March 2011 chemo-lounge
Comments
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PennyCookson--I totally understand your position. I was told at the time of the MX that they did not start reconstruction at the same time because it could cause problems if rads were required. Now I see so many others who are mid-reconstruction and I wonder why the difference?
I don't need rads and now I can't see how reconstruction is going to be straightforward. It looks like a complex and risky surgery regardless of whether they use the back or the stomach. It has to leave scars (I'm fair and scars don't fade well) so I can't see how it will be that much of an improvement. I haven't ruled it out yet, but I'm not sure I'm up for more surgery. I'm ready to move on and stop being in recovery mode.
Like you say, if I was young and/or single, I might have a different view. In all of our 20-odd years, my DH has never been fixated on my breasts and I think he'd be just as happy to get on with our life as see me go through yet more risky surgery.
Amoena makes some awesome prostheses. They are not cheap but feel like the real thing. http://www.amoena.com/global . Been-a-Boob is a Cdn product. I just missed meeting the inventor who's a BC survivor. It's made of a soft fabric and is full of tiny pellets so it's light and comfortable. I like it for sports bras and swimwear.
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mdg, my DS who just graduated always did and still loves juice and tea and such in a champagne glass!
In your interactions with your young child, I do not find your train of thought morbid at all. I think it is more of an awareness that you have that another mother might not. When my DS was little, both my parents passed away within 9 months of each other. Tho far different from a bc dx, it still had an effect on how I viewed my future, and life with my son. It made me very aware of things I hadn't been before. Dealing with bc, you cannot help but be more aware of the fragility of life. It's not something that's spoken of very often, but the thoughts are there. I am thinking, am hoping, that as we get further from our original dx, we have more carefree thoughts that we can just enjoy. The carefree moments can just be magical.
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lilylady: your words resonate. So many docs are nonchalant or unthinking. I have had a few myself, but like Jules said, I am often too shy or shocked to say anything. I'm sure we all have some material to share with you, Maria. I had a chemo nurse blame me that she couldn't get a vein...
chrissy: glad your recovery is going well; let us know how the pathology comes out. Whatever the news, you can handle it!! How funny that you thought he said you had been filled out with sand! Did you ever see the movie the 40-year old virgin? Where he says breasts feel like bags of sand? That could be you! Hilarious.
timerdog and mdg: I hope I am trying to do the little things that I wouldn't have before. I now tell my dh that I am living on borrowed time. Morbid, maybe. Reality, absolutely.
penny: My ps said the same thing about radiation. He said up to 50% of implants fail. I had an expandable implant put in anyway, knowing that if it doesn't work out, I will have it removed (I just hope if it fails it isn't painful). The more extensive surgery just isn't for me. I'm slightly younger (38), but it's not a big issue for me. I think my dh is okay with that, although I suspect I would have some psychological adjustment to my Amazonian physique!
I have one more chemo next week, but I think we should keep active here! In a way, I am really dreading the end of treatment (what?!?!) because then I'm on my own...no one is checking on whether it's really gone. That will be a permanent part of life, unfortunately. But before that, radiation looms.
My example of "doing something spur of the moment" this week was to take my girls to dairy queen after one of them had a doctor appointment. I should probably choose lower calorie activities since I have gained 10 pounds on chemo, but they were so thrilled. I love those smiles on their faces.
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I haven't logged on in quite a while, but wanted to update everyone on status. ONE MORE CHEMO TREATMENT! I will have my 12th of 12 weekly taxol/herceptin treatments next Tuesday. We have a big family and friends dinner to celebrate at the Capital Grille that night. I am having a hard time calling it the end of chemo. I feel like I am jinxing things.
If anyone has any clever names, send them my way!
So far, I still have just enough hair that I can go out in a baseball cap and work out in the gym etc and manage to get by. I wear a wig for most else that isn't around the house. When it is 90 degrees here in June, I call the wig my fur hat and it isn't fun. I really like it but it is just plain hot.
Eyelashes and eyebrows are still there but thinning. I am thinking it may all go after I am done with chemo. That sucks, but it also makes my glad that I didn't shave my head when I first started molting. I have had managable hair for the most part for three more months than I thought. If I lose it after chemo, then I will shave it, take biotin and wash with Nioxin and wait for it to start to grow. Will consider Latisse also.
I have been reading the updates and glad for everyone who is doing well.
Jill
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Glad to hear you guys discussing surgery. I met with the BS on Monday. Told her I am not interested in recon. More surgeries, more time off work and just really didn't seem worth it to me. She said if I am sure she will remove the extra skin so I don't end up with a booblet. Even if I at some point I would change my mind she said they could still so something. Maybe if I was younger it would seem more important-also don't have a husband or partner to consider.
My big decision is wether to lop the other one off also. I am not that big so wouldn't be a balance or posture problem. It also only decreases my odds for reoccurence less than 5% so that wasn't a deciding factor either. I am afraid to admit to anybody but you guys that it is a laziness issue. If I am flat I can choose to throw on a camisole and a tee and go...if i have 1 saggy 54 year old breast hanging down I will have to wear a bra and stuff something in the other cup-seems like a lot of trouble. When I want to dress up I can wear the bra with prosthetics in both sides. It's kind of like my wig-I am glad I have the choice but it doesn;t go out that often. I struggle to find a bra already. I have broad shoulders and back and narrow hips (I tell myself I look like an Olympic swimmer- not an out of proportion genetic clone of my mother) I wear a size 40 but struggle to fill a B cup.
If I worked in an office or a professional setting maybe the recon would interest me more. I did check out a website called breastfree.org for those not considering recon. Very graphic photos-I was horrified. First time I had seen what a mx looked like.
Other issue is waiting for insurance to say wether they will pay or not. I have seem where some rule that cosmetic. Getting a breast MRI next week to see if we can make a case for it. I am hoping the recovery won't be much different than just one.
Any advice appreciated.
Chrissyw-they can do rads so soon after surgery? seems like that would hurt the healing of the incision.
Kymn-while my lump has shrunk enough to do a lumpectomy the BS doesn;t recommend it because it is so deep. She said the breast would just collapse. She said a good plastics guy could fix it-you just have to find the right guy for what you need. She said their are many different specialists for different kinds of recon. Take your time and find that "right" guy.
Jules I am glad they moved your date up. Mine said 3 weeks to get over chemo then surgery. Sooner the better-means we are getting closer to OVER.
Penny-sorry they couldn;t put a peace sign there instead of blue dots. Do they stay there forever? Maybe Maria can do a connect-the-dots thing for you. Sounds like she has it down pat!!
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Sorry was not talking about closing the lounge down just the chemo cocktails. Will be open for the usuals soon.
Just finished the first taxotere and herceprin
Coctail. Sleepy from the benedryl. Hope all goes well. Ttyl
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Penny,
I'm in the same boat as you regarding reconstruction, and I feel pretty much the same as you do about the flap reconstruction. Since I have only one breast involved, I'm worried a mastectomy would leave me feeling out of balance or lopsided without reconstruction. That's why I'm hoping the lumpectomy works. If I have to have mastectomy, I almost think a bilateral would be better. I'm 52 and have been married 29 years. DH just wants me to be healthy.
Maria and Timberdog, morbid thoughts creep in for all of us, how can they not? A few weeks ago when I felt really down, I had to ask myself "do I really want to live?" My DH is 16 years older than me, and my parents are alive but in their mid to late 80's, and dad has dementia. Do I really want to outlive those I love most? (I don't have any kids). I broke down when I realized that I have to come to terms with that question and find the fighter within me. I have thought a great deal about my mortality and and the mortality of my loved ones. And what has made it worse is that I have recently heard from 2 acquaintances who are now stage IV after a very long time of being NED. One was first diagnosed with BC ten years ago, the other 15 years ago. It has been a tough road. Thanks for letting me share that.
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ok girls in tomorrow wish me luck that I dont sink too deep into the pit from hell. lol. well shouldnt be laughing it really does feel that way. \hugs to you all
kymn
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It is almos 11 PM here in Ca so most of you are in bed by now. Hope you are getting some rest.
I just had a call from my BS with my pathology report - call came at about 8:30PM so I am very gratefule not to have to wait until tomorrow for the good news. Nodes are clear, margins are clear and tumor had shurnk for 1.8 cm to 2mm before they removed it at surgery. Great news and DH and I have been having some ( a lot) of wine to celebrate. On to rads and would love to keep up with everyone as we all move on. I can't imagine this thread disappearing as I feel I know you alll.
Lilylady - I know you also had your BC at the chest wall - will let you know more after my exam tomorrow but it seems the chemo before surgery is the best way for us to go.
Maria - Thanks always for following up. Let us all know how we can be of help with your book.
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Hey Maxine - Maybe DH saw that movie. I thought it was hilarious when he said that I was filled with sand. Mayvbe that is the next silicone!! No side effects - just feels like a day at the beach.
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Chrissyw,
So happy for your good news. I'm hoping mine will be as good as yours when I have my surgery. Hope you are not hung over this morning. HA HA.
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Chrissy - brilliant news - congrats, prognosis from there is really good.
Good luck Kymn - just hang onto the fact that you will be yourself again in a week.
Kay - hope you don't react to anything
Jules - as stage 3's we are bound to think alot about our future. The stats are quite out of date though and our chances are much better than they indicate. I have had my moments at the bad times of this when I have thought - why don't I just give up now, why go through all this only to have all this hell again later anyway. The key is to get past those bad bits and NEVER to mull this over late at night. Put it off until the morning when the world seems a brighter place.
It is a fact - we will never have our old lives back, but maybe we just accept that the life span thing is something we just can't predict. People are taken suddenly in accidents at all ages, its just that we are made aware of our mortality in a way they are not. Lets just take the days that we have and try to get and give as much happiness as possible from them. Your DH could live to 90, and you pop off at the same time at 74 - we just don't know. I hate the thought of leaving my kids, but I am lucky they are grown and able to look after themselves - Not so sure about DH, he can manage domestically but I organise everything for him financially - god knows how he would cope, probably buy a flash car and be broke within a week.
I spoke to a lady today who has been stage 4 Non Hodgkins Lymphoma for 7 years now and still works and enjoys life, so I guess we will all end up making our own adjustments to this.
Funny how we can probably only talk about this stuff to each other, could not possibly discuss this with DH or family it would scare them to much
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Hi Lounge Pals,
I am scheduled for reconstruction on July 27th. I am getting a TE placed on my left side. Not sure if I mentioned this on this thread or not.
I do want to go for a straight implant ( I have had implants since I was 33 ) but that might not be an option. We will know more when we see how the TE looks. My second choice will be a lat flap. It is more invasive and the recovery time is longer. The only real bumer part is I have to drive too Toronto to see my ( any ) PS. I HATE driving in Toronto! Far to many truck drivers from Turkey riding up your ass.
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Thanks Penny
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Chrissyw-congrats on your good news. 2mm is so tiny. I can't wait to hear the rest of what they have to say. hope the healing is going well.
Kay-no bad reactions yet I hope?
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pasmith - thanks for the advice on prosthesis - will take a look at those
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Thanks for the good wishes Lilylady. So far so good, but with the steroids I am on, will probably not know for sure until they're cut down more in another week. I did get good news from the chest scan though, the steroids worked, the lungs are all clear now.
Here's a crazy story. I don't know quite what to make of this. This is the third man that has asked me about my cancer (I just wear a baseball hat so it's obvious I'm in the middle of chemo).
I was at work today and a guy I didn't know who works for a different company stopped me and asked if he could ask me a question. I said sure. He told me his first wife had went through cancer and asked if I was going through it. I told him I was. He proceeded to tell me about his first wife going to the obstetrician for a six week checkup and finding out she had breast cancer, a rare and very aggressive type. He said luekemia breast cancer, but I don't think there is such a thing. He said she fought very hard, chemo was really hard on her, and she died 18 months later and let him with an 18 month old son and a 4 year old daughter. He is remarried now. The wife died in 1995. Now seriously, was that something to tell someone in my condition. I've had two other men stop me and ask me about cancer and tell me how their wives fought a good battle, but lost. Is this crazy? How can people who don't even know me stop me and tell me these things. Sheesh. One man was old and it was in leaving church, so with his age, I'll chalk it up to that, but the other two weren't old. WTH?
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For those of you who have had fevers, has it always required a hospital stay??? I'm hoping not. Right now my temp is 100.2 and my onc says to call if it's 100.4 or higher. Hoping it gets no higher. (my normal temp is below the normal 98.6). Any insights appreciated. Sending hugs...
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Fever has ranged for past hour up and down from 100 - 100.9 so decided I should call. Was so turned off to have nurse tell me my only option is to come into ER. Said no thanks. Disappointed since I had envisioned a phone consult to start... Have taken 2 Tylenol for fever reduction and will set alarm for 4 hour intervals to take more. Unless my temp spikes in the night, I'll much prefer to just call onc in 8 am. Good night all - sweet dreams.
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Silia - mine went over 102 and they said it was up to me whether I went in or they would arrange for DH to pick up some antibiotics from the local hospital. I never went in but had a ghastly day and night and now wish I had. I had an infection and it took alot longer to clear on oral antibiotics than it would have done if I had gone in and had IV antibiotics, but like you I did not feel up to waiting in ER.
If you are still feverish when you wake up in the morning I would go in
Kay - people are weird! - I have a lady at work who is perfectly well who has told me:
I look very well and she is not sure why I have needed time off as her friend went through it and said it was easy.
That she herself has terrible fatigue at the moment.
Last straw was yesterday when she told me she was very worried as her hair was falling out a bit and getting quite thin - and this to a bald woman??Penny
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Crissyw - congrats...2mm...that's incredible. you deserve some celebrating.
Silia...take care of yourself tonight. Don't mess around. I had a fever rage out of control during the night, waited it out and it went to 103.5. Could barely get to the doctors at that point. I know the emergency room sucks, but they've got everything you need to get your fever down fast. I went to the onc's office first and they just sent me over to the hospital as soon as they saw me (in an ambulance no less). I had a one week hospital stay but I think it just depends on what and how bad of an infection you have. IV antibiotics are pretty bad ass...brought my fever down in a couple hours.
Just when I thought I was home free (my LAST chemo is next week) got a blistery rash on my back. Luckily it dawned on me that it might be shingles and got to doctor pretty early. He thinks it is too (got a little fever) and put me on the valtrex. Shingles....blech...it's all insult to injury at this point.
But on a positive note, FINALLY got my BRCA results back. Negative. Phew. I don't have a strong family history (though there are some big blank spots on my fathers side) but they really wanted me to get tested due to my age. Of course that got me worried and convinced something was going to crawl out of the genetic woodwork. A positive would have meant I'd have had the other breast removed during reconstruction and my ovaries out within the next year or two. Even though the ovaries part foe as they crank out all that cancer feeding estrogen, I'm not emotionally ready to part with them quite yet.
Starting to think about radiation. Meet with the doctor next week, but my onc mentioned I might be able to do this reduced timeframe/3 week protocol that they've been seeing has just as good results as the longer version. Anyone doing/talked about doing this?
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Silia--I was instructed quite specifically to GET TO ER as soon as a fever hit the magic number (mine's in C and I don't have it in me to convert to F, but you probably know the number.) I was also told not to mess around with tylenol too long because it can mask the temp and make it harder for the ER staff to see what they're dealing with.
Kay1963--People are definitely weird. I think they can get too focused on their own feelings and can't see outside of themselves. Maybe these guys see you as a chance to express pain that they've been internalizing; they think you're someone who can understand how THEY feel. We're in the thick of it and just trying to get through. I don't know about anyone else but I do not have the energy to deal with other people's sad stories right now. Just because I have BC doesn't automatically make me a BC grief counsellor. I think if it had been me, all I would have hit him with a "sorry for your loss" and walked away.
PennyCookson--Your lady, OTOH, needs a smack upside the head! Talk about self-centered.
bikeynyc--You are now the second person I've come across who popped up with shingles after chemo. You did the right thing and got to the dr asap. It can be incredibly painful and hard to manage if you leave it too long. I would never have thought of shingles myself. It makes sense since it's most likely to happen to those with weakened immune systems.0 -
I don't know what's up with the people sharing "cancer" stories. After I got dx someone told me how her friend had it in one breast and it came back in the other breast and she died. Nice....now why the hell is that appropriate to say???? Is that suppose to make me feel better? Encourage me? Help me? How does that help you by sharing that? WTF??? I told my family "no cancer stories". I also gave them a list of cancer rules.....did I tell you guys that? I did for real....I could not help it. I got dx in early Dec and did not tell family until after the new year so I had lots of time to think about things before I told them my dx. By then I knew what I didn't want to hear. People are just stupid. As I said before it would be nice to carry around some small stickers that simply say "you suck" and when someone says something stupid and insensitive about BC would simply just pull one out of your purse and just stick it on them and walk away. I would have gone through a whole roll of stickers by now for sure with the stupidity out there...>I guess most of my family would be wearing a sticker too...... Should I patten this stickers??? Thoughts? Maybe we could come up with something catchier than "you suck". Ideas?
Sorry about the fevers ladies......don't wait to get treated. I would worry the longer you let it go the longer it will take to go away. Nip it in the bud......I know the ER sucks but don't delay and let the fever get worse.
Kymn: I hope you feel human again soon...suspecting the next several days are going to be crappy for you. I am putting a soft blanket on you, bringing organic chicken soup and a small piece of good chocolate....with a chick flick for you to watch...Oh and People magazine (mindless reading is always good). Hugs!
On the rash front....I stopped the steroids on Tuesday...I hope the rash stays away. So far I am doing OK. If it comes back my surgery in 2 weeks will be cancelled......so nervous.
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Silia, they don't automatically put you in the hospital. The thing they worry about is your white count. They will want that to be okay. If it's not, they'll put you in the hospital for IV antibiotics because it's dangerous to have an infection with a low white blood count. You need to get it checked asap. I had a fever of 103, but they sent me home with oral antibiotics since my white count was fine. Ended up in the hospital when it wasn't getting better on the antibiotics for tests to figure out what it was. Best to nip it in the bud. Good luck.
Congrats on your good news Chrissy! That is wonderful.
Love your stories and your take on them Penny. You have a great outlook. I am trying to be more like that. Haven't heard any mum stories for a while. Is she behaving herself?
So sorry to hear about your shingles BikeNYC. There are a few people on the boards dealing with them right now. Apparently a SE of chemo. I hear they can be very painful. Hope you're feeling okay.
Maria, I don't know how many rolls of stickers I would have gone through. Quite a few. I just have to shake my head. I guess people are just so wrapped up in themselves, they can't comprehend how they're effecting you. I have probably been guilty of such things myself at times. Hopefully no more. Good luck on your rash. Fingers and toes crossed for you.
So excited I got an Iphone on Tuesday. I'm loving it. I got the deal on the commercial for $49.99. I thought it was going to just be a come one, but it's true. I love it. Getting all my music on it. I guess this is my treat for starting yet another chemo on Wed. Still need to come up with something for when I finally finish with this crap.
Hope everyone has a great weekend and is feeling good. Got up to 96 here on Wed. and 98 yesterday. We are not used to that in June, although the last couple of years we've had it. Alot of schools are not air conditioned. Lots of schools closed early and sent kids home because of the heat. Only getting up to 86 today. Should feel much more comfortable. And only 78 tomorrow. Why couldn't we have the heat on the weekend and the cooler temps during the week? My DD is going away to visit her cousins with my MIL in Washington DC this weekend, so it will just be DH and me. Have to think of something fun to do.
For the jukebox...
Summer in the City Hot town, summer in the city
Back of my neck getting dirty and gritty
Been down, isn't it a pity
Doesn't seem to be a shadow in the city All around, people looking half dead
Walking on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head But at night it's a different world
Go out and find a girl
Come-on come-on and dance all night
Despite the heat it'll be alright And babe, don't you know it's a pity
That the days can't be like the nights
In the summer, in the city
In the summer, in the city Cool town, evening in the city
Dressing so fine and looking so pretty
Cool cat, looking for a kitty
Gonna look in every corner of the city
Till I'm wheezing like a bus stop
Running up the stairs, gonna meet you on the rooftop But at night it's a different world
Go out and find a girl
Come-on come-on and dance all night
Despite the heat it'll be alright And babe, don't you know it's a pity
That the days can't be like the nights
In the summer, in the city
In the summer, in the city Hot town, summer in the city
Back of my neck getting dirty and gritty
Been down, isn't it a pity
Doesn't seem to be a shadow in the city All around, people looking half dead
Walking on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head But at night it's a different world
Go out and find a girl
Come-on come-on and dance all night
Despite the heat it'll be alright And babe, don't you know it's a pity
That the days can't be like the nights
In the summer, in the city
In the summer, in the city0 -
Great song, Kay! It was 95 degrees here in Nebraska on Tuesday and today it is 57. Crazy weather, but will enjoy it for now. Will quickly rise again soon.
I have had my share of stories about others with cancer. SInce I'm in a small town, it is usually, "Do you know so-and-so? They had cancer. Didn't make it." or "you should call so-and-so. They have cancer too"! It's like I am supposed to be a cancer magnet for all others who have cancer. We probably all hang out together or something. Sorry-I'll hang out with my sistahs right here in the lounge. They get it.
On my way to Omaha to see BS for 3 month followup. Got bloodwork done, counts are good, my fave phelebotomist was there so I twisted her arm into drawing my blood (she was there to oversee new equipment, not to work, but she likes me-ha!)) instead of having RN draw from port. I don't trust any of the other techs. She can find a ven first time, every time. The other two take at least three sticks and then find a vein that is so weak they are practically (sometimes literally) milking it to get enough for the vial.
So today's dilemma...today is our local Relay for Life. I'm invited as a "survivor", which-I know-technically I am, since we all are as soon as diagnosed. however, I feel like I'm not done with my survivor journey (still have weeks of rads ahead of me) and don't know how comfortable I am with it all. We're such a small town...I am well-known since I am counselor to all K-8 kids in our town, my husband is a dentist. Many know I have cancer already, after a local walkathon for a mentoring program I run wore pink t-shirts in my honor and it was featured front-page in our weekly 7-page paper. I just am ambiguous/anxious about participating. It feels too soon. On the other hand, people are expecting me to be there. Thoughts?
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Huskerkkc--I know what you mean about the cancer magnet. My neighbour has BC and did rads in the fall. She kept it very hush-hush and specifically did not tell us what she was going through, which is fine. I can respect that. But she heard about me and now she's telling another neighbour that I should call her. Why? I wouldn't call her for any other reason. Suddenly we're kindred spirits? I'm not against talking to her, if I happen to run into her, but I don't see any reason to become BFFs over it.
I have mixed feelings about the survivor thing too. My neighbour has done the 2-day, 60km cancer walk in Toronto several years running and she announced that "we" will need to do it this September. I haven't done it in the past for various reasons, but I'm not against it. It's just that they put the survivors in special shirts and have them parade in en masse. Everybody cheers and gets teary-eyed. I'm fine to do the walk but I'm not sure I'm ready to do it this year. I don't think we should feel pressured to be poster girls for BC fundraising events unless we are entirely comfortable with it. We shouldn't have to explain ourselves either. We're under enough pressure as it is.0 -
I have been invited to a relay for life survivor lap as well. I am going to do it, but I completely understand the mixed feelings. Our church, my dh's work, and my kids' school all have teams, and they have been incredibly supportive of us during this crazy time. And while I am not doing it for them, it's nice to be a part of it with them. Also, I'm going to walk with my mom, who had bc 5 years ago. Do what YOU feel comfortable with and don't feel pressured into anything you don't want to do.
Everyone debates when you become a survivor, and the American Cancer Society seems to put it at the day you hear the words that you have cancer. While I still have weeks of rads ahead of me, I guess I've survived a few months!
The walk is the day after my final chemo. When I said I didn't know if I would be up for it, someone offered to wheel me in a wheelchair if I was too tired! I told my dh he could just forget about that. I'd stay home.
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I can relate about being the cancer magnet, too. Some people heard of my dx, then said, have you talked to Jen yet? (another woman at work who was dx last year). It's putting the 'happy' spin on it, hey, I'm trying to make you feel better by letting you know you're not alone.
I also don't want to feel "obligated" to have to do survivor laps or cancer runs or marathons. Somehow I have to be a poster person for this disease? I was asked to do a Susan G Komen marathon in May, uh, I was still going thru chemo. My concentration right now is on me, not the 'cause'. I don't even care if that sounds selfish. I read the new book about Susan G Komen and how her sister began the Race for the Cure in her honor. Fabulous book and I definitely benefit from the strides that have been made because of this organization. But I'm still going thru this, and I don't need to add to my "to do" list.
If you feel like being a part of things like that, by all means, go ahead. But I wouldn't (and don't) feel guilty about declining. Our worlds have been rocked by this dx, please, let's allow ourselves time to process and get thru this. We haven't even had time to gain much perspective on the matter because we are really still in the middle of it all. (imo)
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Has anyone been having changes to their nails with chemo? I have noticed some darkened spots around the tips of my nails, and a larger dark line on one of my thumnails. I suspect it's the taxol. Did anyone with this use any sort of nail polish to try to protect/harden your nails? Or would this be a bad idea?
Hope you all have a great weekend!
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MaxineO-I keep the Sally Hansen Diamond Hard Nail Strengthener on my nails. Ihave also iced religiously during chemo. I keep them cut short also. Someone posted picturesof their nails darkeneing and lifting off the nail beds_I came across it when I first got on this site-It left a lasting impression. Couldn't hurt to use the hardener. they advise you to use gloves to wash dishes, use gloves to garden ect. Haven't done any of that. Good luck.
On the shingles thing-it ran rampant thru the retirement place I take my dad swimming. I tried to get vaccinated at that time and you had to be at least 60. I have been told they have lowered the vaccination age to 50 now so it is at the top of my list of questions for the Onc next week. Not to sound like a "you suck" story teller but my dad got it in his eyes and we battled it for months. The sooner you get on the Vlatrex the better chance you have for a mild case. Sounds like you were proactive bikenyc so hopefully it will pass quickly.
I have been invited to a relay for Life event and declined gracefully. Not ready for that-I have enough people minding my cancer business uninvited without including the general public. I have reaped the benefits of all that fundraising and at some point I think I will want to help but just not now. One thing i have gotten way better at is saying no to people and then not agonizing over it. Have gotten over being a people-pleaser. Maybe my mom and sis are right-they have discussed between them in front of my dad that "I am meaner than a striped snake". My dad tells all-he couldn't wait to tell me they said that. When I said "Oh really-what else did they say? he then told me they said "She couldn't remember her first name maybe we should tatoo it on her forehead" THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE ME???
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