August 2011 chemo, anyone w/ me?!

Taylor777

Madimommy all I have to say is WOW..lol..It sounds like you havent stopped!! Where are you getting all this energy?? Good for you..Im just jealous

Vtellen you should post some pics. of you wearing the head scarves..lol..thanks for the laughs..I needed that

Thanks to all of you for taking some of my anxiety away..thanks so much!!!!! At least I know there wont be pain involved.

Doodlebug your so brave for shaving your head!! My time is coming...

Since were all losing our hair and that sucks has anyone lost hair on there legs??Thats one good thing???

Madismommy719

Taylor....I think it's nervous energy??? And I have to keep moving so I don't start freaking out and have a meltdown.... And I *hope* I won't need any of the OTC drugs at all...but I told my husband I needed to buy all of it to be ready, it's my only "control" of this situation!!!



I hope you are doing well and calmer than me. If we lived close to each other I'd share all my soup and fruit with you this week!!!!

aimska

Taylor to answer your question, I barely have any body hair.. I didn't have much to begin with, but arms.. legs.. down there =X .. are all pretty bare.  .. that's one good thing (???)  hahaha

Taylor777

Madismommy if I lived near you I'd be moving in..lol..Your so organized and ready to go!!

Aimska- well at least there's some good things to the hair loss..lol..

isa702

Hello everyone! starting my first of 4 DD A/C treatments on the 31 and then 4 DD T treatments.  Good luck to everyone...

Madismommy719

Hi isa702...glad you found us!!! I start my TAC x6 on the 30th. This is a great group of women and aupport!!!!



Taylor...that's cool, we've got an extra bedroom and bathroom.... We can share our scarves and straighten each others wigs!!!! I have a fear of my wig flying off while out this winter.....I live in the windy city after all! A sleepover wig party might make it better? LOL

Grimbol

Ok, I did it tonight - shaved my head, so weird!! but it was falling out so badly the last couple of days, it needed to go!!  Now I just have to summon th courage to face other people!!  Even the dog was scared of me!

Grimbol

Doodlebug, you inspired me.  I have been shedding for days now and today was pretty bad, but my DH really didn't want me to shave it.  I read your message out to him and he said ok then lets do yours too!!  I figured I'd betteer agree quick before either of us chickened out.  So i am now bald too, instead of just patchy!!  My kids are all grown, just one at home now.  He's 21, he took it well, at least he wont have to deal with my hair in the shower now!!  The rest of them want photos, we'll see about that.  I have to adjust first!

2nd tx on Wednesday.

Hope those going for tx tomorrow do well.

Doodlebug12

Grimbol... I am touched - I have never inspired anyone in my whole life!!!! I feel like I am walking on a cloud with proudness... Thank you for telling me!!! I am going to smile my way through this new day



Xxxxxxx

Michaela

summergirl1

Michaela, THANKS so much for making me , I woke up today day 12 and was so depressed, afraid to even brush my hair for fear it will start, but after reading your comment I feel braver and that maybe I CAN DO THIS , my DH keeps telling me he thinks Im gonna  look like Sinead O Connor too when Im bald , I think she was every Irish guys idol at some point, so take it as a big compliment if he says you look like her , 

I am so glad you got through it smiling keep it up your wonderful !!!! 

other than the Hair thing I feel great no SE's and had a great weekend with my family and walked the beach everyday and feel full of energy. TG

Hope everyone is doing good and Good Luck to anyone who has TX this week,

Oh I want one of them t-shirts too , again will wait until the end when I get the exchange and wear it .  

dianamaps

Seems like we've got a rash of baldness going on!  Mine started shedding in earnest on Friday. I'm not sure about shaving completely, but I think I'll get hubby to use beard trimmer down to 1/4" or so.  My scalp feels really sensitive when I rub my fingers through my (remaining) hair. I"m glad I got it cut short  the week before last, otherwise the shedding would be just too awful around the house.

 I feel I'm doing much better during this 2nd AC round than the first. Definltey less nausea. I go back to the acupuncturist later this morning too. 

 May we all get through Monday with as few SE as we can.

Diana 

Anonymous

So I have a question for everyone buzzing they're head. What day did it start coming out and what treatment are you on. I'm day 7 TCH today and very nervous about the hair loss. Well I don't know of I'm nervous about the hairlessness or trying to find a wig?!

michelleo13

vtEllen, Arabian sheik...too funny. Your post made me laugh out loud! I can totally relate!

The whole scarf thing is actually kind of funny in a different way for us. My family and I went on a Disney cruise on spring break this year and we had no clue what to wear for Pirate night. Well, as my 8 year old daughter pointed out the other day, the next time we go on a cruise we'll have a TON of scarves to wear on Pirate night.

Doodlebug, so glad you're cool with your new look. I think we'll all get there in our own time!

Taylor777, the hair on my legs isn't growing any more. The good thing about all this is that I'm out of the shower in less than 5 minutes...no hair to wash, no legs to shave!  Hey, you've got to find positives wherever you can right?

Isa702, welcome to our group! This is an awesome bunch of ladies who provide lots of support and a few laughs as we get through this! Is your T Taxol or Taxotere?

Jendon2004, my hair started slowly shedding about day 12. Now it's coming out fast and furious. I haven't shaved as it's already very short.

Have a great Monday everyone. I'm going to my friend Cathy's funeral this afternoon. I'm sure that will be very sad so I'll be looking foward to reading your funny stories later this evening to pick me up!

dianamaps

Jendon2004: I noticed my hair starting to come out about 12-13 days after the first dose of AC chemo. I'm now 4 days past the 2nd dose, and I'm agressively shedding.  I can't see any totally bald places yet, but it's *really* thinned out.  Like I've lost at least 1/4 of it, but from all over my head. My scalp is *really* sensitive too, so I'm just wearing a soft knit cap to keep it all in place for now.

Robyn6463

Ugh. Hair is just depressing...and really messy at this point. I'm wearing my wig, wanted to venture out to the store for a coffee and newspaper, but I'm not sure I'm brave enough to have people see me. Very interested in the local storm damage, which is pretty devastating. Grateful that my neighborhood has been spared. Oldest DD is stuck at her house, no way out because of the floods. 

Didn't need to shave my legs today:-) Something happy! 

Port placement tomorrow, treatment number 2 on Friday. 

The sun is shining. Hoping it dries everybody out! 

Dogmom

Jendon, my hair started coming out on day 15 after also having TCH. I still have some but it is getting harder and harder to ignore. Think I am going to follow Doodlebug's example and shave it and get it over with. Thank you for the laugh about it all, Doodlebug!  I hope I'll be as brave!

Some of my dogs barked when I put on a ballcap....can't wait to see their reaction to baldy!

Dr appt and lab today and another round of TCH on Wednesday.

 Hope everyone's S/Es are minimal!

Chris

Robyn6463

Does anybody know when our hair will start to grow back? Will it come back during radiation?

zanoza

Taylor777 - regarding pain during infusion. I did have some minor pain during A pushing-in, but the nurse wrapped my arm in a worm blanket and it went away pretty quickly. Just keep in mind this might help.

Jbagley - my fatigue is overwhelming as well. It's the most terrible thing for me so far, not being able to move just sucks. And I really have to work but don't see how so far... Even hair loss is not bugging me as much as tiredness. 

Regarding nails problems - I was told it's a possible side effect of Taxol (Taxotere is even more), AC shouldn't have his problem.

Vivie

Hello..I wasn't able to post b/c of family visitors...and they are leaving tomorrow!

I'm glad that everyone that was safe from Hurricane Irene. And welcome to the new members! Michaele....you're very brave!!!!

 So far , I'm back to normal , but I'm day 14 post AC and the hair has started..I'll try to shave them tonight.or , at least , buzz.My head's pretty sore too.Too bad , I wanted to be with hair at my nephew's birthday that are on Wednesday , but I can't stand the hair all over me.On my laptop , on my couch , on the armchair , on my clothes , in my bosom , you get the idea! I never could stand the sight of hair shedding and that's why I always had them cut in a pixie cut. Plus...the sooner I take action , the lesser I'll have to stress!!

Hugs to everyone..I'l lstart to post more often now that summer is over!!

Justina

Had second AC on Thursday - spent all weekend in bed - didn't care if Hurricane Irene blew the house away (it didn't).  My hair is coming out in clumps but I don't have the nerve to shave it yet.  To  those of you who have had it buzzed - do you put your wig on then?  Or a scarf?  I'm not sure if I can go to work with a new look just yet. 

Someone told me to put tea tree oil on your nails to keep them healthy during chemo.  Not sure if it works, but it sounds like it's worth a try.  I got a small bottle in a health food store.  My friend said she has been rubbing that on her horse's hooves for years.

 Hugs to all.

Kasi

Hi everyone and welcome to all the new members of our awesome group!!

Nails...well, I am still getting my manicures and pedicures. I was never told that I HAD to stop going (due to the risk of infection), but I did have my pink and white gels taken off prior to chemo. So now I am doing pedicures and shellac manicures (the manicures last 2 weeks) when my WBC count has rebounded. This was just something I refused to give up. I am hoping not to lose my nails with the Taxol but we'll see. 

vtellen

2nd round of T/C went off w/out a hitch. It was interesting to see the woman in the chair next to me was having a reaction to the T. Flushing face, heavy breathing. They just gave her a 5 min rest (it was her 2nd treatment as well-she reacted more on the first dose) And then they were able to slowly carry on!  The ativan before helped , although my blood pressure was again super high. Here's hoping for minimul SEs! Good luck tomorrow for you starters!

summergirl1

Madismommy: Good Luck tommorrow and dont worry too much , you will feel so much better when its over with , the anticipation for me was the worst part, and although I had about 2 -3 off days I think it was a lot easier than I expected , I didnt have any sickness ,metalic taste in my mouth or many of the other side effects . but its still great to have all the items on hand just in case.and it sounds like you are very prepared .

VTellen , glad you did well on 2nd TX, and that must have been scary seeing someone have a reaction I was so afraid I would have one on my 1st TX but didnt TG. hope you dont have any SE's and get plenty of rest. 

Robyn6463

vtEllen - I had that same taxotere reaction the first time. I was just chatting away with my friend, feeling pretty good, then I got all flushed and confused, and felt weird...the feeling started at the IV site, then rushed up my arm, chest, and face. I guess I stopped talking and got all funny because before I even knew what was going on my friend called the nurse in and she stopped it for about a half hour. Of course, then I needed a new IV, etc., but I didn't have any other problems from it, just some flushing in my face for a couple of days afterwards. It went away, and I had almost forgotten about it until you mentioned it. Now I'm afraid it'll happen again, but it wasn't that big a deal all in all.

Taylor777

Hi everyone!!! I hope everyone's doing well.

I start my first treatment tomorrow and I'm getting really scared!! Thanks for all your tips and for letting me know its not going to hurt when it goes in. You girls who are shaving your head how brave!! I know thats the best way to go .

I dont mean to sound ungrateful but my cousin bought me the breast cancer pandora charm for my bracelet and i dont want to put it on my bracelet!! My bracelet's charms are all happy memories and this charm isnt a happy one to me..Its a beautiful charm and some of the money goes to research but I dont want it. I'm reminded enough when I look at my body..

Madismommy719

Taylor....I received a Brighton BC bracelet not too long ago and I put it away in my dresser.....and hope one day I'll take it out and wear it as a reminder of how strong I am...once my treatment journey is over and it's a part of my past.....tuck it away and maybe a year or two from now you'll want it. Don't feel ungrateful at all....it's not ungratefulness at all.... I totally get it. Best of luck tomorrow....I'll be thinking of you as I'm sitting there!!!!



VtEllen.... Yay for #2 being done!!!! One step closer to being done! I was warned about taxotere and that they will go super slow tomorrow incase that happens to me....ugh, I hope not!!!!



Thanks for the well wishes ladies....I'm working on packing my chemo bag....and already took my decadron....it's making me kinda dizzy I think??? It's going to be a long night I think....I can pretty much guarantee I'll barely sleep.

aimska

Jendon, I am on TCH and I started to lose my hair about the 12th day after my 1st infusion.. really heavily around the 14th day ..

vtellen

Hey, I'm having a wierd new SE. Has anyone else had a tingling, pins and needles feeling on their face? It is on both of my cheeks, feels like little worms squirming around, please post if you've had this.

Actually, it wasn't scary watching Jenelle, today. She seemed fine, not scared and after they stopped and then started reeeeaaallly slowly, she was OK. Also, i was already well into my taxotere, so I knew that I was out of the woods!

sara1970

Madismommy and Taylor - Best of luck tomorrow - in 24 hours, you'll have one treatment behind you. It's a good feeling - I had a lot more anxiety and sadness leading up to chemo than I do now. You have my warmest wishes in finding comfort and strength - you are not alone!

vtEllen - sorry to hear about that new SE! I have heard people talk about a similar feeling on their scalp. Hope someone will chime in soon.

Robyn - Your onc knows about what happened during tx, right? I would make sure that your chemo nurse stay with you the entire time for your next one. Best to be safe. 

I too, am tired of the pink ribbons and the BC bracelets and all that. I know people mean well, but all that makes me self-conscious - and if there's some time in the day where I can forget about my breast cancer, I really don't need any reminders, ya know?

Chrys23

I'll be back in the chair on Wednesday for my 2nd T/C infusion. I hope it's not as bad as the first one in terms of the side-effects I experienced day 4-7 *shudder*

My hair is almost done; all bald on the sides and in the back. Still have some tufts on top. I don't want to shave it down at all; I want it to just fall out naturally.