Starting chemo Thursday, May 31 - June Group?

KeepMoving

Mclark55  thanks for the tips.  Good blog.

pamelahope

Keepmoving,

Glad you are feeling better. The best thing I did was sleep right through the bad side effects. I felt the fatigue but it was much more tolerable.

I have not lost my eyebrows yet. I think and hope those are the last to go. I have never used an eyebrow pencil and not even sure where to start. I have no energy to go to a class. One tip though, you can get bangs with your wig and that will camoflage. I am not a bang person but about to become one!

Melrose, I will be doing taxol later. If I don't ice what happens? Is it to prevent neuropathy or loss of fingernails or black fingernails, very alarming!!! Do they eventually grow back okay? I am assuming fingernails grow back but I don't want gross, black fingernails. Thinking I better ice the more I think about it... What does nail polish do?

Your advice was a good reminder. I am overwhelmed.

Pam

pamelahope

Stephanie, I found your post very comforting. I am glad you are getting a port and are happy about it. Your attitude is positive and nice to have a mom on board. I am 45 but feel like 75. Don't feel bad about the side effects hitting you bad. You are not alone. I have spent the last four days in bed. Today was the first day I could watch TV. Tonight, I was able to interact with my children again. It is hard.

Mom24boys and Marcia, saying hello.

Ellebee, see you sion.

Having faith and steelrluv, hello too.

Pam

Melrosemelrose

Pamelahope - Please don't panic since there is plenty of time to prepare for that part of your chemo.  One step at a time, my friend.  My onco suggested that I ice as well as use clear nail polish on my nails since I'm on Taxotere.  The clear nail polish is to help keep the nails strong.  I keep my nails fairly short and don't use them to open things like I used to.  As for the icing, I'm not sure whether or not you have to ice if you are having Taxol.  It is supposed to help prevent neuropathy.  You can ask your onco or ask the infusion nurses.  With respect to the nails, if one doesn't ice, there can be a dark line on the nail at the nail beds and maybe lifitng of the nails or even the loss of the nail.  Now, if you lose a nail, it supposed to grow back.  Again, check with your onco or infusion nurses to see if you need to ice or if you are allowed to ice.

The following information is from the chemocare.com website (founded by Scott Hamilton- ice skater) about some of the side effects of Taxol.

The following Taxol side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking Taxol:

• Low blood counts.  Your white and red blood cells and platelets may temporarily decrease.  This can put you at increased risk for infection, anemia and/or bleeding.
• Hair loss
• Arthralgias and myalgias, pain in the joints and muscles. Usually temporary occurring 2 to 3 days after Taxol, and resolve within a few days.  
• Peripheral neuropathy (numbness and tingling of the hands and feet)
• Nausea and vomiting (usually mild)
• Diarrhea
• Mouth sores
• Hypersensitivity reaction - fever, facial flushing, chills, shortness of breath, or hives after Taxol is given.  The majority of these reactions occur within the first 10 minutes of an infusion.  Notify your healthcare provider immediately (premedication regimen has significantly decreased the incidence of this reaction). 

The following are less common side effects (occurring in 10-29%) for patients receiving Taxol:

• Swelling of the feet or ankles (edema).
• Increases in blood tests measuring liver function.  These return to normal once treatment is discontinued. (see liver problems).
• Low blood pressure (occurring during the first 3 hours of infusion).
• Darkening of the skin where previous radiation treatment has been given (radiation recall - see skin reactions).
• Nail changes (discoloration of nail beds - rare) (see skin reactions).

Nadir:  15-21 days

This list includes common and less common side effects for individuals taking Taxol.  Side effects that are very rare, occurring in less than 10% of patients, are not listed here.  However, you should always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.

steelersluver

Pam-Glad to see you are feeling better.  I'm glad I'll have the weekend to rest up since Thursdays will be my chemo days.  I'm hoping I'm able to get out and do a few things with my kids, especially since it's summer.  With 3 weeks between this portion, it sounds like I'll have some good weeks. 

Melrosemelrose- You are an encylopedia of info and it's appreciated! 

pamelahope

Steelersluv, You are right! With three weeks between infusions you will get an extra good week. For anyone married with children, Thursday infusions seem to be the way to go. My side effects are Saturday and Sunday and my husband doesn't work then, so he can watch the kids.

Melrose, you are right too. I should not panic yet. I do that too easy. It seems everything I anticipate is better in its actuality. Even cancer was worse in my own mind than having it.

Is the fatigue less with taxol? Pam

KeepMoving

Off to get my port in about an hour.  Now, I'm thinking that I don't want it installed in my chest, but no choice:(  I have to keep telling myself it's just temporary.  1 step at a time...  They said it only takes 2 hrs, so it must be that twilight sleep.  Wonder if I'll be loopy for the rest of the day  I hope everyone has a good day today. 

Ellendou

KeepMoving, thinking about you today - sending hugs for a good day.

KeepMoving

Pamelahope,

Thanks for the wig with bangs idea.  You made me laugh about the eye pencil.  I would be the same way.  I was also supposed to start chemo on 5/31/12.  I wish they had started me then.  It would have worked out perfectly for me for work, with recuperation being on the weekends.  Next chemo TX #2, Monday, I'll have to go day by day and work when and if I can.  Hang in there.  I also had an overwhelmed feeling last night.  But, just think time is already going by fast and your end of treatment will be here before you know it.  

KeepMoving

Thanks, Melrose.  I was also wondering why they said to use nail polish.  I'll be on this chemo next. 

KeepMoving

Oh, thank you! Hugs to you, too.  You are so nice.  Now, I'd better stop posting, so I can get that port!

Marcia1111

I'm also scared about losing my eyebrows, but I keep reminding myself that I have friends who over-tweezed as teenagers and now don't have eyebrows so they have to paint them on everyday.

havingfaith

Ellen- I did order my wig, I have a friend who sells them and it was so nice to get her advice since she knows my personality.  I tried on several and I think the sizes where all the same.  After I got it home and looked inside it looks like it could be adjustable.  I do have short hair already, but I didn't like the way the short hair wigs looked because they were so thick. So I went for a A-line bob.  My kids say that it makes me look 10 years younger.  I Just Love Them!!!!  Well Good Luck.  It does sound like you found a place to help.

Ellendou

Havingfaith-what type of wig did you order?  I am still looking but more confused now than when I started....can you give me any tips or what to look for?

StephanieJM

Good Morning,

I am on A C for 4 treatments, 2 weeeks aprt, then on taxol for 4, 2 weeks apart.  Today is the first I have read anything about icing or finger nails..... what is this???

Regarding finger nails, several years ago I started taking a very good vit/min sup.  It's called Every Woman's by New Chapter.  I have never had nice nails, paper thin...... oh my gosh, my nails grew so thick, I have to take a nail file and just rasp on them.  One of our daughters said the same thing, and even my husband.... got him the Every Man.  You can check these out on line at New Chapter, I think most health food stores have them.  They are from natural sources so more expensive, but the best I have ever had.  My husband's cousin has a health food store and was visitting she saw them and said " you've got the right stuff there"

God bless your day!

pamelahope

Stephanie, We are on the exact same chemo regime. Makes sense how we are getting the hardest hit. However, good news, made it out of my house today!!! If I see someone I recognize, I am like its Pam! One girl went over to me and was complimenting my new haircut!!!! I told her the truth!

Keep moving, we will have to learn to draw eyebrows together! Good luck with your port. Remember, it is a good thing. You are saving your veins!

Marcia, you are right. Some girls, a lot actually, have to draw eyebrows everyday! The girl I just spoke to at the supermarket had them penciled in. To be honest, when I found out my diagnosis, the outer corner of my right eyebrow turned white!!!! My husband says I don't need them like that!!!

Ellen, I wish you lived closer so I can help you pick out a wig. The only advice I can give when buying online is to call the 800 number and speak to a real person. I bought a lace front with a see through scalp. It is very comfortable. I bought one that was my natural color with blonde highlights. My advice when buying online is to stick to your natural color and the way you usually wear your hair. That way you know it will look good. Ask for the most comfortable and natural.

Havingfaith, Glad you like your wig and that your kids do to. So much easier that way!

Pam

Ellendou

Thanks Pam - was looking at wigs again this morning and even the lace front ones, think I will wait and see what they have tomorrow, when I go for Chemo and then decide.  Just got back from having my hair cut really really short.

Melrosemelrose

Hey Taxol Gals- Before you panic about the icing and nails, check with your oncos to make sure you even have to be concerned about your nails while during the time you have Taxol chemo.  I'm on Cytoxan/Taxotere regimen which has different side effects.  My onco recommended the icing for the nails and neuropathy. 

pamelahope

Ellen, How do you like the short cut?

Melrose, I will check. However, sometimes people here know more than they do!!! For example, Emend for nausea. If I didn't read about it here, I would be taking Zofran and suffering more. I knew to ask for it from the boards.

When I go for my A/C treatments, I chew on ice. I have not got mouthsores or thrush. Not sure if it is the ice or not. Icing my feet sounds rough but to prevent future disability, not a bad idea.

However, I will ask.

Pam

Ellendou

Pam - takes some getting use to, still have a little bit on top.

Picked up my Medications, now to figure them all out -- confusing. 

havingfaith

Ellen - The brand of my wig is Jon Renau.  It is synthetic. The tag does say each wig can be adjusted for your particular head size.

I just got done with my second tx and my hair is falling out by the hand fulls. I think I'm ready for the buzz.

Ellendou

Thanks having faith will look for that brand.

pamelahope

Having faith, Good luck with the buzz. If it helps, I have one too. On the plus side, it feels nice in the shower and I did not have to shave my underarms today. I lost a clump of hair, which is why I went for the buzz, since I buzzed I still have hair??? I am day 7 past infusion two. OMG! Just tested my buzz and was able to pull out hair!!! UGH!

This is crazy!

On the plus side, the wigs are easier to put on with no hair and I can save time in the morning!

So sorry we are all going through this! Pam

havingfaith

Hi Pam- It is liberating to take control over something.  I wasn't having any clumps but when I would move my head around my shoulders would get showered by my hair. I think this is good, and yes I look forward to getting ready faster in the mornings.lol

mom24boyzs

Pam & Faith,

I went for the short pixie cut today. I started with shoulder length hair and had it cut the day after my dx to a chin length bob. The past couple of days it had started to really fall out. When I went to get it cut today I told the stylist to let me know if it was coming out in great clumps and I would just go ahead and buzz it, but she said it wasn't too bad and so now I have my pixie cut. It was just more than I could do to buzz it off. I'm so vain ;-). I guess I will see how it goes from here. I have my second chemo on Friday!

Blessings

pamelahope

Good luck Kelli! My husband is fine with it and my seven year old just asked if he can feel it! He said it felt pretty cool. I have never done buzz cuts on them only scissor cuts! Longer ones too. Everyone gets used to it pretty fast. I hated seeing the long strands. This is temporary!

Plus, it is liberating to live without our vanities. It is so humbling, yet so freeing, when we realize we are loved in spite of this. How many people get an opportunity to stand before others as they really are? The worst has happened and now we pick up and move on from that.

Pam

pamelahope

Mom24boys, Do you like it or are still getting used to it? I am guessing the Pixie will be our first haircut when our hair grows back. I am curious about it. I bet you look cute with it. You have a nice face. I am/was SO vain. Now I am seeing I wasted too much time on it. Maybe, this experience will cure me of it.

We are all in this together. Plus, maybe our hair will grow back nicer! My old hair was an overcolored mess!!

Pam

steelersluver

I got my hair cut super short today even though my first infusion is not till tomorrow...I'd rather stay ahead of the game and sot of ease into it, and since it is 94 degrees here today it seemed like a plan.  It was already short, so it isn't a hug4e adjustment.  I buzz my son's hair at home, so maybe we'll do that at home when the time comes.

For those that take nausea meds, my script says to take it on days 2,3, and 4.  Is day 2 the day after chemo?  Or is that day 1? I think I'd better take the whole bag of prescriptions with me tomorrow!

 KeepMoving- How did the port go?  Mine is tomorrow, but I already know I'm just getting lidocaine...more nervous about the port still than the chemo!

Am I the only one getting 12 weekly Taxols?  Seems like a lot now.  I'm glad I've got the 3 weeks between AC infusions x 4, but not looking forward to the Taxol regiment. 

Kimmie0247

I start my chemo on June 25th. I will have Adriamycin and Cytoxan for 4 treatments spaced 2 weeks apart and then Taxon the same way. I cut my hair today. I went from mid back to the tops of my shoulders.

Marcia1111

Kimmie0247 - I am on the same exact regimen, but I started 6/7.  Tomorrow will be my second infusion.  So far, my SE have been minimal.  I hope you have the same experience.  Good luck!