Starting Chemo October 2014

Becca9800

Sjacobs, right on cue! I shaved my head on Day 13 right after I rubbed a bit of product through my hair and my hands came away covered. I was shocked cuz I lost only a strand or two during the wash and rinse and thought I was safe for another day. I couldn't bear to watch it come out in clumps so I decided it was going when I said it was going! It was actually a relief, I wasn't going to have to watch it thin and I didn't have to shed all over everything. AND I get to wear these cute little head scarves I picked up at http://www.headcovers.com. So I have about 16 head covers now, hats, caps but mostly pre-tied scarves in a variety of colors that my co-workers love to critique, "oooh funky" or "I really like that one". It might have been less costly to go with a wig but I thought I'd shake it up a bit. I'm having fun with the different looks. 

Sjacobs146

Becca, thankfully, I already have a wig.  In Massachusetts, insurance covers up to $350 towards the cost of a wig.  I just have to go back to the salon to learn how to care for it and to have a fitting after my hair is cut.  I also have some hats and scarves.  I will need to get a few more to match my fall wardrobe, but I hope to mostly wear the wig to work.

Becca9800

My insurance covers one wig per lifetime for loss due to a treatment. I don't know if there is a $$ limit but have to think there is. Some wigs are awful expensive, several hundred dollars. Scarves can be quite costly as well, I've seen them upward of $50 each. I avoid those and look to the one's <$25.Thinking maybe I'll keep wearing even after my hair comes back, adds a splash of otherwise absent color and I really am having fun shaking up my usual dull look. 

Have fun with the hair loss, All Ladies! Whether it's wigs, scarves or aunatural. Have some fun adopting a new look here and there. Be brave, bold and pick a look every now and then that you wouldn't otherwise have the courage to do. My then 30-something sister-in-law rejected her wigs and scarves in favor of bald. She routinely went out with no covering on her bald, pale head and 99.9999% of people were kind and often complimentary of her look. There was one rotten apple in the bushel though, a complete stranger, a middle-aged 'gentleman' stopped her to ask, "hey, WHAT IS UP with that hair? You got that hair loss disease or something?" Always has to be one, right!?! 

Everyone have a GREAT Friday!! May you all feel well physically, emotionally and spiritually! 

Ilovecoasters

Good morning.  

I had such a wonderful experience yesterday and wanted to share.  My hair was starting to thin and  my entire head had a tight and sore sensation so I knew I was cutting it close ion time so I made an appt to have my head shaved.  I was so emotional and my husband was right there holding my hand.  I could tell other customers were sneaking peeks.  Halfway through my stylist says, "I'm next and you're going to shave my head.  They all know and I'm doing it for you. I don't want you to do this alone. You inspire me."  I thought she was kidding. I've only been going to this salon for about 8 months.  She wasn't kidding!!!  After she was done with mine, she went next. I wish I knew how to post pictures.  It was such a moving experience.  She created hope during a very traumatic experience.  The salon would not let me pay not would my now friend take a tip.  My husband was moved beyond words. I feel for one little 7 year old getting her hair done. Her eyes were wide while I got my head shaved, but she didn't know what to make of my stylist sitting down and doing it to. I hope her mommy talked to her.  

In the end, I'm doing ok. Husband kept rubbing my head last night and smiling.  I'm going to make some friends very happy as I turn over my hair product supply to them.  

Sjacobs146

Ilovecoasters, what an amazing story!  I'm going to try to get my head shaved today or tomorrow.  

cbooklvr

ilovecoasters what a great experience. Sounds like you are blessed witk lots of love a support. 

Becca9800

Awww ilovecoasters, that's just precious

ml143333

ilovecoasters - what a wonderful experience!

Sjacobs146

Head shaved yesterday, final fitting for wig. I go back in two weeks for a check-in, just to see if I want to make any more adjustments. It's a longer style than I usually wear, and the hair gets in my face, so I do have a feeling that we will cut some more. You have to be careful with the cutting, because it ain't gonna grow if you cut too much. I did fine with the shaving, for some reason I expected it to hurt, but I didn't feel a thing. I told my husband that he now has an opportunity to cross "sex with a bald woman" off of his bucket list, lol

armamp95

i have been shedding like crazy ... not wanting to get buzzed, since scalp feels sore. I am planning to use mostly caps and hats. I love the elegantly tied scarves, but my experiments (one-handed) have been a hot mess. I have ordered a pre-tied one, but kind of pricy, so I hope that some crafty friends can replicate. My dog got a bit agitated yesterday when I scattered some stray strands into the wind, and insisted on covering them up!

Ilovecoasters

I may be starting a new trend with my friends. They love my wigs and the ease of not spending 45 minutes blowing out and flat ironing. Have to admit, it saves so much time! If any of you still needs wigs, I highly recommend ordering from Voguewigs,com. I hit a great sale and had an online coupon code. Shipping was free too. I go two Norico wigs for $170!

Becca9800

Good Monday Morning! I feel like I've rejoined the living! Had Tx #2 last Wednesday and Neulasta on Thursday. Taste buds totally gone again by Thursday but otherwise feeling fine until Friday afternoon when the cold-to-the-bone and aching kicked in. The Neulasta SEs not so bad this round though, the bone pain didn't really get me until Sunday evening. No nausea or diarrhea from the chemo, the anti-nausea meds are wonderful! I just felt weak, foggy, dizzy and not well Friday evening and all day Saturday. Sunday my head was clear but I was SO weak. This stuff really packs a punch. 2 down, 4 to go! I can do this!

Ilovecoasters

Good morning,

I'm curious how long each of your treatments will be, I still have 15 more to go. Ugh. I wish I understood how the oncologists decide how long and how many. I have a friend who had the same type of BC, same number of nodes. She had three treatments of AC. Here I am with 4 AC and 12 Taxol.

cbooklvr

llovecoasters, my treatment is 17 total. 6 chemo and 17 of Herceptin. My MO does the Herceptin every 3 weeks instead of weekly. It just depends on the doctor.

Becca, glad to hear round 2 was so much better for you, yay!

Cherice

ml143333

Becca - so glad you are feeling better.  It sure makes a huge difference.

I am finally feeling better after my second treatment on Friday.  I didn't have to get Neulasta and thought I could go to work today.  Nope.  Friday after chemo I felt great!  Saturday was a bit puny.  Sunday during the day, I felt good and then the flu like feeling hit and I was out.  The anti-nausea meds worked just fine.  I just felt generally crappy, super tired and my mind was really in a fog.

Two down, 6 to go!

Becca9800

And I was blaming all my SEs on the Neulasta.... clearly not the case, ml143333. Remember to keep drinking! Hoping you're feeling better today.

ilovecoasters, I don't get it either, there seems to be no standard treatment regime for the same cancers. One doc said I needed 4 treatments of CT and the next recommended 6 using the same drugs. I don't know though if the dosing was the same. So it boils down to practice preference, the doc believes success is obtained with X and that is how they will proceed. I'd rather have 4 (God knows!) but I have to trust someone and I've chosen to trust my MO. So 6 it is. I can still say 'dammit' though.

ml143333

After staying home and resting yesterday, I am back at work today.  Feeling okay so far.  Tired and belly is a little funny, but I only have 8 hours to go!

nottoday

Dear ladies,

Checking back in. Last time I wrote, I was 5 days past 1st infusion/neulasta and planning to return to work.

Well, I did return to telework and I was able to participate in a 2-day long conference via phone, but, don't tell anyone, handled some of the call lying on my back in bed with the speaker phone propped on my chest. I was too tired to sit up! (No one seemed to know!)

Tomorrow is the 2nd infusion (out of 4). I feel more comfortable with it now because I know what to expect. Today is a holiday from work and I'm gathering my supplies for the next few days: lots of chicken soup (figured out last time I really have to baby my stomach for about 2 weeks), Powerade (I've developed an addiction to this stuff), apples to make applesauce, saltines, homemade hummus, dried fruits and nuts. I'm cranking up the humidifier to prevent last sessions' bloody noses, and preparing for lots of naps. I'll squeeze in as much yoga as I can, try to walk 30 minutes a day, and meditate.

I read all of your messages, and I really appreciate knowing you are with me out there, on a similar journey.

llovecoaster, loved the message about your hairdresser. I think it's the silver lining - how kind and supportive people are. I'm doing cold caps and found a dry ice supplier in my area who donates the ice to those of us going through chemotherapy. He charges only for delivery (and even that is really reasonable). Lots of unsung heroes.

I'm also starting to look into clinical trials for high Oncotypes like me. Just need to get through the next couple of months first.

Love and hugs to all of you.

She-Angel

I was on the fence about registering for the LGFB classes but from reading your posts it seems like a good idea and it will give me a bit of confidence in applying makeup to look good even if I don't feel it. Thanks for the information.

She-Angel

Got the Port put in yesterday, didn't realize they were going to bandage me up halfway up my neck. Needless to say I am sitting in my office with a scarf on and its 70 degrees outside today, but if it keeps me from spending another 6 hours in infusion on Friday it is so worth it. I been reading posts from other folks and looking at pictures of ports and I think I have freaked myself out sufficiently so  I will have to wait and see how it goes. I feel a bit sore so I am not sure what to expect now. 

ml143333

She-Angel

I also signed up for the LGFB class.  I think mine is 11/24 at the hospital I work in.  I am hoping that I will get some tips and tricks on how  not to look so pale with dark circles under my eyes.

My port took a good two weeks until it felt comfortable.  I have a BARD power port.  The most uncomfortable part for me was the thing in my neck and it is still somewhat uncomfortable, but bearable. 

I have e-mailed my NP about some of the stuff I am feeling.  After my last two chemo infusions, I noticed that my neck on the port side gets really sore like a muscle ache which eventually causes a headache and then starts to ache down into my shoulder blade.  It starts to level off about a week before my next chemo treatment.  I will let you know what she says.

 

eleanor53

I've been searching for a support system online because  I was diagnosed with stage I breast cancer August 2014. I've had a mastectomy Sept. 23, and I am going to have my first chemo treatment Nov.21, 2014. I've been given two options in terms of treatment: Docetaxel, Fluorouracil, and Methotrexate OR Cyclophosphamide, Fluorouracil, and Methotrexate. I've searched online for the side effects of the medications, and I am so frightened. I just do not know what to do. Do I take the hormone therapy or do I go with the chemo and hormone therapy? My Oncotype DX score is 23 (intermediate recurrence), so it's been recommended that I have 4 sessions of chemo (one every three weeks) because I am relatively young (53), and hormone therapy after the chemo is completed. I've read that the benefit of chemo for an Oncotype Dx of 23 is unclear, and there are clinical trials happening currently. I think I should know what I want to do in terms of treatment, but I am concerned about the side effects of  chemo.  I would like to keep working (I am a teacher assistant) during chemo treatment, but I am concerned about the side effects while working with students (7th graders). All advice would be most helpful.

Moderators

Welcome to the BCO community Eleanor. We are sorry about your breast cancer diagnosis but glad that you reached out to us. This is a community of others who share similar stories and experiences. We hope you will find support and information that can ease your way. You may want to check our own site's information on chemotherapy. Keep posting and let us know what you decide. The Mods

She-Angel

ml143333, I have a BARD too. Thanks for the info, I thought it was just me feeling weird with this side neck thing. I am trying not to look weird looking to the right. Like you said not unbearable but I do know its there....I will keep two weeks in my head to feel somewhat normal again. I remind myself everyday its the destination not the journey on this but jeez....it seems like something different every day

Nik1966

I also have a Bard Power Port. In New Zealand they tend to pop them in under local anesthetic. I have had mine in for a week and it still feels odd in y neck, but so much better than trying to find a vein. I think it's like all things BC, you adapt.

7 Days since my first influsion and I have felt pretty good. I certainly know if I have removed my seasick bands for a minute or two. Other than that I just feel crappy. I am still working and for me this has been doable first time around. Next time who knows.

Leto

Welcome eleanor53. You have certainly come to the right place to ask questions and talk about fears. One thing you will notice right off is that everyone reacts to the treatments differently. For me personally, the side effects have been minimal and I am very thankful for that. I receive nausea meds via IV before the chemo and that has helped tremendously - I have literally not been sick. The worst side effects I deal with his generally headaches and constipation for about 3 days after chemo (not to mention hair loss). You may one to ask your oncologist what nausea meds you will be prescribed. To ease your mind more, you may want to consider a second opinion - it can't hurt. Also, my treatments are on Thursday so I have the whole weekend to recover and by Monday I actually feel pretty good. Stay in touch and let us know. Hugs

She-Angel

Welcome Eleanor53, I am relatively new to the site too but have found it a valuable resource. They are right everyone reacts differently to treatment. I have been working still and am a crime scene investigator, I actually had to do the police fitness test the day after they told me I had cancer, and I had to shoot for certification a week after they took 5 lymph nodes out of my left armpit. It has been a bit uncomfortable at times and when I get too hot I tend to feel nauseous but for the most part other than being constipated and a bit dizzy I have been getting through. The ever constant headaches after the infusion were a bit much, I found that I was trying to tough it out but when they have such great medicines there is no need to be in pain when you don't have to be. I have tons of information on natural herbal remedies that a friends mother who went through this years ago used and sent to me and I have a great oncologist. I am willing to try the herbs in conjunction at this point but not as the treatment. I think it is good to have as much information as possible to decide what is best for you. The type of cancer I have responds best to chemo, that is why I went with it. Advances in medicine have made things better and more effective but then again I am looking at treatments until March. For the amount a treatments you are looking at there may be a better option, keep focusing on what you need to do for you and what gives you peace of mind.

 

Nomatterwhat

Eleanor, Welcome to the group.  I had a BMX on 8/4/14 with chemo starting on 8/22/14.  I had the every 3 weeks 4x of TC. My doctor recommended this regimen due to the fact that I am only 54 and they tell me I am relatively young, (they should live in this body some days).  Next I am headed to radiation and hormone therapy.  I can tell you that I really didn't have very many side effects with this regimen and was told that the TC was one of the easiest and lightest forms of chemo to have.  Although, some days I called them liars, plus a few other names, I survived and didn't miss one day of work, except for chemo days.  I did my chemo on Thursday, shot on Friday, felt icky over the weekend and back to work on Monday.  The best advice I can give to you is to drink, drink and drink some more.  Take your medicine on time and I took my Zofran every six hours and before I ate.  I even got up in the middle of the night and took my Zofran, drank some Ginger Ale and ate some crackers.  I made sure I ate something every couple of hours and didn't let myself get hungry.  Make sure you eat bland, spicy foods about killed me.  There are amazing ladies on this board and look forward to helping you in any way we can. 

Ilovecoasters

Round two tomorrow. Dreading.

nottoday

Dear llovecoaster - hope it goes very smoothly for both of us! I'll be sending good thoughts your way from ATL.