Bone scan , prosthesis and chemo

NDY2010 said:

Look Good Feel Better
Look Good Feel Better: I attended one of their meetings just last night (11 Aug 2010). They provide a cosmetologist to teach make-up techniqes plus info on hats, wigs, & scarves. The best part is they provide each participant with a "big free" bag of cosmetics (very high end brand names too). It's about a 2 hr session and the instructor used a volunteer to show the rest of us how to apply each item then we would apply our own (she would help us individually if we needed it too). She said that the local ACS has a location that any of us could go to and pick up a wig, hats, scarves,etc. All these items were donated and free to us (they even have some mastectomy bras at the Oklahoma City location). These were the nicest people, even provided refreshments and gave their phone numbers in case any of us wanted to call them later.

Hair Loss: I lost my hair 14 days after starting my chemo cocktail. I had already purchased two wigs (synthetics are highly recommended since they are more easy-care). Hair loss affects each of us differently. I wear a turban or even a do-ray around the house and when I go out I either wear a wig (granted they are so hot now) or a scarf & cap or hat. Actually there are perks to losing hair---no leg or underarm shaving & all the extra time saved by not having to mess with fixing our hair. Just shower & go!

Concerning chemo: I too got that same dreaded feeling when I toured the chemo ward and saw all those people hooked up to IVs but it's so different when you become one of them. After the first time you will never have to experience that scary "what is it going to feel like" feeling anymore. You'll find that a lot of your fellow patients are talking to each other, reading, listening to headphones, TV, working on laptops, etc. Hopefully you'll have a great chemo nurse like I have. It makes to whole experience so much easier for me.

Prosthesis: I didn't like the post-op camisole with its "giant cottonball insert" so just around the house I started wearing my sports bras & just left the strap off the mastectomy side (I found that was most comfortable) plus I still had the support of the other breast.

Yes, these boards are a life-saver especially for the newbies. I've certainly learned so much. One more hint, take a tape recorder to each doctor session (it helps with recall like you wouldn't believe).

Hang in there,
Judy

cahjah75 said:

While I was getting chemo
on Tuesday, a staff member from my local ACS chapter approached me with all kinds of info and gave me an appt with Look Good, Feel Better on Sept 14th. I'm having my head shaved on Aug 26th at my hairdressers. I plan on wearing turbans dressed up with hairbands. I don't work so don't see the need for a wig. At home I'll stay bald. I was told that if you want a wig that will match your current hair color you should do it before it falls out.

As for the prostheses and bras - I had already found out the exorbitant cost. I agree, TG for insurance. Mine pays 80% and I pay 20%. They even sell special ones for chlorine for swimming. They are a bit less expensive but don't last as long either. I had wanted to sign up for water therapy for my arthritis before I found out I had bc. So, I'll have to wait on the bathing suit. I have been wearing a post mastectomy camisole since surgery. It had removable pockets for the drains and has cotton boobs. I bought 2 so I could wash one while wearing the other. I plan on seeing a professional fitter some time this month for bras and prostheses for a more permanent basis.

So happy your bone scan was clear! Yeah! I'm having the PET scan on Aug 23rd.

As for the chemo room - I have 2 sisters who are bc survivors and I had a sister-in-law die in 1998 and a co-worker die in 1997 so I had been to chemo rooms sitting with them several times. For me it would be heartbreaking to see children. I'm glad it's only adults where I go. My cancer center is a brand new bldg just opened Monday. It's beautiful and the nurses are so helpful. Once you start and get the first one over with like I did on Tuesday the others should go fine. You'll be ok. You have the strength to kick this. And, I was prepared for the worst and am happily not having hardly any side effects.
Sending cyber {{hugs}},
Char

jo jo said:

Congrad's on a clear bone
Congrad's on a clear bone scan!
I went to the look good feel good class before i started chemo...its a great class! They give you wigs, hats or scarfs. They also show you how to put on makeup when loosing your eyelashes and eyebrows and they did a really good job of that plus little tips on makeup and other stuff.
I bought a wig and i swore i would wear it daily and when it came down to it, i hated it and always wore bandanas cuz thats what i was more comfortable in.
Good luck on your chemo!