Starting Chemo September 2015; join us!
Comments
-
I was thinking of getting ginger brown. Is it very dark?
0 -
Hi ladies!
I can't keep up with all of this while working, but I wanted to say hello and that I hope everyone is feeling well today.
I tried to have a new attitude about my body last night. I stood back, further from the mirror than normal and realized it doesn't look that bad when I'm not examining it under a microscope. I thanked my body for putting up with all this crap and still continuing to be strong. I thanked God for the opportunity to heal from this disease even if it's a long and hard road - some are not so fortunate. Then I felt better. I figure my body's worth is not measured in how it looks next to an airbrushed magazine, but instead in what it can do for me and for others, and in that regard, it gets an "A+".
0 -
Lindy ,
You look beautiful! Love your wig actually doesn't even look like a wig . Looks great. Where did you order it from?
I've been feeling a little nauseous took a zofran and a little tired. Kids are keeping me busy so I try not to think about things to much.
Hang in there ladies!
0 -
I was fine for a few hours after chemo yesterday, then had to take an extra nausea pill. Fatigue hit, and I was asleep on the couch by 7:00. I moved to bed at 9:30 and was done for the night. The fatigue is still here, but I feel much less drugged than I did in Round 1. A bit more nausea, but not too bad. So far, so good! Scalp has moved from tingling to hurting, but no shedding yet. The chemo Brazillian is underway.
CarolinaAmy: I'm so, so sorry. Teenagers are hard, and known for making bad choices. They're also known for changing their minds. I hope your girl comes to her senses.
Skittlegirl, my CT revealed a tiny nodule on my lung. Because of my history of pneumonia and bronchitis, it would ordinarily be chalked up to scar tissue. Lung nodules are common. Because of cancer, I won a ticket to frequent monitoring. The nodule is so tiny that there's no guarantee that they'll be able to find it again. If they can't find it again, did it disappear because of chemo or can they just not find it? Too small to biopsy. It seems like with all of the baseline scans they do, they're bound to find something to keep us up at night.
Tessu: I will happily share my lymphadema treatment with you. Right now, I'm waiting on an appointment. Mine is very mild so far, and you have to look closely to see a difference. My wrist is pitting, though, so it's clear that lymphadema is settling in. My arms are so small that I suspect that any sleeve I get will have to be custom ordered. My physical therapy focused on cording and range of motion, both of which are largely resolved.
I need to sign up for one of those Look Good, Feel Better classes. It would be nice to do something that makes me feel more attractive rather than less. I think if I dressed as Bride of Frankenstein for Halloween, I wouldn't have to dress up except for the wig. Actually, I look more like Frankenstein in the mirror. I was probably even a bit green last night.
Off to the MO's office for my Neulasta shot. Whee
0 -
Sure. here's the halo again. It has some gold in it, which I like a lot.
0 -
Twiggy, thanks for the info on make-up. I just checked the foundation I've been using for years.
Does anyone beside me feel totally overwhelmed by all the things labeled carcinogenic? I feel like I can't do anything! After radically changing my diet, I was today admonished for using bleach. And then it's the shampoo I use. And the toothpaste. And everything needs to be organic. And everything needs to be rinsed twice in the washing machine. And no more alcohol. And our tap water needs a filter. And all that still doesn't explain why some people follow no precautions and never get cancer (my grandfather smoked cigars until he was 83) and some do. ARGH.
0 -
i like that halo. I might get it. I need better hats.
0 -
Southern, I don't think I would be so worried about it if people weren't always "informing me" of such things and then when I go to look it up, I find out it's true. It's one of those situations where you can't unlearn what you know. I felt that way about meat after reading "Animal Liberation" by Peter Singer. It's an excellent book, but I could never look at animal products the same way again.
0 -
Anybody have to contend with an anal fissure yet?
Long story: After giving birth, my stupid OB recommended iron supplements and that caused constipation and tearing. That was an ongoing problem that had healed a few months before BC surgery came around. And of course between the Anesthesia and Pain meds, it meant more constipation. Now Chemotherapy and anti-nausea meds are inducing constipation. So... I feel like I've had a fissure for the last 15 months on and off. Not sure what to do about it. Don't want more surgery for something that should normally heal over 6 - 8 weeks if I were just on an ordinary no-meds, high fiber diet. UGH. Meanwhile, I get put through the wringer every 2 weeks. I'm craving carbs & cheese to help the nausea. But that causes constipation and heartburn. Apparently fruit and fiber (sugar) can feed the heartburn too! Eat a high protein diet to keep your blood count up! But the constipation....
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
0 -
Hi Lisa. I'm not having issue with constipation but was repeatedly warned that it could be an issue by friends and nurses. They recommended the "brown cow" which is prune juice and milk of magnesia. I took it as a precautionary measure after my first infusion and then ended up with the opposite problem (but it did work, lol).
0 -
Cajun
How did you take the milk of magnesia and the prune juice
Rosieo
0 -
HI all:
First of all, sorry I've been so quiet. Round Two hit me much harder than Round One but doing better now.
Welcome to the new members of the thread and I did get a good suggestion for how to include everyone and make the opening thread shorter for those who don't get right to the bottom by making it a favorite thread. Look for that change later today now that my energy is back (can't do columns, but going to use paragraphs).
I won't try and catch up on everyone (this is a fast moving group!) but I did want to pipe in about two issues:
First, I have issues with having my bp taken. Serious issues. It approaches a phobia, actually. I have been put on bp meds in the past because my bp shoots up when I am anxious, and almost nothing makes me more anxious than having my bp taken. After a really bad experience my first time at MO, I explained it (while in tears) directly to MO and told him how it shoots up when that happens (one of his staff was friggin trying to take my photo WHILE taking my bp: WTH???). His response, 'fine. just say no when they ask to take your bp. I give you permission to say no. If I ever feel I really need to know what it is, I will take it myself and talk you through it.' THAT was the moment that I knew he was the right choice for me. He understood that it was important not to let something like that stand in the way of treatment. I will say treatment center is right in his office, which also means I don't need to deal with hospital regs on this...
Second, for DLcyg: I am so sorry, that sucks. I don't have that issue, but wanted to pass along a tip I got on another thread: coconut oil. Rubbing it on the fissure was suggested, and others have said it works. Might want to try that.
I hope all do have a better day today than yesterday. We can do this.
HUGS to all
Octogirl
0 -
uh oh...WBC too low. MO wants another blood test tomorrow before chemo #3. I'm not so sure my count will go up enough by tomorrow. Now what? How bad is it to have a treatment postponed?
0 -
rosieo - I did it as a one, two punch. I chugged a double dose of MoM and then about a cup of prune juice. I took my anti-nausea meds beforehand. I worked pretty fast (I would say maybe 6 hours?)
hazel - are you eating a lot of protein? I know that can be hard if you aren't feeling well but it helps the WBC.
0 -
It's not bad to have treatment postponed, it just pushes the end date out and makes the whole thing take longer. Pretty common, especially if you're not on the crazy high protein diet.
Sad state of affairs: Chocolate can help with neutropenia. Chocolate (Sugar + Carbs + Caffeine) causes constipation.
Thanks for the prunes & coconut oil tips. Veggie stir-fry here I come!0 -
I'm not getting enough of anything these days...not enough sleep, exercise, protein. Oh goodness. OK I'll do better. Thanks!
0 -
Can I whine for a minute since there is really nowhere else I can do this?
I'm tired of this. I'm tired of dreading chemo, I'm tired of all the restrictions from surgery, I'm sick of the food I have to eat and all the drugs. I'm angry that I've had to use all my paid vacation time for this crap instead of a family vacation. I'm pissed that this is not the end, there is still another 6 months of treatment after chemo is done. I'm angry that I got the shitty deck of cards in the genetic lottery and that I could have passed this on to my children without knowing. I'm frustrated that being BRCA+ means I'm at a much higher risk for an assortment of other cancers, so even when this is done, cancer will ALWAYS be the monkey on my back.
*** end rant0 -
I second that Cajun!
0 -
Here here!
I'm only 2 infusions in and people keep asking me when I'll be done.
Try 2061 and beyond!0 -
Southern - I'm sorry. I had to wait a month and it was miserable. I was really sure I wasn't positive because there is NO breast cancer on either side of the family and I was shocked when the results came back. I was sitting in my MO's office and I just cried. I know things may be different in 20 years but I just feel so sad for my children and scared about what is to come.
It's been less than 3 months since I was initially diagnosed with DCIS. My world has completely turned upside down. I have to keep putting on a happy face for my children but this disease is relentless.
I'm tired of people asking me how I feel. I feel like I have cancer, I've been mutilated, and I'm being slowly poisoned, okay?
I need a cancer vacation.
0 -
I have one more pathetic thought and then I'm getting out of the house.
I was at the beach last week with my husband and the twins. Everyone was playing and laughing. Out of the blue I wondered, "Am I dying? Is that what is happening here?" It was fortunate I was wearing sunglasses because the tears welled up and almost took over.
I hate the random, intrusive thoughts.
0 -
We all need a vacation.
I was supposed to go to Hawaii with my family this Christmas. That was cancelled. My brother is getting married. Won't be going.
My Dad KNEW he had the BRCA 1 mutation & watched his mom die from ovarian cancer in her 40s. He told all of his kids. We didn't worry about it because it has always manifested as Ovarian cancer at 40+ or Prostate Cancer at 55+. No big deal right? I'll just have my 2 kids and yank the ovaries out when I'm 39. All good! My brother & sister can make a similar decision.
Meanwhile, I'm probably heavier than my predecessors and I had kids WAY later in life than they did (31 vs 18). Who knew making the "responsible" choice and waiting till jobs were stable to have kids would bite me in the butt. Now a 2nd might not be in the cards. IF a 2nd is in the cards - do I try to screen out the BRCA gene? They can do it. Designer babies for the cost of a car. All to never have to go through what my Mom is experiencing right now. She's even howling about how she wishes she had never met my Dad (whom we both adore). She lost her father to breast cancer (DX at 33, died in his 40s) and now her daughter has breast cancer (DX at 33). My sister is supposed to get her genetic testing done sometime this month. I get the feeling my brother is ignoring it - maybe he doesn't even want to tell his bride-to-be that 50% of their kids could have a ticking time bomb in them. Seems like a total downer conversation to have 3 months before a wedding. My sister's boyfriend has been sitting on a proposal for "the right time" and who knows if it'll ever come now. Who would willingly make that leap and invite all this?0 -
Cajun, you're not pathetic. We all have those moments of weakness. A couple days ago I made the offhand comment to my husband that I could just quit. If he's sick of all the hair loss and crazy side effects and fatigue... I could just quit. No chemo. No more surgeries. No more radiation. Nothing. He smiled and shook his head.
We are not dying. We are living. Every day that we wake up and put one foot in front of the other and do at least one thing we enjoy (even if it's a pain free bowel movement), then we are living.
I'm often reminded of a certain speech given by an Admiral: http://news.utexas.edu/2014/05/16/admiral-mcraven-...
If you want to change the world, if you want to LIVE,
Do not ring that bell.0 -
Lisa, from one mutant to another, I would like to give you a BIG hug.
The only bell I plan to ring is the finale bell at the end of chemo! (But I'm still angry.)
0 -
***************BIG HUG****************
We totally need a better mutant power - like turning green when we get angry. XD
0 -
I am taking the plunge. I am going out bald with no hat.
0 -
don't forget sunscreen Cajun! And big hugs to you.
0 -
umm..DLcy...I have to say just because you mention the stir-fry: just wanted to be clear: the coconut oil suggestion was to apply to the fissure...not to eat...although no reason you can'd do both (with a different batch! :-))
HUGS
Octogirl.
and ps: the moment I said I was feeling better, the (*)$#)($* fever came back. Called MO, who is less worried than me. Just watching it and taking OTC...
0 -
I love you girls. Even if I don't know you in person I love every last brave one of you as I sit here and bawl my eyes out!
0 -
hard to keep up but hugs to everyone who needs it today! I want a break from this nonsense too. so far I've been told my ins will not pay for the genetic testing because i was over 50 when diagnosed. that's total bs, should I still be able to know so I can decide about my ovaries and not be a ticking time bomb? what about my daughter and nieces? I'll probably get it anyway of it's not thousands of dollars but ins should cover it no matter what!
I'm so draggy today. Been doing house chores ( fun, fun) but really want to sleep. If I go to sleep then I won't be able to sleep tonight....
0
