January 2012 chemo

Janetanned

Erica - Thanks for sharing you 'wig story'!  I can just see it!!!!!  I hadn't thought of the potential Halloween costumes.  This could be good.  I'm so sorry you were not feeling well.  There is nothing quite like a bad cough.  I have a coworker who has been coughing and hacking away in his office right next door to me.  It sounds more like a bark.  I just read about how whooping cough is making a comeback in our state.  Great, just what we need right now! 

How is your little one doing?  Hopefully over the fever and cough!

Nancy - We do have to find that silver lining!  You are so right.  I'm heading to tx #3 on Friday.  I've read that this is the worse one.  It is all down hill from there (in a good way).  I hope so. 

 Annie - Have fun wig shopping.  Lesson learned - make sure you try on the wig you take home.  Buy some scarves and hats too.  Variety makes it interesting.

Tina - I know what you mean about feeling 'off'.  It is hard to described but it is there!  I find myself getting into arguments (in my head) with other drivers.  I've been a cranky person a few days after tx.  Day 9 through 14 feel much better for me.  I'm almost normal again. Although, who knows what 'normal' is anymore?  I've forgotten!

momof3boys

Ecpelkey-I'm sorry you're having so many issues, maybe the Neulasta will help with those. If you're going to ask your MO about it, do it quickly. I didn't know anything about it, not even that my MO was going to prescribe it for me. About two days before my first infusion, I got home and opened a letter from my insurance company. It was a weird letter, kind of like a "congratulations letter" (didn't actually use the word congratulations) but said something o the effect that they're pleased to inform me that my Neulasta Shots were approved ad part of a complimentary chemotherapy treatment. I was perplexed, since at that time I didn't even know what it was. My MO explained that it's very expensive ($3500 per shot) and not every insurance company will approve. So, just in case it needs to be submitted, ask now.

Kitchenella

ecpelky you can probably remove the combs from the wig youself and then it will be more comfortable.  I am an Orthodox married Jewish woman an I have been covering my hair in public for 30 years.  Wigs are hard to get used to even when your wearing them over your real hair.  I hated my first 3 or 4.  I only wore them for dress up and when going out with husbands clients.  I prefer cotton berets or colorful scarves. 

Peggy 

mom22grls

Hello All,

I'm starting my chemo today! Nervous, but ready to get started already! 4 doses of A/C every other week, followed by 4 doses of T every other week.

Allison

WaveWhisperer

Diane, I have a feeling your sinus problems are a SE. I'd never had a bloody nose in my life, until chemo. Now the sinus pressure and pain, running nose and bloody discharge happen after every infusion.

Loved the "horrible wig" stories. I bought one inexpensive one online and when I put it on, I laughed out loud. It was long, curly, blonde and layered. I looked like a stripper or pole dancer! I bought several more from a local shop and the cosmetologist offered to trim it. It looks a lot better now, with bangs, the pieces around my face trimmed and overall length shortened.

One day I was in the grocery store, bending over the bakery products, when the bakery employee said, "Oh, your hair is so shiny and beautiful." I told her I had breast cancer, and she started crying. We exchanged names, and now I have a new friend.

And Saturday, I was in another store, when the woman waiting on me said, "Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?" I was sure she had spotted my wig and was going to ask about cancer. But no, what she said was, "Your hair is about the same length as mine. Can you tell me where you get it cut?"

I lifted it up, and told her I was going through chemo. She was very sweet. So there are some uplifting wig stories out there. Just keep trying until you find one that works for you. (I still hate wearing it. It's hot and itchy, and it's the middle of winter. I don't know what I'll do this summer.) 

Alison, good luck on your first treatment today. Whatever SE you experience, you'll find someone on this thread or another one who has had the very same SE and can help you through them. 

Have a good week, everyone! 

JoyceNYC

Welcome, mom22grls.  Sorry you find yourself here with us, but you'll find lots of support and lots of imformation and good shoulders to lean on.

I'm off for my neulasta shot after tx #2 last Friday - no real SE over the weekend except tiredness, so keeping my fingers crossed this time.  I started the claritin yesterday in hope of avoiding the bone pain from last cycle.

Lumpynme

Allison -here's a hug!

BelaT

I am joining this group. Had one TC had horrible colitis and now I am being changed to AC. I went to sloan kettering for 2nd opinion but they recommend CMF so I dont know now. 

Kitchenella

Well I finally experienced my first day of chemo lethargy.  Not bad for day 30 (although since I skipped a week maybe it is really day 23.  I was up early but crashed around 11.  Felt dizzy.  I rested for about an hour and then got up.  Went back to bed at 2 and slept for 3 hours.  Good news is I'm not having any other bad effects other than a slight neulesta backache.

Peggy 

waitress169

Hi Girls I have been reading this thread for awhile. Had first tx on 1/19. I will be getting AC every other week for 4 tx. Then taxol and herceptin  every week for12 tx then herceptin once  every three weeks for fourty weeks. I got my wig and figure I will not be late for work because of blowdrying my hair anymore.

Kitchenella

Welcome Waitress169  Sounds like you are on the same track as I.  Good luck.

Peggy 

waitress169

Thank You for the welcome Kitchenella   I am going  Thursday for #2 AC and the way I am looking at it is I will be half done with what is supposed to be the worst.

CharB22

waitress169 - welcome. I feel the same way!! I just finished #2 of AC last Thursday. Wishing you a S/E free week!

Denise-G

I am on that same track.  Got first A/C Dec 27th.  Going tomorrow for #3 of A/C.

Will be thankful to get 3/4 of A/C done.  Then I do 12 x Taxol and herceptin.  It all is overwhelming.  So thankful to see your posts and know that I am not alone.

Thank you!

CatWhispurrer

NancyHB - Thanks for the encouraging words that maybe I will get to have some "normal" days before the next chemo.   I am trying to rest more like you said and think that helps.   I just feel so lazy, like Annie said.   I went to a behaviorist/counsellor and she gave me a prescription for an antidepressent.  I was telling her how strange and distant I feel - not at all like myself.   I have never had to take so many drugs but if it will help me get through this with some sort of sanity, I'm going to try it.  Anyone else try antidepressants?   I showed her the bag of other drugs I'm on for nausea, pain, anxiety, etc., and she said it will not affect the other drugs.

 epcelkey - HI!  small world, isn't it?  Horrible about the wig.  

I have my own hair that I had made into a headpiece that I can wear under hats/wigs, I am getting a medium length wig from the cancer foundation but didn't like it.  Finally, I sent some of my own hair to headcovers.com and picked out a nice long wig that looks most like my hair.   I plan to take all of these to a beautician who will be able to trim and shape them.  I have lots of scarves and hats too when I don't want to wear a wig.  I don't know what I'll do for work yet as a vet tech.  I bought some cute cat/kitten "surgery" caps that you put all your hair up in them but then I think I will stick out.  I might modify them to be able to wear a scarf over my hairpiece - kind of pulled back.     

Epcelkey - I hope your chills and fever are gone and you are back up and around.   

Annie - I use some psyllium husk mixed in my sports drink if I feel constipated.  So far, have avoided any real backups.

Lumpynme

meds question? so many say that they take xanax or ativan ...and pain meds--are these prescribed by MO or PCP?? i don't have PCP yet and am going back to MO tomorrow- no clue what tomorrow's appt is for-tx or talk.....

CatWhispurrer

Lumpy - my MO and BS both gave me scripts for nausea, pain med's and ativan for surgery, then for chemo, so ask your MO tomorrow.  I take an ativan one a night to help with sleep and one the day of chemo to help with nerves.  I take the other med's as needed.  Might as well get the med's in advance of needing them.

Deb267

Erica what hair color and length wig r u looking for I have one I can't use would love for you to try if u like

CatWhispurrer

Neuropathy anyone?   Yesterday, I started noticing that my feet are tingling and feeling kind of numb.   I've only had one DD A/C treatment one week ago.   I'm so scared of having long-term damage as I know my sister has left over damage from her chemo five years ago.   I never expected to get this side effect after only one treatment!   Yikes.   Any advise?

hotlyn

Morning everyone,

 As usual I feel crap, the chemo se's are really knocking me about pretty much every day. I'm taking everything /doing everything as recommened on these threads, but my body is really digging in and saying, nope, not enough, what more can I do to make her life miserable!!

 Rang my GP yesterday and got new ointment for my mouth , its acually for ear infections but to be used carfully 3 times a day on cracks at sides of mouth. I haver tried every thing else but nothing has worked. Tried ativan for sleeping last nite, i think that was a bit better, just up at 12md and then slep till 5.30am and dozed from there . With the temaze I'm awake every 2 hours. Am off the steriods, so no high from that, just feel absolutly crap I so wish I was one of you who copes so so and gets on with things but thats not happening here. My poor husband never knows what sort of woman he is coming home to.. If I could talk i'd tell him at least he wont't die from boredom!. This mrorning I send txt to all family that I felt crap and for them not to ring (hurts to talk) or come around, but to txt so while I feel terrible telling them that ( I have been keeping up the big happy front till now! )I figure this is easist  for everyone today.

Anyway its 11am and I'm off to bed again, sorry for being such a misery guts, its just I feel like one!!!

;ove Lynne

Janetanned

Lynne - So sorry you feel so bad!!!!  My MO said some really have a hard time with SEs, while others don't. Are you on any antiviral drugs?  They come with their own set of SEs.  Maybe that's making things worse?  Also how is your knee?  It just sounds like you are really having a tough go at it!  I think I would just crawl into bed for the next couple of weeks if I were you.  Gentle hugs on your way!

(((((((Lynne)))))))

Janetanned

Catwhispurrer - I'm so glad you went to see someone!  I was considering making an appointment to see a counselor but got too busy when I went back to work.  I wish I had followed through with it while I was out on sick leave.  You should take advantage of the antidepressants.  I'm sure they are a low dose and designed to help you through these next few months.

 I sure hope you are not experiencing neuropathy now.  I thought that it was more a SE of taxol, not AC. 

 I think the surgical caps sound like a good idea for work.  Have you spoken to your supervisor able it?  Do you deal with the public much?  If not, maybe you could go without wearing a wig to work.  I wish I could just go bald!  My co-worker (male) came into work today with a cleanly shaved head.  He is mostly bald and just shaves off the hair he has.  We exchanged some scalp care ideas.  It was weird!  I wish I could I could feel ok walking around 'naked'.  I would scare my students, so I won't.

rachelvk

Lynne - {{hugs}}. I hope things start turning around for you soon. No need to apologize. Given what we're all up against, don't worry about not coping well. I'm sure you're handling it as you need to - and hopefully your family can understand and try to help you. We'll all get there.

Diane - you'll find that in general, your reaction to treatments will probably follow a similar pattern, but the SEs do ramp up. You'll pick up on things each time that you can use to help the next time.

Nancy - great advice and encouragement!

Jane and Erica - Sorry to hear the wigs have been so aggravating. I hope you can find something that suits you. I'm going to try on a new one tomorrow that bowled me over when I put it on. Hoping I'm not disappointed. A few times today my wig was so disheveled - I work at a community college, and I could just imagine the kids staring. Though it is overdue for a wash, I'll admit that. Time to pull out the Woolite.

Mom22grls, waitress and gardenter - Welcome to our group. Glad you've found the posts helpful. We'll all get through this together.

Catwhispurrer - I'm sorry to hear about the neuropathy. I had some tingling day 7 and 8 of my second tx, just briefly a few times in my left palm, and then it disappeared, but I'm expecting it to get worse this time. Definitely tell your MO and see if they can adjust anything. I was put on Taxotere instead of Taxol because of my concerns about neuropathy - not that Taxotere is a walk in the park. I'm not sure whether icing helps, but you might want to look into that during your next tx.

I'm recovering from #3. This one was definitely harder. I didn't throw up, but I had to throw all the anti-nausea meds at it constantly, and I felt like I was hit by a Mack truck. Except for a short walk, I stayed home all day Sat, and this morning stayed home today until almost noon. I did make it into work today, but had to take it easy. I'm just sluggish and achey. I rallied a bit yesterday and went to a press conference for work followed by a concert (NJ Tpke on chemo - not something I'd recommend!!!), but by the evening when my BF got home, I was like a slug. Looking for a good night's sleep tonight, and then hopefully things will start turning around. 

NCbeachgal

I hate being bald. Makes me sad.

Janetanned

Me too.........

Kelloggs

me three...

NancyHB

I keep hearing tales of #3 AC being the "worst" - is that worst so far, or worst out of all four?  Does anyone know why?  Just planning ahead...

rachelvk

I wish mine was 3 out of 4... I'm in the long haul for six (though I guess it's better than the 4 + 4 some of you have to deal with)

NancyHB

Rachel:  I give you mad props for doing 6xAC - you're a rock star! I wish I was doing 4 x 4.  I was supposed to do 4xAC and 12xTaxol, but was randomized into 6xTaxol, so it's twice the dose, just every other week.  *sigh*  I'm nervous about the potential allergic reaction to Taxol.

rachelvk

Nancy - It's so interesting how we all have demons to wrestle with no matter what cocktail. I'm coming to think they're all equally evil. I was going to do ACx4/Tx4, but because of the neuropathy risk she switched me to TAC. But... then I see all the horror stories about Taxotere (including, you guessed it, neuropathy)...! I'm just glad some MOs out there try to adjust as possible to our individual reactions. I wish you an easy path through your Taxol phase.