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Anyone starting Chemo in Feb?
Comments
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Hi everybody! Hope everyone is well.
Karen Im the one who started the facial hair thread. I kept forgetting to ask if anyone else was seeing this! Before it happened to me, I had read on another thread where someone got it and shaved it off with no problem. I did the same and hadnt seen it again. Marin thanks for checking in and backing me up on that one.
Vegas I really want to commend you again on the counseling. I truly think thats a wonderful thing that you are doing. Keep us posted.
SammieKay Sounds like you had a really busy day the other day. Are you feeling better now? Crazy how fast fatigue can sneak up on us.
Twink Whats up girlfriend? Since we all have hair envy of you and Leah, youll need to post a new avatar with the new do. It seems you and I are the only ones with the nail issues. I lost one thumbnail, but a new (albeit really really ) short one was underneath. The other thumbnail is trying to fall off, but Im trying to save it and let the dead part just grow out. Ive filed it down so the nail is even with the skin and keeping polish on it. Even if it breaks off now, at least its longer than the other one was. 
Phyl I did get the all clear on the hot tub; thats why I got the two extra tattoos. Funny thing tho, weve had monsoon storms almost every night since, so I havent been able to get in. The good news tho is that the Enbrel is working really well so Im not having the near the problems I had in the last few weeks. Tomorrow is the first time I have to give myself the shot. BTW
how did Sungard go?
Marsha Any new news? Im so, so sorry to hear what you are going thru. I was going to suggest the same thing Leah did. I would call the ACS and see if they can help you find a new surgeon. Even if they cant, they should know of an organization who can help. It is so ridiculous that you cant talk to him about it. We see news stories every day about women who have preventative masts I just dont get it. Hope you can get some resolution soon. ((((((Marsha)))))
Melanie Im sorry to say that it isnt all that exciting of fast food just Popeyes. Theres only about 4-5 in AZ and they are spread out all over town. DH and I love spicy food so we like to go there for a change.
Jan I cant believe that you dont have your test results back yet! Mine were right on schedule. Have you called your genetic counselor to see if they have your results? Unfortunately, they are the only ones allowed to give you the results. They should also be able to offer you some insight as to the insurance company. Give them a holler, it shouldnt take this long!
Have a good night everyone. Talk to you soon.0 -
Evening all
Its Friday night here and time I went to bed. Just a quick hello, from my nice new computer which appears to be working.
I have hair-well about 1/4 inch but it is hair and I have tiny eyelashes and eyebrows but no hair elsewhere yet.
will get online tomorrow
Have a good day
Alyson0 -
Hi my friends,
Things are greatly improved here. I have turned the corner.
I am having the nail issues, Caryn. I have 2 on one hand and one on the other that are lifted up about 3/4 of the way back. I keep them cut to cover the finger and polish them so they don't look so gross.
About the genetic testing. I am having it done because my sister's doctor wanted to know if I had the BRCA gene and if I do, then I think he can get the insurance to pay for her test. I had a call from the testing company saying that my insurance company didn't allow it, but that Medicare would pay 100%. That surprised me, as Medicare doesn't usually pay 100% of anything. So we'll see. He said I should not be billed for anything. Now, if one is positive for brca, and family members get tested, will this mean their insurance can refuse to cover them if they get breast cancer? I know my son-in-law didn't want their 20 y/o daughter to have that on her record. He thought it would compromise her health coverage for life. It is a tough decision. I will share with my family and then they can make a decision for themselves.
Marsha, Marsha, Your fairy godmother needs to whack that surgeon with her wand. What is wrong with these guys? I thought the tx of choice for LBC was removal of the breast. No one questioned my decision at all. I read a lot about Lobular and because it doesn't show on mammos( I have had mammograms since age 35, every year and my cancer never showed up. They say mine has been their for 8 or so years. So why have mammo? It makes me mad that I did what I was supposed to do and still had a 4.5 cm tumor grow without showing on mammo or ultrasound. If I hadn't found it myself and started the ball rolling, who knows how long it would have been before discovery. I had a Scintimammogram, which using radioactive isotopes to show the high metabolic rate for cancer. Mine was positive. Not many places use the Scintimammogram. Not sure why they don't.
Vegas, congrats on the engagement of your son. I am happy for you to have a lovely daughter. My best friend has four sons and she had wonderful DILs and enjoys them so much. She is no longer outnumbered. She also has 4 granddaughters to do all the girly things with.
Thanks for the info on Femara and Fosamax and Boniva. I am going to have to seek out care for myself, as my onc. seems to be unconcerned about my bone health. I will use all the info and let my Internal Med. doc take care of my bones.
Hillary, glad your husband is not requiring surgery. What a relief. Hope you are continuing to do well. Hair growing? I am still waiting. LOL
MelanieW, I wish I had 3/4 in. hair. Wow that impressive. I agree with all who expressed their fear. I have moments of fear, but most of the time feel quite hopeful.
I saw on ABC a figure that disturbed me. They flashed stats that said the survival for breast tumors over 4 cm was 40%. That freaked me out, as I was given a better survival, actually 98% if I had chemo and took Arimadex. I decided to believe the onc. at MD Anderson instead of ABC news. Is that being a Pollyanna?
Good to hear from you Alyson. Congrats on the new computer.
Hi to all, Phyl, Jan, Mel,and all you wonerful friends. C
Catherine, you inspire me to get my bike out and start peddling. I am really feeling well now. So look out, gym, here I come.
Take care and have a great weekend. I will think of all of you as we sail the bays this weekend. DH is so happy to be able to go to the coast for the weekend. Love to all, Sammie Kay0 -
I had a question I forgot to ask in my long post.
I am interested in the post-chemo testing any of you have had. Like PET scans or CT scans. Anyone had any post blood tests for markers, if there are any?
I have not been scheduled for any scans. My family keeps asking me how the doctor knows if the chemo worked. I don't know the answer to that question. Any help will be appreciated. Hugs to all, Sammie Kay0 -
Hi everybody... in the middle of a (nice) family visit, so I did not have much time, busy cooking for 7 (3 teen-agers) and enjoying it... Leah, I fixed a huge ratatouille... was thinking about you while doing it... came out really nice -- you know it when people who "never had that before" go for a 3rd or 4th refill...
Sammie Kay, I had a whole blood run after the end of chemo (if I remember well that was 2 weeks after last abraxane/taxol): whole blood panel plus markers for BC, colon, liver... the results where a bit higher than initially, but still way down in the "normal" range. And I had a heart echography (I get one every 3 months because of the avastin study). I had no scan of any kind. I would like to know about bone density, though, never had any scan for that (the onc said that Tamoxifen does not affect bone mass like Arimidex does... so this is all for in a year from now).
I am so glad you're seeing the end of all those miserable treatments... Enjoy the bay and smooth sailing to you both over the week-end. We have DH's son and family+friend with us right now, and they drove all the way from San Antonio to come see us... sweet couple.
Marsha, could you find more info/help? Drop us a note so we don't worry so much...
Wishing you all a pleasant week-end and hoping the Crispy Cruisers are healing and almost all done...
CatherineH0 -
Sammy Kay, make sure you go to www.facingourrisk.org for all the info on BRCA! They have all kinds of info there, and you can post your question on insurance on the forum. That site was started for those with the BRCA gene, and the women there have been dealing with it for years and have all the answers to questions like this.
After chemo I had a full blood work up which was totally normal. I had a Petscan before chemo, and since that did not show anything, they did not do another one afterwards. But if you have not had one, I would certainly request it, at the very least just for peace of mind.0 -
Sammie - No scans for me. I had the final blood work 2 weeks after chemo. I've also wondered how they follow up. I have an appt Wednesday morning with my med onc I think as a followup to see how I'm doing with the Femara. We did do a Dexascan so she can monitor the bone issues. I'm not real comfortable with a 'wait and see' attitude. I have an appointment with my BS at the end of September, as the reconstruction/RM needs to be coordinated with the BS/PS. After hearing about Marsha's issues, I'm a little concerned. The PS mentioned a prophy the first day I saw him and I never questioned it - just assumed it would happen and the insurance would cover it. Guess I'd better check it out.
Catherine - ratatouille sounds wonderful.
Carynn - it's great that you can use the hot tub but even better that it's under control. The Sungard trip was ok (just ok) - I had a very aggressive goal list established but it was prioritized and with 2 exceptions, we had at least some success on each. However, for this test, we ran into 4 hours of hardware/configuration issues - that's quite a chunk out of a 16 hour test. 24 hour test coming up in September.
Wishing all a wonderful weekend. I'm off to Cabelas.
Hugs!
Phyl0 -
Catherine,
Ratatouille and coq au vin are on my list for February. Great food for large groups! I will make some of both of these soon!0 -
Good Morning from this part of the world.
A cool morning, but is milder than it has been - we don't get the extremely cold weather in Auckland as they do further south. My hyacinths are beginning to flower and I have two daffodils out. Yesterday we went for a walk in one of the city parks to see the spring flowers but it was too early, probably another two weeks.
Caryn and Phyl, I have two toenails that are still brown and funny and the ridges on my fingers are going though my thumbnails are still very rough.
The Femara hasn't had any significant effect that I can tell. My knees are not great but that is probably just the RA. I probably should get to see the RA specialist but don't want to face another doctor at present. I have had enough of them.
The young cat has decided he loves being in the office when I am on the computer and has gone to sleep on the top of a four high letter rack. I must find the camera.
Now we have this computer I must work out how to add some photos and images as the old computer just wouldn't let me.
Must get dressed as the morning disappears then it is time to go for rads.
Hope you are all feeling refreshed
Alyson0 -
Went for my counseling session with the genetics people and I am confused and feel I need some help.
Basically they said I must have some sort of genetic link on my mother's side but of course at this point they don't know if it is BRCA1/2. But it looks strong.
They said if so, I have a 50-50% chance of having it passed to me and then to my DD.
If I have it at least I need to have my ovaries out. Well I asked my onc this when I was dx and he said no.
Then they said I would need to have to decided about a possible bilat mastectomy.
I thought I was coming to the end of treatment except for hormones for 5 years. Now I am looking at maybe two more surgeries???????????? What the heck did I go through the lumpectomy for and radiation if they were just going to give me a mastectomy?????????? I am mad and confused.
I have no more disability. I have no more fmla. I have no money. I have two kids and single. Why don't they test for this up front and do it all at the same time. damnit0 -
SwimmingMom,
I do not know WHY they do not do this up front and you SHOULD be mad! If they suspected it, they should have tested you right away at your diagnosis, then if you were positive you could have just had a bilateral up front with no rads. For someone in your situation it is just criminal that they did not address this issue in the beginning!!
Go to http://www.facingourrisk.org or email Sue Friedman at info@facingourrisk.org She can at least tell you how to go about getting free BRCA testing as a start. And did you see a certified genetic counselor? Or just a genetic counselor? It does make a difference!0 -
Karen - I'm so sorry you are going thru this now. Vegas is right, DO talk to the girls on the facingourrisk board; they will be able to provide you with valuable info.
Honestly, I would question some of the info you got from the counselors as well. They are not there to diagnose, they are supposed to be there to arm you with some knowledge before testing, and support you when your results come back. Just because there is strong history of cancer in your family does NOT make it a sure thing that you will carry the gene. I'm proof of that. Be prepared too, when you get your results, if youre negative, they will offer another (DNA) test. Unless you meet specific criteria there is an additional fee for the 2nd test. I cant remember the name of it, but I liked the way the counselor explained it. She said imagine that you've typed a letter. All the words are spelled correctly, but somehow some of the sentences and paragraphs got out of order. It is similar with the DNA. I elected not to have the additional test, as I think it would be easy for us to sign up for every test that comes down the pike and worry ourselves to death needlessly.
When I was tested, I had decided that if I was positive, I would have the ovaries removed this year; but I was going to do more of a watchful waiting on the mastectomy decision. My rad onc told me I would have alternating MRI's and mammos every 6 months after completing treatment, so I knew that would buy me some time to research my options, like one step recon, no recon, etc, if necessary.
Your Onc probably said you didnt need your ovaries removed as part of treatment for your type of breast cancer. But for those with the BRCA1/2 genes, there is an increased risk of ovarian cancer; so that's why it's recommended. If you were positive, its not a decision youd want to put off forever, but you dont have to make it overnight.
I do understand how you're feeling; I didnt get tested until the week before my lumpectomy and I wondered if I was making the right decision. But again, because of the planned scans, I decided to go ahead with it rather than wait for the test results.
Take a deep breath check out the resources on www.facingourrisk.org and learn as much as you can. Assuming the counselor was right, you also have a 50 % chance of being just fine.
Hugs ((((Karen))))0 -
Karen -- I want to reiterate something that Carynn just said ... even if you test positive, you don't have to have those surgeries right away. I didn't get my initial test results back until after my lumpectomy and right before I was scheduled to start chemo. I had decided that if I tested positive, I would wait at least a year (until I had recovered from chemo/rads) to do further surgery. Remember that we are checked every three months or so the first two years.
I believe that your FMLA will regenerate in a year -- someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Also, I had the second test that Caryn mentioned -- my insurance company paid, although the genetics counselor's had to push. The first test just checks for known BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations -- ones that are commonly shown to cause cancer. The second test looks at every single letter of the sequence. It can pick up rare mutations that are suspected to cause cancer as well as changes in the sequence that might have no effect, If your genetic link is strong enough, the genetics couselors can pressure the insurance company to do the second test, which is much more expensive. I didn't get the results of my second test until the middle of chemo.
I am so sorry that you didn't get this advice sooner. Your onc should have checked about this as well. One of the first questions my onc asked was whether I was being tested for BRCA1 and BRCA2.
Hugs,
Hillary0 -
((((((((((((((Karen))))))))))))) I have no words of wisdom, I too am upset with my docs. I just wanted you to know I am here for you and thinking of you. Raising two kids by yourself along with the actual treatments, surgeries and downright fear of BC has got to be so hard. Always trying to put on a happy facr for them.
Carynn is right, you will have some time I think.
Hugs, Marsha0 -
((((((((((((((Karen))))))))))))) I can only send warm, tight cyber hugs... hope you will get help soon on this front. Take care,
CatherineH0 -
((((((((((((((Marsha))))))))))))) how are you this morning? I saw your posts on Circle the Wagons. Tamoxifen will thicken the lining which is just behind the uterus lining, this is normal: the onc told me not to see the obgy before at least 2 months after chemo, and not to have any ultra-sound tests because they will show this thickening and obgy's may send us into a spiral of biopsies, etc. which are not needed. So make sure to talk at length about that with you doc. The risk of uterus cancer after 5 years on Tamox is fairly low (the onc told me the risk is for severely overweight women with poor diet habits, etc.). The good side of Tamox: it strengthens bone density.
I hope you are not too uncomfortable with all this. I must admit that Tamox is "potent"... my hot flashes are incredibly drenching (I wonder whether summer temps make them worse), I have to remind myself to drink plenty to replennish my fluid balance. Morning stiffness and joint pain are here now, not unbearable, but noticeable (ankles, lower back and hips). Gardening is getting interesting: I feel 100 y. old when it's time to get back up on my feet... but as soon as I move around, the pain goes away (I cannot spend my days walking through the neighboorhood or biking accross town... just for not getting stiff if I stop moving...).
Thinking of you all and wishing you a gentle monday, if there is such a thing.
Big hugs to all,
Catherine0 -
Just checking in before I go to my rads. Big hugs for those who need them (((((((((()))))))))))))) especially Marsha and Karen.
Will log in again later.
Alyson0 -
Catherine, Femara does the same thing. If I stop moving, oh my aching joints! But it does go away as soon as I move around a bit. It seems to be really affecting my knees. Up and down is a bit of a challenge.
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Thank you, thank you to everyone!! I have ventured out to to the other website. Need to visit it some more, as I am once again having a hard time concentrating since I feel a bit stressed.
Thanks again carynn, vegas, marsha, catherine, alyson and hillary for your support. Leah-I am trying to breathe.
Karen0 -
Oh Karen...I am so sorry to hear that you're going through more nonsense. It really doesn't make sense to me that they wouldn't test you sooner if there was an idication of a family link. As Hillary points out, FMLA does re-accrue after 1 year of work (12 months or 1250 hours. So, provided you go back to work you are eligible for another 12 weeks at the 1250 hours mark. I didn't realize you were slugging through this crap on your own AND with children to tend to. (((Karen))) I can't imagine how difficult this must be for you.
Leah -- Ratatouille and coq au vin...yummm... Now you've got me thinking about my menu contribution. I'm not a bad cook for a large group (comes from being the eldest of 6) but when it comes to small, intimate gatherings, I can't seem to put a fancy meal together if my life depended on it.
Marsha -- Are you making any headway with the surgeon issue?
Carynn -- I'll post a headshot this weekend. After dying my hair for the third time this past weekend, I think I'm finally okay with the hair color (went brown, bleach blonde and now ash blonde). It is thick and curly!
Eyelashes and brows are really coming in now. I did finally find Revitalash (thank you..was it Phyll who pointed me in the right direction?) but I'm not sure if I can credit that or the natural process. After spending $100 on the stuff I think I'll credit the Revitalash.
Alyson -- any word on your trip to Pa. I went exploring a little this past weekend...I didn't realize how close we are to Pottstown! I'm looking forward to your pics now that you have a new PC.
Sammie-Kay -- I'm curious too about post chemo/post treatment follow up. I pulled the standard followup protool from the oncologists' association website (or ACS?) and they don't recommend any standard testing beyond regular visits and mammograms. Hmmpht! That's going to do me a ton of good.
I'm hoping this upcoming appointment at U Penn will give me more confidence in the next steps (or lack thereof). I am so NOT comfortable stopping the treatment here and delaying tests until I have 'symptoms'.
Catherine -- hope you're enjoying your family visit if it's still in progress. My joint aches have not abated...in fact, I think they're getting worse. I wish I was taking something that I could blame but I can only hope that this is a lingering Taxotere SE. Of course, when I lie in bed at night, I imagine that it's worse than a chemo SE.
Phyl -- My BS told me that, in ten years, he'd never had an insurance company deny a prophy. Mine putzed around and made things a little difficult and tense (right up to the last minute) but eventually agreed to cover the bill (which, by the way, I just looked at this morning...INCREDIBLE! No wonder we're concerned about health care costs in this country! My bill for the surgery, implants and pre/post op care was in the 6 digit range!
I'm going to be in Philly on August 13th. Hillary and I are planning lunch. It would be nice if you could join us Phyl.
Where's Jan? ... must be out riding in this beautiful weather.
Melanie -- When are you getting the BRCA test done? I asked my onc about that (because of the trip. neg.) but he didn't think it was relevant...I have only one aunt who had BC. I can't think of another relative in the past two generations who's had it.
Theresa -- I hope you're continuing to heal and feeling better each day.
Well, it's time for me to get down to work. When I look back on this past 5 months or so, it's hard to believe how very unproductive I was. Now that I'm getting back to normal, I have so much more energy and my work days are soooo busy. It's kind of nice actually.
Hugs to all my friends.0 -
Hi Twink, just been busy with grocery shopping then mowing the yard and pasture (5 acres with a riding mower takes me about 3 days if the grass isn't too tall) along with shampooing the carpet which I finished today. The machine I have takes alot of upper arm and shoulder strength so had to let it go for over a year due to the bike accident and BC. I had to fix the mower when I found 2 rubber hoses leaking gas, luckly I found it before I started mowing!
My BS said she strongly recommended genetic testing since I'm the first one to have BC in my family.And that if I have it I will definatly need a bilat masectomy on down the road somewhere as it will put me at 65% chance of reaccurance. So I said okay git 'r done on testing. Last visit with her couple months ago I asked about it and she said she'd check into it as I told her insurance hasn't paid for it. Insurance is still messing around and hasn't paid for it, I see the BS the 17th so will let her know. I never had to see a counsler for this. So I wonder where the ball got dropped and who's screwed up what that the insurance won't pay for it yet.
Catherine, my hot flashes on Tamoxifin are getting really sweaty and I'm having more and more of em including during the daytime. Used to only have them at night when first starting the pills. And yes the summer heat is bothering me moreso this summer probably due to that and maybe the treatments. I haven't been back on the trike since getting home from Colorado, the heat is just too much to handle, makes me sick. I mow in the mornings and usually have to quit by 11am. I haven't really noticed joint pain and stiffness because of all I've been doing lately would cause that anyway.0 -
Wow, it is amazing how this journey has so many turns. {{{{{{{{{{{{Karen and Marsha}}}}}}}}}}}} so sorry you are dealing with the inconsistencies that seem to be the norm in treating breast cancer. I have been checking about genetic testing since Feb. Finally, a few weeks ago I received the approval. I don't have any idea how long it will be before I get an answer. And what will it mean if I am positive? I mean now I have had the bilat. mast. and finished chemo. I understand if I am positive I will have an increased risk of recurrance.
Thanks Vegas for the info on FORCE. I have been there, although since I don't know if I am or am not BRCA1/2, what questions to ask. When I find out I will be asking the questions.
I have decided to to back to MD Anderson in Houston for follow-up care after chemo. The onc. at MD was the one who prescribed my chemo. I had it administered here for convenience. So, I am waiting for a call from the nurses, so I can have any blood work and scans done here(remember, my insurance company will not pay for any testing at MD, because our hospital here can do the tests, so they say. There is some question as to the quality of the work here compared to MD, but they won't pay. I wonder if it were there wife or mother, if they would prefer to have the testing done at one of the best cancer centers instead of at a local, non-specific speciality hospital.) That is a long runon sentence, forgive me English majors. LOL. But I just get angry with insurance companies. They are playing with our lives and our survival. But long story short, I will go back to Dr. Boozer at MD and get his opinion about the Arimidex, and any other follow up.
We went sailing. It was nice, however I got seasick on Monday and had to be dropped at the dock. Mike and another friend went back out and I stayed in the RV with the wife. Thank goodness they had a nice airconditioned RV and I didn't have to sit in a resturant all that time. We had already checked out of our hotel by then. It was quite windy and the guys loved the challenge and got the boat up to 6.6 mph,which they thought was fantastic. I forget that is has only been 2 weeks since my last FAC and I feel good, but my endurance is a long way from pre-chemo status. I have a lot of work ahead of me to regain my strength. From now on, I will wear a scopolomine patch for seasickness.
Well, I am rambling and this post is way too long.
Nice to hear from you Jan. I guess you have received a lot of rain like we have. I bet your pasture has really grown. I used to love mowing our 2 acre lawn when we lived in the country. It was so relaxing, just riding along on the mower. I understood how farmers love riding their tractors.
Take care all. Love reading all your posts and hearing how all of you are doing. Love to all, Sammie Kay0 -
Catherine and Vegas and anyone else on hormone therapy, I have been reading some of the threads about Arimidex and was getting really worried about all the SE's. Then I remembered that my SIL, who has been fighting metastatic breast cancer for about 9 years, was taking Aromotos(sp.ck.). I called her and she has had very mild side effects. She and I are both post-menapausal. Anyway, I have been having that morning stiffness and back pain for years and dealing with it with pain meds and physical therapy periodically when it gets real bad. She also took tamoxifen for 5 years and it quit working and they switched her to AI. So far so good. Bless her heart, she had bc at age 45 and they did mastectomy and no chemo, no rads. Then 13 years after that, she had recurrance(inoperable lung tumors). She has done very well on hormone therapy for the past 9 years. They seem to keep it under control. She takes care of my brother who is disabled. What a woman! She encourages me. She hasn't gained weight and is managing an active lifestyle on AI. She is 68. Just thought I would give a positive report on someone on AI. SammieKay
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Hi all, as far as posting goes, some are morning gals... hi Marsha, hi Twink
Others are evening gals... my case...
Had a busy day, starting with my 8 mile bike ride this morning after bkfst, then walked Toby, shower, quick bite and off to the cancer center for avastin tx... today, two women were waiting for me: a public relation lady for the hospital where the center is, and the other one is a reporter for a health magazine distributed to insured people in the network... they wanted to interview me about the tx, the study, etc. so we chatted nicely while the avastin was going through... my blood pressure was 173/95 after that!!! Mozart is better than getting all excited in a conversation... hopefully this is just the reason... with Avastin, blood pressure can go up, but after 12 tx, I never had any rise in BP so far... so much for exercising and eating yogurt... Oh, well, I'll check my BP at Safeway next time I go there...
Thanks Sammie Kay for the encouraging report, indeed. Your SIL seems to be a rock... wishing her to continue with no progression of the mets and an active life. Do you live in the same area? Sorry to read about you being sea-sick... it must have been fairly rough... I know the excitement of wanting to ride the wind... but it is fun only if you are busy doing something on board (steering or manning the sails), otherwise you get sick...
We've had Houston weather here for the last week or so... muggy!!! but everything is lush green, the roses are growing a new wave of buds, the holly-hocks I started from seeds in june are blooming... and bachelor buttons reseeded themselves and are sprouting... I love it. The sweet peas did not make it this year, too hot, they had pitiful flowers, I had to admit the "non-success" and ditched them... will try another spot next year. I put containers under the gutters to recuperate rain water (plants do not like city water -- chlorinated, yuk) and then I go around with buckets to water the trees and bushes that need it most... now we want sunny days to dry the air...
I have been incredibly sore these last 2 days, can't figure out whether it is the weeding I did on my knees, or the vigorous biking... but boy, sitting down and getting up are challenging...
The "big" event for me this week is that I started going out "topless"... on my walks if not sunny, and to the hospital today... I still look very "shaved" but it is hair nevertheless... salt and pepper, definitely... One of my neighboors called me as I was walking by and said "I wanted to talk to you. I figured you went through something "strong"..." so we had a nice chat and she gave me nice warm hugs... she is a young mother with an adorable toddler, her mother is still fighting bc so she is very sensitive to the whole thing. I have terrific neighboors all around, men and women are equally nice and supportive.
Enjoying a few more "lazy" days before more work coming my way later this week. I turn down a lot of work, and big cardiology projects are lining up for the Fall... I am definitely back to the normal swing of my translation life, and I like it very much. I won't start on anything big, though, until after my sister's visit... she'll be here in 3 weeks!!! I am so happy about it...
Well, 10 pm... time to go get that tamox pill and go read in bed... for a while...
Marsha, let us know how you ultra-sound went. I hope you are less in pain from the rads.
Tink, I know that's probably not the time to ask you to post, but you must be close to deliver your baby... could you let us know how you are doing? Wishing you a smooth delivery and a healthy little girl, and the best for you, sweetie, so you regain strength before your taxol round. Take care.
Hugs all around...
CatherineH0 -
I've been brushing my hair back instead of forward and OMG I look like the last pic Leah shared of her curly thick hair but mine is still salt and pepper. Funny though brush it all forward it looks so flat and not curly at all. Hubby even said my hair is so curly looking when he sees it brushed back.
Catherine good to hear you are going "topless" now!0 -
On the advice of my hairdresser, I started taking prenatal vitamins for the hair. She said they usually make hair grow faster than anything else she knows of that anyone has tried. I just started them this week - we'll see if it seems to help. I am a ways yet from going topless - but I can see it coming maybe by the end of this month?
On a funny note, you should have seen the look on my 20 year old son's face when I showed him the bottle of prenatal vitamins without saying a word. His first reaction was "you have got to be kidding me!" but I just condinued to look at him with a totally serious face and all of a sudden he put his arms around me, gave me a huge hug and told me how happy he was for me! It was so sweet. I hated to tell him it wasn't so!!! What a great kid. 0 -
Jan -- Curls! I'm so jealous. I'm still at the buzz cut stage, though it is pretty thick. Everyone at rads has seen me topless and can't understand why I'm still wearing my wig. Well, my ds and dh still think that my hair's too short! I've got an appointment to get it colored on the 18th, but I might chicken out at the last minute (why pay for a color job if I'm still going to wear my wig!).
Vegas -- I wish I could take vitamins. My rads onc doesn't want me take anything until a month after my rads are over ... Too funny about your son!
Catherine -- I think that I'm a whenever the mood hits me kind of poster!
SammieKay -- So good to hear from you! Take care with all that sailing only two weeks after your last treatment ... it will take a couple of months to build your strength back! I don't know why it took so long to have the insurance company approve your genetic testing ... You should hear soon -- you can phone the genetics couselor to find out when the results will be back.
Belinda -- I'm so sorry that I fell down on the job last week and forgot to announce your last taxol/herceptin! Congrats belatedly!
Leah just told us on the rads thread that she'll be having her RFA procedure on August 21st. I will try to remember so that we can all virtually hold her hand!
Well, I've got one last radiation tomorrow!!!! Today I had lunch with two women I met at rads -- one finished today and one finishes tomorrow with me. Tomorrow, two of my friends are going to take me out to lunch to celebrate. They've been with me for the whole ride!!
Hugs to all,
Hillary0 -
So sorry I haven't posted...I don't know what to say to Karen and Marsha...except hugs....(((((karen))))(((((Marsha))))...I am so sorry you have all this to go thru. Thought we would all be done!
I am still visiting the grill daily...#16 was today...17 more to go. Not fried yet. Just itchy with an infected rash under my arm. On antibiotics for now.
Catherine, I too was thinking about Tink...I think she did say her delivery date was 8/8...today. Maybe we will hear from her soon...Tink...I hope everything goes smoothly and you and baby daughter are fine.
I love you guys!0 -
Hi everyone! Yes - just popped in to say that last Friday I finished Taxol...YAY!!!!!!!!!!! Rads planning appt next Mon, start rads (25 of them) on 27 August. Thank you Hillary for even remembering! I still have 3 weekly herceptin for 9 months so it's a bit of a drag, and I probably won't really feel like bad chemo is over until I get hair and eyelashes.
Starting for feel a bit of LE developing - going to get onto that.
It's early am and I have to get ready for work, and this board moves so fast that I will have to check in later to read all of your news.
But I hope you are all doing well, all surgeries and rads have progressed safely and effectively, your families are well and that you're the hairiest bunch of gals on the intranet!
Belindaxxx0 -
Whoooo Hooo Hillary is almost done!
LOL at Belinda for the hairest girls comment0
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