Chemo in July 2015

Zuwali

MissBee123, you look beautiful!

gargengirl09

Zuwail-Yay! Glad the port is working well. Much better than a Picc line. Had one years ago when I was pregnant. Gave me the same problems as you! Fingers crossed for no SE.

Thunder7

Courtleboo so glad the PICC is out and your rash is retreating! Congratulations on being 3/4 of the way through!!!! Marta

Gretagirl

MissBee123 you are gorgeous! I went to town today with my new buzz cut. It's just too hot here to wear a scarf or anything. MO told me NO razor to my head so it's just as low as the clippers will allow. I still shed!

hartrish

missB123: you are beautiful!!!!!!!!! I love the support from your husband, family and student.

Abinsf

Hi Everyone,

Hi. My name is Ami. I was diagnosed 6/15 and started chemo 7/9. Will be doing 4 rounds of AC and 4 rounds of Taxol, both bi-weekly. My last round of AC will be this Wednesday. I started losing my hair the night of the 2nd round. I shaved my hair down to 1" by that weekend. The following weekend, I shaved it down to 1/8" because I couldn't stand seeing it fall out in long pieces any longer. So distressing to see all that hair in the shower drain and all over my clothes. Not all of it has fallen out yet. I have patches left on the back of my head. Has anyone else experienced that? Will all of it fall out before I start a Taxol or in the midst of it? And will my hair start growing back during Taxol or after all chemo treatments are done? Can one take large doses of biotin to help with hair growth?Apologies for all the questions.

6feetover

Ami: Hi there, and welcome! Sorry that you have to be here, but glad that you're with us! As for questions, bring 'em on!

I had my DH cut off my hair and shave my head before my first chemo session because I'd had very long, very thick hair and I knew that I wouldn't be able to deal with the trauma of seeing it all fall out (I've since had my long hair and my DH's hair–he cut off his hair and shaved his head in solidarity–made into 2 hair "halos" by a lovely company in FL. They're amazing!).

When the 1/8" hair began thinning between my 2nd and 3rd AC rounds, I shaved my head down to stubble. The weird thing is, some of the stubble's gone in patches, so those parts of my scalp are bare, but some just refuses to budge, and there are areas all over the top of my head where fuzz is still growing! UGH. I'd love a clean, uniformly-naked noggin; I think mine looks gross, now. My onco doc told me that I may not lose all of my hair during the AC, but she's sure it'll all be gone (including eyebrows and lashes–fabulous!) at some point during the Taxol/carbo treatments which are scheduled to start in September...

As an aside, I envy you ladies who've posted photos here of your lovely bare heads–you all look beautiful! My head's skinny and pointy like Capt. Jean-Luc Picard's. Not cute on a girl, lemme tell ya...

gargengirl09

I just finished my fourth and final round of AC. Had my hair all cut off before treatment #2. I look like Uncle Fester or the Wooly Willy guy (old school references….) Anyhow. It is still falling out. I have some bald spots, so I look like a cheetah or something. I occasionally use a lint roller to take off the extra, you know just to check and see if it's all going to come out.

I am really hoping that the constipation gets better with Taxol. I'm feeling ok today, but barely moved yesterday. EVeryone has said the taxol and Herceptin combo is easier. I hope so.Hope everybody is having a great day! I also admire all of you lovely ladies sporting those beautiful bald heads.

mdoc524

All - thanks so so much for the love & well wishes for my poor puppy! She is hone with us now and they gave her a 30 day round of steroids and she is back to her normal self. Once the steroids wear off we will be faced with saying Goodbye to the most amazing dog ever! Sooo thankful to have this time with her!

I had my 2nd AC yesterday and it knocked me on my butt! Felt it immediately as the Red a Devil entered - like someone parked a truck on me! Today crazy on the steroid kick - waiting for tomorrow's crash! MO reviewed my WBC drop to Zero in Round 1 and expects the same fir every time to start around Day 6 or 7 and high risk til Day 10 when Neulasta kicks in! My counts did come back up but not as high as normal so I have strict instructions to follow to not get sick - alarming!

Cheesequake - You are beautiful - love your pic! Hope your port issues turn around for you! Your Decadron script sounds crazy! I have to take Decadron - 3 pills at infusion center right before they start, then 2 mire each morning Days 2, 3 & 4 - that's it - works good! Do you have to take Emend! I have to take that with the Decadron on Chemo Day plus day 2 & 3.

Jbandkb1 - hope your exhaustion subsides - that is Day 7 & 8 for me when my WBC drop to zero - not fun! Sorry you have to go thru this with such young children - my boys are 9 and can fend for themselves

Thunder - love the No Hair Pro list! My hubby buzzed mine today ( pics to follow) and I have one to add to the list - Don't have to spend so much on hair products - shampoo/conditioner won't use as much if any, Leave-In Cinditioner won't use any at $20 per bottle 👍

Abinsf - Welcome - so so sorry you have to be here but so glad you found this awesome group of strong beautiful women!

Adarkadaptedi - I bet you are beautiful 😀 but I can relate I do not like my face with short hair & my husband buzzed mine today - could not take the sore scalp & shedding anymore! Everyone has complimented & my husband said he liked it & that I was still so sexy (so sweet - liar)! Freaks me out every time I look in the mirror! Hang in there - you are not alone❌⭕️❤️

Hope everyone is having a great side effect free weekend or as minimal as possible

Mary

gargengirl09

mdoc- Adorable picture of your boys and dog. Glad the steroids are helping her. I'll be thinking of you all. I had my fourth round of AC and it hit me like a truck. I'm so glad to be done with it. I don't want to see or drink anything red for a long time. Just made me feel awful as soon as it started this time. I have an 8 year old daughter. :-)

Right now, I feel like my food is sticking when I swallow. Strange, but happens every time for a few days. I blame the Zofran for slowing my entire system down.

Hoping everyone had a good day! I got brave and went to the neighbors house without my head covered up! Too hot outside, and am getting to the point where it just feels natural to not have some foreign object on my head. Baby steps!

mdoc524

thanks gargegirl09 - I gave the same thing - have to have water when eating as some food you feel like you can't get it down! Then the same heaviness in my upper respiratory came back again where you feel like you are getting a bad chest cold ...

Also have another side effect that could be TMI that I am going to share her just to see if anyone else is dealing with it - my MO shrugged it off! So I have break thru mentral bleeding almost everyday with period cramps!!! History - had period end of May when I had my BMX then did no get it again til end of July and have had spotting everyday since .... MO said usually period goes away during chemo which I would prefer LOL - anyone else ??? Really sorry if too much - thanks!

Here is my new Buzzed look - could not take the scalp soreness anymore - feels so much better - not comfortable going outside without it covered yet - don't care what others think - head just feels too weird

Have a super Sunday

RuthElizabeth

hi everyone. Here's to a good Sunday.

Mary, you boys are beautiful. So is the puppy. Enjoy the time you have with her. You are beautiful, all naturel. I think my hardest part about the shaved head, is people seem to want to tell me all their relatives who died of cancer. REALLY. I just cringe. Do they really think I want to hear this. I could cry every time I hear it. I even had a few ask why I would shave my head. Go figure....

I think I'm getting lymphodema. Since Wednesday, my hand has swollen and a little of my wrist. Hurts when I touch it. And especially when I'm outside in the heat. I am to call doctor first thing Tuesday, he wants to see me. Anyone else having problems? There is a lymphodema therapist 45 minutes from my place, and I'm hoping I can get in with her, instead of just a regular therapist. Especially, if I need measured for a sleeve. Not sure yet if the insurance will cover her.

Tomorrow is AC # 3. I'm trying to keep positive positive. Feeling a little overwhelmed, teary. Trying not to think about things and feel sorry for myself. I hate feeling like this.... Crying on a drop of a hat.

Had a super bad dream last night. My husband had to wake me up, I guess I was screaming. Had a sore throat from yelling so much. I've been having really awful nightmares since starting chemo.

Well, here is peace and love to everyone. Have a great day. Ruth

mdoc524

Aw Ruth - hang in there! I agree people just don't think - I think they want to relate so they have to tell you about anyone they know who has or had cancer even the ones who succumbed to this horrendous disease! Try to let that just fly! We are survivors & together will kick cancer's butt! It's ok to be weepy - no right in wrongs here! Good luck tomorrow - will be thinking of you! I would definitely get to a certified lymphodema specialist the they can give you a sleeve if needed and exercises you can do to help it! I had a prelim appt with one that my MO recommended - did not like her at all - going to try one closer to home! I don't have lymphopdema yet but have cording - want to do therapy now as I will be getting radiation which could bring it in then ..m

Thanks for your note about my kids - they are my handsome little men turning 9 next week and our puppy - the steroids brought her right back to normal so we are spoiling pager rotten & enjoying every minute! So cute she won't leave my side ...

Mary

Suzanne1971

Mary! I'm so sorry to hear the news about your pup. Xoxo

Round 3 for me this week. I feel so good (dare I say normal) for the last week,,it's almost hard to believe this is my reality. Then I look in the mirror 😜

Still some patches of hair holding on, but expect that to go soon.

Hope you all had a great, SE- free weekend! I got on the beach for a bit

Want2Bcamping

Enjoy every minute with your fur baby Mary. Sorry to read the news about her.

Peabrain

hello, all!

The port install went great, just a little soreness and itchy left now. We'll give it a test run tomorrow for my third AC. Just when I feel like myself.

The weird hard to swallow thing is from the Cytoxan and the same SE that gives you mouth sores, according to my MO. When it gets worse, I got sores down my esophagus and it hurt to even drink water. He put me on Nexium and gave me a prescription Mylanta-like stuff to coat it. Second round was much easier.

hartrish

hope everyone had a great weekend.

Mdoc: I hope your counts stay up. I have been lucky the first two rounds. My wbc count has always been high normal day 7 after chemo from the neulasta shot. I think for TC the nadir period is about day 4-5 so when I get my counts done 7 days after chemo the neulasta has already kicked in. Hope it continues like that through round 3 and 4.

Ruth: let us know what your doc says about lymphadema. I thought I had lymphadema but it turned out to be cording. Went to lymphadenopathy specialist and she showed me exercises to do. Feel better now. I also cry on the dime for no reason. Catches me off guard sometimes. I think it is the steroids and just the whole cancer chemo thing. I try and stay focused on the end game. Thinking about you.

courtleboo

Despite all of our best efforts, it seems I have gotten the wretched summer cold that's running through my kids. They have been in quarantine and so have I... Talk about bad timing.

Wish me luck.

Thunder7

Courtleboo, praying for you to have a quick recovery. My BIL and his wife just got back from a 3 week vacation flying around US and Canada. SIL seems irritated I don't want to see them until they have home and symptom free for a week!

Sending healing thoughts your way.

Thunder7

mdoc524

Hi All - happy Monday!

Thanks again for the well wishes for my Quinny! She is acting normal on the steroids & we are just loving every second & spoiling her rotten - fingers crossed it lasts longer than they expect! 💔🐕💔

Peabrain - so glad you got port & all good! I also have swallowing issues - not pain so much but just can't seem to swallow food without water nearby!

Hartrish - thanks - glad your counts are managed! My MO advised to expect mine to drop to close or at Zero every time on AC - Days 6 thru 10 will be high risk period with lots of restrictions! No out in public, No eating raw fruits/veggies/salads or lunch meat or really any undercooked foods! Will be admitted if any fever! Just hoping to avoid sicknesses - will be tough with Back To School in 2 weeks!

Courtleboo - so sorry you got the dreaded Summer Cold - hope it does not get worse! My boys had it a few weeks ago and I skated it (knock on wood)

Thunder - don't blame you & your family should understand! My husband has advised all family to stay away if any sign of sniffle... We have a huge family - 27 kids ages 1 to 29 ... Would love to see them ( especially the little ones) but they have been keeping distance with the exception of a few to help! Hard because my twins 9th birthday is next week and we are going to hold birthday party til the fall - feel bad!

Have a good (minimal SE) week for all! We can do this & will! ❌⭕️❤️

Mary

Gretagirl

Hello everyone. Manga aging crazy side effects this morning! No real constipation this weekend some neausea yesterday took zofran and comparing at bedtime woke up this morning to diarrhea and nose bleeds again. So today it's Ocean Immodium and soothing ointment!

Mary I stay way too worried to about my WBC! My Mo keep saying live my life, use reason, wash hands within reason! I have my two elderly parents living in my home with me and hubby so I worry a lot. I try to use normal caution but I worry. I tend to drop the third week my WBC was 3.5 on Monday but we did chemo on Wednesday. MO says go do live and if I can't get up and go call him. So I went to church yesterday but had my pastor request that no one hand shake or hug me. I just try to be careful without going overboard! It's hard.

RuthElizabeth I cry all the time! Can be fine and all of a sudden I am just crying! Hubby just tries to deal.

Gargengirl I went to Walmart Friday and ran into someone I knew and I totally forgot I had no hat and hardly no hair! It's just too hot to cover up right now!

Courtleboo I width you a speedy recovery from summer colds!!!

mdoc524

hey Gretagirl - if it helps you - after my 1st AC on Day 7 my WBC was a 0.8 and my neutrophils were a 0.1 .. My nurse came in room & told me to put on a mask & Dr was considering admitting me because temp was 99.5.. Your Dr will tell you when time to worry.. I would still do the due diligence with good hand-washing & being careful and hopefully yours won't drop any lower!!

Hang in there!

Mary

Twnkltoz

Hi all, joining late. Started four rounds of a/c every other week on July 15, so just had #3 last Wednesday. Then I'll have for rounds of taxol, so it looks like a few of us are on the same regimen. So far, I'm doing pretty well and thankful for that.

Gretagirl

Welcome Twnklotz. You found a good thread. Happy you are doing well.

Mdoc524 I am trying! I just so do not want to get behind on scheduled treatment

inkster

I went in for lucky number 3 of the TC regimen and reacted badly to the taxotere. Again. Luckily my brother was with me and they had me planted right next to the nurses station, so he grabbed them and they got it stopped immediately, which rocked. And we decided no more taxotere (which I am fully on board with as not being able to breathe was rather bothersome). Instead, I did adriamycin followed by cytoxan and will be for the next round too. I get to experience the side effects of AC - like a lot of you, but in reverse.

I'm kinda loopy from all the benadryl I got to try to prevent the reaction or else I'd just go back and skim. Instead, I'm being lazy: advice on handling the AC side effects? I've got good anti-nausea meds at the ready along with a huge stock of ginger ale and saltines (which I had on hand for TC, just in case). What else?

courtleboo

Thank you for all the well wishes. I am doing ok so far.

Question: Do any of you get leg pain? Usually the 3rd day after treatment I have terrible leg pain. But I am wondering if it has anything to do with low wbc. My legs started hurting again today which is unsual except for this darn cold coming into play.

JillyB

Mary - I have had the same menstral symptoms you do. I am going to the doctor tomorrow and am going to ask. I will keep you posted as to what she says.

PS - I have that same head covering. Love it! It's very light.

RuthElizabeth

Early morning to everyone. AC number 3 yesterday. Came home, felt great. Worked 3 hours in the shop. Ate mashed potatoes and took a nap. Woke up with stomach pains. Now I'm worried it going to be like chemo number one. I sure hope not.

Inkster, when they switched me to Amend for nausea, it was wonderful. I take senokot every day for the first week for constipation. It helps. I sweat like a pig. Especially my head. Not sure what's going on there. Good luck.

Gretagirl, thanks. Glad I'm not the only one crying. I try to do it in private. Husband has been ok, but he doesn't even ask when I do. So I walk away.

Hartrish, I go next Monday to a therapist. Says it's going to be a two hour appointment. I'm anxious to see what is said. I always has super big fatty upper arms. My gramma gave them to me young. Haha. All the pain had gone away after the mastectomy. But, now since some swelling, it's back. Really bothers me. I'm a hairdresser, so I'm really worried. I try to work a little bit each week, and yesterday, I really hurt after three hours. But that could have been from being chemo day too. I will let you know what they say. Thanks. What is cording?

Here's to hoping for a good day to everyone. Love and Peace. Minimal SEs, none would be awesome !!!! Said a prayer for everyone and their families, kids and Quinny too. I need some more sleep. Ruth

Gretagirl

Good morning. Feeling a little better today as compared to yuck. I am writing everything down so I am seeing or trying to see a pattern of SEs.

Inkster you are a trooper! I hope your new regime works better!

Courtleboo I get leg pain but relate it to Neulasata or lack of potassium

Ruthelizabeth I sweat a lot through my head and I imagining got being the chemo coming out of my body!

House work today and y'all know what I am grateful that I feel well enough to do it!

Have a wonderful day!

6feetover

Off to Round 4 (last round!!!) of my AC today - wish me luck, ladies! After that, it'll be a 2-week break, and then I'll start the 12 weeks of weekly Taxol (plus probably carboplatin). Urff. So sick of all of this already, as I know you all are, too... *Sigh*