Taxotere/Cytoxan starting July 2011

Anonymous

Oh. . . lots of hair came out on the brush this morning.  I twisted it and clipped it - but it does seem quite a bit thinner.  I am just wearing bigger and bigger earrings!

I will have some time off and plan to visit friends in Annapolis and then host them at my home the next weekend.  Also planning to attend a class at the Bead Fest in suburban Philly.  This is one of my fun things - making jewelry - and I am looking forward to learning some new technique.

My new colleagues are totally on board with the BC and I know I will be able to arrange my work and treatment schedule to make everything work.. I will only have one more cycle after I have started, and then 6 weeks of rads.  It will not be so difficult, because I will be prepared and calm and will do my best to have a positive attitude.  I think the best thing is that I will have some time to get used to be being bald and finding my personal style for dealing with it, before I start this new job.

FrancesC

Sounds so much fun on the jewelry making. All the best for your new job!

rossileo18

Frances, that is outrageous that your insurance won't pay because this is your second time. But what a great company you have that it will take care of your medical expenses. Whenever I feel sorry for myself I remind myself that I'm lucky to be employed with a manager who is understanding and at a place that has good health insurance. Enjoy your extra time with your kids.

FrancesC

Thanks Rossileo! I will be forever grateful to this company who is so pro- people. We are all blessed in so many ways and we need to remember to count our blessings. Kids are putting in more time with school work now that I am home hahaha! Previously when my mum was looking after them, they get spoilt and anything goes. Glad to have this extra time to watch over them.

Have a great SE free weekend all and let go and enjoy yourselves.

StayHuman

PhiillyBird, The Bead Fest sounds like a really nice way to spend a weekend.  Hope you find some really great beads. 

Thursday night I I finally spent some time looking at my hair that had been under a hair net (under the wig) most of the week.  I knew a lot was falling out but it looked like I still had so much.  What I discovered was a giant dreadlock on back of my head.  It would have never combed out and most of the hair was not attached to my head anyways.  I got the wine and my husband got the scissors.  It was as bad as I imagined it would be.  Wearing the wig all week and then some today, it is so hot.  And itchy.  I found a lightweight funky beanie cap and nice silk head wrap at Target today.  So far my boys are not saying anything about the wig or the scarfs.  They just bee bop around doing their thing.  That is what I want.. for them not to notice.  To be kids...  with no worries.  That is how it should be if (I can help it).  I have been sleeping on my side again for the first time since surgery which has been like a dream come true, but now my breasts are tender.  Probably this is not good for the tissue expanders.  Because of getting chemo, I cannot have the implant surgery until about 2 months after chemo ends.  I wonder what I will look like with short hair?  I hope it does grown back!  Does it sometimes not????  I hope each of you are feeling as good as possibly can be.  I love reading how everyone is doing.  Treatment #2 for me on Tuesday. My husband can't go because our 8 yr old started football so my hubby had to switch his schedule all around for practices.  My friend is coming with me.  That is so sweet of her.  Trying to get as much ready this weekend as I can for the week - outfits, meals, paying bills, cleaning, etc.  Not sure what to expect.  Love and Light.

Anonymous

Went out to dinner last night with my husband and a friend of ours.  Great meal; lots of calories - exactly what I need.  I think I have been getting thinner, even though I feel strong and healthy.

StayHuman - sorry about your hair.  You are brave to take out those scissors.  My wig is still sitting on a stand, waiting. . . I think I am going to chicken out and cancel the head shaving - Monday is too soon.  However, my hair has been shedding more and more each day since Monday the 1st.  The really big balls of hair started brushing out on Thursday.  I made a big pile of it and it looks like an animal of some sort.  I try to only brush it - gently - once a day.  Yesterday, I wore my brown cotton cap with a narrow, wire-twistable scarf (chiffon twist scarf from American Apparel - http://store.americanapparel.net/rsa0506.html?cid=50) as a decoration over it.  These twist scarves can be worn in a variety of ways to add color to a cap or as a headband over a wig, etc.   At dinner, I wore a long scarf over the balding part on top, and tied it at the base of my neck.  This I paired with a different twist scarf - it looked sort of 60s-ish.  Thanks for the tip on the beanie caps at Target.  Gotta go check that out.  My understanding is that it is very rare that the hair does not grow back.  Everyone says to me "you'll look great in short hair" - I hate hearing that, since I spent 5 years getting it long again (it was very short back in 2002).  I think I am just going to look old and like a boy.   Well, I will keep wearing long scarves as headbands so I look like a girl.

I too need to prepare for Tuesday - chemo # 2.  My oncologist's nurse said that each subsequent cycle will be easier than the first.  I have to believe that will be true, so I won't worry.  And you shouldn't worry either.  I am planning a lunch menu for my chemo, which will be in the middle of the day - a bunch of salads to eat cold, fruits and nuts, and lots of sparkling water to keep hydrated.

Thanks guys for letting me ramble. . . .

Stay cool and calm, and enjoy the rest of the weekend everyone!

Merilee

Hi Ladies

Just stepping in to say hi from the April TC group. I am about 6 weeks past chemo and have sprouted about 1/4 fuzz on my head. Fatigue is greatly reduced and I have not taken anything for pain in a while now. Hang in there ladies, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Hugs

Merilee

Anonymous

Hi Merilee - what do you wear over your fuzz (if anything) to feel like you?

Merilee

Still wearing a bandana when I go out of the house.

rossileo18

Stayhuman, it IS very bold of you to shave it off. If I wear a hat, there's still enough hair peeping out that I look fairly normal. Still I was out with some friends yesterday and finally gave up with the hat, even though everybody said it was cute. It was just so hot. I can't even imagine what wearing a wig would be like. At first I was rather self conscious (I think i'm at the 50% mark), but I got over it. After all, I wasn't the one who had to look at me.



Treatment #2 for me is next wednesday. Hard to believe it hasn't even been three weeks yet. Doesn't it seem like FOREVER already?

Snoopy73

Hi ladies, sorry for MIA:-) last week was tough for me (had my 2nd TC on 7/28) so sunday nite i had a high fever 100.9 called the Doc on call and he sadi i should take tylenol and stay put if fever wotn come down then go to the ER; monday didnt go work, slep most of them morning then anoon felt soo much better. Worked full day tuesday & weds, thurs i worked half day then had to go and get my Zoldex shot uurrgghhhh soo painful!! in the anoon, then went to a Yoga class. My social worked gave me alist of wellness activities that i can go to free of charge while on chemo:-) So will be doing yoga every thurs anoon...there is free massage, reiki etc etc... Friday woke up feeling soo tried, body aches headache, worked from home half a day and slep the rest. Weekend was so much better, took my kids to a game park, they had a blast, sunday was a resting day, and here i am on monday feeling more like myself:-)

Wishing well to all who are having their treatment today and this week. Sending positive vibes to all.

FrancesC

Stay human and Phillybird all the best for the chair on tuesday. Pray it will go on well with minimal side effects.

It is very unlikely for hair not to regrow. It's just a matter of time, some get them faster some slower. I have been advised massaging your scalp with rosemary essential oil and carrier jojoba oil will enourage growth. Also pounded ginger in extra virgin coconut oil or olive oil works too.

Anonymous

Frances - thanks for the well wishes!  Even if the tonics you advise for hairgrowth don't work, we should at least smell nice.

I am getting all prepared for tomorrow.  I took 8 mg of dexamethasone with my oatmeal breakfast - also had a wasa cracker with peanut butter and raisins and yogurt on top!  Vacuumed my hair.  Did some meditation.  Have to make salads for tomorrow, and I am going to dinner tonite (will take the second 8 mg of dex then).  Oh yeah - gotta go to the gym and renew some library books, too. Winding down the old job, gearing up for the new one.

I took Merilee's lead and wore a bandana to the gym yesterday - still working on stretching my SNLB scar to get it to soften out more - BS told me I need to keep stretching it.

Snoopy - I am glad you are feeling better.  It is great that you are doing yoga and wellness activities.  Hanging out with your kids must give you great joy.

Rossileo - I wore my wig this morning (briefly) so I could skype with my in-laws - I am trying to fool my mother-in-law (she has terminal ovarian cancer - although she is doing better lately).  My hair is a bit too thin on top to go without a scarf or something, and I don't want to explain to her why I am wearing a bandana.  I agree that it is too hot for wigs now - maybe in November!  Good wishes for Wednesday.

I canceled my tentative shaving event for today.  Maybe I will do it Friday.  Maybe not.

StayHuman - I'll be thinking of you while I get my infusions tomorrow.  We'll be like twins in separated chairs.  Didn't find any beanies at Target.  I ordered 4 more slumbercaps (I plan to wear them during the day too - with scarfs and brooches).  Here is the website in case anyone wants to get one - http://www.slumbercap.com/index.html

Wishing everyone a fabulous week!!!

rossileo18

The slumber caps website is worth checking out just for the list of 'benefits of temporary hair loss'. I got a good laugh out of it and it pretty much sums up the way I'm trying to handle this. I've had shoulder length hair for the past 45 years. Maybe I'll look great with short hair. Maybe my grey will be less obvious. And soon I won't have to sweep up all that hair on the floor.



Hoping #2 goes smoothly for both of you phillybird and stay human. I'm just a day behind. Start my dexamethasone tomorrow.



Snoopy, so sorry you had such a hard time with #2. Hoping you can enjoy the next week and a half until #3.

FrancesC

Hi Snoopy missed your post, must have crossed. Sorry to hear about the SEs and glad you are coming up. Do rest well, listen to your body and don't stretch yourself.

Thinking of you ladies in the chair today. I had mine yesterday and was totally drained- I was there at 10.30am and left only at 6 pm. The onco nurse had problem accessing my port which was too embedded. The first time she accessed and flushed with saline, thank God I complained that pressure was building up. She checked and found the saline had leaked to the the surrounding area. What a scare, imagine if it had been chemo drugs! I was stressed also because I was worried that my port is faulty and I have to do it all over again, missing this round of chemo and experiencing more pain! She got another nurse to re- access and together they took more than an hour to finally get it in right.

I am going for my morning walk now.

rossileo18

Frances, sorry to hear that you had a bad experience with your chemo on Monday. It sounds really horrible. Seems like you're dealing with the SE pretty well if you're able go for a walk. So hoping for more of the same for the next few weeks.

Anonymous

Oh Frances - so sorry to hear of your problems with the port.  I am glad to hear that you are putting it behind you and went for your morning walk.  You are an inspiration to me - you have been through it before, and your have your kids to care for, and you are being as positive as is possible.  I loved the botanical gardens.  I hope you get there now and then.

Gotta get going with my last minute preparations for the chair.

FrancesC

Thanks Rossileo and Phillybird. My focus is getting this past me. I have done it before (almost died) and I know I will again. This time I am more careful than last having learnt my lesson on going out when undergoing treatments. I stay home all the time except for my hospital visits and morning walks. i am happy gardening, catching upon home management like filing, thinking uo new recipes to excite my fuzzy mouth etc. We can all do this! Perserve and all will be over soon. Pray you guys have a good day in the chair today and minimal SEs!

Snoopy73

Oohh Frances, you poor thing:-( I am so sorry for the issues you had on monday. I can imagine how stressed and scared you were, I am glad you said something and the nurses sorted it out. Hope you are feeling better today. Take care, hugs from me:-)

All the best to all ladies that are on the chair today. Sending well wishes and positive vibes, hoping you have minimal SEs.

Sophie.

FrancesC

Sophie looking back I can laugh now. I was feaking out the nurses with my pale white face and digging into my hubby's hand as he held me - was transferring my pain. LOL. So mean of me!

Snoopy73

Frances - haahhaa i am gald you said something:-) Hope you are feeling much better today. This week is my "normal" week and next week back to the chair on thursday uuurggghhhh....Anyway, this too shall pass. I cannot wait!!:-)

Take care.

FrancesC

Yes I did, a quiet day. It's a public holiday today and my good friend offered to look after my gals today so that I can rest. The gals have been at her place since morning and are on the way home. I

Anonymous

StayHuman - hope you are well and THE CHAIR was not too tough on you today.  I am fine.  A bit hyper from the steroids.  I am doing stuff this evening so I will sleep well tonight.  Don't forget to drink a lot of water!

Frances - hope your walk made you feel good.

Okay - I have stuff to do. . . .

Bye.

FrancesC

Phillybird glad to hear that you are doing fine. I am off for my morning walk now.... No or minimal SEs to all!

rossileo18

Just checking in. Yesterday was #2 and all went smoothly. No dire side effects yet, but last time i was feeling pretty good too until after the neulasta shot which I don't get until this afternoon. Btw I got the insurance claim for it and was shocked that it was $18,000!!!! This is ridiculous but it's covered by insurance, thank goodness. The nurse said it was better than risking my ending up in the ER. And it did work ...blood counts were better than my normal ones.



Om other fronts, just as I was walking to the hospital I got a call from my brother saying my 88 year old mother had fallen out of bed and she was very weak. She ended up in ER and is now in ICU. Very upsetting not being able to be there for her.

Snoopy73

rossileo18 - Wishing you well and hoping you ahve minimal SEs. I am sorry about your mother, I can imagine how upset and helpless you must feel, hope she gets well soon and out of the hospital. Hugs to you.

rossileo18

Thanks snoopy. How nice it would be if everything in the rest of our lives would go smoothly while we're dealing with our BC, but somehow problems with kids, pets, aging parents etc still go on. How lucky we are to have friends and relatives to pitch in to help. Enjoy your "Normal" week.

FrancesC

Rossileo18 sorry to hear about your mum. I fully agree with you on just dealing with BC. My 76 years old dad has been in the hospital for last2 weeks and doctors are still investigating what is wrong with him. He has been feeling bloated, constipated and not able to eat and his platelets keep falling despite platelets infusion. All my siblings are rallying around him, only me, I can't visit him at all and all I get are text messages on his updates. Doctors found two lesions in his liver but are unable to do biopsy due to his current weak state. Dad has always been the strong one at home, independent and tough but ....

It's day 4 (not counting actual day of chemo) for me. I think I am getting better. Last two days were the pits, weak, nausea, giddiness ....everything.

rossileo18

Frances, so sorry to hear about your father. It is so frustrating when doctors can't figure out what is wrong. it's heartbreaking to see someone who was so strong stricken down. At least you can rest assured that your siblings are giving him the support he needs.



My moms is way across on other side of the country and my sister is in Mongolia, so it's up to my brother to take care of everything. Hopefully the doctors will figure out what's wrong soon. Only a month ago she seemed fine.



Glad to hear that your SEs seem to be subsiding. I'm feeling pretty good but I'm waiting for the fever from the neulasta to kick in soon.

jrh1953

Just stopped in. I finished my last tx last week. One thing that really helped me, with icing my mouth during the taxotre infusion. I had read aout keeping ice in mouth but did not do it during the first 2 txs.  My tongue and mouth felt scalded and food had NO taste.  The last 2, I iced.  My tongue felt a little different but my taste buds were (for the most part) unaffected.  Maybe this will help someone.  I know this is not a fun time, but you can get through it.  I am not 9 days out and still feeling a little tired and achy,but I am finished, done. And soon all of you will be too.