January 2014 Surgery Sisters
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hi Anne, I had absolutely no appetite while on chemo. I always felt bloated and full. However, like you, I truly forced myself to eat. I ate lots of small meals and when my taste was really off, I turned to icy cold Popsicles. Not exactly nutritious but I kept telling myself that I needed the fluids. I think protein shakes/ensure/boost are great options. Keep your nutrition up!! Thinking of you and wishing you the best
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I am sorry my dear ladies that have to endure chemo crap!
I have nothing to offer to comfort you...except this.
k, went to the dog park with the lake today...fun but muddy. geocached and found two stashes....one was in the Veterans memorial park on the old naval training grounds and next to the Veteran's hospital in Winter park. I never knew the park was there. My stepson was truly amazed with the monuments to the heros of all the wars we have fought. There was one monument to 3 fallen Marines in the Iraq war......the men were in there early 20's. I just cried, for them and in gratefulness that my boys came home.
Soooo, on the way home we are just driving along..la la la....the boy (my stepson) and the dog are laying down in the back seat...totally exhausted....yay
I look up and Iam thinking I have totally lost my mind. I think I see a Camel A freaking camel. I keep staring, ladies, ladies, I wear bi focals and my correction for long distance is loooooong overdue.
IT WAS a camel...get this...this guy Oh wait his name is SIR GUY...has his head...really half of his body hanging out of the rear end of a big yellow and red BUS!!!!! SIR GUY is just a smiling, having the best time making people stare and then have a good laugh.
Turns out he is a mascot of the local Shriners on his way to an event.
Just too funny....
made some really awesome ice cream too.
tell you about that tomorrow.
I truly hope everyone has found a little bright spot this weekend
love
Eve
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Eve - LOL That totally rocks!! A camel?!?!?!?
I've been spending all weekend playing catch-up on rest after Friday's Relay for Life. What an amazing night, though. Some of my friends pooped out and tried to make it about THEM but I didn't let them. Some of my friends stuck it out and hung out ALL NIGHT walking laps with me. I wish I had put on my pedometer because I have no clue how far I walked. The "track" was outside of a soccer field. I googled the perimeter of soccer field and it's almost 1/5 of a mile. I'm guessing I walked close to 10 miles total? I sure felt like it yesterday. LOL
We got home at 6:30am....got the kids in bed (they did crash in the tent sometime during the night), I took a shower and then went to bed until 2pm. My team raised over $2600 for the American Cancer Society. I saw my chemo nurse there, my radiation techs and a lady that works for my ob/gyn who walked a few laps with me.
If you ever have a chance to do Relay for Life, I highly encourage it. Cancer never sleeps, so neither did we!
Me, Hubby and our daughter walking the Caregivers Lap:
Proud to walk as a survivor!
Our "Beacon of Hope" campsite:
My girl (2nd from left) and her BFF doing Zumba at 1am!
Hubby walking solo for me at 4:45am:
The last team members standing..... 5am - made it all night!
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Michelle, you are one fabulous woman! I am in awe of your stamina and heart. alive, love,love that your family did Relay for Life with you. The pictures are wonderful and I thank you for sharing your family with us.
Eve, a camel! LOL! I have always been fascinated by geocaching but haven't tried it yet.
Thanks to all for the food suggestions. I had a really good weekend and even watched my daughter play 3 soccer games Saturday in a tournament. It was cold in Michigan this weekend. Today , I actually ate a meal with my family and could taste something. Not much, mind you and certainly not tasty, but, I could eat. I actually felt decent! So happy!
Hugs,
Ann
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Michelle...those are great pics. Our Relay for Life is coming up soon. I'm signed up! The company I work for is sponsoring the event. We had a gentleman die from cancer a few months ago. I've been to the relay before....but I'm guessing it may be a bit more emotional this year.
Laurie
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ladies...I truly believe that each of you are amazing. I love that your all living life and persevering. Nothing new to report on my end except that I am a tired mommy, my hair is growing, skin is healing, I started a clinical trial last week and I'm not looking forward to work this week. But I am happy to say that I'm watching Mad Men and relaxing with a little dark chocolate. Oh and I must be doing something right because I don't have to see my MO for 9 weeks!!!!!
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Fantastic pics Michelle! You are a true warrior! Nothing can stop you!
I'm sure it was a fabulous and empowering event. I did the Avon walk 4 years ago to support my good friend who was in treatment at the time. I couldn't even begin to describe the feelings...so many survivors, women in treatment and friends and family walking for their loved ones. One of the women I walked with had two bad hips and walked the first day with canes up those crazy hills in SF. I made many new friends training for it and the day of the walk. There is nothing like the power of women working together!
Marissa - Enjoy your chocolate Girlstrong! You've earned it. Congrats on staying away from the MO's office!
Ann - I'm so glad you are doing better and were able to enjoy the weekend.
It's been rainy and overcast here, in the 60's, but is supposed to be 90 by Wednesday! Crazy, huh? I can't wait!! I'm thinking strappy sundress next weekend for my friend's Cinco de Mayo party on Saturday!
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morning everyone! I go back to work on Thursday. So I got up this morning at 7am....showered and got dressed. Got to get a routine going! So I'm all dressed and ready to go with no place to go! Lol
I'm having increased soreness in my left foob....I think I'll call the PS today. Just seems to ache all the time. Are you guys still sore at all?
Laurie
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Laurie - I'm sore on my left side, too. I don't know if it's because that was the cancer side so there was more extensive surgery done, or because my TE is filled more on that side or if it's just a freaky weird thing.... it's especially bad if I sleep on that side.
Good for you for getting up & starting a routine. I would have been like, ok, it's Wednesday.... guess I'd better start getting up for work. LOL
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Michelle....the way I feel today....I'm glad I did. Im certainly not the get up and go person I used to be. I'm all dressed....and now laying on the couch! Tomorrow I will try to be a bit more mobile.
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I'm waiting for a call back from the PS about the pain....which is not on my cancer side. The implant seems wrinkled all of a sudden and getting zingers again....which I haven't had in months. ??
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Happy Monday everyone!
Michelle - you truly are an inspiration! A few years ago where I worked we had someone come in every year with the Relay bags. I was always the one who decorated them for the ACS. I've had so many loved ones pass away from cancer, so for me there never was a shortage of people to honor. I never really knew what the Relay was about, though. It must have felt very empowering for you to do something like that, especially alongside your family. Thanks for sharing your awesome night!
Ann - glad you're doing so much better and that you're getting out and enjoying life. Here it's been raining off and on for several days and is supposed to continue all week. Yuck.
Eve - LOL! Thanks for the laugh. Wish I had something exciting to report, but I got nothing!
Marissa - sounds like the perfect way to spend your time. I love Mad Men! During my recovery after surgery, I watched almost the entire series. I don't have cable and had always wanted to see the show, so I checked DVDs out from the library. Which reminds me, I need MORE MM! BTW, what clinical trial are you starting?
Laurie - sometimes I feel like I'm getting phantom pain in my cancer breast and sharp pinching pain in that armpit. I wonder if the nerves are growing back or if this is common. Mostly, though I've been having a lot of achy joint pain. I'm hoping that's just arthritis and not a side effect of my Aromasin. Hope things are okay with your TE
Diane - did your joint pain go away and did you start another AI?
Love,
Mary
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hi everyone. Had a nice morning with my girls-- sister, niece, mom, SIL, DH wig shopping and out to lunch. Food tasted decent! Hair however needs to be buzzed tonight. It is coming out by the fistfuls now. A long time family friend, retired hair salon owner, will be doing the honors this evening. I will try to post pics later.
Happy Monday!
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I can hardly wait to see the new you. You will look fabulous! How are you feeling about it? You sound pretty upbeat....but I'm guessing it's not an easy thing to do.
Laurie
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here you go......with wig and without. An easier transition than I thought. Love, Ann
Ps. I have no idea why the text moved to the middle of my pics! Lol!
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You look AB FAB
Way better au natural....beeeeutiful
As far as pain ...I have zingers and burning on the non cancer side...the burning is where the drain was....
achey pain maybe a 5 on a scale of 1-10 on the side near the underarm
can NOT wear a bra for more than 2 hours....really is uncomfortable.....so I wear camisoles with a loose blouse...had to buy a few new blouses......;) in order to go braless.
I tried out my new rowing machine today......well crap...now I pulled a muscle in my back...pain pain pain......back to pain meds for a bit....oh well
I am trying.
ttyl
Eve
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wow!! You look a"Fantabulous"!!!! Your wig is great. You look so happy in both pics. I thnk your smile is what makes you look so good and confident. Thank you for sharing:)
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you look amazing! With and without the wig! And are those foobs? Whatever they are...WOW....you fill out that sweater perfectly!
I have a rib that has been displaced from either the surgery or the stretching of my entire chest since. That's why my breastbone continues to feel bruised. My chiro doc is adjusting me.
And I think after being on tamox since October....my joints are starting to bother me....I thought it was supposed to start immediately and then go away. And I'm still having daily nausea and frequent headaches. All tamox related I guess. Anyone else?
Laurie
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Ann - you look beauty-ful, girl! You look good no matter what. Your spirit shines through! Let it shine!
Eve - oh no! I hope you heal up fast! Oh well at least you've got some men around the house to wait on you hand and foot, lol!
Just got some crappy news tonight. My mom has squamous cell carcinoma in-situ on her nose and will have to have some kind of procedure done. She's had numerous basal cell carcinomas, including the one on her eyelid, plus many others on her nose, neck and trunk throughout the years, so this isn't unusual for her. This is just on the top layer of skin and it's not invasive or anything, but whenever I hear "cancer" I kind of have a hair trigger. My brother who is her caregiver is always so calm, cool and collected and I'm the one who goes into overdrive. Poor mom. She's been through so much and it never seems to end.
Sending healing thoughts and good vibes to all!
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Ann....do you mind me asking how old you are? I'm thinking kinda close to me? You look amazing!
Laurie
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That's a wig?!?!?!? It looks so much better than mine ever did! You look beautiful. The lead-up to shaving my head was way worse than the actual deed. I let my kids do it and they had fun with it. Made it not so sad.
I forgot to answer your food question, too. My taste buds were totally shot during chemo. I lost my taste for drinks completely. Water tasted oily (still does), and I could only drink lemonade or grape kool aid. For food, I stuck with "comfort foods" - roast & mashed potatoes, plain pasta, etc. I tried a few times to go for something with TASTE ( like Mexican) but it ended up burning my tongue and giving me mouth sores. Fruit usually tasted good, so I ate a lot of watermelon and grapes. Some people lose weight during chemo, some gain. I stayed the same.
On the subject of hair.... I had a little old lady tell me as I was walking into the grocery store today how much she loved my hair and wished she had my hairstyle (it was really windy and her hair was blowing everywhere). LOL I guess little by little maybe I'm getting over the "chemo patient" look. I cracked up inside, though, thinking "What hairstyle?????"
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Mary - I'm so sorry your Mom has to go through more procedures. Hang in there. Since you asked, my joint pain is much improved, but no, I haven't started taking the 3rd AI - Aromisin yet, and am not sure I want to take it at all, given how the last 2 made me feel. I was supposed to start it when the join pain was completely cleared up, but can't seem to make myself do it yet.
Ann - you look fantastic! I would totally rock the buzz if I looked like you, and on weekends, it will be cooler for sure! That wig is amazing too...you would never know it wasn't your hair. Keep smiling...it looks GREAT on you!
Eve - okay, it sucks that you hurt yourself, but good for you Zena, warrior princess! All we can do is try. I went back to class tonight. I'm slow and fat, but I'm trying too.
Laurie - love that you got up and had a work dry-run. Maybe tomorrow you can reward yourself with a trip to breakfast or for coffee. Headaches, nausea and a displaced rib?!...no Bueno. I'm so sorry. Sending you gentle hugs. You ladies taking the chemicals are amazingly resilient.
Is it only Monday...so tired....Zzzzzz
Diane.
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Last fill today- so excited I can't sleep. It's already 2am!!!
Ann- you look amazing! You look refreshed, confident and strong!
Eve-you always seem to make me laugh. Sorry to hear about your back pain.
Laurie-good luck with going back to work!
Mary-sorry to hear about your mom. She's lucky to have you and your brother taking care of her though. I wish her the best.
Well I guess I should TRY to sleep. My fill is at 845am and I need to make this appt for the hysterectomy. Have any of you had a hysterectomy? They are recommending the robotic one due to my 4 c sections.... Hoping to schedule it before the middle of July. My exchange is June 2 and I need to go back to work 3rd week in August. Hoping that'll give me enough time to heal otherwise I'll have to postpone it until next summer; which I really don't want to do. My gyno thinks I have adenomyosis which is causing alot of my problems w heavy non stop periods. Have any of you heard of this?? The stuff us women have to deal with, seriously!!!
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Laurie, I am 51. TEs filled to 520ccs. My daughter took the pics. I didn't share the Mohawk we did first --it was fun. The anticipation is way worse than the actual event just like so much of this journey.
Michelle, Thanks for the food tips. My taste buds are near normal as of yesterday so I am enjoying my last week before round 2! I had a similar experience at the grocery store this weekend, lol! A little old lady approached me as well and said she was a retired hair dresser and liked my hair. She liked the "wispiness" of it. When I thanked her and told her it would only last a few more days she concurred that short hair needed more touch ups. Lol, little did she know that it was coming off!
Thanks for the vote of confidence, girls! I am debuting the wig at work today. It's actually quite a bit longer than I was before the pixie cut. I haven't been to work in over a week so I am sure to have a few looks. Rock on!
PS. My exchange is scheduled for early August!
Ann
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51 you say? Wow....amazing!
Diane....the last fill is super exciting! You're almost there. As I write this message you are probably in the car enroute.
Lol....good thing I didn't have to work today! Set my iPhone alarm....but the volume was off....so I would have been late. Crap this is going to be hard.
Laurie
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Laurie - I just woke up...have 3 alarms (1 battery operated clock and 2 on my phone 5 minutes apart) because I no longer jump right out of bed LOL.
Ann, knew you were closer to me in age, but you sure don't look it! Our 50s are the new thirties...except for the current mileage!
Can't wait for more of you to join me in the exchange side!
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Laurie - LOL I know it's not funny, but your post made me laugh. I think my alarm goes off forever before I actually hear it. I started taking melatonin and I swear I sleep SO heavily now. Which is a good thing, but makes it hard to wake up.
Hysterectomy - I'm having one this year, too. Not sure when. I see the gynecological oncologist in June and we'll set it up. Congrats on getting your last fill! Woohoo!
Today is rad #16.....tomorrow I'll be past the halfway point. Woohoo!
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Michelle....halfway thru rads! Yeah for you!
Hysterectomies all around? What the hell? Why? Is that breast cancer related? I was told I might need my overies removed if the genetics test says so...but nobody mentioned hysterectomy!
Seems like WAY too much for you guys....not sure where you are finding the strength!
Anyone else feel they are having continuous menstral cramps?
Laurie
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Laurie, I'm BRCA+ so I need my ovaries out, and since I'm on Tamoxifen and that causes problems with the uterus, my gyn onc wants to just take everything out.
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crap!
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