wide cliff straight up on one side and canyon drop into a raging river on the other and then the huge boulders that you had to hike the bikes over. Lol, I think those days are long done.

    I really love biking so I think a nice comfy big seated road bike is gonna be more my speed now. You know the toodle along kind.

    So far the only exercising Ive done is walking, lots of walking. I did 4 miles the last two days but could barely move after that. Oh yea and I also did a fair bit of painting walls last night. It felt sooooo good to be even a little bit productive. I decided not to bother changing the color of the living/dining rooms and hallway. I just painted all the areas that I was working on last spring/summer and touched up the rest of the rooms where needed. It looks so much better and fresher.

    Time to run, sorry for the ramble. Lots of love and hugs to all, Suz

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  • beasgirl
    beasgirl Member Posts: 241
    edited April 2008

    Oh, Suz. When you say "cycling" you mean something very different! You are so hard core! Let's see. We musta gone...5 miles? On flat, paved, used-to-be-train-tracks bike path. And it totally felt like exercise!!

    For the 15 lbs, I'm going with the very gentle "move a little more, eat a little less" plan, and hoping that works. It's hard, because the other times I gained weight was during pregnancy, and it was so easy to lose afterwards--that nursing thing totally burned up the calories! I have no actual discipline for weight loss.

    So many projects--now outside ones as well--I'm certainly learning patience, whether I like it or not. 

    I need hair help! What do you do, and when, to get it looking presentable for the world?  

    love--a 

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  • beasgirl
    beasgirl Member Posts: 241
    edited April 2008

    toodling..that's it, exactly!

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  • kimbly
    kimbly Member Posts: 398
    edited April 2008

    I also started walking again, 2 miles a day.  I need to keep this up.  I actually lost weight during chemo and do not want to gain any back!!! I have some hair growing in I think, almost like it's colorless and not as straight as the other hair.  I am so impatient!

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  • suz45
    suz45 Member Posts: 796
    edited April 2008

    Amy, toodling is it for me now, I've left the extreme (due to age & accidents) for the kids. Your bike ride sounds absolutely perfect. We have a lot of gravel & paved (flat) trails along the dykes and throughout the city that I hope to enjoy once I get a suitable set of wheels (nice soft balloon tiresLaughing). For now walking will have to do and maybe the community center exercise bike if I have the energy.

    Simulation was a breeze.... I was in and out of the whole thing in less than an hour, information and two tatoo's included. Still don't know how many sessions I'll have, either 15 or 25. The Oncologist needed to see the ct scan before making that decision. I see her on May 5 and rads start on the 7th. They also gave me a set of tickets to see the VSO with Benjamine Butterfield ($120 value) Thought that was kind of cool and the seats are great. 

    Sigh..... hair Tongue out patience, I dont have enough of either to give anyone advice but maybe a little mousse on top and scruff it up.... just a thought.

    Much love and hugs to all, Suz

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  • bapnkat
    bapnkat Member Posts: 104
    edited April 2008

    Hi everyone.  I meant to tell you something.  My radiation onc. said she would give me a tax deduction for "medical reasons" for  having a wii game system.  So we bought one.  I guess the sports games and such are very good for your arms and chest wall.  She says it's great to use during radiation as it helps to keep everything soft as everything wants to tighten up.  She said it will also make your arms look great.  Thought you may be interested. 

    I have white fuzzy stuff on my head, but I really can't see it yet.  Everyone else can.  I got my "pillow" made today at the rad onc's.  That was so relaxing!  She said enjoy it  now as next time it will be hard and cold.  It was so warm I felt like I was in a spa!  Hehe  I got my first marks made  too.  I almost cracked up cause the doc had his pen in his hand to make the marks, leans over me, then turns to me and says "May I?"  It was just so funny to me.  What if I'd said no? 

    Anyway, that's all that's going on here.  Talk to you all soon!  So glad everyone's doing well!

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  • Laurita60091
    Laurita60091 Member Posts: 140
    edited April 2008

    Congratulations Jeannie Bell!!!  You completed the LAST chemo tx for our team!  Yippeeee!

    It's good to hear everyone is getting back to life - painting, biking, walking, etc.  I have had 5 of 20 rads tx and it feels great not to be dealing with chemo any more.  My skin on my hands and feet is getting back to normal (was unbelievably dry and peeling) and my white fuzz on the head is slowly turning salt and pepper, and patchy....hmmm......

    My husband received his visa to come to Canada today, which means he will be here in about 2 months.  This was the best news I've had in two years!

    Whoo hoooooo!!!!!!!!

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  • clsd
    clsd Member Posts: 101
    edited April 2008

    Allright Laur,

    You should be done by the time your dh gets back, and you two will have lots of celebrating to do ! I am so happy for you !

     I formed a team for next Sunday's Susan G. Komen 5 K!! We are so excited, and already raised almost two grand to beat bc once and for all!!I will wear a sign on my shirt with all of your names!!!

    Gorgeous today, sending love to you all. xo cld

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  • kimbly
    kimbly Member Posts: 398
    edited April 2008

    A tax deduction for the wii ?? wow cool... thats an idea.  I want to get a wii system  because of the new wii fit that i heard is coming out in May.  Includes yoga and other exercise stuff... I will have to about the tax deduction thing.  LOL

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  • bibliowarrior
    bibliowarrior Member Posts: 200
    edited April 2008

    Kate, congrats on the good news. You deserve some good news!

    Jeannie, glad things are going well for you. Better days ahead. 

    Kimbly, I'm 4 weeks after my last tx, and have almost 1/4" of hair all over. My nurse had told me 6-8 weeks, and I guess she was right (as usual). I've never had children, so I keep trying to think of my niece and remember how long it took for her hair to grow when she was a baby... but that was 5 years ago... as if I paid attention to something like that! It is very slow coming. It's all white and grey, and now I'm trying to decide if I will color it or not once it has grown out... I think I might try the natural look for a while... some women look very flattering in it. (again, possibly I'm being delusional)

    Amy, so good to hear from you and you sound great. Nice to hear us all sounding a bit perkier and the weeks go by. Good luck with the weight loss. That must be a lot of work in itself.

    Suz, I got vertigo just reading about your mountain biking experiences. Egad! You ARE Wonder Woman!! ... Cool that your simulation went well, and cool on the free tickets. Enjoy!

    Laura... WONDERFUL NEWS!!!! That is so, so great! I am very happy for you LaughingLaughingLaughingLaughingLaughing  You must be on cloud nine!! 

    You ladies that are having radiation... you mention "tattoos"... are they really tattoos... will they be permanently on your body? I feel bad... you ladies have been thru so much already. But you all sound so up-beat! Nothing gets you down!!

    Did anyone besides Amy have breast reconstruction? I know Amy had body tissue recon. I'm reading up on my next surgery and am not thrilled with what I'm reading about implants. Starting to have doubts and considering the idea of just having the expanders taken out and going flat for the rest of my life. I need to see if there is more info on this BC website somewhere. *sigh* All I ever do is complain.

    Hope I'm not jinxing myself, but I've been able to sit for longer periods this week. Yippee? My PT gave me a pile of exercises to do and called it a wrap... no more PT... I guess they don't know what else to do and are hoping the exercises will turn it around. Kinda depressing to have someone give up on you. Undecided

    Don't mind me... I haven't been sleeping well lately and I'm getting cranky. Just can't get comfortable at night... I toss and turn, wake up every-other hour... it's like I've gone back in time, to when I had my initial surgery and had trouble sleeping at night... even sleeping pills don't help. So I'm getting cranky.

    But I get out and walk every day, which is where I'm headed now. Pretty sure I'll be in a good mood when I get back. Sorry, ladies, that I went on the internet before my walk.... I might not have been such a crab, otherwise.

    Big warm hugs, all!!!

    -Sal 

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  • beasgirl
    beasgirl Member Posts: 241
    edited April 2008

    Oh, Sal, you big grouch, with your big warm hugs and cheerful encouragment. Shame on you for being so cranky when the only problems you have are not being able to sleep or sit down!! (A big hug back, and hopes that your back improvement goes from a question mark to an exclamation point).

    Good luck with the recon decision. You can get lots of info from ladies over on the "breast reconstruction" section. I found that decision really torturous. It actually helped, in a weird way, to remember that there are no "good" solutions--they're all just ways of dealing with a crummy necessity. I do know that most people say they are MUCH more comfortable after the exhange surgery. Anyway, I hope you find peace with whatever you decide. 

    I'm feelin the gray hair, too, btw. I think it actually kinda sets off my eyes!...Kiss I took the do-rag off at yoga last night--my first "public" outing. I was kinda self-conscious, but I dealt. I think once I get a little professional attention, I'll be ok with the short short do. It's just so much FACE.

    Laura!!!!!!! YAAAHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!  That's got to be the greatest feeling--not only do you get your hubby, but you get not NOT worry about his visa any more!! Congratulations!! I've been so worried about you, doing all this without him. 

    Cindy--way to go with the 5K! That's awesome, and a lot of $$! You are so sweet to put our names on your t-shirt! In some very small way, I'll be exercising!! No, ok, that really doesn't count. Still, thank you. You rock. 

    Monday I get my port taken out. I'm so glad to be getting rid of it, even though it means I have to get ivs for the herceptin. It's actually been very uncomfortable...the nurse said it looked twisted. And now that I have a perfect figure (haha) it'll be nice not to have a giant bottlecap thingy poking out of my skin.

    Kate, the kids bought a wii with their Christmas money..it really is pretty cool. Imagine getting a tax reduction for it! Ha! We'll have to check out the fitness one. So far, Guitar Hero is doing nothing for my arms. Embarassed

    Love to all--

    A 

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  • suz45
    suz45 Member Posts: 796
    edited April 2008

    I just did an hour post and I lost it GRRRRRR  Photobucket

    Laura, I am so happy for youYou must be walking on cloud nine.I don't know how I would have managed without the support of my dh & ds. My hat goes off to you as you are one incredibly strong woman. Hope these two months fly by without a hitch!

    Cindy, Congratulations on forming a team and raising all the $$$. I am so honored that you will wear our names on you shirt during your walk. Let me know what day and time the Susan G Komen walk is and I will walk a few km along with you here.

    Sal, I would be more than a little grumpy if I had to deal with no sleep and no pain relief. Lets hope the new exercises and the daily walks will help you out. Just so you know your not grumpy even when you think you are. A big squishy hug to you

    PhotobucketAs for the tatoo's its pretty simple, one technician puts a drop of ink on you and my other tech gave it a poke with a needle and voila a tiny black tattoo that looks like a small freckle. So far I have two and will be getting one more.

    Amy good to see your sounding better. Thats great that you get the port out Monday. Mine was more bothersome and sore up around the collar bone. Lets hope your veins hold up alright for the herceptin

    Lori how are your rads going? And what have you been using. Hope its going ok

    Kate , Does everyone get a form made? I havent heard anything about it yet.  Do you have a rad schedule yet. Mine starts May 7th (I think)  

    A warm hello to everyone I missed, Kimly, Jeannie ,Wishiwere, Kmk, and Joy  and whoever else I missed    

    Yikes its 4:30 and I still cant sleep , Goodnight all, Love Suz             

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  • JeannieBell
    JeannieBell Member Posts: 38
    edited April 2008

    How's everyone on this beautiful spring Saturday?  You know I was just thinking how lucky we all are that we didn't have to go through all of this "Chemo Crap" and feeling sickly during the spring or summer months.... that would have really Sucked!!!!  Spring is definitley in the air... New beginings...

    I think the Wii thing is a GREAT Idea.... my son said he thinks it (theWii Fit) may already be available ... he said he's already seen one here in Lakeland FL... we are visiting him this weekend, so when I get back home tomorrow, I'm going to check it out and see if I can't get my hands on one.... I need to do something...I hope to be back to walking on the treadmill w/in the next week or so...

    I have my appt. with my radiation onc. Wed. April 30th for the consult... My appt. with the Breast Surgeon this past Tuesday went well, he said everything looked Great and I could begin the Tamoxifen any time now, should start the rad. in another 2 weeks...

    Laura -- that is Great News!!!  I know you can't wait to see him... when was the last time you saw him?  I don't mean to sound dumb, but where is he now?  I guess I missed that post... I know that you have been saying you were waiting on his visa, but I never read where is has been... (did all of that just make sense?)  Still suffering from Chemo Brain-- I apologize

    Sal -- I plan on having Breast recon.  ....expanders and implants.. havent decided about the nipple thing yet... won't have any of it until Dec. or Jan....have to wait about a year...  I hope you get sleep soon... why aren't you sleeping?

    Cindy-- Congrats on raising so much money... Thats AWESOME!!!  and so sweet of you to honor all of us like that.... What time is your walk?  I want to at least try and walk some on the treadmill with you next Saturday.... That will be my goal... to have enough energy built up by then to walk a few miles at least on the treadmill at home....

    I have been one week and one day since Final chemo... and feeling better by the minute...am starting to get my taste back a bit .. can't wait!   Not that I need to be any means... I MUST loose the 10 or so pounds and the puffy face I've acquired from the Taxotere.... Patience is a must....

    Love to you all...

    Jeannie

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  • suz45
    suz45 Member Posts: 796
    edited April 2008

    Hmmm, maybe will test drive a wii at the store. I saw a news brief on it today with a whole bunch of seniors playing and it looked interesting, not at all like regular video games.

    I guess I pushed myself too hard this week with trying to get a bit of stamina back. My right ankle is definitely out of commission. Woke up and could put very little weight on it. I have injured this one twice in the past. Once in a serious mva Dec 04 and then broke it (minor break) Dec 05. I hobbled a mile this afternoon with the dog but it reallyhurts (almost feels like an impact injury). So I'm back to elevating and icing it. Its just not fair, it felt so good getting out of the house and being a little more active  after months of being a lay-z-boy potato.Cry Guess I really do need to get on an exercise bike (no impact) to get myself in a little better shape before I get back into the heavy pavement pounding.

    Other than that today was a gorgeously beautiful warm spring day. The rain is supposed to start again tomorrow for a few days so I guess it will be a good time to do a little paperwork and take it easy <<sigh>> I really truly dislike sitting around (maybe a little cheese with all this whining) 

    PhotobucketSo on a positive note..Ive been thinking that I would maybe like to do something a bit on the different side when I finish all my treatments. I'm thinking of getting a small tattoo somewhere of a small ladybug. I'm not a tattoo kind of person (rad dots were my first) but a small lucky ladybug sounds like something I would like and not overly offensive. I'm not too sure where to put it though... size would be about as big as my baby fingernail. I don't want it hidden away ie: on the butt, maybe on the back of my shoulder or somewhere on my hand... not sure yet but it sounds like an interesting way to add closure to this roller-coaster ride of a year. Any opinions? Originally I thought of a pink ribbon, but I really think Ive seen enough pink to last me a lifetime and I don't want it to be such an obvious cancer reminder. More of a journey. Much love and hugs to you all, Suz

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  • wishiwere
    wishiwere Member Posts: 3,793
    edited April 2008

    Suz! What a great idea!  A little lucky ladybug!  I'm the same way, never into getting one myself, but my dd and dstepd both have one.  One a small ankle one she designed herself and the other my step had done when she was young and foolish over her entire back on one side!  UGH!  Be/c of that one, i've never wanted one. But wouldn't it be cool if each of us on this trip together got the exact one?  A simple little lady bug to put an end to this trip we've taken and completed!  Cool idea! :D

    Ladies, I've been absent this past 9 days as last saturday a mess of my family converged here in town at a restaurant for a surprise 50th for me!  OMY!  THANK YOU Lord for helping getting my butt in gear the week before to clean my life up! WHEW!  Sisters from the Upper Pennisula of Michigan, Cleveland along with their grown children and my mother and others! What a great time!  They stayed the weekend and we had a great time!  It's hard to get everyone together, but they did it!  It was just a great fun time!  Following that, I took mom (80) back home and did a ton of leaf raking for her gardens as neither she nor I did that after my diagnosis last fall.  It felt good to get the majority of it done for us!  Whew!  ANd now I'm recouping! Aches I'd forgotten were possible! Man, am I out of shape!

    So............  Laura!  GREAT hearing your soon to be reunited and this time for good, right?  Fantastic!  I bet that gets you to feeling better sooner than anything! Congrats to you both!

    Sal........{{gentle hugs}} wishicould help some way! :(  Hate that you are in such pain and loosing sleep just puts it over the top I'm sure.  Have you tried a pain clinic for this at all?

    A~Good luck with the port removal tomorrow!  Great to hear you are happy with your recon!  Still unsure about my non-decisions in that department!  Especially when looking at spring clothes! :(

    Big congrats to those finishing rads and a gentle {[hugs}} to those still working on them....Lori, Jeannie, kim..... I've been thinking about you all and hoping for the least of SE's and most of comfort to you!

    Feels like fall again in michigan, but I think my body needs the break.  Week before last was too nice and I overdid as it sounds like many of us doing!  Imagine that!  cooped up for months and over do first chance to be out! :D

    {{hugs}} to you all and hoping everyone is repaired soon and on their way to living this life to it's fullest!  Be strong dear friends!  It's only going to be better after this mess! :D

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  • beasgirl
    beasgirl Member Posts: 241
    edited April 2008

    Suz, where would you put your tattoo?  I had actually thought the same thing, only a bee, to honor my g'mother who died of bc before I was born (her name was Bea.) Through all of this, I've thought a lot about how much I would have enjoyed knowing her, how she died only a few years before I was born, and how she would have most likely survived if she could have had the awareness and treatments I've had.

    So, yeah, I had definitely considered the tat, to do something kinda ritualistic. But I haven;t really thought about where to put it. I think I would wait til a year from diagnosis, or some other anniversary...I won't really be all the way DONE with everything til nexy Dec...

    a 

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  • bibliowarrior
    bibliowarrior Member Posts: 200
    edited April 2008

    Amy, thanks for nudging me towards the "breast recon" conversations. I've done a lot of reasearch over there and posted a few things, and am feeling much more at ease with the whole thing. My PS (a guy) hasn't been helpful with the info, so I'm debating that issue too (whether to find a new PS). But the thing is, I got a lot of helpful info over there, so thanks for the suggestion Amy.

    And speaking of breast reconstructions, how is your healing process going? And good luck on the port removal tomorrow.

    I'm jotting down the Saturday walk-a-thon too... if Cindy's gonna have our names supporting her, the least we can do is grab some exercise for ourselves and make her proud! 

    Suz, sorry about the ankle Yell Ouchie!!!  Hope it heals up soon. And I love your idea of the lucky ladybug. I can't see me getting a tattoo (too chicken), but if I did, I think the ladybug idea is awesome.

    Thanks for folks' sympathies regarding my ongoing gripes. Last night was the worst night's sleep since I was recovering from surgery back in Nov Frown  Either I can't get comfortable laying on these stupid tissue expanders, or a damn hot flash hits and wakes me up (they definitely have increased since I started Tamoxifen); mostly the former. The only sleeping pills that work anymore are the Ativan I have leftover from chemo, but my onc nurse had warned me that they are addictive so I try to use them only a couple times a week. If I could just get the stupid sciatica/back pain thing sorted out, I know the sleep would follow; but I'm sure that the lack of sleep isn't helping to relieve the pains. It's a vicious circle! The PT gave me a pile of exercises that she hoped would help, so I'm gonna give it a week. After that, I'm going back to my onc dr and ask for a referal to an osteopath. Might even look into acupuncture. I hate to whine, but honestly this is worse than when I was on chemo because it just doesn't let up... at least with chemo I got a break for a couple days here and there.

    Whine whine whine.

    On a positive note, EYELASHES HAVE BEEN SPOTTED!!!! Yip, they are slowly but surely coming in. And I have 1/2 an eyebrow over each eye. And nose hairs. Odd the little things that are exciting.

    Gotta scoot. Want to say hey to everyone... Amy, Suz, Laura, Jeannie, Wishiwere, Cindy, Kimbly, Kate, Lori... can't even think of all the names (chemobrain!!) right now but I'm sending a big hug to everyone. 

    Love, Sal 

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  • suz45
    suz45 Member Posts: 796
    edited April 2008

    Wishiwere, Happy belated 50th!!!!!

    Photobucket

    Sounds like you were busy in a good way, what a nice surprise. I'm still ignoring my yard work Embarassed ds has been cutting the grass weekly,but my gardens are looking really rough.

    Amy, I'm not too sure where I would get it yet... thinking I'll try to find some ladybug temporary tatoo's (kids) and try them out on a few different area's to see what feel's right. A few idea's.... maybe the top of my foot about an inch above the toe beside the baby one, just over my shoulder on the back or maybe the ankle. Its silly but I really like the idea of one on the foot because it reminds me of summer, bare feet in warm sand, vacations, flip flops and painted toe nails.  

    I think the bee tattoo sounds perfect for you,what a special way to honor your g'mother. Do you have any idea how big it might be and where you would put it?

    Sal, geez I really wish I could offer you some sort of help.... have you thought of maybe trying a new PT? It really sucks to have yours just give up.

    A huge hooray on your eyelashes and eyebrows coming through Kiss.  I found my eyes stopped watering as soon as I had a tiny bit of a fringe. Yes.. small pleasures.

    Big hugs everyone, Love Suz

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  • kimbly
    kimbly Member Posts: 398
    edited April 2008

    The tattoo idea sounds like a really cool idea!! I love lady bugs too.  I am with you on enough pink though for sure!!!! If I were to do one I might think the top of my foot. That way it is not always seen and I can see if ( if it were on my shoulder not as visible).  Wonder what my husband would think of the idea of me getting a tattoo at age 46..

    My last  chemo was 3/27 so I am what 4 weeks out ??? so waiting for hair to grow in. 

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  • loriann
    loriann Member Posts: 139
    edited April 2008

    Hello all!  Wow, so much to catch up on!!

    First me....Today was rad #8 and all is well.  I'm feeling good and am not showing any changes to the rad areas.  Suz, I know you asked what I was using and the answer is a bunch of stuff!!  LOL  Right after treatment I usually put on the aloe vera gel or a lotion by Alra called Therapy Lotion.  Then I will put on aloe gel or Biafine in the evening.  On the weekends I use normal body lotion - Lubriderm for sensative skin or Gold Bond Ultimate with Aloe.  I had gotten the OK from the nurse to experiment and use whatever works but to limit the perfumed stuff if the skin gets more irritated as time goes by.  So really all is good here!  I'm getting ready to put some semi-permanent color on my hair.  The Loving Care is all gone now so I'm going with something a bit longer lasting.  Thought I may even try Natural Match...it is permanent but has no ammonia.  Eyelashes and eyebrows are coming in too.  I'm just starting to feel a little normal and like my old self.  I was down a couple more pounds at rads this morning!  Yeah!  Suz, I totally hear you about the muffin top!  That's exactly where my added weight went...right around the middle!!  I hate it!!  I've been walking a little and rode the bike once...baby steps!!  I really want to try the Wii Fit..we have the Wii and it is alot of fun. 

    Laura, What wonderful news about your hubby!  Good times are coming!!

    WishIwere, Hope you enjoyed your family and your 50th!  Happy belated birthday!!  We have to get thru these next few days until we get our warm weather back!  I need to work on my flower beds!!

    Cindy, How sweet of you to walk with us "on" your shirt!  I will be sure to walk that day too and will be thinking of all of us!! 

    Sal, hope you continue to feel better!  I know how hard it can be to get comfortable.  I'm still having trouble sleeping on the left side but it is getting better!  I hope back will get with the program and start behaving!!  Eyelashes....isn't it great to see them coming back!!

    Amy, congrats on losing the port.  It felt really good to lose that thing!!

    Hope all the rest of you are doing well and enjoying spring!!  Big hugs, Lori

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  • beasgirl
    beasgirl Member Posts: 241
    edited April 2008

    The port is gone! hooray!

    The "procedure" was fine, except that I had a reaction to the antibiotic they gave me. They took me off it immediately and dosed me with benadryl, and so far it looks like it's not coming back...just another (*&^^# antibiotic I can't take (that makes three FAMILIES of antibiotic I'm allergic to...!). I hope they invent some new ones, cause I'm running out.

    The nurse where they did it was SOOO nice...she held my hand through the procedure, and hugged me when I left. Some people are just so...loving, I guess. It was very sweet. Good nurses are some of the very best people.

    Anyway, I'm glad to have the thing gone. Ahhh...

    I'll go out Saturday and walk, too! That'll be kinda cool!

    Lori, nice to hear from you. Sounds like you've got the rads under control--why am I not surprised!? Let us know how the coloring goes...I think I'm gonna stay grey for a while and see how I like it, kinda a la Jamie Lee Curtis... 

    Sal, I'm glad the breast recon ladies were helpful, and you're feeling better about that stuff. I REALLY hope you can at least get some sleep--everything else is so hard to deal with when you're not sleeping. I'm still taking the ambien cr, and I have to say, it really works. Though I don't want to have to take it long term, I sleep is so important. 

    Suz, hope your ankle isn't badly injured--what a nasty fluke! It's SO hard to guage how much your body is capable of right now--it FEEL so much better, but it's still not back to "normal"...anyway--hugs, and I hope it's better soon.

    Happy belated b-day, wiw!! Sounds like a real shindig! And an especially good one, since you have something else to celebrate, too!

    better go--love to all--

    A 

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  • JeannieBell
    JeannieBell Member Posts: 38
    edited April 2008

    Hello Girls!

    Wishiwere -- Happy 50th (Belated) Birthday Girl! Thats Great!  Hope it was wonderful.... you deserve it!

    Amy - Hope your port removal went well today...Good for you... another step to being normal...

    I don't know about the rest of you but I'm ready to do something other than think about cancer for a while... and I haven't even started the radiation yet... whew!!! ... my appt. for my consult is the coming up Wed. ... I have an appt. at 8:00 am to meet my new Medical Oncologist (mine is going into Family Practice - Internal Medicine) and then 9:30 w/ the Radiation Oncologist....we'll see.....

    Suz - my husband and son have actually tried to encourage me to get a tattoo (small) after I finish w/ everything.... hmmmmm.. don't know yet though... a little scared... but if I do get one, I think I want one on my toe... you know like a toe ring ...  maybe a single daisy or cross on my 2nd toe....the one next to my Big Toe... my husband and son got a tattoo when my son turned 18 last year (their first one) that my son designed of praying hands and a rustic cross in the background that said "Like Father, Like Son"... they are exactly alike and they got them at the same time....and then a few months ago they went back and got a small pink ribbon incorporated into the cross area of the other tattoo w/ my initials on it.....

    I thought that was so sweet of them to honor me that way.....

    Sal -- get better soon... I'm praying for you!!!

    {{{Hugs}}} and kisses (Kiss) to all of you ..  Lori, Cindy, Kate, Kimbly, Laura.. and anyone I've missed ...

    Love and Blessings,

    Jeannie

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  • Laurita60091
    Laurita60091 Member Posts: 140
    edited April 2008

    Cindy - good for you on the Komen thing - you are a trooper and it will be nice to be represented by you!

    JB - My husband is Cuban.  We met there 5.5 years ago and got married going on 3 years ago.  He has not been able to come here yet, so I have travelled there 30 times.  It has been a long haul and it will be nice to just be together.

    Sal, what can I say?  I can't imagine having to go thru all this, sleepless, and the physio and still not know WHAT is the cause of this pain!  I have a feeling the exercises will help.  Big hugs to you!  And congrats on the eyelashes!!!

    Kate, good news on the chest and abdomen scan results.  And here's to that fibroid being just that.  I suppose once you have the hysterectomy that will be history.  I can't imagine...

    Amy, congrats on losing the port!  I never had one but I know that it would have creeped me out and I would be SO happy to get rid of it.  Fabulous that you are now symetrical.  One step closer to "normal"!

    Kimbly, hang in there with the hair.  I was feeling the same way around the 4-week mark, but here I am at 6 weeks and definitely see the difference.  Hair also coming back on legs and "other places".  Bit by bit.....

    Suz, good luck with the ankle.  I feel like my body has aged a lot with treatments.  I am achy-jointed, my hair is coming in quite grey and my skin is still scaly.  But fortunately I feel generally good and certainly have a lot more energy than when chemo finished.  I love the thought of a ladybug as a tatoo.  The ladybug is this cheerful, resilient bug that eats the bad insects on plants.  It will be like your symbolic protector!  Today was a beautiful day here, 19C/66F.  When I was driving home after rads a ladybug landed on my windshield when I was stopped at a light.  I then noticed several of them flying around the car.  It was such a nice feeling of warmth and spring and rebirth.  Last week we were under a foot of snow and today there were all kinds of people running around in shorts.

    Loriann, good luck as you continue rads.  I am 35% of the way done and so far so good, just some pain but nothing unmanageable.

     WIW - happy 50th!  Sounds like a fabulous celebration!  I, too, will be turning 50 on Saturday. 

    Thinking also of KMK and Joy, hope you are both doing well. 

    Love and hugs to all

    Laura

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  • wishiwere
    wishiwere Member Posts: 3,793
    edited April 2008

    Cindy?  When is your walk.  Like many of the others, I'd like to be out doing a walk to join you! 

    Thanks for the B-day wishes ladies.  50 seems to be going well thus far, even with the aches and pains, I'm looking forward to another......................well, not quite 50~ :D

    Laura?  WHen is it your dh is joining you?  I can't imagine being apart though all this!  You are one strong woman, lady!

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  • clsd
    clsd Member Posts: 101
    edited April 2008

    Hey everybody !

    The 5K is this Sunday 0845. I have great team of women so far, and we are very excited! I will send you some photos afterwards....or atleast try....Here is the link. You guys will be piggy backing on my race shirt ! xoxoxoxo cld

    http://www.komennorthjersey.org/    My team is Team Cindy and Friends and I have a page with all of the runners/walkers. xo cld

    Laur, my husband is Cuban as well, but came to the US when he was 2 years old. He has never returned, but one day we dream of owning a small home there...

    Click here to visit my personal page.

    I call no donating from you ladies, just cheering us on, especially since we already raised $2,800.00 !

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  • wishiwere
    wishiwere Member Posts: 3,793
    edited April 2008

    Man, what a bite! I was going to donate and they only let a minimum of $25~  That stinks b/c $25 is a chunk of change this spring with all the bills piling up :(  But I'll be cheering you on and walking this Sunday at 845 just to show I am behind you all! WTG!

    Besides after this doc appt, I have to start eating better :(, walking more and doing all those danged healthy things they require of you to be healthy! I'm just so bummed!  I DO NOT want to be ill again dang it!  I am sick of tests and more sick of docs and just plain sick and tired of not be fully WELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  GO AWAY MEDICAL CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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