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CMF Question

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Comments

  • Annabella58
    Annabella58 Member Posts: 916
    edited February 2008

    Hi girls:

    Just a quickie to add: turns out my hairdresser is a specialist in chemo hair care!!! she had some great tips which i wanted to share for anybody who needs them:

    1. Never blow dry, air fluff it only and style with your fingers

    2. Use lukewarm water and a gentle flow shower to wash it

    3. Nioxxin really works!  the stink from it will dissipate

    4. Redken products also are good.

    5. Wash and style as infrequently as possible.  comb gently with a wide teeth comb, never brush it.

    I thought these were very helpful!

    love

    annie

  • RaeMN
    RaeMN Member Posts: 36
    edited February 2008

    I totally agree with Anniebelle.  I also used Nioxxin....plus all Redken products and they worked wonders.  Plus, I didn't overwash.  A little oil is good.

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited February 2008

    Hi Rae!  So good to hear from you again.  Wow!  Congrats on the 2 years out!  That's what I like to hear!  I'm just a little over a year now.  Come back and post more often!  We miss you!

    I agree.  The Nioxin hair products really do help!  I used them all through the chemo and rads.  They did make my hair look "fuller" and thicker.  If you've noticed hair loss, they are a good investment.

    Rita

  • golfer779
    golfer779 Member Posts: 410
    edited February 2008

    Hey gals, boy I asked and I really appreciate your detailed stories as to why you did CMF.

    I feel better just reading the post ... I think although my tumor was almost 4cm and I did have 3 positive nodes  that my grade is 1 so that probably had something to do with the decision.  I did have two opinions with each onc not knowing what the other had recommended and both said CMF right off the bat.  I have a family history on my mom's side of breast cancer.  I have had the BRCA gene test done and it came up negative.  Good news for my bro, niece and son. 

    Candie, boy I think the nurse at the one onc's office should have a lesson in compassion.  What a ignorant statement to tell you your making the wrong decision.  I had not heard about not being able to take "A" if you had already had that txt.  I think I'll choose not to think to much about txt if a reoccurence happens.

    Annie, I have been using the Nioxin shampoo and conditioner, I havn't found it to be stinky though.  I rub the conditioner on my mast scar and down my "bad" arm.  I think it feels rejuvinating on my skin.   Got a hoot out of your dh comment about the "fiat".  Hey I go with the laughter is the best medicine.  Go get um tomorrow at the chemo bar!

    Rae, I love to hear of the success stories with you fellow CMF'ers, congrats on your two year checkup! 

    Again, thanks all for sharing, Carol

  • candie1971
    candie1971 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited February 2008

    Hi Rae, good to see you.

    I am getting closer to my 2 year mark.

    Annie,I used the Nioxin products too. Oh..I forgot to tell you that I didn't have any lymph nodes infected by bc.

    Hi Rita and Carol.

    I have had a busy week and I am trying to post everywhere tonight.

    annie,the pic in my avatar is where I stayed in Mexico a few weeks ago. I love the jersey shore,too.

    Hugs and prayers,

    Candie

  • Annabella58
    Annabella58 Member Posts: 916
    edited February 2008

    Hi girls:

    Ooh I am so scared which is silly, I know....the first time landed me in the hospital and of course, my daughter is coming home for spring break; timing is bad but what can you do.

    I am sooo thankful to have this board, thanks everybody for the good vibes and boosts to the morale, this is a lifesaver!

    Candie, I didn't have any nodes either, and they felt they got it all, clean margins, etc.  I had it in the same boob 6 years earlier, I was the one who said "off with her (head)"...as far as I was concerned, twice in one boob is too much and they make such great new ones, well, I had just about had it.  to be fair, the oncologist and the surgeon totally agreed.  It wasn't a recurrence, it was a new cancer too, despite 5 years of tamoxifen.  So, gonzo to the girl and in with the new couch cushion.  The surgeon had done a great job the first time, but what was left wasn't too pretty.  Might as well start fresh huh.  Privately, I did apologize to her before the surgery and told her to watch while we made her "pretty" again :)....weird, I know.

    Now, if only I could get everyone to agree to a hysterectomy.........no one will do it, not the onc, not the OBGYN, they just won't.  does anybody know if there is a reason for this?  They don't seem to have one when I press the issue, other than saying I don't need it and that there isn't that much of a link between ovarian and breast cancer (like 1%)...

    Grrrr.

    Oh well, I'm just blathering on here bec. I am nervous.  Everyone have a beautiful weekend and to those of us doing chemo right now, well we'll get thru it too.  I am double determined not to land in hospital again! Grr again.

    Candie, I am sorry, I thought that photo meant the caption! And I can't even plead chemo brain yet.  :(

    Night all.

    love

    annie

  • golfer779
    golfer779 Member Posts: 410
    edited February 2008

    Annie, I have brought up the removal of my ovaries myself with my onc.  Right now he did not seem to anxious to even discuss it.  He said lets get through one thing at a time.  I will definitely be asking both of the oncs I have seen and get there take on it.  The female onc who I had a second op with seemed a little more proactive in that dept.   Go kick some bc butt tomorrow, Carol

  • candie1971
    candie1971 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited February 2008

    Annie,good luckwith your treatment tomorrow.

    Hugs and prayers,

    Candie

  • luvmyself
    luvmyself Member Posts: 58
    edited February 2008

    Hello everyone,

    Went for my 3rd treatment today only to find out that they failed to test my blood for my white blood cell count yestarday! I was not a happy camper so I will return tomorrow for my treatment.  This will mark the half way point!! I was also fitted yestarday for my arm sleeve. The fitter was SO informative. We leave in 8 days for Hawaii and am really looking forward to speading quality time with my DH and 2 girls. (no boyfriends on this trip).So far so good on no hair loss. 

    Good luck to everyone who has treatment this week!!  We will all be fine!!

    Carol-  looking forward to your trip to AZ.  I will PM you with my contact info.

    Jill

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited February 2008

    RAE..congrats on the good check-up!  I don't know about you but I become very anxious and nervous as these check-ups pop up.  I know that it doesn't help any to worry, but I'm a type A and I'm really good at worrying, so if any of you gals have something that you're worrying about, just let me know and I'll do the worrying for you. I'm a pro at it!

    ANNIE...Thinking of you today and hoping that your treatment goes smoothly and the side affects are null or very slight.  Check in and let us know how it goes.

    CANDIE....I'm ready to head to a warmer climate again.  How about you?  This winter stinks!  We got two more inches of snow again last night.  YUCK!

    HARLEY...Have you recovered yet from your vacation?  We haven't heard much from you since you returned.  I miss you!

    SUE...Have you got your problems under control now?  I've been thinking about you and hoping that they've given you something to ease your symptoms.  HUGS!

    JILL and CAROL....Have a great day.  I hope the next treatments go well for you.

    GINNY...Thanks again for the helpful words.  You just seemed to know when I really needed them.  Amazing!

    I have work to do around the house today so I need to get busy.  I'll check in later to see how all of you are doing.  Have a great day!

    Rita

  • RaeMN
    RaeMN Member Posts: 36
    edited February 2008

    Annie, good luck with treatment today.  Arms around you that you will do well, and everyone else having treatment this week.

    Candie, glad to see you posting too.  I can't seem to find a lot of the boards we used when we were first diagnosed so am glad to find a familiar name.  I think as we get further out from treatment, we tend not to check back too often.  I am still looking for the chemo gals from January 2006. 

    RitaJean, I have decided not to stress too much about going for checkups. I used to get kinda caught up in them, but as you get further away, it sort seems unreal that you even had it.  At least for me.

    Good luck to everyone this week and next.  Will check back later.

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited February 2008

    Rita,

    Thanks, you are so sweet!  I am slowly recovering from my vacation. 

    I have to agree with you about the Nioxxin, though.  It seems to be helping my hair to come in thicker, even if it is a color I don't like.. gray... and it is still growing VERY SLOWLY.

    I haven't been posting much here, because I feel that I can't be much help to the newbies, since I didn't get CMF. 

    I am feeling very tired and depressed lately.  My onc. told me to stop taking the Effexor, but it was helping me to feel human again.  Now that I am taking Tamoxifen, I am having hot flashes, especially in the evening and at night, so I am not sleeping very well. 

    I hope that I will be feeling better soon.  It seems that I can't take anything to help with the hot flashes. 

    Sorry for being so negative...

    Harley

  • golfer779
    golfer779 Member Posts: 410
    edited February 2008

    Hello Ladies, glad that its Friday, and looking forward to a dinner at a new Japanese Rest in town with friends.  We havn't been too social in the past couple of months, have always socialized with a "totti" or two so this is kinda new for me (and my dh is supporting the no alcohol as well).  So glad tomorrow is a sleep-in day. 

    Jill, I have my blood tested the day of my txt, I guess if my counts are way out of whack they would have to postpone txt.  So far I've only had one day when my wbc was a little low.  The following week it was back up.  Hope that your txt was uneventful for you today.

    Hawaii, sounds deliteful!!!  I see that its supposed to be about 84 in Phoenix this weekend.  I'm sitting here with the fire place going and a nice ugly rain and wind.  I guess I shouldn't complain too much with what I've been hearing from others around the midwest and east.  I am still waiting on a referal for a sleeve.  If they don't approve it I'll be sure to just get one and deal with the insurance later.  I can't understand why they would question me, I'm trying to be proactive to avoid a onset of lymphedema.  Sounds reasonable to me!

    Sue, hoping that the docs have got you feeling a little more human, you've been through enough and it sounds like its about time to have something go your way for a change.

    To the others who check in on us newbies, thanks for the great words of wisdom, your support means more to us than you'll ever know.!

    Carol

  • Annabella58
    Annabella58 Member Posts: 916
    edited March 2008

    Hi ladies, I am now down #2!!!

    Thank you so much everybody for all the wonderful support and good wishes...it helps!!

    Today went better, much less side effects as I had learned right here, to tell them to slow the cytoxan drip.  My oncologist also gave me aloxi for nausea and cut the steroids by 2/3s. 

    still got the gorilla hug around my rib cage (seems to be muscular and maybe it's from sitting in that recliner all day and some mild floaty head, but soooooooo much better.  They slowed the drip so it will take all of 5 hours to get out of there, but spoke of diluting even further next time.

    Only weird side effect: tingly feet.  anybody get that one?

    Oh!  And no headache!  Love this board, I would never have known to tell them to slow the drip if not for your ladies.

    Carol, I am no alcohol too, I missed it a bit, but only with friends at first.  No I just plain don't care.  Good luck with that sleeve, you could always buy it and then get reimbursed for it maybe?  I think you are being smart, it can only help!

    Harley, I couldn't do anything about the hot flashes but I did get one great tip from a nurse, keep an ice cold water bottle at hand at all times...when you feel the flash begin, hold it in your hand, it often wards it off.  I had help as well from taking a cold wet washcloth and putting it on the back of my neck.  Good luck!!! (Tamoxifen can give you a little depression, it did me.  I think it's the hormones.  But after a few months on it, it totally lifted.  Hang in there.

    Rae, I felt the same; like it was some bad movie I had watched.  To have to go back here, well ugh.  But you do what you must.  Hopefully this will all fade once again.  Human beings are the Most resilient beings, we can manage to accept unacceptable things.

    Candie, Ritajean, Iluvemyself thank you all for the wonderful support.  I hope I can be as much help to someone on this board like you've all been to me.

    Am mulling over volunteering to be a show and tell cancer lady.  When my reconstruct is done I want to be someone who is availabe to go talk to mastectomy ladies in the hospital and I will show them how good life can be again.  I know when i took that first look at myself, I was horrified and wished there was someone to do that for me.  It's coming along!  I can't wait to be done and go help somebody else.  Pay it forward, you know?

    love and thanks everybody, much much better, thanks to you all.

    Annie

  • Annabella58
    Annabella58 Member Posts: 916
    edited March 2008

    p.s.

    Harley, you aren't being negative, this is an effing drag!!

    If you don't have a right to throw yourself a pity party (with a limit on it, give it a few days) who does.  I say, eat anything you want, watch a video, buy yourself flowers, or something pretty.  You deserve it and need it!

    Also: re the hot flashes; try thinking of them as beginnig of menopause?  And we all want to get there!!  Besides, just tell people you are a "hot mama".  I had the mother of hot flashes in a hotel on monday night and I was like "whoa, this sucks."  Grabbed that hotel washcloth and was OK in about 5 minutes.

    GOOD LUCK and it's OK to feel down.  We sure all have been there.

    love

    annie

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited March 2008

    Annie,

    Thanks for the kind words; you are so sweet!

    I am going for an x-ray on Monday; I have been having a lot of lower back pain.  I am so scared!  I have low bone density, though, because I can't drink milk, so it is probably related to that.  I still can't help being scared!  It still would suck to have a fracture... but, better that than...

    Thanks again!

    Harley 

  • golfer779
    golfer779 Member Posts: 410
    edited March 2008

    Annie, glad to hear that round 2 was a little more tolerable.  Its amazing what we can learn as you said right here from others who have been there/done that!

    Can't say I've had tingly feet, did have a kind weird quiver to the left side of my mouth after round one, but its gone now.  I told the onc about it, he replied (your poisoning your body) strange things will happen.

    Harley, best to get things checked out.  I'll be sending all the positive vibes I can for nothing to be out of whack!  And no apologize needed for expressing how your feeling, we're all here for the highs and the lows!  Its these posts that help so many of us with the lows, so let it out!

    DianeB, havn't heard from you in a while, how are you doing with your weekly regimen?  If your up to it, would love to hear how things are going.

    Carol

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited March 2008

    Carol,


    Thanks!

    You ladies are the best!  I was just laying on the couch, feeling sorry for myself earlier today.  But now, the pain seems to have gotten better. 


    My dr. thinks it's a fracture, but I don't like the idea of a fracture, either... 

    Thanks for letting me vent.  You are the best!

    Harley

  • Annabella58
    Annabella58 Member Posts: 916
    edited March 2008

    Hi ladies:

    Feel great today, round #2 over and out.  No hair loss yet, but I'm sure it'll thin a bit...just found out there are little "wiglets" that totally look natural that can attach to your back hair and fill in the top and crown so the thinning can't be seen...of course, I could go with a funky short do too, might be really fun.

    Harley are you OK today?  Hope that the pain is a bit better...don't worry, fractures heal.  There are so many options to help with that, and so many good  non toxic meds to take.  Worst case, when you are healed, you could take up some weight work to strengthen.  I am sending good thoughts.  Girl, I think you could use a video, chocolate and some flowers for yourself.  Or some on line shopping in lieu of that if you don't feel up to it.  do something nice for Harley

    today , she deserves it. :)

    Carol, as always, you lift my spirits...such an inspiration to me.  Your positive attitude is the very best! 
    "poisoning your body" is a very telling comment...no wonder we feel crappy.  I think it's minor neuropathy, which I have gleaned is to be expected and no big deal.  i will mention it to the onc and the "gorilla hug" too.  On the plus side, we all seem to shake it off in a few days.  We must be some tough chicks, huh!

    Has anyone heard the pros/cons re: taking a multi and using antioxidants like POM juice or Brocco sprouts?  Reading up on this board, I see some talk about not taking multis as the chemo is an oxidant and you don't want to take antioxidants while doing it?  Any info appreciated if anybody has any...

    Has anyone heard from Sue?  I was very worried and hope she's OK.

    love to all

    annie

  • SCMartin
    SCMartin Member Posts: 112
    edited March 2008

    Hello CMF Girls, I see that everyone seems to be getting through treatment quite well. I'm happy to read that you are using Nioxin products. It really helped to keep my hair from thinning during CMF.

    Tuesday

  • SCMartin
    SCMartin Member Posts: 112
    edited March 2008

    Hello CMF Girls, I see that everyone seems to be getting through treatment quite well. I'm happy to read that you are using Nioxin products. It really helped to keep my hair from thinning during CMF.

    Tuesday

    will
  • SCMartin
    SCMartin Member Posts: 112
    edited March 2008

    Hello CMF Girls, I see that everyone seems to be getting through treatment quite well. I'm happy to read that you are using Nioxin products. It really helped to keep my hair from thinning during CMF.

    Tuesday

    will be
  • SCMartin
    SCMartin Member Posts: 112
    edited March 2008

    Sorry, I was thrown off!  I will have my routine mammogram on Tuesday and of course I am so nervous. It will be two years since my surgery on July 1 and I still get all worked up before every mammo and Dr.'s appointments. I know this is normal but I can't stand the anxiety! Another lingering effect of BC.

    I keep up with all of you even though I don't post much and I am so happy you are all well. I was so very sorry to read about Cy.

    Lots of love and good thoughts to you.             Susan

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited March 2008

    Annie,

    Thanks... I feel much better, emotionally.  I guess I'll just go tomorrow for the x-ray, and then I'll just have to deal with 'whatever it is'.   I am just kind of sick of tests... 

    We went out to dinner last night, and watched a movie.  I guess I really needed to stop thinking about it, but how can you do that? 

    You are a really great group of women, and I want to thank you all!

    Know that you are STRONG women, and you'll get through this tx!  If I got through my tx, and I am such a big chicken, I know you all can do it, too!

    Thanks,

    Harley

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited March 2008

    Hi gals!

    Glad to see that you gals are doing so well with your treatments.  I, too, am worried about Sue.  I think I'll check out a few other sites that she posts on and see if there's any info there about her.

    Harley,  OUCH!  I hope your back pain has subsided some.  I'm so glad that you're getting it checked out.  It will give you peace of mind, too.  I've had back trouble off and on for the last 15 years but now when it aches....my mind heads to dark places.  I think it's only normal for us to do that.  Hang in there and be sure to let us know what the x-rays show.  HUGS!!!

    Susan...Sending good vibes your way as you head out for your mammogram.  I've experienced that same anxiety before each of mine.  It doesn't do us any good to worry, but I still do, too.  I'll be thinking of you and hoping for a good report!

    Carol...we golfed last night in a 4 person scramble and had a 34 for 18 holes and didn't even finish in the money!  Our club has a putting party every year in March.  They set up the entire clubhouse as a miniature golf course and make all kinds of appetizers and drinks to sample as you work your way around the course.  We had 5 hole in ones and still finished 9th out of 24 teams.  It was so much fun and so good to get out with the golfing group again.  LOL   Wish I could shoot that on the actual course........in my dreams!!!!  LOL

    Well, I'm going for a walk.  I can't let this nice day get by without taking advantage of the outdoors.

    Catch you all later.

    Rita

  • golfer779
    golfer779 Member Posts: 410
    edited March 2008

    Rita, sounds like your club is alot of fun, I love the putting around the clubhouse idea.  Wow, some others must have shots lights out to beat your team's 34.  (I say sandbaggers!!!)  We don't participate in too many event at our local club, the couples tourneys are about it which we do with our good friends.  There usually scrambles as well which are so much fun.  Our ladies leagues starts up again in April 1.  Are you still participating in a ladies league, is it a 9 or 18 holer?  I'll get some good practice in down in AZ  the last week of March.  I met my dh and our friend on the back nine today.  Didn't feel like moving too fast this morning, and golfing in the fog wasn't my idea of fun, but by about 10:30 we had a beautiful back nine. 

    I'm so thankful that my new right boob stays right in place with every swing, I really thought that I may not want to golf with "her" in place, but I also didn't like the idea of wearing baggy fitting clothes all summer, needless to say, I'm thrilled.  Shot right at my handicap today.  As you can see I could yak about golf all day long!!!  So glad that my surgeries we're in the middle of winter!

    Carol

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited March 2008

    Rita,


    I'll definitely post when I know something.  It sounds like it could be a fracture.  My pcp dr. said to me... "You had chemo, right?"...  it can weaken our bones.

    Thanks!  You are so sweet!

    Harley

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited March 2008

    Carol, I'm envious!  Our ladies league doesn't start until the first week in May.  We kick it off with a Race for the Cure scramble which I am helping to chair this year.  Now that I'm retired, I can play in the day league.  We play 18 holes with a different game each week, usually based on individual scores.  Then we have have several scrambles during the season where you get to play with different people.  I'm ready for it to start.  In fact, I'm calling today to set up a detailing and "check-up" on my golf cart so it's ready to go when the weather changes.  Last year I just worked at showing up and having fun.  This year I hope to work more on my short game.  I'm so glad that you can golf without problems.  It keeps us sane!  LOL

    Good morning to all you other CMFer's too.  I hope you're all doing well with your treatments.  I did check on Sue through another thread.  She had an infection of some type and went to the hospital but was home the last time she posted.  Hopefully she will come back and clue us all in on the details!

    I'll try to check back in later.  Have a good day!

    Rita

  • candie1971
    candie1971 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited March 2008

    Hi to all. sitting at my desk. Decided to stay in for lunch today as it is pouring raining today. figured it gives me time to catch up on the boards.

    Jill, hope all is well after your 3rd tx. Enjoy Hawaii!!!

    Rita,ditto that winter stinks. We also got about 2 inches of snow last weekend. Lots of rain today and tomorrow. But there is a sign of spring...my crocus'(sp) and tulips are peaking through the ground.

    Glad you had fun at your golf outing.

    Rae, The group I was with in July 2006 chemo has disappeared,too. Tho I do some from time to time. Susan who posted here was one...so glad to see her.I 'll never stop coming here. I want to help the new ones just like I got lots of help. And besides, I have made such nice friendships here at bc.org.

    Harley, oh, the hot flashes s**k.  I had them before bc as I had went through menopause, so I sort of got used to them. My sis had them very bad....she bought a chill-pillow from Linens and Things...she says it works great. Harley, good luck with the xray. I am sure it will be ok...maybe you just hurt it somehow. Lower backs are tricky.

    Annie glad your 2nd tx went better. I slept in a recliner for months during treatment. It was the only place I was comfortable. My back began to take that shape..lol.

    Susan!!!! so good to see you here. Good luck with your mammogram. June will be 2 years for me...congrats to us both on approaching that mark.Smile

    I was so upset when I heard the ews about Cy. I met her on the CMF thread. She was so wonderful and full of life!!

    Have a good rest of the day friends,

    Hugs and prayers,

    Candie

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited March 2008

    Candie,


    I had hot flashes before, as I was dx'd with premature ovarian failure at age 35, but I still can't seem to really stand the night flashes...  I don't sleep and then I am grouchy all the time.  It really S*CKS!

    I hope the lower back pain is not anything... I was supposed to call my dr. this afternoon for the results... but, I guess I am too scared to call...  I know I'll find out by Friday, because I have to go to my pcp dr. with my MIL... she is having some blood work done. 

    Thanks

    Harley

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