Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part IV - GAGWTA

[kofslinky]

kofiinky, have a wonderful time at OKW. You're bringing your camera, right?

Things are going pretty well here, for a change. It just seems like almost every week something is going on with someone. Fortunately it's been nothing truly serious (with people, anyway). DD is recovering nicely. Has a few stitches (out of the hundreds) that are coming through the skin but we'll have those fixed this week. Some of the swelling has finally gone down. She feels great. DS's knee is almost all better.

My girl (dog) is hanging in there. Since treatment for her UTI, which was redone a second time, she's feeling back to normal other than the legs not working. We're just treating her as always with accommodations for her now disability. She is happy. It's funny, in deep snow she can't fall over so it's like her legs are ok in it so she's still running after her ball in the yard. So the snow has been both a curse and a blessing. Taking her out at 3am to pee has been "interesting". Before she began having this problem last fall, we had decided to get a second dog. A small one this time. Long story in that we tried to rescue on several occasions, but it wasn't working out. (Dogs were biting my dog, basically.) So we are getting a puppy. I'm not sure when yet, but maybe in the next month or two. I have never had any type of dog besides a GSD, so this should be interesting. I'm sure I will get another GSD in the future, but for now, it'll just be my girl and the pup. I have the feeling this may end up being my DD's dog in many ways, as part of our motivation was for her, but I will be strongly involved with training and such, as we don't want any spoiled rotten dogs here (other than our girl, who we've been spoiling shamelessly now). So we are all very excited. We know our girl will be ok with it as we will treat her as always and she will adjust. (Ironically, she was a pup when our last GSD had what she has now, and it all worked out.) I think it will help ease some of our sadness when she goes, too, to have another dog in the house already.

I can't imagine leaving the camera at home! I just got a new 50 mm lens that I can't wait to try out. I promise to share pictures when I get back! 21 days!!

I'm glad both your DS and DD are doing better, and I'm glad the snow has some blessing mixed in there!

CherylDan- Sorry you couldn't swing the beach for next week, but San Diego for the weekend sounds pretty good too! I always enjoy having a trip to look forward to- makes the time I'm miserable seem bearable. (And when I'm not miserable, it makes that time even better )

The cold and wind has returned to Maine today. Yesterday was so nice, that thermometer reading of 35 or so... today we'll be lucky to see 20 and the wind is making me look for heffalumps and woozels.

GAGWTA!

 

[jillyb]

Just popping in to say "hi!" and hope everyone is staying warm on this cold Sunday afternoon.

kofslinky your trip sounds so nice! Looking forward to seeing some pictures! It's going to be a while before I'll be taking any trips but it's nice to live vicariously through others!

Speaking of living vicariously through others...great pictures smiley! Looks like ya'll had a nice trip. I like the one of you and your DH on the beach too!

Cheryl have fun at the beach! Sorry to hear about your results but at least the uncertainty of the surgery is no longer an issue.

I got a chuckle out of the use of the walker and cane. There for a while, I was so weak and tired from chemo I was worried about falling in the shower so I used my Dad's shower chair lol.

I am doing much better than I was the last 2 months of 2013. Now that I'm done with chemo things are getting back to normal (whatever that is! LOL). I'm eating everything in sight and it's nice to have food taste like it's supposed to taste! Slowly putting some weight back on. I saw my surgeon last Wednesday and surgery is scheduled for February 12th. I'm having a lumpectomy and removal of some of my lymph nodes. After surgery, I'll have radiation for 5 days for 6 months, on top of getting herceptin once a week until December of this year. I'm thinking I'll take short term disability from work while getting the radiation.

GAGWTA!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Sounds good, Jilly. Good luck with surgery.

 

[fortwildernessishome]

Cheryl - So sorry to hear about the bone and node mets and that you have to start the chemo again. Wishing you all the best as always.Hang in there sweetie! My thoughts and prayers are with you. Yes the beach and margaritas sounds like a great idea. Its freezng here too.

Well tomm dh is taking ds and I for blood tests. More snow and its so cold here. I just stay inside.

Ds3 took ds2 to the dr. It worked out well. He went with my mom list. Also ds3 actually liked her better than the md he has so he might switch to her too. She did everything on my list So ds has scripts for meds, blood tests, got a flu shot and echo script. Ds2 did tell me that he saw the dr. make a not so good face, kind of like freaked out, when she saw ds hands. Hmm. She says she feels he has some of the signs of the syndrome.

So the show is on the road so to speak. Next is to do echo around his college schedule and or ds schedule. Also the ortho too. They are trying to figure out why he breaks his bones so much.

My leg is a little better. Not using my grandmas walker so that is good.

GAGWTA. Have a great week end everyone. Thinking of you all.

Just want to say that I am continuing to pray that your son does not have Marfans. Best of luck as he has the various tests done.

 

[fortwildernessishome]

Had an appt with my oncologist today to discuss the PET scan and plan of action. Apparently there are mets showing in my bone marrow, and lymph nodes on my non-affected side. Since the mets are now outside of the abdomen, I am no longer eligible for the surgery and will be starting regular chemo next week. He has also ordered bone scans and a MRI to be sure of everything we are dealing with. So........chemo, round three. We will do chemo for two months and then a CT scan to see how it is going, and take things from there.

:

I am truly sorry to read this. While I do not post often, I have followed this thread since my own cancer journey began in July 2011. Many people on this thread inspire me and you are one of them. I am sending positive thoughts that the chemo will go well.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Cheryl - yeah for the San Diego trip I was just reading that now is the time for the monarch butterfly winter migration. They said they were in the Santa Barbara area, wonder if you might see any? Have a wonderful trip. Sounds like the condo is coming along.

Jillyb - so glad to hear you are gaining weight and wishing you all the bet with the upcoming surgery

Peg - I hope the cold does not linger. Feel better. Chicken soup is always on the top of my list.

Linda - glad your ds and dd are healing

Laurie - hope Snappy is taking her meds. How are dd's roomate issues going?Bet you will be happy to see your brother soon

kofslinky - I love Citricos. Always a favorite. I always get the shrimp app, love the oliev bread, usually I get the chicken or beef I think. For dessert I always get the berry gratin but we have also gotten the dessert with the chocolate crown. That is just amazing to look at. Love Brown Derby too. Laurie got dh and I hooked on that place. I usually get the filet and a cobb salad as an app, Its a smaller portion. If the soup is not strange I might try it. Last time I think it was oyster, not a fan of that.

fortwilderneishome - thanks for thinking of my ds.

Well we went for the blood tests and what a shock. Apparently they either fired or reassigned all the girls from the office. I had a new girl and she told me she hated working here and missed her old office. Um, how nice to start out like that. She said the other girls were not asking for credit cards if a balance was owed or could be owed. She said the computer showed we might have a balance. I said, no never,. Its always covered etc. She insisted on getting our cc card. I said well you are lucky dh has it or ds and I would have walked out etc. She said the other girls were not following this corporate procedure. sigh.

Going to grocery shop tonight since it will be about freezing, warmest in a while and dh is leaving for Calif tomm. again.

Ds will try to navigate the college with his broken foot today. He took the wheelchair and crutches. Now to coordinate his other med stuff but he has classes almost every day.

GAGWTA

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Hi Ladies Today I am serving up some and you all can have a piece.

What are we celebrating you may ask. Why its my 5 year cancerversary today!

Cant believe 5 years ago I almost died. Thank heavens God was listening and answered the prayers and let dh push my bed down to the or and sent the 2nd new surgeon asap.

I am so thankful that I am still here today and you all all such a great bunch of ladies. You inspire me. Thanks for letting me hang around here with you all.

It snowed a few inches overnight. Lucky dh is in califor. I am sure enjoying the sun and warm weather.

Poor ds 2 has a giant blister on his hands from the crutches. He is now using the wheelchair at college. Said its much better. Saw another guy on crutches and told him to get a wheelchair too, lol.

Can you please say a pray for sweet Alyssa. She is having another MRI today. She seems to be having headaches and migraines. Praying its not another brain tumor. She was so sweet and called me right before I went to the hospital before my surgery and said she is praying for me etc.

GAGWTA. Thinking of you all always.

 

[jillyb]

Happy Cancerversary!

Prayers and pixie dust for your DS2 and Alyssa!

We got snow yesterday. It's a big deal when it snows here! DD's got out of school early yesterday and no school today. Roads in our neighborhood are covered in snow with a nice sheet of ice hiding underneath. I managed to get out and get to work today but going to leave early since roads will be getting icy once the sun goes down.

 

[jillyb]

Question for you ladies that have had chemo: how long did it take for your hair to grow back (if you lost it completely)? Mine is starting to come back but it's just very short bristles. You can kind of tell that it's there. It's cold and I'm ready to have some hair covering my head and ears! LOL

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Hi ladies. Just wanted to stop by and say hello and let you know I'm still here praying for you all and sending good thoughts and pixie dust your way. I read along every other day or so. Just want you all to know you're in my thoughts and prayers. Be well.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Question for you ladies that have had chemo: how long did it take for your hair to grow back (if you lost it completely)? Mine is starting to come back but it's just very short bristles. You can kind of tell that it's there. It's cold and I'm ready to have some hair covering my head and ears! LOL

I think it wasn't much longer than a month or so after the end of chemo. I was so happy when I started getting my hair back! For me it was the opposite - it was July and my head was hot in the wig!

Happy Cancerversary lmp. I took care of a man with Marfan's last week and I was thinking about your son and hoping all was going ok. We have never eaten at Brown Derby but we would like to try it sometime.

PrincessKsMom how is that little post op thing doing?

 

[kofslinky]

Question for you ladies that have had chemo: how long did it take for your hair to grow back (if you lost it completely)? Mine is starting to come back but it's just very short bristles. You can kind of tell that it's there. It's cold and I'm ready to have some hair covering my head and ears! LOL

Mine started coming back in probably within a month or so after that med ended. Unfortunately for me it's coming back very thin, and after almost a year, while it's getting longer, it's not filling in much, so I'm still in hats. For a few hours after it gets washed (and if I don't put a hat on) it doesn't look horrible, but it's still not there yet. I'm hoping some day it will fill in and I won't need the hats, but until then I have quite the collection. ;-)

luvmarypoppins- HAPPY CANCERVERSARY!!!!!!

Pea-n-me I highly recommend Brown Derby. I've been twice now, and DBF has been 5 or 6 times I think, and now we can't imagine a trip without going. I really do like it!!

I've been having a very strange week this week. For the first time in two years... well let's just say I'm pretty sure my biological clock has started working again. I wasn't sure it would ever tick again, but I might just be lucky! Definitely will be a new conversation with my oncologist next month!

I hope all of the ladies in the Southern US are doing well and avoiding bad driving conditions from the bad weather! Stay safe and warm!

 

[jillyb]

Thanks ladies! Just wondering how long it will take before I have some actual hair! LOL

Pea-N-Me: I LOVE the Brown Derby!!

 

[PrincessKsMom]

jillyb - I hope you have a full, thick head of hair in no time. When my grandmother's hair grew back (she had had he big red teased beehive from the 50s), it was the most gorgeous white/silver color and thicker than it had ever been in her life.

luvmarypoppins- HAPPY CANCERVERSARY!!!!!!

Pea-n-me - surgeon said hematoma and to use warm moist compresses, massage it 3x a day and take Advil/Aleeve. I have to admit I'm not sure if I'm happy with that answer. Of course my mind is telling me they're throughout my body and I should do more, but other than the swelling, I have no other symptoms. So I'm doing what he says. I see him again on 2/24.

kofslinky - Sorry your hair isn't coming back thicker and full. Maybe that can still change? And as for your other news -- that's so exciting!!! There's always hope!

 

[Feralpeg]

Jill, Mine started to come back about a month after I switched from Adriamycin and Cytoxin to Taxol. At first, I noticed a little stubble. Within a month, I had hair! It's been about five months since it started coming back. Even after having a trim, my hair is about an inch long. Before I lost my hair, it was very straight and fine. Now, it is thick and wavy. I'll have Kendall take a picture and I'll post it so you can see what a few months will do for you!

By the way, my eyebrows and eyelashes came back pretty quickly. My eyelashes do tend to break easy, so I have to go easy on the mascara, but it's so nice to have them back!

luvmarypoppins, Happy Cancerversary! You go girl!

 

[jillyb]

jillyb - I hope you have a full, thick head of hair in no time. When my grandmother's hair grew back (she had had he big red teased beehive from the 50s), it was the most gorgeous white/silver color and thicker than it had ever been in her life.

I'm interested to see how mine grows back! It was very thick and had some natural body. I had some grey on the sides but you couldn't see it unless my hair was pulled back and I was starting to get some grey strands.

 

[jillyb]

Jill, Mine started to come back about a month after I switched from Adriamycin and Cytoxin to Taxol. At first, I noticed a little stubble. Within a month, I had hair! It's been about five months since it started coming back. Even after having a trim, my hair is about an inch long. Before I lost my hair, it was very straight and fine. Now, it is thick and wavy. I'll have Kendall take a picture and I'll post it so you can see what a few months will do for you!

By the way, my eyebrows and eyelashes came back pretty quickly. My eyelashes do tend to break easy, so I have to go easy on the mascara, but it's so nice to have them back!

Adriamycin and Cytoxin just about killed me (figuratively speaking)! That is some bad, bad, bad stuff. The Taxol was so much easier.

You give me hope on the hair! The stubble sounds like what I've got now. I never lost my eyebrows or eyelashes, although my eyebrows do seem to have thinned out some. Saves money on waxing! LOL Other than that, I'm hairless all over!

 

[Feralpeg]

Adriamycin and Cytoxin just about killed me (figuratively speaking)! That is some bad, bad, bad stuff. The Taxol was so much easier.

You give me hope on the hair! The stubble sounds like what I've got now. I never lost my eyebrows or eyelashes, although my eyebrows do seem to have thinned out some. Saves money on waxing! LOL Other than that, I'm hairless all over!

Jill, It was the same with me. Thank goodness there was only four rounds of the Adriamycin and Cytoxin. Not sure I could have done a lot more of those drugs. The Taxol was so much better.

You're on your way! Hang in there!

 

[smiley_face2]

Cheryl, a big hug and you are going to be at the top of my prayers from now on. I am so glad you are off to San Diego! I know the sun is supposed to be bad for us, but I think the benefits to your soul far outweigh the bad!!
LMP... yahoo on the 5 year mark!! I can not wait to get to that!! Still thinking about your son, praying for good news there. will also keep your Alyssa in my prayers.
Snappy I was thinking about you, it was on the news when we were in Hawaii about the cold there, I was shocked! Apparently it was mild and quite sunny here the whole time we were gone, we got home just in time for the rain to start, the sun is back but it is going down to a night time low of 12 on Wednesday!! OMG!! that is shockingly cold for here!! all the daffodils are coming up, the primroses had started to bloom....
We got home from our trip and I woke up sick the next morning again!! pretty much the same thing, and again only lasted about 24 hours, but now I have a bad cold Kind of has me worried. We will see, once I am well, if it comes back again I will go see the dr about it I guess.
Jilly.... I too had the same protocol as you, and also lost all my hair, every bit of it! It started to come back when I went on taxol.
This was taken 4 months after I was done chemo and my second surgery, about 2 weeks after I was done radiation. I had long blond slightly wavy hair, it came in super curly and snow white! slowly has been getting darker and just more wavy now, and my bangs even though I cut them are pretty straight again.

then at the one year mark of when it started to grow back in, about 8 months after all my treatment was done it looked like this, I did cut it in between, to shape it a bit...

You can see in my pic I posted of us in Hawaii a couple of weeks ago how different it is! I did keep cutting it for a while thinking I wanted to keep it short, but then decided to have one last kick at the cat before I got too old and grow it long again, but I am keeping it cut with layers instead of all one length like I had it before. It seems like yesterday I was bald, it happens so fast!

One more pic of us at the Luau we went to, it was really awesome!! You can see my hair is long enough to put up now which was really nice there in the heat!

 

[Feralpeg]

Smiley, Great pictures! It really gives those of us still in the early stages of growing our hair back something to shoot for!

Hope you get to feeling better soon! I've had a cold off and on for weeks. I'm really starting to think it is just my way of dealing with the extreme temperature changes and the switch back and forth between the air conditioning and heat. This has been a weird winter!