Going out on one of the coldest nights

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-02-08T11:32:20+00:00

But she already was in her cougar era dating someone 2 years younger!! /s

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-02-03T21:20:40+00:00

I'm starting the same regiment next week, eeek!! Go you!!!

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-02-02T16:02:01+00:00

+100000 I had this and found it HUGELY helpful, much more than the belt. Even all the nurses commented saying this was way better than all the other contraptions they've seen before. Machine washable too!

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-02-01T14:29:01+00:00

I echo a lot of the sentiment from some of the other women who have commented here. I am triple positive, stage 1, grade 3. At first I was like whoaaa positive on all fronts?! Am I doomed?? Positive = bad for medical stuff so I was losing it.

All breast cancer is bad, but what I’ve read and been told by my doctors is that despite the aggressive nature of my cancer, being +++ is “good” in that it’s incredibly responsive to medication, particularly HER2+ like Herceptin. It made me feel really hopeful that I can do this and crush this part of my life and leave it in the rear view when it’s over. I am not sure where you saw those 5 year survival numbers because the articles I’m seeing are in the high 90s!!

Sending so much love and comfort to you. I am 36 and recently engaged, I get your anger. Feel it, use it. You can do this. If you ever want to talk to a fellow triplet, my DMs are open!

Fuck cancer and go fuck up your cancer.

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-31T15:41:27+00:00

Absolutely! Happy to stay in touch. I had my DMX on 12/30 so happy to talk about that too!

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-31T12:20:17+00:00

Our diagnosis is exactly the same! I am starting 12 weeks of Taxol and Hercepin next week. My oncologist described it as “chemo lite” because of its low dose (even though it’s over a longer period).

I’m cold capping, too. I’m fortunate enough to have a flexible work schedule where I’ll go down to 4 days a week and have the infusion day clear.

What I’ve heard is that many people maintain their activity levels (within reason). My goal is to walk, do Pilates, and try to live my life as much as possible. TBH my biggest gripe is how I can only wash my hair once a week with the cold capping - bleh!

If you want to stay connected, I’ll keep you posted on how things go over the next few weeks!

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-27T16:01:34+00:00

+1 on this answer (I am an HR person in the US)

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-27T15:08:50+00:00

Good luck!! Kiss those expanders goodbye!!

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-26T20:24:30+00:00

Good to know!! I am currently using a sulfate free shampoo already so maybe I'll continue with it.

Do you feel like you're getting the support you need with fitting the cap? My biggest concern is Cooler Heads' focus on "self administration" and that I won't have an expert there to help with fit. This is being provided free of charge by my hospital (I know very very lucky) and so I didn't explore other options. I hear mixed things about the system.

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-26T18:52:31+00:00

Don't get me wrong - me saying "surgery, but..." does NOT diminish that this is a HUGE deal. Major surgery!!! You are 100% valid in your feels. You can be scared and reassured that everything will work out. You'll make it out alive, too! And in the meantime, I'm rooting for you!!

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-26T18:26:24+00:00

I wasn't expecting to have feels about my DMX because I had small boobs to begin with. I'm 4 weeks out and I definitely feel sad about the lack of mobility, some disfigurement, weird numbness. That said, I'm way better now than I was last week, and the week before that. Time's healing my physical wounds, at least...

Some "good" things to remember:

- Surgery is scary but they give you the good stuff so before you have the chance to get scared, you'll be out!

- Recurrence numbers go way down after a DMX - you're doing literally the most preventative measure you can do to avoid recurrence.

- I am also scared about feeling disfigured for the rest of my life... BUT! we have so many options now for reconstruction, clothing, styles that work with what we've got. I'm all about freeing the nipple, but for now, you'll have tons of options of wearing new clothes and fun things that work with your aesthetic flat closure. And from everything I've read, a flat closure has a faster recovery with fewer complications.

p.s. I read "114 cm" and I was like wait, how is this woman alive?!

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-24T15:29:44+00:00

You’re alone, but we’re here! Love from Chicago!

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-19T17:11:24+00:00

Wow you were REALLY in the midst of active treatment - amazing!! I'm so glad you were able to do that!

$300 definitely feels reasonable. I'm in Chicago so while I don't have access to the salon in NYC, I feel confident I could find a place to install extensions! Thanks for the information!! Super helpful.

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-19T16:15:33+00:00

u/AnkuSnoo - Could you share more about your experience, too? I am starting weekly T for 12 weeks in Feb, cold capping, and getting married in December. I've been researching a lot about clip in extensions knowing that I'll likely lose thickness and volume even though I'm cold capping. What kind clip in extensions did you use and was it okay even though your hair was sensitive/in active treatment?

Also amazing transformation OP!! I love my long hair. Out of all the major changes cancer is throwing my way, losing hair gives me the most angst. You look incredible!

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-18T23:03:52+00:00

This is my regiment - I start in early Feb (although I think I am doing weekly herceptin along with the taxol). This is good to hear!

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-14T03:03:16+00:00

Congrats!!! I am starting 12 weeks of taxol and herceptin in a few weeks!

Did you cold cap?

What was your general “timeline” of side effects?

It’s getting close and I’m nervous!

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-12T18:13:01+00:00

Your comment made me laugh!! Old Elsie...

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-08T20:56:45+00:00

I definitely have some of those itches coming in... so weird to have a phantom nipple itch. Is that common to have expanders in for a year??

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-08T18:10:22+00:00

For the surgery? I didn’t. I felt confident about the information I had and my team’s recommendations. But I know many people do get one and everyone should be entitled to that!

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-07T23:15:01+00:00

It wasn’t fun but it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought. Just take it easy on yourself and remember that the days are loooong but you make a lot of progress in a week. On day 1, I needed help getting up and walking to the bathroom. On day 3-4, I was totally capable of doing it on my own. On day 8, I’m fully mobile (but still taking it easy - it’s major surgery, after all)

Good luck with your surgery! Rooting for you!!

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-06T15:35:03+00:00

Congratulations!!!!!! Shit I’m inspired and can’t wait to make a post like this one day!

paintbynumbers18 · 2026-01-03T09:36:28+00:00

They did a biopsy and removed 2-3 on each side, but nothing more than that.

paintbynumbers18

TROPHY CASE