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Anyone starting Chemo in Feb?
Comments
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Melanie....I don't think I've had tumor markers done. I had my surgery before chemo and no one has mentioned "tumor markers". What is that anyway? Marsha
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Good morning all!
Marsha -- Tumor markers are controversial and not all oncs use them. They are specific proteins whose levels are measured in your blood. They can go up or down for a number of reasons. They are supposed to be used as an indication of whether or not you have or are likely to have mets. However, you can get mets with low markers and not get them with high markers.
Melanie -- Tumor markers often drift up during chemotherapy, not to worry ...
Sybil -- I agree with the others -- glad that your Her2 situation is clarified, but sorry that you have to continue longer on the cruise. We'll stay to cheer you on! On the bright side, you're getting lots of different kinds of chemo, which is probably good for killing tumors. One of the odd things about tumors is that they are made up of different kinds of cells. In other words, they can have multiple personalities! By having you a broad spectrum of chemicals, you are more likely to get all of those little buggers!
Twink -- I can't believe that they are challenging your bilat! First of all, how much extra cost was it to do both breasts instead of one? Certainly cheaper than having to go and do the other in the future. Second, it makes symmetrical reconstruction easier. And, the law certainly states that insurance companies have to pay for reconstruction to acceptable cosmetic levels. Finally, it reduces your chances of getting this beast again. The small amount of cost for the extra breast surgery is peanuts compared to one day of chemo. It makes me so bad to hear about insurance companies doing crappy things, as if we don't have enough on our plates.
G.I.Jel -- So nice to hear from you. How long did it take for the eyebrows/eyelashes/hair? We need numbers so that we can have something to look forward to in the future! Also, keep us informed about tamxifen. I might go on it, even though I'm triple negative, as prophylatic coverage for the LCIS in my "good" breast.
Nana45 -- When's your last treatment?
Terry -- I'm so jealous of your eyebrows! I notice that when I watch TV, I focus on actresses eyebrows and how thick and luxurious they look. I definitely have eyebrow envy these days!
Alyson -- 120 years old is old, even for the US. My house is about 90 years old. The deed included statements about not being able to keep horses for the carriage trade and not "not running a bawdy house"!
Catherine -- So sorry to hear about your taste buds. Mine have been OK, but my continuing queasiness prevents me from cooking enthusiasm.
Scott -- Wishing the best for you and Theresa. Hopefully, the worst is behind you!
My third taxol has been interesting. It started out with bone pain in the head, scalp, and neck. The next couple of days, the pain migrated down through my lower pack and then settled in my pelvis for several days. Now, it's in my knees and thighs. I'm thankful that I'm still resisting hand and foot neuropathy. My physicist husband has been trying to figure out how gravity is involved in all of this!
Hugs to SammieKay today!
-- Hillary0 -
Last TX on June 4, hurry up and GET HERE!!!!!!!!!
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Am so excited, our loan was approved for the Goldwing with trike kit to be added! Soon as they have it installed then we will be back on the bike riding again. Its been a long long year dealing with his leg and my bc! Plan to use it for our trip to Illinois (family) and Colorado (bike event) in late June! We still have our other bike that was in the accident last year June but doc says no riding it yet because of the weight lifting involved. He did say we can ride a trike right now! So we've been able to solve a problem created by both of our medical problems. I don't have to worry about falling asleep on the Goldwing like I would have on our other bike.
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Hillary: Even though I only had AC DDx4, the eyebrows were thin at the end, and then gradually went. At about 5 weeks post chemo, i lost them all, and then 4 days later, they were all back! They come in like gangbusters!!!!! My daughter the chemist told me that that particular chemo cocktail lasts about 50 days in your body. I think I lost them day 49! But they came right back.
Eyelashes went at about Day 55, but there were short ones mixed in with the long ones. Now I have almost all short ones, but they are coming in fine also.
I have a deep 5 o'clock shadow on my head. I can definitely see the new hair, but it is tough when you watch it everyday. It would be better if I didn't see it for a week, I think. Like a watched pot never boils, it doesn't look like anything is happening, but I know it is!
For those of you too shy to ask, the pubic hair was all gone, (i haven;t looked like this since I was about 11). Now peach fuzz- really light- on the outer lips part.
Stray hairs on legs showing up. Weird.
That's all that is showing on the hair doppler radar at this time! I was first to lose, might be first to have it back!!!!
Love to all.0 -
Leah --
Does that mean that my continued eyebrow/eyelash lost is due to residual AC, and not the taxol? I have only two eyebrow on the left and four on the right. If I counted right (chemo brain), today is day 49 since my last AC. My eyelashes are similarly sparse, with 3 on the upper left, none on the lower left, one on the upper right and four on the lower right. But who's counting! There is absolutely no evidence of growth anywhere else, including leg hair (yay!) and scalp (boo-hoo).
Can you ask your daughter how long taxol stays around?
Thanks!
-- Hillary0 -
Leah, thank you for the hair report... You are so much fun...
I am like you, I feel I am 10 again, chest and all... I do not mind that too much... Also thank you for the chemo info, I was wondering how long it was supposed to stay in our system...
Marsha, Abraxane #3 is tough, and the pains started late (since Saturday, really)... I have been feeling crappy for the last 3-4 days... achy and weak on my legs... I had to kick my butts to get out and walk my Toby this morning... I feel like under Neulasta, but have not gotten any since the last AC... Sitting at my computer is pretty comfortable, though, which is good, since I'd better be chained to my chair right now to meet my deadline... Hope you are gradually feeling better (I take some advil, but as little as possible).
Thinking of you all, but I have to get back to work...
Take care,
CatherineH0 -
Jel It was great to hear from you! Sounds like you are doing well. Do keep in touch, we missed you!
Twink Im so sorry to hear that you are having a rough go of the Taxol. I still say my worst day on Taxol is 100x better than my best day on A/C. I do get the bone pain and unfortunately it lasts close to a week. DH thinks my arthritis was good training, as I can sometimes just push thru it; on the days I cant, I just take it easy, hit the Jacuzzi. Ive been able to kick it with just Tylenol, but on day two last week, I did take a vicadin before bed. I sure hope it gets easier for you.
Sybil Great to hear from you too! I can imagine how frustrated you are about extending your chemo, but Ill bet you that it is not a setback, but a blessing in disguise. Hang in there; were all here for ya!
Melanie Ive heard so many pros and cons about tumor markers, I just havent paid any attention to mine yet. I too have heard that they are not always accurate during chemo, so I was going to ask the Onc about it sometime around my last tx. Thursday is my next to the last, so Ill try to remember to add it to my list. Ill let you know what she says.
Marsha & Twink the law that was passed is the WHCRA Enrollment Notice which states :
If you have had or are going to have a mastectomy, you may be entitled to certain benefits under the Womens Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 (WHCRA). For individuals receiving mastectomy-related benefits, coverage will be provided in a manner determined in consultation with the attending physician and the patient, for:
All stages of reconstruction of the breast on which the mastectomy was performed;
Surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to produce a symmetrical appearance;
Prostheses; and Treatment of physical complications of the mastectomy, including lymphedema.
You could probably Google WHCRA for more info;. hope that helps.
Hillary Is the bone pain getting any better? What are you taking for it? Love the gravity theory! I get it in my hips/lower back, knees and the chin bones .
Jan Congrats on the trike! Post some pics when you get to bring it home!
Ok Leah, you started it, so here is my report. Shortly after shaving my head, ALL the hair on my head fell out, followed by all the leg and underarm hair; however, I kept the hair on my top of my arms. I assume it thinned, but its very blond and was never noticeable to begin with. Ive kept my brows and lashes this whole time, but they are really, really thin. I use a pencil or powder on the brows. I just gave up on the eyelashes and starting going without mascara, letting the eyeliner do the job. The *ahem* swimsuit hair mostly gone; all of the lower lip area fell out, but the top/pubic bone area, kept quite a few stragglers that have remained all this time. Then, about after 3 weeks on A/C, I got the peach fuzz on my head. Since it has hung in there since sprouting, Im of the impression that it is trying to come back. In fact, I noticed now that if you look closely, you can see a light shadow on my head that represents the hair line. Since the fuzz doesnt seem to be going anywhere, Ive started using the Nioxin every day. Ive heard tons of stories from people who said their hair came back on Taxol. Some said their hair came back, but they lost their eyelashes and eyebrows. Some said everything came back, only to have it all fall out again about a month later. Sigh, I guess that means were all different there too. So, Im sticking with the Nioxin and playing the waiting game.
Catherine so sorry to hear that you are having the bone pain too. Just keep reminding yourself, youre almost done.
Ill be talking to the Onc about seeing my BS and setting up my surgery date. I understand that they will want to do another CT Scan, and Im looking forward to it. After the surgery, Ill start rads. Time to get crackin on that research. I want to know more about the seeds.
Hope everyone has a great nite Sammie Kay, howd it go today? Good luck to
CarolM and TropicMom tomorrow.
Hugs!
Carynn0 -
Hello All, Again just getting home from the hospital to visit my honey. It is looking like tomorrow is homecoming day. All three doctors today thought so. They will all exam again Wednesday morning to make final decision. After she does get home, we will need to have home health care come in to give more antibiotics by IV.
It is still looking like she will be able to resume the tea party on the 23rd for the final treatment.0 -
Scott, keeping my fingers crossed for a homecoming tomorrow... My best wishes to you both.
CatherineH0 -
Good Morning gals......feeling much better today. It's a good thing, BNO is tonight. Starting my "good" week so need to get my calender out and start filling it in with fun.
I spit my coffee out reading Leah's hair post. Too funny, then Hillary describes every hair on her body and says "But whose counting?" so I spit again. Then Catherine pipes in with a thank you to Leah for her "hair report" and I just howled.
OK here's my hair report: I never lost all the hair on my head, most but not all. It is definately starting to grow, no longer fuzzy feeling but down right stubble. White stubble. The eyebrows are thinner and lighter but visible still. Enough eyelashes to still put on mascara. Underarm hair is gone with no signs of returning anytime soon (hurray). Leg hair never left completely but didn't really need to shave. Looking at it now, I could use a razor. Last but not least the "down there" hair. I lost it all except the bikini line. Now if I wanted to put on a bathing suit, I'd have to shave. CRAP. So it's like a frame. lol AND let me say, how odd does that look???? Also soft as a baby's butt.
50 days hmmmmmmmmm that would be tomorrow for me! AC out of my system tomorrow? I like that!
Hey Jan, so glad to hear your good news on the trike. What a great thing, after bc and your DH accident I'm sure you were afraid of losing one of the activities you love the most. So glad to hear......Life Goes On....we adapt.
Scott and Theresa, hope you've gotten home from the hosp and glad to hear you should still be on schedule. I finish on May 23 too and I didn't want to go without Theresa!
Have a great day everyone...hugs to tropicmom and CarolM today at the bar! Marsha0 -
Good morning!
Jan, I can just picture you and dh on the trike, him concentrating on the road and you asleep with your wig flying off in the wind - LOL!
Catherine -- Have you tried eating fruits such as red grapes and watermelon? I find that they help quench thirst and can also cut through the icky taste in my mouth. I find red grapes taste particularly good right now.
Carynn -- Can you post (or pm me) the information on exactly what nioxin products you bought? Also, a while back, you mentioned an eyebrow powder (?) that you liked. Can you post that info as well? Thanks!
Scott -- We're all wishing the best for Theresa. Let us know if she will be joining us at the bar the next week!
Well, the gravity drop of the bone pain continues, as this morning it is mostly in my calves!
Today, I'm finally having one benefit of chemo. It's shorts weather, and I don't have to shave my legs!
Hugs to all!
-- Hillary0 -
Hi everyone,
Sorry I haven't posted since before taxol #2 last Thursday. The treatment was uneventful, but I have found that the SEs are lingering longer with each treatment. The bones and body aches began on Saturday (Day 3) and are just now at Day 6 and starting to subside. I had the onc write me a Rx for pain killer, because I just can't take the pain. So I also spent Mother's Day primarily resting DH cooked breakfast and dinner, as I didn't have it in my to go out.
Even today, although I made it into work, I am feeling very tired - much more so than on taxol #1. I have also been having this awful itching all over my hands that last for a couple of hours at a time - could it be the taxol? I end up having to take benedryl which only adds to my fatigue. I admit that the SEs are not as bad as AC, but they do seem to get more intense with each treatment, hence making me dread the last two treatments on 5/24 and 6/7.
To contribute to the hair loss discussion, my eyebrows have significantly thinned as well as my eyelashes, but neither is totally gone. Similar to what Carynn described, I lost most of the hair on my head, underarms, legs, and pubic area (other than a few lingering strands). Right now, I am beginning to get some stubble on my head. I am definitely interested in how long before these drugs leave the body, as I will be eagerly awaiting hair growth!
All the best to those of you with bar reservations this week, and I hope all who have been suffering from SEs feel better shortly.
Steph0 -
Yep Steph, thought I was crazy but the weekend after taxol tx. my hands have itched like crazy. Nowhere else. Feels like the itching of a mosquite (sp?) Now get this, only at night as I am trying to fall asleep. How weird is that? Marsha
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Okay, okay, like Marsha, I'm killing myself laughing here... Not sure if the hair status falls into the category of TMI but here goes...
Eyebrows: gradually thinning to about 30% of what they were, but new hair is coming right back in so it's not that noticeable (also, I've filled mine in for years as they've been getting sparser as I've aged). As for products to fill them in, I find a good eyeshadow like Revlon's colorstay (which doesn't wear off throughout the day) works best. I use a light brown or taupe color and a hard angled brush to apply the shadow.
Eyelashes: at about 20%...about 10 on the top for each eye which looks kind of funny with mascara.
Legs: Still shaving weekly but don't really need to...feel a little stubble every so often.
Underarms: Haven't shaved for more than a month.
Head: Sheared my head at Day 13 following AC#1, shaved at Day 21, what was there started to fall out at Day 25 or so. I swear I've got stubble now though, it's just not full coverage stubble (pout).
Ahem: Gone with the exception of a few stragglers in the mons area.
Arms: no change as far as I can tell.
Okay, enough of that. I'm personally feeling better today although thrush has struck again (last two Tx's)...on medication to take care of that and it's manageable. I'm sleeping 12+ hours a day and feeling mildly flu-like.
Glad to hear Teresa is on the mend. Nice about the trike Jan. Marsha, I want a BNO...ASAP! Thanks for the WHRCA info Carynn, I'm all over it now. Leah/Hillary? - 50 days? My last AC was 6 or so weeks ago...40+ days I guess (How did you all get ahead of me, or am I miscounting?)...so at 50 the AC should be out of my system then I've just got to contend with the Taxotere, right?
Hugs to everybody...peace.0 -
Good Wednesday afternoon Ladies (and Scott). Been trying to keep up on the posts but seems I always have to rush thru them so I can be on time for the next commitment. Not sure I like getting back to normal - it's cutting into my personal time.
Catherine - I surely hope you're feeling better.
Leah - thanks for the hair update.
Hillary - lol at the very precise count of those precious eyelashes and eyebrows.
Jan - congrats on the trike. I was checking them out pretty hard at Bike Week - I need a place for Hannah (my choc lab) to ride. She already has her doggles. Please post pics.
Theresa - hope you're doing ok. Thoughts and prayers go out to you.
Thanks Leah for the 'AC in our body' info. If I counted correctly, I'm on day 52. I had my last AC March 26th. I definitely have more 'bristle' on my head. I also have a dark streak of skin back the middle on top - makes it look like I had my head where it didn't belong. I've been using lavender baby shampoo followed by Nioxin scalp therapy - it's like a conditioner. I also need to get a bottle of Nioxin scalp treatment as I believe that's what I wanted to get in the first place since I really don't have any hair to condition. Still have my brows and lashes but I quit using mascara so as not to disturb any fragile roots when cleaning the stuff off. Been making do with eyeliner and it really does give the illusion of lashes. Have pretty much as Marsha described in the bikini area - nothing in the middle but a few stragglers but I too would have to shave before putting on a bathing suit. Also shaved my legs last night. Fingernails and toenails are all intact and not seeing any difference.
DD and I went to a local Farmer's Market this morning. Picked up some fresh ground burger for burgers and zuchini (spelling doesn't look right) to grill and sweet corn. That takes care of dinner tonight.
Final Taxol Monday at 8:00 a.m. Rads appt and simulation May 29th and consult with local PS July 5th - he should be able to determine at that point whether I need to go out of network. I'll probably still have to wait until at least November for the prophy and recons because of rads but I really don't know yet what his take on the rads recovery may be. Anyhow, moving right along.
Marsha & Steph - interesting stuff on the itchy hands. It's gotta be the Taxol - maybe the same thing that causes the neuropathy? I just have the mild numbness in the fingertips and toes - more annoying than anything else, but I did notice although it keeps getting milder and milder every day, it's lasting longer than it did after the 2nd treatment. I think the bone pain lasted a day longer also - nothing intolerable but I knew it was there.
Hugs and greetings to all the rest of my friends here. Hoping you're all getting along and getting better.
Phyl0 -
I found more joint and bone pain with taxol 2 than with #1. Day 3-6 were the worst for me. came home from work on day 5 and did not go back until day 7. Had a reaction from the benedryl. Going to try it by mouth next time I do taxol and not by IV. The nurse thought I was going to run down hall out the door and walk around the block I was so antsy. I drove her totally nuts.
Scott-- you Theresa hang in there. Things will get better.0 -
Hi, Phyl, nice to read your news... you sound in good spirits. Like you, the "getting back to normal" is to the detriment of personal time... just when the yard needs me the most... less reading, less browsing for fun or sisterhood, more translating... oh well... DH is even putting back the air-conditioning unit in the office window so I can work upstairs again, on my bigger screen with my French keyboard (my typing is so slow...) to increase productivity a bit... going up and down the steep stairs will exercise my legs again, especially with 30lb Toby in my arms (too afraid to go on his own, poor baby... and I do not want him to slip and fall and hurt his basset back...). The swamp cooler (great invention, old cheap technology for cooling the house in very dry hot air regions) is back in the dining room window, too, so we are ready for Denver hot (nice) summers...
Abraxane sure got me this time (like Marsha and Twink, flue-like feeling minus the fever, since saturday. A bit better today). Not an intolerable pain, just weakening effect. No rash for me (I believe this is due to the solvents used with Taxol, I do not get those with Abraxane). Also noticed some fluid building on either side of mast scar on the left side... and aware of the catheter again in my chest... creepy... will see with onc next week...
Well, I've got to go...
Big hugs to all,
Thinking of the team at the bar...
CatherineH0 -
Happy MotherDay to all of you ladies!
I am home finally and am so GLAD! That was the longest days of my life. Six days in the hospital with the food and their bed and pjs is not what I call fun. I have broke the fever but there is still redness still on the right side, I have meds for that I am hoping that with in a few more days that it will all clear up. They did say as long as the infection doc oks the chemo I should stay on schedule. Thanks for your prayers, I know that God is in control. I did tell my pastor that I was changing my name to Mrs Job from the Bible. Have a good day and Marsha you and I will finish the cruise together ok.
Love to all,
Theresa0 -
Hillary: Here's what the jr. chemist had to say by IM about taxol: "probably about 7 days until it starts bringing down your immune system, and about another week before your cells start to recover". Much shorter life than AC.
This would tell me that everything growing back after last taxol should be a lot quicker!0 -
Hello everyone. Just completed #5 of 12 taxols. I told my oncologist that I'm not sleeping for up to 36hours after treatments so she decreased the decadron dose a little, not too much since it's so important. She said now is the time the taxol levels will start "accumulating" in my system and she wants to know ASAP if I get numbness to my fingers or toes that won't go away. Then dose will be adjusted to prevent permanent damage. Otherwise she said if the sensations come and go and the bone pain is controlled with meds she gave me, then we'll proceed as planned. She said these effects will go away when treatments are over. My dr. used the words "cure you" when she was talking with me about the taxol regimen and not wanting to reduce the dose if we could help it. It was like a magnet the way my brain caught those words and held them as she spoke 100 miles a minute. That's what I/we want...to be cured not just controlled.
Anyway, doing good...scalp "looks dirty" with peach fuzz turning darker and trying to thicken. Sparse eyebrows don't seem to be doing anything yet and didn't lose too many eyelashes except on the bottom lid (?) so that's ok. My port still working SLOW but 7 more and DONE.
Talk later! Pat0 -
It's funny how we're all reacting differently to the drugs. I got a rash on hands and face and arms after first taxol, but not second or third. We'll see what #4 brings. But, I do seem to be the most follicularly challenged, with no evidence of growth at all and continued loss of hair from all regions. So instead of affecting my hands and feet, the taxol is affecting my stomach and hair - lol! Now that I've got the taxol info from Leah's daughter, I can plan when to start Nioxin -- two weeks after my last taxol!
I'm up later than usual because of too much excitement, good and bad, this evening. We found out that my step-son got into med school - University of Pennsylvania! Then, several hours later, we found out that my 101 year old mother-in-law just passed away. My husband's family lives in Vancouver, BC, and he hadn't yet told them about me. Now the semester was over, (i.e. now that he has more time), he was going to write them a long letter about my health, etc.
It's nice to hear everyone checking in. Pleasant dreams to all ...
-- Hillary0 -
Hi, I just want to share that I sat across from a young woman during my chemo yesterday who had the cutest hairstyle. It was like a boy's short short cut with a little puff (pouf?) in front -- for some reason it reminded me of a hairstyle a young French girl might wear.
I asked her about it, and she said it was her actual hair, she got her last chemo in January and is now on Herceptin, so it has taken a while for even that much growth. Still there is hope for my cold bald head yet, although I don't think at my age the boy's cut will look as adorable on me as it does on her. Still to have actual hair again! Sybil0 -
Hello everyone! Hair Report is cracking me up! Great way to start the day with a smile. Thank you!
Had 4th A/C yesterday and was pretty uneventful as usual, the phenegran just makes me sleep.
I'm scheduled for one more on 6/6 but the Doc said there is a chance he will have me do one or 2 more treatments before the baby is born. Since last chemo is 6/6 and baby is not due till August he may add 1 or 2 more to make sure we don't lose ground. I can't start the Taxol until after I have the baby so I'll be way behind all of ya'll! At first he wanted my OB to deliver the baby early at like 32-35 weeks and my OB was pretty much against that. There was another girl who was pregnant and getting chemo and she had her baby early. She came for chemo on Tuesday I asked the nurse if she had baby with her and she said no baby has been in NICU for 3 weeks..........I can't even imagine going through all this and having chemo after baby is born and having to have my baby in NICU for 3 weeks. So, I'm praying that my Doc's will work together for the best for me and baby!
Hope you all have a great day!
Tammy0 -
Oh Tammy sweetie. so glad we could put a smile on your face this morning. I would also like to give you a big hug. ((((((((((((((((((TAMMY))))))))))))))))))))))))
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Thursday - Carynn, Pat, Theresa
Friday - Karen0 -
Good morning everyone! Pat, thinking of you while I'm at the bar today. Theresa, will you be joining us?
Marsha- Glad we could amuse you with the hair report.
Maybe we should start to do this nightly at 10:20, like a weather report. You know (insert announcer voice here)--->Today in Phoenix AZ CommandoBarbie reports new growth on head; however she stated swim suit season will continue to be a breeze.<---
Hillary Im so sorry to hear about your MIL. Mine is 99 so its a phone call were always braced for. My MIL has all of her faculties and gets around pretty good. She is in a private group home and is the bell of the ball there. She will be 100 in November.
Anyway, I bought Nixon shampoo # 2 and scalp treatment #2. If you go to http://www.nioxin.com/ they have a Salon Locator which should tell you were you can pick it up close to home. I have been using it for 6 days now and there is a definite difference in the stubble/peach fuzz. Since I dont have to use that much of it, I figured what the heck, Ill just start now. As for the eyebrow pencil, Im alternating between 2 products. One is a taupe eyebrow pencil from Victoria Jackson (love, love her cosmetics) http://www.vmakeup.com/ and the eyebrow powder I picked up at the drug store for around $5.00. Its brand name is Ardell. It comes with a hard angled brush for application, and like the pencil, it does stay on all day. Im really happy with both. As I mentioned before, I do still have eyebrows and eyelashes, but they are thin. As someone else here mentioned, the reason I quit wearing mascara was that I was afraid when I took my makeup off at night, Id hurt them. Well, I broke down and bought some eyelashes. I havent used them yet, but I liked them as they were not long and theatrical, but a nice believable length. If I actually use them, Ill let you know how it goes. I just have this vision of them coming undone at work and being half on, half off and no-one with the guts to tell me
.sigh
;)
Steph Im sorry to hear that you are having such a time of it. I can relate, my bone pain also starts on Saturday and goes to about Wednesday / Thursday. Ive been doing Tylenol during the day, then Tylenol PM at night. One night last tx when that didnt work, I did take a vicadin. I hope the meds they give you work and that you bounce back soon! I havent had the itchy hands but I do have this lovely indignity .are anyone elses feet peeling? Now I dont mean a little dry skin, I mean peeling, like skin coming off in sheets! Doesnt hurt, doesnt itch, just looks awful! I put some Burts Bees salve on overnight and it looks like if I do that for a couple of days it will clear it up. Sheesh! Whats next??
Phyl & Catherine You are so right, this job is cutting way too much into my personal life! Ive been back on full days now for about 2 weeks (little to no work from home except for chemo days). I hired a new Project Manager who will start in about 2 weeks and Im trying to get everything ready for her so shell be ok while Im out for surgery. Im ready for a vacation that doesnt have to do with anything medical!!
Theresa Welcome back! I hope that detour was the last of the journey! Did they decide for sure on tx today? Wishing you well and keeping you and Scott in my thoughts and prayers.
Pat congrats on the dirty scalp! Its what we all want!! See you at the bar.
Tink Its always so good to hear from you! We all love to hear the baby news. We are all praying too that the Docs work out whats best and that baby gets to come home when you do, just like its supposed to work! Do keep us posted.
Hugs to all. Have a great day!
Carynn0 -
Carynn; Thanks for the info on the nioxin. I had read about it, but I know most women are waiting until after chemo to start using it. I would like to start NOW...kind of like everything I do. I also bought eyelashes last night. We have a big party this weekend and I thought I might try them. Most likely, I will just wear my beat up Billabong cowboy hat as it comes waaay down on my forhead. I just have to tilt my head backwards if I want to walk and not run into someone....lmbo. Hope you have an easy bar visit.
Hillary; Congrats on your step son! Condolences to you and DH with his mother. I hope she had an amazing life. I knew we could depend on you for a better explanation on the markers. I honestly research this stuff, but there is just so much conflicting information out there. Confusing!
Tink; So glad to hear that you and your baby are doing well. What part of Dallas do you live in? I love the Southlake area.
Catherine; I just realized that I never answered your question about where I live. Arkansas. I would just be willing to travel if I ever need to, at least to get an opinion.
Marsha; Have a great BNO! Our friends usually meet at Daly's (John Daly's brother's bar) every Thursday night. We don't make those but about once a month here lately and boy do we miss it. Did you check out the Toxic Audio website?
Twink; I agree...a BNO sounds like the ticket! If you just "happen" to be in Orlando in September, would love to meet you along with Marsha.
Well, I guess I will head to work. DH has been getting really frustrated with our office employees since I have been out most of the time. He keeps most of it to himself as he doesn't want me to worry, but I know he will be glad when I am back full time. I am not so sure I will be glad. I may just do part-time for awhile. I still have a lot ahead of me in the coming months and if I take over my previous jobs and have to miss a number of days, it would just screw up everyone's routine. I am amazed at you women who have been able to continue to work through chemo. We all know how difficult it is for you. Even when we finish chemo, most of us still have a long journey in front of us to complete the "process". Cheers to all of us! We will make it through this cruise...much stronger and knowing that we are capable of more than we ever dreamed!0 -
I arrived home from work to a letter from my insurance company. To quote....
"After a complete review of this request and information, Dr. so and so , provided the following decision and reasons for making the decision: Your healthplan benefit excludes coverage for or in connection with experimental procedures or treatments of unproven medical value. Based upon current available information, payment cannot be approved because there is insufficient information showing benefits in large population, multi-center, controlled clinical studies to support the effectiveness of AlloDerm in breast reconstruction. At the present time it is considered non-standard therapy and falls under the category of experimental / investigational / unproven. Your benefit plan does not cover experimental / investigational / unproven services."
I'm going to bed to cry for a bit before I get my fighting gloves on.0 -
Under the [WHCRA], group health plans, insurance companies and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) offering mastectomy coverage must also provide coverage for reconstructive surgery in a manner determined in consultation with the attending physician and the patient. Coverage includes reconstruction of the breast on which the mastectomy was performed, surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to produce a symmetrical appearance, and prostheses and treatment of physical complications at all stages of the mastectomy, including lymphedemas.
Twink,
no where does it say in the above that the insurance company can decide what reconstruction method you must use. from what I read it is up to the patient and the physician. go to www.breastcenter.com. and go to the breast reconstruction - insurance coverage. it explains the whole law to you.
good luck
Piper0
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