How long does the chemo go on? Has she (or you) thought about head coverings or wigs? I only ask because my sis was very self conscious after her hair loss and subsequent regrowth.

We got the port installed yesterday.

I had no idea they were subdermal now, it works like her expander on the other side.

She hasn't been really paying attention to the doctor when being told what's going to happen. She's too focused on complaining about the discomfort that everyone experiences and wanting continuous pain relief. They aren't going to give her ANY more codeine based pain killers. Period. At least not until the permanent implant goes in and even then it will only be three days worth.

They DID give her a huge supply of lidocaine patches. The placebo effect is strong with her.

I had to inform her that she will be getting BOTH kinds of chemo. She didn't understand. One is every week, and the other is every three along with the first. I didn't tell her the side effects.

I have resorted to referring to them as kitten kisses and unicorn dreams. She will get the true horror show soon enough.

She has complained about the asymmetry of her breasts now. I told her I'd rather have her be alive than a pretty corpse.

Good news today.

She drove herself to the plastic surgeon for a spacer fill and they told her she is scheduled for a symmetry correction at the time of the permanent implant insertion. It's included in the mastectomy program.

She is elated.

^^^^^^^^
The miracles of modern medicine!!

The chemo ward is packed.
There are dozens in here this morning and this goes on all day, five days a week.

Well, her hair is coming out.

Will it grow back? My GF had radiation rather than chemo, and I guess that's why she didn't lose hair. On the other hand, the radiation is responsible for her COPD.

Chemo nurses have the best answers on this topic and more.

quote:

Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:

Well, her hair is coming out.

Bald is sexy. (I keep telling myself).

I was coming back from Etowah Valley on Sunday, passed Northside Forsyth and thought I should check into this thread.

Hair should grow back. They may offer a wig, we got one. The wife did not wear it much except I do remember once to see Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (who still rock any stage they get on and give it their all for any sized crowd, 30 years later). Usually at our local haunts she just put on a slouch hat.

Northside actually buzzed her hair just before it started coming out in bunches. We did it as part of initial wig fit, and I think she wanted at least some control over things. Plus patches out of a buzz cut are easier to deal with.

Oh, and it’s every hair. Eyebrows are the rain gutters for the face. Doesn’t work so well while in chemo.

The bright side is no leg shaving for awhile.

I told every stupid joke about it that I could. Either she’d smile or be mad at me, but either way her mind was off it for a bit.

A member here sent Tabs a plushy cockatoo to cuddle while she's in chemo.

quote:

Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:
A member here sent Tabs a plushy cockatoo to cuddle while she's in chemo.

SigForum Rocks!!!

I wonder if Tabitha has any idea how many well-wishers she has here, and how many people pray for her. She is with family here.

So freaking thoughtful of them! Now we need to get Pippin a toy! Seriously, I think of her almost every day, and just hope that all is as well as it can be. She will persevere. Especially with you having her back.

While at chemo today, I went down to the cafeteria to get lunch. Well, there is the corn kernel Colon Experience® bouncy house you get to go through.

quote:

Originally posted by irreverent:
So freaking thoughtful of them! Now we need to get Pippin a toy!

I thought about this, I was going to ask if anyone considered a stuffed Tabitha toy for Pippin.

Well, she looks like Smeagol now and is not taking it well at all.

She can't eat, but I managed to get her to eat mashed potatoes. She can keep them down.

Last chemo session, the doctor was trying to talk to her about her anxiety and she just did her usual rambling poor me, you have to figure out my hints story when I interrupted her to give the doctor my clinical observation about her behavior before and after they give her the Ativan. Tabitha clenched up and glared at me and the doctor stopped her on the spot and told her to let me clarify what she was trying to tell her.

After I got through with my observations, she said "didn't I give you some lorazepam back in December"? I told her it was gone by the surgery date. The doctor just said "well, here's two months more worth". "See, I would have had no idea of what you needed without him to help you", "let him help you".

Vindication that I'm not stupid at last.

Session #5 tomorrow.

Is reglan an option to help with eating and digestion?

quote:

Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:
..."let him help you"...

I wish my GF's doctors had given me the same credibility. She thinks, despite that, that they walk on water, and they're actually pretty sub-standard.