Starting Chemo February 2013

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  • LW122713
    LW122713 Member Posts: 52
    edited March 2013

    I have a ton of bumps that have broke out on my chin around my nose and on my neck. I haven't had this much acne since I was a teenager.



    Tomorrow is day 13 after my first treatment. I'm getting really anxious now wondering about the hair. I know it's going to happen but can't imagine going through it. I admire you girls that have already gone through it and are coping well.

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  • CrawMomma4
    CrawMomma4 Member Posts: 16
    edited March 2013

    Hi everyone!

    My first round (Taxotere, Herceptin, Perjeva, Xgeva Shot) was 2/20/13. Day 3-6 was the extreme bone pain which I thought would be the absolute worse of it all until my face started breaking out on day 6 and got worse and worse to the point that it was causing extreme pain adm I went to the ER. They said it was an allergic reaction and didn't know to what and sent me home on an antibiotic. 3 days later things were still getting worse, I had little pustal "pimples" everywhere (ears, neck, scalp, face) and I was at the point that the pain in my face was worse than my bone pain from the weekend. So my oncology nurse sent me back to the ER and they set me up with a dermatologist that said that I had a reaction to what they believe was the Herceptin and ended up with pustular psoriasis. WTH! I am so mad. The pain is still unreal, my face is so swollen from all of this that I look like I had my wisdom teeth out. My face looks like I have a gazillion zits with some weird burn all over my chin :( I look hideous. To boot, my hair started thinning and it was actually causing me some major pain, it felt like someone was pulling it out so I just shaved it. I see my oncologist Thursday to see about changing my regimen. My next chemo round is 3/13.

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  • LW122713
    LW122713 Member Posts: 52
    edited March 2013

    CrawMomma - I feel so bad for you! It sounds like you have had a terrible time. I do hope you feel better and get some relief soon.

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  • CrawMomma4
    CrawMomma4 Member Posts: 16
    edited March 2013

    Thanks LW122713! I swear, I am fine with every other crazy side effect- loosing my hair- okay, bone pain- sucked but I handled it, nausea, constipation, diarrhea- whatevs but this makes me feel like a monster. It's all ver my face and I just look disgusting. :(

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  • melody46
    melody46 Member Posts: 279
    edited March 2013

    Mirmirpanda yes I didn't expect it but I got 5 nice bright red pimples on my face around day 5 after my first treatment and day 9,10,11 I was tired as hell but started feeling better yesterday and today.   I bought a tube of clearasil and it helps.   My hair is starting to fall out today and I''m sure by tomorrow it will be handfuls. 

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  • IamNancy
    IamNancy Member Posts: 1,158
    edited March 2013

    CrawMomma4 -I feel for you and hope they get this under control for you..

    LW122713 - I feared the hairloss so much but once it started falling out and I knew I had to shave it, it didn't seem as bad I thought. Now that it is shaved, I still have like little stubbles here and there..I do wear a cap around the house but only because its cold.

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  • ywheels22
    ywheels22 Member Posts: 230
    edited March 2013

    Tangles: I get chemo on every other Wednesday. So the Tuesday after chemo, I get my fills. I will be about 330cc's or a small B when I am done. I have two more fills to go.

    Crawmomma: Sorry about what you are going through. Hope you get better quick.

    I have AC#3 today. Ugh...wish me luck the SE's are not too bad. See ya'll and best!

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  • Wildlyshel
    Wildlyshel Member Posts: 48
    edited March 2013

    Crawmama ...ask your MO if it could be a lack of protein. ie your skin not being able repair itself fast enough from the chemo.



    I have seen what lack of protein can do in some clients skin...not pretty. It can cause blistering and be very painful.

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  • LisaMM
    LisaMM Member Posts: 120
    edited March 2013

    Crawmama-So sorry about all these painful issues!  I hope they get you on the fast track to healing and feeling better!

    ywheels-Good luck today!  thinking of you!

    To those of you facing hair loss yet-  just a little tip I discovered today:  The first time I shaved my dome I used my razor and found it more difficult than I thought.  Today I wanted to shave the dry little stubble that had grown back, thinking that might be what's causing the back of my head to break out from it rubbing on my pillow, and I used my husband's razor.  The man razor was so much better and easier!!!  I wondered about it the first time, now I know!

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  • Lmimp64
    Lmimp64 Member Posts: 219
    edited March 2013

    Hi all. I'm getting chemo 2 right now. Hoping for the best. My biggest issue is my reconstruction. Looks like I may have to get it redone. Not happy! Getting more opinions.



    Regarding hair, my hospital recommends using Alra shampoo and then lotion on my bald head. Here is a link to their web site but you can order it at different places including. Headcovers.com

    http://www.alra.com/product.html

    http://www.alra.com/shampoo.html

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  • CrawMomma4
    CrawMomma4 Member Posts: 16
    edited March 2013

    Thanks Wyldlyshel- I will ask tomorrow!!

    Good luck today Lmimp64,,

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  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited March 2013

    Had my 3rd chemo today and have some good news to share-tumour is now 1.5 cm so looks like chemo is working! Yeah :) also asked and puffy, red eyes is a side effect and was told to use tear drops. Also my fuzzy head does not mean chemo isn't being effective, just some women don't loose all their hair, I guess mine is stubborn! Start taxotere next time and am a bit worried about possible SE, but one day at a time! Hope those that had a treatment today (seems there are a few of us on the same schedule ) are doing well as well as everyone else.

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  • IamNancy
    IamNancy Member Posts: 1,158
    edited March 2013

    slv58 -tumor is shrinking - that is good news!

    I had my 2nd treatment today -went well but I should have had a port - each time they have so much trouble finding a vein..today they tried 3 times before actually getting a good one..the 2nd time they thought they had one but after about 10 minutes my arm had a red line and was itching..other than that everything was fine.. feel pretty good.. dreading the Neulasta tomorrow but hopefully everything will go as good as today..hoping the next few days are good.

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  • tangles
    tangles Member Posts: 508
    edited March 2013

    Anyone else having issue with "yeast". I have had it on my tounge/mouth, and now down in the vaginal area. UGH, not fun. On my 3rd round of diflucan.....

    On a different note has anyone ordered the halo hair from the TLC American cancer site? They are only $28.00 so Im sure they are not top quality. Just curious???

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  • IamNancy
    IamNancy Member Posts: 1,158
    edited March 2013

    tangles - not a yeast infection but an UTI (first I ever had) on Cipro and its already working

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  • LW122713
    LW122713 Member Posts: 52
    edited March 2013

    I ordered a halo wig from vogue wigs:



    http://www.voguewigs.com/rop-halo-733-rene-of-paris.html



    The quality is fantastic but it does cost quite a bit more. I haven't had to wear yet but did try it on with a hat and its really cute. With tomorrow being day 14, I'm sure I will be wearing it soon.

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  • TNmother
    TNmother Member Posts: 11
    edited March 2013

    Hi tangles, I did order halo from tlc, I will be sending it back!! It looks pretty bad, just not very good quality!

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  • DiZZyMom
    DiZZyMom Member Posts: 245
    edited March 2013

    Uggh, I took something out of the oven last night and melted the front of my wig Frown   I need to put a "no wig" sign on the oven door because I'm sure I'll do it again!

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  • tangles
    tangles Member Posts: 508
    edited March 2013

    OH NO! Dizzymom, that is a BUMMER! I have two wigs. One is truheat so I can use it around the oven one is not. I hope I dont ever do that as they are not cheap.

    TNmother thanks for letting me know I will skip it then. I have two wigs but just thought maybe a halo might be nice. I dont want to spend allot more then I have already.

    LW122713 My hair started falling out day 14! I could just pull it out. I have not shaved, just have it cut very short and it is VERY VERY THIN. I look pretty bad. I have not wore my wig yet because I have hardly left the house. I wore a hat to Chemo on Friday and a hat when I went out to get a sandwich on saturday. I have pretty much been in the house since as the chemo has knocked me down. Im sure when I go back to work I will wear a wig but I dont have a date for that yet. My hubby insist that I stay put and work on getting better.

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  • melody46
    melody46 Member Posts: 279
    edited March 2013

    LW122713 thanks for posting that I think I'm splurge and get one.  I looked at the ones on TLC and they didn't look that great.  Does anyone else know of a good place to get one?  Today is day 15 for me and its coming out by the handfuls I think I'll cut it down tomorrow its getting annoying having hair all over the place and its causing me crazy anxiety. If I let it go much further I think I'll look like gollum in lord of the rings-just a few long strands. 

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  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited March 2013

    Dizzy mom thanks for reminding me! I tend to wear my velcro bangs with scarf when I'm home and I didn't even think about the oven! A sign would be a good idea or me, especially with chemo brain lol

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  • Gina925
    Gina925 Member Posts: 35
    edited March 2013

    Hi everyone, Im on the upside of my previous chemo treatment (which was Tuesday, Feb 26th) 2 down and 4 more to go! I had major leg bone pain this time around even though I used the claritin. But I will continue to use it after each treatment just in case. Its nice to get a break from the worst of the symptoms but I still tire easily, am ALWAYS thirsty, feel a lil stomach "offness"  and my nose is drippy with an occasional slight blood tinge.

    Then my father passed away.....which really hit me hard. He lives in South Florida with my mom and Im up in Illinois. I couldnt even travel down due to running a fever for 4 days but will be able to get down there soon and be there for his services.

    Melody46-I have to wear my wig everytime I go out- (which isnt much) as my hair also looks "creepy". I got it cut short and then have been brushing/showering it off since day 15 of my 1st chemo treatment. One wig is real human hair so I flat iron it if I need to & its real soft.

    Dizzymom-My other wig is synthetic, so I will be sure to be careful around the oven.

    Everyone-rest as much as you can & try to stay positive even with all the ridiculous side effects we are dealing with.

    Anybody who has expanders in place.....do you wear a regular bra now or always still a post op or maybe a sports bra? Today I put on a regular bra but the sides feel "funny". I never had side boob before. Will the final implants also have side boob? Yikes.....something I have been wondering.

    Next chemo on March 19th.

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  • LisaMM
    LisaMM Member Posts: 120
    edited March 2013

    Gina925- I am so sorry for the loss if your father, You will be in my thoughts

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  • tangles
    tangles Member Posts: 508
    edited March 2013

    Im so so sorry about your Dad. OMG I have been praying that NOTHING bad will happen in my family while I am going through this. I just dont know if I could deal with it right now.  I have a step brother with bone cancer and an Aunt with colon cancer and I just pray for all of us daily. It sounds like we are on about the same schedule. I had my second chemo March 1st. 4 more to go. Today I felt well enough to get up and do a few things but still my heart races if I walk up steps or anything like that. I am hoping next week will be better.

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  • ywheels22
    ywheels22 Member Posts: 230
    edited March 2013

    Gina: sorry about your dad. Prayers to you and your family

    I have temporary expanders. Surgery was Jan. 16. I now wear a regular bra. My boobs are bigger than what I had. I was barely an A (140cc's on each side) I will be a small B, about 300 cc's each.  I don't notice the side boob on me. I do massage them and "shape" them per my PS instructions. Maybe that is the difference? The permanent implants will go in around mid-June. I think the PS can reshape them to some extent but not sure how much. Good luck!

    Tangles: Hang in there. It will get better for you. I am sorry you are having a hard time with it but just focus on sleep, rest and positive thoughts. You will get through.

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  • Shasha10
    Shasha10 Member Posts: 297
    edited March 2013

    Gina so sorry to hear about your father.

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  • IamNancy
    IamNancy Member Posts: 1,158
    edited March 2013

    Gina- so sorry about your Dad..

    I had chemo yesterday and Neulasta today - after the shot I have felt achy and tired.. did take the claritin yesterday and today and also an ibupropen800 .. hopefully tomorrow will be better

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  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited March 2013

    Gina,I so sorry to hear of your loss, keep your good memories close to your heart and gain strength from that love. I'm sure your family understands with everything you are going through. My condolences,.

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  • melody46
    melody46 Member Posts: 279
    edited March 2013

    So very sorry to hear about your father. Lots of prayers for you and your family

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  • DiZZyMom
    DiZZyMom Member Posts: 245
    edited March 2013

    Gina, very sorry for your loss.

    I only have one expander and I'm wearing regular bras. But I am so lopsided and the expander side is off in my armpit compared to the natural side, so I don't wear any fitted tops. I think I need to learn how to wear those infinity scarfs since it's going to be quite some time before my exchange and surgery to make them match.

    Tangles, it does sound like it's going  better this round than last. I hope it continues to get better each day.

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