Starting Chemo in February 2016?
Comments
-
Hausfrau my hair looks like that too! I feel like I have so much of it after being bald for so long
0 -
Well, two rads down, 28 to go. Other than being able to say I'm getting to first base with two men under 40 by 8:30 every morning, it's rather anti-climactic after chemo. I refer to it as "getting microwaved".
Hair count:
2 hairs left on left eyebrow - some little stubbles returning
12 or so on the right eyebrow.
About 15 upper eyelashes on each eye, 6-8 on the lower left, and maybe 3 lashes on the lower right. Looks really sad when I add mascara...lol
Hair on my head is getting fuzzy enough to feel all over, but it is snowy white/gray right now. Lord oh mighty, it was jet black when it fell out, so this is a switch!
0 -
Fumble at the goal line... After last week's failed attempt at a last chemo I thought for sure that today would be the finale. Like everything else about cancer's unpredictability, I'm now on hold to till after an echocardiogram to see if I've had any heart damage from the TCHP. My blood pressure and heart rate are going crazy so it was just a round of hydration. I wont lie, I cried. I so want this part to be over but I'll have to consider this another bump in a long and winding road. Sigh
0 -
Myra - I am so sorry, I want you to be done too. Go ahead and cry, then put your big girl panties on and move on, get ready for this one and push forward. so close, to the finish line my friend!
0 -
Haus, looking very similar here! Never being a real big makeup wearer makes this more difficult. Went out with my son yesterday and while we were out we had a good laugh at my attempt at eyebrows lol.
Chambo, I love your analogy of radiation sessions! I'll remember that and I am sure it will give me a laugh when I start! I have lots of that white/grey coming in. I know I had grey before this but I always kept it coloured. This part will interest me as to how it comes in......just wish it would hurry up!
Myra so very sorry about your delay again. I have cried without getting a bump like that in the road.....this takes a toll and I know how bad you just want to get this over, we all did. I hope things get settled out for you soon so you can feel like you are moving forward. Xo
My new look lol
0 -
Just want to say that, it's been 3 weeks since my final chemo, and I feel as though I'm me again. I had nearly forgotten what it felt like, but it feels really good! Tons of energy, making plans and looking forward to the rest of the summer. Just the little bit surgery and rads to do first, sure it will be a breeze. X
0 -
Hello Fab Febs!
Piper- so good to hear from you! Glad the jaw pain is better! Congrats on your daughter's award!!
Haus- the "taxol nose" is the worst. I aM 3 weeks post Taxol and my nose is finally normal again. Your hair looks like it's coming in nicely!
Karen- hope you are feeling better very soon!
Scotbird- so glad you are feeling like yourself again!!
On the topic of nails- mine did fine during Taxol...I didn't ice. My cold cap on my head was enough to deal with. But I only had Taxol/Herceptin...and they made it through unscathed.
I'm currently waiting now for the "green light" from MO to start Herceptin only. I was hoping I would have started today, but my echo is not back yet and need to check my heart before starting next phase.
My biggest issue right now is tennis elbow!! It is sooo painful...and I haven't been playing tennis 😳
0 -
Hello all quiet Fab Febs,
I'm feeling so much better with Taxol than AC, but find I get winded very easily. I'll feel like I have energy to do lots of things and then I'll have to lie down! Happy not to feel crappy like on AC though. Still waiting for official OK from recent ECHO, but the tech suggested I didn't need to worry. See MO Monday. Hugs to all of you.
0 -
6th and final TC complete today...rads to follow. I am forever grateful for you ladies who cheered me on.
0 -
Hooray Imani! It's great to see your smiling face. I have 9 more Taxol to go, but beginning to see the light. Best of luck with rads! You've got this.
0 -
Yea Imani! Congrats!
I had my rad pre-planning yesterday, got 5 little tattoos. Start rads June 23. 21 in total, 16 plus 5 boosts.
Heart scan was done today and next week on Tuesday I have my first Herceptin by itself.
Only side effect I am still dealing with is the never ending watery eyes. Hope it goes away real soon
0 -
Imani!! So happy for you! Congrats!!!
I got 1 Herceptin only yesterday and will get the final TCHP in 3 weeks. My echo came back clear and by then, I should feel back in business.
Karen, seriously! I'm going through Kleenex by the box in days. So much for eyeliner. I'm going to the Cancer Societies Look Good, Feel Better event tomorrow. Wondering if their makeup is waterproof...
Hugs to you all!!
0 -
Imani - Yeah!!! Rads is a cinch compared to chemo. You do get to "first base" every day with the techs - not everyone can say that - lol.
Myra - I did that program in March - great swag! I was so glad I did too - they gave me a great gel eyebrow pencil with powder filler that has been a eyebrow lifesaver when mine almost all fell out. My eyes are still watering like crazy too. I think it might be that I have only 10-12 lashes on top on both lids - those suckers probably are for more than just mascara, huh?
On the hair front...mine is finally growing again!!!! Not just the white fuzz but actual hair that other people can see - not just my imagination. Woot! I figure in another two weeks I will look like the first day of marine boot camp. I always thought they were shaved bald...uh, no. They have tons of hair comparatively speaking. My hope is to have a micro-pixie by the time I finish rads on July 12, so I can be done with my hats. It is already hitting 100 here temp wise, and hats are @#$@% hot.
I had a weird experience yesterday sitting in the waiting room for my rads treatment, btw. I live in a town of 40k people, so not huge but not tiny either. In walks someone I knew 25 years ago who had been diagnosed 3 days after me and has been chasing my tx phases the whole time. "Small town breast cancer club." It was just so weird.
I am planning on doing the survivors' lap during Relay for Life on Friday and a family friend's daughter is donating her super long hair during a haircut at the Pantene booth in my honor. I wasn't yet up for doing the overnight participation, but I plan to next year. Anyone else going to an event in their town?
0 -
The look good, feel better class is amazing! Not being a huge make up wearer I got lots of great stuff I have used! Enjoy!
My watery eyes are still consistent so since I could not find a lot of answers on these boards I googled it and found boards in the U.K. Lots of people there on the exact same regimen and apparently with the Taxotere had the same issues. Most had the water stop between 3-5 weeks after treatment so I am looking forward to that day. The face gets dry from always wiping it too! There is hope ahead Myra!
I get my Hercepton only on Tuesday. Hope I feel no noticeable difference at all.
Chambo I have some hair growing too. Lots of the white chemo hair and then darker parts as well that is real hair. I don't know what happens with all the white hair that comes in though!
Hope everyone enjoys their weekend!!!! Hugs
0 -
Imani- CONGRATULATIONS!! 🎈🎉🎈
Chambro and Karen- so glad that you have hair coming in! I often wonder myself as to where all the little white hairs go!
Hope all of the Fab Febs have a fab weekend! Thinking of you all!!
💕
0 -
Karen, very interesting re: watery eyes! Now just my right eye waters. The left has dried up!
Chambo, Look Good/Feel Better was fun and I love the eyebrow pencil too! I think I got something similar. I'm so glad I learned how to draw my eyebrows on without looking like Frida Kahlo.
I'm so happy to report that a week after Herceptin only, I feel fantastic! No side effects at all and I haven't felt this good since Jan. I do have to do the last TCHP in 2 weeks but just knowing I'll be back to normal someday makes me happy dance all over the place. Life is beautiful thing without daily nausea.
I'm getting the white fuzzies too,no actual hair yet. Today I was at Joanns buying beads and the woman behind me in line asked if I was bald by choice. I said no, bald by chemo and she said she was a volunteer for the Look Good, Feel Better program! What a small world. She said she was really happy to see me out and about without a hat or wig and hoped it would give other woman confidence to do the same.
Happy Weekend my fine Fab Feb friends.
0 -
June 9 2016 finished chemo with Joseph's amazing colour Dreamcoat
0 -
Relay for Life...prett cool! My granddaughter and another family friend's daughter donated their hair at the Pantene booth for wigs in my honor (part of the Look Good Feel Better program).
The are a lot of indignities with a cancer dianosis, but there are a lot of "amazing graces" too. These are 2 of them.
0 -
Congrats Piper! Love the coat too!
Myra, did you have any side effects from the Herceptin only? I start that on Tuesday so curious. I have been told most people don't get any and working will be no problem for me once radiation and recovery is done. My eyes are both still watering, making my face dry ...can't wait for the day it stops!
Hi Nola, hope you have a great weekend! I was going to go to visit some friends but I was out Wdnesday night and Thursday visiting friends out of town and I am still tired. I find my eyes watering makes me feel tired too! Just going to lay low today
0 -
wow Chambo! That is amazing! Great pics and how awesome of your granddaughter and friend for donating their hair!!!!! Love it
0 -
Oh Piper, it is so wonderful to see you ring that bell! I am so happy you made it through.
Karen and Myra, my eyes are still watering too, on Taxol. They are also just irritated, feels like I have sand stuck in them or something. Not all the time, luckily.
I'm finding Taxol easier days 1-4, then I get body aches and more fatigued. Must be the steroids? I am trying to step up the "exercise" (walking a bit) to get rid of my breathlessness. I am beginning to have tingling in toes and fingers and that does worry me. Making ice packs to try next week.
Last night I actually worked on a sewing project and it felt so great to be doing something. One of my former students has a four year old with brain cancer and I'm making him a flannel johnny out of "Angry Birds" fabric (his favorite characters). When I think of him doing chemo, or watching my child do chemo, I realize how much harder life can be.
Love to you all.
0 -
Karen..no side effects AT ALL! And this coming from someone who had every side effect and more listed for TCHP. Hopefully you'll sail through. From what I understand, since Herceptin is so targeted it will only attach itself to Her2 receptors, it can't effect the other cells in your body. And no nausea! Not bad at all
Piper, congrats! Ring the bell, Girl. You did it!
Chambo, love the pix from the relay. Those are some good kids!
Reflect, it feels so good to be getting back to making stuff! I've been beading and knitting this past week and just thinking about how thankful I am to do it again. Happy Stitching!
0 -
Yeah! Good to hear Myra! I get my Herceptin tomorrow, plus see my MO and have blood work. After tomorrow I will only see him every 3 months. I better get ready for the withdrawals from him he told me I would have (made me laugh!)
Eyes are still watering. Doesn't seem quite as bad, ...or I am getting used to it! Hope it ceases soon! Not fun going places and have your eyes water.
Hope everyone is doing well
0 -
Hey ladies, hope all is well!! Piper congrats!!!!
Had herceptin only this week and looking forward to no side effects. I will tell you something odd has happened. Last week I stated with serious pain in my legs and joints. At times it's hard to walk. I do hope that goes away.
Otherwise feeling good, and start rads on Monday.
Thinking of all of you.
Ready to plan a girls trip!
Fran
0 -
What's next for everyone? I have two more weeks of chemo (hooray!!) and then about a 6 week break before I head to my bilateral mx. Did most people already have surgery and are now heading on to rads?
Any good tips from those who have already done the surgery thing?
0 -
Had my Herceptin only on Tuesday. Came home and slept the rest of the afternoon, through the night (except when I woke up with terrible heartburn) and half of the next day. I don't think it was the Herceptin that made me tired, at least I hope not. I have been tired in general since I finished chemo. The heartburn was definitely from the Herceptin, I have read it happens to some, but gaviscon took it away and let me sleep.
Rads start on the 23rd. MO warned me that they would make me tired....great! As if I don't sleep enough lol. Good thing I am off work for a few more months to recover from all this!!!
Troll hair is coming in still. All grey soft stuff but there is some normal darker hair very sparse. Wish it would hurry up, I really want to see what it will look like. Watering eyes still happening, some days worse than others. Definitely aides in making me feel tired when they water so much!
Still happy to have chemo behind me and moving forward. In time I know all will settle down!
Hope you are all enjoying the weather and day! Hugs
0 -
seejuliago - I have 8 more weeks of chemo and then radiation. I started with surgery. Recommend sleeping elevated (I used a wedge pillow), soft button down shirts, post mastectomy bra with pockets for the drains, and follow the exercise protocol.
KarenC - yup, got troll hair coming in. Still in chemo and the fatigue is from AC seems to be lifting just this week.
Congrats to all who finished! Please send hair updates!
chambo - love the pics of the hair donations. My older daughter just got her hair cut for donation. This will be the 3rd time in her life that she's done this, but now it is more meaningful. We don't have the same coloring or else I'd be tempted to keep her hair for myself!
0 -
Hey everyone, Julia I had my surgery a week ago. I stayed more or less horizontal for 6 days, hardly venturing out of one room, but today suddenly woke up feeling Fab again, and have been out and about shopping, dog walking and having coffee today. Not sure what tomorrow will be like, but it really feels like the worst of treatment is now behind me. I get pathology report on Monday. Keeping everything crossed for a good one. Rads next in 4-6 weeks. Hope every one is doing well, we must all be getting near to finishing now. I'm already planning the life changes which I'm going to make once I can press the"resume" button on my life. Been on "pause" too long for my liking.... Lots of love FabFebs, can you believe it's mid JUNE? Feb seems like a previous life! X
0 -
Hi Fab Febs!
Just catching up on our board.
Piper-CONGRATS!!! so glad you are DONE!
Scotbird is so right...February seems like a lifetime away from now. It's amazing how life just picks up after we take our finger off the "pause for cancer" button. I do have to say, that I try to ground myself and remember that this happened for a reason. What we do with this experience in the future is entirely up to us.
I am now Herceptin only through February '17...plus Tamoxifen. My bilateral and S-Gap reconstruction is scheduled for 8/18 at the Breast Center in NOLA.
I have to tell you all a story that are having surgery after treatment and taking Tamoxifen. A business acquaintance of mine had her bilateral reconstruction in the beginning of May. She had been on Tamoxifen for a few months prior to surgery. She was advised by her surgeon to stop the Tamoxifen for 1 week prior to surgery due to possible blood clots with surgery, and then to start it again 1 week post op. She was fine for a week, but then started feeling bad, heart racing, pain in lung when she would breathe. She went to ER and had a blood clot in her lung. Thank God she listened to her body and caught it in time. She is fine now. She advised me to talk to Doc and make sure that I stop Tamoxifen at least 2 weeks prior and not to resume until I am up and walking post op.
Just felt compelled to share! All of us Fab Febs need to look out for each other!
💕
0 -
Wow Nola, that is quite a scary story! Can't say that I don't worry a lot about my heart with the Herceptin. My scans are at 53 percent so it doesn't feel too great.
I start rads tomorrow. Found out yesterday a biopsy done on some bumps on my moms vulva are cancerous. She is 88 and lives in her condo and is very good for her age, despite a broken hip about 7 years ago. Anways, she has to have an appt at the hospital I go to with a gyno and who knows who else. She was told on the phone that usually they remove and do radiation and she said she won't do it. I feel awful for her.
My B-I-L is having X rads now for prostate cancer he had removed, I begin my 1st of 21 tomorrow and I hope that my mom will not have to go down that road and they can do something else for her rather than put her through that.
Missing seeing everyone's posts! I have 14 more Herceptin so I will be around for a while!!!
Hope everyone is enjoying summer as much as possible!
0
