Illinois ladies facing bc
Comments
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Lago,
I didn't mean to indicate that I thought no chance of recurrence or new cancer. It just appears that studies show no additionally increased risk from the fat transfer process.
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Blessings back to you, Jackie--- I lost my mom a year ago the day after Mother's day so I have to say the ladies here regardless of age, have "mothered" me thru some fears in the last 5 months. So I glad I found this site.
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Hey-LakeGirl----I think you mentioned you were getting your port put in today? Hope it went well. I don't know anything about how that works, or who puts it in, etc. but you have been on my mind today. let us know how you are doing, ok?
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Redheaded 1 -- so sorry that you lost your mother, and especially the day after Mother's Day. Must have made this one a bit bittersweet. I had trouble with all the holidays ( each one as it appeared ) after my own mother passed away. Time heals when enough of it has passed. I'm so glad too that you found the Illinois women. This has been a wonderful place ( not so much from me as I basically just do the quotes every day ) for answers and a place to rest a weary mind and body as you go through txs with the hope of becoming NED for a long, long, long time. Maybe forever. Friendships are forged and some -- like myself, just want to stay around and offer whatever they can to give back for the unconditional love and care received when we first started our journey. Mine started 7 yrs. ago. I'm thankful daily for Rita who started the Illinois ladies thread and gave me a place to go while I got well. This is your oasis.
Blessings
Jackie
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Redheaded1....thank you for remembering. Yes, got the port today. Avoided the gen anesthesia issues ... Reminded them no gas and no narco...came out like a champ!!! I came home again with Motrin. I have slept most of the day. I wasn't prepared for the pain in the neck, literally.
I was thinking I could go back yo work tomorrow , yeah, that isn't going to happen.
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Lakegirl glad you are home. It will be a PITN for a while but it gets better.
FYI deportation is much easier! I got a local. Was told to eat light… we went directly to the Italian restaurant around the corner. I ate the biggest piece of spinach lasagna you've ever seen. Seriously, eat light! It was noon and I hadn't had anything to eat or drink since 9pm the night before!
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"Our attitudes control our lives. Attitudes are a secret power working
twenty-four hours a day, for good or bad. It is of paramount importance that we
know how to harness and control this great force." Tom Blandi0 -
Lakegirl1-I am just joining in on this thread, live in Bloomington, was diagnosed last June with unknown primary breast cancer with 11 of 12 lymph nodes involved. I had a ALND-first level only, then the taxotere/cytoxan chemo 4 rounds, then 28 radiation treatments. Although the chemo is scary, it was very doable for me. They will watch you very closely when they first infuse the taxotere since it can cause allergic reactions, I mean the nurse literally sat right in front of me for a few minutes! The first visit takes the longest, they will give you a lot of reading material with instructions for you and then do the infusions. I think I was at the cancer center about 5 hours that first day. The nausea drugs worked well, just take them as prescribed-don't wait until you get sick...I felt pretty washed out and had no appetite for a while after each treatment, lost weight, but then managed to gain it all back
. Bring a good book or magazine or something to keep you occupied and it is chilly in the room, they have blankets but I brought my own. Also I took a small pillow to be more comfy in the chair. Drink, drink, drink during the treatment and afterwards, I always have a water bottle handy. I worked through treatment, taking the day of and day after off and then after 2 treatments started working 1/2 days, you will get more fatigued as time goes on. I hope I haven't scared you but helped reduce your anxiety a little. If you have any questions, you can PM me and I will do my best to answer them. Good luck and take care.Rita, thanks for starting this thread, I have Dr. Migas as well and really like him, although he did say that 50% of people on the TC chemo don't lose their hair-nope that was an outright fib ha ha.
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MimiL55...so sorry to meet you here, but grateful for the info. I too have Dr Migas...he told me the same 50/50 story about losing my hair. I really like him, just want the full story about the hair thing.
I am planning to have someone come with the first time and stay, anti-nausea meds and Benadryl tend to make me very sleepy. We actually live in Cooksville, I'm pretty sure I will need a ride home.
If I may ask, where did you find a wig? Did you find it in Blo/No or did you go elsewhere, Peoria? Chicagoland area? I just don't want to look like a blond Bozo the Clown!!! LOL!!!
I have also freaked myself out again by reading on the Taxotere thread about permanent hairloss.
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Lakegirl1...You will definitely lose your hair, Jolene, the breast health navigator told me to expect it around day 14-17 and she was right. It started to fall out when I ran my fingers through it so I had my hairdresser buzz it, took a while to get used to the new look, but getting ready in the morning is much quicker
I went to the Wig Bank and Fox and Hounds downtown, it is supplied by the AMC and you can borrow a wig for free there. If you want one of their stylists to work with you I think you need an appointment and have to pay for their time, otherwise if you take a girlfriend there is no charge. Actually, my wonderful hairdresser went with me and helped me choose one, which by the way, I never wore...just wasn't comfortable with either the look or feel. I got a lot of turbans and scarves from TLCdirect.org or Headcovers.com, they have lots of cute looks. I went commando most of the time at home, especially since I was doing chemo in the heat of summer. I finished chemo in mid October and have my first visit with my hairdresser tomorrow to try and shape this mess up ...Talk about Bozo....it came in very, very curly, I always had naturally wavy hair but it is really curly now and kind of all over the place, I would say about 1/2 in long back and sides and a little shorter on top. I used "Resthairation" shampoo even when bald on my scalp, it is all natural, sold online and at a salon on Grove St, can't remember the name now and my hairdresser carries it.Please have someone go with you, especially the first time, I had either my daughter or hubby there for each treatment to keep me company. The nurses there are great and the volunteers bring around drinks and snacks, and a lot of patients had lunch brought in but I couldn't think about eating then.... Good luck, try not to stress out too much-yeah I know nearly impossible
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Hello everyone!
I have been busy working in the yard and getting into the swing of spring and have missed so much on this thread. I certainly need to check in more often. I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day!
Welcome, Mimi. It sounds like you have been through the whole regimen of treatments. Are you on Femara or Arimidex (Anastrazole) now or are you finished? You are already a great addition to our thread as you gave Lake Girl some excellent advice. Come back often.
Once LakeGirl gets that first chemo out of the way, would you Bloomington area ladies (and anyone else of course who'd like a roadtrip) want to get together for lunch or coffee/tea/soda and get acquainted? If so, send me a pm with your email address or other contact info and we'll see what we can put together.
Well, I have been hoping that they would cancel our golf league for tonight and as I am a fair-weather golfer and it's misting a little right now, but so far, it's still scheduled so I'd better get off here and decide what to wear.
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Lakegirl1 my hair started to fall out on Taxotere day 16. I found out about the permanent hair loss issue with Taxotere after my 1st tx. So glad they are finally warning folks. But as you can see it all came back. I only personally know of 2 people who this happened to. Both are on the thread you speak of. One of them has some hair and most people who didn't know her before might not realize. It sucks if it happens to anyone but I came to terms with it. Decided I rather be alive and bald then dead with hair. Granted it's much easier to say that since I do have my hair but I still feel I would rather be alive an bald.
I didn't think I would want to be without my former boobs either but I'm doing fine without them. I'm amazed how much we can adjust.
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Lago...the bmx , I am having no issues with, mentally anyway. I did have the staph infection, but got through that. It even helped me figure out the gen anesthesia, what they can and can't give me.
However, the whole hair loss thing has me in denial. I totally agree, bald and alive is preferable. This is me stomping my foot like my 6yo, I don't want to and don't like it!!!
I think part of the issue is the waiting. The chemo getting pushed out due to the infection. Now, it is time to buckle down, get this over with and move on. Hopefully, by mid-July, this will be done.
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Lakegirl, your hair issues are something every woman has cancer or not---lets face it, when our hair looks bad, we don't feel so good. When are hair looks good, its a great day. You have got some good, good advice here---personally, I think i'd rather go get it buzzed and be the one in control than wake up and it be on my pillow or fall out in the shower. If yo don't want it all off, get it really short like Lago said, and have someone show you a few scarf tying tricks. Then you can decide about the wig, but will know what to do if it decides before you do .Trying to spare you some unnecessary trauma, if possible. What time to you go for chemo on Friday? I will send up some prayers for you . Do you know how long that first treatment will be? I don't know if they would let me stick my head in to say hi or not. My rads is at 1pm.
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Lago and Redheaded 1...thank you so much, you are truly helping me stay sane, well somewhat, anyway. I was a little crazy prior to BC diagnosis. LOL!
I just keep reminding myself that if this high school aged girl at the gymnastics gym can do this, so can I. Initially, she was patchy, lately, I have noticed her hair is gone. She rocks her bald head wide open at the gym. I envy her courage!
I just need to quit being such a big baby and get on with it!!
Redheaded1...my appt is at 10:30 on Friday. They said 4 hours...but, since this is the first 1, I really expect to be there longer. It makes me feel better that I know one of the RN's...we go to the same church.
Question: how long did it take to start feeling the SE's ? Just curious, I want to be prepared. I plan on taking the anti-nausea drugs religiously. I will even set my alarm accordingly at night. I just don't want that to get away from me.
Thanks bunches,
Hugs and prayers
Janice
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Janice it's different for every one. I highly recommend you keep a diary. Once you get through the first tx you will have some idea which SE you will get and when they start. You won't get them all. Get this I had no nausea. Never used any of the meds they had me get for that except for the emmend the day of/day after treatment. My taste changes were very minor although I did suck on ice chips through the taxotere infusion. I had chemo on a Tuesday. Got constipated but was resolved by Saturday. Also the Emmend made my sight a little blurry for a few days.
Just remember to drink fluids and if you can keep up with exercise. I stopped going to the gym because I thought it was a bit germie but I did powerwalk.
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Lago...thank you! I am praying for the no nausea version! I have had issues with my sight too, but that was from Tramadol. My pupils dilated hugely and unevenly. I talked with the optometrist. She said the Tramadol paralyses certain muscles in the eye. Advised I get a strong pair of readers from the drug store if it happens again! She said it takes a few days off the med to get them back to normal. LOL, It really freaked my husband out!
Prior to BC, my workout of choice was T25...hopefully, I will be able to do some once the chemo and reconstructive surgeries are done. It appeals to me as you only take 25 min out of your day. I will likely do the same with the walking. Fresh air and sunshine always makes me fel better.
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The power walking really does help body as well as soul. Just one thing about the nausea. I waited till I felt I needed it and I never did but if you choose to do the same, don't hesitate. As soon as you feel even a slightest tinge take the drugs. It's much harder to get under control once you start puking. OK now going out for the power walk to see the big brown geese and the animals in the Zoo. Zoo opens around 7-7:30 so they can clean it.
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Iago, I power walked through the zoo on Saturday! Well, to the extent that one can power walk through hoards of strollers and people! It felt so good to be engaging in life. Slowly, but surely, having parts of my day NOT consumed with thoughts of cancer. Oh yeah, until my TE's remind me
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Teachermom I go early in the morning so not as many people. We need to meet. We live too close
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Every human has four endowments- self awareness, conscience,
independent will and creative imagination.
These give us the ultimate human freedom...
The power to choose, to respond, to change.
- Stephen Covey0 -
Lakegirl - TC does cause hairloss as most chemos do however Cold Caps are an option. I used them when I had TC three years ago and did not lose my hair. It thinned, but it looked completely normal to others and I never needed a wig. It is a personal choice like everything else in the BC journey, but I am glad I did it. Most people don't even know there is an option out there to allow them to keep their hair through chemo. As far as exercising....I was able to go to the gym 5 days a week all through chemo. I never missed a day other than infusion days. I never had nausea at all....never took a pill from the 3 rx's my MO gave me for nausea. You never know how your body will respond. Good luck! You can do this!0 -
mdg, you were on taxotere and cytoxin. I'm on Taxol and carboplatin. Both TC but different, no?
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Lakegirl.....Let's hope that you have no side effects. I always found that if I was going to have a bad day it was the third or fourth day after the chemo. Then I sometimes just felt really "off" for that day. I will be thinking about you on Friday. You can do this!
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Lago and Teachermom4...I am so jealous that you get to walk through the Zoo every day!! I take it you both live near Lincoln Park. One of the things I miss from when we lived in the Chicagoland area was the ability to jump on the Metra and be downtown. I am also concerned with the germ thing. Typically, not a germaphobe (sp?). However, for the summer the girls will be in a day care setting 3 days a week. They will still have 2 weeks left of school, little walking/talking petri dishes!!! We are trying to develop "guidelines", they have enough rules, so Momma doesn't get sicker than the meds make her.
Rita...I am getting ready to put on the "Brave Face". We are going to talk to the girls about what the meds will do. I just need to remember...we don't want them scared...just prepared. My 6 year old still has night terrors, almost every night...we can't figure out her trigger. She just had one and I made the mistake of picking her up. The port that was placed on Monday did NOT appreciate that. I was hoping I would be able to work Monday...maybe from home. Fortunately, that is an option.
I considered the cold caps...but I just don't think I can with stand the extreme cold on top of side effects..
Thank you all for the good thoughts and support during my pity party!!! I will make it through this...we all will.
It is time to get out the GIANT pair of big girl panties and get it over with!!!
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Lago - yes there are some gals on the Cold Cap thread that have used them. There are a few companies that make the cold caps. I used Penguin Cold Caps. One company is doing clinical trials right now for FDA approval and they are recruiting patients to participate. It is nice to see that more women may have information available on cold caps once there is FDA approval. I am sure that some people accept the hair loss OK with chemo, but if there is a way not to, wouldn't it be nice to have it offered to all patients and let them decide? For me it was not so much about the "vanity" of having my hair. It was about privacy and also sheltering my young son (age 4 at the time) from what was going on. I was able to return to work and teaching aerobics after treatment with my hair and not have to tell the world I had BC. That just made things easier.Lakegirl - I feared I would not be able to tolerate the cold either because before chemopause I was ALWAYS cold! I hated being cold all the time and was so worried I would not be able to do the caps. Shockingly, it was no big deal. That really surprised me. The caps kept me distracted during chemo so I didn't need to think about what was going on. Again, it is a personal choice and each of us needs to decide what works best for them. If you do have questions about the caps, feel free to PM me. If not - no problem. Either way, best of luck and I am saying a prayer you have minimal side effects!!!
Timbuktu - yes I had taxotere and Cytoxan. Yes, they are different. I don't know how they differ except taxotere and Cytoxan are administered every three weeks usually for 4 or 6 cycles.
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Yes Lakegirl I live in Lincoln Park, across from the Nature Museum. As far as germs, are you getting Nuelasta shot. It's about $3000 a shot so many insurance co won't approve it until you white counts really drop. I got it from the start. Never had a cold or anything. 6 chemos meant 6 shots.
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mdg...I have my 1st chemo on Friday. At this point, I can't really put it off any longer. We had a set back with the staph infection which took nearly a month to clear up, then get healthy enough to get the port before I could start the chemo.
I am to the point, I just want all of this over with, like a bad dream.
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The truest help we can render afflicted people is not
to take their burdens from them, but to call out their
best energy, that they may be able to bear the burden.
Phillips Brooks0
