Starting Chemo July 2012

Madelyn

Susan-  I hope the 9th comes quickly so you can get some good news.  ((((HUG))))

Emily-  I flew home to NY for Xmas and all the crazy Italian food made me swell-could your swelling be all the rich food over the holidays?

Ann-  I swear the last three Taxols were exhausting.  The steroids just bloated me beyond belief.  I take 2 advil for pain when my legs hurt. some days I tire so easily and some days I can go all day long.  Its just hit or miss.  I can't believe I made it to midnight on NYE.   

My fatigue is from radiation.  I just finished 17/28.  The Miaderm works great.  So far no redness...

I had my appointment with the hair extension lady and everything is on schedule for May.  My eyebrows literally just showed up yesterday.  Eyelashes are coming in too.  The hair on my head is funny-it's long on the sides and shorter on top...I should post a pic.  Almost ready to kick the wigs to the curb!  Peace and health to all in 2013!  

Itsalltemporary

Hello Ladies! Madelyn - my hair was growing in funny too!

I had a very exciting milestone last week.....I had to make my first appt since July to get my eyebrows waxed!! Woohoo!!! All of a sudden, about 8-9 weeks after my last chemo treatment, they grew in with a vengence!

Eyelashes are starting to grow, but very slow. I have about 4 long ones on one eye and about 8 on the other, but little lashes are starting to grow and fill in the blank spots.

My hair came in weird - came in thicker on the sides at first, and for a while I was starting to think I had some male pattern baldness going on! But it filled in. Now I am 10 weeks post chemo and I have hair all over my head (still super short - but it is my hair!!). I have had to trim (shave) the very ends because they are soooo fine.

I ditched the wigs - and it feels great! Was thinking I'd like to donate my wigs. Has anyone heard of a good place to donate and help other women?

_Ann_

Madelyn and itsalltemporary, I'm glad I'm not the only one with intermittent fatigue and uneven hair growth.  I have the male pattern baldness thing too.  Guess I need to be patient.

This morning I thought I felt pretty good, then around 2:30 the sleep bomb hit.  I ended up napping for four hours!  I'm glad I can sleep and not just drag around half-functional.  Before chemo I couldn't nap during the daytime at all.  Seemed to be a perimenopause thing.  Now I'm sleeping and sleeping and sleeping...

Maddie57

Hi Ladies - glad to hear you are all getting your hair back. I must be the only one who's hair started growing at the crown. I look a bit like Woodie Woodpecker!! The sides and front are now filling in, and like you, my eyebrows just suddenly filled in. The eyelashes are another story and seem a bit slower. I also have intermittent fatigue which is annoying. The herceptin seems to make me really tired for a few days.

Does anyone have any idea when these blasted hot flushes will stop. I HATE sweating- it makes me feel so dirty.

Ann - you have an interesting avatar - is that a cat with the hand grenade?

Emily - I am sorry to hear about the swelling in your hand. I hope it is not LE, and just the residual sweeling you get from chemo. How are the new breasts settling in? Are they starting to feel more comfortable?

Maddie57

Oh - does anyone else have some interesting patches in their hair? I have 2 snow white, small, matching circles just behind my ears. My DH says it must be where my horns are, but I told him it is more likey halo marks!!!

_Ann_

Hi Maddie, yes I have white patches, but I think they were there before.  I didn't have much grey and it was concentrated in a couple random locations (one on top of my head, one near the nape on one side).  

My avatar is a photo of a t-shirt called "War Kitten" and it represents how I felt when I started all this.  A kitten thrown into battle unprepared.  I wore it a lot until someone pointed out my own chemo hat (a grey beanie) matched the kitten's helmet.  That was just too cutesie for me!

My hot flashes have let up to the point I don't really sweat so much as just get really warm and slightly damp.  I'm not sure if it's time passing or the Effexor I'm taking or both.  Effexor is supposed to reduce severity of hot flashes and it does seem to help.  There was a small study on women in breast cancer treatment.  Here's some info http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/menopausal/facing/hot_flashes, the Effexor info is down toward the bottom.  I hope you get some relief!

mssunshine71

Hi all.  I'm 3 weeks PFC and still get tired quite easily.  Still have neuralgia pretty bad and pitting edema in my lower legs and feet.  My taste is not quite back yet either.  The nurse wasn't concerned at all and said hopefully within the next week I should be feeling better.

The hotflashes aren't as bad but I started Tamoxifen yesterday so we'll see how that goes.  My first Herceptin alone trt is monday, Muga Scan weds and Surgery consult thursday. 

As far as hair growth goes, it was coming in nicely but has seemed to be at a stand still.  Its about an inch long, thicker on the right than it is on the left and still the sparse peach fuzz on top.  No eyebrows or eyelashes yet.....

natL12

I think I am the slow one of the bunch.  Last chemo was Oct. 30.  I have a bit of pale fuzz all over my head. 3 or 4 eyebrow hairs each side, no eyelashes, fingernails still trying to leave me, LE, legs swell by the end of the day and hurt so much they awaken me at night.

BUT...I did the treadmill twice last week for 40 minutes each time.  I'm increasing my speed a little bit, and I don't really mind being ugly if I can just get some strength back! 

More sleep would be nice, though.

mssunshine71

Can anyone tell me how long this incessant eye watering lasts.  A little over 3 weeks PFC now.  Do i have to wait till my eyelashes have grown in?

firstcall

Greetings everyone.  I'm from the Feb 2012 group, and just stopped by to tell you that things get better.  I'm feeling pretty good now, still have some anemia from the Chemo, and only had one major complication following Chemo.....that was a bad case of Shingles.   Fortunately, I knew what it was and treatment was started quickly.  That is the key to shingles, early treatment.  Just mentioning it here to give you a heads up to watch for it.  It is a rash, always on only one side of the body, because it follows the nerves.   From time to time people stopped in from earlier groups and I found it encouraging.  I've also been dealing with some lymphedema.  Its not too bad, but its important to treat this early too.  I wear a compression sleeve a few hours a day, and I took up swimming to help with it, and with rehabilitating my surgical areas. 

Again things do get better.  I'm feeling pretty good, very fortunate, and I just ran a half marathon to cellebrate the new year and new start.  I'm looking at 2013 with hope and anticipation of better things.   I also had a haircut, after going most of a year without needing one. 

May you be blessed with a speedy and complete recovery. 

emilybrooke

Madelyn, I was also hoping that it was the excessive eating I was doing. But I've been eating much better and still some swelling.

Maddie, I still have a few aches and pains but overall the new breasts are settling in.  I will be 4 weeks post-exchange tomorrow and looking forward to swapping the post surgical bras for something a little more comfortable. If I am not mistaken, your exchange is coming up at the end of this week, right?

My physical therapist taped my swollen hand earlier this week and repeated it yesterday. It seems to have brought down some of the swelling (in the web between thumb and pointer finger). My right thumb is still swollen and a little tender but certainly feeling better than it was.

According to hubby, my hair is growing at rapid speed. I think it's growing at a fair pace. Similar to what itsalltemporary said, my eyebrows are back and I even had to get them threaded this week to give them shape - highlight of my week The lashes are coming in too.

Maddie57

Hi first call - thanks for your update - lovely to hear you are stronger all round. Congratulations on your marathon!!

mssunshine- I am sorry but you can expect the eyes to go on weeping a little longer!! I am 12 weeks post chemo, and although they have slowed down they still weep a bit.

emilybrooke - glad to hear the girls are settling in nicely. I am sooo sorry about the LE. I do hope they can sort it out for you. Was it the exchange which sparked it off do you think? My exchange is on the 16th Jan

Nat - I am sorry you are still battling with a few things. You are a little behind us, so have a bit of catching up to do. My feet still bother me - especially at night, and the muscles in my legs also burn if I do too much.

SusanHG123

I freaking hate breast cancer. Mastectomy 4 weeks today. Woke up yesterday. Didn't feel good. Thought maybe a bug so called into work and postponed labs. Went back to bed and slept 6 hours. Woke up and my suture line had OPENED in an area. Bloody, draining, nasty. Off to the cancer center (my surgeon is 3.5 hours away). Cultured, antibiotics. Back home. Slept. Drain not just dained last night but opened and drained. Flats @ suture line soaked. Called surgeon early AM today. They wondered why I didn't just zip over. Then for the first time one of the staff got a little snippy and asked "well what have you been doing you were not supposed to do?". My response. "Well I have NOT been having sex with pirates." Her response "Hold please." Seriously. Four weeks post-op and cellulitis. Off to Albuquerque tomorrow to have a drain pulled and another probably placed, suture line debrided (sounds fun right) sutures, steri-strips, and home. Medical oncologist today said changing taxol to Taxotere since still having neuropathy of feet and fingertips. I wanted to be back in a semi-decent bra by now with a knitted knocker in rainbow colors with a pierced nipple-just for shock value by next week. HA! And here is a very odd complaint. My hair is coming back. Know it will be gone again soon. But it is black. I am a very very fair skinned Scandinavian. That peaches and cream complexion. Leave off the peaches and dilute the cream. PALE. Hair strawberryish to very light brown. Never had a black strand ANYWHERE on my body. And--it is male-pattern baldness. Go figure. 

Prostatitis is probably next

Maddie57

Hi Susan- so sorry to hear about your problems with the surgical site. It sounds awful!! Is someone driving you  to the cancer centre? Please ask someone to drive you next time if you can. My hair has also come out very dark, and I am also fair haired. I keep catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror and thinking - who the hell is that!!! I don't recognise my reflection. Some areas of the head grow faster than others. Most people find the crown is the slowest. I have found the opposite. My crown started growing first. My rule seems to be -the hair that fell out first has grown first. Did your crown fall out last? Hang in there!!!

emilybrooke

Susan, I am so sorry to hear what has happened to you. I hope that this message finds you with things sorted out in Albuquerque and physically feeling a little bit better. "Have not been having sex with pirates" - sent me over the edge. Hopefully, this is the last bit of trouble you will have on your road to recovery. As far as the hair goes, I too seem to be having  male balding pattern going on. It is growing in a dark shade of dirty blonde, it looks gray at times though. I have a little bit of an Eddie Munster vampire like hairline going for me. There's hair there just not nearly as much as the rest of my head. I am sending you a big [[HUG]]

emilybrooke

I saw the LE therapist today. Both doctor and therapist do not believe that it is LE - woohoo! So they will not treat me for it. That being said, they do not understand why I am having this swelling. They said it could be signs that I am more suseptible to LE in the future. They want to monitor it and allow me to continue physichal therapy. I need to be a better patient and allow my hand/arm time to rest when it needs it. The swelling has gone down a bit since Tuesday which makes me very happy.

mamabr

Oh Susan, so sorry to hear about the problems. And you have to drive so far to have everything taken care of. This whole thing is never ending. I had a similar thing happen back in May after my bmx. I had to have everything taken out before they would start chemo. Now I am looking at new reconstruction, but a little afraid, so haven't scheduled anything yet. 

I am 4 weeks post-chemo. Everything is happening pretty much the way you have all written about. I am still super tired. Taste is coming back a little bit. The only weird thing is that I have a strange itch. I can't stop scratching my arms and neck. First my hands started itching, but now my arms. I feel like my dog, insanely scratching my arms. I don't see a rash. It is as though it is on the inside of my skin. I also came down with a cold, not the flu, but a nasty cold. 

PaEaglesFan

Emily, I was sent for a consultation with an LE therapist back in Sept.  My fingers were swollen so much I couldn't wear rings, my bracelets that had been loose fit were snug and my socks left deep impressions on both legs.  My BS and RO both thought it was just after effects of chemo but thought I should play it safe and see the LE therapist.
Last weekend I was able to put my rings back on, my bracelets are loose and my ankles look normal again.
Susan... Wow.  Hope things are getting better.

For those who have finished and their hair is coming back, is anyone surprised by what they're getting?  I'm just amazed at how much thicker it is.  That's the only real change from before.  Apparently chemo curl is not meant to be for me.

mamabr

My hair is coming back and no big change as far as curly vs straight. My hair was straight (and brown) before chemo. The new hair is almost completely gray. I am 47. The hair growing back is super soft. This week I didn't wear a hat when going out. Everyone said it looks great, but I think it is strange that it is so gray. Guess the chemo took on a toll on my insides. In the house I wear a soft cap because my head is so cold. I also had a lot of hair growing on my face, peach fuzz. I was going to get it waxed off, but my friend, who is well-versed in facial treatments, botox, all of that, said to just shave it off. It probably won't come back and the waxing could be too harsh on my skin. So I shaved my cheeks and now I feel better.

SusanHG123

A friend and I went to Albuquerque Thursday. Sadly, no mention of my having sex with pirates. Drain was pulled-and not replaced-thank goodness! Suture line cleaned, but no steri-strips. Asked her about inflammatory. She sat quietly, put her thumb and finger together and said "You are this shy of inflammatory breast cancer. When I removed your breast it was heavy and dense. When I dissected your axilla it was filled with heavy dense nodes. We removed the breast at the exact right time. Now. We must restart chemo, finish the course, complete radiation, and remove the other breast to prevent any further diagnosis." The necrotic tissue---another sign of aggressive cancer. Got it. Probably won't get to start chemo next Wednesday. Am trying to eat protein and get in enough fluids. But will probably be the next week. 

Picked up my Bountiful Basket and made a wonderful roasted veggie chicken soup/stew with wild rice and an apple crumble with some of the extra granola I had ordered. The soup is really good. The apple crumble not good. Sweet-any sweet-does not taste good. Will share it with a friend tomorrow. Some beautiful bananas and oranges and lemons, berries and tomatoes. This is about my 5th time to get the basket. If it is available in your area--check it out. 

Classes start at my university Monday.  I am about 6 weeks behind. Seriously. 

Much love and hugs to my friends

Maddie57

Susan - I am so glad you checked in to let us know how you are doing. I have been so worried about you!! I think it is a good thing your chemo won't start until the week after - it gives your operation site a bit longer to heal before they zap you with more chemo. How many sessions do you have to have this time? I am so glad to hear a friend could take you to your appointment, although it is a long drive if your are feeling rough.Big hugs!!

Emilybrooke - GREAT news about the LE. I am so thrilled for you. I wonder if the swollen thumb is a hang over from the joint damage done by chemo. Holding thumbs for you (I'm a poet and I know it!!!) that it clears up as the drugs wear out of your system and it doesn't come back again.

Mamabr and Paeagles - no chemo curls for me either. Even my nether regions are straight which is very weird

natL12

Susan...you will be in my thoughts as you go through the chemo routines.  There's never anything routine about chemo, however.  Each dose brings its very own SE's.  Just keep in mind, they are not trying to ruin your life, they're trying to save it.  That's the only thing that kept me going.

Good news...I have a few eyebrows coming in. Nat

Madelyn

Susan-I'll be thinking of you and I hope the chemo goes well. You have a great sense of humor and that will get you through all of it.

Emily-Glad you are feeling better!

Mamabr-What is up with the facial hair?  Crazy isn't it?  

PAeaglesfan- my hair is growing crazy. I need to have my eyebrows waxed...seriously, I'm going to try the threading thing today.  My hair is growing over my ears...looks very strange!  Wigs are more uncomfortable to wear when you have hair!

I saw my girl and my hair extensions are right on track for May.  I'm just trying to look like before the BC.  Hugs to all!

_Ann_

I haven't checked this thread in a while--it's nice to see several updates.  I think I've gone one or two days recently without a nap, which is big progress.  Four weeks post-chemo this Thursday, and I have my surgery Friday.

I have nearly an inch of the weird gray fuzzy post-chemo hair now.  Still some see-through bits on top though.  Good news is a bit of my real color is starting to show up in back.  Still no brows at all though-- Nat I'm jealous :-)

Susan, I hope your next round of chemo goes well.   I'm sorry you've had so many surprises along the way.

virginiab

I had a small melt-down today when I realized that although I had just returned from my post-treatments vacation, I still needed the Mandatory Nap at 4PM. I just imagine I'm all recovered, but I'm not. Yet.

Patience is elusive....

mssunshine71

Susan - so sorry to hear the difficult time you've been having!  The prostatitis comment killed me.  I've been having issues with voiding and saying if I didn't know better I would swear I had a swollen prostate lol.

Still waiting to hear about bmx surgery date.  Had a breast MRI done today because the surgeon was pissed no one had done it before.  Just had mammogram and ultrasound.  

About the hair thing, mine is doing something strange.  It started growing on the crown first with the soft peach fuzz then dark brown hair at the sides.  Now the fuzz is almost all fallen out with a couple bald spots on the back of my head.  Im worried i'm going bald all over again!  My mom thinks it's just the peach fuzz leaving so the real hair can grow in it's place.  I look like Uncle Fester.  So not sexy!

Maybe I'm wearing my hat too much?

Madelyn - I will definitely be looking into extensions the moment my hair is ready!

SusanHG123

No chemo tomorrow See the MO Monday with a maybe of Wednesday. Nasty little buggers are screwing like mink-just know it.

Am i the only July chemo person left on chemo?

Madelyn

Susan- I hope your weekend is restful and next week is better.  Big hug!  You've been through so much but you always make us smile.  You're incredible!

_Ann_

mssunshine71, some of my initial hair growth fell out too.  I think those weak little gray fuzzies sometimes have to fall to make room for stronger hairs.  I didn't go bald again though.   I also had a lovely male pattern baldness pattern for a long time.  It's just now starting to look evenly filled in.

Susan, hang in there.  When's your chemo finish date?

mssunshine71

Ann - Thank you, that made me feel better