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04-16-2008, 03:26 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Near Chicago
Posts: 196
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No more wigs! (I think)
That's it. I'm tired of my wig. Today was my last day of radiation. Today was the first time I went to a Salon to have my hair trimmed. The picture isn't great. My hair is still thin on top. BUT, it looks not so strange in person on the sides and the back. I'll wear a cap, earrings et al to work for a while. I'll just look like someone with very short hair. [Even if I do look a little strange.]
I'm happy! The woman at the Salon made me feel good about what I was doing. She also helped with some cream to make me look less like a muskrat. And besides that, who cares...
Melanie
So here is my hair(s) without hat and without earrings (they didn't photograph well in the mirror):
__________________
Diagnosed: 7/13/07 (or 7/7/07)
Surgery: 8/15/07 Modified Radical One Side with Lymph Node Dissection
Pathology Report: ER/PR-, HER2+ with FISH at 8.4 copies, Grade 3, Stage IIIa, 3.2 cm tumor plus 4/19 positive lymph nodes
Portacath: 9/7/07
Chemo: 9/14/07 with AC (every three weeks) for four rounds
Physical Therapy for ROM Loss / "Cording" (but not Lymphodema)
Taxol + Herceptin weekly (started 12/2007 with 8 of 12 Taxol)
Radiation: (28 rads from 3/07 to 4/07)
Reconstruction (silicone implant)
Herceptin done (10/08)
Cognitive Remediation (11/08 - 12/08)
Lymphedema Diagnosed 5/10/10 (almost 3 years post cancer diagnosis)
Lymphedema Rehab 9/10/10 - 11/10/10
Six years NED...7/7/2013!
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04-16-2008, 04:23 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,193
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Hi Chicago,
I'm happy you finished your rads today. That must
be a good feeling.
I remember having that same hairdo!!! I liked it. I
could wash my face and hair at the same time - with a
face cloth. I think you look great.
__________________
PinkGirl
Dx Aug/05 at age 51
2cm. Stage 2A, Grade 3
ER+/PR-
Her2 +++
Sept 7/05 Mastectomy
4 FAC, 4 Taxol, no radiation
1 year of Herceptin
Tamoxifen for approx. 4 months,
Arimidex for 5 years
Prophylactic mastectomy June 22/09
" I yam what I yam." - Popeye
My Photo Album
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04-16-2008, 05:06 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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MELANIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You look great...can't wait to see you May 4th!!!!! We have a lot to celebrate WITH YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
__________________
"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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04-16-2008, 05:21 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Near Chicago
Posts: 196
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Thanks.
Sheila: I'm looking forward to May 4 as well! I think we're all fortunate in our own ways. [Hope the Taxol vacation is going well.]
PinkGirl: Thanks also. The hats I wear look a lot like the cap in your picture. They are a slightly different style and come in different colors. I have different butterfly pins on them. I'm happy to have enough hair to have it trimmed. It's probably an inch almost everywhere now. In Chicago it's fairly easy to have unique styles.
Melanie
__________________
Diagnosed: 7/13/07 (or 7/7/07)
Surgery: 8/15/07 Modified Radical One Side with Lymph Node Dissection
Pathology Report: ER/PR-, HER2+ with FISH at 8.4 copies, Grade 3, Stage IIIa, 3.2 cm tumor plus 4/19 positive lymph nodes
Portacath: 9/7/07
Chemo: 9/14/07 with AC (every three weeks) for four rounds
Physical Therapy for ROM Loss / "Cording" (but not Lymphodema)
Taxol + Herceptin weekly (started 12/2007 with 8 of 12 Taxol)
Radiation: (28 rads from 3/07 to 4/07)
Reconstruction (silicone implant)
Herceptin done (10/08)
Cognitive Remediation (11/08 - 12/08)
Lymphedema Diagnosed 5/10/10 (almost 3 years post cancer diagnosis)
Lymphedema Rehab 9/10/10 - 11/10/10
Six years NED...7/7/2013!
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04-16-2008, 05:54 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: indianapolis, indiana
Posts: 1,544
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Congratulations on finishing rads. I remember those days with my hair. Mine came back thicker, curly and darker. It's a challenge to style some days so here's hoping you have the same problems soon.
__________________
dxd 9-04, lumpectomy,
st 1, gr 3, er,pr-, her2 +,
2 tac,33 rads,6 cmf
1 yr herceptin,
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04-16-2008, 06:11 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
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You look beautiful. I remember that liberating feeling as well. I felt so "free" and a little bit back to myself.
Enjoy the feeling of being YOU..
Mary Jo
__________________
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
Dx. 6/24/05 age 45 Right Breast IDC ER/PR. Neg., - Her2+++ RB Mast. - 7/28/05 - 4 cm. tumor Margins clear - 1 microscopic cell 1 sent. node No Vasucular Invasion 4 DD A/C - 4 DD Taxol & Herceptin 1 full year of Herceptin received every 3 weeks 28 rads prophylactic Mast. 3/2/06
17 Years NED
<>< Romans 8:28
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04-16-2008, 06:32 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,210
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I think alot of us can relate to the hairdo. Looks great on you. I am keeping mine short from now on.
I had a great salon experience too. The gal was "honored" to give me my first post-chemo trim and would not take payment!
"Muskrat"! What a funny image that word conjures up. Although you don't resemble whatever one might look like!
Love your tree photo.
__________________
Bonnie
Post menopause
May 2007 Core biopsy, Rt breast
ER+, Pr-, HER2 +++, Grade 3
Ki-67: 90%
"suspicious area" left breast
Bilateral mastectomy, (NED on left) May 2007
Sentinel Node Neg
Stage 1, DCIS with microinvasion, 3 mm, mostly removed during the biopsy....
Femara (discontinued 7/07) Resumed 10/07
OncoType score 36 (July 07)
Began THC 7/26/07 (d/c taxol and carboplatin 10/07)
Began Herceptin alone 10/07
Finished Herceptin July /08
D/C Femara 4/10 (joint pain/trigger thumb!)
5/10 mistakenly dx with lung cancer. Middle rt lobe removed!
Aromasin started 5/10
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04-17-2008, 05:10 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 2,357
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You look marvelous! Absolutely marvelous! And your hair says so many things about wht a champion you are. Glad you're deciding to go as is! You look great! ma
__________________
MA in TX.
Grateful for each and every day....
Diag. 12/05 at age 60
Stage II, Grade 3, 4.5 cm primary tumor
ER/PR- Her2 +3 strongly positive
Her2 by FISH 7.7 amplified
vascular invasion
Ki67 20% borderline
Jan - March '06 Taxotere/Adriamycin X 3 to try to shrink tumor - it grew
April '06 Rt Modified Radical Mas, 7 of 9 nodes positive
April - Aug. '06 Herceptin/Taxol/Carboplatin X 8 (dose dense)
Sept - Dec. '06 Navelbine/Herceptin x 8 (dose dense)
Radiation & Herceptin Jan. 22 - March 1, 2007
Finished Herceptin Dec. 10 '08! One extra year.
Port removed August, 2012.
8 1/2 years since diagnosis! 5 1/2 Years NED!
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04-17-2008, 05:13 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Near Chicago
Posts: 196
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Actually I looked more like a muskrat BEFORE my trim yesterday. Someone on this site (or one like it) mentioned the likeness before. I found the comparison humorous and somehow reassuring as the stage being an early one in hair regrowth after chemo.
Here is a picture of a muskrat...with fur going in all different directions. But he has more hair/fur than we do when we're a couple months or so out of chemo. The stylist yesterday trimmed off the "funky" edges so that my hair lays down better and doesn't poke out in various places and in various directions.
http://www.muskratsoftware.com/images/muskrat.jpg
[No comparison to anyone on this site should be made to the muskrat's face, tail, paws etc! Though the expression on his face reminds me of some of my own responses to chemo...]
And thanks for the additional encouraging responses!
Melanie
__________________
Diagnosed: 7/13/07 (or 7/7/07)
Surgery: 8/15/07 Modified Radical One Side with Lymph Node Dissection
Pathology Report: ER/PR-, HER2+ with FISH at 8.4 copies, Grade 3, Stage IIIa, 3.2 cm tumor plus 4/19 positive lymph nodes
Portacath: 9/7/07
Chemo: 9/14/07 with AC (every three weeks) for four rounds
Physical Therapy for ROM Loss / "Cording" (but not Lymphodema)
Taxol + Herceptin weekly (started 12/2007 with 8 of 12 Taxol)
Radiation: (28 rads from 3/07 to 4/07)
Reconstruction (silicone implant)
Herceptin done (10/08)
Cognitive Remediation (11/08 - 12/08)
Lymphedema Diagnosed 5/10/10 (almost 3 years post cancer diagnosis)
Lymphedema Rehab 9/10/10 - 11/10/10
Six years NED...7/7/2013!
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04-17-2008, 06:34 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,193
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I'm laughing Chicago!!! You couldn't possibly have looked like that critter. Muskrat Susie looks a bit like Tiptoe when
she stubbs a toe and when she forgets to use her leave-in
conditioner.
__________________
PinkGirl
Dx Aug/05 at age 51
2cm. Stage 2A, Grade 3
ER+/PR-
Her2 +++
Sept 7/05 Mastectomy
4 FAC, 4 Taxol, no radiation
1 year of Herceptin
Tamoxifen for approx. 4 months,
Arimidex for 5 years
Prophylactic mastectomy June 22/09
" I yam what I yam." - Popeye
My Photo Album
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04-17-2008, 06:38 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Wilmington, Del.
Posts: 1,126
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Congratulations. Wigs can get hot in spring and summer. It's also fabulous to be able to towel dry our heads and hair. You look great.
I myself hadn't seen my natural haircolor for 16 years. It grew back salt and pepper. Just started dying it again a few months ago.
__________________
MJO
IDC, Stage I, Grade 2
Oncotype DX Score 32
Her2++ E+P+, Node Neg.
Lumpectomy 11/04/05 Clear Margins
3 Dose dense AC (Couldn't tolerate 4)
4 Dose dense Taxol & Herc. (Tolerated well)
36 weeks Herceptin (Could not complete one year due to decrease in MUGA score)
2 years of Arimidex, then three years of Femara
Finished Femara May 2011
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04-17-2008, 07:09 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,210
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OMG, how cute is that muskrat! I had never seen one before. There is a lot to be learned on this site! And I can identify with his expression.
I think my early hair resembeled an ostrich. Whisps sticking out. Now it is like a curly sheep. God is interesting.
__________________
Bonnie
Post menopause
May 2007 Core biopsy, Rt breast
ER+, Pr-, HER2 +++, Grade 3
Ki-67: 90%
"suspicious area" left breast
Bilateral mastectomy, (NED on left) May 2007
Sentinel Node Neg
Stage 1, DCIS with microinvasion, 3 mm, mostly removed during the biopsy....
Femara (discontinued 7/07) Resumed 10/07
OncoType score 36 (July 07)
Began THC 7/26/07 (d/c taxol and carboplatin 10/07)
Began Herceptin alone 10/07
Finished Herceptin July /08
D/C Femara 4/10 (joint pain/trigger thumb!)
5/10 mistakenly dx with lung cancer. Middle rt lobe removed!
Aromasin started 5/10
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04-17-2008, 08:22 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Marengo, IL
Posts: 518
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Hi Melanie,
You look great! Thanks for sharing the photos with us, even the muskrat. Isn't it wonderful to be done with radiation. You are about a year behind my treatments. It only gets better from here.
Can't wait to see you May 4. I will post a note here to see if there is anyone new to join our club.
Donna
__________________
Donna
Crystal Lake, IL
Diagnosed 8/4/06 at age 54
Lumpectomy 8/30/06
Stage llA, grade 3, ER/PR-, Her2++
1.7 cm tumor, 1+ lymph node out of 9
Completed 4 A/C, & 4 Taxol with Herceptin
36 rads completed 5/16/07
Mammograms, 7/07 clear
fractured ribs in radiated area 10/07
Finished Herceptin 12/27/07
Mammogram,CT,tumor markers 1/08 - small lung nodules in radiated area, repeated tests 3/08 stable
Mammogram,CT ,tumor markers 6/08 stable
NED 2 years!!
3 years !!!
4years!!!!
4 years, 10 months and 8 day NED, calling it 5 years!!!
Official 5 years 8/30/2011
8/31/ 2012 - 6 years!!!!!!
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04-17-2008, 11:10 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: PA
Posts: 188
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Congratulations to you.. A big milestone indeed. I am sure we all remember the day well. The first day without the wig. Like you I just said I am done with this. I wanted to see how I would feel about it out in public, so I decided to go shopping at the grocery store, even though I didn't need groceries.
I remember thinking, ok, nobody is staring at me I can do this. I never looked back ! Still kept the short hair, even this 1 year and 8 months out from my dx.
I am really really happy for you !! You GO Girl
__________________
Susan V - Pittsburgh PA
DX Age 37 on August 3, 2006
Stage 1 Grade 3
ER/PR + (Highly Positive)
Her 2 +++
1.3 & 1.2 tumors right breast
node negative
lumpectomy 8-15-06
A/C Began 9-5-06 Finished A/C 11/6/06
Port Placement 9-15-06
Negative Test for BRAC1 & BRAC2 10-25-06
Began Tamoxofin November 21, 2006
First Herceptin November 27, 2006 Continues every 3 Weeks
First Radiation Treatment December 11, 2006
35 Rads Completed
Final Herceptin Treatment November 12, 2007
Port Removal November 19, 2007
Living Life to the Fullest !!
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04-17-2008, 08:47 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,014
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Wow, your hair grew back fast, I say it looks fine. Mine took about 5 months before it looked like yours. I was like a bowling ball though. I have always worn my hair short and most the time in a baseball cap, so it wasn't really an uncomfortable adjustment for me..sherryg683
__________________
Sherry
Diagnosed: December , 2005 at age 44
13+ positive lymph nodes
Stage IV , Her2+, 2 small mets to lungsChemo Started: Jan, 2006
4 months Taxotere, Xeloda, Hercepin
NED since April 2006!!
36 Rads to follow with weekly Herceptin indefinately
8 years NED now
Scans every year
Life is not about avoiding the thunderstorms, it's about learning to dance in the rain!
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04-17-2008, 11:42 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Hilo, Hawaii
Posts: 1,867
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Melanie....I LIKE your haircut!
I was LAUGHING at the muscrat pic!!!!!! That is what MINE looks like right NOW without any gel!!!!
AND.....tomorrow I am going for my very FIRST hairtrim!!!
Maryanne
__________________
*** 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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