February 2011 chemo pals

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited March 2011

    OMG that is hilarious!!!  We are all too freakin' sexy for our hair!  I love it.

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  • marie5890
    marie5890 Member Posts: 3,594
    edited March 2011

    TheDivineMrsM,

    I know tomorrow is your second Chemo. Will be thinking of you. Sounds like things are ok for you and your family, all things considered. Im so grateful to hear that.

    God Bless 

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  • Paula66
    Paula66 Member Posts: 1,728
    edited March 2011

    Hi all!!!!  Just wanted to stop by n say hey!  HEY!  Well I over did it this weekend again.  Man did I hit a brick wall yesterday.  I felt so good that I ran around all weekend.  I figured as long as I took naps in the car I was ok.  Well that wasnt the case.  Shopping 3 days in a row and then 2 big birhtday bashes, Monday work.  It was a bit to much.  I had to go home yesterday.  I slept for 3 hrs.  Man did I need it.  So now I know to take it easy for a few days.  Hubs wasnt a happy camper while I ran around like a chic with my head cut off.  So I got a talking to.  So next treatment no shopping sprees.

    Take care my sisters and stay positive!  Welcome Alison, I hope you do well.

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  • dragonfly1
    dragonfly1 Member Posts: 766
    edited March 2011

    Countingmyblessings: Best of luck on round #2...I'll be in the chair at 9 am. I hope I'm better prepared this time but I think chemo always has suprises in store for us! Love the avatar!

    SpecialK: DH is home today for the chemo and then he's on call so I'm guessing he'll be called away again. He was gone for 10 days following the first chemo and returned and said "you look great!" ARGHH! He doesn't get it yet...Good luck with round #2 I'll be thinking of you and Lisa in the next few days as well. It just has to be better this time! 

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  • LisaGH
    LisaGH Member Posts: 242
    edited March 2011

    Best wishes today to counting my blessings & drangonfly1- my fellow warrior women.

    My day is tomorrow- YIKES!

    Hope you all have a good day. I too am most fearful of the headache- to me that was the worst symptom round #1

     Lisa

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  • mks16
    mks16 Member Posts: 415
    edited March 2011

    Round #2 of AC for me tomorrow as well. Good luck to all going in today / tomorrow!

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  • thefuzzylemon
    thefuzzylemon Member Posts: 2,630
    edited March 2011

    Hello all - Things are a bit better today ... Still having trouble feeling like I want to ralph ... so I'm trying Cherry Coke ... little sips ... I'll let you know if that works.

    HOLY HAIR FALLING OUT TODAY!!  My goodness ... stuff just couldn't come out all at the same time, huh??  I bought a sleeping cap so I wouldn't have to clean up a mess tomorrow.  I never knew I had so much hair.  My little Wisconsin town just doesn't know what to think of me I guess ... everyone was staring - then looking away real quick ... glad my spirits are up today ...

    Anybody else gag when they look at a pill?

    THANK YOU FOR SHARING THE BROWNIE STORY!!  I think it would make me more sick ... kinda buzzy and spinnie ... but the sleeping sounds nice!!

    Hugs and love to all ...

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  • DivineMrsM
    DivineMrsM Member Posts: 9,620
    edited March 2011

    Yes, marie, my chemo starts at 9 am tomorrow; thank you for thinking of me. I've been busy with routine things so it's helped keep my mind off it, yet on the other hand, I've been doing small things here and there to prepare for the chemo (getting blood work, staying hydrated, lining up my ride, paying a few bills ahead of time so I'm able to rest for several days afterwards, ect.)

    My chemo appt. is an hour away, and the onc said I had to have someone drive me both ways. Then the next day, back up, a one hour drive...for the Neulasta shot...they said I could drive myself, but my sister will take me.  I don't know if I'd feel up to it.  Different things hit me at different times, and I don't want caught off guard.  I mean, I thought I'd sail thru those two MRIs but I was a claustrophobic mess.

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  • EmilyInOntario
    EmilyInOntario Member Posts: 626
    edited March 2011

    Divine...what a pain that you have to drive an hour back to get the Neulasta shot. I take mine home from the cancer centre pharmacy the day of chemo and a visiting nurse comes in to give it the next day. Any way you could do that arrangement?

    Fuzzy..sorry you are feeling yucky. My great gran comes from a little Wisconsin town, Cadott..are you anywhere near there?

    How is everyone else doing? Just came home from a chinese buffet lunch...I think that was a mistake..stomach just isn't quite up to that yet.More chemo fogged again too. Odd what you think of with this whole no hair thing. All I could think of while driving was I hope I don't have an accident...and am found laying there on the pavement with no hair because my wig flew off. In the "old days" I would likely have been more worried about being injured.

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  • crog234
    crog234 Member Posts: 801
    edited March 2011

    Hi All  Had my #3 chemo last week and went today for my bloodwork.  Counts are very low but then they have been the other 2 times too.  I have found that I have been much more tired after #3.  I only had 1 day, the day after my chemo that I felt human.  Can't wait to get #4 over with next week then it is on to taxol which I am hoping will treat me better.  Had my vitamin D checked and that is also low.  It is at 13 so they have upped my vitamin D... 

     Thinking of all who have treatments this week and hope they go well for you.

    Cindy

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited March 2011

    LisaGH and mks16 and Divine - good luck tomorrow.  I will be right behind you the next day. 

    Fuzzy - I am not sure who is shedding more - me or the dog.  I feel you on the hair thing.

    Paula - slow down girl, where's the fire?

    Alison - Yay!  A Cali girl!  I grew up in the San Fernando Valley right over by Cal State Northridge.  I miss SoCal, haven't been back in a couple of years.

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  • thefuzzylemon
    thefuzzylemon Member Posts: 2,630
    edited March 2011

    Hello :)

    I'm very South Central Wi ... just southeast of Madison.  OMG ... I took some photos today ... I will never look like this again (cross fingers/toes/dogs toes) ... bald spots ... kinda funny right now!!! 

    So, I went to lunch ... and bought a pillow for the bath tub ... guess that makes it a date :) LOL

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  • DivineMrsM
    DivineMrsM Member Posts: 9,620
    edited March 2011

    Emily in Ontario,

    Apparently the shot is an insurance thing.  My onco nurse tried to get me approved to be able to have the shot at home, but it was denied.  I've heard the Neulasta shot costs anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000.  My onco nurse said, "That shot costs $10,000!"  I wasn't sure if she meant that was the total cost for the entire 6 shots I will have over the course of my chemo treatment, or if that was the price of just one.  It is covered by my insurance if I get it at the onco office.  So altho it's inconvenient, it is worth the drive and gas money (at least for now, lol) to make the trip. 

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  • charlottesmama
    charlottesmama Member Posts: 250
    edited March 2011

    Hi LAdies! I've been AWOL since I had to relinquish my mother's laptop for a few days. She was set to do a presentation on Giant Pandas to a local school yesterday, and I was scheduled for cemo #3. Both had to be rescheduled since we got slammed with a huge snow storm (2+ feet overnight). I managed to dig my Jeep out of the snow in the afternoon. I'll have #3 on Thursday.

    My hair is almost all gone. It doesn't itch/burn/ache anymore. It's just COLD! I can see my shiny scalp through the little feathers that are left. My sister had some baseball hats made for me with "death is NOT an option" embroidered on them. That's the banner of my blog (which I'm VERY overdue on writing). Baseball hats definitely work for me. I think I'd lke bandanas at home. Eyebrows and lashes still hanging in there.

    MEt with PS today and he kept saying "Right breast." YES! I swear right before surgery (first week in May), I'm going to draw a smily face on Lefty and a frowny mean face on Righty. He's going to do a DIEP flap reconstruction, and I've chosen not to mess with Lefty (no cosmetic touch-ups). Why fix it if it ain't broke? Anyway, I'm now 51 and don't feel the need to have the breasts of a 28-year old. So they're a little saggy. WHat the hell, they're mine! Well, one will be a tummy titty, but who's to know?

    Over and out for now, ladies. Glad to hear everyone is doing pretty well.

    Michelle 

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  • EmilyInOntario
    EmilyInOntario Member Posts: 626
    edited March 2011

    Divine...I guess you don't have much choice then if your insurance has those stipulations. And yes, neulasta is expensive. The last one I got had $ 2,986.00 on the box. That was for one.

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  • lorenar
    lorenar Member Posts: 141
    edited March 2011
    Hi Ladies. For the ones of you who are doing well Great. The ones who are having it rough, Hope things look up. I have a saying This To Shall Pass. I just finished #3 chemo yesterday. One more3/28 than I guess ts Tax/ Herceptin. Be careful out there ladies I ended up with a awful flu last week and had to take tamaflu for 10 days. Woke up at 4 am and just coulf not get warm, I have been taking both my anti-nausea medicines all day. Not sure if any of you ladies have this, but for 6 days its nausea, than week 2 cant sleep due to peeing every 15 minutes??? Take care my chemo friends.
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  • jenn_h
    jenn_h Member Posts: 149
    edited March 2011

    Whew! I can't believe Neulasta is that expensive!

    OK, so today I get a text message from my sister to look on facebook and SHE SHAVED HER HEAD!!! I am so thankful for the amazing family and friends I have behind me! My favorite t.v. show is Survivor and a few years ago my hubby bought me a Buff (the headband-y thingy they wear), it is the best thing ever for the baldy head...there are sites that sell Buffs in all sorts of neat prints and designs, but they are pretty expensive (around 20 each), however I highly recommend!!!

    Love the t-shirt: yes, these are fake, my real ones tried to kill me, may have to buy those for my new set of ta ta's next year!!

    I am on day 19 after first treatment (#3 next Thur), my head is so sore and sensitive, does that start to feel better soon? I can't even touch the little stubblies! and let me just add that I think the constipation things is one of the worst issues right now! I am having trouble sitting down at this point :( Good luck evrybody sittin' the chair this week, thinking about and praying for you all!!

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  • ruffy
    ruffy Member Posts: 141
    edited March 2011

    Just wanted to send out good vibes and hugs to all the Feb girls!! We're Making progress!! :)

    Fuzzy lemon, thsnks for reminding me of cherry coke... Yumm. I'm for sure going to get some for post chemo next week! I'm pretty much over gingerale at this point.

    Hope everyone has a restful night,

    Sara

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  • ruffy
    ruffy Member Posts: 141
    edited March 2011

    Jenn_h, I'm 22 days since my first AC and my head is finally feeling better. It's actually feeling soft and not so tender. It's still pretty stubbly but it doesn't hurt to touch anymore. It is FREEZING though. I had no idea, I kinda think differently when I see bald guys now, lol

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  • charlottesmama
    charlottesmama Member Posts: 250
    edited March 2011

    Jenn and all~

    Yeah, my head is finally feeling ok. Last week it was so itchy I was taking benadryl a few times a day. It also ached a lot when the hair first came out. I'd say it's about 3/4 gone now. Just feels like fine soft feathers like my daughter's little fuzzy head when I brought her home frome China. I thought she'd NEVER have hair!

    What about our nails, gals?  Do they keep growing? I always keep mine very short, but a few have torn and broken lately. I just gave them all a good filing and rub with hand cream and lavender oil. I tend to get cracks in my thumbs in winter (glue 'em shut with Krazy Glue), so that's not unusual. My skin DOES seem to be dryer than usual.

    I'm going to a Look Good Feel Better session on Monday. Haven't been much of a makeup grrrl until lately. I know I won't bother with the wigs, but maybe I can pick up some scalp-care tips. Baby shampoo? Conditioner? The woman who runs the workshop is a cosmetologist and also the receptionist at my oncology center. 

    RE: brownies. the sous chef where I work reminded me that all of the dishwashers have ready access to the herb. And look at me, a pastry chef! I could start a little side business. Ooooh, how about gluten-free special brownies? Wink

    I feel so lucky to have you great bunch of cancer cowgrrrrls. I've missed you terribly the last few days. I'll have to give the computer back, and mine is still being fixed, so I may disappear again. Hang in there!

    YeeeHAW!!!!

    Michelle 

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited March 2011

    Michelle - I was getting worried about you!  Glad you're back!  Surprisingly my nails have grown and I have to keep cutting them and then filing close to the edge.  Taxotere is rough on the nail beds so the recommendation is to keep them very short and polish with the hardener stuff.

    Can you mail some brownies?......

    Kathie

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  • charlottesmama
    charlottesmama Member Posts: 250
    edited March 2011

    oooh nail polish? Hardener stuff? What's that? I don't paint my nails because of my job, and I found my many-years-ago painted nails so visually distracting. Also, they make my hands look really old. LOL!

    So is there something I can paint on my nails to keep them strong? Something not totally toxic? I'm clueless. I will ask our receptionist/cosmatologist (does that mean she answers the phone on the space shuttle?) and report back.

    Does insurance cover mani-pedis? Wouldn't that be great?

    Who wants to get on my mailing list for my new line of gluten-free "brownies"? Heh...heh... 

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  • sukie10
    sukie10 Member Posts: 96
    edited March 2011

    Good luck to everybody that's off to see the wizard this week.

    This is supposed to be my good week so I'm trying to get stuff done. I can't believe how much sleep is still required daily. I swear every errand requires a two hour nap upon completion. It's been my only major SE thus far so I'll take it. I did give up coffee so that's probably half the problem.

    Isn't nice too see how truly kind people can be. I had no idea so many people cared about me until this all happened. I'm just overwhelmed by good vibes and surprised daily where they come from.  

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited March 2011

    When I went for the first tx they gave me a little packet that had Sally Hansen nail hardener in it.  It is just a clear coat.  I read somewhere that you paint it on 7 days in a row, remove it and start over. That seemed a little labor intensive. I also read that with Taxotere tx you should paint them dark day of tx to keep light from the nail beds. 

    Pretty much my whole self is looking old at this point, not just my hands!

    Put me on the brownie mailing list ASAP.

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  • charlottesmama
    charlottesmama Member Posts: 250
    edited March 2011

    Sukie~

    Just wanted to tell you (I think it was you who asked) that YES, my oncologist, np and I have all noticed my tumor seems to have shrunk and softened based on a general grope after first A/C treatment. It will be interesting to see what they think this week.

    hmmm...nail hardener. I remember my aunt, the horse lover (as I am), eating gelatin to harden her nails. Ick?

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  • Salma1971
    Salma1971 Member Posts: 42
    edited March 2011

    Good morning Ladies... (just woke up to loads of posts...) I noticed nausea and constipation keep coming up as a common SE. Both happened to me in the same cycle.... For me, what worked was drinking diluted pure Aloe Vera juice (unsweetend), Cranberry juice (also helps with avoiding UTI during the low immunity period) and prune juice (less that half a glass can do a lot!)

    Other things that helped with the Nausea... I am not sure if you have humous around your area... which is pureed cooked chick peas with Tahini--- I had it on a slice of multi grain bread and it was great... it was the only thing that hold on to my stomach.... If not... also try peanut butter with honey (just a drizzle)--- it felt good...

    Good luck everyone...

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  • Salma1971
    Salma1971 Member Posts: 42
    edited March 2011

    Oh... and SpecialK---- I did the math and I still can't believe it.... You LOOK great! and the spirit... Good for you... My husband came back yesterday.... I am glad he's here on the good days.. at least I can have quality time with him and the kids... and Gosh it was good to have a good cry on his shoulder...

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  • pejkug3
    pejkug3 Member Posts: 902
    edited March 2011

    Gelatin is ok..just eat Jello!

    I'm attending the Look Great, Feel Better class on Tuesday.  If nothing else, it should be fun!

    Fuzzy - I grew up in North Central IL.  Probably about 30 minutes from you.  :)  And Cadott?  My family (aunt) used to live there.  They live in Madison now.

    Jenn_H - we're on the same chemo schedule.  I'll be in the chair with you next Thursday.

     My nails are still long.  Maybe I should cut them before they break off.  I'm taking supplements - my onc didn't restrict them at all.  I have some mixed feelings about continuing them since so many have said that their oncs restricted supplements.  I really want them to help my skin and nails.

    Main SE are a stinkin' horrible headache and major stomach cramps and diarrhea.  It's like my stomach says, "Nope.  Not that.  Try again."  I certainly have been eating, but nothing stays very long.

    I have painted my nails.  When i had my chemo, a woman had come in from a local salon to give hand massages and paint the nails of those of us in the chair.  Cool, huh?  Last week my normally naked nails were pink.  This week, they're dark purple.  :)

    No hair loss yet.  Day 14 for me is on Thursday.  I did go to the wig shop in town (yes, there is only one) and the woman there spent two hours trying wigs on me.  I narrowed it down (with the help of two friends) to two wigs.  I saw another online that resembles my normal hair.  All three are being ordered in my color and will be in on Thursday.  Perfect timing.

    I am going out of town with a group of women this weekend.  Will the hair shedding be terrible on Day 15-16?  Just trying to prepare since I'll be at a conference with about 5000 women.  I plan on wearing a scarf or my new wig anyhow since my new short haircut feels so abnormal to me.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited March 2011

    Salma - love the hummus, we have it in all the grocery stores here in Florida.  I like the spicy one that has the the hot peppers in oil swirled in the middle.  Probably shouldn't have that one after chemo though!  I have some tiny single serve cups of it in the fridge now - it is the plain kind.  Thank you for the compliment on my picture, you are too kind!

    pejkug - I still have a basically full head of thinned out hair on day 20.  I have no bald spots but I did notice my DH tonight watching pretty closely while I cooked dinner so no stray hair got in the food!  I am not noticing all that much hair on my pillow, but if I touch it it comes right off in my hand.  The manicure deal during chemo is the bomb!  We all just sit and watch the "Food Network" the whole time.

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  • alison0415
    alison0415 Member Posts: 35
    edited March 2011

    Hi Everyone,  I haven't seen much discussion on dry skin so just curious.....  I had my first treatment (TCH) on 2-24 and my face is a total mess!  It got so dry that it literally cracked in places.  Then I loaded up with lotion which apparently caused it to break out.  So basically I am a zit-faced reptile!  It's bad enough dealing with everything else but when your face looks like that who wants to go anywhere!  My hands are also very dry but nothing like what happened to my face.  Has anyone else experienced anything similar?  It literally hurts to smile!

    My thoughts are with everyone who has a treatment this week.  May your SEs be mild! 

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