Anyone.Starting Chemo in October 2016?

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  • VLH
    VLH Member Posts: 1,258
    edited October 2016

    Nooooo! I'd written a long post, but it apparently stalled after submitting it. Here I go again...

    Betty, I'm sorry you encountered the dental issue, but am glad that all went smoothly with your procedure. It sounds like your dentist is a keeper!

    Connie, my nurse said that I could take Claritin daily throughout treatment. I stopped talking it on day 5 because I was extremely dizzy. I still don't know if it was my blood pressure being too low, the Claritin, or the Sancuso antinausea patch. It will be interesting to see how cycle number two goes in terms of that problem.

    I think avoiding favorite foods is wise when the taste buds go wonky. One of my dogs got carsick a lot as a puppy. There was clearly a negative association for her because she wouldn't drink water while in the van until we pulled into the driveway, at which point she would tank up.

    Fightingthefight, I hope all went well today with infusion #2.

    Barb, I now recall that the nadir / lowest point for neutrophils / white blood cells is days 7 through 10. My counts will hopefully start improving tomorrow and be sufficiently recovered by Tuesday so I can have my planned treatment. I haven't seen my family in almost 2 years and hope to visit them in the spring between chemo & radiation so no more delays, please!

    I'll have to check out your blog, Al12! I bought a pretty calendar / journal at Half Price Books to jot down side effects, expected date for switching to Taxol, etc.

    My friend buzzed my hair a bit shorter than I would have preferred, but it wasn't traumatic at all having the cut done in my own kitchen while chatting with her instead of at a salon with strangers sending furtive glances my way.

    Lyn

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  • Abracadabra
    Abracadabra Member Posts: 1,369
    edited October 2016

    Hello all,

    Thanks for the positive response on my headscarf. I'm really getting hooked ... it's quick and easy once you get the hang of it. Here's my scarf du jour:

    image

    Don't worry ... I'm not going to post pictures of my head every day! I'm just still very excited about learning a new thing ... and clearly I have too much free time on my hands!!

    I would seriously consider going bare-headed, but I had to crop off my auburn-from-a-box hair, and all that is left on my head is gray. Gray hair looks lovely on so many women, but in my case I looked alarmingly like my younger brother Dave, who also sports a buzzed gray 'do. And that won't do!

    Nothing much to report ... I'm trying to get organized for my chemo#2 on Monday, anticipating another week of feeling nauseated and dizzy. DH and I are going to go grocery shopping on the weekend to buy ingredients for meals he can throw together easily next week. I think I'll chop up a ton of raw veggies and put them into a big Tupperware in the fridge... we can graze on veggies and hummus all week, along with whatever he decides to cook (one less thing for him to do).

    I love reading your posts ... I was telling a friend today how important this forum is to me. I feel part of something good when I read and write here ... it feeds the soul to be in a place of such understanding and support.

    Have a lovely evening.

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  • BevSue
    BevSue Member Posts: 12
    edited October 2016

    Hi everyone

    Went for my 1st chemo today. All went well. Glad to get the first one over with. Hope everyone had a good day.

    Barb, love the scarves. You look great....

    I have extemely curly hair and cut it short about 2 weeks ago. Feel like I look like a poodle. Oh well....

    Crazy thing, if/when my hair does come out my employer requires that I provide a dr excuse before I can wear a scarf or hat. I got the dr to give me one today but I thought that was just stupid. Where I work we have no contact with the public.Sorry for the rant.

    Have a great evening everyone 😀

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  • Connie1230
    Connie1230 Member Posts: 192
    edited October 2016

    Al12, thanks for letting me know it was Neulasta pain. I had one spasm...or what I would call a spasm. I'm taking that Claratin every day and going to get some Vitamin B6 too. Here I was feeling so good about the lack of side effects other than that pesky fever which I hope is now gone for goo....should have known. When I sit, it's been with a heating pad today. It doesn't hurt if I'm standing or walking but sitting definitely does. My husband and I went for a 2 hour walk on the beach today and it felt fine.

    I read your husband's blog which is great. You have darling kids....nice family.

    Ok, now I have another question for everyone. It sounds as though some of your chemo treatments take several hours. I am on AC every 2 weeks. I don't remember exactly how long I was in there but my schedule says to allow 2 hrs. and I know I was out in that amount of time. I already have the schedule for the PC that starts in Dec. and that also says to allow 2 hrs. So did I misunderstand or does some of yours last much longer? Perhaps you were talking about the total time of the appts. you have that day? I know I always have at least 3 appts.......port for blood work, oncology, and chemo.

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  • Abracadabra
    Abracadabra Member Posts: 1,369
    edited October 2016

    Bevsue - Congrats on getting chemo#1 over and done! A doctor's note to wear a scarf? Wow ... how does a simple thing become so complicated?! We live in strange times ...


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  • Al12
    Al12 Member Posts: 79
    edited October 2016

    Abracadabra , LOVE LOVE you look amazing!!! funny thing me with my buzzed head I keep forgetting what I look like and every time I look in the mirror I totally surprise my self. I'm so not used to this close of a cut and on top of that I really look like my brother he's hair is like mine or mine is now like his. thats not a good thing haha. I was so worried that the back of my head was going to be like his flat. thank god it's not.

    I finished my 2nd chemo today it went very well. My nurse was awesome we laughed the entire time. I already have a nickname it's skull crusher. I described how I felt like my skull was being crushed when explaining one of the side effects. she thought it was funny, she never had anyone describe it like that before. I came home and was able to straighten up and cook dinner for the family and put the laundry away. now just chilling and feeling a bit sweaty. I guess the steroids are doing it's job. I will go to work in the morning and see how that goes again.

    Connie1230 I totally forgot to mention that I too had a hard time sitting and was feeling better when I was standing or walking. Also every time I sat on toilet I had a weird shooting pain in my hip or inside my hip. I also forgot to mention that my friend got me thermacare heat wraps from cvs and it worked like magic when I slept with it on. I told my nurse about the nuelasta pain and she did say it kicks in sometimes on day 8-10 for some. I I had my 2nd AC treatment today and it took about 2 1/2 hours or less. Now they inject me with the pre meds at the same time so that goes a lot faster. It felt like I was in and out. I was also having a great time joking with the nurse so the time flew by. I have a gadget on my arm for the nuelasta shot that will administer the meds tomorrow around 7pm but if I want the doc to lower my dosage I would have to go to hospital tomorrow to get it. so I ended up with the gadget instead and now we'll see if the pain gets worse. if it does next time I will go back to hospital for the shot. hoping my side effects are manageable again.

    I'm thinking of taking xanax before bed. I already for see I wont be able to sleep on these steroids.

    have a lovely evening.

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  • FightingTheFight
    FightingTheFight Member Posts: 75
    edited October 2016

    Al12 and VLH - My second chemo infusion went well. Thank you for the well wishes, and I'm glad Al12 to hear that yours today went well also. I had family there with me to talk to and that really helped pass the time. After leaving chemo, I did stop by a fast food place for some comfort food (hoping I don't regret that decision tomorrow). But currently, I'm feeling good and am glad to have 2 out of 6 infusions behind me. I stocked up a few days ago on things I was missing after my 1st infusion (ex. bottled water, more flavor packets for my water, eyes drops, laxative, etc.), so I hope I'm prepared for whatever side effects may come my way.

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  • geneskirt
    geneskirt Member Posts: 218
    edited October 2016

    Hi ladies, I've been offline for a few days and had alot of catching up to do.

    So, to be brief... day 14 post (1st) treatment. Had a CT scan this week that (inadvertently) show a blood clot in my lung! WhaaaT??

    The medical ONC on-call called me at 10pm (just after the report was received) and asked me to immediatley come to the emegency dept for a second CT scan to confirm. Wow, it turned out to be a Pulmonary Embolism. A WhaaaT? Turns out this may be chemo drug SE or cancer induced). It was caught early and now will be managed with a daily injection of blood thinners until chemo is complete. Symptoms can be shortness of breath, chest pain (or sometimes dry cough -which I had the day preceding but didn't think anything of it).

    Soooo, I don't want to scare anyone (and this is NOT that common) but please be educated and aware of any symptom that doesn't seem quite right.

    Thankful for an attentive team of caregivers that read reports, monitor your progress and call you at 10pm at night when they are alerted to something of concern. xxx God Bless 'em!!

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  • geneskirt
    geneskirt Member Posts: 218
    edited October 2016

    freak4fiber I want to encourage you to keep going on your chemo in spite of considering ending Tx. I did not do chemo with my first B/C disgnosis 8 years ago (see my profile).
    I had a rare recurrence of the same cancer this year :( (even after B/L Mastectomy and Oopherectomy). I now wonder if things might have been different if I had of done chemo then (?). No one ever knows... but sometimes that proverbial "one cell" does get away. Stupid cancer!

    You are young and strong! You can do this now!!
    xx

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  • JXmom2
    JXmom2 Member Posts: 29
    edited October 2016

    im 27, got my port in yesterday. Start chemo on 10/24

    Looks like same i have 4 rounds of AC, then do 12 rounds of taxol. Fun fun am reading up dont know what to expect.

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  • Connie1230
    Connie1230 Member Posts: 192
    edited October 2016

    Al12, they injected me with the pre-meds at the same time last time. I'll get some of those thermacare heat wraps tomorrow. Thanks for that tip. My pain is lower back; is that where yours was? I had the Neulasta shot last time but from now on, it will be the gadget. That's just how the oncologist wanted to do it. I have no clue what pre-drugs they gave me but I fell asleep during treatment, slept almost the entire hour and a half home, slept for two hours after getting home, and then slept all night. I know I had steroids but they must have given me something that caused me to sleep like that too

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  • Nfullblume
    Nfullblume Member Posts: 171
    edited October 2016

    Al12, your husband is hilarious. Great blog!! Abracadabra, marvilloso!

    Had my CT scan today, pretty easy. I had a good time cutting up with the nurses over the 2 jugs of barium that I had to drink. I told them it tasted like Sake and my buzz could kick in any time! Port install is scheduled for Tuesday. Nurse navigator surprised me this morning by saying the doctor likes to leave the power port in for 5 years. I was like "whhhatt?" Clearly something I'll need to straighten out later. I also signed up for my Look Good class through ACS, I'll be taking the class about 13 days after my first treatment, so it'll be very good timing. Good luck this weekend to all on the next cycles!

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  • geneskirt
    geneskirt Member Posts: 218
    edited October 2016

    LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER
    Nfullblume -day 13 is perfect! You should be feeling great! Loved the sake comment!
    I signed up for Look Good as well (Nov 1). Anyone been yet?
    I'm kinda excited -they told me there is over $500 of complimentary products (Mac, Loreal, etc)

    2ND ROUND CHEMO
    I see some girls have started and I just want to say you are in my heart! Please keep posting and letting us know how it compares to round 1. I'm hoping we have learned some tricks and it will be manageable (small meals, eat what you want etc)

    1ST ROUND CHEMO
    Welcome to the new girls xx There are lots of great tips formulating here. And lots of positive experiences to draw on. My best advice is eat small, soft bland meals for the first 4 days while taking anti nauseants. I liked ostmeal, mashed potatoes & butter, mac & cheese, cooked veg (carrots/peas), canned tomatoe soup, etc. My first 'treat' /fastfood was McDonald's fries and they were SO good! It made me feel like 'normal' people lol. It took me a week before I could eat a fibrous, crunchy salads etc but I got there. I'm now back to arugula and spinach :) OH!! and have dried prunes on hand to snack to help with the SE from steroids/antinauseants. -they actually were a sweet treat and quite palatable.

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  • Daisy777
    Daisy777 Member Posts: 23
    edited October 2016

    Hi Ladies,

    Today is my 1st day of Chemo, 4 AC, then 12 Taxol, and I have been reading through and keeping up with your experiences. I'm gong to try cold capping with Paxman, and I know it's tough on the hair, but worth a shot....I've already bought a wig though. : )

    Abracadrabra-Love, love your headscarves!

    Al12-you look great! How did people react to your video on Facebook?

    Geneskirt-hope all goes well for you, wow so stressful. I did go to a look good feel better earlier this week and it was helpful for sure and they do give some nice stuff and great tips!

    I will let you know how it goes, and I am cheering for every single one of you!




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  • Ella22
    Ella22 Member Posts: 39
    edited October 2016

    Love your posts! And love your scarf pic's too! I had my first chemo on wed.,then booster shot on thursday. Only complaint restless nights and sweating. Other than that its going good! God Bless

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  • Abracadabra
    Abracadabra Member Posts: 1,369
    edited October 2016

    Geneskirt - OMG! So glad that the situation is under control, but what a scary experience that must have been. You said that it will be managed with blood thinners until chemo is complete ... at that point is it no longer a risk? I agree ... it's comforting to feel that we are in good hands with our medical experts. Be well!

    Al12 - I know exactly what you mean about being surprised when you look in the mirror. It's quite a dramatic change, isn't it! I feel that way every time I take off my scarf ... I guess we will adjust in time.

    Welcome, JXmom2. I am also scheduled for chemo on Oct 24 ... it will be my chemo #2, also AC +T. Hoping it goes well for both of us!

    Nfullblume - your "Sake flavoured barium" cracked me up ... mine tasted like chalk. But I was starving (I had been fasting since the night before, and my CT appointment was in the late morning) so I still gulped it down and was smacking my lips for the second jug!

    Daisy777 - good luck today!!!!

    Ella22 - welcome!! Congrats on getting the 1st chemo over with ... which chemo regime are you on? I'm AC + T, with the AC (4 x 3 weeks) and the Taxol (12 x 1 week). Whatever it is, I hope it goes well for you. Let us know ...

    Miles ... haven't heard from you in a while ... hope you're doing ok.

    To everyone who had treatment this week, I hope that you are feeling well ... gentle hugs!

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  • b2alicia
    b2alicia Member Posts: 64
    edited October 2016

    Yayy, first treatment is OVER!!! No symptoms really at all yet. Dee, and BevSue, and Miles, I thought about you and hoped your day was going smoothly also.

    I go back today to get the Neulasta ... will pick up some Claritin and Immodium at Target while I'm out.

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  • chickdudefood
    chickdudefood Member Posts: 51
    edited October 2016

    Hi everybody,

    I had my port placed today and start chemo on Tuesday. I'm on a 16-week regimen, 8 weeks of Adriamycin/Cytoxan with Neulasta and then 8 weeks of Taxol--all followed by radiation. Chemo every 2 weeks. I'm trying to stay positive and upbeat, and I have followed the suggestions of others on the community board on how to handle side effects. I'm a freelance writer and just finished up a project--I doubt I'll be taking on new work during chemo but if I don't get chemo brain it may be possible. I also teach yoga and will not be doing that unless I'm feeling up to it and/or I can find a few private clients. But I hope to be able to continue my own personal practice. Anyway, no specific questions at the moment, I just wanted to introduce myself. I'll be spending the weekend with my 25 year old daughter who is visiting from NYC and finishing up my food and side effects shopping list.

    Thanks for being here,

    Kate

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  • Al12
    Al12 Member Posts: 79
    edited October 2016

    FightingTheFight Yay! 2 down for us. Glad your's went well too. so far so good I came to work and still going strong. drinking water like a mad woman and peeing all the time which is very goo. so far no nausea. fingers crossed. I skyped with my parents while getting the red devil I made the nurse show them in close up the red syringes for a good laugh. they didnt think it was too funny. plus when skyping something was off on my end and I couldn't hear them and I was talking loudly in russian it was kind of funny and the elderly couple who was next to me had their tv so laud because she couldn't here and they had the debate on cnn on so all you heard was trump this and trump that I think we entertained everyone pretty well. one of the nurses eventually had to walk over to the couple and lower their tv.

    geneskirt, OMG hope your doing ok. so glad they are on top of it and your in good heands. thinking of you and wishing you well. I never heard of that class does everyone offer it. the fell good class. I will ask on my 3rd round when I go back.

    JXmom2, Hi! welcome. we are both on the same chemo plan I too doing 4 rounds of AC and nuelasta and Taxol for 12 weeks but I'm also doing prejeta and herceptin then will get surgery and after that continuing with prejeta and herciptin for the duration of 1 year. depending on what I decide with surgery they want me to do radiation. and then I will be on harmonal theropy for 5 years. oye! Good luck!! ask us anything we all try to help here.

    Nfullblume, thank you. the response to it have been amazing it really makes him feel useful. so happy things are going well. 5 years!! thats crazy I assumed mine will be in for a year but 5 thats insane. I am very curious to why. please let us know if you find out.

    Daisy777 same treatment here. let me know how it goes would love to compare notes same with you JXmom2 and abracadabra. The video was the best thing we ever did. the reaction was amazing It made us both so more comfortable with this troumatic incident and we made it positive. we feel so much better. the out pore of everyones support is incredible and it makes me want to push through in a more positive way if your interested here is the video hope I'm not all in your face with this video I didn't realize the video pops up like this.

    b2alicia, good for you. hope you do well in a few days. great your picking up claritin please try taking it a couple of days before chemo it may make a difference on how you feel with nuelasta side effect. please keep us posted. hope it goes well. keep us posted.

    I'm doing good so far. I am at work today after chemo and doing well. last time I felt flu like at the end of the day but I did make an appointment today with a consultation for a wig fitting for 4:30 hopefully will be fine going home after that.

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  • Abracadabra
    Abracadabra Member Posts: 1,369
    edited October 2016

    Betty -- Congrats ... that's one down! Glad it went well, and hoping that the next few days go well for you.

    chickdudefood / Kate - Welcome! I'm also on the AC+T regime, but mine will take 24 weeks (sigh...) since my AC is 4 x 3 weeks and then Taxol is 12 times weekly. I'll be going for my 2nd chemo on Oct 24 ... I've found this forum to be a wonderful source of support and information ... I hope the same will be true for you.

    Regarding physical activity, I found that I couldn't do much during the week after chemo, but then the side effects lifted and I've been able to go to the gym or swim or go to yoga class almost every day. It's different for each person. If you read back through this forum, you'll see a variety of experiences. Looking forward to hearing updates from you, and wishing you all the best on Tuesday.

    Barb


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  • Al12
    Al12 Member Posts: 79
    edited October 2016

    Hi again I completely forgot to write a good tip I got from my nurse yesterday I read that some of you are icing your hands and feet for that side effect where your fingers and toes get a tingly sensation like they have fallen asleep. I asked about the icing and this particula nurse doesn't think it really works but does not discourage anyone for trying but she did say though as soon as you feel any sensation like that in hands or feet to call your nurse right away and they will give you medication that should be able to fix that problem if you wait when the feeling gets worse before you call for the meds the meds wont work they cant retrack the feeling. this is what she said so incase anyone is interested also she said if this feeling doesnt get fixed you might have this type of feelings way after chemo is over. I know I'm not looking forward to this at all. I will be doing taxol later on and this is one of the side effects.


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  • FightingTheFight
    FightingTheFight Member Posts: 75
    edited October 2016

    Al12 - Great to hear you're doing so well with your water intake. Usually I'm great with getting enough water in but, like last time, I think the first few days will be a struggle. Plain water isn't as appetizing as it usually is, but using flavor packets in my water are helping. And I need the water to flush my system. I feel like I can smell all the meds I'm on coming out of my pores. Btw, thanks for posting your haircut video. It was really great to see. Also, just saw your tip about monitoring for numbness and tingling. I haven't been icing my hands or feet, but I may consider it for future rounds. Every bit can help.

    I'm going to get my Nuelasta shot in a few hours and am glad that it won't take long. I'm sleeping maybe slightly more than normal, but no serious fatigue. I just don't feel like doing much of anything. No nausea so far, but I started back up on the nausea meds preemptively. And I'm going to attempt to go by the rule of small, frequent meals.

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  • Al12
    Al12 Member Posts: 79
    edited October 2016

    FightingTheFight, thank you! It has hard for me to drink plain water on its on but I also find it helpful to put lemon in it. Also I am drinking smoothies and green juices through out the day and had coffee earlier. I think any liquid helps i'm peeing a lot so that is good. Ugh I hated that smell and taste in my mouth when I was getting the meds so I know what you mean flushing out of your system is good. yeh the lady at my job did the same icing and it worked for her so yeh try anything. I will see how I do with nuelasta this round I have a gadget on my hand. but it has a full dosage if the side effect is bad I will end up going to hospital next time to get it manually so then they will be able to lower my dosage. good luck with nuelasta mine will start at 7:30 tonight. i'm taking nausea pills as directed so far so good. this time around i'm not as hungry but eating a little at a time. nothing crazy a small salad. now drinking a green smoothie. I did have a sprouted bagel this morning with my coffee and a hard boiled egg. I'm trying to eat clean and I have a raw food vegan cafe by my job that have great things. a little pricy but I think I can splurge on my chemo week.

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  • Ella22
    Ella22 Member Posts: 39
    edited October 2016

    Abracadabra- thanks for the welcome! Im on Taxotere and Cytoxan 4 cycles every 3 weeks. I opened my mouth too soon.. Im getting bone aches I guess from the Neulasta. Tried to take a nap but made it worse. I feel better moving around. Love all the posts...

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  • Connie1230
    Connie1230 Member Posts: 192
    edited October 2016

    The Look Good, Feel Better class is put on by the American cancer Society and you can google it and put in your zip code and find out where they are held. I am going Monday night....after having chemo on Monday....hope that works out ok for me. The next class is also on a chemo day but this one will work time wise and that one won't. You call a number to set up your class. All this is assuming you're not offered it where you're having chemo. Where I go does not offer it but a local hospital is; it doesn't matter if you're not using that facility or so I was told.

    As far as the icing hands and feet, my oncologist definitely recommends it. When she was talking about it, Iasked her about the mittens and booties I read about on this website and she said they were an excellent idea. I ordered them from Amazon. They're one size fits all so are a bit on the large size but I think/hope they'll work out fine. Yes, I've also read where some people have had this last for years and I sure want to avoid that!

    Al12, my backache is finally gone. It lasted 2-3 days. I'm now planning on staying on the Claratin til the end of the AC. It's my understanding that I don't take the Neulasta with the 12 rounds of Taxel so hopefully quitting it a couple of weeks after the last AC will work

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  • JR74
    JR74 Member Posts: 44
    edited October 2016

    Everyone seems to be doing pretty well, with the exception of a couple having wonky SE! Round two for me is on the 27th. But for now I feel great! Getting geared up for the baby shower this weekend. I also took the plunge and let my daughter buzz my hair, it actually feels so much better! My hair started shedding and my scalp was so very sore, most of that subsided when the hair was gone. Has anyone heard from Miles? I haven't seen her post since her first chemo, hoping it went well for her! I better run, getting dinner started and have all my windows open enjoying this cool day that doesn't come too often for us Texans! Hope you all have a great weekend! Xoxo Jen

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  • Miles
    Miles Member Posts: 62
    edited October 2016

    Hello everyone.

    I got my first Chemo done on Tuesday 10/18. I've been tired and have stayed on top of my meds. My SE are minimal. I'm just real tired. I mentioned to my nurse about others getting back spasms after the Neulasta shot. She told me to take the Claritin the day before Getting the Neulasta Shot and for 10 days after. I will see how it goes. So far I'm really achy but ok.

    Julianne: You are so funny! You caught me off guard with: "the wind would blow only part of my hair away and I would look like Donald Trump on a bad hair day." Lol… that is stuck in my head..

    Barb: you look fantastic! Your joy sparkles through your picture. Thank you for the inspiration. Bing Bang Boom! I am going to buzz my hair off when I get some energy back…. Lol "Go chemo!! Sic em, boy!!!" lol… I now have an image of a super dog flying through my body sniffing out Cancer…

    Al12: Great picture! You look so good. You do have a perfectly shaped head. I wonder what mine will look like when I shave it off. Thank you for sharing your journey and including the tears. It makes me feel like it is ok for me to have emotions over all of this happing.

    Connie1230: I had a fever of 100.5 my first night after Chemo. I took some tylenol and then in an hr. my temp had come down. My Doctors told me as long as the Tylenol brings the temp down I am fine. If it doesn't go down I guess it is a sign of infection. Good luck to you.

    Betty: Hugs… Dental work is no fun.

    (((Hugs)))

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  • b2alicia
    b2alicia Member Posts: 64
    edited October 2016

    Hi folks, I found a cute topic called "Dogs, dogs, dogs"! So I put in a new post about my BOYS.

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/156/topic...

    There are lots of other cute doggies with their mommas there too! And how much their doggies help with consoling, and snuggling, and love, love, loving.

    Betty



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  • Julesbabe55
    Julesbabe55 Member Posts: 39
    edited October 2016

    Happy Friday All!

    This week was a real roller coaster for me - freaked myself out Tuesday worrying about blood work which of course I shouldn't have but what can you do. Had a WTF moment on Wednesday while in the shower when handfuls of my hair started coming out. I have thick hair and it just kept coming & coming. I was like "you must be freakin' kidding me"!! Alternated between crying, being angry beyond words about what all this is doing to my body, depressed that all this was happening and a huge jolt of reality setting all over again. Resolved to buzz my hair by the weekend but lost my resolve by the time the day was over. Started seeing a therapist - I get 4 sessions free through this organization (SHINE) associated with the cancer center I go to so why not. Talking things through with an objective someone is always a good thing in my book. Today I did my first video meeting complete with me in my wig - got a lot of texts that said I looked good so that was a nice ego booster. All this while the drip drip drip of the hair continued. So, when I signed off for the day, I grabbed my husband and told him to buzz my hair before I lost my nerve. And he did - here's the new me in old glasses. Ignore all the magnets on the refrigerator - it's a thing with me SillyHeart And while there was a fair amount of crying there was also a huge feeling of calm and strength that I was finally able to take control of something in this so uncontrollable situation.

    AI12 & Barb - you guys were my inspiration for this and I thank you.

    image

    Barb - took your advice and watched the videos on wrapunzel  - did a couple of practice runs - I will probably look like Lawrence of Arabia for the foreseeable future but don't really care. I can tie a head scarf and that's all that matters. And I have a new excuse to spend more money at Kohl's - earrings and more scarves!!

    Treatment #2 is Tuesday - knocking wood that the SE are similar to Round #1.

    Have a good evening

    Julianne


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  • Nfullblume
    Nfullblume Member Posts: 171
    edited October 2016

    Julianne, you look smashing baby!! We have the same chemo drugs. I'm on deck to start mine, November 2. So thankful that you ladies are sharing your stories and preparing the next group! You got this, Julianne! I cut off 6 inches in prep for starting chemo. It'll be cool to see my head shape for the first time!!

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