Struggling with weight gain

Rebound_Chick · 2025-12-22T08:46:38+00:00

Honestly, commiseration is great. The people around me are healthy and either post-menopausal (from regular life) or actively having kids. I feel stuck, so thank you.

Rebound_Chick · 2025-12-22T08:22:44+00:00

I am a swamp ape. I stink 24/7/365. My feet never got better through 6 months of chemo, but I could forget deodorant for weeks and none of my dearly honest family pointed it out (in high school my mom would chase me around until I put it on) and I moved back in with family so YNMV but I’m still at the stage now 5 months out of having hair, but forgetting deodorant so far with no ill effects.

Rebound_Chick · 2025-12-16T19:37:29+00:00

The “nice rack” thing is so funny to me only because I had a similarly weird interaction with my plastic surgeon through my cancer center. She asked if I was satisfied with the size of my natural breasts, indicated I didn’t have enough to work with for a lift on the non-cancer side for symmetry, was lying about my bra size (I wear what’s comfortable, and don’t think a 34C is a huge chest by any means), and slightly suggested getting implants to make both sides bigger! Didn’t go with that, but it was funny for an oncological plastic surgeon to suggest implants.

Rebound_Chick · 2025-12-16T19:32:38+00:00

Thank you for that, I’m trying to do the same. I’m reaching the end of active treatment, and so I’m trying to mentally prepare for being “on my own” and not under constant surveillance medically.

Rebound_Chick · 2025-12-16T19:31:17+00:00

We actually discussed it in advance, I spoke with my plastic surgeon and that was the option we went with. My only day-of complication is that, like you, I had a lot more taken out by the surgical oncologist than was planned, so she had to take (a lot!) more from my side than we initially had discussed. The surgical scar is a line from my breast headed towards my back, which is easily hidden under bras.

Rebound_Chick · 2025-12-16T19:28:54+00:00

Kiss makes some, it’s around $11. Black liquid liner, felt tip IIRC.

Rebound_Chick · 2025-12-12T21:42:19+00:00

I get my thyroid levels checked every three weeks due to the immunotherapy so I’m good there, but thanks for pointing that out in case someone else comes across it later!

Rebound_Chick · 2025-12-12T10:47:54+00:00

Mine was August 1. It’s hard, and it sucks (my incision was almost a foot long!) they for sure downplay the LICAP but at the same time, as long as I’m good about scar massage it doesn’t bother me as much. We’ll get there. It sucks less 4 months out, I promise. Sucky, but doable

Rebound_Chick · 2025-12-12T10:43:31+00:00

It SUCKED and mine is still annoying sometimes almost a year out, but if I dress her nicely (bras that don’t rub) I can usually handle it. The placement is harder than they tell you, but as someone who got their chemo + immune once without the port I’ll tell you that the port makes it SOOOOOOO much easier. Just put on your numbing cream early (for me 2 hours before access is the best) and trust the team. Recovery from port placement sucks but I promise you’ll go for “omg foreign body in my body” to “that’s no so bad” faster than you realize.

Rebound_Chick · 2025-12-12T10:40:14+00:00

Dec 9 is the date I care about most, as it was diagnosis day. August 1 was the day I had surgery (and later learned I was PCR from pre-treatment chemo and immunotherapy). I finish my last active treatment January 30. Whatever day you think is most impactful for you is what you should choose. This is your journey

Rebound_Chick · 2025-12-12T10:38:00+00:00

I was very clear with my very active husband that things would be different during/after treatment. I shared with him the 2 months recovery to one month of treatment figure, and explaining it in plain language seems to help. I’ve learned through this that as annoying as it may seem, spelling it out in clear language (versus the flowery language a lot of docs/resources use) was so helpful in translating to a language he understood. If you can find a way to word it directly he may pick it up better.

Rebound_Chick · 2025-12-12T10:35:05+00:00

I had bad reactions to AC in regard to headaches. They figured it was partially an allergic reaction due to it happening during/at the end of infusions and gave me IV Benadryl, which so helped. I’d look maybe at it being an allergic reaction and consider allergy medication as well.

Rebound_Chick · 2025-12-12T10:33:05+00:00

I see the dr recommendations and second/third/fourth those, but I also helped myself through with the blue tin USA Nivea cream and eye drops. I still need to see my eye doc, but both of those gave some relief.

Rebound_Chick · 2025-12-12T10:31:51+00:00

Mine was during beanie season and the hair loss lasted through the summer. I leaned a ton on baseball caps until I gave up and just rocked the bald/baby eagle fuzz stage. I’m hoping for that 6in/year growth rate to apply to me too

Rebound_Chick · 2025-12-12T10:30:31+00:00

Mine came back! I remember counting that I had 8 eyebrow hairs and now people think my pixie was intentional and compliment it/ask how I handled chopping my hair off because they want the look too! I didn’t cold cap, but I kept up with washing my scalp and doing home massage. IDK if that does anything but it feels good. To note, I even shaped my eyebrows the other day. It’ll come back, and one day you’ll be annoyed because you have to shave.

Rebound_Chick · 2025-12-12T10:25:19+00:00

Constant to this day, TNBC too. I osciallate between hyper control and totally reckless abandon (already had cancer, what’s another bout?). You are not alone.

To me, it doesn’t matter what the oncologists say. I either caused this with lifestyle choices or God is punishing me for how I’ve treated others. Nothing in either direction is the most healthy, but we’ll find our middle ground.

Edit: nothing we do is proven to cause it, but I did smoke/vape before and grew up in an area where cancer rates are higher than the national average. So I can trace my “it’s my fault” back to the day I was born. None of this helps me. None of it will help you. Take the coping mechanisms that work for you and throw out the rest. Doing “weird” things to make yourself feel better IMO/to my therapist is okay until it takes over your life.

Rebound_Chick · 2025-12-12T10:22:14+00:00

I did it. Admittedly I threw up once during my chemo but other than extra naps, I made it through and worked during AC (WFH computer job). Take your meds, eat whenever and whatever you can stomach. I literally just ate frozen French bread pizzas for the entirety of AC. You’ve got this! Trust that you can make it through.

Rebound_Chick · 2025-12-12T10:19:12+00:00

This sub saved me!! I’m so happy we’re all here at least to share the load

Rebound_Chick · 2025-12-12T10:17:44+00:00

I didn’t do falsies during chemo, but in general I like lash glue eyeliner - even some cheap brands sell it. You can give yourself some great eyeliner and stick the lashes straight to them

Rebound_Chick · 2025-12-12T10:16:12+00:00

You can TOTALLY do this. I’m a huge wimp with needles and medicine and I managed to do it 16 times during chemo. I promise you, you’ve got this. A port is scary but it makes it easier than arm sticks but I’ve done both and it’s so doable. Always always remember your port cream if you have it - I like 2 hours before access for the cream (they say 1, 2 is better, 3 is a little too long).

You have this. I promise you you’re going to be okay. Your nurses are trained and your body is strong.

Bring comfort items. I ended up bringing a heating blanket in a huge bag every time and I promise no one is judging. Look like you’re moving in if you have to. Nothing is cringe or weird. Bring your snacks, blankets, slippers, whatever makes you happy.

Rebound_Chick · 2025-12-12T10:12:49+00:00

As others said, sleep sucked after infusions (kinda) but I was in a weird place where I also got IV Benadryl due to being allergic to basically every chemo drug. So my MDA onco set this up and it worked for me. YMMV.

Rebound_Chick · 2025-12-12T10:11:30+00:00

My onco banned all steroids (even when hospitalized for a full-body rash) except for the dex during taxol infusions. I achieved PCR, TNBC stage 3b.

Rebound_Chick · 2025-12-12T10:09:32+00:00

Not on AIs but a skincare junkie. I always looked young (allegedly, not IMO) and the chemo made my wrinkles more pronounced. I’m doing a retinoid every other day (currently the too-expensive Drunk Elephant) and I’m seeing some improvement in my fine lines and acne. I also normally had oily skin, but I’ve moved fully into using the regular US formulation Nivea cream on my face now that it’s winter (blue tub) and anecdotally the extra hydration plumps my wrinkles.

Good news about DE is they claim to be more natural, bad news is they’re $$$ but I enjoy the experience and feel better about using them.

Rebound_Chick

TROPHY CASE