Jackie19

OMG, Hello to you all, the last time I was here was 1/21/08, I can't even figure out why I haven't been back, it may have had something to do with going back to work and my daughter's sport activities.

Last week I completed by last tx, this by far has been the most maddening.  I developed a widerspread of skin irritation, my Onc said it is somthing like hyperpigmentosis (spelling??).  However, I feel extremely lucky and blessed that this is probably the only s/e that caused the most discomfort.  I would like to say if it weren't for this site and all of you there is a lot of stuff I wouldn't have known along the way, Thank You.  I plan to return to keep in touch and I wish the very best to all of you, if there is anything I can share please feel free to call upon me.

Apparently everything went according to my Onc's plan, on 4/1/08 I start the tax pill for 1 year, and if my period continues to be non-existent then I may move on to the other type of pill, all in all I will be taking a daily pill for the next 5 years.  When my Onc said that these tx would probably create hot flashes, he wasn't kidding.  One of my co-workers is getting me a T-shirt that he thought was fitting, "Your're hot, in flashes", he kinda has different humor. 

My dh and I are busy planning were we will be heading once I get over the skin irritation and Thank Goodness my appetite returned yesterday along with my taste buds, here I come Olive Garden.  Looking forward to seeing how long it takes for my hair to return, this has been a real sore spot for me, since I had extremely long hair and knowing I probably won't be able to grow it that long again.  Oh well, don't tell but I really didn't mind having shorter hair, my prep time was quite a lot less than before.  I read somewheres back that someone went to the "Look Good, Feel Better" classes, so did I, that was really lots of fun, lots of nice makeup and other stuff, plus I got to meet some really neat ladies, I would highly recommend this course to others. 

Has anyone had a s/e where you eye constantly tears up?  What a drag, but this too shall pass.

I am so happy we are now into this season, I love Spring and Summer, all new things come alive, and that is what I feel like will be happening to me.  I had a Nurse I would go to for my Neulasta shots, if she wasn't there I didn't want anyone else, she gave them the best, they didn't hurt, well on the day I received my last one she finally shared with me why she took such care when she gave the shot, she too had received them when she was taking tx for a different form of cancer.  She and the other nurses gave me a certification of completion and as we talked about the accomplishment I said I was looking forward to returning to my old self.  This very wise Nurse told me that I would never be my old self, but a newer and better self, and as I reflected back on what she said this is to be very true, my life has changed tremendously since the day I received my diagnosis, my faith in God, my love for my family and my tolerance for things I have no control over have done a 380 and I couldn't be happier (I was and still kinda am a control freak).  However I still have my 22 year old living at home and acting like she is 13, but this too shall pass.

Well my dear friends I wish the very best for each and every one of you and for those I didn't yet get an opportunity to know more of.  I hope to visit with you all in the future.  Take Care and God keep you in his care.  Always Me~Jackie

I agree that this platform is a wonderful support center to let it all out. Release the negative and only let in the positive.  Totally surround yourself with happy go lucky people, ideas, thoughts, etc. its like the sun shining in and  making you feel all warm and cozy inside. 

Dear nowwhat, I can see where you are coming from, both my paternal and maternal grandmothers and 2 of my maternal aunts had BC back in the 70's, they didn't have CTherapy, didn't lose their hair and I never even knew they were sick.  Later I found out that they had total mastecomies and they all lived beyond 80 yrs. I was totally hoping I would have their body chemistry makeup on the hair thing, but yesterday mine started to falling out.  Debating on shaving, have a wig all ready to go, might as well..  One book I read that really helped me was Deanna Favre's "Don't bet against me", I found the information she shared to really help me in accepting the fact that I HAD BC and what lie in store for me after the surgeries, tx, s/e, etc.. I learned that it is best to get your team in order, Oncologist, Plastic Surgeon, Nurse Navigator, Pharmacist, without these wonderful individuals I don't think I could have made the best informed decisions on my treatment and recovery. Of course I also visited this wonderful site.  Not to mention the conversations had with all of you wonderful people out there.  Take care call and God Bless~Jackie

Thanks Trina for the welcome. Already this website has had a very positive effect on my frame of mind. Thanks BCF and support community.

Since I first logged on there hasn't been much change with my s/e, still the rotten skin irritation, mostly around my neck and back area.  Today was a rather grand day, I finally returned to my office for a visit since 11/9/07.  I enjoyed it so much I plan on returning to work, at least part time next week.  I also got fitted for a couple of bras to provide support and give me a more presentable appearance.  I had reconstruction done but my Plastic Surgeon doesn't want to do any sysmetrical balance until I have completed the CTherapy.  Which is ok it is winter and big soft sweaters I don't mind.  My wig touchup turned out good, but it really is just the waiting that is driving me nuts.  I really wonder what I will do or react like once it does happen, maybe by the weekend I'll know.  Yesterday was a little different I was crazy sick for about 1 1/2 hours, I wonder if that had anything to do with the supper we had the night before, take out from a Favorite Mexican Restaurant!!  Another crazy thing is I know I have this whole process going on inside of me but I just want to feel like ole normal me again, so I eat the things I have always liked, especially Snicker Bars, but keep in the back of my mind that I have to balance the good nutriton also, like lotz of water, veggies and fruits.  I even went shopping today after my office visit, mainly windows but at least it was a since of normalicy.  One of the hardest things is having to miss my youngest daughter's sport activities, she had a game last night and we went I cheered my heart out but this weekend the games are out of town and I will be in my 10-14 days after CTherapy, white cell counts go low and I have opted to stay put, my husband will be going with some frens, but it hurts like heck that I won't be there rooting her on.  But hey just think I will have the whole house to myself, better stock up on those snicker bars.  Till later, God Bless you all~Jackie

Hi, I just had my first CTherapy last Tuesday and was wondering if  anyone had also experienced skin rash, hives and itching after having CTherapy?