CMF Question
Comments
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Annie,
Thanks! Throughout this whole bc ordeal, it seems that whenever I needed something, it was there. I believe that is GOD, looking out for me. My surgeon has been so helpful in getting everything done. After my mast., he would tell me a joke whenever I went in to see him. Now, when I think back on it, I always laugh about the nipple...
Those Neupogen shots were horrible! After that 1st tx, I asked my onc if they would give me the Neulasta shots. I didn't have any problems after the Neulasta shot, but the onc nurse told me to take a Claritin every day for 3 or 4 days after my Neulasta shot, to prevent bone pain. It must have worked, because I never had any problems with Neulasta. That is good, that you didn't have any more problems with the Neupogen shots, only after the first ones.
Annie, you are too funny!! I will 'crack' a smile, just for the camera! lol
I won't have to take any of those 'drinks'. My surgeon gave me a script for Visocol... just some pills...20 pills, to be exact. Starting at about 2PM, I have to take FOUR pills with a glass of clear liquid, 15 minutes apart... 4 x and the last time, I am to take them with Gingerale! Something about the bubbles helps to clear out the colon, the nurse told me today at my pre-op (I know it's not a surgery, but they still made me go in and get blood work and a chest x-ray...) appt. Oh, and then, at 7PM, I have to take 4 Dulcolax pills with clear liquid... OMG, I will be sitting & S*itting all DAY!!! The nurse cautioned me that it would be best if I started the 'cleansing' early, at 2PM, or else I will be in the bathroom all night!
Bottoms up, indeed! LOL
Harley
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Hiya Harley:
I believe too, that there is alot bigger than us....I've had alot of help from the other side (my first bc diagnosis came to me compliments of my grandmother who had been gone three years at the time, she even told me which one and "to get in there right away, you'll be fine, but go right away".) Now, you want to see some weird looks? Try scheduling a mastectomy on the strength of that and telling them "oh, it's too early to feel a lump, but it's in my left breast" ...which it was. And very early. And one had "just" become invasive but had not gone anywhere yet. I guess that was what she meant by go right now, and it will be fine. I did and it was. But my did that ever lead to a few folks thinking I had lost it. I hadn't, I had actually found it, bec. this led to a turnaround in my belief system and thinking....there is so much more to life than this life. It's common to have this in my family, runs thru the female line on mom's side. My daughter has it too, she can get to me without a text, funny actually. Or we email each other and say the same thing simultaneously.
I know that every time I need help or a boost, faith is there. I knew this second time was coming up for me; probably why I went ahead with that MRI. I also know I'll be fine after it. Hence the goofy attitude. It's just the getting thru it part! Yuck, chemo.
And let's all make good wishes for everyone on this board to be a team of winners!!
As for the pills......gee, I bet it's that new system of prepping where you have a much much easier time of it the night before! It sounds like it! And i am happy for you that you won't have to drink that crapola drink it's so icky.
Have a nice evening despite it and disregard all the horror tales folks tell you. I had one bout in the john and that was it, slept like a baby and then wore the heinous thong of history. So no worries, all will be well, and good luck, will be thinking of you tomorrow!
........and don't wear a giant maxi pad! (ho ho)love
annie
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Annie,
Oh, yes, I believe that there is SO much more, that we don't see... but, just 'cause we don't see it, doesn't mean that it isn't real! My Mom came to visit me, just after she died. I felt a little chill, and then, a warmth, and she touched my hand. I heard her say, "It's ok now." She'd had a stroke, and was in a coma for about 3 days, but I knew...
No bc in my family...as my surgeon told me on Friday, "you're special..." He was talking about the 'nipple' thing!
So sorry for hi-jacking this thread!
I hope everyone is doing well with their tx!!!
Rita, please post after your onc appt., to let us know how it went. Carol, please let us know how your tx went...I'll be thinking about you tomorrow!
Hugs
Harley
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I thought I'd share my feel good story from this weekend.
I copied this from my post on the Jan 2008 chemo thread, hope it makes sense here as well. I don't think I ever mentioned a friend (which has now turned into two friends), that are walking in the 3 Day (60 miler) here in Seattle in Sept.
The lady whom I've spoke about doing the 3 Day in Seattle, has sent another gift my way. Ginny is actually wintering in AZ, and will be home to the Pac NW in a few weeks but she wanted me to have a special quilt she made for me. She sent it to our family friends (who attended Grandma's b-day). After grandma had her moment, I was presented the quilt with a very touching card. It is accompanied by two hand made pillows as well.
Ginny had told me about a quilt she made and will be raffling off to raise funds for the 3 Day. I mentioned to her how I would like to atleast get a pic of it so maybe I could raise some bucks as well selling some tics.
The quilt she made for me is a replica of the original one (although she reversed the pattern and hand tied bows to it). I literally could not even read the card she included with this touching gift until I got home. Yep the tear ducts runneth over again.
I was so amazingly touched by Ginny's thoughtfulness and as I curled up in "my recliner" I could literally feel the love from rubbing this beautiful creation.
This pic doesn't do it justice, it has small pink ribbons throughout it, and the details is phenominal (I'm not a seamstress, imagine that).
I had to call Ginny last night, once I re-grouped enough to get out my thank you to her. She is an amazing woman and 12 year survivor, and may I say I'm so lucky to have her in my life.
For fun I'll include her website which is pretty cool,
http://08.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/SeattleEvent?pg=personal&fr_id=1189&fr_id=1189&px=1500741
Harley, assuming you might not be back on-line tonight, unless you have a wi-fi connection for your tilly!! I always get a "hoot" out of your posts, its the feel good stories that are mixed throughout our moments of sadness and worries that are so inspiring. Life without a sense of humor would be painful!!!
I found it interesting your take on the WBC shots, I had heard the opposite about the two meds. Hoping to avoid them both once again tomorrow, my count last week was pretty much in the gutter but they let me go without the shot. Sure wish you could eat something to raise the white count!
Annie, glad you gave Harley those great words of wisdom on the maxi pad front!!! My thought is after having a boob whacked off, a colon... I could deal with. In fact at the moment those 20 pills would do me some good, still trying to calculate the Miralax thing!!!
Jill, if you pop in to read, I would like to get your address again. I no longer have it saved with my PM's. Hoping that your feeling up to par the last couple of weeks.
Speaking of pars, Rita, how was your game ... snuck a peak at the post at lunch, was very jealous of you getting to whack the little white ball today, good for you!!!
Just home from work, made it a full day, and now off to take my ds to his in-line speed skate practice, can't wait until he can drive himself next month , YIKES!!!
Take care ladies,
Carol
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Carol,
That quilt is gorgeous...a pure symbol of love from a very caring person. It's a treasure!
Harley...hang in there tonight! There's no worry about you tomorrow since Annie has you all straight on what to wear and how to act! LOL Annie, you're a riot! You add so much to this thread!
Hope all is going well, Jill!
As for the golf game today! Would you say that my short games stinks, Carol when I get on the green of a par 4 in 3 and then take a 6? Hello! I do think I need to practice more! LOL
I'm off to town to the drugstore for that good ol' Arimidex!
More later.
Rita
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Well, actually... the colonoscopy isn't til Wed., so the cleansing will take place tomorrow. Sorry if I confused things in my post. I may not be online much tomorrow... or Wed....
I will remember NOT to wear a thong, or a huge maxi pad... I live an hour away from the hospital, so I may have to wear a huge maxi pad...
Hope everyone is doing well, and since it seems that everyone has either a dr. appt., Rita - good luck with your onc appt., or tests, or tx coming up later this week.... Hope they all go well for all ya'll!!
Harley
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Hi all:
Oh Carol, What a totally lovely gift to get and so meaningful...she must be a very special lady and you must be one to, to be so loved! You know that quilt is just the thing to cuddle up in after treatments.
It's a real treasure. thank you so much for sharing the photo of it.
It's gorgeous and so are you, kiddo.
I also had the opposite experience with the shots...neupogen was OK, one day of achies, easily taken care of with tylenol, and otherwise nada. I didn't even realize I was on it until I remembered to go get a shot. No biggie.
I have heard neulasta was nasty, and I am glad Harley you managed well with it....you are very lucky!!
rita, good luck with your onc appt. tomorrow...you know you are going to do just fine, but we are all here to send prayers and hugs........here's a big one for tomorrow (..............) and an angel to watch over you too ^0^.
You too, Miss Harley (...............) ^0^
You too, Carol and Jill ^0^ ^0^ (...........................................)
and to everybody else too!
Harley I loved your story about your mom's visit...glad to know someone else has experienced stuff that warms the heart this way. It's very good to know they are still around and helping. Love is stronger than death...I got to say goodbye to my aunt jane about an hour or so after she passed. She's been around helping me this time too. she passed away from pancreatic cancer and had a very hard time of it. She sure is missed.
Keep well all. I am reinflated yet again today, Barbie boobs getting there...I just love my ps, he looks so young, yet is so kind and caring, and makes me laugh which is key. I was really lucky to get him, he's got a waiting list a mile long! And.......he solved the gorilla hug issue. He explained that with some people (as in me) chemo keeps the body in a state of "arrested healing" so that you kind of stand still at whatever place you were in the healing process til it's done. So I am still healed as far as a 6 week procedure with all the attendant swelling and bruising. The good news is that this will all get better when I get off chemo..........it'll take awhile, but sooo relieved to know that! And in case anybody else has any issues with things not "looking right" yet or feeling right yet, here's the answer. Good to know!
Take care everyone tonight, Harley, rest up and Rita, don't worry.
I know you will, but it'll all be just fine, I'm sure of it.
Jill, wherever you are in the treatments (the last two) am thinking of you and sending good vibes your way!
Ginny, are you Carol's Ginny?
love to all
annie
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Hi girls:
Just checking on all of you who had appts/chemo today to see how everyone is....I'll look again later!
Hope all is OK with everyone!
love
annie
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So Annie, when is your next chemo? I'm glad you got an answer to your "gorilla hug issue." Now you can swipe that worry right out of your mind.
As for the neulasta shots, I had them and I was so worried because I'd heard all kinds of horror stories about them, but I honestly had no trouble at all with them. Maybe I was just lucky but they didn't bother me.
Well, just wanted to check in and see how everybody was doing. I'll catch you later. Hang in there gals!
Rita
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Hey Ladies,
Just a quickie, spent almost all day with that pit in the stomach feeling. Not quite sure whats going on with that one ... have had it before but usually day two or three after txt day, this is well beyond that.
Anyway, had a girlfriend take me to txt, (keeping that dh working!!!!), WBC was up to 4000 which is the best its been for the last 4 txts, YEAH! The push today of "M" started to make me feel a little quesy (never had that before), gf got me a little juice which I sipped as I was also crunching away on my ice chips. Seemed to settle me back down. Needless to say the rest was uneventful.
Had a good time jabbering with my friend, she is also walking in the 3 Day, just commited last week, so this was kinda a neat experience for her to see a chemo txt room and watch the procedures. We had a great nurse once again today as well.
I took her out to dinner (Outback), on our return trip home, so far so good on the gi distress front. My belly must like rich food, the steak and king crab are feeling mighty fine. And that pit seems to be gone, maybe the anti nausea drugs worked on that. Holding my breath ... will post some shout outs for you all tomorrow, thanks for the encouraging words,
Carol
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Hey Carol...I had that "pit" feeling, too. It appeared at strange times and then disappeared. I was told that I probably wasn't keeping ENOUGH in my stomach and that's why I got it. Eating something....even Ritz crackers, seemed to help. It happened more during my last two treatments. Although I didn't like it, at least I could see the end! Hang in there.
I'm off for a busy day. I play Bunco (the last until September) this afternoon and teach the youth group at church this evening. It should be a fun day.....just what I need the day before my check-up. It will keep my mind on pleasant things and hopefully squelch the worry that keeps popping up.
I'll catch you all later. I hope to hear about the colonoscopy from Harley later! Annie, Jill, Susan, Ginny, and anybody else I didn't mention.......HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!!
Rita
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Just checking in this morning, to see how ya'll are doing. I seem to be finished with all that active cleansing...YUCK! I don't have to arrive at the hospital until 12:30, so I'm taking a break until my dh gets out of the shower...then it's MY turn!
I was so worried about the long ride to the hospital (it's an hour away, but my dh can get there in about 40 minutes!), so I told me mil that if I need to stop and go to the bathroom along the way, I'll be very embarrassed. She said that we could just stop the car, and i can run in the bushes... My dh had a time when he was a little boy, when he was outside playing and he didn't want to come inside, so he went to the bathroom in the bushes, and wiped himself with some leaves... they were poison ivy!!
The dr. laughed & laughed! So now the joke is, if you have to go outside in the bushes, use your underwear to wipe yourself! Oh, and then I guess I need to bring an EXTRA PAIR, so I don't show up without underwear at the hospital.Good Luck today, everyone (ya'll, like my NEW Southern accent?) !!
Harley
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Rita, I think your right with the pit, it did seem like if I ate a little something it subsided. Seems to be gone altogether this morning, maybe the anti-nausea drug in the drip has something to do with that as well. I know it sure kept me up last night, heck on was on line at 3:00am snooping around. Took another lorazepam about 4 and got a few more winks, I'll be showering and heading into work a couple hours late.
Sounds like you have a perfect day to keep your mind occupied, try real hard to not worry about the things that you can't change. Real easy for me to write, I so understand that little button in the back of the head that doesn't want to go in the off position on the worry front. Gal, I'd say you sound like a bundle of health, just what we are all striving to get to.
Harley, wishing you well with your thong, maxi pad, and oh that extra pair of skeevies. This procedure will be over before you know it, and for some reason I think we'll all be able to look forward to an entertaining story!!!
Jill, hey gal, are you lurking, will try your cell again today, I have something bouncing around in the back seat of my car and need an address to send it to. Hope all is well.
Annie, your supportive thoughts have once again worked ... my appt yesterday went well, the WBC was up to 4000 (no nasty shot) for me. The RBC had gone done some, so decided to take the gf out to the Outback steakhouse for dinner after txt. Everything seems to have settle in the belly just fine.
Off to the showers, get the most out of your day ladies, being if it work, drs appts, teaching the youth, or just laying low,
Carol
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Hi all:
Oh Carol, I am so glad it went well this time for you re: the tummy troubles..let's keep thinking positive and keep it away. And great about that blood count, do you think it was the beautiful sunshine and vacation? Take it easy tonight sounds like they threw some steroids into your drip! (Oh, that 3:00 AM buzz, hate it)
Harley, glad your cleanse wasn't bad, sending good vibes that you'll be back online tonite, all fine and dandy. I'm sure you'll sleep well!
Rita, I'll be thinking good thoughts for you tomorrow and sending good vibes. I'm sure you'll continue to be well, we all need you!
but Just in case.......^0^ for you! by this time tomorrow you will be all relieved...enjoy your bunco game!
Thank you for asking about chemo, it is next tues. and I am scared from the three previous that had that nasty se..I know they said it's only edema, they think but it's so frightening and so uncomfortable.
I think I'll take everything they offer me and sleep it off actually.
Dumb question time:
Anybody get weird hair, rather than thinning hair? I mean, it is thinning, and I can see my scalp here and there (very charming) but more interestingly, it is getting wavy at the roots about an inch out (I have stick straight hair) and it grows in a rather alarming way out of my head, then goes straight. Anyone have any fixes for this one besides the obvious justgotothewiggirlalready one?
Take care all, I'll check you later!
p.s.Harley, I just found out my nipple to be has been attached all along...it is the round piece of skin where my nip used to be. Apparently they make a new one out of it at the time of the exhange, more I wish I didn't even know. Strange tho, huh?
My ps did this to have a good blood supply to it already in place. Now that's thinking ahead!
It did strike me as funny today in pt that all this time we spend on chatting about boobs, worrying about boobs, it's actually pretty humorous, as tho we were 7th grade boys.
Man, you just have to laugh at some of this stuff.............I know I come across as a somewhat neurotic Bridget Jones sometimes, but I really think a sense of humor is a lifesaver in this process. Parts of it are truly funny and/or bizarre.
xoxox
annie
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Hi Ya'll,
Hope that everyone had a great day, whatever you were doing!
Just checking in to let you know that all went well today with the ... ahem... procedure. I had NO polyps, so all clear! But, I did have ONE diverticulum...pocket, but the nurse said that everyone gets them when they get old... but hey, I'm not THAT old!Rita, hope your onc appt. goes well tomorrow. I'll be thinking about you...
Annie, that is TOO funny about your nip...it has been there ALL ALONG! lol hmm... that is amazing!! You are right...I believe that a sense of humor is important, and considering all that we've been through, it is essential...
Carol, hope your tx went well...
Sorry, but I don't have anything funny to report this time. But, I'm sure if I think about it long enough, something will come up. I will be having an MRI of my new 'breasts' on Monday, and seeing my surgeon again on Friday, April 18th, so I'm sure something funny will happen between now and then...
oops, I better go now...I have been passing gas since they finished my scope... man, some of these gas pains feel like they may be more than just gas, SO, I will be running to the bathroom again, just to make sure!!!
Harley
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Hi all,
Just checking in, Txt #5 tomorrow, am really feeling down lately not sure why, just keep telling myself I'm almost done. Did anyone every have enemia? I'm not sure what it is but have just been dragging lately. On a good note My corn is growing!! It's really exciting to see it get taller each day. It's only about an inch tall but still fun to watch. I also have one Chili pepper on one plant!!
Carol- What a Beautiful quilt! That is an art that I have always wanted to learn. After all my treatments I plan to sign up for a class to learn. Time to do something for myself. My wonderful boss and I had a conversation about doing more for ourselves today and decided she was right (as usual). Yeah on your counts, hoping my will be ok for tomorrows txt. Steak sounds really yummy right now. I guess tacos will have to do
Harley- Yeah on your procedure!! I have my 6 month MRI follow up on my good boobie next week, not looking forward to the IV poke.
Annie- About the hair thing- After loosing my hair the first time, my hair came back very wavy and out of control. I had long very straight hair and am not sure what to do with these waves. I do notice that the new growth is coming in straight. Sometimes I think it is easier having no hair!!
Rita- I love your name, my grandmothers name was Rita. Thanks for thinking of me and all your encouraging words!!
Time for dinner, talk to y'all soon,
Jill
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Rita, sending all the positive vibes I can your way this morning, I know you'll have a very clean bill of health! Hey its golf season, we don't have time for any setbacks!
Annie, my hair has also continued to thin, and I do notice that some new ones that have grown in at my hairline (neck), seem to be kinda different. A little more curl, and even finer than my "normal" hair. I'm still pretty thrilled that this regimen didn't involve having it all fall out.
Hey Harley, I was so looking forward to a great story, actually I'm glad that your procedure was uneventful, and the pics looked good!
Jill, good luck today, one more down gal, the light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer.
I can't even imagine planting a garden yet, we had ice just yesterday morning. My rule of thumb up here is nothing planted until after Mother's Day. Too cool that you already have things sprouting up!!!
Will be off to my son's speed skating meet this weekend, leaving tomorrow, the hotel has wi-fi, so I'll get my fix on the puter!!!
Take care my friends,
Carol
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Good afternoon ladies! I am home from the oncologist and he was very pleased with my blood work and tested my lymph nodes and liver. The results of the tumor marker test will not be back until next week so I hate to celebrate prematurely but I'm hoping that it comes back O.K. The last one was within the normal range. Anyway, thanks for the encouragement and good vibes. I'm not so sure that we ever get over the need for a "pick-me-up" when those check-ups roll around.
Jill...treatment #5 gets marked off today! YEA! Anemia is a condition in which the blood is lacking red blood cells or the hemoglobin that carries the iron through the blood. It is sometimes referred to as "iron poor blood" and does make you very tired. I didn't get this during my treatments. It was my white blood cells that were affected the most, and thus my immunity to every germ that came along. Foods with lots of iron in them (red meats for one) help build up the red blood count. If yours is very low, they may have to give you something to get it back up. Chemo works havoc on our poor bodies. We'll all send good vibes for no side effects this time, Jill.
Harley...glad to hear that you made it throug the procedure. You're my hero!!!! How I'm dreading that one!
Annie, I know how you're dreading that next chemo but you'll do O.K. Just think about those drops from the IV bag as little pac men that are gobbling up any stray cancer cells in your body and smile! :-) You can do it. Although you probably don't think so right now, I think you're the strongest one among us!
Thanks Carol for all you good wishes. I hope the side effects are minimal!
Thinking about all of you and wishing each of you a good day.
Rita
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Oh Rita, I've been waiting to hear it all went well for you and sending up some prayers on your behalf....Absolutely celebrate right now! Why not! I'm sure it's going to be fine, and will keep celebrating your total and complete recovery as tho it's already happened (which with the universal law should bring it about nicely tho I think you've done that already)....YAYAYAYAYAYYYYYYYYYYYYy!
Jill, I would certainly run it by your onc, but as Rita says, I should think that was perfectly normal, and as Carol says her onc told her "hey you poison the body, weird things happen"...Eat some red meat, get some sun....If they need to build you up a little, well that can be good thing, cuz after those shots, my, you feel well.
Feel better, hon. Soooooooo close to the end, I am jealous.
OH, and Rita, honestly don't dread the colonoscopy....it's so easy, truly. You won't even be embarassed because you'll be asleep. And if every 50 year old man can do it...welll, girls we all know we are tougher than a guy any day. Just don't wear that thong!
Besides, you will have beautiful test results and will be smiling thru the whole thing, this is just the "end" of it all. ...(sorry, I can't help myself, don't mean to make light of it) I was scared too, but pleased that it was so easy to do.
And thank you so much for the vote of confidence....all things aside, I'd rather do it than not do it, and I feel lucky too to be able to have the "easy" chemo rather than the really tough one. I am determined to make it work, side effects be damned!!
(and I love the pac man reference)
Carol, you sound like you are right back to your energizer bunny ol' self....enjoy the skate meet! Have a wonderful time.
Harley, girl you hanging in there? A few 'afterburps" are normal but it'll go away by tomorrow. And good for you...you've done so much this week!!! Go Harley!!
love to all
Annie
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p.s. oh and Rita, I am so not the bravest one...I am just someone in our group that has seen it twice and therefore I personally have the perspective that is "well, get it out and move on, get thru the treatment and get back to life" and having been there, I know this happens. This time was way worse than the lumpectomy one, so I was a little thrown, but I truly know and believe completely that life so goes back to normal, that you look back at all this and feel like it's a bad made-for-TV-movie or something...doesn't mean I'm not scared or a chicken...just means I make jokes to cover it up
.But I thank you for the confidence booster...right back at ya!!
xoxo
annie
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Hi there... just got back from my MRIs... I have an MRI of the new boobies on Monday.... I am so sick of tests! Then I will see my surgeon again on Friday, April 18th, to discuss the results.
After that surgeon appt., I'll be finished...except for the nipple surgery, which isn't til May 22nd... UGH!
Hope everyone is doing well...
Jill... the chemo curl won't last. My new hair growth is starting to look more and more straight. I really love the curls, though, so I'll enjoy 'em while I have 'em!!
Rita,Annie is right... that test is SO very easy, and it is almost a non issue... I just had some cramps, after taking that last dose of stuff to clear everything out. I had to take Dulcolax (4 pills!), with water, and man, did that ever cramp me up!! It is truly just the prep that is SO ICKY!!!
Annie,
You are TRULY so brave! I know that I have found an inner strength, and I know that it is GOD who has given me this strength, because I couldn't get through any of this on my own. I'd still be under the bed with my cat, Spike.
Carol,
Thanks for the warm wishes... the MRIs went well, and I am hoping that there will be nothing to discuss when I see my surgeon next week.
That quilt is beautiful!
Oh, BTW, we will be planting our garden soon. It is warming up and that is a good thing!!Everyone, have a wonderful day!!
Harley0 -
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY HARLEY!!!
You have taken on sooo much this week, way to go girl!
You should be so proud of you...
As for the MRIs...well, the new boobies will be great, I was wondering about that six month followup and did not for the life of me see how they'd do that with a mammo and sure didn't want them to!! I will never trust mammos again on the boob I have left. MRIs the way to go, it doesn't hurt, It takes a short time, your head is sticking out, so no claustrophobia, and it finds EVERYTHING...no stone left unturned which we, in these circumstances, certainly want, right girls?
It will be gorgeous, you will be all free and clear, and from what I hear the nips are the easiest and one of the most rewarding of the entire process. (short of not even doing them a bona fide way to go)
But, Hurray for Harley! Yay!
love
annie
Again, SO NOT BRAVE....I'm "whistling in the dark" and I believe it rains on everybody, no matter where you are standing sooner or later. And I am a big lemonade maker out of lemons. No one here asked for this crap but well, if you get handed lemons...........But thanx...to me, you are the hero here, so frightened, and still you did it. And you aren't under the bed, you are dealing and dealing well. So now, who's brave, huh, girl! You!
xox
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p.s. It does strike me tho that out of this entire process, what has been the most traumatic to me? My hair....
SOOO stupid.
I'll be drooling in the nursing home putting on makeup askew.....
Gotta get past this hair thing. I still have it, but it looks so weird, a cute short "do like Carol looks so good in, is looking mighty fine to
me. She looks darling.
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Annie,
Yes, the hair thing was VERY hard for me to get over. I told a neighbor, "I lost my breasts & my hair, the two things that made me a woman!" He got so mad at me! When I started wearing my new longer, sexy, red wig, he said "You're HOT!" He is very nice!
Carol's hair IS very cute!
BTW, I looked like Sluggo, when I lost my hair.Well, the MRI was my idea. My surgeon wanted me to get a mammo., but I just don't trust them, either. Plus, my surgeon told me about a patient who was getting mammos every year, and she went to see him for her annual exam, and mentioned that one seemed "smaller". Sure enough, my surgeon said they had a leak. So, she had to go back into surgery to have it fixed... I don't want to have to do that. So I insisted that I get an MRI, and my dr. scheduled it for me, on Monday... good for me! I take it you've had an MRI of your breast. How do they work? They don't need to inject dye, do they? I am so new to all this!
Oh, thanks, but I still feel so very frightened, and I don't want to hear any more bad news... I was telling another friend that I didn't want more tests, because I just don't want to think what else might be wrong with me... My dh said once, jokingly... "I wasn't sick til I went to the drs.!" He is really silly.
It is funny that you say how brave I am, because my SIL has been having some problems, and she had a colonoscopy the day before I had mine. My MIL told me that she kept calling her, crying because she was so scared. She told her, "Look at Harley... Look at all she has been through." That really made me feel good.
Thanks! Have a great evening, friend!
Harley0 -
Annie, have you tried any of the Nioxin hair products? They really helped give my hair body and a more even growth pattern. I kept my hair long but had it trimmed regularly. It is just now beginning to regain its normal thickness and my last chemo was in August. My hair has always been naturally curly and that didn't seem to change any for me. I will tell you that I felt so fortunate to have my hair that I promised myself I would never have another bad hair day. Some days would just be better than others! LOL I also cheated and bought myself a cute little clip in hair piece (curly pony tail) that matched my regular color and wore it at times. I got lots of compliments from it and it works wonders when I don't want to do my hair just to run into the store!
Hang in there!
Rita
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Annie
Yes, I am using Nioxin, and it works pretty well. My hair has been very thin, due to a thyroid disorder, and it seems to be coming in better.
Harley
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Hi all:
Yes, Rita, I have Nioxxin for chemically treated hair (mine is lowlighted and highlighted now or was,) and boy does it stink!! but it really does work,,,my issue is the place my hair parts and my crown..having to tease, use some eyeshadow there (oh god, but I am) I have a very heavy head of hair so I think some "pruning" might help. Carol's hair is adorable, I am thinking of jumping ship with the long hair and going with something like that if this continues...pretty sick of dealing every morning with "toddler Hair"
I like your clip on ponytail idea, I think I might investigate that one.
Harley the MRI is the ONLY way to go now and forever for me. I was TERRIFIED.......really really scared, not claustrophobic but last time I had one they diagnosed MS and it turned out to be no such thing but scared me to pieces.. the good news is now it's so different!!
There is like this wide doughnut thing that you lie on your tummy in. Your head and arms stick out so no worries about feeling claustrophobic. Your husband can stand right there and hold your hand. They do inject dye, but you feel nothing, they are very good at it. It felt a little bit warm going in, but compared to chemo? Bah.
It's a non allergenic dye and they'll have you fill out a good long questionnaire first, so if you are scared, or tend to forget things, I have mine on the computer and just print it out and attach it all the time.
It takes like maybe 20 minutes? It's easy, except I got a crick in the neck as they ask you to lie still while they are actually taking the scan. One before the die and one after to compare. Then you get up, and that's it. IF there is anything at all to take a second look at (and just like mammos, they often do) they will call you by the tme you arrive back home. It's not a big deal and not painful so unlike the mammo!!! And you can guarandamntee you are SAFE with one of these babies. No ses from the dye, either, so no worries there.
You'll do fine honey.
Wish me luck on Tuesday! Chemo #4, half way!!!!!!!! woooo!!!
love
annie
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Annie,
My gosh, that must have been scary, to be dx'd with MS! How did they come up with that? They dx'd MS from an MRI? WOW!
I also had an MRI yesterday, not just the lower back, but the brain, because long ago, I was mis dx'd with a pituitary tumor. One set of drs. said it WAS a tumor and another, 2 years later, said it wasn't, but IT NEVER WAS! So now I don't trust MRIs, either... I was hoping for NO dye, since last night, I had a funny 'aftertaste' in my mouth, from the dye...Oh, I feel for you about the thinning hair...my hair used to be thick, but after my thyroid disorder was dx'd, it got SO thin!! I was constantly wiping up hair from the bathroom floor, the shower, the tub! But, now my hair 'seems' to be coming in thicker, and I am taking biotin and using Nioxin, also for colored hair, because my hair came in WHITE!
YEA, you are HALFWAY THRU TX!!! I will do a HAPPY DANCE for you!!! Good Luck! Gee, I only had 4 txs! Did I say ONLY?
Harley
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Annie,
My gosh, that must have been scary, to be dx'd with MS! How did they come up with that? They dx'd MS from an MRI? WOW!
I also had an MRI yesterday, not just the lower back, but the brain, because long ago, I was mis dx'd with a pituitary tumor. One set of drs. said it WAS a tumor and another, 2 years later, said it wasn't, but IT NEVER WAS! So now I don't trust MRIs, either... I was hoping for NO dye, since last night, I had a funny 'aftertaste' in my mouth, from the dye...Oh, I feel for you about the thinning hair...my hair used to be thick, but after my thyroid disorder was dx'd, it got SO thin!! I was constantly wiping up hair from the bathroom floor, the shower, the tub! But, now my hair 'seems' to be coming in thicker, and I am taking biotin and using Nioxin, also for colored hair, because my hair came in WHITE!
YEA, you are HALFWAY THRU TX!!! I will do a HAPPY DANCE for you!!! Good Luck! Gee, I only had 4 txs! Did I say ONLY?
love,
Harley
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Annie,
My gosh, that must have been scary, to be dx'd with MS! How did they come up with that? They dx'd MS from an MRI? WOW!
I also had an MRI yesterday, not just the lower back, but the brain, because long ago, I was mis dx'd with a pituitary tumor. One set of drs. said it WAS a tumor and another, 2 years later, said it wasn't, but IT NEVER WAS! So now I don't trust MRIs, either... I was hoping for NO dye, since last night, I had a funny 'aftertaste' in my mouth, from the dye...Oh, I feel for you about the thinning hair...my hair used to be thick, but after my thyroid disorder was dx'd, it got SO thin!! I was constantly wiping up hair from the bathroom floor, the shower, the tub! But, now my hair 'seems' to be coming in thicker, and I am taking biotin and using Nioxin, also for colored hair, because my hair came in WHITE!
YEA, you are HALFWAY THRU TX!!! I will do a HAPPY DANCE for you!!! Good Luck! Gee, I only had 4 txs! Did I say ONLY?
love,
Harley
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