Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin

dragonfly1

SpecialK Florida heat might be a challenge! You might have to wear a ballcap or nothing! I'm on Long Island so the summer will be a nightmare with the heat but I'll be ok with hats in the meantime. I'm not crazy about the wig but I work in a hospital so I think I'll have to use it around patients/families. My husband can't wait to shave my head-what's up with that? They are fascinated with it somehow...Mine did offer to shave his head at the same time but I don't want him to do it. One bald head in the house is enough

AmyIsStrong

I had my bald months in the summer and it was hot.  (Shaved head on day 18 - mid June and went 'topless' for the first time in early Oct)  I had a wig that I ONLY wore to client appointments. NOBODY knew it was a wig and they all raved about my new hairstyle. I had a hard time keeping a straight face. It was hot and itchy and I would yank it off as soon as I got into the car after the meetings.

I had one Adidas baseball cap that was PERFECT  = it was some sort of clima-cool fabric that the air passed through. I wore it almost non stop because it was coolest.  Regular baseball caps, especially the brushed cotton ones can be kind of heavy/warm.  Look for that type of fabric - you will be glad you did.

I had some scarves and wraps I wore sometimes. Went bald around the house though. 
My husband buzzed my head - actually did not shave it with a razor, was recommended not to.  Used clippers without a guard (for closest buzz) and then was told to use a LINT ROLLER to pick up the little tiny pieces left behind!

My husband shaves his head and I thought we would 'match' but we really didn't. A lot of women on TCH do not lose ALL their hair - like to the cue-ball stage - but instead have some (highly unattractive stubble that stays & even starts to grow during treatment.  I can email anyone a photo of me at that stage if you want - PM me with your email address- I don't know how to post it on here.  I am SURE that having that little amount of hair left gave me a head start (pardon the pun) on regrowth and helped me to get back to having hair faster. So consider buzzing instead of shaving.

He didn't mind my bald head at all. I think in a weird way he liked it - he would rub it sometimes. It really really wasn't as bad as you might think.  It was SO FAST and easy in the shower. I bought Dr. Bronner's body wash (all natural, gentle - from health food store) and used it on my body/head.  

Hang in their ladies.  Every day brings you a step closer to being DONE!

SpecialK

Hi,

Dragonfly - what do you do in the hospital?  I also work in the same hospital I had my BMX in.  I work in transfusion services.  I have been off due to the 5 surgeries since Nov. '10, I am fortunate that they have granted me a continued leave of absence for the chemo.  I will require another surgery to replace the removed left TE, and then another to exchange for implants.  I am not sure how I am going to handle that schedule with work, but they have been super cooperative.  They have excess staff right now due to another location in the VA hospital not ready for opening so it has been a blessing.  I have a great supervisor who has been supportive, she is my boss and I count her as a friend.  I was worried about working during chemo because of the SE's.  I was imagining myself with a wig, a mask, lifting nails under my gloves, working in a biohazard area, contact with nursing staff and co-workers who are sick, etc. Just didn't think I could face it on top of all the surgery!  I did find a couple of scarf options LaBonita and BeauBeau.  Both companies are Florida based so I am hoping they might be somewhat geared toward stuff for hot weather.

Amy - thanks for your perspective!  My favorite line is your last one!!  It is just how I feel.  I figure I have just over a week with the hair.  I keep wanting people to take pix of my cute short haircut right now!  My husband will be the shaver/buzzer.  We have one of those clippers because he was in the Air Force for 28 years, so I was always cleaning up his hairline between haircuts.  He still works with Special Operations Command at MacDill AFB so keeps his hair in a longer flat-top.  Just think, at some point we will have the same haircut!

You gotta laugh, right!

Kathie

dragonfly1

SpecialK Your work area sounds a lot more challenging than mine during chemo... I'm a social worker in the ER at a VA Hospital but I work evenings/weekends and I also do combat screenings for returning vets as well inpatient work on weekends-it's an odd combination of roles because most of the time I'm the only social worker in the hospital. I'm not looking forward to wearing a wig and then putting on a mask (very hot) to go into the rooms with precautions but that's about my worst challenge! My department is also very supportive and they are letting me take days off as needed. So far, I haven't missed any time except for a few days around the surgery and the port. I have my infusions and any appts on my day off each week (Mon/Tues). I've only worked here 3 years so I don't have a lot of leave and I'm trying to avoid a leave without pay if I can...

Beth

Anonymous

Hi, Gals!

All this talk of headwear prompts me to tell you about my favorite head cover for the "bald times"...BUFFS. Check out PlanetBuff.com

Watch a UTube video of the many ways to wear a Buff (scarf, beenie, headband, etc.) Buffs come in tons of colors and patterns.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHgS2mxHBG4&feature=related

I hate wigs and hats and this sure was a life saver for me.

 

SpecialK

Hi,

Dragonfly - I used to work in transfusion services at Haley VA here in Tampa!  That is the location not ready to stand up (for testing, they have a Blood Bank) that is supplying the extra personnel to stand in for me while I am gone.  I initially took a FMLA leave for the BMX in Nov. Our leave was in a pool of sick, vacation, holiday, etc.  I only had about a week of paid leave when I left.  Fortunately we have short term disab so aside from the first 14 days I have been paid 60% of my paycheck until the FMLA expired. The FMLA had to be extended for all the other surgeries through the end of Jan.  When that expired I was given an ADA accomodation in the form of a leave of absence which allows long term disab to continuing paying at 60%.  I am lucky that my income pays for kids college stuff only, so 60% is manageable, and it was a benefit that I had paid premiums for.

swampy - forgot about the buffs!  I had planned to get one, thanks for the reminder.  They sell them at my local running store.

Kathie 

Cari-Anne

my hair started falling out around day 13ish and when I really started to shed it became a nuisance. I let my 12 year old cut it as short as he could with scissors and then had a friend buzz it down. The rest is easily scrubbed off when you shower. I have a few wigs but find bandannas and hats so much easier to deal with. (This is my second time around with BC and chemo) Just had my second treatment today and got tons of compliments on my little pink and blue plaid hat I got at macy's

Hope this helps and excuse me for jumping in

dragonfly1

Swampy: I love the buffs-have two of them already-they are so soft!

Cari-Anne: Day 13? Wow-that's really soon for me (I'm on day 9 now) did you lose a lot at that point, what day did you buzz it?

I found several cute hats on Headcovers.com

Beth

Cari-Anne

No it started out slow. Losing a few hairs everytime I touched it for the first couple days...then by the handful. I buzzed it on day 18. It helped my head stop hurting too. I know its traumatic. The first time I lost it I was a wreck for days. This time I was still upset but I do know it comes back. We are still beautiful (even though some days its hard to convince yourself of that)

i bought a couple of hats at Payless and Macy's. sometimes I wear a bandanna under them to cover up a little more and keep warm.

spitnspunk

Nora, if you are only planning on being gone one week (miss one H treatment) I don't see why your Onc just can't back your treatment up a week (do it on week 4 instead of week 3), you will be on vacation visiting family, the last thing you need to be doing is going in to get a treatment! I'm going to miss one of my regular 3 week H in May and my Onc already told me it's no problem, I'll just get it week 4 and then 3 weeks from then on. So you might want to ask your onc why he can't just delay it a week...unless you are planning on being gone more then one.

IowaSue45

Month sores- I had a cold sore type right after 1 chemo and I never get them my onc gave me a prescription to take to prevent them through chemo and I didn't;t get anymore.

Diarrhea I had after the 1st chemo starting 2 days after and lasting 5 days, onc. said it was probably nausea meds. emend so I didn't take anymore of that and it was a lot better for the rest of chemo. I think for me herceptin causes a little bit of  this also. I didn't need and nausea meds.

My hair really fell out days 14-17 I had gone camping during that time and I had stuck my hair on the shower wall then threw it in to the trash can, I told my hubby that when the DNR went in to clean they will think someone got attacked by an animal. It is so messy when it starts falling out, I couldn't wait to get home and shave it off.

I bought this book called 500 tips to healthier living. In the cancer section it is amazing what they think you should eat after being diagnosed with C. A lot of the supplements it suggests I already do take. One thing I thought was interesting is that calcium and magnesium is suppose to make the se of chemo much easier. Be sure to ask your onc. before taking anything. I know for me my se were minimal and I took these supplements before I started chemo and stopped then during because I didn't think they wanted you to take anything out of the norm. Could write a book called ......if I had only known then, lol for a lifetime that would be a huge book.

lago

Interesting. I was put on 1200 of Calcium for osteopenia and ate dried apricots every day and avocados too. Maybe that's why I didn't have some of the SE that others had.

Basia

Nora, I have reconstruction scheduled fir the week I have herceptin, when I told my onc about it, he suggested I have a two week dose last time so that I can go for herceptin a week earlier so that I don't have to worry about getting to Jim for herceptin that week. Maybe your onc can do the same so that the week you are away you not have to worry about it.

Dragonfly, I shaved my head when he hair starting coming out in clumps. I hated my wig o I wore scarfs and hats the whole time.

nora_az

hi Spitnspunk....

My intentions were to leaving sometime around June 18th, drive to Washington State. Stay there till around July 5th and make my way down to Lake Tahoe and meet up with my husband there for a week to visit his sister for his 50th. This puts me home around July 13th or so. I'll have to be back for my July 15th herceptin treatment.

stlcardsfan

More Hair info - after I had my head shaved - for me was about day 18. I was shedding big time, and between me and the dog (German Shephard) it was a tie as to who was dropping more hair.

Anyway, I found that duct tape helped really well with the little stubbies that were left. They were falling out anyway as the ends were already dead. After a few days of doing this - the shedding was done. I was left with about 5% on my head, and what was there did grow during treatment - think someone else had mentioned this also.

I wore a wig to work, but as soon as I got home, or sometimes to the car, off it came. I wore ball caps or stocking caps all other times. I really didn't care what people thought - and while the wig was a sense of normal, there was no way I was going to wear it more than I did. Just not the most comfortable thing after a few hours - it became known as hamster toward the end of treatment.  

LisaGH

Dragonfly, SpecialK- my chemo twins

Today I went to work. I had to go to the PS for some fill on my TE. My mouth is better. I had gotten thrush and now am on meds since yesterday for that- helps the sore mouth too. Thank goodness.

I slept last night too finally- it was wonderful! I am tired because I was up more hours today than since starting chemo. I am like you both- relieved- a little stomach looseness is hanging on but not bad. And not a great appetite but I am finally wanting some food rather than forcing it in me.

 I know when the next cycle gets close the anxiety will kick in- because I do get scared thinking about it and just cannot let it in right now!

I'm thinking we'll all be better next round as we know how to treat our side effects better and what to watch for.

 I have my wig in the closet. I am waiting for some tingling and clumps falling out- when that happens, I really think I want to shave my hair then rather than waiting. Since I am working, I'd hate to be stuck there and have this going on- I'd have a meltdown there too and don't want that.

I guess this is Day 9 for me too (I am counting my treatment day as day 1). Just think- we are giving up about 5 days of really bad times- then climb up out of the hole- WE CAN DO THIS!

We are warriors! Pink Flamingo Warrior is my name- and you are my chemo pals.

Let's keep helping each other (and all others on this thread).

We will fight like GIRLS!

If I sleep tonight- think that's going to be first time I have truly slept two nights in a row since diagnosis. Was that really only January 14th?

The good news I got today-- my plastic surgeon says the TE are healing well- and he thinks the final end result will be very good (I didn't ask- he was just pleased to see the healing and progress).

It's 'bout time for some good news on this obstacle course of breast cancer battling huh girls?

 I do really thank you all for being there for me- a lifeline of those who know.

SpecialK

LisaGH,

I know!  You, me and dragonfly are a little team!  The way I figure it if we have 5 bad days every 3 weeks, it means we have 16 good days!  I feel SOOOO much better today I am almost giddy!  At least with one under our belts we know we can get through it.  I don't want to think about the next one yet either, we will have to hold each others hands just before!

Glad to hear about the happiness of your PS.  Mine calls me "trouble" when he comes in the room!  He was there for 4 out of 5 surgeries, one of them an emergency rupture,  so I guess I earned the name.  I have had no fills yet - I still have what was put in during the BMX, and that is only in the one I have on the right.  My left has no more TE and looks like a raisin!  Pretty soon I will have no hair and will have to remember to put on hair and a cutlet to leave the house!

Glad things are looking up!

Kathie

dragonfly1

LisaGH and SpecialK: We're the TCH triplets! I can't believe that we are all feeling better on exactly the same day and that our side effects ran the same course this time...16 good days certainly makes it sound better! 

nora_az

You girls are a great team!   Chins up!

sewingnut

 I am day 14 from 1st treatment. I go today for weekly Herceptin treatment. Hair is falling out by the handful, good thing I have thick hair!  I had long hair and had it bobbed when I learned chemo would take it. I am so relieved to know that others had diarrhea following first treatment. I know that I am not on this journey alone. The lesson I learned from this journey is get ALL your reports. The radiologist that diagnosed me reviewed my mammograms from as far back as 2002 and it was there then. Had I known then things would be a lot different.

AmyIsStrong

Sewingnut - OK I have a question based on your last post. If the radiologist who reviewed your films at dx could see the bc back in older films, how come the one who reviewed those films AT THE TIME couldn't? I am very confused about this. When I had my annual mamm in 09, the doc who read it told me to my face that it was perfectly normal and same as prev year. But he saw something on the u/s (which I got b/c I felt a lump) that caused him to refer me to the surgeon. When SHE saw my mammogram film that I brought with me (not the ultrasound) she saw the bc right away. I said to her "But the radiologist just reviewed the  mammogram and said it was normal. And she said "I don't care who said what - I have been doing this for 27 years and I know what cancer looks like and (pointing to the film), THERE IT IS!"  (Great bedside manner, right?)

So it always left me wondering about that - why the one radiologist  would say the mamm was totally normal and the surgeon could see the tumor within the first few minutes. And if it looked 'the same as last year' I wonder if the bc could have been detected then if someone else had read it.

Does my question even make sense or am I just rambling? But I do wonder about it.

lago

amylsStrong A mammogram is only as good as the radiologist reading it. It's not a perfect science. Where I got my my mammogram/US they gave it a Bi-rads 4 (23% to 34% chance BC). Then I switched to a different treatment center. When my BS looked at it he knew it was BS and so didn't the radiologist that did my biopsy. Seems it should have been rated a Bi-rads 5 (95% change of BC).

sewingnut

I had gone to the same Dr. and facilty for years. The lump just felt different so I decided to go someplace else for a fresh pair of eyes. It was a different radiologist that said lets look at this further. The US showed "debris" and he wanted to do an aspiration.  He got the mammograms from the other facility for comparison. When I had a breast aspiration previously I asked the surgeon about the  lump and was told "we will look at it when it becomes problematic". I remember those words to this day. I credit the new radiologist and facility with saving my life.  So my journey begins with fresh eyes and blessed by the fact that treatments are more target oriented.

AmyIsStrong

Wow. Thank you for your response. And I am so happy for you that they found it!  But I always thought that going to the same place each year was good for continuity. Now the 'fresh eyes' approach certainly has merit too. This stuff really IS complicated.

Now I go to the cancer center and they do all tests there and are super careful. But I wonder about my friends/family - is it better for them to stay with the same place or move around to avoid the situation you were in?  

Thanks again.

lago

Amy when I had my scare 5 years ago I went to my current BS to look at the mammo & US just a a precaution. He didn't see anything. I had everything transferred back to the original place thinking the same thing…continuity. Well continuity with bad follow up and not so good observation skills isn't the place to stay.

I should have switched to the new place. There was never had a follow up US. I also find it hard to believe that my tumor 5.5cm IDC but with dcis was probably more like 6.5 cm couldn't have been found at least a year earlier. Yes it was the same spot. They should have been watching this spot a bit more closely.

libraylil

sewingnut  That really makes me sick to hear that.  I believe there are many of us that had BC in prior films and it was not detected.  Especially ILC.  I'm so thankful I "only" had 3 positive nodes.  Lago you are right, its only as good as the reader.libraylil

nora_az

I am totally confused by my June of 09 mammogram too. I got a letter in the mail. The typical one saying all is fine and come back in a year. At the end of August of 09  I had a bi-lateral breast reduction. Basically taking me from a 38H to a 38/36D. My PS had to have my letter regarding the good mammo before she'd perform the breast reduction.  The surgery went well. The tissue was taken to pathology to make sure it was all benign which it was.

June 10 I found "the" lump by self exam. I was at that time due for a mammogram but hadn't had one yet, I still considered myself "post-op" and my breasts were still tender from surgery!

Omaz

nora - Wow.  You have been through a lot!!

nora_az

Yea, I must say it was a shock. To make matter's worse I didn't do a thing about the lump for 2 months. I was totally convinced it was scar tissue. It wasn't until I called my mom (breast cancer survivor) in early August did I tell her what was going on. I wasn't having a good gut feeling just dismissing it as scar tissue. I quickly told my Mom what was going on knowing that she'd be on my butt to get an appointment to get to the bottom of it.

I now suggest anyone who discovers a lump or anything else to do the same. Quickly call someone up and rat on yourself. Someone who wont let you dismiss it or procrastinate. I ended up getting in to see the Dr right away because I knew my next phone conversation with my Mom would be her pestering me about "Did you get an appointment?"

Omaz

It's hard to know what is serious and what isn't!  Especially now that we have had the diagnosis every ache and pain comes under the microscope.  That bugs me.  I have to talk to my oncologist about it sometime.