I am soooo encouraged by you
Our Becky aka Bec_No_Va - was diagnosed with cancer
Bec, you're getting the star treatment that you deserve!
Carrot top would have been fun!
Yes I would have loved a red head..... as my red is now all grey...LOL
Glad to hear they are doing well by you. Here is to treament that doesn't get you down (feeling bad).
Please do when you can keep us posted. Continued prayers for full recovery!
Jan
Becky, that wig looks GREAT on you, the style is adorable!! I agree with you, why not go totally oposite and go all out? :) May I say, you look really young in that picture, more like a platinum blonde than silver/gray. (you know what they say about blondes??) ;)
The prayers, they just keep on'a comin'!!! Exodus 17:12
Good morning Becky. When I read about your expensive device I immediately pictured those victoria secret fantasy bras. Certainly sounds like you are in good hands with your Reed team. Nice to hear that treatment is so comprehensive compared to what it used to be.
Is your MIL still with you all? Hugs to Greg and Samie. I, too, like your new look .
And of course keeping up prayers for all.
Brrrr, a freeze here, but plants all put away in prep for sandy
May you shine brightly through the days ahead and be filled with the Light that overcomes all darkness.
Love the wig. A dark red would look good. Maybe your next one?
When I read Your comment about the bra I was thinking about how many people get what goes in them. LOL
Good luck and sending strength.
Bec, my daughter had the port a cath, it had the longer tube (18 to 24 inches) coming off....and she would wear a camosole with the little shelf bra in it and the tubes would fold inside. Is yours like that or is it all under the skin? As much as you don't like it....trust me when I say it will save your veins in the long run and make access much less painful.
I too love the wig. Do you remember my Mom, you all did a hat & scarf party for her. She NEVER wore her wig, hated it. Would tell people, my heads perfect why put hair on it and mess with my natural beauty! She was right too! Do what is right for YOU and puts a smile on your face.
Continued thoughts and prayers...
Debbie
Wig looks great!
We're here with you!!!
Becky, you would look good wearing a mop, so no worries.
Ruby
LOL, Ruby -- and you're totally right!
Bec, we still need to reschedule our get-together... you can borrow my blond "pixie" wig! It's fairly lightweight, but still once I started getting hot flashes I rarely wore it. I've got several cute hats to pass along also (crocheted by a DG friend).
SO encouraged by how all of this is going along... praying for that platypus to be totally harmless, too. If it's at all fast-growing, maybe the squamous cell chemo will knock it down in size.
Ok, the Platypus is (they think!) Focal nodular hyperplasia - a benign growth, normally not as many as I have, but nothing about my diagnosis has been "normal", so why should this be ^_^ we'll do a CT after 2 treatments to see if there are any changes, they've taken away everything I love (when my blood levels plummet) - Sushi, rare steaks, salad bars - I told him I'd come hunt him down if chocolate doesn't taste good. We bought every antibacterial cleaner known to man...so germaphobic lifestyle for a while ^_^ it's all good & I'll do just fine!
Oh noes, we can't have chocolate tasting bad!! I know where to get some good weapons if that hunt becomes necessary. ;)
Remember antibacterial wipes for your purse also for door knobs and restrooms.....shopping cart handles!
I think you need a Perry the Platypus mascot to be a detective for you!!
(Phineas and Ferb cartoon)
Yeah, I think I groused more about chocolate, Coke, and coffee tasting nasty than about anything else during treatment... I usually "got them back" a day or two before my next treatment, so I'd show up in the treatment room with a nutritious breakfast of a Milky Way bar and a Coke, LOL.
Caution is good, but a lot will depend on how hard your white cell count gets hit by the chemo... some people have to take extreme measures the whole time, while others are just fine going out to Walmart or whatever a couple days after treatment. Salad bars aren't just a bad idea because of the risk of germs... your digestive system can get pretty tender during treatment (lots of fast-growing cells in the lining of your gut, so it takes a hit just like hair follicles do), so you probably won't be wanting raw veggies anyway.
I hope the list of what you CAN still do during treatment will surprise you! With all the ways to help with side effects, many people pretty much sail through chemo... a few days of feeling low, and then they're off to the races again. I'm hoping that will be you!
You know what I do when I grab a shopping cart at a store that has no sanitary wipes? I pull out my little bottle of get antiseptic, splat it on my handsies, and then rub it over the clear "roller" handle that you grab. Well, my mom was a nurse on a ship in WWII...so what do you expect? Yes, you can eat off my floors. Arthritic knees be dam--d!
Dear Bec - I shall share what I've taught thing one and two...starting with the basic of making it a new habit to keep hands away from mouth - use fist or ideally elbow to push open doors....heck a foot will do. Our cell phones and bottom of our purses carry all kinds of cooties - wipe em down. Public toilets? Flush with your back to them - ok...takes practice but worth it...those flushes spew 'stuff' quite far. At home? Lid down - then flush...your toothbrush will thank you. And no more drinking oughta Sammie's bowl...got it? ^_^
Chantell, that last one is going to be hard...she and Sammie share a night cap quite often! Ease up on the puppy and kitty kisses also. Don't need to avoid kitties....but watch for scratches, avoid....and use neosporin if one does happen asap.
Sadly, alcohol thins the blood....something you don't want now....so that is another no-no.
AND be careful about any supplements you take with folic acid. Ask the doctor before continuing them as they can mess with chemo.
LOL Debbie!!! Y'all please keep our Becky in thought and prayer tomorrow as she starts her chemo!! And if you're not prayed out...my sister (3 1/2 years my junior) is having to have surgery next Wed...would you hold her up in prayer as well? As always...thanks to each of you!!!
You got it kiddo...sister prayers also Chantell!
Oh most certainly yes, there's always room for more prayers! Keeping them coming for you, Becky, as you take a new step in your journey toward FULL RECOVERY of Platypusitis. =)
Becky, I'm praying that you will weather this first chemo treatment well. Thoughts are with you my friend. And Chantell, I'll add prayers for your sister.
Becky, surrounding you and yours with prayers and hugs today
Adding prayers for you sister, Chantell
Here is hoping and praying that the treatment goes well and we have our very spirited Becky back sooner rather than later. Lots of kindly thoughts coming your way today Becky.
Ruby
Thought of you numerous times today and continuing prayers coming your way. Judy
I'm getting my first batch of chemo right now & considering the amount of poison being injected, I'm feeling nothing...of course it's early yet, but now that it's being injected I'm over the tiny bit of nerves I had - Tiz'nutin but a thing ^_^
You don't see us Bec, but Izzy and I are right there with you.....we're hiding behind that curtain....don't tell!!!
You are being very brave, lots of hugs and "sanitized" puppy kisses!
Debbie
Giggle, I knew I felt something hot breathing down my neck :) Chemo wasn't half bad, considering & even if I know it was the first treatment I feel just fine...I'm sure it'll deteriorate as we go along, but I'm the forever optimist :)
That is a wonderful way to look at it....sorry Izzy was breathing on you, at least it wasn't slobber! lol
Rest up!
Why did Bec come through with flying colors?!? Come on Bec.....tell em' why?
All ears!!
'cause I am THAT GOOD!!! ^_^
HA!!!!! There we go...was thinkin' I was gonna have to finish it for you....sheesh
Praying...
Becky, here's to that chemo going on a "search & destroy" mission to blast any remaining suspicious-looking cell into oblivion. Praying for smooth sailing through the whole treatment process!
Keep praying for that ^_^ I'm realistic to know that steroids are helping me feel great & ready to party - but, that it'll more than likely be but a few days & then I'll feel like crap for a while...
So glad for your positive attitude and feeling good!
Happy that the first chemo went well...
Keep that chin up!
Yes, you ARE!!!
I just had a mind image of the search and destroy mission. Love that! Praying for a good weekend
Bec, Prayers that you are weathering well. I remember a young fella that would provide his beloved mom a little "tokin" as a show of his support after she'd had her chemo. It did help her, but that was the 70's and chemo was more of a shotgun treatment than science. :>} Ric
Had to read the "tokin" a few times before knowing what you were speaking of Ric. Have heard that a lot of folks use tokin as a way of alleviating some of the side effects. I have a doctor who mentions it every time I visit him as a possibility for my ails. I always say thank you, I have had enough. I am of the belief, that a person has to do, what a person has to do. Pain is essential, suffering optional.
Ruby
Happy to hear all the positive reports Becky!
Hey C girl- ya might want to start a new thread at some point, given how things at this point have turned SO optimistic!! And its not so much cancer as a Thing or a Platypus...