March 2011 chemo-lounge
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Ugh....just lost a post I'd been typing for 30 minutes! ACK! Short version: I'm doing well, but still very tired. Rads finished Aug 23 (33 tx). LUV my puppy. Will try to post a new picture of my li'l Gracie.
You HAVE to watch this video...have you seen it? Get the tissues ready. I am not a country music fan, but am now a Martina fan. WOW. Seriously.
Find the Kleenex: http://youtu.be/WxIt70j_SPk
Here are my furbabies:
Gracie Lu Romeo & Gracie
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Hello, I would like to come hang out with you "March chemo girls" in The Lounge. I started FEC on March 3rd...had 3 round 3 weeks apart followed by 3 rounds of Taxotere 3 weeks apart. I just found this site last month and I am so glad I did! I am still finding new and interesting threads, just located yours. I will go back and read through your posts. I wish I had known about these boards sooner! It would have been SO helpful during chemo. If you are still serving cocktails...I'll take a glass of Cabernet. THANKS!0
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Welcome FL warrior to the lounge..this is a great group of amazing ladies !!! Glad to have you with us !!!
Huskerkkc: Gracie is a little doll...the pictures are SO cute..watched the video and definitely needed that Kleenex...decided to forward it to some of my close friends who have "held my hand", gone to chemo with me etc.
Spending a quiet long weekend at home...hope you are all enjoying your weekend !!!
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Stilts--I heard that Biotin (vitamin B7) is good for hair growth. I've been using it since I finished chemo. Does it work? I dunno. I'm now 9 weeks PFC and have a decent covering of "mouse fur." I lean toward blonde and grey to start with so it's a bit too see-through to go topless yet. When I get enough, I'll ask the hairdresser to pull out her special hair colour that she has promised me. I didn't actually lose 100% of my hair and it continued to grow, so I have these longish wispy threads throughout. I'm almost to a point of needing a trim.
I don't think there's a magic hair growth pill, but good nutrition won't hurt. A good B complex will have other benefits so it won't hurt to try it even it doesn't produce hair overnight.0 -
Hi ladies, I'm interpreting the quiet here as everyone is busy enjoying the long weekend. Mine has been busy and I'm enjoying a moment of calm. My younger son starts school tomorrow and I'm looking forward to getting back into a routine. We just delivered my older son to university so the routine is going to be new and different with just the three of us now.
I was almost drawn into a peeing contest with a 14yo girl this week in response to a FaceBook post that called September the worst month of them all. I gave my head a shake and ignored her, but I was tempted to tell her that when she is older (and wiser) she might start to see September as a time for change, growth, and fresh starts. This September feels like a prime example. My older son is embarking on his new life apart from us. What an opportunity for growth! I'm excited for him and apprehensive about where he might go from here.
September marks a time of change for me. I'm looking for a fresh start in a couple different aspects of my life, including my health. I am about to start the Master's program I mentioned a while back and I'm definitely apprehensive about what I'm getting myself into, but excited about the possibilities.
Maybe I'm thinking about it more than other people since I will hit the big 5-0 next week. I figure I'm an expert on September, having experienced so many of them! I'm hoping that September 2011 will mark something new that has nothing to do with chemo, surgery, scans, dr's, or anything medical.
Happy September!0 -
It has been quiet here lately. I too hope it's because you're all out there enjoying life.
Pasmithx2, happy early birthday! Sounds like you're well on you way to putting cancer behind you. As much as is possible any way.
Suebee, sorry to hear that you too were disappointed to have some cancer left after chemo. All the docs keep telling me I had a great response to chemo. Still disappointed though.
Silia, hope you get your sx date soon. I won't be starting rads for at least three weeks, so you are not the only slacker. And the ro said to call him if my arm will not be able to stay up over my head for forty minutes and we'll delay it a bit. Right now I can't see any way I'll be able to do that. Can't even bring it up to shoulder height, but am supposed to get some occupational therapy tomorrow so I'll see what the therapist thinks. Nice thing is she is coming to my house to do it.
Thinking of everyone here and hope all is well with all of you. Enjoy what's left of your labor day weekend. Kay0 -
Suebee: Sorry the cancer wasn't completely gone. I would be disappointed too. I am glad you are on your way in rads and hope it goes quickly.
Dee Dee: When I exercise I am less tired. I felt tired during our move but I was so busy with that I was not exercising. It has been better...so keep moving girl! I hope you had a great birthday weekend! My Bday is this month too!
Passmith: I agree...my bday is this month too and I guess it will feel more important this year eventhough I am turning 46! Ouch......I wish it was 36.
FLwarrior: You won't find a better group of gals to hang with! I am pouring you a few good large glasses of wine right now as you need to catch up! LOL! I hope you are recovered well from chemo and doing good
I had my mom, sister and neice/nephew for a visit this weekend. It was so nice to see family....it was really fun. It is going to be hard in between visits since we were use to getting together all the time before we moved. We enjoyed downtown Chicago yesterday and the kids had a blast. Navy Pier was a hit. Now it's back to the real world. I have so many things to do since we have only been here 2 weeks. It is starting to feel a little more like home but I can't wait to find a house. The apartment is going to get old quickly. This week I am trying to find a place to start teaching aerobics at again. I miss teaching class....there are two nice health clubs nearby. I hope they are hiring....cross your fingers:)
Husker: Glad you are back! Puppies are adorable! If the video requires tissues I will save it for later when I am alone....5 year old in the room that notices any sadness or tears so I don't want to have to explain. You must be busy with school back in swing! Good luck!
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FLwarrior - Welcome to the lounge, you will agree this is a great group of ladies. I'll enjoy a glass of cabernet with you.
Pasmithx2 - I hope you have a happy birthday..What date is your bday on?
Mdg - When is your birthday? I plan to start exercising more, actually i am supposed to start working out in a zoomba class this week. I heard zoomba really gets the heart pumping.
Kay - Goog luck tomorrow with your occupational therapist. I hope it goes well..keep us posted.
Huskerkkc - Your puppies are too cute.
SueBee - I want to dye my hair. When you used the ammonia free dye did you get the color you wanted?
Well ladies, i had a wonderful birthday weekend. My family threw me a surprise party. I was truly surprised. I knew they had something planned but I wasn't expecting a party. I must say i really enjoyed myself. All of my friends and co-workers were there and today my sister had a fish fry for me...the good thing is I wasn't to exhausted to enjoy the events.
I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend..
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Dee Dee: My bday is 9/23. I have used the ammonia free and peroxide free color on my hair but I kept my hair with cold caps (I have to baby it so I can't use regular color). I lost some hair at my temples and hairline in the forehead area in addition to thinning all over. I finished chemo the first week of May and have colored my hair three times now. The hair growing in at temples/hairline is about an inch long. The color covered most of the gray but not completely. I do feel much better though. I have kept most of my hair but my roots were literally over 2 inches long when I did the first color job (my hair continued growing through chemo - I have cut off 3 inches at the bottom since starting chemo in March). I notice that the color washes out after a few washes (since I can't wash often because of the cold cap routine it works OK for me). The color will get on your towels and stain them so use old towels (FYI). I use old towels on my hair every time I wash because the color seems to still get on things with the next few washes too. It won't cover 100% of gray, but it does a nice job of toning it down a lot (I have very dark brown hair so the gray really shows when the roots grow in). The new hair growth was all gray before coloring (it was not gray before chemo....my new growth has been mostly gray where I lost hair) but covered OK. I got the Clairol Beautiful Collection color at Sally's Beauty Supply. It does not come with gloves - FYI so either get some gloves or I improvised and used a plastic baggy on my hand to apply color.
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Huskerkkc - how cute is Gracie!
Hi FLWarrior and welcome, I don't know how I would have coped without the support of these lovely ladies. I am Aussie and will therefore drink with anyone!
Glad you had a great birthday DeeDee, Wow 50 Pasmith, hope you have a great celebration.
Maria - I am sure you are right about exercise - I think thats why I did not get fatigue during RADS - was back doing alot of exercise by then. They now say I must start swimming as well as its good for the lymphedema. I hope you settle in OK.
Had a session with an LE therapist Monday, at least that was what was meant to happen. It was hilarious, The first thing she said was "How long has your face been puffy" - um its always been like this. Then "and how about your swollen legs" - no I just have fat legs. Once we got that out of the way she proceeded to tell me that she would not do manual drainage on me as I was too high risk and it might spread the cancer. I don't have any more cancer!!! It may come back but I have not just done 6 months of surgery, rads and chemo for nothing. I was not cross as I think she honestly wanted to help.
I get measured for a Lymphedema sleeve next week - found this site: http://www.lymphedemaproducts.com/products/lymphedivas-sleeve-cg.html - If I have to wear the Bl**dy thing all day its going to at least be one that looks cool.
Still < 1cm of hair!
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DeeDee - Happy birthday! Wishing all good things for the coming year.
Happy birthday to all here that have a September birthday. Many of my favorite people were born this month...
SueBee - great to have you chime in. Sorry you're having a hard time. I'm not crazy about your doc based on your description.
FLwarrior - welcome to a great lounge. We will happily drink and chat with you!
Tied to Kay's issue of keeping her arm up for a long time, does the arm have to be held up in the air or would she be laying down and lifting it but resting it behind her?! Just curious since rads are still way off for me (sorry to say). Figuring those who have gone through the simulation can best answer this one.
I'm having a hard time dealing with not yet having a surgery date. I met with my bs on 8/23 and expected to get a date then. She said she needed to ask my onc a question re: nodes and then coord schedules with the ps. It's now 2 weeks later (I've been on pins and needles...) Called this a.m. and the surg coord said she'll call the ps's office again this afternoon to try and schedule. I said I'd really like to know something this afternoon but not sure that will happen. I didn't like her attitude - seemed like I'm just another "to do" on her list. No sense that she gives a rat's ass about my being stressed about major surgery for cancer. I probably sounded attitudinal myself, which may not help. Trying to decide if I should call my onc and ask which bs and ps HE would recommend within his own hospital system (since my onc and current bs are in two different systems). Would I be crazy to do this? Will I lose even more time? ANY AND ALL ADVICE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!
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Penny - Your LE experience had me in stitches. I so love your ability to keep laughing!
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Silia, So sorry to hear that. You are not being treated well at all. I would definitely call your onc and see what she says about it. I had to change my surgery date when I had the problem with Taxol and had to switch to Taxotere and a different schedule. Was originally scheduled to have surgery July 27, but was still doing chemo at that point. My onc talked to BS and PS for me and got me re-scheduled to Aug. 17. They're all at the same hospital and know each other, so that makes it easier I'm sure. The onc. also made a point of telling me how nice the BS and PS were being to me to do this, so I guess they fitted me in when they really had a full schedule some how. Maybe they had whoever was scheduled for Aug. 17 move up to my previous appointment. I don't really know. I know when I first saw the BS she got me on the schedule right away (like 3.5 months out) because she said the PS's schedule fills up. That didn't get changed until the middle of July and she set me up for Aug 17. I hope you'll be able to get some one to intercede for you as well.
Penny, that is funny. I had a physical therapy session before surgery as my arm was already feeling tight. The therapist I had said I had cording and gave me some stretches to do. But she also told me I had short arms. She measured from my wrist to my armpit and I was only 40 cms. That was apparantly very short. Then she proceded to look at my breasts. I'm not really sure why. I guess it's all part of the lymphedema assessment and ask me, Has your left breast always been smaller than the right, or is it that from the cancer? I said I was not aware it was smaller, so I really didn't know how long it had been that way. I guess all pt's must be rather obtuse when it comes to what they say! I thought it was only mine.
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Silia: I don't think it would hurt to exercise your options if you are not comfortable with the care you are getting. They can schedule surgeries pretty quickly, depending on the facility. Coordinating the bs and ps can be tricky, but see what you can do. Even if it's just while waiting until your docs get their act together.
kay: sorry your healing is taking a while. Regarding what silia mentioned, you do get to rest your arm, but the prolonged time having it over your head really puts a strain on the tender muscles. I have very good mobility now and was 5 months out of surgery when I had my radiation planning, but during Rads, one of the technicians would put my arm up into the stirrups and then PUSH it down, which hurt! Make sure you are comfortable before you go. And keep doing your arm exercises.
suebee: I'm sorry things have been rough. It really comes and goes for me. I had a meltdown at work last week, unfortunately. Not witnessed by many, but I was really embarrassed. This is one difficult journey for us.
FLwarrior: welcome!
deedee and mdg: happy birthday!
pasmith: I applaud your month of change! My DH and I are both starting an intention to 'get healthy' this week. More exercise (which I have been pretty good about) and eating better (which I haven't been THAT good about).
penny: you keep me laughing! You tell her, we don't have any more cancer here!!!
husker: Gracie is so cute! What a joy to have her.
I have been going without head coverings for about a week now. I get a lot of comments along the lines of Sinead O'Connor and GI Jane, but I am getting more comfortable. I still feel naked once in a while, and I find myself thinking "is my shirt unbuttoned?" "is my shoe untied?" because I feel like something is missing! My hair is probably 1/2 an inch and kind of a dull light brown; I keep hoping it isn't coming in all gray...
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So I left a msg for my onc for bs/ps recos but then I heard from the bs that they've coordinated with ps and my surgery is scheduled for the afternoon of 9/15. Dang, that's coming up fast! I so wish they could have told me 2 weeks ago - maybe I'd be more psychologically prepared... On the plus side, this surg date will probably allow me to finish rads by the week of Christmas and not go into the 2012 with that piece. I need to get my act together re: preparations. Wish me luck, ladies. Thanks for all the support.
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Silia - I am glad you got it worked out. I know it seems fast but you will be glad to have it over with. We will be here checking in with you and saying prayers for you......and I hope you can be done with rads by the end of the year and close it all out!!!!
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Glad your surgery is scheduled Silia - I reckon the surgery is the easiest bit (as long as we can get over those lovely drains) - you will be fine and it will soon all be done!
This is a hardest time for us emotionally I think, we have strength from coming so far, but we are all gradually having to turn and face the future and thats scary. Meltdowns are allowed (actually I reckon they are unavoidable) but thats ok as long as we can take a deep breath and smile again later. We are all going to march into this future together.
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Hi all! I am back after spending the last ten days getting details finished for a 40's themed shower I threw for my niece. She is special to us and her mom, one of my best friends, died of brain cancer three years ago,so I am trying to do what I can to fill the void.
After seeing the infectious disease doctor, my plastic surgeon, and a specialist dermatologist for the rash around my SECOND set of Foobs, the consensus was that it is some kind of allergic reation and not infection! Nothing has cultured in the fluid so that is good. So, just to cover all bases, they put me on IV antibiotics, and I have been using a topical steroid cream. They look great now, largely due to the cream.
We are hoping that it doesn't come back.
Stilia-my cousin is a pharmacist in the hopital I ended up at. I interviewed three oncologists and three breast surgeons...just one plastic surgeon because I liked him so much. A fluke, but all were in the same hospital and system. The onc and ps are right next door to one another, and with my infection in my first set of expanders, that turned out to be a godsend as they would talk to each other to develop the best plan while I was on chemo. I am sure you will be fine no matter what! We will all be praying. Not sure what all you are having done, but for me, the BMX was really a piece of cake. The hardest part so far was taking out the expanders and seeing it all completely flat. But....after a couple of weeks, I will say that stomache sleeping was fabulous! LOL.
Husker...love the puppies. I am planning to get two of them next spring, although I will need to spend all winter working on my husband.
Saw the BS for 6 month follow-up today and she made me raise my arms and told me I had very nice symmetry with my new foobs. I think everyone must just like looking at what we have!
Kay-I hope you are not holding your arm in the air! I have full mobility and I wouldn't be able to just hold it up there for 40 minutes unless I had something to hang on to and even that might be a stretch!
pasmithx-I am 10 weeks past my last chemo. I kept enough hair during chemo that I could wear a baseball cap for workouts, etc. Then, 3 weeks after chemo, eyebrows, eyelashes and the bulk of my remaining hair fell out. WHAT?!! Eyebrows and lashes were already growing in and I hardly even noticed they were gone. Hair is now about 1/2-3/4 long. I too take Biotin. A lot. I think it helps hair and skin. I have some spots that don't look as filled in on my head, but given that I am still on Herceptin and Tamoxifen, both of which can affect hair growth, I guess I shouldn't complain.
Well, off to enjoy my last two days with my daughter before she hops a plane back to California for school.
Enjoy the week everyone. Indianapolis went from 100 degrees last Saturday to 70 and cold today. Crazy weather.
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Hi all, I had a long post last night and then it disappeared! Was too tired to retype. Should really remember to start in Word, then cut/paste. I went "topless" to church Sunday and then to school today. Kids were surprised (again) and a few said it looked weird or looked like a boy, but I reminded them girls can have short hair too! A guy at church said he saw something on TV about European women wearing uber-short hair and how in vogue it was. That's right. I'm a trendsetter! HA
Maria, my birthday is Sept 25 and I will be 51! Good things in September, no doubt! Wish we could have a birthday drink (Moscato?) together!
And to the others of you with Sept birthdays (of course I can't remember and I'm afraid to scan back for fear of losing post!) CHEERS!
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DeeDee2--My 50th bday is this Sun, the 11th. My husband is working on a plan for a nice dinner with some friends and family. We were starting to plan a bash for his his 50th last Dec and then I ended up in surgery, surgery, surgery again, and then onto chemo. He never got his big bash.
fluffqueen1--I'm 9 weeks PFC. Just had Herceptin #9 yesterday. I never quite lost all hair. I even kept a light fluff on my arms, one place where I wouldn't object to it disappearing and never coming back. I have always disliked my eyebrows because they seem to be made up of long, coarse, straight hairs. They're heavy looking in my opinion and hard to keep tidy. Right now, I'm ok with them! I lost quit a bit but the few long, straight, coarse hairs that stayed are just enough to keep up the pretense of eyebrows.
I think I'm a bit OCD about the hair, but it's the one thing that signals to everyone that I have been through chemo and therefore have cancer. It may now be a part of me forever, but I want to move on and live life. I'm fed up with being treated like I'm sick. SE's notwithstanding, I'm not sick.0 -
Good afternoon ladies,
Well I did it and went topless today at work. I used a Henna last night...dark brown, the first one I tried was too red, and I spiked it into a little foehawk and off I went
I felt naked for the morning but now just feel liberated and like it is one step closer to getting my life back. Also started a diet to get rid of this chemo weight. Only have 11 more rads to go whooo hooooHugs Kymn
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Awesome Kymn. No pics for us? I keep looking at my hair but I'm not ready to uncover. You're right, it will be a huge step forward.
I spoke to my hairdresser today and she said that when the ends of the hair start to frizz up, it's time for a trim. She wants me to ask the onc if hair colour is ok and she has a gentle cream product coming in next week to try. She seems to think that it's too soon for my scalp to handle any colouring product.
Maybe, but how do I know when it's time? I have so much grey and light blonde that my hair looks thinner than it really is. I keep thinking some colour would make the invisible hair show up and maybe I'd be closer to ditching the hats and wig.0 -
Hey girls, popping in to check on y'all. I hope everyone is feeling well. Have been out of town and then catching up at work after 2 weeks out, ugh!
I'm 16 wks PFC today. I've been going "topless" for quite some time, I get complimented on my hair probably once a day. It is darker than it was, but I don't think there's gray in it. No one will give me a straight answer when I ask, though. I'm 2 weeks post exchange, so far happy with my results.
I think of you often, for the Rads girls and everyone for that matter, hang in there. It will get better!
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Supersally-are you anywhere near all the fires? I think about you every time they show them. You are the only person I know from Texas. Glad your excahnge went well
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Thanks everyone for the bday wishes..like I said it was fantastic.
Maria - I was wondering if it was to soon PFC to dye my hair. I guess it is okay as long as I use a ammonia free dye. I have some grey that i would love to cover up.
Maxine - Glad you are feeling more comfortable losing the scarves and hair covers. When I decided to go wigless I was nervous at first but i get so many compliments from friends and strangers until I might just keep it short for awhile.
Penny - The way you tell your LE experience is so funny. What the hell does she mean "the cancer could spread"?!?! Doesn't she know you are cancer free??
Huskerkkc - Moscato is my favorite drink, may I join you two for a drink..I'll BYOB..lol.
Silia - So glad you've gotten a surgery date. I pray the surgery goes well.
Flufffqueen01 - Good to know you don't have an infection after all. Enjoy the next few days with your daughter...that time is priceless.
Supersally - Glad you peeped in on us, how do you like this 80 degrees weather we are having..I love it !!!!
Lilylady - These fires here in Texas are horrible, infact they are having a hard time containing the one near Austin and the two in our area are finally under control. It is so dry hear we really need rain the good thing is we are finally having a cool front..80 something degrees..lol.
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Dee Dee - Clairol's Beautiful Collection has two kinds...one is meant for covering gray. This last time I used it - it covered pretty well. It has no ammonia and no peroxide. I went and bought more today at Sally's. I hope the fires stop soon...nuts!
Kymn: That's great news! We want to see your beautiful face!
I hope all of you gals are doing well. We need a song for the juke box....anyone?? Ideas? Something upbeat and positive.......
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Silia/Kay: To be honest, I was definitely uncomfortable with the simulation...both my arms were over my head laying on the pillow form thing they make for you...had to stay that way for almost an hour and they kept saying "DON'T MOVE"...my arms and hands started to fall asleep but I survived. The treatments go very quickly so no real discomfort with those....7 down...28 more to go !!!
Getting my port out tomorrow afternoon
and happy to say I don't seem to be having any SE with the Arimidex. My hair is coming in thicker but the color is hideous..can't wait to be back to my natural medium brown with blonde highlights !!!0 -
Kymn - Agree wholeheartedly re: the "liberating" feeling of going topless!
I definitely need haircolor. Top is coming in white/gray - eek! Actually as long as it actually fills in (please God!), I'll deal with whatever color - and then dye it. Calling it a night - sweet dreams to all!
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Hi ladies-Met with anethesia, BS and PS yesterday. All set to go for prophylactic mastectomy next Friday 9/16. They are concerned about my skin from the radation that is just gross, but oh well. Still using Silavdene to try to get rid of blisters. Called the oncologist today after happily finding out that my insurance covers Latisse so he wrote me a prescription. I hope everyone is doing well and has a great weekend!
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Stilts, thanks for the info. I am sure I will live through it too. Had my second occupation therapy session today. The improvement is really amazing. I am getting confident that I will be ready in a week and a half.
Happy Belated Bithday DeeDee, glad you enjoyed yourself. And very glad to hear the fires in your area are under control.
Happy Early Birthday Pasmith! Hope you have a wonderful time and do something fun.
Fluffqueen, great news on your rash! Glad they finally figured it out.
Colodisneylover, good luck with your surgery! Silia, good luck with yours as well. We will all be anxiously awaiting to hear how everything went. You're both in my thoughts and prayers.
Kymn, I saw your pic on the Hair, Another Question thread. You look fantastic!! Can't wait until I have that much hair.
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