For those starting chemo in June

Tine

Hi there,
well it's day 5 and I am doing ok I guess. Feel yucky and have a hard time concentrating. Took a longer drive today and decided that I wasn't gonna do that again. Too hard. My heart still keeps racing off and on. What is most frustrating right now is the pimpel break out. I can see them coming out by the minute. In my scalp everywhere. Looks like your worst acne case. Any advice for that???
Oh, my nurse told me to rinse my mouth with Canada Dry Club Soda water. So far it helped. And I am using a toothpaste with tea tree oil. I was a bit yeasty in my mouth but it seems to have stopped.
I got meds. to keep the acid indigestion down. Have a hard time sleeping at night time. I try to be active as possible but boy it is difficult. Everything is so foggy.
Well, enough ranting here. I just thought I drop by and ask about the pimple issues. What are you ladies using for that. I would like to put sunscreen on when I go out but with all the pimples I just don't dare to get an infection.
Oh well, I was missing my teenage years. Not..

good luck to all of you.

Hugs

Christine

Cathy_34

Good news SBonura!! I am so happy to read your post. I'll have the A/C on Monday and then the neulasta shot on Tuesday. I planned on not working on Wed and Thurs but am hoping to be able to work next Fri. How many hours after your A/C did you have to get the neulasta? I've been trying to get a time from my Dr., but she said it varies.

So glad I found this board. It'll really help!!!

Have a WONDERFUL weekend.
-Cathy34

schoolmarm

Tine, I've got the same pimple problem....face and scalp...much more acne than I ever had as a teenager! Not fun. I also had the foggy brain. It finally went away. Actually right now which is day 11 after number 1 AC, I feel fine except for the pimples. I have no idea what to do about them. The onc just said that is sometimes a side effect of the steroids. My dermatologist was not much help either. If you come up with an idea, please let me know. This will be over someday.

mzsandy

Hello Cathy34,

I got my Neulasta shot the next day (wednesday). I did go to work for half a day Friday and as soon as I got home, changed clothes and took a nap.

But, I did feel more revived and even more so today.

I did stop taking the Zofran and Compazine last night. Lost 4.5 pounds too - yeah! I am sure that won't last long. I actually ate some real food last night and this morning. Not too much tho.

I pick up my wig today. I will probably get shaved in the next 7 to 10 days. That last little bit of control.

Have a great weekend ladies!

Tine

Schoolmarm,
don't know what to do about the pimples either. I try to avoid creams and such. Other than that nadda.
Foggy brain comes and goes. Anoying.

Oh, anybody has problems with hemoroids?? I never had them before and all the sudden tada, here they are.
Well that is a good subject.

Hope you ladys are all doing well. I'll keep you in my prayers and wish for us all that this trip will be over soon with just a distant bad memory.

Tine

MES

I posted earlier about my bf. She had 1st chemo on Thurs. Port wouldn't work so..3 hours later they decided to us an iv. She had a horrible headache. She thinks it's because they rushed treatment to go home. (did it in 2 1/2 hours.) She'll have a/c 4x every two weeks with the shots inbetween. Although she was sick we were able to take her to get her wig on Friday. I think just having that helped. The precious lady here cut it and thined it where needed. She also suggested going out with it on a couple of times while she still has hair to get use to it. She made a great head wrap using a tshirt. (it was so soft)

She was shocked at the cost of some of the drugs. AMEND is working but oh my...costly.

I have shared all that is going on with you girls. We have laughed and cried. Thanks to you girls she doesn't feel like she's alone or crazy.

Shelliks and Cathy 34...I'm praying for you and your little ones. You are fighting this so you'll see them grow. You all are amazingly strong.

I'm hoping she'll get online sometime soon. She's tried reading some of the books but finds it overwhelming. I think this forum is an awesome way of getting support and information.

You are all in my prayers. As I read this discussion, I pray for you, your treatment and your families.

MES and bf

Sevenley

Hi girls!
I still haven't clipped my hair. I'm holding out until Wednesday, hoping I can get some friends and family together, have some ice cream cake and do it. I thought I was prepared mentally to lose my hair but I'm having a hard time.

I see a few of us are having complexion problems. I'm trying to keep my skin clean as much as possible but being gentle with it. I don't rub it but just pat it dry. I dab a bit of alcohol on the pimples with a cotton swab and it seems to dry them up.

MES, it's good to see that you've joined our thread. Please give our best to your friend. BTW, did you post before about her wanting to give up her kitten and not want to go on with treatment?

Hi Mary, I'll get my second dose on Friday. Do you get your second one this week? I hope this one is as easy as the first one. How are you doing now?

Well, that's all for now. I hope you all had a good weekend.

hugs,
Lee

mary1220

HI Girls, hope everyone had a great weeekend.Hi Lee, I get my second dose tomorrow(TUE)as my onc. is out of town today.My mouth is all better and I feel great. Almost hate to see tomorrow come but if its just bad a few days off and on, hey I can handle it.I haven't cut my hair either. Its falling several strands at a time now but I too am holding out.It doesn't bother me to go bald so much as I am just too lazy to mess with the bandana and hat thing already.I wont be a pretty sight. I will have my bandana on upside down and it will blow off, I am just murphys law waiting to happen again and again.So far I have not had a complexion problem. I have been using facial clenser followed by alcohol to clean my face and follow with Neutrogena. I alcohol clean it several times a day.I have gator skin from sun damage.I figure if I dry it out maybe some wrinkles will go away.Well I will get back later. Enjoying the calm before the storm sorta speak.Hope everyone is doing good. Mary

Sevenley

Janie, I think the rest of mine is just letting go. I'm trying to hold on until Wednesday but it is REALLY bad. I've kind of told everyone at work that this would be the week. And I've started wearing my hats.

Good luck tomorrow, Mary, with #2.

hugs,
Lee

Dawnt

my hair made it till day 20.Strands came out but it wasnt to bad.Buzzed it this morning.Feels strange with a wig on but I'm getting used to it

Tine

Hi girls,
hope you had a great weekend.
Question, does anybody else have problem with heart racing?? Mine comes and goes and is driving me bonkers. I see my GP this afternoon for it.
Feeling much better. Actually can eat pretty much everything. My ear rinnging is still there as well.
Anybody else having the same problem??

Have a great day all.


Tine

mary1220

Tine, please let us know how your Dr. apt. went. I had skppy heart beats, some racing off and on and palpatations.( but I get skipping any time I get down(sick) whick isn't often.)I figured it was the steroids and it only lasted a few days.The steroids make people hypper and I was weak and tired but couldn't sleep the first day of treatment. I think the coctail was a little strong for me so gonna mention it Tue.Sure hope everything is o.k.with you.mary

PJB

Hi guys, I'm not having such a great day. It's not the chemo: had my blood tests today and they came out fine so Il'l have another treatment Thursday. I'm petrified because i have a bump of some sort on my ribs. My onc didn't do a CT scan before starting treatment because all my blood work was good and the chest x-ray was fine. went to my surgeon today for routine followup on my lumpectomy and port surgeries. i asked her to look at the bump on my ribs. she says it's probably nothing to worry about, but then she also told me surely since i'm 40 the breast lump woldn't be anything and then that surely since it was so small, i wouldn't have positive nodes.

Anyway, needless to say, since she said it probably isn't anything, i'm almost sure it is mets. i've been crying or on the verge of tears all day. i find out the results tomorrow. i don't want to die on my little boy...sorry to be such a downer. i've been doing so well attitude-wise until today.

mary1220

PJB,I feel so bad for you.I will say a lot of prayers for you tonight.I know you are going to worry and I would too but I hope it helps to know that we are all with you.Maybe this time it is nothing, you are due for some good news.You know my sister-in-laws mother died 3 years ago from breast cancer.She had a blood clot in her heart so surgery and chemo were out. They gave her 1 year for either the clot or b.c. to do her in. Well she went like a ball of fire and didn't want to give up because she and her daughter were all they had, no other living family at all so she didn't want to leave her daughter at 15 years old.She lived 17 years after dx and saw her two grandaughters.She was very ill for 9 months before she left, but she lived life to the fullest for 17 years.I think it was her will. she was one strong lady.She just couldn't leave until she knew her daughter was o.k. on her own.You are strong too and you have someone to live for.You will see your son grow up.You wont let this get you down.You hang in there and please let us know as soon as you know something. Hugs and lotsa good wishes, mary

Tine

Mary,
the nurse at the cancer clinic sent me to my GP.
He is doing an EKG and bloodwork. As well as me wearing some stuff for a day to see about my heart functions. Never thought of the steroids?? Actually thought it might have been my thyroid, but the blood work came back on that.
Actually had a super day today. Only a bit tired and was able to work in the yard for a bit. Still a wee bit light headed. But then it was warm.

Oh, we went out on the weekend and flew a kite.
I hadn't done that since I was a little girl. We had so much fun. And you know, for a few moments I was able to forget about the cancer which was the best thing ever. I felt so alive. Amazing what a $10 Cosco kite can do for ones psyche.

And I finally broke down today and bought some head wear. I was putting it off but I guess I have maybe a week left before the hair goes. So better face the facts right.


Hope you are all doing great
Hugs and prayers to all of you

Christine

janie44

Hi all,

My hair started coming out a couple of days ago too -- a few strands every time I brush or comb. I always think a handful will come out when I shampoo. So far, only a few strands there too. I read that it comes out a few strands at a time and then the rest suddenly "lets go." It is so hot here, I fear the wigs will be too hot and uncomfortable right now. I have hats etc. ready. I am trying to decide when I should just go ahead and have it shaved. I thought about wearing a t-shirt that reads "I am in training for the olympic swim team" and just wear it shaved (not really).

janie44

PJB - I KNOW you are really worried, but if it helps, I had a huge lump that was painful in the back of my rib cage and was afraid the cancer had spread. My bone scan showed it had not. So there is hope that yours will turn out the same way.

Well guys, I went for my labs yesterday and my WBC's had bottomed out. I was placed on neutropenic precautions. I have a persistent sore throat but no fever.

My hair started falling out 4 days ago. The texture also changed. Even though I rolled it, it was just plain BLAH!!! I went last night and had it cut into a pixie. I told the hairdresser it would probably last 3 days tops. I had thought I would have it buzzed at first sign of loss, but the hot GA weather has me hanging on as long as I can before getting out the headwear.

I ran into a lady whom I work with and she also has BC and is about a week ahead of me. She had on a black hat over a red turban and was cute as a button. I hadn't thought of the turban/hat combo.

Have a good day,

XO's

Janie

PJB

GREAT NEWS! Got preliminary results from my CT scan and everything came up fine. Thank you all so much for lending me strength. I feel so good, I'm gonna go celebrate with some Mexican food.

mzsandy

PJB - Congratulations !!! I am so happy for you.

Prayer is a powerful thing!

I am 7 days after my first A/C and still don't have a normal appetite. My eyes want it - but when I taste it, that is not what it is supposed to taste like.

I get bored drinking ice water or skim milk. I have tried many, many things - anyone have any suggestions? I don't have the metallic taste in my mouth - just things don't taste the same.

Hugs to all.

Have a great day!

shelliks

PJB, that is the best news I've heard all week. We all can relate; I fret over every ache and pain.

SB, I drink club soda with lemon or lime. Not much taste, but better than water and I sit around the house and burp like crazy!!

My WBC was 1.5, so I guess I'll be okay to go for more on Tuesday. I am feeling so much better this week, except for the hemmorhoids! This is just too much fun.

I scheduled a consultation with my surgeon to discuss and schedule my prophylactic mastectomy on the right side in September. I want all the surgeries done be the end of the year!

Sevenley

Hi everyone!
PJB, so happy to hear that your CT scan was clear!!!

Mary, how did you make out yesterday with #2?

Today is the day that I'll start wearing hats. I put on this cute little crocheted one and put a flower on the brim. It's cute. After I shampooed my hair this morning it looked as if somebody threw a wig in the wastepaper can. Tonight I'll get it buzzed. I can't put it off any longer. I'm getting an ice cream cake and we'll have a little get together with family and friends.

SBonura, I found that orange soda really tastes great and hides the weird tastes. Have you tried lemon drops?

I hope all of you are doing well. I had my bloodwork done this morning. I get my second one on Friday. It's hard to believe that we've come this far. Before we know it, we'll be done with #4.

Hugs for all of my sisters,
Lee

joannej

I will join the June group by the hair of my chinny chin chin- starting June 30- dense dose AC 4 rounds followed by 4 rounds of Taxol. yay. Having all the same feelings re: hair loss, wigs, turbans, etc.

Dawnt

I had my 2nd chemo yesterday.The dr put a new naseau medicine in my IV that should last 3 days.Last time I was so sick.This time I feel 99% better.Stomach just a tiny bit off.Now I only have 2 tratments left.I started wearing my wigs on Monday.I have 2 & just ordered another one online.

Daffy1962

Hi All!!

I will get my first treatment on Friday, 4 A/C and 4 T, on the dose dense plan. I was told that on Monday I will be getting daily growth hormone shots to boost my white count. After I am done with that I will start radiation treatments. Just want to get going on this, the sooner I start the sooner I will be done!! I read what everyone else posts here and all the information is helpful, just scared right now, not knowning what will happen. My Oncologist thinks I will just breeze thru this and doesn't think I should be off from work. I work in a hospital as a Medical Lab Tech, one of the people that runs your lab work and I am also a vampire (draws your blood). I just don't think I should have direct contact with ill people, forgot to ask him that and a few other questions. I have been using that excuse...I have chemo brain already!!

Daffy

mzsandy

Sevenley and Shelliks - thanks for the suggestions. I have not tried any of those yet, but will.

I just made my first cup of decaf coffee with decaf mocha capp and it is kind of yummy. Before I couldn't even stand the smell of it.

It seems my smell and taste buds are starting to allow me to eat more things. I had a salad last night and it was really good. (made by me)

My energy level has increased also. I heard that just about the time you get back to normal - it is time for another cycle. Oh well, 1 down and 3 to go.

Have a great day ladies!

Sevenley

Hi everyone!
Last night I finally gave in and had my hair clipped to 1/2 inch. Jim, man I've been with for 4 years, did the honors. My daughter, her husband and my best friend were there. I wanted to make sure that my daughter knew that I was okay with this. So we laughed and joked and had ice cream cake afterwards.

Well, tomorrow is #2.

I hope that you are all doing well.

hugs,
Lee

janie44

Anyone else going for a second AC treatment next week? Mine is Monday. I hope my counts are back up by then.

Janie

Sevenley

Hi Janie,
I get my second treatment tomorrow. I haven't heard anything at all about my counts so I assume that they're alright.

How low were yours?
Lee

schoolmarm

Hi, everyone. I was feeling so well we decided to leave Atlanta and head down to Orange Beach, Alabama for fun before my chemo #2 next week. The condo is wonderful. Hubby and son golfing every day so I can rest. Dinners out at night are great. Easy to forget that I have three more horrors to go through!
SB...try orange Gatorade. I usually hate the stuff but for reason can drink it now with no problems. On the other hand, I can't stand the taste of chocolate now....uh oh!
The day we drove down here was the first day my hair started falling out in strands. It's coming out in strands of five or six at a time. I have short but very thick hair so this is going to take a while. Think the condo management may accuse us of having a pet in here....there's hair whereever I sit!
Hope all are doing well as most of us head toward our second chemo.

Sevenley

Same for me Schoolmarm....I have no desire for chocolate or coffee. I just couldn't get enough orange soda.

I'm glad you had a wonderful getaway with your family before #2!

Lee