Calling all TNs
Comments
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Marsha I'm sending over a virtual bowl of chicken soup with a hug, I hope your feeling better soon. I had the flu last year and I couldn't believe how it knocked me down, I was out for four days. Please take care of yourself, snuggle into bed and maybe play some nice music (I love meditation music ;-)) and drink lots so you don't dehydrate. Your in my prayers as well as everyone else going through rough patches,
Shari
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Hi Ladies Just want to introduce myself. I have been on here a few weeks, mostly Just Diagnosed... My Pathology Report is Scaring Me! forum/thread. I found out 9 days ago that I am TN, Grade 2, Ki67=75%, 8mm mass...blah, blah, blah
So I freaked... then all of you wonderful women calmed me down. I met my surgeon and MO on the 28th, have an MRI Feb 4th (YIKES--------- I HATE THEM-GOT XANAX), and as long as my other breast doesn't "light up," I will be having a left breast lumpectomy in a few weeks. OH Joy. Seriously, my next hurdle is telling my Mom, tomorrow. I am only allowing her to read the 2page fact sheets from Susan Komen on TN. I have to keep her off the internet!I actually feel much better having met my docs, and hearing their plan. (Lx, Chemo, rads and a right breast reduction) I want to read through this forum and become as strong as all of you. The past month has been a nightmare. But I am ready to become a WARRIOR. (I hope!) I have an OCD binder full of reports and CD's, bought 2 wigs, and Want to KICK THIS TN's BUTT. Thank you for listening, and I hope we become friends!
arlene
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greenae, welcome. You will find lots of information and support here. Stick with us. Sounds like you are on the right track, gathering your information and even have your binder started, good job. And a kick ass attitude already but don't be surprised about all kinds of emotions you will feel throughout this. Join various threads that have to do with your treatment especially the chemo, surgery and rad thread for the month that you start and the month prior. We will help you through. Just ask away. You are a New Yorker so probably have a great facility, Sloan Kettering? I'm a Long Island girl living in upstate ny for the past 28 yrs. there are other New Yorkers here to. Keep us update
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Hello greenae, welcome!
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Welcome, greenae! These women are a wealth of information!
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Greenae, welcome!!!! We will be here for you, as everyone has been here for me
Marsha, REST friend! You are in Miami? We could meet half way on the "alley!"Hugs everyone
Kath
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Hi gramof2boys! Nice to meet you! I am full of worries and questions, and crazily just want this show to get rolling so I can get these nasty cells out if me! Pretty sure I will be having ACT after surgery. Curious...When does my hair fall out? I want to beat it to the punch. I am an over-planner, and don't want this BC to get the best of me. Wanna go really short after surgery, then shave it before it gets to fall out. I am sure there are other things I should be worrying about, but this is my current obssession.
Thank you for welcoming me...
Arlene
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For me it was about day 18 after starting chemo: I made an appointment with a private hair stylist that specializes in wigs for chemo patients. I went as soon as the clumps started. Now, 5 months later my hair is starting to come back in, but I still wear my wig. I have not shared with my staff. Only one knows.
Everyone else I prepared by saying I was going "shorter" with a new style. I have had more compliments on my hair than ever before in my life.
I did also order a cotton cap, which I wear under the wig. Makes it far more comfortable. I have a short "bob" that goes under ball caps for weekend errands and church. Hopefully pic shows up. This is my and hubby at my fundraiser for work Dec 5th. Blessings
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tobycc...you look Mahhvellous! Thank you for the info. I'll show you mine. I hope you're feeling good, you sure look good in ur pic
with ur hubby!0 -
tobycc i did the same... The salon owner spent 2 hours with me, and said she'll shave my head when I am ready. I guess I will look for some baseball hats for the gym, and I just ordered an exercise bike from Amazon. I am a Spinner, and I don't want to lose my muscles during chemo. I am going to be Ready. ( i hope
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Marsha, - rest, rest, REST! The flu can make you feel like you were hit by a truck!
Greenae, - welcome to the club that none of us wanted to join, but all of us are glad that we found!!
Toby, - you look wonderful!
I, too, have a wig that no one thinks is a wig, and when I wear it, everyone tells me that they love my hair!
On another note, I saw my onc today for 3 month check up. She didnt put me on metformin, and didnt mention the zometa, so I didnt push it. I want to wait until I hear my dentist's opinion about my teeth and if he thinks i am a candidate for it. As for vitamin D, she will see what blood tests show.
Have a happy weekend! Stay warm! Here in the northeast we are expecting a real blast of cold weather!
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greenae, - great looks!
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thanks, nycg! I am an nycg, too! :
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Hi Lisaj514 I am going to NYU...my surgeon and MO trained at Sloan. I am really trying with my attitude (mostly, I am a squishy mess---All Talk, Trying with the Action!) Both of my docs said a positive attitude and exercise make a huge difference, so as I prepare for this battle, I am trying to focus on staying as healthy and strong as I can. I am supposed to be the tough one in my family...so I just cry in the shower.
I am upstate a lot. My brother and uncle each have places in the mountains, and one of my sisters lives in Dutchess. In my pic, I was having Cans and Clams and Music at the Andes Hotel, last summer!
Thanks for welcoming me...this site and all of you have helped immensely!
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a big welcome greenae, I can see you have a great attitude that will see you through! Make sure you allow yourself to feel and express all the emotions you will feel but then get back into your positive warrior mode.
You have joined a great thread, all of these women are supportive, informative and we all truly understand-so if you want to ask or express something this is the place!
I had chemo first (neoadjuvent) and lost my hair a bit later than most (I think it was around 21 days) but had pre-emptivally shaved it as soon as I found out I would be doing chemo first- this was a way for me to take control of a situation that I felt had control over me.
Tobyccyou look great!
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Thank you slv58, I am really trying...I think finally meeting my docs at NYU the other day truly helped. They were very positive. Of course as I wait to have my MRI (2/4), I have all those thoughts of this cancer being in the other breast. But I have to keep it together, and distract myself from thinking about the MRI and waiting for the report. I am going to the gym now, so I can SPIN off some of this angst. I ordered an exercise bike from Amazon last nite... maybe I can pedal this SH*T outa my body?!
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greenae, - maybe we can meet for coffee one day!
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Another NYCG...sounds good!
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Greenae, LOVE yours as well! I am good: I just battle nausea with the CMF, but I manage it.
Getting down my smoothie with kale, brocolli, fruits and protein now
My WBC was only 20 yesterday so I am praying they stay up so I don't miss tx next week!
Hugs to everyone: stay warm to you all up north!
We got this ladies
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greenae - glad you found us! Told you these ladies are wonderful. I didn't find this lifeline til I was almost done with my active treatment. But even then, this site has been my "therapy". Your wigs look amazing! I also decided to shave my head before it started coming out. For me it was was about two weeks after my first treatment. In addition to my normal wig, I also bought a "halo". This was a ring of hair that only covered from about where a hat would end down. So my scalp was open under the hat. It offered a comfortable option for home, grocery shopping, etc. You have a great attitude!
Hugs,
Kathy
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Marsha=Feel better soon!
Greenae= Welcome,sorry you are here. I opted not to wear a wig. I live in Florida and wore scarfs and baseball caps. I bought a wig and never wore it. So,there are lots of options. My hair started falling out 18 days after first chemo. I then had my head shaved. Best of luck to you. This board has wonderful people with lots of super advise.
My attitude this entire time was Chemo= another opportunity to excell.
radiation=ditto
Surgery=ditto
Best of luck!
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Ladies,
Thanks for all good wishes
but
Avoid the flu. Even my teeth hurt.
Marsha
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Hi Tobycc...Thank you..and get that white count up.Love the smoothies...mine come out some crazy colors...khaki green...lol
Ksteve...I just bought a terry turban for sleep...I am stocking up...I like the halo idea...I was wondering what to wear, if I can still try to Spin. That may work!
Eileenpg...Yes! I am looking at all options. Figured I would start purchasing some things now, while I FEEL FREAKIN' FINE (still having trouble believing I have this?!) Got some chapstick, Biotene rinse, new glasses and looking at all sorts of "headgear" online.
Marsha...I hope you feel better SOON! The flu is so nasty...rest up.
Thank you, Ladies...SO MUCH...I am good today
...but sure will be wacky later this week, worrying about wednesday's MRI and the results 
arlene
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Arlene, good for you getting prepared, this was actually fun to do now that I'm on the other side. Here are some of my head gear and scarves, hat pictures and some wig pictures. I loved my scarves and had lots of them to match outfits. Also loved the Abbey cap (top L picture) and had a few, they have some fullness in the back. I wore the wigs occasionally. I have naturally curly hair so the top R was most like mine before (it was called the Oprah wig I think) but was itchy but inexpensive. The straighter wig was more $ and more comfy. For warm weather loved the buffs under a cap or just by itself. Wore fleece hats in the house during coooold winter last winter-treatment jan to April. I also got new glasses as I knew I'd be wearing them a lot more than my contacts (eyes were sooo dry)
The bottom R above is almost 3 mo pfc when I started going without covering my head
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Hi Ladies
AlexP a very warm welcome. It's always great to hear about long term survivors. It's a real pick me up for us all on here and yes doesn't matter how many years out, we will always need guidance or to learn something new.
AllyP your doc probably would not put you on Zometa premenopausal as you are not in the age bracket for osteoporosis. My port also blew a fuse so out it had to come. I really wanted to leave it a bit longer but it was not to be. Hopefully you are now feeling stronger and are getting your health back.
Lookingforw I'm also borderline diabetic but I'm not interested in taking Metformin. I just don't feel there is any need for it at the moment and a healthy diet and exercise is more beneficial and works better with no side effects. Hope you are now feeling better from your flu. Remember to drink plenty, take panadol and try and keep your strength up with some of Shari's chicken soup lol.
Eileen, Simple and Mary. What a great pic. You all look so healthy and happy. I bet you had a great time swapping stories and getting to know each other. It's great you live near enough to do that.
AL Husband why don't you start a "Man Thread". I'm sure there are lots of men who would benefit from a thread like this. We (mostly) only think of the ladies but men have their worries, concerns and anxiety as well once their lady's are diagnosed.
Greenae a very warm welcome to you. Great that you are ready to be a warrior but we are always here for those worrisome days or if you want to rant or need a good cry with someone. Once your plan kicks in there are lots of tips we can give you to help with chemo/rads etc. Just remember you can and will do this and as much as it sometimes seems impossible believe it or not the time will fly by. Remember we are all in your pocket. Sending big warm hugs. My hair fell out at the beginning of my second treatment. My friends all got together and we made a party of it and there were no tears in fact it was a relief that I had done something positive to help myself.
Tobycc your looking marvellous girl. I found the wig uncomfortable but wish I had thought about a cotton cap under it. I wore a light cap at night as it was winter and my head got cold in the night.
Lisa wonderful pics. You look great. I too wore scarves and little hats. Had so many, just to match each outfit every day.
Hugs to all of you in treatment and happiness to all who are finished with it. Annie
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I enjoyed all the pictures ladies!
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Lisa, your pics are great, thank you! Those are wigs on the bottom? I thought they were "now" pictures. And your family is beautiful!
I really appreciate you posting all the different "headgear." I know my age is showing (57) when I say I want a hat like the caps the Monkees wore on one of their album covers. I am going to have to look that up. I had a hat like that in 4th grade, and I loved it. Maybe just some fake bangs with it and I'll be good to go. Lol. I am guessing my chemo will run from March til July, so some light scarves will surely come in handy. My brown wig is a cranial prosthesis, and the blonde one was way less expensive, and I am guessing hot and itchy, too. It's giving my stomach a little jolt to be sitting here feeling fine, yet talking about chemo wigs and hats. I hope I can be as matter-of-fact a month from now. Whew. It's all still overwhelming. But so good to see so many on the other side of this! Thanks for sharing your advice and pics. (I ordered my extra glasses cuz I figured chemo would mess with my contacts. I hope the dry eyes aren't permanent? Mine are dry enough sinces menopause.)
Cocker Spaniel, thank you for the welcome, I am putting on my tough front, I just hope I can keep it up, and if not, I am so glad I can turn to all of you.
Thanks so much!
Arlene
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Greenae your wigs look great and I am glad you feel good. I started chemo in August, (hot) ended in Dec (cold) went thru all temperatures, and I have to say I really enjoyed being bald. Hair was one less thing to worry about while I was in treatment. I know your positive attitude will serve you well during these next few months
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Thank you, Meadow! I am trying to grasp all that I have had to learn these past few weeks. Trying hard to stay positive, And be a realist. So I will stock up with all kinds of options, and try to stay strong. (Altho, I wake up every morning this past month feeling like I've been hit by a train)
Arlene
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THIS is the "halo" hat folks refer too: it is open on top: I still use my cotton cover on it: I wear it on weekends under ball caps: obviously due to "name tag" I am in the "chair" a few treatments ago0
