Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

Robbin65

RSheehy,

I have a donation kit coming in the mail. Since I started noticing my hair coming out when I brush it, I plan on this weekend (or after thursday after my 2nd chemo) braiding it, cutting the braid, and dontating my 12 inches of braid.

Amera

Just back from round 2. My counts were fine. I'm feeling good so far. I know that won't last though. Hopefully it won't be too bad.

I saw a nutritionist. She said my diet was pretty good but since I'm losing weight, I need to increase my protein a bit during chemo. She also gave me some supplements to buy. A daily vitamin, extra calcium and vitamin D, and omega 3's. She sited all kinds of research about vitamin D cutting recurrence rates etc. I love Dana Farber and am glad they use the most current research, but somtimes I wonder if the protocol changes weekly depending on this or that study. She also said to just wash fruits and vegs well and to not cut them out of your diet--the more colorful the better. They are not concerned about bacteria from raw foods really. She also said low fat diets have been proven to lower recurrence rates in hormone negative cancers. That and exercise. Nothing new really, but good to have it confirmed.

My daughter is growing her hair out for locks of love as well. She started this a year ago way before my dx. Has much more meaning now.

Be well,
Amera

robertin

My daughter just called me and she is in labor. She is 17 hours from here, and I don't know if I will be able to travel during chemo. I've been pretty positive during the last two weeks, but now I feel sorry for myself. I want to hold the little bug when he is born. Just wanted to vent.

NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING

Robertin,

When is you next chemo? How are you doing? Maybe you could get on a plane with a facemask!!!!

Hate to have you miss this!!!

Mizsissy

Rebecca

Well Viddie...today I do not feel so hot. I think I may have pushed to hard. I went to work this morning, then had to run up to get my neulasta shot (now THERE is some good news....tomorrow is not looking so good courtesy of Neulasta) and THEN we had a girl scout meeting. UGH. I think if the chemo does not get me, my schedule will . On the plus side, I am home for the night now...and my sister in law is here, and she will make dinner for the kids etc, and I can be a couch decoration for the rest of the night.

It is only 5:30, and I feel like I am ready for bed already. The meds that my onc prescribed for my cough seem to be helping a bit, but it is still there...right from the chest. He listened and didnt hear anything, and my counts were good so I guess it is not an infection. I have heard somewhere that there is such a thing as "chemo cough" but I can not find out very much.

I am glad that your finger is feeling better. It is so scary that the slightest little scratch can turn into an infection. I for one and not used to it!

As far as resizing your picture, you will probably start with cropping it approximately to a square...any picture editing software will do...if you do not have some, download picasa, it is free.

http://picasa.google.com/

then, you can even use the default picture viewer in windows to resize it: locate the file on your disk, double click it to view it in the Microsoft photo editor. choose Image off the top menu, then resize, and in the little box that comes us, select pixels as your unit, check the box that says allow distortion, then put 80 in the width and height. From there, you can follow the instructions on the message board. hope this helps!

Rebecca

Melia, I hear you about staying at work! I do not think that I would get well if I stayed at home. I have to keep my life as normal as I can or I think I would flip my lid! Keep it up, and try not to push yourself too hard (I learned that the hard way)

Rebecca

Robbinjaye,

yay! I know it is hard...but again, for me, it really helped to know that my loss would benefit someone else. Do not wait too long, though because once the hair starts to really fall, it happens VERY FAST. My hair started to come out last friday (day 15) and by monday I was just about done.

Rebecca

Amera,

I am glad to hear you are feeling well! Did the nutritionist give you any tips on how to easily increase your protein? I have been having trouble maintaining my weight as well. I am not, and have never been a real eater, so having the bottom fall out of my appetite is causing problems for me. I currently supplement with Ensure because it is concentrated, but it would be nice to know of some other nutrient dense (healthy) foods that I can eat, but not have to eat large amounts of.

My daughters did locks of love over the summer. They loved the experience, and were so proud of me when I did it too!

kids123

I'm sending positive vibes your way everyone. You are all very strong and we will beat this! My hair started falling out exactly 15 days after first session, my husband buzzed it really short on Sunday and my Tuesday that fuzz started coming out as well. I thought is would be much harder for me but it's best once you shave your head and not have to see the clumps. Feel good everyone and think positive.

Anonymous

Well here it is - day 14 - and my hair is seriously out of here. It still looks normal but I can easily pull it out. I guess I have to face reality now. My brother is here tonight playing with the kids since my husband is working late. So - I'm trying to decide if I should have him shave it to spare my husband that task or not. Then again if my husband comes home to find me suddenly bald that could be a bit of a shock. Hmmmm... not sure what to do but I don't think this hair is going to last until tomorrow!

Rebecca

Hey Jan,

well, You probably have time if you want your hubby in on it...just try not to pull it (easier said than done...I shaved it off because I could not stop pulling it, it was worse than a hangnail) I actually did my own (shudder) and it was probably LESS upsetting for him, since he did not have to participate in the deed, just see the result.

Hang in there and stay positive. Beauty comes from within, and this is a worthy sacrifice!

Amera

Rebecca, I'm looking at the protein list the nutritionist gave me. For my height and weight (about 5'7" and 140lbs) and my activity level (pretty heavy on the running) she said I need about 70-85 grams/day. I think without the exercise it would be 70 grams.

Suggestions: the usual, turkey, chicken, salmon, lean beef or pork. 1 oz (about the size of your thumb)=about 7 grams, a serving size, 3oz, is like a deck of cards.

High protein things: enriched milk (mix 1 cup dry powdered milk into 1 quart of milk and use as you would regular milk. 1/2 C= 12 grams. Also, she said to try Boost or Carnation Instant Breakfast.

Oh, 1/2 C cashews, walnuts or pine nuts = 11 grams.

Sorry if this is all disjointed. I have pretty heavy chemo fog at the moment.

AND, for those suffering from hair/head pain, the nurse suggested Nutrogena Tar Shampoo. Will have to try this.

Amera

sharon56

hi
aldora
with my last treatment I did get stuffed up and was sneezing alot could not stop for a few minits . The sinus problem is with me for the first 10 days at least.
As for the shots everyone else gets I am pretty sure its because of the A/C treatment regime and the timing between treatments . The FEC knocks the socks out of me .
I did have to go to the dentist today as one of my crowns on my molar came loose . Well now I have a big hole ..... no dental work while on chemo . The dentist did say that my bone looked good so now I live with a dead tooth hole in my mouth for a while .
And he did say extra calcium and Vit D are good at this time and suggested using a flouride rinse to strenghen my teeth throughout treatment . Thank god I do not have to worry about mouthsores , the nausea , diarrhea and fatigue are enough .
But if.... for the next 10 days I feel good then thats great!
Today was sunny and I played a bit in the backyard with my dog she is a newfoundland and weighs 165 lbs loves the snow and was bouncin away in it like a jackrabitt ..... Dogs are good for chemo .....
Anyone else have a great pet that helping them through ????

Anonymous

shorti - my dogs took awhile to adjust to not having their daily walks, but they are great to have around. In addition to the 80 lb girl in my avatar I have a 45 lb lab mix. They are hysterical to watch - a great distraction. And on good days I love to get them out for a walk. They force me to keep at least some activity level.

ritajean

Hi ladies,
It's good to see all of you posting!
Lynnn and Tae...good luck tomorrow. We will keep our fingers crossed that you have little or no side effects this time.
Mizsissy....glad to see that you are doing better.
Terry, good luck on your first chemo tomorrow. I know how nervous you probably are but the treatment itself is not as bad as you think it's going to be. Let us know how you do. We will be thinking of you.

Thanks Jan for making out the schedule for us. It's good to have an organized member in our group and somebody who is technology oriented.

Skye, thanks for the hints on the mouth sores. My oncologist says that adding a little hydrogen peroxide to the salt water is even more affective. I have been using the salt water/hydrogen peroxide mix and alternating it with the biotine mouth wash...and also using the biotine toothpaste. Also, Skye, in what part of Midwest are you located. I'm in Illinois and that's about as Midwest as you can get!!! :-)

Sirgen, glad to hear from you. I'd missed you and was worried about you! :-)

Susan and Robbin...you had such beautiful long hair. My heart goes out to you. I'm really concerned about the hair loss. I've started using the Nioxin products to help hold it off. Hey Susan, I've been around many years and I've seen all kinds of fashion trends come and go. I bet you're going to regret giving up that hat! In another ten years it will probably be the "hot" fashion item of the day! :-)

Mizsissy.....I think I'm the granny of the group. I will turn 60 this August, and for the first time in my life, I welcome another birthday! :-)

I'm really enjoying the cute kids pics that you gals are posting.

Oh, Mizsissy, do invite your friend Mena to join us if she wants. We don't care when she started her chemo. We're all sisters on this journey and we'd love to have her.

As I look through the various posts I realize how different we all are...in so many wonderful ways. Yet we've been drawn together in this common journey. No matter how much cancer seems to dominate our lives, let's try not to let it define US. We are each unique, wonderful women who are just working our way toward summer, spring, and the end of treatments! I am enjoying all of you so MUCH! I'm so glad that I found this thread!

Have a good Friday everyone!

Rita

skyedivine

Rebecca, my onc staff gave me a handout on nutrition that recommends adding sour cream to soups, sandwiches, stews, etc. and peanut butter and cheese to anything you think might taste good. My fave afternoon snack is celery chunks spread with cream cheese. They also say to use as much whole milk as possible. I have not been a milk drinker since I was a kid but it tastes strangely good to me now, so the body must know what it needs. Just keep those spreadables handy! - Skye

robertin

OK, my pity party is over, and my daughter had a beautiful baby boy. He was born just 90 minutes after my daughter called me. He is 8.2 lbs and I don't know his name (blame it on my chemo-brain). Forgot to ask. We're going to drive (17 hours) during spring break, which is only a little more than a month away and is in the second week after chemo. That's not too far away. I'll try to attach a picture. I always love new baby's wise eyes. In this picture he's only minutes old. Hadn't even had his shot and nasty eye drops.

skyedivine

Since everyone is posting their bald pics, here is the one I put on my Myspace blog. I was sent a tiara by my good friend Julie and when I put it on I immediately felt better. So here I am bald with tiara. I think every chemo patient should have a tiara, and am currently trying to find a tiara mfg. that would donate to the ACS for every sale that I could post a link to. We're all still sparkling inside even on those days when the sparkle just isn't visible outside, and the tiara is a great reminder of that to me. It also symbolizes the "armor of God" that I like to call upon in this battle with bc. Hope this doesn't sound too wacko - Skye (if the photo doesn't show up I'll try again

NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING

Robertin, your grandson is such a beautiful baby. You must be so proud! I think he looks like you.

Skydivine..you look like a queen!

Robbin...anybody else who had low blood counts: How long does it take to get them back up with the neupogen shots? I feel like an old used up dishrag. Now I have a kidney infection. I had my second neupogen today. If things don't improve, I AM NOT GOING TO DO MY NEXT CHEMO!!!

That crazy new nurse in oncology can't even call in a prescription w/o screwing it up. I am going to tell my doctor that I have to have a new nurse to talk to. Everything got so confused this week with her canceling neupogen shots I needed, sending me on a wild goose chase the ER, scheduling appointments for Neup shots that turn out to be non-existent, calling in prescriptions that never get to the pharmacy....I am tired of breaking in this new nurse. I just had to break in the new insurance non-policy on Neulasta.

Mena will be here when she gets around to it; she been running around to the doctor and dentist and she's got two teenage kids to deal with.

I think all of you bald ladies look charming. I've had a few fast glimpses of myself in the mirror without a hat on and let me tell you its spooky. I keep my hat on all the time: I don't want to scare the kitties!

Have a good night all!!

Rodie

Amera--you're a cutie pie. Thanks for posting the picture. Maybe I should post on too but not young like you girls. Well, not old either. I'm not having shots--3 week schedule. Last week for treatment #2 I did need a shot because of the anemia. But, yesterday was able to skip it and blood count was okay. Any one have dark cuticles? Mine are turning dark on about 3 nails. I'm taking Nexium now for 10 days and will start again on session #3 because of acid reflux and rawish esophagus. Good news is I'm half done with this stuff!

Ihopeg

Hi Everyone,
I know I have been missing the last few days but I wanted to get alot done before yest. which was my 2nd TAC. The decadron that I have to take the day before and during treatment and when I went today for the Neulasta shot makes me soo hyper that I can not Catch up with everyone's posts.

Mizsissy,

I am so sorry that you had these terrible problems. I hope everything will be fine now. Keep up that great positve attitude!! You make all of us feel better!

I love looking at the pix of all of you fine ladies and kids. As soon as I can sit still for a minute I will try to add some of my own. I looked at myself in the mirror and decided that I look like Curly from the Three Stooges. It was good for laugh for my son.
My 16 year old daughter is not taking my hair loss well. When I asked her if my bald head bothered her, she said "it screams cancer". I said it screams that the chemo is working. She really has been keeping to herself and not really opening up to me. Does anyone else have kids that are either in denial or seem self -absorbed?
Thank you all for your supoort and kind words. I look forward to reading all of your thoughts.Ilene

Rebecca

Thanks Amera! I have a hard time with the animal protein....but I may try the milk. I do not ordinarily drink dairy (I always drank soy, but since I am er/pr+ I had to give it up). I am also considerably smaller than you, so I wonder how much that figure needs to be adjusted (I am about 5'2" and 103). I may try to get to see a nutritionist myself.

Do not be sorry about the chemo fog...I myself have a bad case of chemo babble right now . It is 11PM, and I just woke up. I passed out at about 7, and I guess I will be up now for a while. So it begins again. Thank goodness for this board...someone to talk to in the dead of the night.

Rebecca

Thanks for the tip Skye! I am a big PB&J person (Heavy on the P), but I never thought of the sour cream. I love that stuff. I should try the celery, seems like it would be a nice refreshing thing to eat. I had a great cucumber salad today with my lunch, and that made me feel really great (cucumber chunks with some rice wine vinegar, salt, pepper and a dash of garlic...YUM)

Rebecca

Congrats Robertin! He is gorgous. He will be in your arms before you know it. Hang in there

Rebecca

OMG Skye....I am laughing so hard I can barely breathe. You look stunning. I think I need one too.

Rebecca

Oh Mizsissy do not give up! I am sure they will give you a new nurse...that other one did such a number on you, she should be absolutely ashamed. Do not under any circumstances let them deny you your supportive meds, and do NOT under any circumstances stop your chemo! You can do it...do not let BC win. Chemo is miserable, it is hard, it is scary but IT WORKS.

RobbinJaye I am thinking about you. Good luck tomorrow, let us know you you feel.

Ilene- My kids are handling it pretty well. I have 3..they are 9,7 and 4. My eldest insisted that she see my head after I buzzed it. She looked at it, declared that I was still mommy, and that she loved me and then went on to say that she did not want to see it again. She has been a real champ about this, and I have tried to be very open with her. At one point she thanked me for telling her what was going on because she said that it made her feel better knowing that there were no secrets.

The two younger ones are doing ok, but they are not as sophisticated in their reactions. My son (4) likes to go around and tell people that mommy is bald but that it will grow back, and my middle daughter (7) does not know what to say. She cried the night before my mastectomy, and begged me to stay home that day, and when I got my pre-chemo short haircut she was inconsolable for days. She did eventually decide that I was still mommy, and that it really did not matter what I looked like she loved me anyway.

As far as your 16 year old daughter goes, it may just be that there was an unfortunate overlap between your BC and teenage angst. Perhaps you should have planned this better...your timing was terrible .

There it is...for what it is worth. Sorry about the babble...it is late at night, I have insomnia and everyone in my house is asleep. I should really post some pics of my munchkins, but I do not think I can gather my wits together enough tonight to do it. Chemo fog indeed...to tired to think, but yet sleep is denied.

I am going to head back to the couch and see if I can get back to sleep. I have another long hard day tomorrow. I do not have to go to my out-of-the-home job, but I am always a mom, and Friday activities go until quite late.

viddie

Hi everyone,
Robertin, Your grandson is adorable! Congratulations!!
Skye, love the tiara.
Rebecca, Hope you are able to get to sleep tonight. I am also up. Will try to get to sleep soon. I have a Mac- I have tried to shrink my pictures through photoshop, but still cannot get them on here.
I spent the day at cancer center again today for more IV antibiotics. My onc told me that after next treatment, she will order Neulasta. My wbc was .8 yesterday. She didn't want to give it to me now. She thinks my counts will go up by next week. Didn't question her. I do not know why. She did give me antibiotic rx for 7 days. She visited me quickly while I was in the infusion room and seemed very rushed. She is going to Honduras tomorrow with a group of Doctors to help them. Must be busy getting ready. Seems everyone else here whose counts went down got either Neulasta or Neupogen shots. I hope my counts go up soon.
Amera,Thanks for the thumbs up! I will eat lots of protein,-maybe that will help- although I have been eating lots of protein, I will even have more.
Hope everyone is sleeping now.
Good night,
Viddie (Paula)

sharon56

Good Morning Gals .....

Robertin the baby is absolutly a doll you must be so proud .
Congtatulations .......
skye you look like a queen your eyes sparkle with that tiara . My bald head is stubbly as my hair came out in patches and I still have a little to "brush" with my hand .

Rebecca

Good morning everyone.

I did manage to get to sleep for a little while last night, but was awake to watch the sun rise. I have seen a lot of sunrises since this all started, which I guess is a bit of compensation for the rest of it. My cough is agony, though with the neulasta now kicking in, so it has been a rough morning already for lil' ol' me. I wish it would go away.

Viddie- I can not beleive that your onc is holding back on the supportive meds. There is just no excuse for putting you through such low WB counts in today's day and age. On another note, I would be glad to fix your photo for you so you can have an avatar if you like. I will PM you my email address, and if you send it, I will trim it for you and send it back. There is absolutely no need to stress over such things when you have computer geeks around who can do it for you (probably more than one around here!)

NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING

Viddie, I'm with Rebecca. Point 8 is very low. I think you doctor's behavior is outrageous! Do you have any doctor who can help you while yours is on vacation? My doctors though I was too low at 4.2!!! What kind of infection are you having that you need intravenous antibiotics? If I were you, I would not go through another chemo until you WBC is up to about 10!!