Jan 2008--Ain't it Great?

Anonymous

Kris, I gave up Coke/Pepsi a few years ago, but considering that freakin WATER tastes different, I'm not surprised that your Pepsi has gone off.

A cup of tea should give you about the same kick as a can of Pepsi. Coffee would have 2-3x the amount of caffeine depending on the grind and roast. Green tea would have a bit less caffeine than black tea, and most herbal teas have none, so if it's the C you want, stick with a black tea.

I've found that Twinings English Breakfast doesn't taste too weird to me when my taste buds are whacked by the chemo, perhaps you'd like to try that one. 

Determined1

Hey a quick read thru before I head off to PA to see my kid (she's at Dickinson College for those of you in PA).

Kris--I SO feel your pain with the Pepsi.  I am a coffee drinker in the morning and can't stand the taste of it for about a week after tx.  The problem with that is, I get the most horrendous headaches from not getting my caffeine fix.  I'm trying the tea thing, but it's not quite up to par with my usual intake.  I've been eyeballing my daughter's Red Bull stash in the fridge for caffeine, but that stuff tastes awful to me (maybe when my tastebuds are off, it would taste fab!  You never know.).  Maybe I'll give it a try this time to stave off the headaches that the max str. tylenols can't seem to touch.  Oh, and glad your pooper's working again.

SIS Kimberly/Vettegal--you two usually post fairly often and we're not hearing much from you.  Hope you're both okay.

Hang in there, Dana.  Sounds like you're getting hit on many fronts right now.  It's not fair, but you seem like a fighter.  Don't give up.

Damn, Carol.  Was hoping you'd skip the hair thing, too!  Maybe it'll just thin some.  If it does come out, I can tell you're going to be Baldilicious from your avatar, so keep the faith (and some Drano!).

Oh, doggoneit.  I can't remember all the shout outs I wanted to do today.  Must be chemo-brain.  Anyway, gotta get a few things done in the next 40 minutes or so before we head out, so I should get on it.

Till tomorrow sometime.

D1

kris60

LJ --funny you mention Twinnings breakfast, that's my usual flavor, when I drink hot tea. I throw a dab of brown sugar and cream with it.  I definately need the caffiene, to stave off the headaches also, shame on me I guess.  I miss my excederine, because tylenol doesn't really do squat for me.

Red Bull, never tried that, so not sure how it would taste. plug the nose and bottoms up?

Tried some Orange G2 (new gatorade stuff)  seems to be pretty friendy on the buds.  

safe travels D1 and have a great visit! 

RN2teach

Happy Groundhog's Day, Jewels!

My crummy feeling hit about 9pm and I took a Phenergan and went to bed. Woke up feeling normal, but fatigued. My stomach is a little shell-shocked, so I skipped the AM coffee, but like Kris I wanted that caffeine! I swore off coffee with round 1 for a week and expect to do the same this time. I found Twinings English Breakfast to be a good substitute.

For all you Gems out having a se-free Saturday, enjoy yourselves!

For my Sisters in Survival who are sidelined by se (FUBC), I'm right here with you. We'll have our day in the sun next weekend!

Back to the couch...Mom brought over homemade chicken noodle soup, so supper is fixed (bless her).

Paula

SISKimberly

Afternoon Jewels-

I have been seriously wiped out! I have slept so much. The good news is that the digestive se's aren't as bad with the preventive stuff I've been doing...but, I have zero energy.



I love my shirt Carol, and how cute was Sista's daughter's "what is fewbuck"?...D1 Friends United by Breast Cancer...perfect!!!! Happy B-day to hubby and have fun with your daughter...did you make chocolate cake?



I'm hoping for a peppier Sunday...but right now, I barely had the energy to read all of your posts and respond.



Thinking of all you Jewels,

SIS Kimberly

golfer779

Just got back from getting the hairdo cut even shorter.  Not quite a buzz, but pretty darn short.  Guess its time to get some bigger earrings, as I have never worn makeup and I kinda look like a little boy!!!  I even have the little boy chest atleast on one side.

My girlfriend who has the salon, highly suggest that I use Nioxin cleanser and conditioner.  She said even on a bald head you need to cleanse and condition it to keep the pores clean.  It can help when the new hairs start to grow back from coming in kinda curly (where I don't have curly hair now) if the pores are prepared for the new hair.  FYI if you live where there is a Costco they have Nioxin there.

Kimberly, looks like another day of laying low for you.  Hope you didn't have any plans for the weekend and you can just kick back.

Paula, thank goodness for drugs to combat the drugs!   I was just telling my dh that I'm not hearing of alot of nausea problems.  Glad if we have to go through this that it wasn't at a time they didn't have good meds for se's.  Thank goodness for Mom's and chicken soup.  Although I don't have mine, my mother in law is a great second, and has brought us some great food as well.

Kris, as someone had said a few weeks ago, its like when a toddler goes potty, its something to report!!!  Glad the pooper is working, I'll be gearing up with my Miralax in a couple of days prior to my next txt., been there done that pooper thing and it wasn't much fun!

Jenn, hope your doing okay, if you get the chance send me your address so I can get your T's to you.

I'll be checking in again later, hope that you all are hanging in there over the weekend.

Carol

golfer779

Oops, forgot about this,

Kris, I need a minimum of 6 more orders for shirts to make it cost effective at the printers.  I initially ordered for those interested plus a couple of extras which already have been taken.

So a shout out to all that may still be interested in a T ... let me know and I'd love to get some more ordered!  They have the initials FUBC on the front (which you can give a variety of answers as to what that stands for) and on the back it says January Jewels with a pink ribbon in the middle and Sisters in Survival underneath.  Black shirt and hot pink letters.  They costs $15 and that incl shipping. 

Carol

wvgirl

Well I have been emotionally well. I tried to talk to dh this morning. Told him I needed some emotional support. He said I needed my rest (yesterday we bought a treadmill) LOL He didn't want to lay down beside me and hold me. He said I was making him mad.

Carol I got my shirt Thanks so much for all you have done for us. Sorry on the hair thing. Maybe it will only get thin and not all fall out.

D1 the Bio Freeze is suppose to help with neuropathy Hope you had a nice trip and visit with daughter

Kimberly,Paula Sorry you are having a crummy day

Thanks to all for your support

Dana Sorry you too have a UN emotional man in your life

My dear brother called we are going out for breakfast tomorrow.

deb102307

Well, day 1 after treatment and no digestive se's.  May have eaten a little too much at dinner but feeling ok.  Not much energy though and am heading to bed after checking in. 

Started the Procrit and Neupogen injections this evening.  Is anyone else doing those?  I give them to myself and was wondering how it was going for anyone else doing them.  Any se's from it?

Alot of discussion about coffee.....I must be lucky.  I switched to the Folgers smooth ??? and it seems to be fine.  Maybe because less acidic.  There is a day or so where it might be a little off but not enough to make me stop drinking it and I drink coffee black most of the time.

I don't really drink sodas very much but D1 had mentioned Ginger Ale and it tastes great to me when water doesn't so that helps with the fluid intake.

Somebody mentioned the burping.....yup, here too.  And Miralax seems to work well so far for the problem at the other end.

Well Jewels, it's time to try and sleep.  Was too wound up from the Decadron to sleep much last night.  Should have taken a Tylenol PM I guess.

Goodnight!

vettegal

Hi Jewels,

      Been staying away from the computer. On top of the se's i got the worst period with this chemo. I have never bleed like this before, they said it can make your period yucky but come on....(where is early menopause)

         Kept having this annoying cough. I thought maybe the thrush thing was a part of it. it is just a dry cough. Thought maybe a leftover from my bronchitis/pneumonia thing a few weeks back.. oh well.

    Went back to work on saturday it was a half day. real weak and tired. Have to keep moving....

      So when do the hair folicales start to hurt? Whenn does the hair start falling out? I am on day 9 and the only thing i notice was the armpit hair.

      I want my taste buds back..when do they come back?

Hugs to all.....

     

Anonymous

Good Morning Jewels

Day 4 after treatment and still fell nauseas and dizzy. Got up hoping to go to church, but heading back to  bed.  Taste buds are gone, but the nose is working overtime.  If I smell it it better be good. :)Popsicles are pretty good right now & Ginger Ale is helping get the fluids in.  The Miralax has been a lifesaver, thanks for the heads up Jewels.

Deb, no shots for me yet.  I have bloodwork on Thursday and then we'll see what the numbers are.

I am so thankful the SE aren't any worse than they are. I know others that have suffered so much worst in the past. Plan on going to work tomorrow, so pray that today things improve.

Hope everyone has an SE free Super Bowl Sunday!!

Jackie

Cathy-CA

Vettegal --  I'm not sure if the TC you are on is Taxotere/Carboplatin (which is the TC I am on) or not.  I'm at Day 14 and still no hair loss, but I have had tingling now and again.  As far as taste buds, mine started getting better on Day 11, but are not completely back.  At the cooking class my husband and I take, I had to have someone else check the seasoning on the coq au vin I was preparing this week, because I couldn't trust mine.  I have treatment again on Feb. 11, so figure taste buds will be back for awhile next week just before I have treatment again.

PAlady

Good morning ladies!

You all are so kind. I wore my scarf out of the house for the first time on Friday and my boys told me I looked like a pirate! That was not exactly the look I was going for!

Kimberly - Hope you are feeling better today. I can't believe you made it to a concert on day 3 - I couldn't have done it.

D1 - hope you had a great visit with college girl!

sista2 - I get that same pain from the neulasta. The third day after it is my hips and thighs then the fourth day is my spine and ribs.

golfer - I hope your hair is hanging in there. Especially since you were prepared for it. What does the MF stand for in your treatment. I don't think what I am thinking is it.  So did your friend say the nioxin helps prevent the hair from coming in curly? I would like to skip that too, although I am sure I will just be happy to have any hair coming in at the point it returns.  You could put me down for a shirt - they sound great.

JackieB - I had awful sinus problems with my first round. I usually take a daily decongestant for allergies and was out of them at the time. I have been back on them with this round and the dryness hasn't been nearly as bad. KathyL had suggested vaseline on a q-tip in the nose and I started that as soon as I started feeling dry and it has really helped. That lasted for about 10 - 11 days for me first time, though.

Vettegal - hope you are feeling better soon. The double whammy really stinks.

I have not had any problems with drinking coffee. I would probably have to still drink it anyway to prevent the withdrawal headaches. I usually only have 2 cups a day. My biggest taste change with all this is I CRAVE salt for the first week. It's like I can't get enough of it.

Yesteday was my first day feeling back to "normal". Friday was close except for the dumb bone pain.  I am hoping I can keep this normal till next round.

Have a great day everyone!

sista2

vettegal- we're on different tx's but i'm on day 11 and the hair is hanging on tight, no funny feelings yet.  my dh keeps giving it a little tug saying "I'm just checkin'".  i did notice the armpit hair a few days ago.  went to shave and there was no stubble.  wierd sight.  strange to think in a week from now.......

chj127

PALady - glad to hear you are feeling better!  Pirate?  Get yourself a boat & head out on Lake Erie. 

vettegal - I'm on TC (Taxotere/Cytoxin) and on day 14-15 my hair started to get loose (I'm counting chemo day as day 1, right?)  Day 16 it was everywhere, and today (day 17) we shaved it!!  Well, we took a beard trimmer to it.  I have more stubble than I thought I would have.  I had pulled out so much, and my hair felt so thin!  But my hair never really "hurt" - it did feel a bit tingly, but not hurt-y.  A friend told me hers hurt so much she couldn't sleep on one side, but I didn't have that experience.

I'll take pictures & post later.  Gonna put on my hat & go to Wal-Mart!

CHJ 

SISKimberly

Hi everybody,

I know I haven't been very talkative lately, but infusion #2 wiped me

out pretty good the past two days. This morning, I feel almost

human..still weak, but not like I'd been run over by a Mack Truck.



I didn't experience the digestive stuff as badly as I did with the 1st

infusion since I was prepared with my preventative measures (Pepcid

AC, Gas X, Miralax), but still experienced that rock in the gut

feeling 24/7, and if you can imagine Sigourney Weaver in Alien, and

what that must have felt like to have an alien spring forth from your

gut..yeah...that about sums it up.



I was more weak, achy, and just needing to sleep a lot this time

around. Not much of an appetite, but knowing I need to eat, I've

forced myself to graze. I've lived on applesauce, toast, Wheat Thins,

and scrambled eggs. Oh, scrambled eggs taste so good.



Yesterday, I ate a little grilled chicken and apple slices for lunch,

and last night, I had a craving for white rice with butter (memories

from childhood) ...which meant a trip to the store... Greg also made

me some steamed carrots and leftover chicken from lunch. May I just

say...AGAIN...I am the luckiest woman on the planet...dare I say in

the universe... to have this man of mine in my life!!!!



This morning....ohhh.... hot chocolate with Almond Milk, since I

shouldn't have soy anymore. So much better than just watery beverages

...a bit rich, so only one cup for me-- and a little applesauce of course.



NEWS FLASH!!!! My recently buzzed In the Army Now hairdo has become

truly an Uncle Fester spectacular. Greg laughed the other day that I

needed to vaccume my pillow. My pillow had its own five o'clock

shadow going. Hahaha. (By the way, I did wash the sheets, pillows,

and pillow covers for those of you out there saying...Ewww. )



In between bouts of sleeping and feeling genuinely like well...c#@p, I

finished the book I started last week and watched more sappy Danielle

Steele movies on WEtv than I care to admit to watching...the good

news, you can nap and not miss much.



Needless to say, the creative juices have not been flowing, so there

have been no new writings springing forth. We'll see what the new week

brings.



I've tried to attach a few photos of SuperGirl. Greg secretly caught me in

the act of flying...hehehe I have a Mac, and apparently this site isn't liking my browser. I'll have to have Greg use the PC and upload them.



Love to all our Jewels,

Kimberly

golfer779

Good Morning, so is anybody watching football today?  We're laying low around the house so it will be on, although we're not too hyped about it.

My CMF txt stands for Cytoxan, Methotrexate and 5-Fluorouracil, I actually take the cytoxan orally for 14 days and get my drip of "MF" on day 1 and 8 of that cycle.  Supposedly its a tolerable txt, with less aggressive side effects.  The down side is that it takes 6 months to complete.  I also was told that hair loss would probably not happen.  I think I'm going to be one of those "special" cases where it will be gone.  I'm sporting the shortest hair I've ever had.  Sure was easy when I got out of the shower.  I've been deligently snooping the old pages on line about CMF and I see many women had hair loss from 25 to 75%.  On my head, a 75% hairloss would be bruttle.  Trust me my hair is thin, my avatar is on a really good day (my friend tossed my hair prior to getting married in that pic) and it had color than.  I'm now sporting ugly shade of brown with my oh my lots of gray  We'll see!!!   And yes, the Nioxin is suppose to help exfoliate the head and pores and she said it should help with the regrowth.  I guess if the pores are not clogged up when the new hair starts to produce it has a better chance of coming out straighter.   I figure its worth a try, plus the Nioxin is such a cooling/refreshing product.

I have you listed you as wanting a T-shirt, as well as Kris.  I put a shout out to hopefully get a few more takers.  I need 4 more so the print shop will print without doing a new setup fee.

Speaking of T's ... Joan and Jennifer, I would love to get your shirts in the mail but I still need your address.  Hopefully I didn't drop the ball on that one, but I don't think I have gotten them.

Kimberly, nice to see your almost back among the living.

I'll be checking out the lastest posts throughout the day, happy Sunday to all ... anybody get brave enough to wear a FUBC to church?

Carol

Sunshine99

This is day 5 for me.  Started hurting yesterday - feels like that ole Mack truck took a detour for me!  No nausea, thankfully, but no real appetite to speak of. 

We're supposed to go to a Super Bowl party this afternoon.  I actually look forward to seeing these people and don't want to miss out.  My husband said we can just go for an hour or whatever I feel like.  He's so kind!

Can't figure out the bowel thing.  I've been taking generic senokat with a colace on the side.  I may switch to Miralax if things don't get miving consistently. 

I have a weird bruise-like thing on my leg.  No idea where it came from.  I'm not taking any aspirin, etc., just Tylonal for pain.

Wishing you all a SE free day!

Sunshine

RN2teach

Hey Jewels,

This is day 3 for me after tx 2 and I am wiped out! I am just getting out of bed and won't be up long... Like Kimberly, I'm more prepared, but that gut thing is a ^&*@# and I am so weak--ain't likin' this fatigue thing.

Vettegal-sorry your "Aunt Flo" is visiting at such an inconvenient time! As for the hair, mine started falling out on Day 14 (from tx 1). Yesterday I noticed the sore hair syndrome, but it isn't terrible. Really weird to run your hands thru your hair and have hairy fingers, tho! I'm having heavier hair loss every day. My students are in clinicals until Friday... I'm going to try to hold out for my shave, but I dunno if I'll have enuf for a mohawk by Friday!

I don't have any leg or armpit hair and the "muff" is thinning too...

As for the tastebuds, for some reason round 1 didn't bother mine to badly (I actually gained 2 lb. which I was NOT happy about) Round 2 has definitely had an effect on tastes and smells. My sweet Mama's chicken soup (with homemade noodles, no less) smelled horrible to me and I couldn't eat it

So I'm 2 lb. heavier and losing my hair, but I'm kicking those BC cells outta this ole' body!

Back to bed.... Paula

KathyL

Hi Jewels!  So glad to read your posts-- it makes me feel better.  I'm having a waaahh day for sure.  I'm day 19 and the hair is falling out in clumps (it started about day 15 for those who were asking about hair loss, but each day more seems to come out-- this AM there was a groundhog in the shower!   hahaha, for Groundhog's Day yesterday.).  Strangely, I don't look any different when my hair's dry, but I know it's coming.  Tomorrow I'm getting it buzzed and shaping the wigs.  I've had enough of the shedding.  And yes, my scalp feels weird-- kinda achy and sore, but not painful.  I'm just feeling all around lousy today though, not just from the hair.  I'm tired and everything is an effort.  And I'm pale as a ghost (skin, gums, tongue, nailbeds, inner eyelids).  I'm sure I'm anemic-- anyone else notice paleness??  And now I'm starting to freak out that my H/H and/or RBCs will be too low for round 2 on Wednesday.  Anyone know what too low is?  My H/H was 10/30 last week.  I've already done the low WBC/ANC thing-- the neupogen shoulda taken care of that, but now I'm worried about the RBCs. This is crazy-- it's turning me into a paranoid freak.  I don't want round 2 to be delayed this week.  Sorry to vent... but dh is being a DH about this and you girls understand better than him.  Chemo is kicking my butt and I'm not happy about it at all.  I've only had one round... can't imagine what the other 3 will do to me.

OK, I feel a little better that I got that out.  Shout outs...

SIS Kimberly:  You sound a little perkier today.  Sorry round 2 hit you harder.  I knew you'd come around soon

WVGirl:  Hope you had a nice b-fast with your bro.  He sounds cool.  Glad you have him for support.  Your dh really sounds to me like this is just freaking him out majorly and that's why he's acting like he is.  Was he like this before?

Vettgeal:  I feel your period pain!  I'm STILL bleeding after 2 weeks.  NO wonder I'm probably anemic!  Stop the flood!!!  Oh, I'm on day 19 of taxotere/cytoxan/herceptin.  Cytoxan is different than carboplatin though I think.  My leg and armpit hair is there, but not really growing.  I haven't had to shave in over a week.  The head hair I wrote about above.

D1:  Hope you had a nice visit with dd.  Mine's off with a friend today seeing the Hannah Montana 3-D movie concert.  They're 5. I'm sure they're having a blast.  Can't imagine the day she'll be a big college girl... she'll be starting kindergarten this fall.  I know the time will fly though.

PALady and JackieB:  I used the Vaseline for about 2 weeks. I'll probably start it up again this week with round 2.  I also run a vaporizer/humdifier each night in our bedroom.  Both seem to help with the dryness.  And I use a saline nasal spray when it's really bad.

Well I hope everyone gets some rest today and the SEs dwindle tomorrow.  Good luck to this week's Jewels with infusions!  Let's kick some more BCA!!!  Here's the list for the week:

Wednesday: Round #2 for KathyL and Golfer 779 (Carol), round #3 for D1.

Thursday: Round #2 for Camazur (Maz) and CHJ, last round (#4) of AC for LJ13

Friday: Round #3 for TexRN and Billsgirl

I know there are others, but I didn't have any more specific dates.  Let me know so I can add to the week's list.

Anonymous

KathyL, the SE's don't necessarily follow a linear path. My Tx1 SEs were rough, Tx2 were rougher, and Tx3 were really light. Fact I've been wondering if they accidentally gave me a saline drip rather than Cytoxan. So your next one may be easier or may be worse. You kind of have to wait and see.

Also I have Tx4 this Thursday of AC. Don't look forward to it, but I'm really glad AC will be done. 

Kimberly, hang in there girl, I know exactly how you feel. You're doing good with your nibbling, it sounds so much like me. Except my "tastes great" is peanut butter on saltines.

All you ladies going to/having Big Game parties, remember to go gentle on your tummies. Those nachos may look good, but remember that it's probably the drugs keeping you from feeling really sick ... your tummy still isn't "normal" and you have to be really nice to it.  Have a dip or two of nachos, but then dilute it with a piece or two of white toast. 

joteach

Hi Jewels,

Well, I finished my first treatment last Wednesday. No side effects until second day after the Nulasta shot. It was more of an flu-like feeling of achiness and some minor bone pain. Still feeling icky on day 5 but no neusea or other se's yet.

Carol - golfer779

Yes, please send me the t-shirt. I can email you my address and send you a check? I'm not sure how you handled it all. Please let me know. 

Thanks

Joan

Determined1

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!

Visit with college girl was great, thanks for asking.  She was so happy to see us and happier still to eat out (she ordered the steak!).  It was cute when we left her dorm as her friends came out of their rooms and she told them about the steak.  They were all squealing and telling her how jealous they were.  Bad news, is that she wants to come home next weekend (she's already scheduled to come home the weekend of the 15th--she has some doc's appts lined up) cuz some of her high school pals will be here.  That will be my shitty weekend.  AND, she wants to take the car my girls share back to school with her for the week of the 11th so she can drive herself home on the 15th.  That means my little one and I have to share a car that week (and I have p/t, and bloodwork to be done during the day).  I know we can all suck it up and accommodate her, but when do they go to school and stay there?????  Whoa, there's a vent from a loving mom (contesting you for the title, KathyL!).

Speaking of KathyL, I'm so sorry that you didn't get to have a good week before your next tx.  I think your hospital visit put you back some.  Next time you'll get your good week, you sure deserve it.  I'll bet you do have some iron deficiency.  I'm really pale, too, and dizzy when I get up too fast sometimes, but with your new history, I'd be suspicious.  Call your case nurse tomorrow and describe the symtoms you think point to low iron and ask her if there's anything you can do/take to keep your tx's on schedule.  Maybe YOU need the steak!  (It really looked good--I was jealous.)

SIS Kimberly, sounds like you got nailed the second time around.  That certainly sucks.  I find it funny that you're eating eggs, too.  For about 5 days I think I eat like 2-3 of them each day.  They taste good and are about the only protein I can handle.  I make myself a half an egg sandwich with a thin slice of cheddar cheese on toast when I want a bigger treat.  Try it.

Paula--you sound great for a gal in "se weekend."  Good for you.

Oh Sunshine, I'm sorry to hear you're hurting.  Days 4 and 5 (okay, actually, days 3.5 thru 5.5) are my worst, too.  Hang in there, it will pass.

Carol--You'll be happy to have the shorter hair.  My Katie Holmes 'do allowed me to pull out hair by the fistful, which I found oddly fascinating.  But it made such a mess.  I think shorter hair won't be so noticeable.  You'll have to let us know.  I'll order another shirt, if you need to boost the count to get to 6.  Put me on the list for a large this time.

WVgirl--Perhaps you struck a chord with your dh and that's why you "made him mad."  Now give it some time to resonate with him.  Sometimes we get mad because we see some truth in what our SO's are saying, but don't want to admit it.  He may never admit it, but he may give you more snuggle time.  Keep an eye on it.  In the meantime, get bunches of hugs from your brother!

Deb--you sound good and like you're managing your se's well.  Keep it up!

Vettegal--as you can see, we're all different.  My head got kinda numb on day 14 as a few hairs started coming out.  By the next day, I could yank out handfuls.  Also, on that day my hair felt like I'd had a ponytail in that was too tight and I'd just taken it out.  You know, that kinda sore feeling, but not bad.  Since you're already shorn, your experience might be a little different, and probably not as dramatic.  Please report.  As for tastebuds, mine are off for at least 10 days, and even after that I sometimes notice things aren't quite right.  The whole taste thing has been strange, to say the least.

Jackieb you warrior, you!  Going back to work tomorrow.  I hope you don't get too tired.  Pay attention to your body and do what it says.  We don't need you getting sick.

PALady--I crave salt, too!  I think it's cuz it's something I can taste, even when my tongue is loaded with blisters.

And sista2, I lol when I read that you're on day 11 and thinking a week from now you won't have hair.  How right you are, girlfriend!!!  Don't worry, it's really not as bad as we all think it will be.

Oh, and I made two chocolate cakes for the dh.  One we are eating here, and a chocolate fudge cake (it was more like a fudge brownie--OMG!) that we took up to share with college girl.  Problem is, being the good parent, I left the remains of that cake with college girl.  I sure could use that one back!!!

Thanks, LJ13, for the reminders about super bowl parties.  My 16yo and I are having a private one (college girl at college and dh on his way to Portland till Tuesday), so I'm making her favorite cream cheese and salsa dip to go with our Pedernales chili (dh got up and made that this morning--have to have it now as I can't eat spicy for about the next two weeks!).  When I keep reaching for another chip, I'll try to remember your wise words!  (But there's salt on them thar chips!!!!)

You guys are the greatest.

D1

chj127

Hi again everyone,

OK, here are my pictures.  Now how do I get Photobucket to stop sending me text messages??? 

Before shaving:

 After the shave (still have stubble!)

The wig (will take some getting used to!)

Murphy is always asking for attention, so we let her be in the pictures!

CHJ 

chj127

And so now to catch up - it's been busy in here today!!

Paula - hang in there!  The few days after are the worst.   Sometimes I think we should just sleep through them...

golfer/Carol - no, not wearing FUBC to church.   

Kathy - will wait for your pictures next!

D1 - enjoy your daughter while she's there.  I understand, though, about not wanting company during the yucky time.  I just want to crawl into a hole!!  Maybe it will be a pick-me-up, though.

Lots of us up-to-the-plate this week.  I am not necessarily looking forward to #2, but the sooner we get on with it, the sooner it will be over...

Enjoy the Super Bowl, ladies!  Personally, I'm just in it for the commercials, and probably only until halftime, since it's back to work for me tomorrow.

Later!

CHJ 

golfer779

CHJ, Wow, another great looking picture, both before as well as the baldacious look.  The wigs you all have are great.  When I think of a wig I could only relate to the one my mom had (about 7 years ago) when she had cancer, and it was dorky looking.  The ones you all have are so nice looking.

D1, I'll add you to the list for another T.  Looking for 3 more, any takers?

Joan, check your PM I'll send the particulars for the shirt.

I'll be back later on, Carol

PAlady

chj - you look great!  I must say you are very young looking for your age!

I did get a couple of those dorky wigs from the tlc catalog. They were awful. The only thing I can say about my wig is everyone said it was so shiny. I sprayed it with hairspray to get rid of some of the shine and I think it helped make it look more natural.

PAlady

D1 (& I couldn't remember who else was having the back spasms) - I was just looking at the side effects for Taxotere (I keep hearing about the nails falling off which is freaking me out) on http://www.chemocare.com/bio/taxotere.asp  Interesting they have muscle bone and joint pain listed as a side effect...

wvgirl

KathyL  Breakfast with brother was real nice. I was able to cry on his shoulder and get a hug. Sorry you are not feeling well I hope you will be able to get your treatment

Kimberly I too have been eating a lot of eggs I also bought some south beach bars they have 10 grams of protein per bar the peanut butter ones are really good.

PALady-You boss saying that was not very nice. I love the pic of you in your scarf

D1 Sounds like you have a nice trip the choc cake sounds soooo good

Vettegal-My hair  starting falling out on day 14 I still have hair down there and my eyebrows and lashes I wounder how long is left for them

I am going to my look good feel better class tomorrow after work am looking forward to it.

Determined1

WVgirl--glad you had a good visit with your bro.  From what you've written about him, he sounds like a keeper.  Now we just need to get that dh of yours on board...

PALady--I think with three of us here reporting spasms, there is more to it than our docs care to admit.  I don't think we'll ever be able to figure out what is causing the spasms (neulasta or Taxotere), but by golly, SOMETHING is causing them.  We'll have to keep our eye on it and see if between us, we can figure it out.

Hey CHJ--another baldicious babe!!!  Another one with flat ears--I'm so jealous!  And the wig looks really good.

Carol--I have one of those dorky wigs.  It looked okay when I tried it on, but when I went back to pick it up, it got really dorky.  I only wear it to my 16yo's basketball games cuz she wants me to look "normal" (whatever that is).  The rest of the time I just wear scarves or doorags.  Around the house, I go topless.  I'll admit, tho, I'm always a little surprised to pass a mirror and realize that I'm bald.  When I look out at the world, it all looks the same to me and I forget...  Guess that's a good thing.

Hmmm.  Should get back to the game.  If the Giants win, I win the family Super Bowl pool and get bragging rights till March Madness!

D1