Starting chemo July 2014
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Husband buzzed my head last night. Kept the bangs and tied a scarf around it, I kind of like it. I rocked this same look 17 years ago when I was 19. It's a little patchier this time around
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Good Morning from Hot and Sunny Nevada. I loved having my grand children with me yesterday. These city children got to collect the eggs and feed carrots to the horse. It's hard to believe that our 5 year old grand daughter had never touched a horse! (They don't visit here because they don't like our weather.) I know that it's tough to travel with children and all... but Grandma has been dealing treatments for this health issue for the last couple years and travel gets tough on this end too. I love my sons, but those of you with daughters are really lucky ladies. Son's leave the nest and make a new one. It is the way of things. Boys become men. I've always followed a "non-interference" philosophy with my daughters-in-law, but there has been a void. There is only so much time in a busy family's life, and a daughter wants to "go home" to see her folks. I'll stop whining now. It was a good day. They came..and next year we will be able to take a trip to Seattle.
I swear the week after chemo is the longest week of all. It crawls by. Today is day 8 and I still struggle with the GI tract side effects. I'm looking for food that will taste good and be good for me. Dill pickles and roast chicken seem to be about it.
There is really good news waiting for those of you who are going through the very unpleasant TE experience. It's a bit of a story, so this will end up being a long post. First, I will tell you that I have great empathy for you who are in-process and that I am so very glad it is behind me.
When I decided that I would undergo reconstruction with my bilateral mastectomy, I was fortunate to be put in contact with a great plastic surgeon. Plastic surgeons seem to have a great attitude. They have a very (pardon me) uplifting job. Their intent is to make joy. As it happens, one of my PS offices is in Las Vegas, where his patients include some of the most beautiful women around, Las Vegas show girls and dancers. On one of my check-ups, my husband and I went to that office. We sat on the sofa waiting for my appointment, surrounded by stunning and well-constructed women. Most of them were at least 5' 10" tall, young, slender, and beautiful. They walked with a dancers grace. My poor husband spent a great deal of time examining his shoe laces. Anyway, what I learned from my PS and his (equally beautiful) nurses is that the kind of reconstruction required after a mastectomy, stays "up-lifted" forever because the implants are placed under the muscle. If you have post baby (or age related) droop, it will be gone. There are huge discussions about correct sizing on this site. I read and re-read those. I said over and over that I did not want to be large. I had always been small. My PS told me that my structure suggested that I should be larger rather than smaller. I really didn't like that idea. At the very end, (based on the fact that I decided that he knew how to make a woman look good - proof was in the waiting room) I relented and went larger rather than smaller. I really did take a mental adjustment. Guess what...he was right. I am balanced, proportional and I have a waist. It might be an optical illusion, but it all works. I look very natural and normal, which was the point of going through all of that. If you have some personalish questions about it, PM me.
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mommymel, watch it with the senna. I took the recommended dose and woke up with such incredible pain and cramping that I nearly had my BF take me to the ER before it subsided. This was before I was on chemo, too, so there wasn't anything else to attribute it to. I mean, it did make me poop, but I'm not sure the side effects are worth it.
Milk of magnesia works for me, as well as fiber pills. But I think I don't get as badly backed up as most people, so take that with a grain of salt
everyone seems to really like colace. Good luck with all that.Maiden, that's hilarious about you naming "the girls"!
I haven't had problems with the Dexa keeping me up. I take trazodone for sleep (have for years) and it seems to help immensely!
Anyway, still feeling good today despite some toxic-smelling pee, so I'm off to yoga and the grocery store, and am going to try to get 10lbs of cucumbers made into pickles this evening! Pretty sure I'm not going to be able to keep up with myself in a couple of days, so trying to keep it rolling for now
Coyote, we posted at the same time. I have a little story about implant size and body image too, but I have to run so I'll tell it later.
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coyote, JennKay,
I very much appreciate the stories on TEs...obviously a focus for me right now (keep asking myself if I made the wrong decision doing this at all given tx delays....)
I am now trying to refocus my mind on enjoying the next few days and focusing on work - since I will have my next infusion Monday am trying to just accept the delay and enjoy a few good days now.
Man am I frustrated w BC. Starting to freak out about everything - headaches, weird feelings, lumps and bumps, whatever. I thought this was meant to happen AFTER tx finished. I expect I'm going to need serious therapy...
Slappy, pink - I tried to pass the time in hospital last week (boy is hospital boring) teaching myself to knit. I was inspired by the caps. Um...I think it might take me 20 years to learn to do a cap. But I might manage a scarf in 5....
:-)
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Raindew- I'm teaching myself to knit right now too. It seems to be a good energy conserving hobby. There are lots of YouTube's on the internet where you can learn to cast on, knit, purl, reduce, increase, knit in the round, switch to double pointed needles and learn all the different stitches. Sort of learn as you go, as needed. I can't decide if the numbness in my thumbs and fore and middle fingers is from struggling with my too tight knitting or from neuropathy brought on by chemo. Good luck !
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Raindew, I'm glad I can be a little helpful. I *totally* get you about being frustated and paranoid. I had a panic attack in yoga last week because someone put their mat too close to mine! Now the only way I can practice is with a mask on, every time a room full of people all let out a "cleaning breath" at the same time, I just shudder. and yeah, every ache and pain is an "oh shit" moment. I used to be the hardcore "walk it off" type, but no more.
Blownaway & Raindew, I'm trying to find some time to start to teach myself crochet, but when I'm up and have energy I'm usually running around or working on canning projects or hanging out with friends, and when I'm not I'm just too clobbered. I need to set some time aside for that, I think.
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I had my chemo Tuesday my onco nurse was supposed to call in my rx for zofran and promethazine... I am down to one of each, have called the dr office several times yesterday and today, my nurse is busy, told them what I am needing they said the nurse usually checks her messages and gives call backs after 5pm... I hope they get back to me dont know what I will do without my meds
Scared feeling like I got ran over by a train and not about to try to attempt eating without my nausea pills...
Just want to go cry
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Chaos,
Have you tried eating before without your meds? I was told to take those meds as needed (as opposed to daily), and basically have never really needed them. So, I haven't taken them. (I have had heartburn though, which is another story....) Too bad I can't Fed-Ex you mine (probably illegal to send someone your unused meds).
Yeah, it sure can be frustrating to deal with an unresponsive office; hope you get a call soon.
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raindew and ChaosRains,
Try crocheting first. It's faster and more forgiving than knitting. All the hats I made and gave away were crocheted. If your heart is set on knitting, pick up a knooking kit. It's knitting with a crochet hook that has a string to hold the stitches as u work on the. (No dropped stitches!!)
I bought a knooking kit at Wal-mart for around 7 bucks but I haven't tried it yet.
Shirley
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I've been crocheting for about 30 years and I love it! It keeps me sitting on the couch with my hubby when we watch tv, I need to be multitasking! It really helps me relax and unwind and also use my gifts for ministry. I love making animal children's chemo caps and have made zebras, giraffes, frogs and much more.
I had chemo yesterday and already the heartburn is gagging me. I also started Protonix a few weeks ago and hope it helps. I also started a liquid that someone else mentioned a while back. Cartha something or other!
So here's some more new wigs. I always wanted to know if blondes really did have more fun, maybe I'll find out! The 2 dark ones are my real wigs (they cost an arm and an leg!)
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Pinkninja - I like the dark ones the best, they go better with your skin tones. I have one brunette wig and two blonde wigs (one short and one long) but my head is so little, the wigs wear me instead of me wearing the wigs. It's what we call "big Texas hair"! Yikes!
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Jenkay - I used to can anything and everything many moons ago - my ex-husband's grandparents had a farm. I sold all of my equipment in a garage sale except for 2 huge pressure canners, one of which I gave to a friend and the other I kept. The only thing I have canned in recent years were some figs for my mother-in-law. I had forgotten how time consuming it is.
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Pinkninja, you are definitely a brunette, although there blue & pink ones are fun.
Chaosrains, hoping you get a call pdq.
Funny how our gi issues are all over the map. Pre-chemo I always tended toward constipation but now it's the opposite.
I used to crochet, when I was a young pup. But doilies & stuff.
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Hi ladies! Glad to see that everyone seems to be over the worst of the side effects. For right now anyway. I'm 10 days past my 1st treatment and still no terrible side effects, just a little queasiness last week. This week I've pretty much felt like my normal self. I actually feel guilty sometimes when I read what all rough stuff some of you are going through.
To the ones that are learning to knit, hang in there! I learned about 2 years ago. Knitting was easier to learn than crochet to me, lol. My grandmother tried to teach me crochet years ago when I was a kid. I can chain and do the basic stuff, but I have to have my guide book very close by. I forget how man wraps and pull through for the different stiches. whichever you choose to do please check out Ravelry.com. there are tons of free patterns and examples of things. I was actually trying to learn how to spin yarn on a spinning wheel when I first found out I had BC and haven't gotten back to it yet. I may have to pull out the wheel and oil her up this weekend if it turns into a rainy weekend.
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Hey tadover, good to see you, and delighted to hear you are having an easy time of it! No need to feel guilty! Also, remember that no side effects does not mean the chemo isn't working! My MO was very clear about that! We will hope that you don't catch up on round 2&3!
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Blownaway, it's time consuming indeed. But I have lots of that right now! A friend bought be the Ball automatic jam maker, which basically just does the cooking and stirring for you. I'll usually make a couple batches of stuff and then water-bath them all in a big batch later, if I do it all. Stuff's flying out of here as fast as I can make it right now, as every time people come over they leave with a little gift of some sort
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Pinkninja, you're adorbs. I do like the darker colors on you, but the blue is pretty awesome!
Chaosrains, I hope you get what you need! Sometimes in these circumstances you just need to call around until you get some who can fix! it! now!
Tadover, I'm glad for you that you're making it through so well!
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Ohmygosh, boxofrockstar! How'd I miss that pic? 90s style all the way. I love it!
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dancingdiva, here's your hat. I'm not sure when I'll be allowed to drive again to get it in the mail. Have to get off the after-surgery pain meds first.
I'll let you know. Shirley
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pinkninija- I take omeprozole (Prilosec) daily and it keeps the heartburn in check.
Jenkay- are they giving you IV Benedryl in your pre-meds. It's supposed to prevent any allergic reactions. It knocks you out too...which if I wasn't doing cold caps would be a bonus...can sleep the whole way through treatment.
I knit too, but probably haven't in about a year....you are all getting me inspired...thank you!! I want to learn to crochet...but learned knitting first. Any good sites to learn to crochet??? I hear it goes a lot faster...
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Shirley, That's gorgeous! I love the flowers! You are so talented!0 -
jennliza,
No, they weren't, but now that I've had the reaction they will. I was fine during my first treatment except for a quick hot flash but they were administering it much more slowly.
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so I went with knitting because the crochet instructions totally baffled me (I am the uncraftiest person EVER). I can manage the knit part - and have quite a few rows, but lost the plot on purl...haha. Trying to figure it out thru books and YouTube, but might be a 'knit only' kind of scarf...for a doll...
:-)
Boxofrockstar - I think I had that haircut in the '90s too :-) also big undercut for a while...gives me hope that I can pull off privacy even if I lose 50% of my hair (am cold capping)...am sure I shaved off more than 50% at various points in my teens and 20s...
Pink - I love the blue n pink ones :-) but the brunette looks totally natural
Chaos - that SUCKS. Fingers x'd you get what you need. Argh.
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ps - JennKay - yes ugh. On top of cancer neurosis, having spent a week in hospital for infection I am now TOTALLY PARANOID. don't want to relive that experience at all...
Ugh. Cleansing breath. Hell no.
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Ended up spending most of the day at the chemo infusion center. Within 3" of starting the taxotere I had a reaction - felt weird, face got flushed and red as a beet, breathing didn't feel normal, stomach felt strange. Had 5 nurses hooking me up to oxygen, a BP cuff, stopped the taxotere, gave me benadryl and called the physician's assistant to check me. She ordered a dose of solumedrol, and after all symptoms had subsided they restarted the taxotere at a slower rate so it infused over 3 hours instead of 1, and then I still had the cytoxin to go in, didn't leave until 3 PM.
After getting only 4 hours of sleep last night I needed to nap and just couldn't chew my ice for the 3 hours so hope I don't get mouth sores. That also means the remaining 2 sessions will also be long ones.
Got the OK to start probiotics to try and keep my diverticuli calmed down. The dietician also came and she had some good suggestions too.
With all the extra steroids I got today my feet have swelled up again, Lew just brought me extra pillows to get them elevated on my recliner, and just gave me the most awesome foot rub.
Now have to drink, drink, drink to flush the poison out of my system over the next 24 hours.maidentired: love the new names!
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Raindew, it was the fever/hospital that did it for me too. I do NOT want to do that again.
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Pinkninja: my vote also goes for the dark wigs
ChaosRains: have you tried having the pharmacy contact the doctor's office about doing a refill? They often have more pull to get through faster.
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aaand taste buds are already rebelling. I'll be off fresh fruit for at least a week. Last time everything else was ok, but last time it didn't kick in for a couple of days.... so fingers crossed!
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Wow, lots of knitters and crocheters in this group! I'm currently working on a cardigan for my daughter. It has lots of cabling and is really brain-intensive to work on, so it's slow going. My daughter (who is 12 now) jokes that I might have it ready by the time she has her driver's license.
My kids got started with those circular knitting looms and constantly each have a hat in progress. They get the yarn from their Sunday school teacher, and she takes the hats and turns them in at the local hospital for the cancer patients there.
I'm loving the pictures of the hair cuts and wigs. You all look so great! I'm still in the rapidly-thinning part of the process. I asked my hubby to help me shave it all last night (so sick of having my shoulders constantly covered in loose hair) but he's not quite ready to help me make the transition yet. Bless his heart, he thinks there's still a chance that my hair will only thin and won't all come out completely. I think it'll all be gone by the weekend though.
Sending out good thoughts to all of you, for easy infusion days and few SEs.
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Pinkninja, I love the wigs on you! I got a long blond one just to see what it would be like but returned it as I was not born to be blond. I have a long brown one and a short brown one but you have inspired me to try a fun color too! Have you ever come across a free pattern for a zombie cap? My son loves zombies.
Shirley, that hat it sooo cute!
Chaos, I have started calling the week before chemo to make sure they have the meds called into the pharmacy. Ask that they give you enough refills for all your treatments so you don't get stuck again. That's awful! I think the only one you have to get a new rx each time is Emend. I hope they get back to you asap. If they don't I would call the doctor that is on call. Good luck to you.
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