Chemo starting April 2018
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Morning all! Engine, "be prepared, don't live in the future" so true. When going through surgery and chemo I felt like I was in that fight/ flight mindset. Focusing on avoiding chemo side effects and following surgical restrictions etc..you know.."doing something". For me, I find the thoughts of recurrence in my mind more now that things have settled down a bit and I'm just taking a pill. MO says this is normal. Thankfully it is not that obsessive worry but what I call normal amount of worry that I hope fades a bit with time as members that are ahead of us have said.
Enjoying each day and pushing the 'what ifs' out of our minds is great advice. Some days much easier than others. I just don't want to look back and see that I've wasted time worrying when I could have enjoyed my family and friends. ( with that said, off to a college football game with my family!) I will worry when I have to worry. Today I don't have to but I know this could change tomorrow. Thanks for posting engine.
Thanks again to everyone one of you. I think DJT once said even though you can't fully keep up with everyone we truly celebrate each others good news and support each other on the bad days.
Inna B, did I see on another thread that you have tried acupuncture? If so, could you tell me about it..i know nothing. You can PM me if you prefer. Its offered through the integrative medicine service and I made an appt for next week.
I hope everyone has a relaxing weekend! Deb
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Maggie I feel like I read that about cold capping from so many women—that’s why I decided against trying it. Engine—I saw my first *teeny* sprouts at 5.5 weeks and now at 7 weeks I have maybe 1/8”. Still a long way to go. . . FWIW I’ve spent a lot of time on the “Hair hair hair” thread plus watched YouTube videos of women’s re-growth. As to when I’ll be able to ditch the headwear, I’m thinking 12 weeks PFC is probably optimistic. Something like 16 might be more reasonable.
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It's funny there is lots of hair talk. In my appointment with MO this week I asked him at what point do you get concerned about permanent hair loss. He said at about 6 months PFC.
I'm 6 weeks PFC and other than the stragglers that really never fell out I don't have much. I keep going back to check photos from my last chemo but they aren't much help because I was definitely more salt and pepper last time and I have a feeling I'm closer to totally grey this time. My goal for the next month is to stop googling Taxotere permanent hair loss.Have a great weekend all.
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DebAl, acupuncture has always worked great for me. I started it while on Taxol, because side effects were killing me. Plus, I was scared of neuropathy. I go twice a week and I think it has really helped me. I didn’t have neuropathy, just minor tingling, which is getting better every day. I didn’t have any nausea, and the total feeling of miserableness was much lower then with AC. Joint pain and hot flashes were also getting better after the treatment. I love my acupuncturist and trust her implicitly. All in all, I would highly recommend it. Now I am planning to ask for needles for appetite control, focus and calmness to deal with the fallout from chemo. Good luck to you!
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Hi Everybody! I am feeling much better. Still have that nasty cough. Really hoping I don't cough during radiation when they start it back up on Monday as I think they probably will. SO's family was in town for the last 2 weeks. I got to see them a couple of times until I got sick and then decided to stay away so that his mom doesn't get sick as she is going through her own lung cancer treatment. She is doing what they call immunity infusions. Apparently it is a drug that they use to cure bladder cancer and they have discovered that it also helps with certain lung cancers so that it strengthens your immune system to to fight back if the cancer tries to grow. Totally and experimental deal but she is willing to try. We all got together last night had dinner and played board games. They leave today.
DebAl I too have been stressing about reoccurrence lately. I find myself reading it on the internet story after story. I hear it in my personal life around neighbors, friend ect good and bad. When I was going through treatment I didn't think about it much I guess I was just focused on all the side effects I was dealing with and the roller coaster of emotions on top of it. Now I do think about it and it freaks me out!!! How is the intagrative medicine services? Do you have tips or advice to share yet?
Engine my father has told me this is short lived so live for today and let tomorrow take care of itself. He too went through lung cancer treatment and he dealt with it a lot better than I have because of his theory tomorrow will take care of itself. So is my SO's mother. Now me on the other hand I'm one of those people that are thinking okay I got thru today but what about 9 months from now! I really truly do need to learn to get into that calm mode of let tomorrow take care of itself.
InnaB thank you the update on the acupuncture. Going through chemo I was getting a massage every two weeks and I think that was helping me out a lot. However the last two taxols my skin hurts so bad and it was so dry that I said no way is anyone touching my body. Now I feel like I just need to get through radiation before I go back into massage.
Undrago I was told to get some Ultra Repair Cream for my dried up skin. That stuff is awsome! I also bought a lotion wand at Bed Bath and Beyond to put it on my back. The direction say to put lotion in the wand but I just rub it on the wand its self and apply that way. Works great!
I've been thinking about the ladies out here that have gone through this more than once. I think about some of you fighting off more then just breast cancer past or present. I admire your strength and courage through it all. I also deeply appreciate that you are on this board caring and sharing your past and present experiences.
DJT, Frog, Interg, Warrier, Duffy Hikinglady, Notered and Maggie hope you all are doing better with SE, Surgies, rads. Sorry if I missed anyone!
Hugs to all my wonderful, strong beautiful ladies out there and of course the devoted, handsome gent!
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Hi DebAl,
You're welcome. That quote really hit home for me when I read it in the newsletter. I'm not the patient going through this, but initially, I was overwhelmed by the "what ifs". Even though my focus has always been 100% on my wife, I also had some misplaced self-pity. Why are we going through this for a third time? I never questioned God or thought why was he doing this to us again? I know he doesn't cause cancer. I thought a lot about what if my wife can't go back to work? She makes 50% more annually than I do and we are taking care of my 99 year old mom and still paying off our son's college loans. Focusing on "one day at a time", which I am still using, has really saved me.
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A small spot on my wife's surgical incision still continues to drain and we're 5 months post surgery. The surgeon, who last saw it about a month ago, always says it will stop eventually and it is not infected. At least two other surgeons in the department who have seen it have said the same thing, but it is frustrating for Janice and me. She has to bandage it every day.
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That seems SO extremely slow for healing. I have been learning about Hyberbaric Oxygen Therapy. It speeds up healing. My friend was referred to a wound care specialty clinic for a slow- (post-surgery) healing foot incision, and she was then prescribed this therapy, and it has been astonishing. She describes it as 40% faster healing, and she's been measuring the healing, and so have doctors. So that's what they often do now if wounds need a boost to heal. Chemo slows down healing, of course....
Maybe information to know about, and possibly follow up on if her healing continues to stall.
I also had slow healing, but not that slow, and it was due to previous radiation on right side, then starting chemo 4 weeks after surgery, and incision closed at 8.5 weeks. Other side at 2 weeks.
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Engine, maybe you should see a wound specialist? I hope Janice feels better soon
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Hi HikingLady and InnaB2018,
Thanks for the info. I'll check into the hyperbaric therapy, but I doubt our HMO will cover it. They would not cover the cold cap, I know that.
Kaiser has a wound center. I think my wife should ask for a referral to it. One of the professors I work with had a wound on her leg that would not heal for several months and they were able to help her. Anyeay, I am going to push my wife to call the surgeon and get an appointment so she can ask for the referral. We're talking five months here and there is still a little drainage. I know that five of these months were under chemo, but still?
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hi everyone,
Engine, how is janice doing? Did you look into the hyperbaric oxygen? One day at a time..
GAW, I dropped to partime when I come back from vacation. When I think about all the things that contribute to recurrence stress is the biggest area I need to work on. The job will still be stressful but I wont be there as often.
InnaB, thanks for your info on acupuncture. First appt was this morning and I have a few more set up. I wont see the integrative medicine dr until November and I will keep you posted.
I hope everyone is feeling ok and having a good week. I think of all of you often, deb
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Hi DebAL,
Not yet. Thanks for asking. My wife was going to make an appointment with the surgeon. I think she is going to call today. In the meantime, she came down with a mild UTI, so it was back to urgent care for some antibiotics.
I am very worried about her going back to work. She has a very stressful job and I believe that is part of the reason why she had a second bout with BC. She goes back next Monday, full-time. Fortunately, she works from home 3 days a week, though initially, she will be in the office re-learning all of the systems.
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I wanted to drop in and say hello to everyone. I'm trying to catch up on this thread, and a few others. I feel like I've been away from home!
I think of everyone here, and pray for all daily. I know we fight the fight daily, and some days are better than others. I hope this fall season is relaxing and healing to all here🎃🎃🎃
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Hi Djt,
Thanks. I pray for my wife and all of you every day too.
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Engine, hopefully the doctor will help Janice. This incision is taking its sweet time to heal!
GAWarrior, Urdrago, how are you doing, guys?
DebAl, Djt, glad things are progressing nicely for you!
I am 2 weeks PFC! Feel like myself mostly, just a little depressed. This disease shuttered my illusion of control over my own body and my life, so I don’t think I will ever be the person I was before the diagnosis. Whatever is left of my brain is working overtime on trying to figure out what can I do to avoid reccurance. If someone has an answer to that question, please share it 🙁. I am joking, of course. In the meantime, PT helps to eliminate my cords, although the process hurts. Oh, well, compared to what i’ve been through, it’s nothing.
Wishing everyone a good rest of the week!
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InnaB, ur not the only one that has been depressed me too. Concerned about surgery and staying healthy me too. Overall made it this far need turbo booster to kick in...
Engine, Tell Janice I'm starting to notice the healing in my extraction area as it's not as pink like The original blood clot. Hopefully she will start healing soon as well. Can they give her an antibiotic injection verses a pill to help with healing?
Gawarrior, I forgot u were behide me in surgery.."chemo brain". Actually i recalled after u sent the message why ur behide bcuz u did all 12 taxol's.. how are u doing with hands? Mine nail beds actually turned darker and its still hard to pick up paper or tiny things. But nails are attached so far and new growth is 1/3 of nail bed lengrh..
Frog, did u get the drains out yet ? Sorry I cldnt go back thru all the posting as I'm tryping..grrrr. what's the next steps for you?
Life, thanks for the tip on Ultra Repair Cream looking that one up. How many more radation visits till ur fe again ?
Well on Monday I start working from home, the cold season has begun at work. Ppl ot w/ bronchitis and stomach flu. I dont need to be sick prior to surgery so either they stop getting sick or I stay healthy at home. Boss said stay home..
I did get the rodan eye lash boost. Not cheap at all 143 but Hoping it will help my eyelashes and brows grow. Lol I've got maybe four of each.. Head-hair update, the middle centerfront is taking its sweet time to fill in or even come back..,PFC 5 weeks tomorrow.
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Me too girls.
Engine I hope Janice catches as break real soon. My goodness!
Undrago Why did I think you were a brunette? Your hair has gotten long! Longer than mine for sure. So you're hiding your face on all your pictures but I can tell by a side view that you are smiling. Just like your little statement says. Mine is coming in salt and pepper. My nails are doing okay but when they grow back their growing kind of wavy so I've been keeping them short still.
So I had a panic attack on the radiation table this past Monday. Today the radiation doctor talk to me about it. I told her about one of my neighbors and it's got me a little freaked out. She talked to me about how she realizes that I have lost some things during these treatments. She said it's true I will never be the young, vibrant woman with strong bones and excessive energy again. She also explained to me that everything I'm feeling would be a naturally progression with menopause . I am just feeling it sooner because it has been brought on by medical treatment . She said I can choose to grieve that and hold onto that grief or I can embrace it as a new chapter in my life. She recommended keeping stress levels down, eating healthy, plenty of rest, protecting my arm from lymphedema and just living my life looking forward to each day. I didn't tell her that I was grieving my youth, I was just telling her what happened and how it it stressed me out. But I feel that her advice is very good because I am grieving it. I am going to try my best to put a smile on my face and not try to think so much negativity.
Radiation I have 18 more to go. Tomorrow I go in for my CT scan and map for the Boost that they'll do for the last 8 treatments. Hoping I can stay healthy to get through these next 18 treatments without any delay! Then it's back to my OC for my second treatment of zometa. I am going to ask him if he is going to do a bone density test as I will be on annastozole 3 months so of October 17th.
DebAl good for you on going part time. I too am looking at cutting my part-time job down some so that I'm not working so much during the month. I would like to quit it but I looked at my finances and that's not going to happen since they're raising our health insurance, retirement and dental premiums next year.
GaWarrier when is your surgery?
Well time for diner and RR.
Check back soon!
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Heres a front pic of my fur baby and me.smiling!!! I am a burnette I think. Lol.. allot of gray and I know some was there but never knew how much.
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Undergo - what an adorable picture! I'm not saying this just to say it either you actually look good without your eyebrows and eyelashes. Here's a picture of me with no eyelashes and eyebrows my own parents didn't even recognize me when I sent them the picture. Think my nose looks much bigger with no hair. PS love your fur baby! I bet your fur baby is loving life since your home more. I know mine loved it the week I was home sick. Laid on my lap all the time. Isn't it just wonderful to curl up with them! They lift the loneliness for sure!
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Life, love the pic and smiling without ur hair..
fur babies really do help supporting us as we go thru this journey of kicking cancers ass. I hide under a baseball hat all day, feeling pale and chubby face. I think its bcuz we cannot hide behide hair , eyelashes and make up..lol.
Omg, I didnt ask them or maybe they all were kind and didnt say how much I changed after I shaved. But my niece cried said I look sickly. U know kids so honest .Others never said anything other than ur hat looks great .my thoughts, " really I'm wearing it bcuz I'm bald!! " My mouth always said. Thank u...
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Urdrago, Life, you are beautiful, girls! I will wait for my hair to come in before posting mine. I look like Nesferatu with my bat-like ears and lashless eyes.
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you all are sumthin else! Brave AND beautiful. I just today, told my sister I have a little brush cut coming in. And that I look like Eddie Munster, only old. I got a little peak on top!!
I use the infant hairbrush I save from my grandsons baby locks, I knew it was for something!!
Is there Hope? I tell my partner his beard grows faster than my hair!!.
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Woo. Djt your hair is all over and ur filling in nicely. I'm jealous...I wonder if I should use some of those shampoos that help with growth.. I say it. Knowing everything now takes awhile!!
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Those pictures look great! For you guys with peach fuzz coming back, how long has it been since your chemo ended? Just wondering because Janice has no sign of anything yet and we are six weeks out.
I asked her if she called the surgeon today to see if she can get an appointment, but she didn't. I hope she will tomorrow. I can't force her to go. Chances are they will say we still need to wait, but I don't see any improvement. There may be a little less drainage, but not much. She tried to go without the 2 x 2 bandage this afternoon, but it still leaked. She wanted to let it air and maybe that will help it heal.
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I am loving the hair pics!! Urdrago you have so much more hair than I do. Djt it is painfully slow, isn’t it? The one bit of progress I’ve made is it seems to be darkening up. It was white peach fuzz all over but is a tiny bit more visible these days. I had a full set of short eyelashes before the last of mine fell out so with mascara and a little eyeliner I don’t look all that chemo-y around the eyes. And except for the outside of my left eyebrow my brows are okay (although have never had much color on their own).
Like Inna I was going to wait to post a pic until I was out of the ball caps but this is me at my Herceptin infusion last Friday—seven weeks PFC.
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Super jealous of all the hair pictures. I'm 7 weeks PFC and just have a little peach fuzz (if the peach is grey).
I start my boosts today so I'm 3/4 of the way thru with radiation. Only 5 to go.
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duffyzmom—we’ll all get there eventually. I had my first boost yesterday—after today I only have five left too!
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All of you are beautiful, strong women. Once the hair starts growing, it seems to come in pretty fast, whether its head, lashes, eyebrows, or even facial fuzz. Hope you all have a stressfree, SE's free weekend.
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I agree Maggie! Love all the pics! Hope everyone is feeling well today, deb
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engine, I hope Janice gets to the bottom of this constant draining issue soon. It must be so worrisome for you both. Prayers for you both. Hope IT improves soon.
Duffy, so glad you are getting to the end soon. Hang in. There! I read a lot on hair growth online, but i think other than biotin and Rogaine, not much else can really work. But each day new stuff surfaces, so we can hope.
Hi to all !! This hair deal is just crazy stuff. I remember a movie from a million years ago, it was a war movie, with Sophia Loren. For some unremembered reason she and other women had their heads shaved as a mark of dissapproval of some kimd.
I must have been a small kid, but remember the horror i felt. We as women are just born with a love of our locks!! Im glad for my little brush cut, rather have that than cancer, but its hard on us!! The whole world expects all women to have hair, beautiful hair.
But we here are ALIVE. SO IT IS WHAT IS, AT least for today amd tomorrow. And it's ok. It's ok.
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