Illinois ladies facing bc
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Praying for WendyTY and her family.
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Is benedryl helping for you ladies with the hives? I believe you could use both oral and topical forms. It must be even more miserable to have hives in this heat!
Lago, thinking of you and your job search. I believe the right thing will come along, and this guy is just a dope who shouldn't be the one making hiring decisions. Pardon me, but I am a little angry with him!
Roula, give yourself time. I think most of us have had those freaking out days, but it does get easier with time. After 6 years, I am mostly back to normal worries...like what are my kids doing now? But every once in awhile I do still think about it. I think that is our new normal now.
Spunky...Isn't Madison just the best place? Do you get the ice cream made on campus? It's the best! Talking about worrying....I was freaking out that all my kids {very grownup, in their thirties} insisted on driving back to Glenview in the same car. I was proud of myself for not bringing it up, but I didn't like it. Great graduation, but not really finished until December. Internships until then. This daughter is 31, and has been in Madison since she was 18. Just never came back after her undergrad. My DH also went to medical school there, so it's big in our family.
Wishing few se's for those of you in tx. You all are never far from my thoughts.
WendyTY...thoughts and prayers still coming.
To those in service, our great veterans....THANK YOU!
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Lago and Lisa - lunch on Wed sounds great. Lago since you are the downtown expert...you pick where we should go. My appt is at 11am and it should be pretty quick since it is with the PA to recheck tattoos. I may have to quickly hit the Lego store just to pick something up - that's at Water Tower Place. That should just take a few minutes...I am not shopping, I know what I need to get.
To whomever has the hives/rash....I had that too! It lasted for 3 months (sorry!). I did not get it until after my 3rd TC treatment. I did take lots of antihistamines. My skin was on fire...burning and itching. I also used Sarna lotion (available at CVS) to help with the burning feeling. I saw a dermatologist - they didn't know how to help me either. I just had to ride it out. I had 3-4 rx's for steroids which helped but when the steroids ran out, the rash was back. I hope it clears up for you quicker than it did with me. Hugs!
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May the same grace and strength that Wendy the younger has always exuded be bestowed back to her and her family .
Prayers and love ....jan
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You might be surprised but I'm not the Michigan Ave lunch expert. I know all the places that aren't in that location
But top picks for salads would be the Marketplace Cafe at Nordstrom (menu) or Mighty Nice Grill in Watertower.
I've never been to the streeterville location but this is another possibility (and an old Schamburg lunch favorite till it closed) pompeipizza.com (212 East Ohio St)
Not sure what kind of time you all have either but if you want Thai, Star of Siam isn't too far (11 E Illinois St.)
I'm open for other suggestions. I just ate dinner so deciding what I want to eat when I'm full doesn't work.
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Thanks to all for your feedback on the hives/rash. I haven't received Benadryl in pre-meds since finishing Taxol & starting AC but think that's a good idea. I'll ask the onc when I see him this week.
mdg- did they ever discover the cause of your hives? I hate to deal with this for months!!! Ugh! I'm also glad that you mentioned that the dermatologist wasn't any help. I was planning to make an appointment tomorrow.., can scratch that off the list.
Wishing you all a peaceful week. Hopefully you will join me in a happy dance Thursday eve after finishing my last and final AC!!!
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One more thing about Hives. I did get them years ago (2004 & 2005) twice. I took Allegra but I don't remember which one. I never figured out what triggered the hives.
Also my onc had me on Zyrtec the entire time I was on chemo. That too is an antihistamine.
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Being allergic to the air that we breathe (basically), I take daily allergy medications including Zyrtec, Singulair and Nasonex. I would think that would help but given the current state of my immune system - active thrush & cold sores in addition to the hives/rash, it doesn't seem that much is working for my allergies these days. Let the count down begin.., I can't wait for this to be over and to begin to recoup my immunity!
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Lago - you decide where to go for lunch. I am happy if they have a salad of some kind.
Robo - I hope hair comes in soon. Come on hair...you can do it!
C-squared - My med onc acted like the chemo did not cause it. The dermatologist thought I was continuing to be exposed to something - could be the chemo or not. They had me use the Vanacream soap, lotion and a steroid topical in addition to oral steroids. We could never figure it out. Although a few months post chemo I went back to ECOS laundry soap which is suppose to be very chemical free (I had used it before) and after a few months of NO rash, the rash was back. I don't know if I developed a rash to the laundry soap or what. I have changed to something else now and no rash. I was using the ECOS pre-chemo and had no rashes. I really don't know what caused it. I did get benedryl in all of my pre-meds for each chemo. I hope you get relief. Try the Sarna cream...at least it will sooth things.
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Just popping in to say hi. Sorry to miss lunch in the city this week. I have a follow-up at NW late Thursday afternoon so I am a day off. I have eaten at the Pompeii on Ohio and it was the usual Pompeii Menu and busy at lunch time. I have always wanted to try Volare which is very near there. It's an Italian place that has been recommended to me by a few of the office staff at NW.
We re making our way back home and should arrive tomorrow by noon. Have had a very fun holiday weekend catching up with friends and family, but looking forward to getting home. There is no place like home....... Now I have that song on my brain.... Everybody sing now....0 -
Well I've been back to work for 3 weeks now and it's going good. I do have issues with my legs still..if I sit to long they are stiff when I get up. And in the morning my calves feel like I have charley horses.
I go back to onc on Monday and hopefully get some direction on what happens next.
I friend of my was telling me that I need to wear sunscreen all the time now or I'll gt skin cancer. WTF. I hate that crap. Feels to oily and greasy. Leaves stains on my clothes...0 -
Smerf, thank you, I am trying to stay positive. Just sometimes it gets really hard. I have my 3 TCH this Thursday, so almost half way done. Yay!
I hope everyone had a great weekend and hope all you wonderful ladies have a wonderful week! Much love, health and happiness to you all!0 -
Good Morning ladies. Yesterday I started getting what I think is hives. My hand was swollen, the back of my head itching with red welts, and now I have them all over my arms, head, and the back of my legs. I am very uncomfortable. Maybe I will take Claritan this morning and call my MO. I have to work today and I feel like I have head lice, that's how much my head is itching me with the welts!
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kjiberty - That sounds almost exactly like my allergic reaction to Neulasta. Hives started on the back of my head, covered it completely and worked down to the rest of my body. Kept moving around the body throughout the weeks of reaction, though never left my head and neck. At the worst they covered 1/3 of my body. Both hands swelled up, feet to a lessor degree.
Watch for tongue, throat, and eye lid swelling, shortness of breath. I should have gone to the ER, but benedryl calmed that down. You may need both steroids and antihistimines at the same time to make this marginally tolerable if it gets worse. I used topical benedryl creme on my head at its worst. Didn't mess up my hair. Had none!
So sorry you are getting this.
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FYI Steriods didn't work for me when I got the hives. The Allegra did. Hives are right up there with shingles as far as a living hell type of condition. Really hope they find a solutions soon for you guys.
My choice for lunch would be the Cafe at Nordstrom. I think it's on the 3rd level. Volare looks good too. Might Nice Grill is a better locations but their salads are huge. MDG you need to pick the time though.
So if the Cafe at Nordstrom is not your preference speak up now.
Robo, join us!
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For sunscreen I'm using the Nuetragena stuff that goes on dry/non-greasy. Purchased it at Walgreens in a 2 pack. I haven't used it on my face though and from what I have read it is not recommended for the face.
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Thanks, Lago. I hope you all have a nice lunch. I am calling my MO as soon as they open. Any suggestions for topical cream?
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Could you risk believing that everything
will unfold just fine if you completely let go
of all concern about everything else,
and simply are here, now - if only for a moment?
- Dmitri Bilgere0 -
Good morning.....hope your heat and humidity are better today. When we hear on our news ( about four hrs. away from Chicago ) that it is going to be pretty un-pleasant, I'm sure that it will be. In the main, it was more just hot here -- have probably had just enough rain to make it a little steamy, but the temps will be down by quite a lot so we will do fine.
Lisa....I think you always hear sunscreen from almost everyone but are you more ( in some way ) susceptible to it because you have had breast cancer. Maybe if you are in the sun for long periods. I am mainly in and out so don't put any on. Lago's brand does sound tolerable though if you need to use it......and aren't there some cosmetic brands that have a sunscreen in them......so you might avoid needing to use anything extra on the face and neck. Just tossing this out.....have to admit, I'm lousy with make-up so seldom bother with it.
Golly.....seems like a huge amt. of hives are coming up now. Don't recall so much in 2008 with the group I was in....makes you wonder if some little nuance of change is making itself known. I do hope you all get relief.....it sounds so miserable and if you add in heat and humidity -- I'd say really close to un-bearable.
Hope you all otherwise have a fantastic day.
Hugs, Jackie
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Lago - Sorry we missed each other in Michigan City. We drove past that outlet mall a few times, but I had no desire to go there. There's a similar one in Aurora I go to when I feel the need for outlet shopping - and it's supposed to be bigger and nicer than the MC one. We did have a great time doing other things in that area though. I do recommend it for anyone looking for a weekend getaway that's not too expensive.
I feel for all you ladies suffering with hives. I don't recall ever getting a bad case of them during treatment, but I do recall going through a period of an insanely itchy back. I kept thinking it was just dry skin, but no matter how much lotion I put on, the itching was crazy. I still have my backscratcher sitting by my computer. I believe that went on for a few months. Perhaps try a Caladryl lotion? It's basically calamine plus benadryl.
Robo - You've probably already tried Rogaine, but I thought I'd throw that out there in case you haven't yet. At one point I was worried about how sparse my front hairline was so my dermatologist suggested I try the Men's Rogaine in the Foam preparation. I can't say how well it worked because I started getting paranoid that I was going to get it on my pillow and roll on it - eventually resulting in some unwanted facial hair(!), so I stopped. That area took a longer time to fill in that the rest of my head, but I do attribute some of it to natural thinning due to menopause. It took a long time for me to be comfortable with it again, but I think it looks fine now.
Also, an FYI for anyone still struggling with their eyelashes feeling insufficient....I have been using Latisse for my eyelashes over the last month or so. Gotta say... it really has worked for me. I'm very pleased with the length it's brought back to my lashes. I don't think my lashes have been this long in many years. I *think* there's a similar product (if not the same) that can be used for eyebrows. Certainly worth checking into.
I'm in a really bad slump about my overall (lack of) fitness right now. I really wish I was more like my DH, who is a runner. I have tried and tried the gym thing, but I have never discovered that whateveritis that makes people actually like doing this stuff. I know, I'm whining like a lazy bum, but it's the truth. I HATE working out. But, I can really FEEL how out of shape I am right now, and how low my stamina is. When I get home from work, I want to eat and relax. Why is that so bad??? Grrr. No fair.
Okay, I'll stop whining. Just needed to vent and stamp my feet a bit.
Maybe I'll stop in at the AnytimeFitness on my way home from work today and check it out. grr, again.
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Rene: I hear ya. My mind wants to go to the gym, but the body is not cooperating. And the flab! I can't stand it. I have weights at home, but have not energy or stamina. Thanks for the latisse tip. Did you get the rx from your MO? I know there is Rapidlash (can be purchased online or even at Ulta), but it doesn't work as well as Latisse, but it's a lot cheaper. How soon after your last treatment did you start Latisse?
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mdg & lago, Market Place Cafe at Nordstroms, right? What time? Lisa and I are taking the train and a nice walk. See you tomorrow!
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I have been using the Neutrogena sunscreen for the past few years as my dermatologist recommends it because of their Helioplex ingredient. This year I am going to switch to something from my health food store that seems alot safer as far as the ingredients. I don't like weari g the stuff either, but I do love the sunshine.
Adey... I highly recommend catching the water taxi from e train station over to Michigan Ave. It's cheap, fun, and very quick. You still have about 4-5 blocks to walk over to Nordy's. I usually buy a batch of 10 ride tickets every summer as we go through them pretty fast.0 -
Rene, I so feel for you on the exercise front! You just have to look around and find what works for you. For example, after years of doing a commercial diet plan and stalling on weight loss, I started doing circuit training using the Jillian Michaels website and found it much easier to do than planned trips to the gym. I can do it at home, the gym, in a hotel, and just about anywhere and it resulted in me being in the best shape I've been in 20 years. I do belong to a gym but use it mainly for the treadmill and elliptical glider because I don't have the room for them and maintenance can be a bear on them. Some people have a collection of DVDs from various sources and there are a lot out there and they rotate through them. For the most part, you have to want to do it and make it work for you and your lifestyle. I have never gotten the "runners high" and have had to really work to get an exercise program in place that works for me. What has also helped is the online boards at the JM site where they have ongoing challenges, you can post a message about being happy, sad, frustrated, questions and the people there are great at supporting me. That feature really keeps me going. I just participated in a two week challenge and won a set of Jillian Michaels books which she is going to sign for me! What a motivation to keep coming back. Just keep trying different things until you find what works for you.
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So funny (the ironic funny) that exercise is a hot topic today. I'm debating going to fitness class tonight-I'm reaaly tired and would like to skip, but there's only 5 of us in the class so I'd feel bad not showing up...if I continue debating for another 30 minutes it will be too late.
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I'm good exercising almost only if it's in the morning before work and chores. After work, forget it. I want to come home, eat and relax. The trick for me is to make it a habit and have as much variety as possible. Different things to do inside during bad weather and walking, jogging and biking outside in good weather. Have never joined a gym, but would like to add yoga.
How are those of you with rashes and hives doing?
I think I can go to Nordstroms also. It would be great to meet some of you in person.
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Robo I still use the Minoxidil for women only once a day (supposed to use it twice). I don't recommend the men's. I tried that several years ago. Got some hair growing on my face that wasn't supposed to be there!
Rene I told my onc when I first met her that I hated working out… love the way I feel when I'm done. It is a chore but if I don't do it I feel like crap. It takes about 2-3 weeks for my body to get used to it, or shall I say not too sore. Once I get over that hump it's a little easier. But don't think I love to do it. I have to schedule it or it won't get done.
Maria what time should we meet tomorrow. You're the one with the latest appointment I believe.
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I'm good with noon. Who ever gets there first save a table/booth
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kjiberty - My last chemo was 7 years ago, so it's been quite a while.
I finished my AI's this past December though, and I've always felt that my thinner hair and lashes would magically resolve themselves once I was finished. I do think my hair is better, or at least, holding steady, but I still wasn't happy with my lashes. I actually got the Latisse from my office. We have an aesthetician who works out of our office, so I just bought it from her. There's supposed to be enough in that little bottle to last 4 months, but instead of following the directions and using one drop per eye, I use one drop and spread it on both eyes. This was suggested to me as a way of making it last longer that was just as effective. So far, so good. Joan - I read an article a few months ago about the concerns with all the chemicals in most sunblocks. There was a link to the organization that does the annual testing, HERE. I did buy one of the zinc-based sunblocks for my last sunny trip and it worked just fine, although it does need to be rubbed in more. I made my DD take and use the same stuff for her recent trip.
Valerie - Thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to check out the Jillian Michaels site.
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Hey gals - Lunch and Nordies is perfect. My appointment is at 11am. I will plan to be at Nordies around 11:45am or so. Can't wait! It will be fun to see you gals!!!
On the exercise front - I wish we were all closer to each other - I would make you all exercise
I taught class this morning and then did yoga after. I have always done cardio and weights but only added yoga after completing my treatments. I really like it. It has made a big difference for me - less aches and pains, more flexibility and less stress. I have a few yoga DVD's I do at home sometimes too. I do feel flabbier since starting tamoxifen...is it in my head? Another great bonus that comes with tammi...I used Lattisse post chemo and it worked great. I have not been using it anymore and my lashes are long and normal again. My med onc wrote me an Rx when I used it.
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Hey gals - Lunch and Nordies is perfect. My appointment is at 11am. I will plan to be at Nordies around 11:45am or so. Can't wait! It will be fun to see you gals!!!
On the exercise front - I wish we were all closer to each other - I would make you all exercise
I taught class this morning and then did yoga after. I have always done cardio and weights but only added yoga after completing my treatments. I really like it. It has made a big difference for me - less aches and pains, more flexibility and less stress. I have a few yoga DVD's I do at home sometimes too. I do feel flabbier since starting tamoxifen...is it in my head? Another great bonus that comes with tammi...I used Lattisse post chemo and it worked great. I have not been using it anymore and my lashes are long and normal again. My med onc wrote me an Rx when I used it.
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