Starting Chemo in April 2014

jhodro

Kite & Swissmiss: Look good feel better was not a great experience for me either. The makeup was a grab bag, so to speak, of different products, none of which I would typically use. Wish they were getting more natural products, as we are being treated for Cancer. What I think was worse was the volunteers were from a wig salon, so they spent most of the time promoting their salon and handing out cards. I too was disappointed. I did meet some great ladies, but was kind of hoping for more. The funny thing was that they were trying to convince a couple of us that we were 'medium' not light skinned. I have never worn a makeup that is darker than the first shade - for any company - my skin is practically transparent. I'll count that experience as "it's the thought that counts".

mmtagirl

hi all, had AC on Thursday , round 2.   Have been able to work but came home early yesterday and today around 3pm for a nap.  Chemo fog seems worse this round and not sure if that is due to the switch from TC. The nap seems to help.  I told my team at work they don't want me making any big decisions while in this state and was better if I left.  Of course, if only I could give raises all around"

No headache this time, though, and GI track seems better.  

Was able to walk 2 miles last night to my dd soccer game.  Kind of rainy tonight so I am not planning on a repeat but it did feel good!   

I am sorry some of you didn't have the same great experience I did with the Feel better program. It must be specific to your region on how it operates.  I will be wearing Rachel tonight with my Elizabeth Arden lipstick and wishing the rest of you could have felt the same positive vibes.

Happy Friday!

Swissmiss

jhodro: yes, this is what I was thinking too...why not promote some all-natural products that would be good for all of us, especially those of us fighting cancer.  I wouldn't normally complain about stuff like this, but my bag seemed like a bag of left-overs.  I was surprised the other gal in my class had the exact products because I couldn't imagine this stuff anywhere but on the clearance end-cap at Target.  And yes, the wig lady was definitely there to sell her product.  I was frustrated with her because I felt silly modeling for the one other gal in the room who was not even going through chemotherapy and wouldn't need a wig at all.  

mmtagirl: I think you're right, it depends on your region or area where you take the class.  I am finding that friends of mine from Minnesota ended up with high-end make-up and even free hats from their class, while my class in Tulsa was basically left-over Avon make-up and a lady trying to sell wigs to those who didn't even need them.  Glad you left with positive vibes  

And I will say again that I realize this was a free class put on by volunteers.  I am grateful for the time and energy that went into providing the class...I just wish there was some equity in the quality of the products and presentation.  

One more thing:  has anyone had issues with menstrual and/or vaginal bleeding since starting chemo?  I had my third infusion on Tuesday, and I'm starting again with some heavier bleeding, like a heavy menstrual cycle.  Actually, I've had almost continuous bleeding (mostly light) since the first week of chemotherapy.  I read somewhere that this isn't really a big concern, but wondered what everyone else has experienced?  Last year I had some issues with fibroids, so I get worried and probably over think some of this.  

Wishing you all a happy weekend...and a Happy Mother's day to all you Moms out there

Footballnut

swissmiss I started spotting last Saturday 3 days after chemo. Then off and on dhring thus week. Not much to speak off. I was perimenopause anyhow do just attributed it to that

Well I did The following pics area and the new wig and me au natural. My new topless!!  Lol got it buzzed last night. Bald is AWESOME!!!!  Feels great!!! So weird. I feel better now then even prior to cancer diagnosis. Walked another 5 miles today. I hope that it seats like this but still doubt it!!!!!

Swissmiss

footballnut: you look beautiful!

Footballnut

thank you swissmiss!!!!

JanetP1507

Footballnut--I agree, you look beautiful!!!!

just back from my 3rd infusion. MO says the tumor DOES feel a little smaller and also softer. He's now gotten my gene test results (positive for BRCA1 gene mutation) and he wants to add cisplatin to my taxol just once every 3rd week starting today. So today took an extra hour because of the cisplatin. Cisplatin has more of a nausea effect so i was given extra anti-nausea today as well and instructed to take my Lorazepam tonight and start with the zofran first thing tomorrow. Fingers crossed!!!

have a wonderful weekend my fellow cancer slayers!

SharonDe

Beautiful, footballnut.  

Janet - good news on your tumor shrinking. 

mmtagirl

just beautiful, Footballnut!

Swissmiss, I am having similar issues with menstrual periods.  One my third one since first round and just had round 2 Tuesday.  Have basically been on my period all but one week!  So much for chemo pause! I am 51 and brought it up to my mo last week.  He didn't seem concerned although he expected the opposite.  

jhodro

Footballnut: You look radiant!!

Mmtagirl: Same for me as far as my cycle goes. I also brought it up to MO and he says it's not chemo that's causing it, but didn't seem concerned. I can't imagine what else it would be, was a 28-day girl before treatment. I am 43, and was kind of not going to mind chemo pause!! I see you are also in Michigan - I think the fact that spring has finally arrived will help with all of this!!

Janet: Best of luck that you wake up tomorrow feeling great!

Swissmiss: I hear you on the Feel Good class. Maybe I'll have to volunteer to do that when this is all said and done!

Kite

Swissmis- had periods so bad I had 2 blood transfusions on 2 different occSions. They eventually took my uterus out. It was a mess. Don't want to worry you just sharing my experience. 

clarrn

I am late... Not pregnant so is it "chemopause" already? I am only 30.  Hope it comes back! 

merg

Yikes on the Look Good class. I signed up for it coming on Monday. I hope it's not bad. I've been feeling ok for the past few days. You become very aware now of the good days & bad days.I have about 1 1/2 weeks till round 2. I am really dreading it Hope ya'll have a easy SE free weekend. BTW,  You look "Marvelous" Footballnut!

Sunshine36

Ladies!!!!

So sorry ive been mia lately!!! I am day 9 of round 2 now, and finally starting to feel like myself!!! Have a few mouth sores, but no where near what I had after round 1 , so all the biotene and baking soda rinses are helping!! Woot!!!

Clarn - my onc said periods usually return a few months after last chemo!!

Cold - OMG I nealry dropped my phone after I read your post...yes for eye twitching! !! At least once a day!!! Didn't even relate it to TCH!!!!

Ugh, and I too got my period.  Wth!! I thought id get lucky and lose it for a bit. And booo, its even lasting more dAys than my regular cycle.Booo!!!

I read everyone's posts from last few dAys - wishing and praying everyone have releif and comfort. 

And to all the mommies, have the happiest of mother's day!!!! 

Xoxo

Jen ♥♡♥♡

Jaimieh

Clarm I was 32 last time and my period came back not HS after I was finished on my diagnoses anniversary.  It will come back.  

Janet great news about your tumor shrinking and feeling softer. Hopefully adding cisplatin destroys the rest of it. 

Footballnut you look great . Glad you like your new look. 

It's odd to hear bad things about the ACS's look good feel good. At the hospital that I go to the ACS employees do the class so there is no pressure from a salon or anything. I signed up but I can't remember when. I am already suffering from forgetting what things are called and peoples names. I hate this but eventually it gets easier. 

I have learned that I can no longer sleep in which stinks. . I can normally sleep in until at least 9 but not after my surgery. I am now up at no later than 7 am. So frustrating while the rest of my house sleeps lol. 

Day 10 brought the first mouth sore and 11 brought its friend. I was hoping to not have any at all . 

I hope everyone has a great Mother's Day.  

LovebeingNana

Footballnut You look great!!! I especially love the big smile. I have to say it took me a while before I could smile after shaving my head. 

I have to agree - My Look Good Feel Better class was not very good. I so appreciate the sentiment behind it and I am grateful but I didn't get too much out of it. I brought my own water and that ran out in an hour - I was so surprised they had no refreshments of ay kind - especially water for chemo patients. We had zero emphasis on head wear - They just had old worn out wigs sitting on a table and you could choose one if you wanted to. The hardest thing about the goodie bags were that we all had something different so while they were trying to do the class, we had to stop over and over because one or more did not have eyeliner, our blush, or concealer. The volunteers were very sweet, but the program was lacking. 

I started with a bad headache last night. It kept waking me up. Now this morning I have intense nausea…not something I had last time.

I also have a lotos fatigue. I hope you are all doing well. Sunshine I am so glad you are feeling better. 

clarrn

Thanks for the reassurance about my chemopause ladies!  I hope it works out for me! 

I have to say that I hope my LGFB goes better if I am going to expend energy to go  I really do need new makeup!  

And at the risk of jinxing myself, so far round 3 is better.  (Chemo was Wed) Nausea and tired but no headache.  I had a cold which I am still coughing up copious amounts of green phlegm, but no fever so I hope it goes away!  

Nana-  hope you stay to feel better soon!

Football-  so beautiful and brave:)

Janet -  woo hoo on the tumor changes!

One day I would really like to get to meet you all.  I know we won't all be done treatment the same time, with rads/surgery following for some but you really do inspire and keep me sane!

JanetP1507

I have been wavering on this LGFB class (because for me it means taking MORE time off work and all my appointments are already eating up my sick time at an alarming rate) but after reading these comments, I think I'll skip it and just go to Ulta or Sephora for make up tips if I lose my eyebrows or lashes. 

Yes, I was VERY thrilled to hear him say my tumor did feel a tad smaller already and softer, like the mass is breaking down. That is why he decided to add the cisplatin, even though it is normally used for ovarian cancer. Because of my specific ER+ HER2+ status, he thought it might work well with the Taxol and encourage the mass dissolving even more. I'm only getting the cisplatin every 3rd treatment though because it is harsher and ups the nausea factor (which I am feeling today) so my next two weeks will be just my normal low dose of Taxol. The other good news is, because of the addition of the cisplatin, they upped my benedryl and my stuffy nose is all but gone today!! There is always a silver lining right?? I am also hoping for chemopause!!! I'll know in another couple weeks

I hope you are all feeling well and enjoy your Mother's Day tomorrow!

Sunshine36

I've been wavering on the LGFB too, so I appreciate everyone's feedback and may save myself the trip!

Janet - im very excited for you that the tumor is shrinking!  My tumor was noticeably smaller to touch after my first round (confirmed by my onc physical exam too!!). It felt very reassuring that chemo is kicking my cancer's butt!!!! 

Jaimeh - I have been having tons trouble sleeping (and getting good sleep) too. Even days off the steroid. Today I was up at 530 (silver lining was I enjoyed a nice cup of coffee whole hub and kids were sleeping!)

EverForward

It's nice to hear some good news from many of you (except for the periods!). I did the big buzz cut today. I handled it much better than I thought I would; I didn't even cry. In fact, getting the buzz cut put me in warrior mode. Hear me roar! Here's me with the buzz cut:

Will try to upload a photo with the wig to my profile.

brigadoonbenson

EverForward - Beautiful.  Amazing eyes.

 

JanetP1507

Everforward, I agree you look beautiful!!!

jhodro

Congrats Everforward! You look fantastic!

I agree with you, the preparation up until 'buzz day' is worse than the actual day. I feel like I got it over with and now I too am in fight mode. Today I even did my 3.5 mile walk with just a baseball cap so the world could even see the head. I wanted to use my usual running hat, it's much cooler than any of the other hats with more coverage. 

Happy mom's day to all you moms out there and hope everyone is enjoying the weekend SE free (as much as possible!!)

Oh - and on the LGFB - if you want to meet some local people that are dealing with all this, that is a great place for that. Just as a reminder that there are other people going through the same issues as we talk about here.

Have any of you gone to any of the group/sharing meetings - I hesitate to call them support groups - but I guess that's what it is? I have available next Monday, so I'm considering it, but it's two hours. And Monday is my last 'feel decent' day before my weekly infusion Tuesday. I am selfish with Mondays since I've generally gotten back to almost myself.

linda505

Everforward you look great with the buzz and the wig looks so natural - although I would like to see a bigger pic of you in it!!

LovebeingNana

Everforward you look great!! I started losing a lot of hair and now it has stopped falling out but I am thinking it will start again since I just got round 2 last week.

Round 2 is much harder so far. Yesterday was a bad day. I feel a little better this morning, but so fatigued. Those of you who are ahead of me, does it take longer for you to have a "really good day" after the 2nd round than it did during the first?

SharonDe

As everyone has said, you look beautiful, EverForward.

I felt really good during week 2, but week 3 is kicking me.  More fatigued, and a few more side effects.  Now have small little bumps/blisters on my palms and fingers which itch a lot.  I didn't help myself because I stopped making sure I drank lots of water, so trying to fix that.

Happy Mother's Day!

clarrn

Nana-  round 2 did take longer for any energy,  but I am getting AC  every 2 weeks so not a lot of rebound time anyway  Hope you get a really good day soon!

Timbuktu

Sharon, interesting,  I also had a tremendous second week but now I'm more tired.  It seems so odd, I thought I'd feel better and better until the next infusion,  I also stopped drinking so much,  Have to fix that,  

If I tug a little on one area of my hair, it comes out.  So it's starting.  Better get a wig fast!

My daughter's graduation is a week from yesterday and I'm really hoping to have hair at least until then,

Thanks for sharing, I really am so tired!

Timbuktu

I see you are on Taxol too Clarnn.  How do you handle the muscle/bone pain?

I'm really getting afraid of round 2, next week.

Swissmiss

Round three is kicking my butt...I do feel like some of my SE are getting harder each round  I haven't been drinking as much water as I did the first round, which could explain some SE's, but water actually tastes horrible to me right now.  I am currently trying to get down as much water as I can by mixing it 2:1 with juice and lots of ice.  

Does anyone else feel the SE's are gradually getting worse?  The metallic taste/smell that is lingering in my head is wreaking havoc by making me constantly nauseous.  Each round I end up taking at least one more anti-nausea tablet the doctor prescribed.  I have one more round of Cytoxin and Doxil, and I'm hoping the SE's aren't even worse next time around.  

Round 5 chemotherapy will be Taxol for me...I'm wondering how my SE's will differ, if any.  It could be a whole new scene with the different drug!  

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there