April 2010 starting chemo

marcy4

My husband shaved my head last Friday and I have been out with scaves and a baseball hat. I have only worn my wig once to church.  I decided that the scraf and hat thing was not so bad.   My head feels incrediably cool and free.  I live in a small town and almost everyone here knows I have cancer, so what is the big deal.  I felt I drew more attention to myself at church with my wig on.  I can only speak for myself though. My kids have adjusted really well to my new look. I thought they would be upset, boy was I wrong.  I was with my daughter on the weekend and we stopped at the Tim Horton's drive through.  She said "Mom put on your hat before we get to the window so you don't freak them out"  She is 7.  I did put my hat on! 

I would just add, you will know when the time is right to shave it off.  I tried to hold out as long as I could too and when I realized I could not go out uncovered anymore it was easier to use the clippers. Best of luck to all of you.

Pickles

Hair!

All the weird, painful things we have to go through and the most humiliating can be hair loss.



I've posted this before but my hairdresser suggested using Neutragena T-gel shampoo. I got a generic form at CVS and it seems to have helped my scalp sensitivity. Someone also suggested Baby shampoo.

I love my wig! It was $$ at 300.00 but worth it. My hairdresser suggested looking for one that is constructed with more of an open lacy structure inside. It breaths! I can feel the wind on my scalp but is extreemly secure. I think it would actually be cold in the Minnesota winter time but is perfect right now.

I do go out in hats and scarves in my neighborhood, most of my neighbors know of my cancer and are very supportive. I love Buffs! They have been great to wear when I'm out in the garden.



For those of you having a hard time...sometimes with this disease we have to let ourselves feel sad, I cry once or twice a week...sometimes I can't tell you why and sometimes it's something that just hits me like a brick. I let myself cry because I really think you can't get over something until you let yourself feel.



Cry, stomp your feet, scream away! And come here to let us make you feel better!



Hugs to all!

JenC

Emme - I hope you are feeling a little better this afternoon. I went through that last week. My hair just kept comming out by the hand fulls and the long strands were devistating to see. I went to the hair dresser on Friday and had it shaved off to a stubble. I thought that would be more traumatic than it was but it was not that bad. Actually once it was done I felt better. I still have little stubble that falls out but that is nothing compared to seeing the handfulls. I will get through this. Keep your chin up:)



I have my second round of AC tomorrow and I asked my Onc to schedule me a consult with the radiologist to see if I have to go that route after Chemo and they arent scheduling consults for August yet??? Baffles me. This may sound like a stupid question but does everyone have to have radiation after chemo or does it depend on the pathology report. I had good clear margins with the mastectomy so not sure if I have radiation what they will radiate since there is nothing there???? Just wondering if that is the usual course or if some people dont have it.

marcy4

Jen C

I am having radiation following my chemo and met with my radiologist about 2 months ago.  I thought it was odd to met with him that early, but it is done anyway. My radiation will not start until sometime in the late fall. I am having the breast area radiated only, not the lymph nodes.

Also, I had my AC yesterday and am feeling quite good. No nausea of any other upsets so far.  I believe that the fatigue is just around the corner though. I plan on staying home this week and just taking one day at a time, always staying near a bed or chair. During this time, my biggest trip is to the grocery store or mail box which are both just minutes away.. Got my Neulasta shot this afternoon and hopefully that will keep any infections away.  Best of luck tomorrow.  I know I am very glad to have one more down.

lexie5

Jen C,

 Looks like our diagnosis is similar.  I also had clean margins with my mastectomy and only had 1 node positive.  I will not be having rads after chemo. 

arubajan05

Hi all! 
Home today after Round 2 TC yesterday. No big surprises, pretty much the same as last, but I am trying to be more proactive on some of the SE's, like taking Senecot!  LOL And YAY KimW, we are on for lunch Week 3, sound good? 

Emme ~ I am sorry you are sad. It's funny when it hits, it hits, with me too!  This morning I laid in bed after my hubby went to work since I  just had my 2nd chemo yesterday and wanted to get some extra rest.  All of sudden I was bawling all over my pillow and I am not even sure why. I just let it come. 

As far as shaving and wigs, I highly recommend both. It's amazing how much better I feel this week just one week after head shaving.  We (my hubby and I) tried to have a little fun with it too! That helped tremendously! And I am getting used to my wig.  And am even beginning to appreciate the lack of effort when I want to go out.  Slap on the wig cap, the wig, run a quick brush through my hair and i am out the door!  My hubby LOVEs it!  I have also gotten some very positive comments from others which has been emotionally-boosting. I have also worn out a scarf with hat on top and my wig with hat on top for security in the convertible.  I am realizing that I can still live my normal life!  Just have to be more flexible. It's only hair! And was I really so concerned about it when it was my real hair... certainly not every day! and Pickles, I too have a more open/lacy design (mine is a Revlon wig) on the inside and it seems comfortable, though not as durable.. I have had to sew a small repair already in it. But it's light and airy! 

JenC- I too was a bit confused on the radiation thing.  I met with a radiologist very early on but that was before I was sure I would have chemo.  I did end up choosing chemo and now I won't have my radiation til late summer early fall. It makes sense to me as my onc explained it, do chemo now to get the cells that are out in the body circulating, then radiate the breast (I had a lumpectomy) to target possible recurrence there after the body has had a chance to recover from the harsh chemo treatments. She said I would start rads about a month after I complete chemo end of June, 1st of July. I expect to have 7 weeks of daily rad treatment.

HUGS TO ALL!!!

JenC

Lexi5 and Arubajan5. Thanks for the info. Hoping that I dont have to have rads either but I guess I wont know that for while. Tomorrow will be one more down then 6 to go. Hope you all are doing well.

kad22

SGJ05- Sounds good! That would be fun to meet up sometime when this is over!

Emme - hang in there - you will have those bad days and then some really good days - cling to those good days!

Arubjan05- That's interesting? never heard of tests coming back like that - hmmmm. What exactly is on Onco score? Did you get your BRCA results back yet? Hoping for the best!

Kimmee - it looks like you are triple negative also - how are you dealing? But your treatments include Tamoxifin so I am confused?

Well I go in for my third heavy dose of AC this Friday and am already dreading it! Although it is so nice to feel good these last few days before I go. All my hair is gone almost totally bald- bald!! My eyelashes and brows are still here - do you think they will go yet? I go to work everyday with a wig that is really nice and then come home and whip it off!! I use scarves and went out this weekend for the first time with only a scarf on - people stare - but o-well!

Is it nails that go bad when you are on Taxol? Because so far (knock on wood) mine are healthy on AC.

Stay postivie we can beat this!!! (((Hugs to all)))

toughmom38

kad22-not sure about Taxol but I am on it's evil twin Taxotere and I know that may turn your nails black or make them fall off, but after 2 treatments my nails look just the same as they always have.  Here's hoping they stay that way!

I have my last fill tomorrow at the PS, then just have to deal with these awful tissue expanders until about Sept (have to wait 6-8 weeks after chemo to make sure WBC have returned to normal and hair has started growing back before they cut me open again to put in the implants.) Oh, joy, another surgery to look forward to.

Thursday I have TX #3 and I'm really worried it's going to knock me down.  TX #1 was bad for about 5-6 days, TX #2 side effects not so bad but VERY tired for about 10 days.  How long will I feel bad with this one??? It's the nausea feeling that I hate the most.  It's like having the world's worst hangover for a week straight.  If I keep my stomach FULL I don't feel so awful but then I start packing on the pounds and I definitely don't want to do that.  My weight has been going up 5 pounds one week and back down 5 pounds the next ever since I started chemo.

OK I think I'm done bitching for now.  (((HUGS))) to everyone!!!!

Jennifer

arubajan05

Hey beautiful ladies! 

Kad22~ My tests have been all over the board... Yesterday my onc actually told me I am a Zebra in a herd of horses!  LOL!  My oncotype DX was a 71! I showed ER+ at 91% on 1st path from hospital, on 2nd path 37% positive for ER, but on oncotype DX only a 4% positive (which is actually scored as a negative.) My onc feels we should do tamoxifen after chemo and rads because I am showing at least some ER+ (though I know she trusts the OncoDx score the most.)  Also, yesterday at my appt my onc did not have my BRCA results in my file, but thought she should so she called for the result. She said she wants to read it and look it over more carefully, but I have a mutation in one of the BRCA genes, BUT it is not a mutation that they have been studying intensely at this time...???? Therefore there isn't much info on how this will impact my future... Like I said, a ZEBRA...LOL I will post more after next appt June 7.

Jennifer~ I am on the 5 lbs. down, 5 lbs. up routine too... It sucks!!!

Hugs to all!

JenC

Arubajan05 - Hope all works out with your BRAC test and they can figure out what the mutation is.  it is truly wierd.  anyway, best of luck.  Off to work and then #2 AC.  Have a great day everyone.

peacelovedogs

I ended up with a cold after AC#2.  My WBC were really low this round and somehow I picked up a cold that has now gone into my lungs.  Thankfully I was on an antibiotic due to the WBC, so that has hopefully saved me from infections but I am scheduled for AC#3 tomorrow and I worry how this will turn out.

#2 really took me for a loop.  I was weaker, tired all.the.time.  Until the last couple of days, I never felt that I got over the hump, like I did with #1.  I know each one is different, and I REALLY hope #3 is easier.  Although, even if it is as bad as #2, it still is better than many that I have heard.  I guess I need to take each moment as it comes and be grateful for those that I feel better.

Question about hemoriods - what do you do to make them not hurt during a bowel movement?  Stool softener?  I am in shock at how much pain I am in at that time.  I will be talking with my doc tomorrow but you ladies seem to have great ideas and knowledge, so I will ask my doc about any thoughts that are passed on here.  Currently I get through it and then use a wet wipe to cool the area.  TMI - sorry.

Arubajan -I also have a weird mutation in the BRCA gene.  Not a positive or negative, but something strange.  They tested my mother for the mutation and she does not carry it.  Not sure what that means yet.  We thought for sure I would be +.  My mom's sister and mother both had breast cancer.  I guess you never know.

kad22

Raerae - Well I had the worst experience with Hemoriods! I use Preperation H wipes these help more than just the reg. wipes. I had to have one cut off and was in the worst pain of my life!! It still is healing after 3wks of it being gone! I took a lot of sitz baths - warm water in the tub with a little bit of epsom salt - these really helped exspecially after each bowel movement.

 Hmmm .... is anyone doing Taxol yet? Just want to know some of the SE's that you guys may be experiencing from this drug. I have to do 12 rounds of it after AC so was curious.

BRCA gene I have known to have since around 2000. It was a good thing to knowing because the doctors really had me on a schedule of Mammo's and MRIs since I am younger and started these in my late 20's! If I didn't do the MRI's they wouldn't have found my tumor! Mammo didn't show it and no one could feel it but it appeared in a year's time and was at least 2cm! So I would suggest getting this test done for everyone that has family history of cancer and maybe even if you don't! 

Well since I am feeling good I get to take the 2nd grade class to the Milw. zoo tomorrow and I am stoked! Then Friday off for 3rd treatment of AC - yuck!

Have a great weekend - hopefully with no SE's!

KimW

Hi all, sounds like we are learning to get along with our SE's. I had round 2 of TC yesterday. No real bad SE's, although I can't live without colace due to the constipation. And the lack of sleep from the steroids, glad today's the last day of those for a while. I am bald- bald - bald and need to go get a wig. I've just been wearing scarves, caps, and hats.

Raerae: I am so sorry to hear about the hemoriods- I had them when I was pregnant and they are sooo painfull. I hope they hurry up and heal for you.

ArubaJan05: Week 3 for lunch sounds good, I will give you a call early next week so we can book it.

good luck to everyone!

Emme

Thank you everyone for the words of encouragement.  Yesterday I let myself have a huge pity party and stayed in bed most of the day.  I was suffering from nausea and finally today i got my butt outta bed and got myself in for IV fluids. They help with the nausea so much. Tomorrow moring I'm going to have my head shaved....today it was falling out in handfuls...the shower drain was full...it's time.

In January, when it fell out I mostly wore hats and scarves.  I put on my wig last week and felt so pretty in it...you can see my wig pic on my facebook...Emily Wallach Phillips.  I just ordered a shorter stacked bob wig.  I'm looking forward to that one too...might as well have fun with them!

A note on radiation.  In my treatment plan from day 1, the drs. had led me to believe that radiation would be part of my treatment.  I had a biat mx, and when I  had a consult with the radiologist onc.  she sad I didn't need any radiation because I had the mx, and no node involvement.  She said the benefit woud be about 1%.  Node involvement has some determining factor, along with the size of your tumor, over or under 5 cm.

I'm going to PT tomorrow for this lympedema that is bothering me in my arm.

 Good luck to all of you ladies who are facing tx tomorrow.

JenC

Had my second AC yesterday and feeling really tired today.  A little neausea but not bad.  Although I do have a headach this time.  good day to lounge around and get some rest.:)  Hope you all have a great day.

Emme

JenC  The onc nurses told me yesterday that the treatments are accumulative.  The fatigue seems to build the more treatments you have.  I have noticed since my second treatment of AC , I too have been more tired.  Hang in there.

Em

KimW

Emme: I was told the same thing. Radiation is if you get lumpectomy or durning the mastectormy they don't get clear margins. Our tumors were the same size, although I had ILC, which doesn't show up on a mamogram, so I did the bilat mx too. I was not planning on chemo either because they thought I had a string of small tumors, which turned out to be one 4 cm one. Then my oncotype DX score was 42, so welcome to chemo. Had my second round of TX yesterday, feeling ok, but I get daily headaches for a week each time. And when were all done with this they get to suppress all our hormones. Oh what fun! 

susiesue

I went to the Look Good Feel Better class and enjoyed.  I was given a flyer for their Wig and Turban class..................has anybody attended this, what did you think of it? thanks

dutchgirl6

Had my second FEC on Tuesday, so far so good.  Just feeling a little blah, but no nausea.  It went much better with the PICC, I didn't get the feeling that my veins were burning.

I also had my head shaved on Tuesday morning, it wasn't too traumatic, and it doesn't look too strange, I am still the same person and I have the same face.  I bought a wig, a couple of shades lighter than my normal colour, something that I thought would never do, having never had any desire to be blond, but it looked the best.  I haven't quite gotten used to wearing it yet, so I have been wearing caps and scarves so far, just for warmth.  I have to say, it was liberating to be buzzed, no more wondering how much hair would come out at any given time, and it certainly saves time in the shower!  I'm sure that the wig will come out soon enough, but right now I am cocooning.

Good luck to all having tx today, and for everyone else, have a good day.

JenC

Took a few naps today then got my newlasta shot and had a follow up with the surgeon.  Feeling better this afternoon thatn this mornitng.  We will tsee what tomorrow brings when I head back to the office for a 1/2 day of work:)  2 down 6 to go.  The count down begins:)

SGJ05

Hi everyone:)

I hope everyone is well!! I had some more blood in urine issues again this cycle and no one seems to know why? It is not a UTI since my culture is negative, but they keep putting me on antibiotics thinking it will help. Unfortunately,  a week after chemo. and I am still dealing with mild back pain and mild blood in the urine. The onc. says he does not think it is from the chemo., but I find it ironic that 3 days after the last 2 chemo's I have had this problem. Thankfully I have been able to manage the pain with Darvocet on the bad days and tylenol on the mild days and have avoided anotheer hospitalization. I also scheduled an appt. with a Nephrologist next Tuesday--would you all keep your fingers crossed that we can figure this out. I am getting frustrated!! I have 3 more cycles that I have to get through before I am done.

So how's everyone else? I am hoping you are all remaining side effect free(HUGS)!

toughmom38

TX #3 is done!!! 3 down, 3 to go... feeling fine, except for REALLY tired.  Nausea will probably start tomorrow or Saturday, then it's downhill from there for a few days.  Get Neulasta shot tomorrow and that gives me great muscle pain, not bone pain like most people.  Woke up at 3:00 this morning and couldn't go back to sleep so will be going to bed soon and hopefully sleeping all night (thank you, Ambien).

Hope everyone has a great evening and side effect free!!!  (((HUGS)))

Jennifer

DancerMel28

Hello everyone,

Well just got home from having TC #2.  Started by seeing my Onc and my blood work was fine (I was a bit worried as I read of everyone having shots to take to get the WBC up but my Onc necer mentioned it - so am glad I was ok).  Unfortunately took two goes to get IV in - the first one collapsed then she got another nurse who got it in elsewhere. Had another reaction to the Taxotere - even though they gave me an extra shot of steroid before they started.  This time they stopped it and gave me phenergen then once again I was fine once it restarted.Now they're saying that if it happens a 3rd time they might change the dose (when they said it very rarely happens on 3rd and 4th!). So am hoping that it doesn't happen again.

My hairdresser buzzed my hair on Wednesday - so weird!!  I didn't cry just felt weird - looks funny as I have some bald spots but still got hair in other places.  While I was in Melbourne I went wig shopping (got nothing locally). THey were so lovely - they look after a lot of chemo patients they said.  THey made me where my wig out of hte shop and I must say the push was good - I dont' think I would've had the confidence otherwise. Felt nice not to have people staring at my scarves like I've had since I began wearign them on Monday .

Hope eveyone's going well. Check in again soon!

JenC

Day 2 after 2nd AC and I am feeling pretty good.  Had the nulast shot yesterday so I am sure the bone aches will start soon.  A little tired but no neauea so off to a 1/2 day of work.  Hope everyone has a great day.  Hugs to all.  Stay strong we are getting there.

JenC

Oh, one question.  Does anyone know the time frame for your eyebrows and lashes to fall out?  Not sure if it always happens with AC and if there is a "time frame" like the hair?  Just curious for any input.  Mine are still intact and hoping they stay that way but have gotten "fake" eyelashes just in case.  Thanks all...

shygal

Hi Ladies, met with the radiation onc yesterday and laid out the plan for radiation (I have 2 more TC to go).  Starts in July for 21 sessions that includes 5 boosts but wants an MRI first to ensure they got all the cancer out (I'm also multi focal so checking other breast for DCIS/LCIS).  Let's hope so since I had clean margins after the surgery.

I was very pleased when he asked me if I was in the health-care industry since I had quite a bit of knowledge and asked very pertinent questions. Since I am not in the health-care industry, I have these boards to thank for helping me understand what to ask and what to expect.

JenC, I have heard that eyelashes fall out very late in the process since they have a different growth cycle.  It's not uncommon (so I've read) to have them fall out more than once.  I have lost a few outside lashes on the bottom of one eye, but nothing else so far.  My eyebrows have thinned on the outsides too and I'm starting to pencil them in whenever I'm going out.

For anyone having an itchy head, ( mine was so itchy under my wig) if you use body cream on your head at night, it seems to help.  I guess the dryness affects the scalp too, so I'm using hair conditioner in the shower and body cream at night.  Not perfect, but much better.

tpcjkk

Hi,

It's been a long time since I've posted, but I've now finished my 4th (and final) AC treatment, so I thought I'd give an update.  

Hair:  I still have as much as I did after cycle #2 (about 10% left).  I thought I would go completely bald, but I never did. I still have all my eyebrows and lashes; brows may be a little thinned, but hard to tell since I started with thick brows.  I wear scarves/wig about 20% of the time, the rest of the time I go bald (around the house).

Nails:  The white half moons of about half my fingernails have turned blackish.  No nail ridges or softening, or loss of any nails.

Constipation:  I had my first bout with constipation and hemmorhoids last week.  Luckily it went away quickly.  I used wet wipes, sitz baths, and of course, Sennekot-S.  I am going to be alternating that with Colace to keep on top of things.  It is something you definitely want to prevent, not have to treat.

Nausea:  Has really dissipated over the course of the 4 sessions.  The metallic taste sensation has morphed into just generally a dulled sense of taste.  I live for fruit smoothies and just generally fresh fruit!

Fatigue:  Fatigue has gradually been worse with each session, and I would say it lasts a good 6 days or so after the treatment.  Some of those days are better than others, but usually I am in bed much of the time, though not sleeping most of that time.   

Drippy Nose:  Has turned into full-on post-nasal drip with a dry cough.  My lungs are completely clear, no fever, and it has been chalked up to allergies by my docs.  However, I am not one normally to get bad allergies, just maybe some watery, itchy eyes (which I don't have currently.) My onc is giving me Flonase to try.

Radiation:  I had a lumpectomy with clean margins, and 2 positive nodes.  After I had surgery, and met with the radiation oncologist, he suggested that I should go forth with a mastectomy before radiation because I had some dermal lymphatic invasion.  After speaking to my surgeon, going to tumor board, and getting a 2nd opinion, I decided that I would not have the mastectomy now, and go with radiation (5 weeks) plus a "boost" (extra 1 1/2 weeks).  This had mainly to do with the location of my tumor, which was at the base (crease) of my breast.  The surgeon removed all breast tissue and skin around the tumor bed, and so now, basically my tumor bed is scar tissue sitting on the chest wall just below my breast.  I was told that the benefit of getting mastectomy now would be to avoid radiation, but since I can't avoid radiation, I can leave it as is.  I am relieved, since the thought of having to get more surgery in between chemo and radiation was daunting.  I will just monitor the situation after treatment, and if there is anything suspicious that pops up down the road, I will probably get my mastectomy (double) then.  I do not need lymph node radiation because breast radiation will cover the sentinel lymph node area where I had the positive nodes.  I was told that if you had positive nodes that extended beyond the "level 1" nodes, you would need extra radiation to the lymph node/collarbone area.

Taxol:  I'm moving on to Taxol...4 x every two weeks.  I was told that the most problematic symptoms are numbness/tingling in the hands and feet and overall joint/muscle achiness.  And, of course, fatigue.  Nausea is not so much a problem with Taxol, and I will be going off Emend (though my onc nurse suggested I might want to still keep the regimen the first cycle, just to be safe...I will check with my onc.)  I will still be using Zofran and Ativan to control the mild nausea that can occur, plus of course, Decadron.  

I've heard that some people try acupuncture for help with the neuropathic symptoms.  Does anyone know whether this is worth it?  

My apologies for the super-long post.  Hang in there everyone...the days are long, but the weeks are short! 

~Julie 

caltex_catlady

tpcjkk: Julie, no worries about the long post. It's great to hear how you're doing. You're about a week ahead of me on a similar chemo regimen.

I have my #4 AC treatment Monday, then I'll start Taxol every other week for 4 treatments two weeks after that. My hair situation is about the same as Julie's--very very thin but not all gone. It does still fall out a little each day (I see it on my pillow and scarves), but not as much at one time as a week or so ago.

I've still got my brows and eyelashes, although mine have always been very fair so don't show up a lot anyway. Normally, I would brush on a little eyebrow shadow just to give them color, but I've never paid a lot of attention to getting the arch in the right place or whatever. I guess when I have to draw from scratch I'll try a little harder.

I went to the Look Good...Feel Better program on Monday. Like others here, I'd recommend it if there's one in your area. We got bags full of high-end cosmetics. A lot of it was weird colors that just aren't right for me (purple lips?? really??), but the moisturizers and cleansers are wonderful. My skin is looking a lot better after just a few days. The volunteer also showed us how to put on eyebrows. The pencil in my bag was too dark for my coloring, but at least I have some ideas now on how to draw.

They also let us try on wigs and hats and take home one of each at no charge. (They ask for a donation to the hospital auxiliary who donated the items, but it was low key and they just set out envelopes with the address to send to. No pressure to pay right then.)  I picked out a different style wig than the one I bought. My DH says he actually likes it better than the one I bought, but that one needs some trimming to suit me better. I can tell a quality difference between the two wigs as well. But it looks OK, and I've been out in it a couple of times without scaring small children. Of course, I tend to avoid eye contact when I'm self-conscious, so who knows?

I haven't had any problems at all with my nails yet. I use Aquaphor on my hands every night (it's a great moisturizer but greasy, so I slather it on then put on cotton gloves to help it absorb and keep it from rubbing off on other things). I make sure to cover my nails and nailbeds well with the moisturizer, so that probably helps, but I'm expecting there might be more issues with the Taxol.

My biggest issues are fatigue for the first week and pain from the Neupogen for the next five or six days after that.The not-so-good days do seem to increase with each round, but today is one of my good days just before the next treatment, so I try to save my to-do list things for those days.

Constipation hasn't been an issue this round, so maybe I'm getting better about getting ready. A couple of days before each infusion, I start eating a few prunes or dried apricots a couple of times a day and taking my generic CVS version of Colace once or twice a day. That continues at least through day 4 of the cycle, and usually by then things are working normally. I also tend to be better about staying really hydrated starting a couple of days before treatment through the second or third day. I should keep it up better every day. You have to pay attention to how your body is working and make small changes if it needs adjustments. I have had no problems with diarrhea since I started, but some people do

I'm back on the magic mouthwash to help with mouth soreness. It seems to help a little with metal mouth as well. The metallic issues are mainly in the first few days of each cycle, but I have definitely noticed a difference in how things taste and what things taste good (or not).

Pickles, aren't you the one with the pirate theme? You might want to know that PlanetBuff is having a sale, and they have a cute pirate buff. The sale is just through tomorrow at http://www.planetbuff.com/Spring-Buff-Sale/c22/index.html Enter Coupon Code SPRINGSALE7 at checkout for another 15% off. For those of you who haven't tried buffs, they're a comfortable and easy way to cover your head alone or under a hat.I have a few that I wear a lot, and I'm thinking of getting a few more.You can machine wash them (drip dry), so it's easier than my scarves that should be handwashed (so are still waiting for that).

I hope everybody has a good weekend!

Karen (caltex_catlady)

Julia123

Hi all, I haven't posted in a long while either. Much like Julie and Caltex_Catlady, this past Wednesday was my fourth and final A/C treatment. I had a bad reaction to Decadron, the steroid, at the first treatment (extreme irritability, off the charts anxiety, almost psychotic mood swings, not sleeping, etc. -- in a similar way to how steroids make some athletes mean - apparently about 30% of patients react this way, he said he had one really large guy who was actually becoming violent, clearly a problem LOL). My reaction wasn't that severe, but it was not at all pleasant and was clearly something unusual as I've had no history whatsoever of anxiety, depression, etc. in my past - and so we went without it these last three. I have not missed it, though I have been ever so slightly more queasy, but not too much so. This last treatment was the first time I've had to go so far as to use the Compazine also.

 Also like the two ladies above, I have lost all but about 10% of my hair (virtually all of this happened after the second treatment), but no discernible loss of eyebrows or eyelashes. I think I have read this is more likely to happen during the Taxol phase - but I hope not to lose all of them!

Unfortunately, my onc says that due to high risk of stroke and other allergic reactions without it, I have no choice but to take the steroid Decadron again during the Taxol phase so I am not looking forward to these final four. There is apparently a version of Taxol that is specially coated so as not to require the steroid, but it is relatively new so insurance companies will currently only pay for it in metastatic breast cancer patients (not we who are doing adjuvant - preventative - therapy). he did offer other options - a regimen called CMF that, while supposedly better tolerated, lasts SIX MONTHS!!! Absolutely not! Not unless there is no other option, as I would prefer to endure 8 weeks of hell (but be finished) to another six months of purgatory, as it were. :-) Or, I could do Taxotere with less steroid, but it would also extend my treatmen by a few weeks. I opted to try the Taxol with the steroid, along with Wellbutrin and Xanax, and see if we can't get me through it with the steroid.

Back to my experience with the blessedly concluded A/C - the first time was the worst, at least in part because of the steroid, but also just the shock of feeling so horrible for so many days. I don't think they've gotten better, but my coping skills have sharpened in dealing, and they've not gotten worse either. Basically though, I feel more or less like crap for about six days, then better and better each day. I am working full time during all this, which makes it hard, since works zaps every bit of energy I do have. I had to take two days off and leave early one day after the first treatment, but only one full day off these last three.

I would like to now rant about presumably well meaning individuals in our lives - in my case, one good friend, and one breast cancer volunteer who is not a survivor herself - who keep asking if it's better each time, and when you say no, about the same, seem insistent it should be (or just want you to tell them it is), and then proceed to tell you a story about some 92 year old who's been through four types of cancer, endless rounds of chemo and other treatment, and who is eternally energetic, upbeat and positive, wears clown wigs to make light of losing her hair, and things along those lines. Know what? That's great, but I am not that person. I do not whine, I do mention the positive things when they are there and look for them, but I am not going to tell you I am better, wear clown wigs, or generally put on some show so that YOU can feel better. This sucks and I feel like crap a lot. That's the truth. It does me no good whatsoever for you to continually appear to insinuate that I should be handling it better. Bite me. 

Okay, rant over. :-) Good luck and hugs to all of us as we get through the rest of this! I do hear that in many people the Taxol phase is easier than A/C, so I'm hopeful that it will be with me and help balance out the effects of the steroid.