Starting chemo Thursday, May 31 - June Group?

mclark55

Hi SpecialK - thanks for the 3 links.  Very interesting - first I've ever heard of this!  I've been speaking with my essential oils "gurus" today too and they hadn't heard of it either.  I will delve more into this.  It did appear from the first two articles that only boys in prepuberty had been affected by the estrogenic effects of lavender and tea tree but who knows?  I can certainly understand you taking a precautionary stance!  Very much appreciate the research.  Hugs!

SpecialK

mclark - It is interesting and thought provoking info, there are so many things to consider when making choices after the dust of treatment settles!  Hugs to you too!

steelersluver

cmomof4 and ellebee - Add me to the club of those with hair coming out in clumps this week. Mine started the 4th of July. When I get out of the shower I expect to see nothing at all left on my head. Much as I don't like it myself, the worst for me is seeing how much it distresses my son.  For that matter, the impact on my kids has really been the most traumatic part of the whole BC for me. I wish they didn't have to be impacted by it. On the positive side, I could sure get used to not having to shave! Someone told me that peppermint shampoo on your head helps with the itchiness, but I have not tried it.

Am I the only one with decreased appetite? I think part was the queeziness, and part is the mouth sores, but I don't have much appetite at all and am actually having difficulty keeping weight on....I'll have to remember this the next time I'm trying to lose a few pounds!

I had my rheumatologist appointment this week, and he thought he was seeing significant improvement in my lupus.  He said that often Cytoxan puts lupus into remission (sometimes permanent), so that would be a nicer SE in my opinion! 

pamelahope

Tammie, I am glad you are seeing significant improvment in your lupus. I hope permanently too!

My appetite is not the same. I am eating though. I have lost five pounds. It is a constant feeling of food aversion, similar to pregnancy.

How old is your son? It takes time but I bet soon he will get used to it. At first it was weird, and my son would come home from school asking if I still have hair! He knew I was upset when I went to Buzz it. He heard me cry about it. Now, he is totally used to it. They both are. It is an adjustment for everyone.

I tried to find the positive in this. At first I worried I took away their carefree childhood. Then I realized my sons are learning kindness, compassion, and are learning how to handle adversity. They will have things happen in their life, I hope not, but stuff happens. They will remember how to cope. They see me lying in bed a lot. Sometimes the most I can interact is to tell them I love them. They will carry that in their heart always. There is a plus side to this for them, unfortunately. It is sad because this summer I was going to stay home with both boys and do playdates and my younger son needed to learn to swim. I can't do that. However, kids are resilient. This year, or summer is small compared to how much future time you can spend when well. I hope...

Pam

steelersluver

Pam- Pregnancy like food aversion is the perfect way to describe it.  I've lost close to 5 pounds since my first infusion, and had lost 10 already going into that, so I know I can't continue in this direction.  Thanks for the advice on kids.  Matthew is 12, and is exceptionally sensitive to begin with, so I should have known he'd have difficulty. The poor kid is starting puberty and isn't even sure he should be discussing breasts! He is very supportive though.  He wrestles, and has asked for a pink ribbon singlet (even found one online himself).  You are right that they do adjust, and they do learn from it.  My 16-year old daughter had been hoping to go to nursing school, and now wants to go to medical school instead.  What seems to bother her right now is that I never miss any of her HS soccer games, and she knows I'll likely miss a lot this year. She knows I have had the BRCA testing and worries about that too (no results yet). Both kids handle it all very well in reality...I just wish they didn't have to!  Thanks for the words...the hair coming out phase is just rough all around as everyone here already knows.

Marcia1111

Pam - You have such a great way of looking at the impact this has on your kids.  Yesterday, my son (15) freaked out when we said he was going to come with us to get my Neulasta shot and then pick up subs to eat on the beach for dinner.  He refused to go in, even though we assured him that it was a beautiful facility and he could wait in the waiting room.  Instead, I told my husband to drop me off and get the food while I was getting my shot.  He got my son to talk a little and he said that before my dx, we were his rocks and and now it scares him to see that we can get sick.  He must have really needed to get that off his chest because he seemed so much better when they returned.

steelersluvr -  That is so sweet of your son.  I am the opposite on the weight.  I was already higher than I like to be before dx and now I'm up even more.  The only ood that has given me difficulty is tomato sauce and a Lean Cuisine that my son made smelled awful when I usually llike it.  My weight hasn't increased too much since all of this, but it has made it difficult for me to find pants that fit!  My hair has been almost completely gone since right after tx #2.  That was the hardest part of the hair loss.  I am now able to look myself in the mirror.  It was so hard finding hair everywhere.  I had cut it very short when I knew I was going to have chemo and it still seemed like so much hair was coming out.  I have several wigs and an enormous collection of scarves and hats.  Now I try to have fun matching my headcovering to my outfit.

I hope everyone has minimal SE.  I am day 3 of tx #3 and so far, I feel pretty good.

pamelahope

Marcia, I am glad day three is going okay. Maybe, the diagnosis is harder on teenagers because they understand more. However, maybe too personal characteristcs. Like you know how some friends or family you can bring to chemo and others can't handle as much. Everyone seems so different in the way they can handle this stuff. Overall, it is better to learn how to handle lifes adversities when one has the love and support of family around. We all have to learn how to cope. I think, someone here on the boards helped me realize this.

Steelersluv, I am excited to hear your daughter expressing interest in Medical School! I am hoping something like that happens with my children!

I remember how weak I was at first diagnosis. How I couldn't cope. I was sheltered and never had too much bad happen before. After this, I feel I can cope better with anything that happens that is less than this. I think our children will benefit from our new found strength. Even though I am parenting from my bed from the a/c when this is done, I should have more to offer them and everyone. I think that is true of everyone. We can't take it back, so we have to go through the best we can.

Pam

pamelahope

Is anyone getting chemopause symptoms? I got my period for one day last month, and I am experiencing like sweating, mild, in my scalp. Sort of like washing over me? Is this a menopause type symptom or chemo or hopefully nothing worse. Pam

Melrosemelrose

Welcome to the hot flash club, Pamela!!!  Hormones versus chemo...... just have to wait and see what happens next.   Sounds like chemopause aka chemo induced menopause.  Hopefully your hot times will stay mild.  Some of the women I know just wake up drenching in sweat.  I have the hot times and I periodically take my temperature just to make sure it isn't a fever which means something else.

pamelahope

Melrose, So this is it? It is weird. I never had one before. The positive is my periods were so heavy before. Like changing overnight, super maxis every hour and a half if I was lucky. I am guessing the mild sweating and washing over feeling will progress??? I wonder how long the transition will last? Well, this is still a better club to be welcomed too than the bc club. Gladly joining this club. Pam

Melrosemelrose

Let's up those hot times don't escalate for you!! One of my gal pals suggested that I open the freezer door when I get one of those extra hot -- hot flashes.  I told her that I thought it was a good idea except that my poor little bald head just freezes!!!!  LOL.  You just have to find humor no matter where you can find it!!!

pamelahope

Melrose, I appreciate the humor. I will share the best part of being bald when dealing with the hot flashes! I wake up in the middle of the night and splash water on my bald head, so refreshing. How lucky we are to be bald when going through menopause. I never would of done that with hair. Your tip about opening the freezer door cracks me up as now I can get ice crystal formation. Having too much fun here. LOL. Thank you! Pam

Melrosemelrose

You are too funny, Pamelahope!!!  I forgot to tell you that I have not lost all of my hair and I didn't shave my head.  I had sparse hair all over my head and some of it stands straight up.  OMG. what a funny sight that would be to have little one inch thin icicles projecting off of my head!!!!! Hahahaha

pamelahope

Melrose, Cracking up! Icicles, funny and cool!!! Now I want icicles too! I can just be a snowcone. Okay, I think I am losing my mind. Better go to bed! Thank you for making me laugh! Night, Pam

maa764

the dr gave me emend with treatment along with something else and said that would do the trick. i just have a constant stomach ache and feel weak this time a bit better today but still feel aweful. i am hoping things get easier each time i can be hopeful. i dont have much of an appettite but ativan seems to help with that.

thank you all for the support and advice.

michelle

ElleBee

Hi everyone!

Pam: Teaching went pretty well! I found myself getting more tongue tied than usual...it's like the words I want to say are not always the ones coming out of my mouth. It's pretty weird.

I have also noticed that I am making TONS more typos when typing. Like my fingers aren't working well either.

Super tired tonight. Going to turn in and catch up tomorrow. See you girls then!

ElleBee 

Marcia1111

Pamela - It's kind of weird, but my hot flashes seem to be subsiding.  I still get them, but they're not as intense. I was on birth control pills for many years and stopped with my dx.  I got my last period on April 3.  I don't know if being on the pill kept me from going into menopause.  I didn't start chemo until June 7, so I don't think it's the chemo that stopped my periods.  The worst hot flash  I had was in the middle of the night when I woke up totally drenched.  I used to think I had night sweats until that happened.  Then I really knew what night sweats were!

Ellebee - I totally know what you mean about the wrong words coming out.  It is so weird sometimes.  And the typos - ugh.  I am usually so careful and when I look back at things I've written, I can't believe how bad it is.  I hope I don't have to write anything important when I go back to work in August!

pamelahope

Marcia and Ellebee, I have always gotten fatigued easily, and have had some of the symptoms you mention even before bc. I wonder if related to fatigue and anxiety. Iknow some of this stuff is called chemo brain. I am trying to figure out if it is real or just fatigue and anxiety. Or to be honest, once diagnosed, it put us in such a state of shock and stress, that our minds are still recovering.

I am happy your teaching went well though. I bet your classes are very interesting.

Marcia, I haven't had the drenching experience yet now. When I was pregnant four years ago and in the hospital with a DVT I had them. However, my periods resumed and once I healed that stopped. I also thought I was having night sweats, LOL! I get scared as I thought I was having cancer symptoms...however, I think that is just my mind starting to worry. I bet I won't get a period this month.

Ma, You sound a little better. The constant stomachache is hard. I hope things get better as the days go on. I am having a rough time too. In bed the majority of the time...it sucks, but we have to get through this. Hang in there!

Pam

Marcia1111

  Someone on the April/May board shared this link with me.   It has some great information!  I hope the link works.  I am not computer savvy!  Look Good Feel Better www.lgfb.ca

Jane64

Hi mom24boysz herceptin alone was a piece of cake compared to the tch. Doesnt take vey long about an 1 1/2 and thats with prep and waiting. My nurse gave me two tylenol while i was there and that helped with the headache. Today is the second day and feeling fine so far just tired. No pimples yet but that took 4days before to come out. Hope everyone enjoys there sunday. Love that your friends had the surprise party, that is a great idea. I just ordered a chemobeanie yest.

Jane64

Hi mom24boysz herceptin alone was a piece of cake compared to the tch. Doesnt take vey long about an 1 1/2 and thats with prep and waiting. My nurse gave me two tylenol while i was there and that helped with the headache. Today is the second day and feeling fine so far just tired. No pimples yet but that took 4days before to come out. Hope everyone enjoys there sunday. Love that your friends had the surprise party, that is a great idea. I just ordered a chemobeanie yest.

ElleBee

Hey girls and guy! Look what I made!

<-------------------

 Also, I am starting to look forward to chemo tomorrow. If only to ask about why I keep having shooting pain in my breast. It seems like one of the tumors in particular hurts. Is that a good thing? A bad thing? It has shrunk, so I am hoping it means it is dying! 

Marcia1111

ElleBee - You are one talented, gorgeous woman!  Is it crocheted?

pamelahope

Ellebee, Just wrote a long message to you that got erased...basically, it told you how impressed I was with all you do! I love the headgear you made and you look pretty. I also said you know how to get a lot out of life and I can learn from that.

Because of you, I will lose my avatar picture with my old hair and post my wig picture. I am wearing my scarf more so not entirely authentic but I can't get a nice scarf pic!! I think I need to buy nicer ones!

About the tumor concentrate on the tumor shrinking. Don't allow your mind to go to any worry or negative thoughts. For example, chemo has shrunk my tumor where I don't feel it. However, when I lean forward I see nipple inversion. That scares me and upsets me. I have to keep reminding myself of the positive, that there was once a lump that I can't feel anymore by self exam. However, when I think of the nipple I get scared and upset.

So for now, celebrate the tumor shrinking. This is good. You are responding to chemotherapy!

Pam

Marcia1111

We have had a breakthrough!  My husband walked into the bathroom while I was washing my face with no headcovering.  He handled it well and told me I looked pretty even without hair.  I slept topless and was so much more comfortable!  My 15 year old has expressed concern about seeing me looking like a cancer patient, so I will continue to keep covered around him.

Pamela - Your new avatar picture looks great!

DorisMarie

morning..does anyone have this se of chemo? my skin is sooo smooth..LOL..I go around to family..hey..feel this..LOL..that is one se I'd like to keep..

hope all do well today..

Kimmie0247

Good morning! Today will be my second time in the BGC. I'm extremely nervous. My dr does not seem to like my Q&A and gets frustrated by simple questions. Example- what was my blood count?? Her reply is " don't worry- here take a Xanax". Im just at a loss on what to do. She also still refuses to give me numbing cream for my port. Everyone at the cancer center is so nice and understanding. My Surg Onc is awesome, but he doesn't do the chemo thing. . I have to make a choice this morning- Xanax and no panic attack - scared of needles and dr attitude/ or no Xanax and have a melt down.

Melrosemelrose

Kimmie0247- Wishing the best of luck in the BGC today and minimal side effects!!!  Interesting about your doctor not wanting to answer simple questions.  I guess I'd probably just ask the doctor why no EMLA cream and if it is her personal philosphy not to answer patient questions about lab work, etc. (because I'm a more direct person and feel entitled to know).  You may just want to ask for a copy of your blood lab work at the cancer center and ask the infusion nurse to spray on some lidocaine spray.  If you are nervous this morning, do what you need to do to minimize your anxiety.  HUGS to you!!! 

DorisMarie

hugs kimmie..my doc meets with me before chemo..tells me the blood work..looks on puter..and asks if I have any ?'s..he is also concerned about wait time..says you have been here 30 minutes..what was the hold up??..I get a print out of blood work when i leave there ..

but they do not use the cream to deaden the port..but is only one stick..wasn't too bad..

will be thinking of you today...

mom24boyzs

Kimmie- hugs to you today. Praying you have little anxiety today and minimal se. It sounds to me like you either need to get yourself a new dr., or have an honest heart to heart and tell her exactly what you need from her. You are technically her boss and you need to let her know what it is you need!



Marcia- exciting to hear about your husband's breakthrough! What a sweet thing for him to say! Maybe he didn't want to see your bald head because then he would have to acknowledge that you are sick. Does that make sense?



Elle- that hat is sooo cute!! Love it! Looks like you might have another career on your hands :-)



Pam- I love your positive attitude! What a great thing to do, imagining your tumor shrinking!! When I'm in the bac I always think of the Ms. Pacman game and she is gobbling up all the cancer :-)



Blessings all!