March 2011 chemo-lounge
Comments
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Congrats Disney! What a relief to be free of the torture devices!!!
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Well its the last day of a pretty grotty year ladies but how good is 2012 going to be! Lots of new boobs from the sound of it (suffering from a bit of boob envy with my flat chest
) , and we are going to feel really well again. 2011 was not all bad though - we made new friends, we learnt how strong we are and we learnt how precious life is.I hope you all have lots of plans for 2012 - We are driving the Tarkine wilderness in Tasmania in February, presenting at Oracle conference, Vegas in April, New Orleans Jazz week in May, Canning stock route in July. How about a trip to Oz for some of you - its >90 deg here at the moment!
Bring on 2012!
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Here is wishing you wonderful ladies a happy new year. It has been almost one year for my bmx. I am happy this year is over. Im done with chemo and rads and my hair is growing back. Good bye 2011 and hello 2012 may it bring us all peace
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Happy New Year, friends!
It was one year ago on New Year's Eve that I discovered a lump...and here I am, 6 months out from chemo, 3 months since rads, curly hair (cut twice!), older, more tired, more aches and pains, but definitely wiser and hopefully healthier!
I had a glass of champagne and gave a silent toast to all of you gals! Here's to a better year for all.
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Happy New Year ladies!
For those of you who have gotten your haircut, what did they do to it? Just trim it up? Or something more? Mine is just a wreck. It is so curly it looks like I have wings coming out of the side of my head.
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colodisney: I would love to hear responses on this. I had my hair trimmed around my ears and the hair on my neck shaved, but nothing else. I just said to my DH today that I wondered if it would continue growing so curly such that I would soon have an afro. I have NO IDEA how to handle curly hair!
penny: so glad you have great plans! We are planning a family trip to Prague this year, a trip to visit family in Georgia, and to re-decorate our rec room. Perhaps a long-delayed trip to Disney for the kids?
Happy new year to all of you! It has been a great few days just taking stock of the many blessings I have...not so focused on BC. It has been wonderful family time with the kids. Just hanging out together and being silly.
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Colo & Maxine,
I have the chemo curls as well. I have had two trims, mainly to keep the curls manageable I guess. I'd like to grow it longer, but right now it seems that short is in my future. I had some wing things going, plus a lot at my crown. My stylist trimmed and thinned it with razor shears (there's a term for that, which of course I can not think of). I use a paste or "taffy" everyday that helps smooth down the curls, especially on the sides. But it also can give it a bit of a spike or make the curls look like ringlets. One thing with curls is you do not want to brush them. Also you don't want to roughly dry with a towel. Otherwise you increase the frizz and afro factor. I don't use a hair dryer either, except for just a few minutes. Mainly you want to use your fingers to plump up and "comb". Your stylist will be able to explain it better than I, but that's what I have learned! Everyone thinks I got a perm, but also likes the short style. I don't know how stylish it is, but it's what I have! I also colored mine and it has held well. Previously I just got highlights in my (mostly) natural blonde hair, but it is now more toward the dishwater brown with gray. I needed/wanted the lighter color and it is a color I have been in my life
I think if you just go in and explain what you don't like, the wings, the thickness at the crown and/or over ears and what you would like-bangs, hair over ears but not on neck, thinned out on sides, managable curls-they will know what to do!
Isn't it great we are talking hair cuts?!
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I haven't had a trim yet, think maybe I should? I have the wings going on too, but I dont brush I just comb and then use my fingers, then blowdry just for a min or so. As it gets longer it is getting harder to fix.
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I only lost hair around the hairline, temples, nape of neck and sideburns because I used the cold caps. The hair that has grown in is curly though and I wear my hair straight. I use a small flat iron on it to straighten it out. It helps but I had to wait until the hair was longer. It is about 2-3 inches long now in those areas and it works better now.
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I'm envious, I didn't get curls, my hair is straight (b4 chemo it was curly). I used a trimmer to trim the sides and along the neckline. Has anyone dyed their hair yet? I bought temporary hair dye, but I'm afraid to use it. Min
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Mig,
I died my hair. Pre-BC I just used highlights to cover gray in my mostly blonde hair. When it grew back it was more dirty blonde/brown with extra gray. Instead of highlights I dyed it to my pre-BC color. It is a honey blonde and looks very natural, since I have not-so-long-ago been that color. Now people ask if I got a perm. I had straight hair before!
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I have colored my hair several times. I did use a temp color at first a few times then a no ammonia color. Right now I am using Naturtint...it has less chemicals - no peroxide and no parabens. Whole Foods sells it. It is a permanent color. It has not been any issue at all for my hair. My hair has been dry but I am using Moroccan Argon Oil on it and that has helped it. I was successful in keeping my hair except the areas I mentioned that I lost, but it looked thinner and dry so I got it cut to shoulder length. It is much healthier now and looks thick. I don't have to wear hair extensions anymore.
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I have had to quit going to hair hair hair thread because I haven't had anything to talk about. I stil have only 1/2" at the longest part. I did have a trim around the ears and nape of the neck but I am getting worried. Last chemo was 6 months ago next week-even with the Herceptin I should have nore hair. For a while I thought it was getting thicker instead of growing length but that really isn;t the case. I do think it looks kind of cute this short but would prefer it if it was my choice. I am staying with the white/gray look for now. I am not sure if I will have curls or not-too short to say. I was poker straight before.
A good friend who finished chemo in April has a head of hair that looks like the ass end of a badly groomed poodle-funny thing is she absolutely loves it. It makes me cringe but she says it is so carefree...she can pull a piece out 3 inches from her head and it springs back so hard it bounces. She had soft ringlets before tx.
Penny-sounds like you have a busy year ahead. Remember back when they wouldn;t let you go on your trek? Doesn;t that seems like so long ago. Amazing how fast the year flew by-even when parts of it were so crappy.
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Lily - are you taking anything to help your hair grow quicker? I'm taking 10,000 mg of Biotin a day. I don't know if it helps, but it makes me feel better. Mine is growing about 1/2 inch per month, which is the average by the way. Mine is curly and easy - gel and go! I've had it trimmed and shaped up a couple of times. I have also had it colored, with the ammonia free color, by my hair stylist. It's naturally brownish-blonde. I had a permanent red color put in, then went to a semi-permanent chocolate, and now that has faded so it's more reddish. I'm having fun with it though. My nails are still crap, but they were before Taxotere, too. The biotin is supposed to help them too. They are fragile and crumbly. They seem to grow fast, though. The vertical lines I have are supposedly due to heridity.
I hope you all are well and had a great holiday. I was so busy I wasn't on here for a while. Here's to a happy, healthy 2012!!
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Thank you ladies, I will give the semi-permanent dye a try over the weekend. Maybe I'll try biotin too.
Yes Supersally, my nails are still bad, fragile and dark bed. Maria, I went on your blog last night and saw your hair, it looks great and so do you! Min
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Lily - my hair is only an inch and does not seem to be growing much either, I'll maybe try the Biotin. I am also living with the salt and pepper look but does not seem enough hair to dye yet.
Finger nails are looking pretty good now, toe nails are cactus but then part of that is my walking boots.
Had the fluid aspirated yesterday - scary nurse with huge needle and no local - my language was appalling but she did not seem to mind. On anitibiotics now and hopefully it will all start to heel.
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Oh Penny, I hope everything heals beautifully with no more complications. We've all had enough of that!
Lily lady, I am in about the same place with hair. I don't think mine is an inch long yet, and it's thin to boot! I know what you mean about the hair thread. It seems everyone's there is growing much quicker, but it looks like you, Penny and I are about the same. I finished chemo late July, but my hair had even started growing back on taxotere in June. I keep waiting for it to pick up speed and thickness, hopefully soon. I really want to dye it the color of my wig, but it is nowhere near long enough yet. Maybe biotin is in my future too.
Kristy, GracieLu is so cute! Makes me want to get a little friend for my dog, Buddy.
Happy New Year to everyone! I wish us all much love, health and happiness in 2012. I think of everyone here all the time. I wish everyone nothing but the very best.0 -
It is wonderful how we are now chatting about hair! My, how we have grown. I have the chemo curl thing happening as well. I HATE my hair, but it is better then bald. I'm just waiting for it to grow so I can at least do something with it.
My BF and I are heading to Mexico on Sunday, last year we went to Cuba but it was two weeks after my MX and I did not feel very happy. My BF can also be an insensitive ass so needless to say I feel much better prepared for MEXICO! :-)
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Timerdog: Have a great trip to Mexico and have a big fat margarita for me on the beach!!!! How fun!
Min - so glad to hear from you. I hope you are doing well!!! Hugs!
Penny - hope all is OK after fluid aspiration...keep us posted.
Those of you talking about hair...the areas I lost grew back super fast. I did shed a lot post final chemo and did a bunch of reading because I was worried. I was also left anemic after chemo so I started the iron back up with vitamin C. I also take biotin and silica. Magnesium is another one I take. From what I read iron and magnesium can be important to hair growth too. Read up on it and see what you think....have any of you had your iron checked? Mine was low but now is normal. Hair is growing fast for me....I must color every 3-4 weeks or my roots get out of control so I know it is growing quick!
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I finally got a link to my brother's song check this out and post the url around if you like it:
http://youtu.be/1HFDWZw-YRo I still can't listen to it without crying
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Penny - "Raise a glass to this miracle mile" - great stuff. I love your brother's husky voice! Where was it filmed?
Lilylady - I also had a bad burn. Am so glad that you're finally through this. Bully for you!
Min - Great to have you chime in with your updates!
Trish - I'm also having some aches and pains. One hand, both legs and feet (especially when I've been sitting for a bit). This started before I started Tamox. so not sure if it's from chemo or what... Today my onc said it might be from reduced nutrients in my system because of chemo...
My hair is still thin on top which is frustrating (finished chemo on Aug 5). Saw my onc today for a follow up and he said I can color it anytime now. It's mostly gray/white with dark brown mostly at the back bottom. And it's now curly/kinky. Prior to chemo it was just wavy so I truly don't know how to handle this. My stylist has trimmed it a bit once and will again on Jan 14 but I'm feeling frustrated. (I keep telling myself it's better than bald!!) I agree it's nice to talk hair vs. chemo, et al.
I'm wishing everyone an awesome 2012 but personally I'm struggling to get myself "up" and motivated. Wishing I had a job I could just show up for vs. working for myself. I need to make something materialize before I have a project to focus on. My productivity is zilch...
I know I had more specific comments for folks but suffice it to say that you're all wonderful in my book. Hang tough and kick butt in 2012. (Penny, when I think of "kick butt", I think of you! Plus you do it while laughing, which is awesome.)
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Hi girls, I am still alive. Made it through the holidays it was so tough and emotional but its over now. Am seeing a therapist to get over everything with the cancer and DH/FAH leaving me . As for hair yep curly cue here too. I use thrill by shwatzcoff not sure of spelling it is a fiber paste and seems to work the best for me anyhow. Have it died blond and have had a couple of trims too. Hope you are well just wanted to pop in and say Hi
Hugs Kymn
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Kymn-So glad to hear from you. Good to hear you are seeing a therapist and I hope it's been helpful.
We went to Disney World a month ago and I washed my hands so many times it was crazy. It completely dried me out and I can't seem to get any moisture back into my skin. What hand lotion is everyone using now? I am looking for something natural or organic, and if anyone has any recommendations, that would be great.
Went to the PS for the one week follow up from the exchange surgery. Said everything is looking good. He put me in a bra, which feels so weird since I didn't wear one for a year!
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Penny, how great it is that your brother wrote a very moving song about you. I enjoyed it so much. I have 5 brothers, and I got very little attention from them during my surgeries and treatments. You must be so proud.
Kymn, so good to hear from you. I think of you often, and wonder how you're doing.
Good news for me. Last week, I had my first post op mammogram and ultrasound, and got the all clear. I was relieved to learn that the breast center I now go to will be doing an ultrasound with each mammogram, due to the fact that I have dense breasts. I think if I had been getting ultra sounds all along, I might have been diagnosed earlier.
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Brilliant Jules - how great to be all clear!
Kymn - good to hear from you - hang in there.
Silia - I would hate working for someone else, can't stand anyone else telling me what to do. I guess we are all going to yo-yo between feeling great and feeling down though.
My cancerversary was 5th Jan - we had a glass of bubbly. I know they say its supposed to be from when you finish treatment, but I will celebrate when I want!. Can always have another celebration in August.Colodisneylover - my sister had a Hemp hand cream from the body shop which was really good.
Glad you like the song ladies, I love the words. (If love is whats needed there's no shortage at all).
He shot the video in Poland - Krakow town square, and got all sorts of random old Polish ladies to say "I believe'0 -
Hello everyone.
I've just started my treatments in the Jan. 2012 group. I'm on day 5 of AC. (every 2 weeks for 8 weeks). So far I"m doing fine. Thank God.
I will follow these treatments with 12 (once a week) doses of T and Herceptin. Then continue the Herc. for the rest of the year ending up with radiation.
My question to those who have had a similar regimine was the twelve weeke T Herc. worse than the AC in terms of side effects and energy level?
My T Herc will probably be starting right before Passover and I'm wondering what to expect.
Thanks for any help,
Peggy
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Does anyone else have weak/ sore muscles? I was doing an activity for 20 min. yesterday that involved squatting and today I can barely walk, because my leg muscles are hurting so bad. I also notice if I sit for a long period of time that when I get up I am like an 80 year old woman. I called my Onc office and the nurse just told me to take ibuprophen. Is this normal for us?
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Colodisney - I feel like I have personally tried everything out there in terms of hand creams and lotions. Unfortunately, since I'm on Tami I don't think anything will fully cure the dry skin. I have tried all natural, organic, non-organic. I've heard from some girls on this site to use coconut oil, but I never can get past the greasiness factor. I may if they don't improve. I'm slathering on lotion a billion times a day and have it in my purse, car, desk, by bed, at sink, by sofa, etc. Also, putting stuff on my cuticles constantly. They say to drink more water, too, but I'm already drinking at least 64 oz a day.
Ksmatthews - not sure how far out you are, but yes, I had the stiffness and soreness for a while post-chemo. "Tired legs" when I hadn't done anything. I don't remember if you are on Tami? and if that's a side effect.
Peggy - I'm not sure the answer to your question as I didn't have Herceptin. if you are on the triple positive thread, perhaps someone there can help if not here.
Kymn - glad to hear you are talking to a therapist. I've thought about you a lot, too. Hang in there, girl, you are one tough cookie!
Hope everyone is having a good Monday!
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Unfortunately ks the answer to that is yes. Take a really good fish oil and the ibuprophen when its really bad. And don't sit for long periods - get up every hour and stretch (I do at work - people think I am insane waving my arms and legs about but they are too scared to take the piss because I am the Cancer woman)
I think if we keep exercising we can gradually beat it though.
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I am taking ibuprophen, I will get some fish oil. Usually once i get up and moving I am fine. Maybe I just overdone it yesterday, but I am stuck on the couch. I get up every 30 min or so and try to work it out, but it hurts so bad, i cry.
My onc is calling in the morning, maybe she can give me better advice.
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