Starting Chemo Feb 2010?

salsoda62

Good morning ladies! Well, all that handwashing couldn't prevent a nasty cold coming on yesterday. I'm hoping it isn't too bad and doesn't interfere with my chemo treatment on Wednesday. I'm getting my hair chopped off tomorrow, and am feeling sad about the loss, but those of you who are already there have inspired me not to whine about it. As my very bald brother pointed out, at least mine will grow back! For those who mentioned the acid reflux, I've also had that pretty bad. My ONC told me to take Prilosec as she said it doesn't interfere with the blood counts, so I'm passing that on. It works really well, one pill a day.

I hope everyone is getting good weather today. The sun is finally out today her in the SF Bay area, and I'm hoping to sit outside and soak some up (liberally covered with sunscreen, of course.)

ginadmc

I thought the Neulasta shot stung, too. I took the Claritan but didn't feel any aches until days 4-5. I felt like my upper body had been hit by a car. Even the bra strap hurt. Thankfully, it didn't last more than 24-36 hrs. I was still able to take a walk but everything was sore to the touch. My foggy head began to lift by day 5-6 and I felt pretty normal.

salsoda62 - I'm getting my hair buzzed this week and I'm sad about it, too. At least with hair, no one knows what's going on. Once the hair goes, it's pretty obvious something's not right. I am going to the wig program stylist at my hospital for the buzz and wig lesson.  I can't really call in bald the next work day! I'm not going to whine about it either, it will grow back. I have thick medium length hair so I'm thinking this will be my chance to try out a shorter do that I never had the guts to try, post- treatment. Good luck to you!

Ezscriiibe

The sun is out here today, too, salsoda62.

My first treatment was 2 and half weeks ago, my next one coming up this Thursday.

My oncologist told me that my hair would be gone by the next treatment. I was feeling pretty good that my hair was still intact and that maybe it would either just thin, or, heck, I miss this S/E altogether.

Well, wouldn't you know, this evening, my husband and I went out on a date (saw the Bruce Willis flick "Cop Out"), I reached up during the meeting to scratch my head, and darned if I didn't end up with a fistful of hair!

DOH! Looks like my oncologist was right after all!

salsoda62

ginadmc, I know what you mean about the hair. Once it is gone, there's no where to hide. And you get all those LOOKS from people. I realize now that before I got BC, when I would see bald women, I made the assumption that they were losing a battle with the disease, now I realize it usually means they are winning, as I hope it does with all of us here.Good luck with your buzz cut!

Ezscriiibe I'm glad you had a lovely day there too. I've heard that Louisville is a pretty city, tho I've never been. I'm on day 10, so I guess I've still got maybe a week before the hair falls out. That must have been kind of stressful to have your hair fall out while at the movies, but I guess we don't really get any warning...I'm one of those people who likes to know what's coming. This cancer thing certainly has put a wrench in that!

me2u

hi salsoda62, when your head starts to itch, its a sign that the hair's falling out....mine is stubble, with empty patches here and there. me and hubby wanted to create some design at the back of my hair, you know like letters "LOVE" or heart shaped but didn't get to do it. otherwise sure looks cool!

leta17

Hi Ladies!  We are finally having some beautiful days here in NJ!!!  So helps lift the spirits!! 

Had my #3 tx on Thursday and thankfully no surprises I am even feeling pretty good here on day 4 (it is the sun!)!!   My daughter though, who is 8 was just diagnosed with whooping cough, so much for that vacine!  Going to get my son tested tomorrow, he too has a cough, not nearly as severe but they want him tested.   My Onc thinks I am well protected, my cell counts have all been really good

Thanks everyone for sharing your stories, we will get through this!

Leta

retrievermom

A week after round 2 and feeling human again.  This round has been much easier, both because I started on OTCs like Prilosec earlier, and because I knew there would be a break about day 8.  Didn't have as much pain from the Neulasta this time, either.

 My stylist friend who buzzed my head and styled my wig insisted people wouldn't be able to tell I was wearing a wig.  Right, I thought, until a co-worker asked me the other day when I would lose my hair.  I lifted my wig and said, "it's gone."  It has taken awhile to not feel I'm wearing some gigantic helmet, and it gets hot, but I like having the option.  Scarves and my buff for days when I'm not working, or when I'm dog training.  I've always gotten stares since I have a noticeable limp; now when I go out in a scarf and kids look, I figure they think I've been in some sort of horrible accident.  On my good days, I've got a pretty tough skin.

I felt blessed to be able to teach my dog obedience students yesterday.  By day's end, it was time to crash.  Didn't hear my DH come to bed, until he started snoring!

Here's to sunnier days--literally and metaphorically.

mebrown

Hi Ladies!  I am so thankful for this site. You ladies help me in so many ways with your experiences and information. I am day 5 from my 2nd tx. Have been sleeping more than with the first round. My DH said I was trying to do to much the first time round and I should relax. I'm just so use to doing things myself. I think it makes him feel better when he thinks he is taking care of me. 

Glad to hear that there are not as many SEs the second or third time around. I think we are more prepared and not as surprised now. I am glad all of you have been here to help each of us with the changes in our lives.  

Iamstronger

Hi Ladies,

I go in tomorrow for my 2nd treatment.  I still have my hair, but yesterday and today, I am getting a pretty good amount out when I take a shower.  Trying to decide whether to cut and shave today or do it in a couple of days.  Bald just SCREAMS cancer to me.  But, it really does mean we are on the road to recovery. I just wish I could accept this bald crap with a little more grace.....

I really appreciate all of you and your shares.  Helps to feel like we are not alone.

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend and having little or no side effects.

   

burley

Just wanted to share an amazing story...

A mom from my son's Boy Scout troop just showed up at our front door.  She gave me a card and said when their son got cancer (poor little guy got cancer behing one of his eyes), someone did the same thing for them and they wanted to pass it on.  I could tell the card had something in it-felt like a gift card.  She left, I go inside and open the card, and there was $1000 in it!  I was dumbfounded-crying-saying thanks-just amazed.  It couldn't have come at a better time-it's a terrible feeling to be going through money problems at the same time as everything else.  To have them run your debit card for a copay, and pray that it goes through.

Some people's generosity during this has amazed me-just when you lose a little faith in humanity with the friends/family who have abandoned us, the stares while we're in public, the dumb comments...then someone you barely know comes to your aid.

We are looking forward to coming out on the other side of this, and having the opportunity to "pay it forward"...

Ezscriiibe

burley, you just made me cry!

Grazie47

Burley- crying happy tears for you, what a wonderful lady.

CinD

Kim, you made me cry too! What a kind and generous lady!

writer

Burley, I am passing that story on. It made my day. Thank you for sharing, and this will bring you not just money, but good luck. 

As for the hair, I think the thought of losing it was almost harder than the thought of surgery, and I was a wreck the night I got it shaved. BUT.... it really hasn't been nearly as bad as I thought, and it's amazing how quickly you adapt. Twice I've had to go back in the house when leaving because I forgot to put on a hat. I'm not nearly as self-conscious as I thought I'd be. I'm even thinking about stopping my my daughters' former grade school on Tuesday, because one of the classes (2nd-3rd grade age) is going to a St. Baldrick's Day thing on Tuesday night, and most of them are getting their heads shaved as a fundraiser for childhood cancer. I have no problem baring my head, and I thought they might get inspired by it.  

Of course, it helps that I still have my eyebrows and eyelashes. My nurse practitioner said a very few keep them the whole way, so I have a tiny hope that my strong Irish-hair genes fight the good fight.

Iamstronger

Burley, that is an awesome story.  I needed to hear something like that today. 

ariesrottie

Kim- what a wonderful story.

To everyone starting chemo or having another treatment tomorrow ... Good luck!

What a nice day today... Just not feeling myself ,,, a little tired.... How do you know if your blood  levels are down...???? What can I do to get them up? Don't go to blood work till Thursday.

Any suggestion....

Hugs everyone... Hope things are good.

Donna

mofend

Kim  - that is such amazing news and so heartwarming - gave me tears, too.  Mo

Anonymous

Love that story, Burley. I'm happy that you got some financial relief! Very important to many people right now.

My hair is coming out in chunks now, too. Started slowly on Thursday last week and REALLY picked up last night in the shower. All day today, too. I can't believe there aren't bald patches, so much hair has come out!  I think I'm gonna have it shaved off Wednesday night, on my way home from my second TX. If it makes it that long!

me2u

thanks Kim for sharing the news, its simply beautiful. hi writer, the singapore weather is hot here, so wearing a beanie is too much hence i hv been doing my evening walks bald (actually little patches here and there). yes, there are stares however i just want to do my bit for creating the awareness here, in any small ways.

hi donna, since my period came, am feeling abit more tired than usual, probably low blood count. what i know to boost up blood counts are egg white for white blood cells and beet root for red blood cells. and take lots of high antioxidants food to boost your immunity.

retrievermom

Burley/Kim,

What a wonderful story.  It's a great reminder that we can "pay it forward" in some way.  I'm struck how some folks do things without being asked that are true blessings.  Something as simple as a card left in my mail box at work has really brightened a bad day.

MomoB

Hello Ladies,

Just reading and learning from all of you!  lbreedl, your story was so great!  I agree that the

doctors don't seem to be interested in nutrition or suppliments, or maybe they just don't know

much about it!  I am starting to lose hair now.  I go outside and rub or gently brush it to let it

fall outside.  I guess I will have it shaved when it gets too thin!

Could someone please repost the link to the site for free scarves ?  I can't focus long enough

to search for it!  Thanks so much.

One grandson asked me this weekend, "Grandma, you don't care much about how you look,

do you?"  I asked him if he was trying to ask me if I was worried about losing my hair?  He says,

"yes, I just don't want you to get all depressed!"  Grandkids are the BEST!!!!

faithfulc

MomoB, here it is:

http://www.franceluxe.com/i/goodwishesscarves/Good+Wishes+Scarves.html

Wow, haven't checked the site for a few days and what amazing posts.  Burley, such a heart warming story.  And teemee, so good to see you turn the corner and ready for the treatment.  And to the new comers, welcome.  I've added you to our list at the top and we CAN do this.

My second week after second TC went quite normally.  I think I've lost a few bottom lashes.  Stubble is still growing, so I'd be curious to see if it falls out by the end of this week (which is when my hair went after the first treatment). 

For past couple of days I started to notice a few things:

(1) Some itchy feeling at the bottom of my feet and in my palms.  No tingling.  I don't know if this is the start of peripheral neuropathy.  The itch also feels like it comes from the dry skin - my skin is getting drier and I guess thanks to chemo as well. 

(2) Slight eye twitching occasionally.  It indeed is slight - I cann't see it in the mirror, but I can feel it.  And I've had very occasional twitching before and this happens no more frequently than that, so I'm not sure if it is due to Taxotere.  I'll certainly keep watching to see if it progresses and I'll let my doc know about it next time I go in.

(3) Nails: there is a band at the root of the nails (especially the thumbs) that is darker than the rest of the nails.  Not too noticeable, but if you pay attention you'll see it is there.  Right now about 1/5 of each nail is a bit darker at the root.  And if I look closely (or perhaps using some imagination), I can see a very think line of purple that seems to indicate the first chemo treatment.  Again, the color is there, but no other sensations.

Guess that just tells me that even though I don't feel much of the effects, my body is changed due to the treatment.

MomoB

Thanks so much FaithfulC!  It sounds like your se's are mild so far!  That last statement

is so true for a lot of us, I think.  I can feel that my body has changed, but not a lot of se's

so far. 

ginadmc

salsoda62 - I feel like I'm counting down the days with hair! I know what you mean about the LOOKS. I, too, will feel differently when I see someone without hair and what they may be dealing with. I know I'll feel more sympathy and respect for them. I hope I'm not obsessed with other women's hair once mine goes.

burley - Thanks for sharing such a heart warming story! I'm happy for you!

writer - I have strong Irish hair genes, too!! I hope our eyelashes and brows hold out. That would be some consolation.

retrievermom - Glad to hear your round 2 went well, mine is coming up on Friday. Sounds like you have a great wig. I hope I have the same luck when I show up for work on Thursday wearing my wig. On another subject - dog obedience - I have an 11 month old Alaskan Malamute, what kind of walking device would you recommend? We're currently using a harness but he's gotten so strong and pulls so much, I think we need something else. Tried the gentle leader on our former Malamute without success. Any advice would be appreciated - thanks!

kshep

Ok Ladies, on the "bald" issue.  I was really nervous and upset about the hair loss, and still am most days. I too did not want to deal with the looks from strangers. But I am finding its all about my attitude, when someone glances your way- smile and hold your head up and you feel so much better. Most times they smile back. My first hint that it is my attitude came from a friend who is a survivor who said, "when you get lots of smiles and knowing glances- they are warm thoughts, not accusations".

 My daughter (19 and all about the clothes and hair) is really encouraging me to just go bald to school--haven't done it yet, but I am warming up to the idea.

Grazie47

Attended a "Look Good Feel Better" session today, what a great experience.  If you get a chance you have to try to get to one, you will love it.  She gave each of us a bag of very expensive makeup, hats, headbands and if we were interested she would set up a date for wigs.

http://www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org/women/program_finder/

Grazie47

Every single women at the "Look Good Feel Bettter'" stated that losing their hair was the absolute worst side effect.  I have to agree, I hate wearing my wig. 

ariesrottie

OH NOOOOOOO!  I hate the thought of it... It's coming I know cause its day 11.......I had more energy last week then I do today......Feel good girls.... Hope everyone who has had treatment feel okay... Those of you who have treatment tomorrow.....Let it good with little SE.
Courage and  Strength,

Donna

me2u

thanks Donna, my 2nd treatment is tmr, am feeling ok about it after reading some of the posts here hope to update mine soon.

hi faithfulc, on the nails, i can see the line on my nails (thumbs) too.

retrievermom

I think I read someone's post about this earlier, but acne on the bald head?  Any product you recommend?  More sore than itchy.

Can't see my fingernails due to acrylics, but I have a toenail that has turned purple.  I don't remember hitting it against anything, so think it's drug related.

Thinking of those with second tx's coming up in the next few days.  I'm looking ahead to the third, trying to work extra hours at work this week while I feel up to it.  More fatigue now in the evenings, but I guess that's to be expected.  Wish I could wear out my puppy!