Ladies in their 30s
Comments
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I'm not sure what the 'science' is behind it but I read it a couple of places and made for a cute winter mani/ pedi
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The claim is that the black nail polish would help protect nails from the sun. I have no idea if it's true. No sun in upstate NY to try to test the claim. But that would also mean that my nails should be fine during chemo, which by the way they are....
h0pe - I'm close to done with dose dense AC and 4 taxols. It's not a walk in the park but it has been way better than I thought it would be. I do think it's because I don't have any underlying health conditions. And even if you experience some more severe SE, tell your MO and they can lower the dose or switch stuff around. Wishing you all the best!
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Hi Ladies, thanks for your response a few weeks ago re fertility questions. I feel at peace with my decision to go ahead w treatment rather than postpone to freeze eggs. We've been so blessed to have had our daughter 7 months pre dx...if we definitely decide later that we do want another child, we'll cross that bridge then. There's always options, thankfully. Right now I just feel so behind grateful for her...and the bright light she is in our world!!
I started my first TCH infusion last Monday. Day 3-5 were rough but today felt better. I'm so thankful the bad days didn't drag out too long.
Just a quick question - did anyone break out after chemo? My face, chest and back has. It feels really irritated too (itchy and burning a little). I'm hoping there's a fix to it and it's not another add on to the beauty department
. Also, how was it REALLY when you lost your hair? My heads been tingling...I know it's a matter of days. I'm usually good at laughing my way through things but sometimes this feels really too daunting. I have my wig, will order scarves, etc...but just wondered how you've actually felt when you had to face it?0 -
gillash, yes I had little red bumps after rounds 1, 3 and 4. The first time no itching, the third time lots of itching and the fourth just a little. I just used cortisone (sp?) cream and took a benadryl for a couple days.
As for hair I totally had it shaved before it really had the opportunity to fall out. I just know way too many people through work and people react so poorly when you tell them you have cancer so I just didn't want to discuss it. So I went in to work the next day with my wig on and a few people asked if I had done something to my hair but for the most part no one noticed or at least not enough to say anything.
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Hi Gillash - hope you're feeling good...I'm glad you've started treatment and are moving forward. I saw your question about losing hair and figured I'd share. I let mine thin slowly. It started around the time of my 2nd treatment, so day 20 or so. By day 23 it was sore on my scalp and there were a lot more bare spots showing. I was crying all the time...so depressed about losing it. I finally had my sister buzz it off for me and while it was hard, it was a relief. As it turned out, the anticipation was the hardest part for me and I prolonged it by trying to hold on to it for too long. Looking back, I wish I'd taken the bull by the horns sooner as I felt so much better once it was done. I put my wig on right away and felt pretty good. I'm a girly girl and I wear make up every day...I found that fixing myself up every day felt good...kind of a look good, feel good thing.
So, it's not easy but you'll get through it. Then, you get to watch it grow back and play with new hairstyles.
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Hi Gillash - if it feels like an allergic reaction, I'd definitely let your oncologist know. If you are breaking out with acne on your face - i recommend a raw honey mask. I had some pretty painful acne on my face during chemo and not wanting to add any chemicals to the mix, I tried the raw honey mask - which I saw online. I think it really helped. As for the hair - I shaved mine the minute the first clumps came out and I never looked back. And as much as I missed my hair - there was a certain liberation and ease to just tying on a scarf after a shower in the morning. Good luck!
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Hi. I'm 36, and I have two boys 8 and 6. I lost my husband to cancer 4 years ago. I just started treatment last Monday for TN bc with BRACA1. The doctors say that they will cure me, and I know that I will be cured. However, I am an only parent. So far, I've had some nausea and been overall tired. One of my fears is that I won't be able to take care of my boys due to side effects. It's nice to talk with others who understand.
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Hi Ladies - I finished chemo 8 weeks ago. I went with TCx6. It was difficult but manageable. The main SEs I had were bloating, thrush and taste alterations. It pretty much felt like a terrible hangover for a week and then I felt good for two weeks. I feel almost back to normal now. I never did have problems with my nails but I think I was just a lucky one on that. I used cold caps so I kept my hair as well. My energy levels have returned and the only residual side effect I still notice is some minor neuropathy in my feet, which may be temporary. My fears about chemo were worse than the actual chemo itself. Since we are younger, we bounce back a lot faster than older women. Good luck to those of you starting treatment!
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Hi. I am 30 with a two year and a half year old princess and a hubby who is having a hard time processing things. My family is 14 hours away so these forums have been keeping me somewhat sane during it all. My dad got a pacemaker put in so they will be here in a week when he can drive, I need my mom and dad! Still waiting for BMX. I have known it was breast cancer since December 4th and am tired of waiting!
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@gildedcage - Did your nails get loose at all? I thought my middle one was going to come off last night, it was sooooo loose but now it seems strong again? It's so weird. But I am done with chemo, talked my Dr into only doing 4 rounds of TC. Hahaha!
@clarrn - When is your surgery scheduled? And how come you have a delayed diagnosis of IDC, did it not come up on the original mammogram or ultrasound?
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sparkle - it's so weird but I had no discoloration, no ridges, no loose nails, nothing. They were and still are totally normal. This morning I noticed that my eyelashes have really thinned out in the last couple of days. I still have a few and that's prob only because I've been using Latisse. Eyebrows left mid treatment and are starting to come back just this last week as is leg hair and downstairs hair. Underarm hair still hasn't come back and I'm totally ok with that.
Hang in there, clarrn. The support and love you receive through this will carry you through.
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sparklekat - the invasion didnt show in my Dec 4 mammogram or ultrasound, and not in my Dec 13th initial core biopsy. My surgical oncologist sent me for more biopsies Jan 21st because the mass was getting more painful and larger and they found 9 mm of invasion. My surgery is supposed to be within 3 weeks but still no date.
Gildedcage - thanks for the encouragement! Also, we have similar diagnosis. Was chemo recommended on your oncotype score or before that came back. Just wondering because we dont get oncotype testing here in Alberta and I am trying to decide if it is worth the 4175 US out of pocket. Still hoping I might get away without chemo.
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Yes, chemo was suggested because I scored high on the oncotype test. I remember my doctor telling me that the oncotype test was useful because they found that oncologists were only correct in assessing which patients needed chemo about half the time. You certainly want to save yourself unnecessary chemo if you can. I'm surprised that an oncotype test is not covered in Canada. If you score low on the test it will save thousands of dollars in unneeded medical costs related to chemo. That's terribly frustrating. Sorry you find yourself in this situation.
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Clarrn, how frustrating! Are you doing chemo at the moment?
Gildedgage, I'm hoping that my eyelashes/brows fall out sometime next week while I am home and recovering from surgery. That will be 5 weeks post chemo #4 (final chemo). Think I am asking too much?
I only have ridges in a couple of my nails and very slight discoloring. My eyebrows and lashes have thinned but I don't think anyone but me would notice. I stopped plucking my eyebrows two weeks before I was diagnosed because I thought, "Well if I have cancer I'm going to want every hair on my head possible!"0 -
Sparklekat - no chemo for me yet, will have to wait for pathology from surgery and ?oncotype dx if I decide to pay for it.
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Oh that will be nice to skip chemo! It's not terrible but it's no walk in the park either. My Dr kept saying "see this is doable" and I kept saying "yeah but i'd rather do four than six!!"
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clarrn - I highly suggest you get the Oncotype test. I know it is expensive, but it is highly suggested by the doctors I've worked for...especially given Grade 3. Isn't it horrible that insurance won't automatically pay for it?! A lot of insurance reimbursement has to do with documentation...maybe you can get your nurse and doctor to write in their note the medical necessity for the onco type dx. You can also appeal with the insurance company if it is not initially approved. I think it will give you more peace of mind with whatever decision you make regarding chemo. Good luck!
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h0pe- thanks for the advice. I am in Alberta Canada and its not covered. Most provinces here cover it but not mine. We don't have insurance here because the government always pays for everything. I guess in the grand scheme of things I shouldn't complain. Its the only cent I'll ever have to pay for health care in my life other than travel insurance.
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Sparklekat- I did not lose my nails during the 4 rounds
of TC. I still have my eyebrows and some of my eyelashes. I did lose my hair 7
days after 1st chemo. I found out from the nurse that is because the
higher dose chemo patients lose hair earlier. I’m starting to get some fuzzies
back two weeks after last chemo.gildedcage- I agree that my fears
were worst then chemo. I did have anaphylactic allergic reactions with
each chemo, but those can be
managed. I have some Peripheral
neuropathy. My hubby and I did themes for each chemo to lighten the mood
of me having to do chemo. It really did help to dress up in costumes, even when
I couldn’t breath while getting the chemo.lillaura22- How are you doing? How
is your sister doing?Jmenchaca78…Thank you for sharing
your journey. What are you planning to
do this year for fun?Sunshower- I also read that keeping
your hands in ice or ice bags on hands and feet work too. I did neither or the
paint and my nails were okay.Gillash you could have an allergic
reaction.clarrn- You are a strong
warrior. The waiting is the worst part I
think. You might want to look at the mammaprint test too. That might be covered.I
got some awesome news today. My mammogram came back clear, and I found two
doctors who are willing to do Intraoperative radiation therapy during the reexisision to
finish to clear the margin. Happy
Dance! I’m 36 years old and fought for
this type of radiation. My argument was since they are pulling the ovaries; why
not give this radiation to me. They
normally do this for women who are in menopause. I’m willing to take the risk. Happy Dance!I
hope all of you are doing well and try to find something fun to do for yourself
this February.0 -
Fairydogmother, good to hear! Glad treatment is going well for you. Let us know how you are doing as you go through radiation.
I shaved my head two weeks after first chemo and I have always had stubble throughout this whole time. Some of the hairs on my head are almost an inch long now but they are few and far between. I'm not terribly anxious for it to get started I figure at some point it will be in enough that it will be really obvious I have a wig on (so far most people haven't noticed) and then I will have to wear short hair for god knows how long. I'm not looking forward to it!
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ok just found out I was nominated to win some tickets to a princess ball with my daughter in a radio contest. And looks like I will win. But here's the thing, I feel really weird about it. Every one who nominated me wrote very nice things but also mentioned that I was fighting cancer. I feel so weird. I don't feel like I'm "fighting". I dont look sick. I am still waiting for surgery 2 months after diagnosis and haven't had any treatment. I feel like people will expect someone who "looks" like they have cancer. And I don't really want to talk about it with anyone, let alone strangers, and not on the RADIO. I just don't want to be known as that girl with cancer from here on, I can't stand any more pity. And now I feel like a jerk because I am so ungrateful. And at the same time I feel guilty because my daughter will LOVE it, and I am so depressed I can hardly shower. The thought of taking the effory to get us both looking like princesses is so overwhelming. I know I should just pull up my socks, plaster on a smile and go for her2. I need some words of wisdom from you, help!
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clarrn- you are a human. You are feeling all the emotions you can and don't feel guilty about it.The waiting between is the hardest and it drove me nuts.When people told me, You don't look like you have cancer. or I thought you were joking. My responds was: cancer knows no age and if you wait until I go on chemo the I will look like cancer. I hated when people asked what type of cancer I had, so sometimes I would tell them prostrate.
It is hard being the person with cancer. You can tell them "Thank you, but I don't feel like talking about right now and each journey is personal"
Take the tickets and enjoy the moment with your daughter. Who says you have to dress up to go, where a pant suit. If you don't want to stay the whole time you don't have to stay. Your daughter should understand that point. Remember when you feel overwhelm take a breathe. It is hard sometimes, but take that moment to yourself. If you need to go step outside and just scream.
Keep moving forward and you owe no one an explanation.
Sparklekat- when I started to loose mine I shave it down to 1/2 looked like GI Jane. Then when that started to fall out, hubby shaved me bald. I won't look like a short fat balding man with fuzz here and there. We discover the venus razor for women is awful for head shaving. We used hubby's mach3 razor and shaving cream, like old school shaving cream. I have been bald ever since December. I am rocking the dangling earrings. I have a wig, but since I'm doing chemo menopause I have hot flashes and I figure it is better to take of a hat then remove a wig when I"m out in public. I do get some stares, but people can deal with it. I have had lots of complainants on my dangly earrings. One child ask her mommy, while I was bald and the mother told the child I was fighter.
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Yeah, unfortunately you just have to go! I didn't tell anyone at work besides the people I work with on a daily basis. About two months after my diagnosis my boss went to our office Christmas party and told everyone (which was about 20 more people than I had told) and someone there texted me about it and just about died. I hadn't gone to the party because I had chemo two days before. However; I did find that because I hadn't discussed it with any of them directly most of them were uncomfortable with talking with me about it and the most they said was "How are you doing?" and I just said "Good" like it was any other day. That sort of seemed to shut them down. The person who texted me i was going to tell but I just hadn't seen them and it seemed like a jerky thing to be like "Hey I have cancer" over a text message.
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Well I did win but thankfully the radio guy didn't even mention my diagnosis
phew! Now I just to dress up and hopefully escape cancer for a night. 0 -
Oh yay!!! Take pics! I'm excited for you!
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Oh Clarrn... I feel your pain. But cut yourself some slack and try to focus on enjoying some precious mommy/daughter time. I got to a point towards the end of my treatment where I told my husband I wanted to start turning down certain invitations because I was so tired of being the girl who just got over cancer. The "how are you feeling" question with that intense look in their eyes as they asked. It used to make me want to scream. But for every person who did that, there was another person who made me feel good in some way. So my take has always been - be honest about your diagnosis and treatment, put yourself out there, and you'll get back a mix of good stuff and annoying stuff. But most importantly - enjoy some good times with your daughter!
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Hey everyone I seemed to have lost this topic somehow so it's been awhile. I'm recovering very well from my BMX on 1/24/14. I'll be going back to work next week and I drove for the first time today. Not bad. Unfortunately they did find a small amount of cancer in my lymph node so looks like it's chemo for me. I see my MO on Monday to find out the plan. Nervous about chemo but hearing how well you all have done has helped a lot.
@fairydogmother- not sure what I'm gonna do this year but I'm thinking a trip to Vegas will be in order when I'm done with chemo!
I also went and got a tattoo yesterday since i knew i couldn't do it after chemo starts. Just a little message to myself to not give up
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Clarrn- I'm so glad to hear that you win those tickets and that the radio host had enough sense and tact not to bring up cancer. Hope you have a fantastic time being a princess with your daughter👸
Sparklekat- What a way for your coworkers to find out...geez! I told a few people that I'm close to but for the most part I'd rather not risk an emotional break at work. When I got comments about my pixie cut just before starting Chemo, I would just say I wanted a change.
FairyDogMother- Congrats on completing chemo! I loved your theme days. What a great way to lighten the mood...That's great news! I'm glad they approved the intraoperative radiation for you...let us know how everything goes.
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Fairydogmother - my sister was in the clear thankfully, it was a fibroadenoma, so they will just monitor it for the next few months/year. Thanks for asking. I like you just finished in mid-January and I already have short fuzzy hair too. Thinking it'll be mid-March by the time that I can go in public, I like Sparklekat only told a few people I work with so I am waiting for it to be long enough that it looks like I would've cut it that way, because I don't want to have to explain it all to people now.
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Oh I so plan to tell people I HAD cancer. I just didn't want to tell them I HAVE cancer. People are such children, it's like I'M NOT DYING!!! YOU'RE NOT THAT LUCKY!!!
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