Starting Chemo in April 2014

brigadoonbenson

All you hot flashes and runny nose fellow travelers - you can find great fans on ebay.  I have bought several and really enjoy pulling them out to cool myself.  I have had a handkerchief collection for years and some are duplicates or ones I couldn't use (I collect them  to put out as mini tablecloths at the coffeemaker to put the cups, sugar, creamer, etc on).  I have started carrying them.  I also carry Kleenex for the big jobs but to blot my face and neck it is so much more pleasant to pull one of these out.

 

SharonDe

I don't find the pity looks so much - living in South Florida with so many older folks makes us common place.

Just finishing up - 30 minutes to go and I will say goodbye to chemo.  Need a week or two to recoup and we are off to Maine for the rest of the year.

linda505

Howdy april sisters!

Sharonde - your picture is great!!  I love your wigs!  I am with you - as I am in a retirement area also I don't seem to get the pity looks either.  I have gotten stopped twice - once in walmart, once in the grocery stores by people who simply asked "How are you doing?"  and it was a genuine question.  Then one asked me my first name and asked if she could pray for me.  I appreciate those that care.  I did have little kids laugh at me once when I accidentally went bald somewhere - but they were very young and I laughed with them. 

For whatever reason none of what people I don't know think bothers me at all.  I may be getting the pity looks and not even notice them.  I have noticed that some "friends" seem scared to visit or call - it is like they don't know what to say.  Oh well - this too shall pass.  

Ughh - treatment 4 is next Tuesday - that will make me 2/3rds done with chemo - wish it was the last one.  I am definitely over the chemo adventure.  SE were minimal with #3 - just the usual suspects - "C", stomach/bowel distress, taste issues (longer lasting and worse this round) and twitchy eyes and general twitches all over my body lol. The worst SE and the one that hasn't really subsided much is the fatigue. I know this is most likely gonna be worse after 4 and I am not sure how much work I can do - I am mentally and physically exhausted after a couple of hours. I got fluids the friday after the last treatment and that seemed to help with the SE's on days 4-6, so I am going to schedule that for next week also. I know I am drinking plenty of fluids but if it helps then why not? 

Hope you are all doing as good as possible and I wish you all minimal SEs!!

Timbuktu

I like that, 2/3 done next Monday.  I hadn't thought of it that way.  We do help each other through!

Footballnut

2/3 done next Wednesday!!  Woo hoo!

Wishing minimal SEs to all!!!

Love all the pics!!!!

clarrn

Timbuktu - I am sorry that you have to get six but it sounds like you knew you might need it.  Your intuition is usually right.  You are strong and you can do it.  We will all be here for you whatever you choose!

Timbuktu

Thanks clarnn, I needed that!  It really shook me up even though I kind of knew.  She said I had a significant risk of recurrence, etc.  The thought of more infusions....well, everyone here understands.

MameMe

Sharon, You look almost as fetching as the Divine Miss M! I saw a video of a concert by Bette Midler today, and it was the happiest thing I have experienced in a long time! I wanted a wig like hers and some sequined clothes to strut around in! That would go over big in rural Maine, huh?! 

Safe travels to your summer abode. 

MommyQ

Timbuktu - I'm totally with ya. My MO told me 4 T&C was the standard recommended # of treatments for my case but she'd like me to do 6 if my body will tolerate it, because I'm high risk. My initial thought was to only do 4 to just be done quickly, but I know I should do 6 to be more likely to get it all taken care of. 

But Linda put it in better terms. I'll be 2/3 done Wednesday!

Swissmiss

Aww, thanks, Girls, for your kind words.  I often feel invisible around town, but I know I can always feel the love here Thank you for always being here for me, all of you...I mean it! 

Ddkath70

Haven't been back for awhile and looks like a lot of you are all wrapping up your chemo or almost finished! So happy for all of you!

I'm officially halfway done! I wanted to share a few things about my second round. if you remember, I'm the one who was terrified by the thought of nausea. I had asked my MO for a patch- the kind that they gave me for the surgery behind my ear. She told me that it was a different kind of nausea and it wouldn't work, but the first round was a disaster as far as nausea. I took so much ativan I don't even remember it. So with the second one I demanded to try, I mean really, what's the harm? Well it as was night and day difference. It was NOTHING like the first. However, some of the other side effects were worse like fatigue and the bone pain from that god awful shot. But I'm like 11 days out now and feeling pretty close to normal. I'm thankful for that. I have my third round on 7/8 and then fourth around 7/29 and then I'm done! Can't wait to get back to my life. 

Question for y'all. My hair is growing back in at the moment, I'm guessing by day 14 or so it will fall out again - did that happen to anyone? It all fell out after day 14 of the first treatment. 

Here are some pics....

Timbuktu

You're having a different T/C.  I'm on Taxol and carboplatin.  It's disturbing to see how much drs differ.

jbokland

ladies. I'm telling you ...you wear the Sassy Head and people don't give you pity looks.  They stop and tell you how beautiful/cool/awesome you are!  You have wonderful conversations and make new friends.  That why I say Be bald, Be bold, Be beautiful!  I designed these because I didn't want the pity looks!

Www.sassyhead.com

Lakegirl1

Ddkath70...tomorrow is #3 of 4 for me!!!  Woo hoo 75%done!!!  My hair and nails are growing. I too thought my hair would fall out after my last treatment at the 14 day mark, but it didn't!  I totally thought I would be bald, but, I'm not!  Who knew?!?!?  Hopefully, I will keep what I have and it will grow back quickly!!!

Ddkath70

lakegirl, good luck tomorrow! Im hoping for minimal SE's and that your hair stays strong! I'm bald, but it's growing back and I'm just wondering if it's going to fall out at that 14 day mark again.

Congrats to be 75% of the way done!!!

EverForward

ddkath, my hair started falling out 14 days after my first infusion like clockwork so I got the buzz cut. However, not all of it fell out and the stubble that stayed behind is already growing, but it's rather sparse. I had my fourth of six infusions Wednesday. My leg hair is starting to grow back in small patches. 

SharonDe

Footballnut - congrats on the negative BRCA test results.  Sorry about your husband's silly boss.

Timbuktu - I hope you are reconciled to the additional treatments - wishing you luck with your SEs.

Dekath - most of my hair came out at 15-17 days after tx 1.  I buzzed and some never came out.  There's a little growth between treatments, but it would be clumpy if I hadn't buzzed - not a good look.

MameMe - thanks.  I saw Bette Midler live on stage in Sydney.  Best show I've seen, she's so tiny but full of life.  I can't wait to rock rural Maine with my orange and blue wigs

So far, minimal SEs after last treatment, but it usually takes a few days to see any digestive or other issues.

Timbuktu

I'm 3 weeks post 3rd infusion and the hair does seem to be growing.  What's up with that?  I thought the hair follicles would be dormant until I'm done.

Just spoke to the nurse at my local onco.  She said they hadn't scheduled me for infusion and scheduling is tight.  I see the onco Monday and we should discuss it then.  I hope there is no problem with all of this.  It's kind of nerve wracking having your life in other peoples hands, no?

Hope everyone has a good weekend.  I'm feeling pretty darn good, physically.  A little shaky emotionally.

ColdInCanada

Sitting in the chair just finishing up Round 5. After today just ONE more time.  See you all in a few days once I emerge from the Dark Place.

LovebeingNana

Hey friends, I totally understand the pity looks. I get them all the time and I have kind of become used to them. Well I wanted to share a cool thing that happened today. I am on vacation - (we had this planned long before Cancer came knocking.) My last chemo was last week so we went ahead with our plans. Well today we went to the Statue of Liberty and there was a LONG line ln the sun. The security guard came up to me and said "Ma'am you should not have to stand in this line. Come with me." We followed him straight through to get on the ferry. He said goodbye by saying "You keep up the fight OK?"  That really cheered me up.

I hope the rest of you start feeling better from your SE's. 10 days PFC and I am exhausted but it is good to get away and be Nana.

Timbuktu

Beautiful Nana!

Lakegirl1

Put that one in the books 75%DONE!!!  1 more to go!!!  

I talked with the RN at the cancer center. In her experience, if the hair hasn't fallen out yet, she didn't think it would!!!  I did buzz mine pretty short, but it is growing!!!   Hopefully, this will hang on and it will just have to fill in!!!  Also, hoping eyelashes and eyebrows don't fall out!!!

Here is to minimal SE's ....hope everyone has a good weekend!!!

nancybel

awesome Nana!!  Nice to hear you're having a great time and there're good people out there. Enjoy!

MameMe

Dear C in C, your photo is adorable, and we will definitely be here when you dive into the tough places, AND when you come out. 

Nana, What a nice change of pace, being on vacation and being done w the tx's. Here's to clear sailing for you. Nice gesture from the guy at the statue. 

SharonDe

Keep the Lights on, Cold !!!!  We are cheering for you.

Great story, Nana.  And, good for you, hanging in there for your vacation.  Feel good and have a good time.

nancybel

Cold, you got this.  I just came out of my dark place, and feeling better knowing I only have 1 more tx to go.  We're here for you.

Sunshine36

Nana - amazing story!  So happy to see you on vacation and enjoying your beautiful fam

Cold - praying you come out of the dark place quickly  

All the other amazing strong courageous chemo sisters - love you all. Cant believe we are all slowly approaching the ends of our chemos.  When we all began posting here, it seemed like such a huge mountain to climb. Now ladies, we are so close!! I have round 5 (out of 6) on Thursday.... nervous, but ready.  

My mouth sores arw slowly, slowly healing. Able to take baby bites of food now. The magic mouthwash has been a blessing and my facial swelling is Down a bit this morning. The mouth sores are by far the worst se for me. The past few rounds they were more mamanageable, but this round was.aweful ; ( really makes you feel down in the dumps when you can't talk or eat without wincing in pain. Grrrr

 Anyway, love you all :-) stay strong ladies! 

Jen

lilyrose53

Hi all,

SwissMiss-sorry you are feeling invisible.  That sucks.  I want you to know that we are all here for you!

SharonD-love the sexy wig!

Cold-so glad you are almost done!  I hope you don't stay in the dark place too long.

Nana-what a great story!  I love it when people are thoughtful!

I am on day three after infusion.  Always a yucky day.  I feel like I'm coming down with the flu, but I know it will pass.  I'm just sick of not being able to do anything on the weekend.  Only nine more infusions.  Sigh.

On a happy note, our middle daughter had her baby yesturday.  We have another granddaughter!  So our total now is seven GD's and five GS's.  Our family is so blessed!

Wishing you all minimal SE's.  Hugs, lilyrose

Coopdizzle

Well, I was going to do my 12th and last Taxol this last Thursday. My white blood count was too low(700). I ask my doc if I needed to come back at the same time next week or keep the same appointment. He said to keep it and that we are going to start A/C next week. He said it's not going to make a difference if we skip the last Taxol. I hope he's right. I'm a bit nervous. The Taxol/Carboplatin worked so well. I'm worried the A/C won't do anything. Oh well, one more drug off the list!! Wish me luck! I hear the red demon is harsh.

MameMe

Hi Coop, Hang in there, you are heading into quite a ride! Its so important to nail this beast and with TN, even more so. Keep us posted.