Anyone.Starting Chemo in October 2016?

Ella22

Hi everyone, Boy I've missed so much in the last day and a half!

B2alicia- love the pic's of your dog! So cute!

Miles- Sad to hear that you had to go to hospital.

Barb- love your pic's!

Has anyone had problems with their nose running then bleeding? I've also been having bouts with crying for no reason... just so emotional! My 2nd treatment is on the 9th and I'm so dreading it...I should be enjoying my week off but can't. I'm going to take my anxiety meds. I just ordered a hat and turban from ACS web site. Still love my morning walks.

chickdudefood

Hi everybody,

Weird dreams seem to be part of my reaction to chemo--so thought I'd share this one: I just woke up having dreamed that I was pregnant (a girl), no idea who the father was (probably because in real life I'm unattached and it's been a LOOOONG time) and wondering why nobody was happy for me. And then I woke up and remembered that I'm 64 and am being treated for breast cancer, so, a pregnancy right now actually wouldn't be so great on any level. It did make me laugh, though, first thing on this dark November 1 morning, plus, relieved that I'm not going to be a mom again at 65? Relief kind of an understatement.

My nose has started to run, but it always runs in the winter, so I can't tell if this is a SE or just regular life. I semi-snapped out of chemo fog yesterday afternoon for a few blissful hours that I then filled up with the History Channel "Pickers" series which I always forget about and then can't stop watching once I start. I'm a hard-core NON-collector, I like comfy but uncluttered, so I love watching people who are passionate about their stuff and of course it's a very easy way, like Antiques Roadshow, to get in some history lessons while I feel grateful that my attic and basement are empty except of things we actually use. (It was different before I downsized, then I had 25+ years of miscellaneous bits and pieces in the attic and basement...) With chemo brain, I wouldn't have been able to follow the show, which is a sign of how bad the brain got, since the show is pretty easy to follow--guys go to collectors, find stuff, talk about it, buy it, go to a different place, find stuff...etc.

Happy November to everyone...I have my next chemo on the 7th and hope to enjoy every second of this week off that I can. I may even try to make something for dinner if chemo brain stays away...but my cooking partner housemate has the day off and I may just let him run with the bulk of it, including the food shopping, since Costco is the last place I feel like going these days.

Love to all,

Kate

chickdudefood

Abracadabra, you look simply beautiful with and without the wig. I've stopped shaving my legs in the hopes that they'll take care of themselves for a few months...

Abracadabra

Hi Ella and Kate - My nose has been running since the start of chemo ... I'm sure it's a SE (i.e. definitely not allergies or a cold).

Miles had a theory that my nose-hairs had abandoned me and there was nothing left to 'slow the flow". Whatever the cause, it is a 'sticky issue' here in chilly Canada, where I don't dare venture anywhere without my purse and pockets stuffed full of Kleenex.

No nosebleeds, though, for which I am grateful. I know that the chemo attacks the fast-growing mucosa lining of the mouth (which is what causes mouth sores), and since the lining of the nose is probably similar, the nosebleeds probably arise from greater sensitivity/fragility of the tissue.

Ella, love to hear that you are walking. I was reading some research this morning stating that regular exercise definitely offsets the physical and cognitive side effects from chemo ... it reduces neuropathy in hands and feet, it reduces joint pain, and it also helps to reduce cognitive impairment (aka chemo brain). Keep doing what you're doing!!!!

Barb

Melindawv

I am on reading the post and I wanted to ask a question after Kate triggered it.

When did or has anyone's leg hairs disappeared? I haven't shaved in a while, Feel very bohemian, was expecting not to, but they are still hanging on. LOL

Thanks for the answers in advance, I know it might seem weird, but I have nobody else to ask these odd questions to.

Melinda

Abracadabra

Melinda - My leg hairs are still present and accounted for! Fewer than before, but they are not giving up. I'm still stuck with shaving, otherwise I see those little guys every day when I go to the pool or gym. I'm hoping that between the shaving AND the chemo, they'll eventually give up their will to live and dwindle away to nothingness.

FightingTheFight

Melinda - I've actually been wondering the same thing. So I'm glad you brought it up. My leg hair is definitely still here, though it is much more sparse and doesn't appear to be growing.

Also, I think I've turned a corner with my taste buds for this round of chemo. So, it looks like it took 10-11 days post 2nd infusion for things to regain some semblance of normality. And my next (3rd) infusion is on November 10th. My family is having our major thanksgiving get together on the 19th. So, it looks like there's hope I'll have taste buds for the biggest food holiday of the year.

Ella22

Kate- I rarely dream but since chemo i'm having dreams alot!

Barb- That makes since about the lining of the nose. I love my walks

Hkuester

so my first Chemo was October 20....this morning while blow drying my hair a little clump came out. I knew this was coming. Day 12 So very soon I think I'll buzz it off... I've already had my bilateral masectomy and reconstruction is a process and I'm still flat so I already feel like a 10 year old boy so losing my hair.... Cancer Sucks!

Abracadabra

Hkuester - Yep ... Cancer Sucks! (((Hkuester))) Gentle hugs ....

Hkuester

thanks. I'm usually very positive I had a moment of feeling in the dumps. Someone mentioned that Feel Good seminar which I am signed up for on November 15 so I hope that's good.

Ella22

Hkuester- I second that! Cancer does suck! I'm waiting for mine to do the same..

Abracadabra

I'm scheduled to go to the Look Good, Feel Better seminar on Nov 7. Do you know if it is an actual workshop (i.e. do we show up bare-faced and get to apply make-up there) or is it more of an information session? If the latter, I would feel better sitting there and listening with my make-up already in place.

Am I over-thinking this? Hmmm.....

deemendoza

Hi ladies, does anyone know what the tinkling scalp sensation is? Does that mean my hair is going to start shedding/falling?

BevSue

Hi Everyone

Hkuester. I also had my first chemo on the 20th and noticed a sink full of hair this morning. So I agree with y'all, cancer sucks. But we can do this because we are strong......hugs to everyone😁

Connie1230

The Look Good Feel Better seminar I went to involved actually applying the makeup. In the bag of products were makeup removal wipes so you can go with it on, remove yours and reapply what they supply

Julesbabe55

Barb - the Look Good, Feel Better session I went to showed you how to apply all the free makeup you get -I did get to apply more make-up than I every used in my life. Love your pics - you look great!

Kate - I too have been having weird dreams. Last night's was about how all the hair came off my head from the chemo but I was growing new hair on my back!! Have no idea where that came from but there you go. Can't wait to see what tonight's dream will be.

Miles - hope you are feeling better. I too am of the age that I remember Space Invaders though I didn't play the game. But...the peww peww peww also reminds me of the fazers from the old Start Trek tv series.

My leg hair is still hanging around but mostly the top of my legs - from my knees down it feels like most of the hair is gone though I haven't done an inspection with the glasses on so who really know what's going on down there. Guess I'll have to look later.

Bloodwork went well today - at least no neutropenia which is what happened the last time. I asked why there would be such a swing in results from the first treatment to the second - my nurse really didn't have an answer. But I'll take these results any day of the week.

A question for you all - do your nurses give you a numbing agent before inserting the gizmo (a technical term) into your port? I asked my nurse this morning about that since my sister (who is an RN) said she does that with her heart patients. I was told that no, she doesn't use a numbing agent and if I wanted one, she would have to special order it, I would apply it at home and cover it with plastic wrap and then she would wipe it off when she cleaned the port site. Sounds like a lot of trouble if you ask me. Guess I will continue to get used to the "pinch" every time they access the port.

Hugs to all

Julianne

chickdudefood

Julesbabe55--My nurses gave me a prescription for Lidocaine cream to put on my port before my next chemo. Thanks for mentioning the plastic wrap, I had totally forgotten that. I'd ask for the Lidocaine--we're going through enough, why add extra discomfort? I don't think it was a "special order" just a regular prescription that was called in and ready for me by the time I got to the drugstore 40 minutes later. Mine is 2.5 % Lidocaine and 2.5% Prilocaine, made by Hi-Tech Pharmacal (truly not a name to inspire confidence, but I'll be using it on November 7th, for my 2nd round of chemo.)

Best,

Kate

Connie1230

Dee Mendoza, the best way I can describe the feeling is like if you wear a stocking cap for a long time or have your hair pulled back like a pony tail. When you take the stocking cap off and run your hands through your hair, your scalp kind of hurts. I don't know if that's the best description; that's exactly how it felt for me though. I don't really know how much I'd have now if I hadn't shaved it; I still have an awfully lot of stubble so I wouldn't be bald yet and it's evenly distributed. I'm about on day 23. I hope the cold caps work for you; I'm really anxious to hear your results

Connie1230

Julianne, yes I had a lidocaine prescription from the beginning. A nurse told me to apply it at home, use a square of Glad Press N Seal over it and then they remove it and wipe it off. I feel absolutely nothing when they access it. They said to apply it liberally....like a blob of it under that Press N Seal

Abracadabra

Thanks for the feedback about the LGFB seminar ... now I feel ready!

Julianne - I HOWLED with laughter ... growing new hair on your back?!! Ewwwww!! Thank god that's not a chemo SE!!!!!

(((Miles))) - Thinking of you, and hoping that things are improving for you. Let us know what's going on, if you can.

FightingTheFight

Julieanne - I got a prescription for Lidocaine to put on my port. I did forget to put it on once before my port was accessed, and having tried it both ways, it's worth getting (and I say this as someone with a high pain tolerance). Why add extra discomfort when such a small thing can help? I am surprised they presented it to you like a specialty item that you would be harassing them to ask for.

Melindawv

Thanks everybody for the answers about your legs, appreciate knowing that I am normal in some way

Also my nurse asked if I wanted a prescription as well but I haven't filled it yet but it sounds like it is worth it.

I still have hair on my head I used to have long hair but I cut it above my shoulders this past week. It seems to be thinning every time I brush it more comes out. Just waiting for it all to come out probably after my 2nd chemo on this Thursday.

The makeup class sounds fun I will have to look into.

Hope everyone is dealing with all the SE and I am thinking of you all

Melinda

Abracadabra

Good morning everyone,

I met with my radiation oncologist yesterday ... he seems very smart and thoughtful and on-the-ball, which is great. But it left me feeling discouraged, because I'm not anywhere near to being done with chemo, and now I've got another doctor listing out the next set of side effects/concerns waiting in the queue.

It's good to know that there's a plan (since I had 2 surgeries, both of which failed to get clear margins), but I left feeling overwhelmed. It caught me by surprise, because I am usually very positive by nature. I guess I just need to take a breath and stay in the moment ... chemo is now, radiation is later, and so I will worry about radiation later!

Funny how little it can take to disrupt momentum sometimes ... I woke up at 5:00 this morning and couldn't fall back to sleep because this was rolling around in my head. I feel better leaving it here in a post. Thanks as always for listening.

Ella22

Barb- I understand all to well about waking up and not being able to shut your mind off. I also had 2 surgerys but got a clear margin on second try with abnormal cells. This is when I take my walks lol. Sorry the weather doesn't allow you to get outside ! Chin up! Saying a little prayer to change your thoughts to happy ones! Hugs

Abracadabra

Thanks Ella. The sun isn't up yet here ... the sky is lightening, so you can see silhouettes of trees and rooftops emerging against that lovely purple glow. Another beautiful day. Have a wonderful walk! And thanks for the hug ... I needed one!

chickdudefood

Abracadabra,

This is just a crazy rollercoaster ride, without the fun, isn't it? For some reason my medical team stacked all my appointments while I was recovering from the lumpectomy, so with any luck there aren't more surprises lurking, but it does seem like it will be forever until we're finished with all this, having just started the chemo. I also live in a cold climate, and these dark days are my least favorite time of year, and this year I had planned to spend most of the winter in Mexico with my yoga buddies, and, well, that's not what's happening, is it?

I am a little obsessive about reading everyone's info below their signature, and with my Stage IIIA status and 9/18 lymph node involvement, if I linger there too long, I get really scared. But, I say to myself, "at least it's not IV" which is not exactly, but somewhat, comforting.

I will be doing a bilateral mastectomy after chemo, because of the BRCA 2 mutation, and I was so moved by an article in yesterday's New York Times about women who decide to forgo reconstruction to "go flat" that I got flooded with new courage for this whole damn thing, pardon my language, but "darn" just doesn't cut it.

I'm 64, single, and although I have deep friendships and a close family, no intimate relationship. I'm wondering why I'm even considering reconstruction given that although I'm awesome and all that, and you never know what the future will bring, do I really need breasts any more, or complicated surgeries with long recovery times? I'm meeting with the plastic surgeon today with a lot of questions about reconstruction and alternatives. What I really want is to be able to get back on my yoga mat, back to teaching yoga, back to an active life. So I just don't know. I hope I get clarity about this in the next couple of months.

Another dream about having a baby. Clearly this is a metaphor for something.

Lots of love to all,

Kate

deemendoza

Abracadabra, I'm sorry you're feeling a bit overwhelmed. I too met with my entire team even before treatment. I met with my oncologist for my treatment plan, my future breast surgeon, plastic surgeon and the radiologist ALL in one room all feeling on my boob/armpit (a tad awkward., I don't think by boob was ever felt so much in one day let alone by three different hands.) and it does make you feel like your so far in the line of being done (at least that's how I felt) I lately have not been the most upbeat positive person. But this too shall pass my dear friend I promise you, God gives his BIGGEST battles to his STRONGEST soldiers. I too battle with fear, overthinking and worrying about the unknown but I know that those fears and insecurity are not of GOD because God brings, peace, love, tranquility, harmony. Sending you lots of hugs praying your days get better.

XOXOXOXO D

Dee

One step at a time one day each day is a day closer to the finish line!

deemendoza

Connie1230, Thanks I think its psychological for me cause that's no where near what I was feeling. I think just knowing I'm approaching THE DAY (Number 15) has me in shambles. I have a vision on waking up with half of my hair gone even though I know it's not like that but that's just my silly vision.

Hope your doing well xoxoxoxox

Abracadabra

Kate - I hear you! On the lymph node issue, I was 2/6. The way I look at it is this: we had cancer in our bodies, and even after surgery may still have had some small unknown amount of cancer in our bodies We do chemo and radiation to wipe out these remnants, and so we are all the same in that regard. Grade 3 cancer is particularly vulnerable to the effects of chemo, which is good for you (I worry that my snail-paced Grade 1 cancer will creep along under the chemo radar!). We are doing everything we can, no stone has been left unturned. We go forward.

On the reconstruction topic, it is such a personal issue. I think we are fortunate to have options and choices (which was not always the case in years past).

On the 'baby dream' topic, I think that a baby represents a new project, with an estimated progression and timeline ... a metaphor for your cancer treatment, of course!