Starting Chemo February 2013

tangles

Day 6 since the first Chemo. My mouth has a very odd film. I have brushed my teeth many times with no relief. Everything taste ODD! My hair is straw and scalp hurts to touch. Cant even itch it without hurting. Have not noticed loss of hair yet but Im sure with the straw texture and sensitivity its coming!

DiZZyMom

My mouth is so dry. I'm drinking gallons of water and it doesn't help. Gum helps a little just to keep a bad taste out. I've totally lost the taste for coffee and I am a huge coffee addict! I don't want to add caffiene withdrawal symptoms to everything else so I don't just want to quit drinking coffee, but I cannot finish a cup, I just can't stand it. I got an iced green tea from Starbucks today and was able to finish it, so I will try drinking tea instead, just for the caffiene. Plus there's antioxidants in the tea. I hope you all are having a good day. It's beautiful here today and I'm going to go eat lunch with my son in the back yard.

I just got this book yesterday called "Nowhere Hair". If any of you have small children and you are looking for a way to start talking about chemo and hair loss, this is really a nice book. It's written in a rhyme and starts with a little girl trying to find where her mom's hair went. It explains things in a sweet way, not scary. I read it to my five year old daughter and it helped start the conversation about the changes ahead........and why I am so tired right now. I'd paste a link but I don't seem to know how!

Melrosemelrose

DiZZyMom- For the dry mouth, head over to Walgreens or Target or CVS and pick up some Biotene gum and other Biotene products for dry mouth.  Those work pretty well.

DiZZyMom

I'll give it a try, thanks!

Strike_Two

Well, I'm no longer anemic, so I'll be starting my first round of chemo (taxotere/cytoxan) on Valentine's Day.

lalady1

Hello ladies - Just back from oncologist, after my drain is removed next week, will start on 6 rounds of taxotere and cytoxan every 3 weeks. Followed by 3 week break and then 4 weeks of rads 5 days a week, sometime my plastics Dr will fill up my expander and then Arimidex for a long time. I am considering cold caps to preserve long hair, but will get a chin bob soon in case of failure. Also, working fulltime as best I can - luckily have a home office and persian cat for company.

Any thought/tips for energy?

McKatherine

DiZZyMom - right there with you on the dry mouth! That is ganging up with the heartburn -ish / icky not-quite nauseated feeling that I've had all evening. I know I need to drink, but every time I do my tummy yells at me.

It really kind of is like living the first trimester of pregnancy all over again . . . LOL

Gina925

I had my 1st chemo on Tuesday afternoon on the 5th with 5 more to go. I decided to "pass" on the clariton. I dont like the way that allergy medicine makes me feel in general. But If I start to get bones aches.....I may try it in a small dose.

I have been experiencing fatigue, excessive thirst & warmth and redness in the face and neck area but with no fever. That is it so far with side effects. I'm scared of whats ahead tho. Will I get sick, have dry heaves or whatever.........I will let you know when & if it hits. Please do the same for me so I can get a gauge on what others are experiencing so far.

I was upset a few times today and shed some tears worrying about it all. Took a nice warm shower and an ambien. Hope tomorrow is better!

Addie

Thank you everyone for the welcome and the hair advice. These first few weeks have been awful. The unknown is terrifying. I now know that the right breast biopsy is Negative. I start chemo next Friday. I am blessed in so many ways with a supportive job, good insurance, near a hospital that has excellent care. My friends are incredible. I am thinking of people here starting treatment. I hope it goes well.



I wont be posting too much because I don't like being on-line with personal stuff at work And I don't spend a lot of time on computer at home But I am reading your posts as I can and my thoughts are with everyone.



I am getting my hair cut short next week. I have had very short hair before so it won't be a shock



Take care everyone.

Laura5133388

lalady1,

Hold off on the chin bob if you are considering using cold caps. I was told by Penguin (cold caps) that cutting a lot off can weaken the roots.  Also, best not to highlight hair right before as well.

slv58

Hi everyone. Well it's happening-although I knew I would start loosing my hair,it's still upsetting. I had a friend cut it really short 2 weeks ago and that has helped me get use to the baldness. To be honest, I'm more upset about my eyebrows, I went to do some maintenance plucking and found that the hairs had no resistance to them and basically came right out . I did buy some eyebrow pencil, but am not looking forward to "drawn on" brows. I have my second chemo this coming wed. And have otherwise felt really good. I am drinking a lot of water- actually home made soda water-I find that for some reason soda water sits really well in my stomach whereas regular water makes me feel a bit nauseated, so maybe try plain soda for those of you feeling a bit sick. No mouth sores either, but have been rinsing with salt/baking soda daily. I'm a bit more tired during the day and try to have a nap daily. It's funny with the hair thing, my scalp is so sensitive, it's like each follicle is in pain-I hope this stops when all my hair falls out!

Well I hope everyone is feeling alright and in good spirits-we will get through this and be stronger for it- there is a beautiful silver lining to the cloud of cancer. hugs to all {{{{xo}}}}

Hildy910

Hi Slv58,  I found that the scalp stopped being tender pretty quickly--shaved my head 14 days after the first infusion, but lots of stubble stuck around almost till end of chemo. My eyebrows and lashes stuck around till the end, and then all fell out at once, which was annoying, but they grew back quickly.

With the water, I found a slice of lemon in the water helped cut down on that tinny taste...

Strike_Two

Does anyone else find the prospect of picking out a wig extremely depressing?

And where are you getting your wigs?  Anyone brave enough to order one online without trying it first?  

My criteria for a wig might be a bit different than some.  I want it to look as natural as possible to strangers on the street, although I don't mind choosing a style that looks "different" to my friends and family, since they know I have cancer and am wearing a wig.  Heck, it might be a chance to try out a different hairstyle.  KWIM?

Anyone doing "hats only?"  

While my friends and family have been great, they don't seem to understand how awful it is to lose one's hair.  I just keeping seeing pictures of bald women in concentration camps in my mind.  

Strike_Two

Oh, Hildy, it must have been very annoying to lose your eyebrows after keeping them throught the treatments.

I already have horrible eyebrows - very coarse.  I can just see myself with two long, coarse hairs on one side, and three on the other.  UGH

tangles

strike two- I live in a small town so no wig shops for me to even go to. I had to order site un seen. I did some research first and found that the Raquel Welsh line was a good one. I got one that is heat friendly so I can flat iron it and it wont singe if I am grilling out. I also went with a lace front as they look more real. The monofilament style top forms to your head better also and you can part this kind anywhere you want. I did NOT go with real hair as it doubles the cost and when you have real hair is does real hair stuff like fall flat and get frizzy. The one I got will hold its style longer then real hair. I think it feels very much like real hair. Wigs.com is a good site as they have lots of color choices and videos of the wigs and people wearing them. So far I have not tried to style it or really do anything with it. Its just sitting in my bedroom waiting for me! It is a bit depressing!!!! I think I will wear scarfs and hats. I have been buying hats without ponytail openings like military style. Not sure if I will be a wig or hat person but I have both. I guess if I am more a wig person I may order a second one, but for now I just have the one. I cut my long hair short so it wont be such a shock. Only regret is I cut bangs. I thought nows the time to try it right. wrong....... they are horrible, oh well they wont be around for long anyway!

Strike_Two

I also cut my hair a bit shorter, but found that I LOVE this style!  My hair was layered bob-ish before, and now it's a short "do."  I love it.  It's my favorite cut in the last ten years, and now it's all going to fall out.  boohoo.  Well, at least it won't take as long to grow out as those of you with your long locks.   

slv58

I'm wondering if anyone has a good recommendation for an eyebrow pencil? I purchased one by Mac but tried it on my thinning brows and don't like it. It's too hard a lead to make little hair strokes. I have always had great eyebrows and never used a pencil before.

I have to admit, it's comforting being able to share all the similar SE that we will experience together, although I am probably a little ahead of everyone as my first chemo was jan. 23.

As far as wig shopping, I went to the wig shop at my hospital which was really convenient plus my husband helped me pick out one. I admit I hate wearing it, but like others, I don't want to appear different. Most of the time I wear scarves which I purchased from 4women.com and I really love them. They are sized and pre tied, so all you have to do is slip it on. They are lined in a soft cotton and come in so many fabrics-I actually bought 5 and just ordered a sleep cap. That is one thing I didn't realize, my "naked bean" gets really cold!! I started wearing a toque to bed (yeah, really sexy!) and found I am sleeping much better-and I still have most of my 1/2

inch hair. Then again, it's pretty cold up here. I also purchased a synthetic wig as I read that the upkeep is much easier,and I figured if I was getting a break from shampooing, drying, flat ironing then I sure as heck didn't want to have to do that with a wig!

jwlindakay

Hello All,

   I am making my first visit to the onc dr next Tuesday. Can anyone tell me what order thing happen in? Will I just be talking to him? What tests will be done?Who decides if I get a port and how soon is that put in? Will the dr give me a choice of therapies? Should I just shut up and wait til the dr tells me something? I just feel totally ignorant. About the eyebrows...mine are permanent makeup. I wonder if I should get them touched up before I start? Anyone know?

LisaMM

Day after Neulasta today. Taking the Claritin along with regular doses of Tylenol. Achiness isn't too awful, but I could do without it! For those if you who've done this-how long after the injection does the achiness last? Is it the same with each injectio?

Melrosemelrose

jwlindakay-Take a few deep breaths so you can calm yourself down a little.  You can go to the BCO. org main website and check out the Treatment & Side Effects Section.  You may also want to go to the section entitled "Talking To Your Doctor About Chemotherapy".  Here is the link to that section: http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/chemotherapy/talk_to_doc .  The oncologist will review your pathology report to help formulate your treatment plan.  He/She may order additional testing prior to the commencement of chemotherapy.  Tests may include  additional blood tests, CT/PET scan, MUGA scan or echocardiogram.  Depending upon the type of chemo you receive and whether or not you will receive Herceptin will also determine what the tests may be.  I see that you are HER2 + which means you can receive Herceptin.  With respect to whether or not he/she will suggest a port, it depends upon whether you have good veins, how many rounds of chemo you will receive and the fact that you most likely will receive Herceptin.  The Herceptin is administered over a one year period so you may want to ask for a port.  When you will actually begin to receive the Herceptin will be dependent upon what your chemo regimen is.  If it is A/C dose dense with Taxol to adminstered after the A/C chemo rounds have been administered, you would receive the Herceptin with your Taxol infusions.  If it is Cytoxan/Taxotere, you will receive your Heceptin with every round of that chemo regimen.  Your onco will help determine which is the best chemo regimen by reviewing your medical records and talking to you about your health in general.  The questions that you posted here are very good questions to ask and it also sounds like you want to prepare for your appointment.

Make sure you write the questions down and take them with you.  Also I hope that your significant other, husband, good friend or close relative will be accompanying you to your appointment.  We patients have a tendency to sit in the appointments and not hear everything being said to us because we are somewhat in shock.  It's very appropriate to ask questions during the appointment and also to ask the onco to explain things to you more than once.  You may want to know if the infusion center offers a class for patients prior to chemo and whether you can tour the infusion center prior to your chemo. 

Feel free to private message me if you want more detail.  Happy to help you!! 

jwlindakay

Melrose,

Thanks so much. I am trying to take a deep breath now.Guess you can tell I'm a touch nervous. How odd you are from Houston. We just moved here to Hot Springs from the FM1488/Honea Egypt area this past summer. I'm hoping the doctors here are as up to date as the ones in Houston at the Med Center. I'll repost after my dr visit next Tuesday.

DiZZyMom

JWlindakay, welcome to the group, sorry you have to be here. You will get lots of advice and support from these women.

IamNancy

I bought my wig at a wig shop..the lady at the shop helped me match up my exact hair color and its synthetic so the care should be easy.. I haven't even opened the box since I brought it home though - I am dreading needing it.

I do wonder about Neulasta though - I know I will get it the day after chemo but is it just an injection or another thing to get through an IV? if your blood count is good do you still have to get it... I feel so nervous as it is getting closer to my first treatment, the 13th.

Aratheus

I just had the first chemo treatment on January 31 and neulasta on February 1, the neulasta only started hurting me today- Tylenol is helping though

bcfree2013

Hi, I did my first ac on 2/4 and I was so tired after it. Nausea and fatigue are my biggest side effects. I made the mistake of eating a chicken salad sandwich during chemo which caused the nausea feelings. Had to take Zofran right after chemo. I was down the day after chemo with fatigue as well and had no appetite. I was weak when I went to get the naulesta shot, but recovered well after that.

Aratheus

Ps it is an injection in the fat on your arm

tangles

Can someone explain what this Naulesta shot is? I have never been told about one and dont really even know what it is.

lmcclure4477

Nulesta shot is given the day after chemo to raise your white blood cell count so you are not at increased risk for infection. I don't think all doctors use it. It depends on your treatment cycle.

LisaMM

Neulasta is an injection, usually given the day after chemo, to help keep the white blood cells at a healthy level to help prevent infections. Some oncos give it regardless with each tx, some give it if/when the wbc count gets down to a certain level.

McKatherine

Slv58 - the lady who taught my Look Good Feel Better class recommended Laura Mercier and Anastasia brow pencils.

Both seem to be about $20ish. I haven't tried either yet - but probably will when mine fall out!



Tangles - Neulasta is a shot they give about 24 hours post-chemo to boost your body's production of white blood cells. It is to combat the frequent side-effect of the chemo completely wiping out all your white blood cells. It seems some places do it for everyone, others only do it if you need it, and in my case they order it for everyone but only give it if your insurance pays without requiring proof that you really need it.



All my snarkiness aside, from what I've gathered from the ladies on here, it's not unusual with younger / healthy ladies for them to wait a few rounds and see if you really need it before just giving you the shot as a matter of course. (I'm 37 fwiw).