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03-07-2008, 12:45 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: RHODE ISLAND
(Ed getting me a latte on 2nd Cancerversary Cruise 2008)
'BELIEVE': To accept as true or real, To have faith in, To presume
ALWAYS BELIEVE
Posts: 2,999
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To All My HAIRDRESSER Friends
My hair is rather long (to waist) and although I asked Ed in the beginning of his journey if he thought I could cut it to the scalp, he said NO. This is one of the things he always loved about my features, thus the reason for asking.
Recently we discussed me donating some of this long hair. Now girls, there is some white hair strewn about in it (more secrets revealed! LOL).
Question to you is: Should I color it before I donate it??
Can I request that it go to children's wigs??
Who needs this hair the most??
How do I start this process?? (I do not have a hairdresser-I do it)
This is a giant endeavor for me since I have had long hair for a long time. Ed has agreed with the idea that it would be my way of giving back once more. Cancer will not rob me anymore, I do not let it steal thoughts or time or spirit.... This time I am taking someone else's negative and trying to supply a positve for them!>>Believe51
PS: When I look into the mirror and my hair is short it will be a physical reminder of giving something back to someone who I will touch and never meet. I would say that about this site but I do plan on meeting some of you in the future, that is one of my larger goals!!
__________________
9/7/06Husband 50yrs=StageIV IBC/HER2+,BoneMets10/06TaxotereX10,'H'1X wk,Zometa,Tamoxifen4/12/07Last Tax5/18/07Pet=Rapid Cell Activity,No Organ Mets,Lytic Lesions,Degeneration,Some Bone Repair5/07ChemoFail6/01/07Pleural Thoracentisis=Effusions,NoMalignantCells6/19/07+7/2/07DFCI
6/25/07BrainMRI=BrainMets,Many<9mm7/10/07WBR/PelvisRad37.5Gx15&Nutritionist8/19/07T/X9/20/07BrainMRI=2<2mm10/6/07Pet=BoneProgression
10/24/07ChemoFail11/9/07A/Cx10,EndTam12/7/07Faslodex12/10/07Muga7512/13/07BlasticLesions1/7/08BrainMRI=Clear4/1/08Pet=BoneImprovement,
NoProgression,Stable4/7/08BrainPerfect5/16/08Last A/C8/26/08BrainMets=10(<9mm)9/10/08Gamma10/30/08Met=5mm12/19/08Gamma5mets5
12/22/08SpinalMets1/14/09SpinalRads2/17/09BrainMRI=NoNewMets4/20/09BoneScan5/14/09Ixempra6/1/09BrainMRI=NumerousMets6/24/09DFCIw/DrBurstein6/26/09Continue
Ixempra/Faslodex/Zometa~TM now lower7/17/09Stop Ixempra By Choice9/21/09HOSPICE10/16/09Earned His Deserved Wings And Halo=37 Month Fight w/Stage 4 IBC, Her2+++,My Hero!!
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03-07-2008, 01:06 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 82
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Hi, Marie. The long-haired donors that I know donate to "Locks of Love":
http://www.locksoflove.org/donate.html
__________________
IDC Stage IIIA
Diagnosed Nov 2006 (routine mammogram), age 51
Lumpectomy, lymph node dissection Dec 2006
3 cm tumor, 8 cancerous lymph nodes
Grade 3, ER/PR -, HER-2/neu +++ (by FISH, average 20 copies per cell)
A/C x 4, Taxol x 12, Herceptin x 47 weeks
35 radiation treatments
Completed treatment on April 3, 2008
Chest port removed October 2009
11 years since diagnosis NED
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03-07-2008, 01:33 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Oregon City
Posts: 856
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Marie:
I just want to echo what Hazel said. Locks of Love is one of the best organizations for donating hair. You may want to ask them what is the best procedure. It may be that they have a need for hair with a little touch of gray. Some people look for wigs that match their original hair.
My son grew his hair long and then shaved it twice for Locks of Love even before my wife had cancer. I am really proud of him for that.
Lee
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03-07-2008, 01:38 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: RHODE ISLAND
(Ed getting me a latte on 2nd Cancerversary Cruise 2008)
'BELIEVE': To accept as true or real, To have faith in, To presume
ALWAYS BELIEVE
Posts: 2,999
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Oh Lee
What a beautiful gesture from your son, I am sure you are proud of him!! I am too!! I am going to get going on this soon and I am happy to know how this will effect someone else's life>>Believe51
__________________
9/7/06Husband 50yrs=StageIV IBC/HER2+,BoneMets10/06TaxotereX10,'H'1X wk,Zometa,Tamoxifen4/12/07Last Tax5/18/07Pet=Rapid Cell Activity,No Organ Mets,Lytic Lesions,Degeneration,Some Bone Repair5/07ChemoFail6/01/07Pleural Thoracentisis=Effusions,NoMalignantCells6/19/07+7/2/07DFCI
6/25/07BrainMRI=BrainMets,Many<9mm7/10/07WBR/PelvisRad37.5Gx15&Nutritionist8/19/07T/X9/20/07BrainMRI=2<2mm10/6/07Pet=BoneProgression
10/24/07ChemoFail11/9/07A/Cx10,EndTam12/7/07Faslodex12/10/07Muga7512/13/07BlasticLesions1/7/08BrainMRI=Clear4/1/08Pet=BoneImprovement,
NoProgression,Stable4/7/08BrainPerfect5/16/08Last A/C8/26/08BrainMets=10(<9mm)9/10/08Gamma10/30/08Met=5mm12/19/08Gamma5mets5
12/22/08SpinalMets1/14/09SpinalRads2/17/09BrainMRI=NoNewMets4/20/09BoneScan5/14/09Ixempra6/1/09BrainMRI=NumerousMets6/24/09DFCIw/DrBurstein6/26/09Continue
Ixempra/Faslodex/Zometa~TM now lower7/17/09Stop Ixempra By Choice9/21/09HOSPICE10/16/09Earned His Deserved Wings And Halo=37 Month Fight w/Stage 4 IBC, Her2+++,My Hero!!
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03-07-2008, 01:46 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,486
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Marie,
I had hair down to my waist until January 2, 2008, which was the day before my first chemo treatment. I also had some gray in my hair.
I did donate my hair to Locks of Love. Cutting my hair was one of the hardest things I have had to do dealing with BC. I felt like you that giving my hair was one way of turning a negative into a positive.
Amelia
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03-07-2008, 01:57 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,519
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As a hairdresser, I have always donated to Lock of Love.
Here are a few hints I can offer:
1. Don't color it! They will do that if they need to. (Used to be they didn't accept donated hair if it was colored at all. They do now but they prefer natural hair. And they don't accept it if it has been bleached or highlighted with bleach)
2. It has to be a minimum of 10 inches long (or longer) and layered is OK as long as the longest layer is 10".
3. Before you cut it, it must be clean and dry. They require you to put it in a ponytail with a ponytail band around the top of the pony and the bottom. A long braid is even better. (to keep it from tangling in transit) Cut it off about 1 inch above the top band, making sure you have a 10" ponytail (tip to tip) before you cut.
4. Put it in a plastic bag and mail it to them in a padded envelope.
Here's the address (on the link) and more info about Locks of Love...
http://www.locksoflove.org/donate.html
__________________
Brenda
NOV 2012 - 9 yr anniversary
JULY 2012 - 7 yr anniversary stage IV (of 50...)
Nov'03~ dX stage 2B
Dec'03~ Rt side mastectomy, Her2+, ER/PR+, 10 nodes out, one node positive
Jan'04~ Taxotere/Adria/Cytoxan x 6, NED, no Rads, Tamox. 1 year, Arimadex 3 mo., NED 14 mo.
Sept'05~ micro mets lungs/chest nodes/underarm node, Switched to Aromasin, T/C/H x 7, NED 6 months - Herceptin only
Aug'06~ micro mets chest nodes, & bone spot @ C3 neck, Added Taxol to Herceptin
Feb'07~ Genetic testing, BRCA 1&2 neg
Apr'07~ MRI - two 9mm brain mets & 5 punctates, new left chest met, & small increase of bone spot C3 neck, Stopped Aromasin
May'07~ Started Tykerb/Xeloda, no WBR for now
June'07~ MRI - stable brain mets, no new mets, 9mm spots less enhanced, CA15.3 down 45.5 to 9.3 in 10 wks, Ty/Xel working magic!
Aug'07~ MRI - brain mets shrunk half, NO NEW BRAIN METS!!, TMs stable @ 9.2
Oct'07~ PET/CT & MRI show NED
Apr'08~ scans still show NED in the head, small bone spot on right iliac crest (rear pelvic bone)
Sept'08~ MRI shows activity in brain mets, completed 5 fractions/5 consecutive days of IMRT to zap the pesky buggers
Oct'08~ dropped Xeloda, switched to tri-weekly Herceptin in combo with Tykerb, extend to tri-monthly Zometa infusion
Dec'08~ Brain MRI- 4 spots reduced to punctate size, large spot shrunk by 3mm, CT of torso clear/pelvis spot stable
June'09~ new 3-4mm left cerrebellar spot zapped with IMRT targeted rads
Sept'09~ new 6mm & 1 cm spots in pituitary/optic chiasm area. Rx= 25 days of 3D conformal fractionated targeted IMRT to the tumors.
Oct'09~ 25 days of low dose 3D conformal fractionated targeted IMRT to the bone mets spot on rt. iliac crest that have been watching for 2 years. Added daily Aromasin back into treatment regimen.
Apr'10~ Brain MRI clear! But, see new small spot on adrenal gland. Change from Aromasin back to Tamoxifen.
June'10~ Tumor markers (CA15.3) dropped from 37 to 23 after one month on Tamoxifen. Continue to monitor adrenal gland spot. Remain on Tykerb/Herceptin/Tamoxifen.
Nov'10~ Radiate positive mediastinal node that was pressing on recurrent laryngeal nerve, causing paralyzed larynx and a funny voice.
Jan'11~ MRI shows possible activity or perhaps just scar tissue/necrotic increase on 3 previously treated brain spots and a pituitary spot. 5 days of IMRT on 4 spots.
Feb'11~ Enrolled in T-DM1 EAP in Denver, first treatment March 25, 2011.
Mar'11~ Finally started T-DM1 EAP in Denver at Rocky Mountain Cancer Center/Rose on Mar. 25... hallelujah.
"I would rather be anecdotally alive than statistically dead."
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03-07-2008, 02:09 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: RHODE ISLAND
(Ed getting me a latte on 2nd Cancerversary Cruise 2008)
'BELIEVE': To accept as true or real, To have faith in, To presume
ALWAYS BELIEVE
Posts: 2,999
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You Guys....
Thanks everyone I appreciate the help. And Brenda, I will be braiding it because it is so healthy and I want it to be neat to work with. Never colored this hair and it is much longer than 10".
Can I donate 2 bunches if it is this long?? I am getting excited>>Believe51
PS: I will be sure to take BEFORE & AFTER pictures to post here. Told Mighty Oak that this is one more goal to achieve: To watch it grow back!! Smiling!!
__________________
9/7/06Husband 50yrs=StageIV IBC/HER2+,BoneMets10/06TaxotereX10,'H'1X wk,Zometa,Tamoxifen4/12/07Last Tax5/18/07Pet=Rapid Cell Activity,No Organ Mets,Lytic Lesions,Degeneration,Some Bone Repair5/07ChemoFail6/01/07Pleural Thoracentisis=Effusions,NoMalignantCells6/19/07+7/2/07DFCI
6/25/07BrainMRI=BrainMets,Many<9mm7/10/07WBR/PelvisRad37.5Gx15&Nutritionist8/19/07T/X9/20/07BrainMRI=2<2mm10/6/07Pet=BoneProgression
10/24/07ChemoFail11/9/07A/Cx10,EndTam12/7/07Faslodex12/10/07Muga7512/13/07BlasticLesions1/7/08BrainMRI=Clear4/1/08Pet=BoneImprovement,
NoProgression,Stable4/7/08BrainPerfect5/16/08Last A/C8/26/08BrainMets=10(<9mm)9/10/08Gamma10/30/08Met=5mm12/19/08Gamma5mets5
12/22/08SpinalMets1/14/09SpinalRads2/17/09BrainMRI=NoNewMets4/20/09BoneScan5/14/09Ixempra6/1/09BrainMRI=NumerousMets6/24/09DFCIw/DrBurstein6/26/09Continue
Ixempra/Faslodex/Zometa~TM now lower7/17/09Stop Ixempra By Choice9/21/09HOSPICE10/16/09Earned His Deserved Wings And Halo=37 Month Fight w/Stage 4 IBC, Her2+++,My Hero!!
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03-07-2008, 04:53 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: TAMPA, FL
Posts: 568
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That is such a fantastic
gesture to do Marie...
Please do send us pictures. This I am sure is a difficult decision since it sounds like your hair is very very long but even more so unselfish of you.
It is a wonderful feeling to give isn't it...
__________________
Irene from Tampa
1996 - INFILT DUCTAL CAR.W/ LYMPH NODE INVOLVEMENT. ADRIA/CYTOXIN/5FU
1999 - RECURR. TO AUXILA AND 2 TUMORS IN LIVER
TREAT: STEM CELL REPLACEMENT/HERCEPTIN.
2002 - RECUR TO LIVER
TREAT: NAVELBINE, THEN GEMZAR, THEN XELODA.
2004 - TUMORS STILL IN LIVER
TREAT: RFA TO LIVER
STABLE UNTIL
2004 - TUMOR PROGRESSION IN LIVER.
TREAT: RESECT HALF OF LIVER.
2005 - RECURR TO LYMPH NODE OUTSIDE OF LIVER.
TREAT: TAXOL/CARPO/HERCEPTIN. FAILED ON
THIS TRIO. STARTED ON ABRAXANE.
2006 - PROGRESS WITH 2ND TUMOR GROWTH.
TREAT: AUG. BEGAN ON TYKERB/XELODA
TRIAL. CONSIDERED STABLE TO DATE.
2007 - TAKEN OFF OF TYKERB/XELODA TRIAL DUE TO
PROGRESS STARTING TYKERB/AVASTIN.
NOV 2007 - SCANS SHOW PROGRESS TUMOR GROWTH
IN ABDOM. AND TWO NEW TUMORS IN NECK AREA.
BEGAN HERCEPTIN/AVASTIN/TAXOTERE
Feb 08 - Ixempra/Xeloda
June 08 - Her/DM1 trial
"I WANT TO BE AN OUTRAGEOUS OLD WOMAN WHO NEVER GETS CALLED AN OLD LADY. I WANT TO GET SHARP EDGED & EARTH COLORED, TILL I FADE AWAY FROM PURE JOY."
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03-07-2008, 06:55 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Marie
When I started this journey, my hair was to my knees...I wanted to donate it to locks of love, but they would not take it if it had ever been colored. I have it in the basement in a box. That is a very generous gesture of you...my husband loved my long hair, it was hard to cut it...he did it with lots of tears and beers.
__________________
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Hugs & Blessings
Sheila
Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications)
Core Biopsy 2/22/02
L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002
Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg
6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant
9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes
9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks
3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes
3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes
5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working
6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin
3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee
5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks
4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve
5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin
11/09 Progression on Navelbine
Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!!
2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin
5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate
Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion
7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!!
9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck
Qualified for TDM-1 EAP
10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1
Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments
12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments
2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression
2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin
2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes
2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS
5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression
6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin
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03-07-2008, 10:33 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 2,077
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wow, Sheila.
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03-07-2008, 10:39 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 1,055
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Wow, both of you. BB
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03-07-2008, 10:48 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Misty woods of WA State
Posts: 4,128
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Wonderful thought. I bought a wig that was most likely real hair from India or China somewhere.
It was quite dark and the stylist lightened it up so it would be close to my original color.
My trainer donated her hair and then she had the new short look dyed PINK. There is also a good idea. Just go all the way with this idea!!
I also have my hair but it was only about 6 inces long.
__________________
"When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau
Live in the moment.
MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~
Found suspicious lump 9/2000
Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement
Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR -
Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds
36 rads - very little burning
3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum
Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED!
2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa
Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18
All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET
Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying
Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa
Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?)
2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava
2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec.
Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011
STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer
7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones
Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED
2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED.
Same news for 2016 and all of 2017.
Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.
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03-07-2008, 11:35 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Hilo, Hawaii
Posts: 1,867
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My daughter just cut her hair and donated it to L of L.
I wouldn't color it. Let whomever gets your hair decide on whether to color it or not. See my pic?...THAT is a wig and there are little stands of grey in it here and there. I hardly use (in fact never) my wig anymore, but when it did I loved it. In fact, it looks identical to my real hair so NO one guessed it was a wig. I had to tell them!!! LOL!!!
Harrie
__________________
*** MARYANNE *** aka HARRIECANARIE
1993: right side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads
1999: left side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads, tamoxifen
2006:
BRCA 2 positive
Stage I, invasive DCIS (6mm x 5mm)
Grade: intermediate
sentinal node biopsy: neg
HER2/neu amplified 4.7
ER+/PR+
TOPO II neg
Oncotype dx 20
Bilat mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction
oophorectomy
2007:
6 cycles TCH (taxotere, carboplatin, herceptin)
finished 1 yr herceptin 05/07
Arimidex, stopped after almost 1 yr
Femara
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03-08-2008, 08:01 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Poland Ohio just a little south of Youngstown.
Posts: 473
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Harrie, I had no idea that that was a wig! It looks so natural and you are very beautiful.
Marie, what a wonderful thing you are doing, but it doesn't surprise me, God surely did bless us went he sent you to this board.
Hugs
__________________
Susan
Age: 61
dx: 5/25/06
2 cm/ 0 nodes
Lumpectomy rt breast on 7/26/06
ER/PR- / Her2+++
A/C x 4
finished taxotere 2/07
finished 33 rads
Herceptin finished 12/07/07 Yippee!
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03-08-2008, 02:46 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Hilo, Hawaii
Posts: 1,867
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Thank you Nitewind (btw, what a NICe name you picked)....
Anyways, I wish I could tell everyone, that prior to chemo I DREADED the idea of losing my hair, like most everyone else I am sure. BUT, amazing how good things always seem to work out I discovered:
1. I don't look all that horrible is really short hair
2. I NEVER use to have variety in my hair styles. It would be the same for yrs and that included high maintenence of flat ironing daily, chemically straightening every 10 months or so, haircuts ever 6 wks, highlights every 6 months....
3. After I lost my hair I had that wig that you see which looked identical to my hair but lower maintenence, nice scarfs, caps with short wigs attached to the back of the caps (cute!!)
4. when my hair started coming back, I like it at least as well if not better then my original hair and it is so low maintenece it is ubelievable...
I would have never guess in a million yrs that losing my hair from chemo could work out so well.
AND...aside from hair, I would have never guess in a million yrs that the chemo itself would be so manageable.
Harrie
__________________
*** MARYANNE *** aka HARRIECANARIE
1993: right side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads
1999: left side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads, tamoxifen
2006:
BRCA 2 positive
Stage I, invasive DCIS (6mm x 5mm)
Grade: intermediate
sentinal node biopsy: neg
HER2/neu amplified 4.7
ER+/PR+
TOPO II neg
Oncotype dx 20
Bilat mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction
oophorectomy
2007:
6 cycles TCH (taxotere, carboplatin, herceptin)
finished 1 yr herceptin 05/07
Arimidex, stopped after almost 1 yr
Femara
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03-08-2008, 06:13 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: LAND OF YES!
w/home in Boca Raton, Florida
Orig from L.I., N.Y.
Ever hovering IN THE NOW...
Posts: 1,904
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Hair Today...
My 11 yr old granddghtr just donated 10" to L of L. She had to go to a special beauty parlor who knew exactly what to do. I have a dear friend who has done the same. A manicurist I know is also growing her hair out enough to give 10" and not be left too short. I love that pp do this. It is a most beautiful and personal gesture that has enormous impact no doubt.
Very admirable Marie. Before and after pictures please! And Sheila! Double WOW!! Good for you both. Well done... May your kindness be rewarded tenfold!!!!!!!!!!
I surely know the trauma of losing ones hair, even if it is short. It is still your mane. And bald was never a goal for me, gotta tell you. I figured in my case it was a trade off. Take my hair and give me survival! I knew straight away which to pick...
Andi
__________________
Andi BB
'95 post-meno dx Invasive LOBULAR w/9cm tumor! YIKES + 2/21 nodes. Clear mammo 10 mnths earlier. Mastec/tram flap reconst/PORT/8 mnths chemo (4Adria/8CMF). Borderline ER/PR. Tamoxifen 2 yrs. Felt BLESSED. I could walk and talk, feed and bathe myself! I KNEW I would survive...
'98 -- multiple mets to liver. HER2+ 80%. ER/PR- Raging, highly aggressive tumors spreading fast. New PORT. 9 mnths Taxotere Fought fire w/fire! Pronounced in cautious remission 5/99. Taxotere weekly for 6 wks, 2 wks off -- for 9 mnths. TALK ABOUT GRUELING! (I believe they've altered that protocol since those days -- sure hope so!!)
+ good old Vit H wkly for 1st 3 yrs, then triple dosage ev 3 wks for 7 yrs more... The "easy" chemo, right?! Not a walk in the park, but not a freight train coming at 'ya either...
Added Herceptin Nov '98 (6 wks after FDA fast-tracked it for met bc). Stayed w/Vit H till July '08! Now I AM FREE! Humbly and eternally grateful for this life-saving drug! NED since '99 and planning on keeping it that way. To hell w/poor prognosis and nasty stats! STOPPED VIT H JULY '08...! REMAIN STABLE... Eternally grateful...Yes is a world & in this world of yes live (skillfully curled) all worlds ... (e e cummings) EVERY DAY I BEAT MY PREVIOUS RECORD FOR # OF CONSECUTIVE DAYS I'VE STAYED ALIVE. Smile KNOWING you too can be a miracle. Up to me and God now...
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03-08-2008, 06:46 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Hilo, Hawaii
Posts: 1,867
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Andi, my goodness,....you look SUPER young!!! I was surprise when you said you had an 11 yr old granddaughter and then I looked at your profile and I was shocked!! You look so young! (not that I am calling you older.....but I think I should stop right in my tracks....) But you look like around 45 in your pic! Anyways, your medical profile is extremely inspiring. Love it.
__________________
*** MARYANNE *** aka HARRIECANARIE
1993: right side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads
1999: left side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads, tamoxifen
2006:
BRCA 2 positive
Stage I, invasive DCIS (6mm x 5mm)
Grade: intermediate
sentinal node biopsy: neg
HER2/neu amplified 4.7
ER+/PR+
TOPO II neg
Oncotype dx 20
Bilat mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction
oophorectomy
2007:
6 cycles TCH (taxotere, carboplatin, herceptin)
finished 1 yr herceptin 05/07
Arimidex, stopped after almost 1 yr
Femara
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03-08-2008, 10:39 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 2,077
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Harrie, you look so good. (As one of the few men on this site, I'm reluctant, sometimes, to comment on physical things) I can see your spirit shining through in every post. Love, Bill
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03-09-2008, 01:15 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Hilo, Hawaii
Posts: 1,867
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That was kind of you to say that Bill.
And Andi....(don't let your husband read this)...but I thought you had married an older man!!! LOL!!!! Your face looks so perky and youthful!!! I bet your grandkids LOVE you!!!!
__________________
*** MARYANNE *** aka HARRIECANARIE
1993: right side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads
1999: left side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads, tamoxifen
2006:
BRCA 2 positive
Stage I, invasive DCIS (6mm x 5mm)
Grade: intermediate
sentinal node biopsy: neg
HER2/neu amplified 4.7
ER+/PR+
TOPO II neg
Oncotype dx 20
Bilat mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction
oophorectomy
2007:
6 cycles TCH (taxotere, carboplatin, herceptin)
finished 1 yr herceptin 05/07
Arimidex, stopped after almost 1 yr
Femara
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03-09-2008, 01:16 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Hilo, Hawaii
Posts: 1,867
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Addicted to HER2 online
Just to show you how addicted to this site I am.....my husband and I went to the movies tonight to see 10,000 BC and what is the first thing I do after I got home and ate a snack?????.....see whats up at HER2!!!
__________________
*** MARYANNE *** aka HARRIECANARIE
1993: right side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads
1999: left side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads, tamoxifen
2006:
BRCA 2 positive
Stage I, invasive DCIS (6mm x 5mm)
Grade: intermediate
sentinal node biopsy: neg
HER2/neu amplified 4.7
ER+/PR+
TOPO II neg
Oncotype dx 20
Bilat mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction
oophorectomy
2007:
6 cycles TCH (taxotere, carboplatin, herceptin)
finished 1 yr herceptin 05/07
Arimidex, stopped after almost 1 yr
Femara
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