2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS

spirit

I keep trying to remind myself that women actually pay for Brazilian waxes at a spa!! Now all I have to do is pull it out!! There must be a little humor left in me in all this...

hugs,
kate

Graycie

Kate,
I keep hoping that I am one of those that won't lose all the hair either, I guess we can always hope but with AC you are most likely to lose some if not most of it unfortunately.....Although I talked to this girl and she said she was one of the lucky ones and never lost her hair so I am waiting it out........It is day 15 and only a little bit of shedding........My friend who had AC years ago told me that she never lost it all and wouldn't dream of shaving her head.......She said her hair just got thin and she had 16 treatments of AC. How would you like that? I can't even imagine.....She is a 14 year Ovarian cancer survior. As much as I dislike our treatments I guess we should be thankful because back then her AC treatments took 3 days in the hospital.......I had my second treatment yesterday and so far much better than the first.....I know it will probably hit me but I feel pretty good today. I go for my Neulasta shot tomorrow......I guess the shot must work because he said my blood was fabulous....Glad to hear something positive for a change.......Keep me posted on your hair...HA.....Grayce

Graycie

Thanks Laura, So far the second one went a lot better than the first.... but it is only day 2....I drank 10 glasses of water yesterdy which was a biggie for me since I hate water but maybe that helped......I am going to try and do it again today, the sooner we can flush it out the better....I am also trying to keep food in my stomach and so far no nausea..I asked for sleeping pills and Xanax, so I am prepared this time.......HA...That was my biggie last time, I couldn't sleep. I guess I will have to wait and see how it goes since it didn't hit me until day 4 last time......I wish you luck with your next teatment, I hope is it easier for you. ...... Do you go every two weeks or 3? Grayce

spirit

Hi (((Grayce)))

I said to someone today: "What else?" That's when I combed my hair....not a good thing! Now if I could just swallow!!.....

Love & hugs,
kate

Graycie

Kate, Oh you poor thing, nothing is worse than not being able to swallow......Maybe it is a hair ball......Just a little HUMOR......I just combed my hair too...not good....Call your doctor maybe he can give you something for your throat.....I hope you feel better.
Hugs
Grayce

Anonymous

My hair reminds me of my dad's hair ---- I have the same bald spot in front. I guess I am kinda hoping it all doesn't fall out, I'd rather have thin hair all over than no hair but I will be wearing a wig tomorrow to work, I certainly don't have enough hair to look 'normal' but around the house I would be too shocked to see my hair Kojak style! But I will deal with it when it happens I guess.

sherryhaire

Day 5 past chemo #2 and I just want to sleep all the time the nausea hasn't been bad but I just feel so exhausted It sure was hard to stay at work all day yesterday and today

ake

just think...every time hair falls out, it's also cancer cells getting killed. i see it as a good thing. i have the same weird bald spot on the front too.

i'm beyond exhausted too....is there anything to do about the fatigue? i feel like a 90 year old lady!!!

-amy

RoseMarie

Wow, I've fallen behind the posts since my 1st chemo last Thursday! ((((Hugs)))) to everyone!!!!!!
Seems like many of you were given steroids...I was not. Is this to combat infection? I wonder if this is something I should ask about...just curious.
After feeling pretty icky Friday night and Saturday all day, I have been feeling better every day. I too felt very dizzy and felt like I had just gotten off a ride at the fair. Today is by far the best day. I'll be getting my head shaved on Friday - yikes...my 3 year old still likes to sit on my lap and play with my hair when he's sleepy! Maybe he won't mind the wig!

My prayers go out to all of you!

Anonymous

Hi Grayce,
Glad to hear things aren't too bad at this point for you. Hope the Xanax (& sleepers) help you. Xanax works wonders for me! I have chemo every 2 weeks. One week from tomorrow will be my second. Hang in there.

Graycie

I am with you...I am having a real hard time with this hair thing. Even though it is just hair and it will grow back I still don't think I can look at myself with the Kojak look either...My son can't understand since he has the Kojak look himself, he hates hair, HA.......It may be in for the guys but no thanks..I am so mad because it took me forever to grow, I'm a slow grower. I am noticing I am starting to shed a little and it is getting dry and brittle..I have hi-lighted hair and the bleached part seems to be breaking off ...I will probably have to wear the wig soon.....

Graycie

Laura, I am glad to hear the Xanax works good.I was a little afraid to take it. The ONC told me I can take 3 a day if needed so I figure it must not stay in your system to long which is good.......You are one week behind me, I go every 2 weeks too.....Are you still feeling yucky?...My first chemo treatment was on a Monday and I didn't start feeling good until the following Wednesday....Grayce

Anonymous

Hi Ladies,

I'm so amazed that some of you are working through this. I guess I'm feeling a little guilty. I rationalize and say to myself, "How can I give 100% of myself to my students when I'm between chemo treatments?" I guess it also depends on what it is you do. Some of you probably welcome the distraction from the illness.

Two days before chemo #2. Not looking forward to it, but hoping I'm healthy enough to withstand it.

Take care and don't work too hard.

karlahook

Brenda,

I'm with you...I had my first chemo 9 days ago. I found out I had BC the day I got my job. They worked with me the first two weeks during all the tests. And I was really glad to be busy....but once I had the chemo I just couldn't handle working at all. I put in my notice...they told me when I'm ready they will take me back any time. I took the pressure off me worrying about my job and let me focus on my health. This second week after chemo I feel great and probably could work but am glad I am not.

Karla Hook
Grapevine,TX
Stage II/Grade 3

ake

quick question, ladies...how am i going to know i'm going through the "chemopause". for chemo #1 and #2, around the 6th day, i wake up in a sweat in the middle of the night. maybe it's the steroids. how will i know?

it's like i'm just waiting for this thing to happen...the loss of my period, the night sweats, hot flashes, etc. maybe i'm being paranoid. i get so frustrated because for both chemos, i feel fine during the actual weekend of chemo and then 4 days later, i'm feeling like a 90 year old lady with bone aches (from the nupigen shots) and can't keep my eyes open. grrrrr!!! by the time i feel like myself, it's time for chemo again.

anyone else feel like this?

-amy

sherryhaire

Amy I sure understand how you are feeling, I have absolutly no energy and I am 6 days post chemo #2, I want to go to bed by 7pm!!! Will have my blood work tomorrow to see how they are holding up

oldsambvca

Amy/Sherryhaire,

Guess what? Don't want to discourage you, but I am 2 weeks past chemo #2 am still exhausted! My third treatment is tomorrow, and internet at home is still out, so I'll be out of touch for a while until I can get up the energy to go to work. I've been at work everyday since 6 days post chemo #2, but go to bed by 8:00 or 8:30, or earlier, every night.

We can do this! We may sleep through the rest of it, but we'll make it . . . all of us!!

Nancy-SanDiego

terynsmom and annam, I start my first chemo tomorrow and it looks like we have the same treatment plan (4 A/C, 4 T w/Herceptin, 40 more Herceptin and then Arimidex.) Thank you all for letting me know what to expect, so I don't panic with an unexpected side effect. (I probably will anyway)

Kate, hand in there, girl. Hope your fever is down and your feeling stronger. This, too, will pass. We're like those round-bottomed clowns, you can knock up around, but you can't knock us down.

LOL to all of you.

Nancy K

AnnaM

Nancy K: Now there are three of us. I'm just not sure about the Arimidex yet, I was ER negative in the breast with the infiltrating tumor and ER positive in the breast with multifocal DCIS. I am (or perhaps was ) premenopausal up until last month.

Valerie: Is that your cat in the little photo? Is that kitty smiling or what? I love it!

I'm still feeling okayish on day three after chemo #1. I agree, Amy, it sucks anticipating all the effects of these powerful drugs. I walk around with my bottle of Compazine in my pocket just in case. What a wimp I am!

Anna

Graycie

Brenda, If it helps any, I was like you not looking forward to chemo #2 but it went a lot easier than #1 with fewer side effects so far, actually I am only on day 3 hopefully it will go that way for you.......I also give you a lot of credit trying to work in between treatments and all you ladies who do so...that's one thing I don't think I could do.....Unfortunately I had to give up my job for now....Grayce

oldsambvca

Anna,

I wish it were my cat, but due to my son's (and my) allergies, no cats allowed! And, yes, I think it is smiling!! Love cats and would have a dozen if it weren't for those darned humans I live with! I'm sure my husband and kids appreciate the sentiment!

spirit

Hey you guys!!!

One: temp down! Two: iI think the throat is a tiny bit better this morning. Three: I'm still not sicj to my stomach nor fatigued, sooooo maybe I should be grateful for that alone and just quit my complaining!!

But the throat really, really has hurt so any little sense of being even a tiny bit better is wonderful! And I usually do better without the temp...so keep your fingers crossed!!!

Now...the hair business...that's another thing altogether! Even my daughter told me last evening that she thought I was probably better prepared with a positive out look than anyone else...but I guess I'm not....and I don't know what to do.

I scrounged an appointment in two hours with the guy who originally did my haircut, but I don't know how there is to save...it's thinned out in just two days. How long did it take anyones hair to completely fall out? Is an even shorter haircut worth the money?

I'm just balling my eyes out about this...but afraid the wipe my eyes because of my eyelashes maybe falling out too!!

This just sucks...

hugs,
kate

Graycie

Well Kate, you are not alone, I just took my shower and clumps of hair came out in the brush...I can't believe I'm not crying, I think I am too tired....Your right, this sucks.....BIG TIME....I got the scissors out for the 3rd time but couldn't do it, maybe later....or maybe tomorrow...HA...I know it is coming.....Glad to hear your temp is down and you are feeling a little better.......Grayce

marymelodi

Hi,everyone:
Had my port implanted yesterday. Owie-owie! they told me it would be a simple, outpatient, 45-minutes procedure. Yeah, right! Was at the radiology center at 1 pm and left at 6:15. They got me started late and then I think there was some difficulty. I was dopy on a tranqulizer and pain meds so can't remember exactly what happened. It just seemed to take a long time. Today have pretty sore neck and upper chest area. I wish we had done this before I was coping with the chemo discomfort also. Well, it's in now and hopefully next Thurs (11/10) when I get A/C #2 things will go more smoothly. The veins in my left arm have had it and do not need to be poked any more.

Getting my long, long hair cut tonight. Even if it doesn't fall out, it will be easier to cope with a short hairdo rather than the 30+ inches I have now. With short hair maybe I can fake it a little longer if it does start to shed. I am trying to be philosophical and positive about the hair loss, but my hair has always been a part of me that I really liked and felt proud of so I think I will have to mourn it some. Still, I would rather be a short-haired living woman than the alternative.

I just wanted to comment on working while in treatment. I think everyone has to do what is best for them. A large part of my support system is at work. I have no kids, just a husband and 2 cats. Supportive friends and a sister close by, but my co-workers are a large part of my life. I work in the hospital where I am being treated and the nurses and social workers in my program are super supportive and helpful. But, in cases where the environment is not so great, it may just be the best thing to concentrate on your health and well-being. Also, we could not make it financially without my salary. I could go out on short-term disability and get full pay for about 5 months, but I hope not to use that benefit unless it is really necessary. It is hard to keep going at work, but I have talked to the managers and identified places where I can go and rest/nap if needed. The onc nurse told me to do as much of my normal activities as possible for both emotional and physical well-being. I'm just finding I have to slow down and take it easy.

Today, I felt no guilt in calling in and saying that I was too tired and sore from the port installation yesterday. I know I'm fortunate to have that kind of program director and situation. We all have different needs and supports and whatever is best for one of us, may not work for the next October gal.

Hang in there everyone. Wishing you all wellness today.

ake

good luck to everyone who is going through the hair loss...seriously, it feels better when you just cut it or shave it off...it's too traumatic to let it fall out on it's own...especially when you know it's going to happen. this is by far...the weirdest thing ever. my stubble is even falling out on my head from when i shaved it...so weird!!! but i know we can do it!!!

by the way...is anyone having weird body chills followed by night sweats? i can't stand it!

-amy

daydream

The steroids help with nausea, possible allergic reaction, and energy level for a few days. I was reluctant about it (I've taken prednisone before, and am familiar with side effects) but I think it did help.

daydream

I think her boss needs a little dose of AC!

Serendipity

Quote:

---

by the way...is anyone having weird body chills followed by night sweats? i can't stand it!

---

Hi Amy,
My Onc said that was from the steroids and she reduced mine this time (Chemo #2). The sweats and chills have been much, much less, but I felt worse so I guess there's a tradeoff.
Jane

TracySeattle

Hi all,
Day #5 after 1st chemo for me. I tried to work yesterday but had a really hard time reading the computer screen, sitting still, staying focused. I finally came home after 1/2 day and totally crashed. Slept until this morning and then worked from home today. Seem to be feeling a little bit better today. I wonder if it was the Decadron which I quit taking yesterday. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

For those of you that have the advantage of Short Term Disability, thank your employers! My company does not have it and since I used my sick/vacation for the surgeries, any time I miss is without pay. It stinks because it adds to the pressure of the whole situation. We can't afford to go without my paycheck for 3 months! My company doesn't even allow us to donate sick time to those who need it. I think I am going to be a rebel for the cause when I get over this!!!!

Sounds like many of you are doing good. Sorry about the hair thing--I will be there next week and not looking forward to it, even tho my hubby has had the clippers warmed up and ready for a week now. He can't wait to shave my head! Guess he should get a little Fun (?) out of this!!!!

(((hugs))) to you all! You are doing great!!!!!

Anonymous

Hi Tracy,

Sorry about your sick leave situation. My heart goes out to anyone who would rather stay home but for financial reasons can't. I am so thankful I have disability benefits. Thanks for reminding me.



Hang in there. You seem to be doing fine for day 5.