Mothering Forum banner

Mamas Surviving Cancer... NEW THREAD -May

11K views 244 replies 11 participants last post by  auntieM 
#1 ·
:

:

Thought I would get us started with a new thread...

How is everyone doing?

I am ok...dealing with my poor ds's shock to my hair free head...I really did not think he would respond like he is to it at all....

bbl
 
See less See more
2
#179 ·
My CT scan results say...
no changes!! no new growth...they look exactly the same as our last..so we are seeing scar tissue!!!
I still have to go for a PET so I am not 100% clear...

and I have a double ear infection (which is AWESOME because my neck has hurt all week and my node was swollen so I was thinking the worst..but it is just my node swellingbecause of the infection) and a touch of pneumonia(CT scans says) so we are going to wait to do the PET for 3-4 weeks until I am all better...

gtg dh and kids waiting
 
#180 ·
Traci, so sorry about the double ear infection--ouch! It's bad enough we have to deal with the C thing, without these other ordeals. But that's awesome news about the CT scan.


Janet, congrats on your last chemo! That's a hobby we aren't going to miss!

AuntieM, thanks for the words of wisdom on what to ask my surgeon. She was on vacation for a couple of weeks, and I'm seeing her next week to figure out what kind of surgery we will be talking about. I think I'm going to have to go to this appt alone, so it's good to have a list of questions to ask, since I won't have a back-up listener.

I just got back from genetic counseling for the BRCA test. The doc said I'm a borderline case about whether or not to recommend it, but she wants to do a little more digging. I haven't decided to go one way or the other yet.

My hair is growing in so funny. It's very fine, curly and almost all white. I look about 70, but I'll be dyeing it as soon as it's long enough for prime time. Where the two curly patterns meet, I've got a big ridge down the middle of my head. I told dh that instead of a Mastiff puppy, maybe we should look at Rhodesian Ridgebacks as we'd bond easily.

Health and healing to all!
 
#181 ·
Traci, I'm so glad for your positive scans!!! I hope that your ears get better very soon.

Janet, congrats on the last chemo.

EFmom, I pm'd you.... Glad to discuss my experience. I'm 3.5 weeks out now from surgery & healing. I think I might even pull off YMCA now, but I couldn't do a "U."

My hair is finer too. Still dark, but less so. The biggest hair PITA is that half of my leg hair is ingrown. Grrrr. Oh well....

Nice to see you all.

Myrrh, you ok?

You all are amazing!
 
#182 ·
I'm here! I'm O.k.!~ I'm better than o.k., really! Got the results back from my PET and I only have 1 tumor/node with any activity left!!!!!!!!!!! It's in my chest-right side-so I am doing lots of visualization work on it. I'm imagining it's the wicked witch in the wizard of Oz after she gets water thrown on her and starts melting and screeching "i'm melting, i'm melting, oh! what a world!":LOL My mom does a hysterical rendition of it-using her hand to shake her throat as she says it.
We are still going thru with all my rounds of chemo as scheduled-so 4 more months to go...I have started procrit shots and I'm a new woman from it-before I was deep into almost constant debilitating fatigue. I get another shot tomorrow-I might just make it thru that stack of laundry!
The picc line is not going to happen-i am grateful. Dr. doesn't want to rock my boat-smart man!
I tease the nurses who give me chemo that I'm going to have have a cactus farm when I'm thru just so I can remember them!
Traci! I am so excited about your scan results! I had read that the ct has a tendency to read the scars/show no accurate improvement. What a relief!!! I hope your ears are better!
Thanks for being here and for sharing brave, beautiful mamas!
:
 
#184 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by myrrhmaid
I'm here! I'm O.k.!~ I'm better than o.k., really! Got the results back from my PET and I only have 1 tumor/node with any activity left!!!!!!!!!!!
Rock on Myrrh!!!!

Rock on !!!

I am sooo happy for you!!! YOU are winning!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
#185 ·
Myrrh, I'm so glad that the procrit is helping you to feel better & that your PET results were so fabulous.

I am healing physically, but feel like I'm having a tougher time mentally. I'm thinking maybe an antidepressant would help, but I'm not sure which one of my gazillion doctors I should talk with about it.

Having a lovely visit with my brother, his wife & their darling son.

I just love hearing from you all. I hope that you are all doing well.

 
#187 ·
I just got back from my first meeting w/my surgeon. I've got to go for another MRI, but she's first got to make sure my port is MRI-compatible. I'd hate to have the thing start flying around inside me once the MRI started!

Anyway, she feels another little lump, but doesn't think it's anything. If the MRI shows that it isn't (and I'll take any positive thoughts to that effect!), she thinks I'm a good candidate for lumpectomy, if that's what I want to do. Decisions, decisions.

Other than that, food is still tasting like soap, and now all the fingernails on my right hand seem to be infected. It only hurts when I use my hand.
Oh, the joys of chemo! But since it shrunk that stupid tumor, I shouldn't complain.

AuntieM, thanks for the pm. I'll get back to you soon. My onc was the one who prescribed Lexapro for me.

Myrhh, I can see that witch melting from here, green face and all! She's going to be nothing but a little steaming puddle of water before you know it!

owensmom, glad your homestudy is chugging along!

Hugs to all!!!!
 
#188 ·
Howdy.

I'm a MDC lurker but not new to AP or parenting forums. I found a lump or mass in right breast in late March and then my 2 yr old quit nursing on it. Tried every homeopathic, mastitis/plugged duct remedy out there until I saw a dr for it in Mid June. 4 wks of antbx, a mammo, ultrasound and biopsy later i was dx with IBC stage 3a. Thankfully we were only nursing for naps and nite nite, but still i had to wean my son sort of abruptly. Chemo began 3 wks ago, I am being treated at Duke and in a clinical trial. Been looking for a forum that makes sense to me and I think this is it.
 
#189 ·
bubbysmom, I have seen something to the effect of the following posted on several threads dealing with cancer: We're glad you found us & so sorry that you are here. Please join us.
Like you, many of us have had to wean because of our treatment. It tears at me a bit each time I read about how good BM is for our babes... Comfort & hugs to you. How is your chemo going? I hope that you are tolerating it well. If feel at a loss for words. Please know that I am sending thoughts & prayers of healing & comfort your way.

EFMom, I opted for the lumpectomy. I wasn't ready for a mastectomy, but do envision myself going through with a bpm some day. Hope that your MRI results are clear.

owensmom, thanks for the article. The assistant at my surgeon's office said that they have a bunch of young patients.

Myrrh, Mom asked how you were doing the other day & sends her best wishes. I'm "throwing" buckets of water your way.

My hair is getting long enough now that people are mistaking my 'do for a bold styling choice. :LOL I'm even considering keeping it fairly short. Either that, or I'm growing myself some "princess hair."

Anyway, I think of you all so often. You hold a special place in my heart!
 
#190 ·
bubbysmom..I hate the fact that you have to find us but I am glad that you choose us because this is a great group of warriors on the winning path to survival...


AuntieM
I am getting the same thing on the hair issue right now too..the other day when we were out shopping the sales associate asked for my ID and when I gave it too her she said wow you really got a hair cut (My hair was reeeeally long in my drivers liscence). It feels kinda weird, because I have even gotten compliments on my *hair style.*
I do have to admit it is soooo easy..but I really want it longer-my brother even said he likes my hair this way better than he did when it was long and my mom to everyday says she just loves my hair...lol...oooh well *sigh*

I bought some butterfly bushes this week and planted them..late I know but they were on sale and I am hoping for great blooms next summer...

My ears are doing better (I think)...but my neck is still tender so that is kinda a drag...
btu I still feel very good and am living my life to the fullest everyday and awaiting my PET on the 6th. I do nto go back to the doc until the 16th then for my results..did I type this already...lol..sorry if I did
Going to the bathroom feels like I am passing glass shards, which is an iron deficiency is what I am told, so I need to get back to taking my iron 2x a day....I am sooo bad about taking my meds
: I guess that is what I get if I don't so it is in my own doing...,

hope you all are doing well..
 
#191 ·
my hair is thinning but has not started to fall out. i began chemo on 8/12 after a few delays and now i'm off track again due to low WBC. i have inflammatory BC, like so many others found it thru nursing. we drive to Durham from Charlotte once a week for treatment (taxotere and herceptin, doxil for clinical study). i have mouth sores, light sensitivitity, fatigue, some irritable bowel issues, my joints are achey at times, mood swings, headaches and dry lips.
for some reason, yogurt has upset my bowels, so i'm worried about getting enough probiotics (i suck on a Udo's Choice lozenge...a lot). i did get some MJ, which before now wasn't that much fun, but it's really helping me.

the cancer i can deal with. i'm not fixated "what ifs" but just seeing my little guy grow up since he's my only. i was 7.5 wks pregnant when diagnosed.
i'm so happy that there is this group on MDC. i need the support of like-minded mamas.
 
#192 ·
bubbysmom! I find the mj helps me a lot. I recently spent 10 days in the hospital with a staph infection and dh was so kind and made me a batch of mj brownies so I could still benefit from it since I couldn't smoke in the hosp.
I wonder if you are having lactose intolerance issues with the yogurt? Maybe supplemental acidophilus would be better for you.
Traci-i use hemaplex for iron. The floradix is real good too-very absorbable. I LOVE my butterfly bush! It has the most gorgeous magenta blooms that smell sooo goood! I planted it next to the rabbit hutch by the honeysuckle and it has gotten quite large! The blooms make such interesting addition to bouquets. I sure miss gardening! The yard is on sink or swim mode right now!
I love and hope and pray for all us daily! I will add you and yours too now bubbysmom, if you find no offense in me extending myself in that way.
Thanks for being here everybody and checking in. It helps and brings me comfort hope and strength. and thanks for the buckets of water:LOL!
 
#194 ·
When I started to lose my hair, it was very empowering for me to shave it off myself. DH has a set of clippers he uses to trim his hair. We trimmed it very short & it worked great. Maybe you can make your son a part of that experience. DD was about a year younger than your son when my hair came out. She didn't seem to care at all. Of course, we couldn't have a conversation about it, so I don't know what she thought.

I'm not sure what your community is like. I was very comfortable going out here (Northern CA) with nothing on my head.

Many of us can attest that it really does grow back. I hope that it doesn't bother you too much to lose it.

 
#195 ·
bubbysmom
I also felt like AuntieM describes..as I also shaved my head when the shedding just got to be too much...It gave me a great sense of power and a bit of control over what has been happening to my body...almost like I am not going to let it take my hair to I will do it myself before it gets a chance...and it felt 1000x better to not have a hairy back on my clothes or worry about cooking food without my hair in it or pulling out the lint roller for the 10,000x for the day. Not to mention DD was pulling on it and would just have handfulls and it became a real sense of tension between us as I did not want her touching me for fear of her pulling my hairand that was just not cool!

I was very self conscience at first but then once I had a good overing of hair ( and only about 1/4 of and inch) I started going without covers and used scarves tied as headbands around my head. I am in OH mind you and a very small town so women who look different always get neck turns-even my baby wearing gets the titled head looks...lol...I stick out regaurdless so I guess I should not have worried so much in the first place...lol..

My 5 year old had a very hard time with it..all I know is it took a lot from my dh to help him I was ata loss because I did no tlike to see him upset but I eventually took it as a learning experience for my son to teach that all people are not the same and that hair does not make a person. He now says mamma look your hair is getting longer! and rubs my head and it is not an issue at all. He I alos let him wear my scarves around and he gets a kick out of that.SO make it fun if you can...

hth
I am out of time
 
#196 ·
bubbysmom, welcome. I'm so sorry you had to find us, but we are here to help support you during this difficult time.

I also had my dh shave my hair off once it started to come out. I would have found it too depressing to watch it fall out. I mostly wigged outside of the house. I like my wig, but it does get uncomfortable. My hair started coming in once my chemo switched to Taxotere. I've got about a quarter of an inch now. In a month or two I'll be pretending it's a hairstyle and ditching the wig.

My guess is that at two and a half, your child will get used to your new look pretty quickly. I had my kids put temporary tattoo on my scalp when I was bald and they got a kick out of seeing me with tree frogs all over my head! I explained to my kids (8 and 4) that mommy had to take some very strong medicine to make her better, and this was something that happens when you have to take that medicine. They were pretty OK with it.

 
#197 ·
Hi everyone!! I thought I'd get a chance to write more but here it is more than a week since my last chemo and I haven't had a chance to check in!

Bubbysmom, ditto, I'm so sorry about your diagnosis but also so glad you've joined us. Not sure if you've read through the whole thread plus the last one (now archived but there is a link to it at the beginning of this thread) It's probably a lot to digest but I remember us all talking about so many of these issues, breastfeeding, hair falling out (I sported a mohawk for a week--kinda empowering!). My boys were 7 months and 3 1/2 years when I was diagnosed in March--Maxwell, now 4, has been incredible through my whole treatment--we had a child life specialist (one of the perks of living in Canada--covered by health care!!) help with educating him about the cancer and treatment, on the assumption that the more knowledge one has the less fear--it has so far proven true, he helps explain to people about the "chemoferapy", and the different kinds of cells in our bodies, etc., and is always bringing me little things (like flowers and rocks and licorice) that he thinks will help kill the cancer cells. Every age is different though, I can't imagine what my baby thinks about my hair falling out, he always laughs when I put my wig on (which isn't that often) and likes to slap my bald head! I was also diagnosed at stage 3a and have had a mastectomy, chemo and am starting radiation sept 19th. I will start sending you good healing vibes!!!!
BioK is great for healthy flora during chemo, it is little individual containers of live acidophillus, kinda like supercharged yogurt and comes in either a dairy or soy base.

We're back up at the cottage now, feeling very happy to be finished chemo!! I did finish on the 19th, my birthday, thanks everyone for all your well wishes!!
It was an absolutely incredible day, DH brought a huge cake into the hospital which we shared with all the nurses including my special nurse Manny (I think I mentioned he was also born Aug 19, 1964--weird eh) and the other patients. My kids came too and helped me ring the bell at the end. It was a freaky weather day with near tornados and biblical flooding, at one point in the afternoon we looked outside and it was pitch black like nighttime--my ds said it looked like Kansas! (Myrrh, more Wizard of Oz references--he watched it for the first time recently, I'm thinking about you completely melting that witch!!) When we got back to our house the skies opened and it POURED warm rain and we all danced around and got SOAKED and then then the sun popped out, it felt glorious. We capped the day by going down to Cherry Beach to watch the full moon rise over the lake. WOW.

Hey, I better get to bed, everyone's asleep except me!!
, don't want one of the munchkins to fall out!
Biggest love and kisses to everyone, EFmom, Traci, AuntieM, Myrrh, owensmom, bubbysmom
I'm thinking so much about you all!!!

love janet
 
#198 ·
It's so nice to see everyone posting. I just love hearing from you all. It is one of the highlights of my day.


I had my first appointment for rads today. They set up & simulation & did a CT. Wednesday, I'll go back to do & test run & should start the treatments next week some time. Everyone was very nice.

I've started a big get ready for Christmas plan. My house has just gotten nuts & I think it will really help me start getting it under control again. It sounds a little crazy to start so early, but I just love the thought of being so organized since that is not usually one of my around the house strong points. I was organized enough when I was working. I think it's just one of my hang-ups--thinking I cannot keep a clean house. So far, I've swept & sprayed of my porch, 2 windows in the front of the house, a window screen & the porch mat. I've also cleaned & treated the wood on the front door & put some ferns in the way too shaded window box at our entrance. I feel really great about it.

I pray for you all daily & hold good thoughts for you & yours. Becoming friends with all of you is one of the blessings that has come along with my cancer diagnosis.

Well, I can hear poor DH struggling with a very sleepy DD. I think I'll go give him a hand.

 
#199 ·
Hola friends
I am posting a quickie here..
http://www.cancure.org/homeopathy.ht...20for%20Cancer
I am taking this to my oncologist and begging him to let me go to my homeopath as well as see him.
I got stung today 5 times by yellow jackets after running over their nest with the lawn mower..I wanted so badly to pop ledum but my oncolgist says nothing to do with homeopathy until after I am all clear

so I found this and wanted to share..
Love your time spent Janet..sounds beautiful..
AuntieM glad your day went well at your rad appt.

gtg hand is hurting...
 
#200 ·
Oh, Trac, yikes on those yellow jackets. I hope that you are ok. Darn meat bees!

I got my first tattoo...& my second & my third. Looks like I got stabbed with a mechanical pencil. :LOL They drew all over me & I couldn't help thinking about how much my mom hated the idea of us or someone else drawing on us when we were kids.

DH & I are hoping for a lunch time appointment for the rads so that he can watch dd while I get treated.

So, since it's September, should we start a new thread. Not sure if it's important or not....

Healing vibes & prayers going out to all you strong, fabulous mamas!!!!
 
#201 ·
:
http://www.cancer-prevention.net/?engine=adwords!800&keyword=%2Acancer%2A&match_typ e=
I am very interested to know if anyone else has followed any of this information found here.
I have started taking the flax seed oil last week.
I am also going back to being 100% veg head like I was pre-kids.....
I do not know why I did not start all this reasearch into this *c* crap earlier..I guess my denial factor and thinking I am invincible...

I still do not feel like my ear infections are gone...my neck node is still swollen and tender but not like it was. My armpit where I had the largest tumor is aching..no swelling nor can I feel anything but it aches off and on.

I had my PET yesterday and boy was that an experience. The machine was broke when I got there and then the poor man in front of me was too large for the machine and broke it again.
The injection this time hurt so bad...did not hurt me last time...The nurse told me that they do not let you read or turn up the lights after they give you the injection so you have "down time" so it does not pool into one area of your body. She said that is why they make you sit and not walk or talk or it would pool in your jaw from talking or you lower leg from walking....never knew this ....

I will find out next Wednesday what it says.
SO I am very nervous...trying to stay positive...working very hard at it..
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top