yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mrmauld

Hello everybody, guess what , by the time I got the red stuff my hair was coming out by the handfuls. Thank you everyone, for being there in spirit and soul. I made it pretty good today and didn't even throw up on my brother, whew, he was proud. I'm wondering how mimi and Moopy made it today, I know as much strength as they all give me that they feel the same. The steroids sure do hype me up for now, and they said that is why I'm not sleeping and gaining weight and also they told me I might not have a monthly visitor? Has anyone else experienced this? How long does that last? If she hadn't told me that and my visitor didn't come I'd be scared to death. Can any one share experiece this with me? Thank you everyone.
Love and Prayers
to all my sisters in PINK
and GOD BLESS YOU ALL
mrmauld

young_one

Yep. Chemopause.
It varies for some how long you are in it. Mine stayed gone for about 4 months after chemo. And when it showed back up it certainly did with gusto. But it went back to normal quickly. The lack of period never bothered me but the hot flashes did. And watch out for dryness issues. I literally sat on the bed and cried one night and told my husband that my "petunia was broken". Yeah, it's funny now but at the time I *really* wanted it to work and it just wouldn't. Oh, the joys of chemo at the age of 29. Ugh.

P.S. Sorry for the TMI. But forewarned is forearmed and better to be prepared than surprised.

mrmauld

young_one said:

Yep. Chemopause.
It varies for some how long you are in it. Mine stayed gone for about 4 months after chemo. And when it showed back up it certainly did with gusto. But it went back to normal quickly. The lack of period never bothered me but the hot flashes did. And watch out for dryness issues. I literally sat on the bed and cried one night and told my husband that my "petunia was broken". Yeah, it's funny now but at the time I *really* wanted it to work and it just wouldn't. Oh, the joys of chemo at the age of 29. Ugh.

P.S. Sorry for the TMI. But forewarned is forearmed and better to be prepared than surprised.

thanks
Thank you for the headsup. Is there anything for the dryness?

Aortus

Yayyy!!
Glad to hear all went well with you, mrmauld, and we are still pulling and praying for Mimi. Moopy came through today just fine too. She will no doubt post more herself, but right now she is resting and gabbing on the phone with her big sister in TN.

If the visitor is who I think the visitor is, I will leave it to one of the ladies to explain. But even though I'm just a guy, I think I can tell you that what you're experiencing - or not experiencing - is not weird, but a common side effect.

Thanks to all of the Sisters in Pink - I just *wish* I'd made that term up - for all your kind thoughts and prayers. I was able to read this website to Moopy from my iPod Touch while we were at the infusion center today: you were all a source of strength to us, and sometimes a source of gut-busting laughter. Please be assured that "Mr. Joseph" is taking everyone's advice very seriously - and no, Julia, he will *not* be taking poor Moopy to any Poodle Parlour!

mrmauld

Aortus said:

Yayyy!!
Glad to hear all went well with you, mrmauld, and we are still pulling and praying for Mimi. Moopy came through today just fine too. She will no doubt post more herself, but right now she is resting and gabbing on the phone with her big sister in TN.

If the visitor is who I think the visitor is, I will leave it to one of the ladies to explain. But even though I'm just a guy, I think I can tell you that what you're experiencing - or not experiencing - is not weird, but a common side effect.

Thanks to all of the Sisters in Pink - I just *wish* I'd made that term up - for all your kind thoughts and prayers. I was able to read this website to Moopy from my iPod Touch while we were at the infusion center today: you were all a source of strength to us, and sometimes a source of gut-busting laughter. Please be assured that "Mr. Joseph" is taking everyone's advice very seriously - and no, Julia, he will *not* be taking poor Moopy to any Poodle Parlour!

Great News
I am so glad that Moopy is doing so well also, My husband is going to shave the rest of my hair tonite because it is coming out by the handfuls and it hurt so bad last night I think it is time. Thank you for the visitor advice!!!!!!!every little bit of advice is better than none

Chellebug

mrmauld said:

thanks
Thank you for the headsup. Is there anything for the dryness?

Dryness
Yes, I was quite shocked by chemopause! And so was my husband!!!

My doctor didn't really warn me about the dryness and tightness that occurs. But I got myself educated quickly once it started happening. There are a couple of brands that I have used (refresh and replens). They are brands that you use internally. Plus you need something externally. Young One is right. You've got to keep using it....or it'll just get worse. And you thought you had a good reason to say 'not tonight.'

I had my bilateral mastectomy after chemo finished. At that time I had opted for my ovaries to be removed at the same time (at age 37). So I was thrown into menapause like a catapult. Even though I was already in chemopause, it was still a shock to the system. About a week after the surgery I felt like I was having a heart attack in the middle of the night. I found out later it was from the oophorectomy (ovaries removed).

Glad to hear that you've gotten through another treatment.

seof

you have already gotten some
you have already gotten some good advice, but here is my 2 cents worth. I am still on Herceptin, last treatment next month. The hot/cold flashes are much less, but I still have not had the visitor (since chemo started sep/07). The Dr. has told me the visitor may not return for a year after I finish Herceptin, or possibly not then (I will be 45 in April). I had radiation and bilateral mastectomy as well, and used Vaseline and Aquaphor on the scars and radiation area to soften the skin. Each person is unique, and I hope you find what works for you quickly.

Best wishes, seof

rjjj

mrmauld said:

Great News
I am so glad that Moopy is doing so well also, My husband is going to shave the rest of my hair tonite because it is coming out by the handfuls and it hurt so bad last night I think it is time. Thank you for the visitor advice!!!!!!!every little bit of advice is better than none

so Thankful
I am so glad everything went well I've been praying for you Moopy and Mrmauld glad to hear all is well hope all went good for mimi also. I'm just a couple days away from you all ,day 3 and feeling ok a little more tired than usual but ativan realy relaxes me. Doen't it feel good to have one more down!!I'm praying for all of our pink sisters to have a peaceful sleep tonight and sweet dreams.
God Bless
Jackie

fauxma

seof said:

you have already gotten some
you have already gotten some good advice, but here is my 2 cents worth. I am still on Herceptin, last treatment next month. The hot/cold flashes are much less, but I still have not had the visitor (since chemo started sep/07). The Dr. has told me the visitor may not return for a year after I finish Herceptin, or possibly not then (I will be 45 in April). I had radiation and bilateral mastectomy as well, and used Vaseline and Aquaphor on the scars and radiation area to soften the skin. Each person is unique, and I hope you find what works for you quickly.

Best wishes, seof

No such thing as TMI
There is no such thing as TMI. There are so many side effects and just stuff that crops up with the variety of treatments. And sometimes we can't or don't get the advise we need from our doctors. Most of them haven't been there, done that so they aren't working from first hand experience. And the bedroom issues are definitely there. Getting lots of advise is good, because it can be trial and error to find what works for each of us. I learned this during my uterine cancer. One of the ladies I meet when I was being treated made me laugh. She was a widow and about 70 years old and when we were in the waiting room she leaned over and asked if I was being treated for uterine cancer. I said yes and she asked if the doctor had talked to me about sex. I said no. She shared with me that they recommended to her that she have nightly intercourse as soon as she was healed from the radiation and then 3 or 4 times a week after that. Then she told me that after the doctor was done explaining this she asked if he had any names or phone numbers. I burst into such loud laugher in the waiting room I probably scared all the patients. She said he laughed too and gave her a set of dialators. There is so much that goes on with the treatment that it is good to have so many people to guide us and advise us. So I say, get it all out into the sunshine, in the light of day, and we can all benefit from the information.
And I want to add that I think the courage of those of you that are just girls in the face of this is inspiring. I am not sure how I would have handled it at 29, 39, or even 49. Cancer is a horrible disease at any age but to face this while so young has a whole new set of issues. My prayers are with you and with all my sisters in pink and their wonderful spouses and families. What a treasure you are to me.
Stef

mmontero38

I am so glad you got through
I am so glad you got through with flying colors! My onc sat me down the first time I went to his office and as he was explaining all about tumor, treatment, etc, he did say that I may go into abrupt menopause and it might not come back. I was 48 when I was diagnosed so he said I may not get my period back at all. So far, one year after treatment and I haven't had it. At this stage of my life, I don't miss it per say, but I am more bothered by the hot flashes. Hugs, Lili

young_one

mrmauld said:

thanks
Thank you for the headsup. Is there anything for the dryness?

Lube. And lots of it. And
Lube. And lots of it. And patience. And by all accounts it is a "use it or lose it" situation. Because not only is it dry but tight as well. So, practice, practice, practice. Plus, make sure the lube is a good one. Silicone based worked the best for me (Eros is a good one). I found that the non-silicone based got sticky or tacky with "friction" and that is just counterproductive to the cause.

This is kind of turning into a funny thread. Sex talk anyone?

Moopy23

rjjj said:

so Thankful
I am so glad everything went well I've been praying for you Moopy and Mrmauld glad to hear all is well hope all went good for mimi also. I'm just a couple days away from you all ,day 3 and feeling ok a little more tired than usual but ativan realy relaxes me. Doen't it feel good to have one more down!!I'm praying for all of our pink sisters to have a peaceful sleep tonight and sweet dreams.
God Bless
Jackie

Blessings to You
Thank you, Jackie for your prayers. I am so glad that the Ativan has been helping you. I join you in wishing you and all our pink sisters a peaceful sleep and sweet dreams. I thank God for you all.

kansersuks

young_one said:

Yep. Chemopause.
It varies for some how long you are in it. Mine stayed gone for about 4 months after chemo. And when it showed back up it certainly did with gusto. But it went back to normal quickly. The lack of period never bothered me but the hot flashes did. And watch out for dryness issues. I literally sat on the bed and cried one night and told my husband that my "petunia was broken". Yeah, it's funny now but at the time I *really* wanted it to work and it just wouldn't. Oh, the joys of chemo at the age of 29. Ugh.

P.S. Sorry for the TMI. But forewarned is forearmed and better to be prepared than surprised.

Hi young_one. I am also a


Hi young_one. I am also a "young one", diagnosed at 27. I have been worried about getting my period back but it is good to see that someone as young as myself did eventually get their periods back. I have had crazy hot flashes myself, nights are the absolute worst. My question for you is whether or not you took tamoxifen after chemo? I am on tamoxifen for 2 years and I'm worried that I won't get my period back if I'm on tamoxifen.