March 2011 chemo-lounge
Comments
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Hello all - Hoping life is treating everyone well. Thanks for all the good wishes re: my recovery - you guys are the best! Happy to say my C diff is starting to wind down. I finished the medicine on Tues but started feeling better on Monday. Definitely not completely myself yet, but I feel SO MUCH better - yippee! I also got a second RO consult today since what the first RO wa
s proposing was different from what the PS was proposing in terms of filling the TEs vs. rads treatment. This new RO is proposing much less radiation - more focused, which is music to my ears. I'll have to trek across the bridge into Philly but that's well worth it to me. So I'm feeling good today.
colodisney, I don't have any insights re: your pain but am really glad your seeing a specialist to get it under control...
Sending hugs and good thoughts to all of you.
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i had rad #25 today and I am just really red, no blisters or anything. I think I was closer to the 3 week mark before I saw any signs of rads.
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Silia, maybe we can be on the October rads thread together! Maybe you'll even be at the same hospital. I had #7 of 28 (25 regular and 3 boosts) today. ksmatthews, you must almost be done! WooHoo for you.
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KSMatthews-Your hair looks great in your picture! Looks like it's growing out nicely.
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I just wanted to check in and say HI to all of my lounge gal pals! I hope you are all well and ready to enjoy a nice weekend! It seems like almost everyone is finished up with rads or near the end and the last few surgeries have been done. That's such a great thing to think about considering what was ahead of us all back in March when we walked into this lounge. For me this week marks 10 months since my diagnosis. I can finally see light at the end of the tunnel. I have last surgery (for fat grafting and nipples with areola grafts) on December 9th. That is 1 day after my 1 year cancerversary.....My goal was to be done with reconstruction in a year so I almost did it! I hope each of you is doing well both physically and mentally. I know this is a struggle and has been a long road. Hugs to each of you! Have a great weekend!
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Thanks girls! I only have to more rads to do and then I am done!
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Just a quick hello before I go off on my camping holday for 2 weeks - no internet connections where we will be going. I hope you all keep well and for those of you on rads, finish them with no hassles.
Once I have managed the 6 hour Mt Augustus summit walk I will really feel like I am over this!
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Have fun Penny!
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Penny-Your trip sounds amazing! Have fun and enjoy yourself.
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Penny - Have a fantastic time. Hopefully this will make up for that earlier trip that so disappointed you when you weren't permitted to go...
ksmatthews - your hair does look great. Is that without any hair dye? I'm so jealous. Mine is growing in with lots of gray and even white on top - and t-h-i-n on top too...
Maria - glad you're pratically done. I heard something about Chicago having it's worst winter in a long time this year. Are you ready?!
Kay - I will pm you re: rads and will check out the Oct rads thread. Thanks for the suggestion!
Hi to everyone I haven't mentioned. Hoping everyone's weekend is going swimmingly...
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Sillia nope I did use some foam color on it about 3 weeks ago. It hid alot of the gray but not all
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Silia: I am ready for winter....I am from Michigan so it isn't that different here...I guess a little more windy since it is the "windy city"! I do have some GOOD news to share off topic....we found a house! Our offer was accepted Friday and we will close October 28th! That means I will be moving again the first week of November. I guess I will stay busy enough that I won't have time to fixate on BC....
Penny: Have a great trip! You deserve it for sure!
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Greetings to all my March Chemo-Lounge girlfriends! As I only have so much time to spend at the computer, I have mostly been posting over on the September radiation thread.
Just last Monday I finished with my 33 radiation treatments. Chemo was rough, I think radiation was a different kind of rough. I am quite happy it's done. Am dealing with some raw skin issues but do seem to be healing.
I feel like I'm doing reasonably okay at this time. It has been one hell of a year! Wishing the best to all my friends here in the lounge, I think of you often and always have you in my prayers. Thanks for the continuing support, it has made the world of difference in going through this ordeal; knowing you are all on my side.
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Thanks for checking in with us, DivineMrsM! It's great to hear from you. Glad you are finished up with rads. It has been a long hellish year, hasn't it?
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Congrats on finishing rads Mrs M! Congrats on the new house Maria! Congrats on almost being done and on the hair KSMatthews! Penny have a great time on your trip! Can't wait to hear about it when you come back! I'm playing Vacation by the GoGo's on the jukebox for you.
Can't seem to get my mind off of you
Back here at home there's nothin' to do
Now that I'm away
I wish I'd stayed
Tomorrow's a day of mine that you won't be in
When you looked at me I should've run
But I thought it was just for fun
I see I was wrong
And I'm not so strong
I should've known all along that time would tell
A week without you
Thought I'd forget
Two weeks without you and I
Still haven't gotten over you yet
CHORUS
Vacation
All I ever wanted
Vacation
Had to get away
Vacation
Meant to be spent alone
A week without you
Thought I'd forget
Two weeks without you and I
Still haven't gotten over you yet0 -
Hey Lounge Lizards,
Thought I'd check in with y'all. I think of you often, even though I don't post as much any more. Hope the C diff is gone, Silia. ColoDisney, your PS is not just saying that about exchange surgery. Mine went great, about an hour and a half procedure including fat grafting and port removal. Minimal pain and down time. It is not even close to the BMX in terms of difficulty. I have been nauseous before with anasthesia, so I always tell them that and they give me drugs with it to prevent it. You will sleep so much better with squishies than with the TE's - I promise! And I'm not sugar coating it, either
Penny, have a wonderful trip. I hope you enjoy every minute and forget all the difficulties you've been through this year.
Kymn, I think of you and your issues and hope you are doing ok. Hang in there, you can get through this.
MrsM - happy to hear you are done with rads now. Time to move on!
Kay - you always have great songs, thanks!
Doing well here. Enjoying TX Rangers baseball and beautiful fall weather. Have a great day all!
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Maria - So psyched you will soon be in your new home - yippie!
Divine - Great to get your update. As I'm just prepping for rads, I'm inspired every time I hear someone has finished up!
ksmatthews, I'll have to look at some gentle foam color (though need to be patient since the top is still quite sparse and I fear that dark color will emphasize that more -- lilylady I think had that experience earlier. BTW, think good thought for lily since she started back at work today...)
Kay, I LOVE that you've put a song on the jukebox. I was just thinking it's been too long since we've heard some good songs. In agreement with Supersally's comment re: this beautifu fall day, I'm putting Beautiful Day by U2 on. Take care everyone!!
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Whew!! I went back to work today and boy did it kick my butt!! It was more of an emotional overload than anything. So so many people coming to see me grinning ear to ear. I have not talked that much in 8 months. I was overwhelmed with the love pouring out. Good thing was I hadn't forgottne anyones name-I am so worried I am not smart enough to do my job anymore. Chemo fog has greatly receded but I still get these blank moments at times.
I am now off til the Monday after Thanksgiving. Our Vacation system says you have to use it or lose it. Since I have been off almost all year I never got to use it. So I have 5 weeks to burn before Dec 1. I think of this 1 day of work as a kick in the butt-now I have deadline to accomplish all the things I thought I would get done. I am so hoping to get my rads started soon.
For those of you who worked all the way thru tx you have my total admiration.
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Hello ladies,
It's been a while since I checked. I am thankful that all are doing well and moving forward.
DevineMrsM. - So good to hear from you and I am glad you are done with rads.
Lilylady - Congrats on going back to work. I know your co-workers were glad to see you...I hope enjoyed the love they were showing you before long they will be back to normal
.Well enjoy your vacation time off and I hope you can get started with rads soon.Maria - Double congrats on starting your new aerobics class in Chicago and closing on your new home. Looks like you will be busy moving again. I wish I could attend your aerobics class. I need some motivation. I guess since I don't have much weight to lose I can't get motivated to stay in an exercise class...I know I should do it for my health tho. I mentioned before that I was attending a zumba class, well it was going great at first now I have slacked off. My fiancé had surgery a few weeks ago and I have been busy taking care of him. MEN...THEY ARE SUCH BABIES !!!!
Penny - Have fun on your trip.
Supersally - I'm a Ranger's fan also. I try to go to several games during the season. GO RANGERS
. Ooooh I am lovin this weather.Colodisneylover - I agree with Sally, I had my exchange surgery on August 9th the recovery was not difficult at all. Since I had a unilateral mx I need another surgery to make them match even though I had reconstruction on both sides the one i had the lift on needs a little fixing. I'm going to have a touch up procedure but I’m gonna wait until the first of the year to schedule that because i have a difficult
Ksmatthews - Glad to know rads haven't caused you too much pain.
Silia - Glad your recovery is going well.
Thanks for the song Kay.
Hello to all my other Lounge Sisters thinking of you all.
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Hello ladies,
It's been a while since I checked in. I am thankful that you all are doing well and moving forward.
DevineMrsM. - So good to hear from you and I am glad you are done with rads.
Lilylady - Congrats on going back to work. I know your co-workers were glad to see you...enjoy the love they are showing you before long they will be back to normal
.Well enjoy your vacation time off and I hope you can get started with rads soon.Maria - Double congrats on starting your new aerobics class in Chicago and closing on your new home. Looks like you will be busy moving again. I wish I could attend your aerobics class. I need some motivation. I guess since I don't have much weight to lose I can't get motivated to stay in an exercise class....I know I should do it for my health tho ! I mentioned before that I was attending a zumba class, well it was going great at first now I have slacked off. My fiancé had surgery a few weeks ago and I have been busy taking care of him. MEN...DAMN, THEY ARE SUCH BABIES !!!!
Penny - Have fun on your trip.
Supersally - I'm a Ranger's fan also. I try to go to several games during the season. GO RANGERS
. Ooooh I am lovin this weather.Colodisneylover - I agree with Sally, I had my exchange surgery on August 9th the recovery was not difficult at all. Since I had a unilateral mx I need another surgery to make them match even though I had reconstruction on both sides the side i had the lift on needs a little more fixing. I'm going to have a touch up procedure but I’m gonna wait until the first of the year to schedule that.
Ksmattheews - Glad to know rads haven't caused you too much pain.
Silia - Glad your recovery is going well.
Thanks for the song Kay.
Hello to all my other Lounge Sisters who i didn't mention...thinking of you all.
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Hello ladies,
I don't know what's going with my message, I keep having to delete because there is a lot of gibberish at the beginning of it. Anyway.....
It's been a while since I checked in with you ladies. I am thankful that all are doing well and moving forward.
DevineMrsM. - So good to hear from you and I am glad you are done with rads.
Lilylady - Congrats on going back to work. I know your co-workers were glad to see you...enjoy the love they are showing you before long they will be back to normal
.Well enjoy your vacation time off and I hope you can get started with rads soon.Maria - Double congrats on starting your new aerobics class in Chicago and closing on your new home. Looks like you will be busy moving again. I wish I could attend your aerobics class. I need some motivation. I guess since I don't have much weight to lose I can't get motivated to stay in an exercise class. I know I should do it for my health tho. I mentioned before that I was attending a zumba class, well it was going great at first now I have slacked off. My fiancé had surgery a few weeks ago and I have been busy taking care of him. MEN...THEY ARE SUCH BABIES !!!!
Penny - Have fun on your trip.
Supersally - I'm a Ranger's fan also. I try to go to several games during the season. GO RANGERS
. Ooooh I am lovin this fall weather.Colodisneylover - I agree with Sally, I had my exchange surgery on August 9th the recovery was not difficult at all. Since I had a unilateral mx I need another surgery to make them match even though I had reconstruction on both sides the side i had the lift on needs a little more fixing. I'm going to have a touch up procedure but I’m gonna wait until the first of the year to schedule that.
Ksmattheews - Glad to know rads haven't caused you too much pain.
Silia - Glad your recovery is going well.
Thanks for the song Kay.
Hello to all my other Lounge Sisters who i didn't mention...thinking of you all.
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Today was the END of another chapter....finished my 35 rads....WHOOPEE !!! I feel fortunate that the treatments were easy on me ...just a little redness and peeling (like after a sunburn). My energy is definitely improving...so glad. I spent much of the day retrieving medical records from all over town for my trip to Mayo on November 2nd...have appts. with Oncology and Clinical Trials...really looking forward to meeting with them
Feeling like winter today in the Twin Cities...cloudy, cold (40's) and sleet !!!
Kay-thanks for putting Vacation on the jukebox....been busy packing for a trip to San Diego...I am SOOO ready to get out of town !!! Penny-hope you enjoy your trip !!! Wish the whole "lounge" could take off and meet on a beach somewhere- we all deserve it after the year we've all had !!!
Thinking of you all....
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Stilts - finished rads and heading to san Diego?! So cool! You deserve it.
Deedee - glad you persevered in sending a message!
I'm getting my CT scan tomorrow to start rads. Hoping it's a smooth process.
Another song for the jukebox - Good Life - though I'm blanking on the group... Maybe New Republic? Hugs all around.0 -
stilts congrats!
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Stilts-congrats on finishing and hope your Vac is fabulous. What trial are you going to be in? Did you intitate it or did your Onc recommend it? How far away is the Mayo from you? I have been a trial geek from the beginning but my onc says as long as I am responding so well to conventional tx we don't need to be looking at trials for now.
When I brought up the 1 trial that they shut down the one arm in he got really upset. he refused to put anyone in it in the beginning because he didn;t like the 1 arm that they just shut down.
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Stilts-Congrats!! I am sure you are relieved to be done and looking forward to that vacation! Have fun.
DeeDee and Supersally-Thanks for reassuring me that the exchange surgery is easy. I am so tired of these metal pieces being in my body and being so uncomfortable. I can't wait to get a chance to sleep on my side.
Got a referral for a nutritionist and for physical therapy. We'll see how it goes. Already almost time for another appointment with oncologist. I wonder if I'll feel this anxious about it for the next five years?
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Congratulations Stilts! So glad to hear you are finishing up. I had similar reaction: like a peeling sunburn under my 'breast' and under my arm. Have a great vacation.
DivingMrsM- Also, congratulations! I hope your energy is returning.
DeeDee- what all was involved in the lift? I am having my exchange in a couple of weeks, but at this point am having them leave the natural side alone.
Colodisneylover- I am also very eager to sleep on my side again! I am not scheduled to see my onc until November...which is fine with me. It would be nice to put this all behind us, but those docs keep wanting to see us!
How many others are still in rads? Are you done ksmatthews? I hope it's soon!
I am still not up to my previous energy level. I have been exercising a lot, and I just can't get my stamina back to where it was. Frustrating. I am also still quite tired a lot of nights. I suppose I shouldn't complain because I sleep REALLY well. A new life, indeed.
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Ha! I just noticed I gave you a new name Divine! I hope you like water!
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Today I took DD to her six year check up and she is petrified of shots. We asked for the flu mist instead of the shot and they refused to give it to her because of me and the cancer, so she had to get the shot. Dr said the mist was too high risk because of my "comprimised immune system" from chemo. Anyone heard of this?
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MaxineO - The breast lift was similiar to the exchange surgery. My PS made an incision under by breast line and some how he tightened my breast tissue so now my breast sits up like they did when i was in my early 20ies. He also removed my nipple and tightened the skin around my nipple and he removed the areola. I had stitches around my nipple and under my breast.I didn't get an implant but think i am going to have another surgery to get a small implant so the two breast will match a little better. I also had a drain for about a week. The lift & exchange wasn't to painful but i did take my pain pills for the first two days. It is nice to be able to sleep on my side and stomach.
Stilts - So glad you are finished with rads.
Colodisneylover - Did your dr recommend you take the flu shot...has anyone else's dr recommended they take the flu shot because of the chemo and our immune system? I've never had a flu shot but i am wondering if my dr will recommend that i take one this year.
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