Starting chemotherapy March 2017

Tara17

HI Prue Pueng

Hope all is well with you. I think everyone is different --my hair started falling around the same time and it continues to fall out --I look almost bald and I think it will continue to fall out till I am totally bald. But, I am using nice scarves and hats and the hair will grow back!

kimburke

Hi Prue_pueng.

I am on the same treatment and a lot of my hair went a few days after the second treatment on March 24th. I thought It was all going to go at that time and so I took the shears to my head and cut it very low, but I still have a little fuzz now. It seems to be shedding again, but still not going as fast as it did the first time.

Tara17- How did your treatment go today?

MommyErin

Tara17- Thinking about you and hoping treatment went well!

Glitterbomb

Hi, everyone! New here and kinda trying to figure things out.

Started chemo March 30th and have my second one tomorrow, April 12th. 

I'm starting out on Red Devil every two weeks for 4 doses and then I'll have Taxol every 2 weeks for 4 doses. 

Fingers crossed that everything goes well with chemo because I already have my eye on July 5th as my last chemo treatment. (But ugh! Surgery , radiation, and hormonal treatment after chemo.)

My first chemo treatment went ok. 

Does anyone have any suggestions of how the treatments will effect me the more treatments I have? I'm so freaked out by all of this. I proactiveLy had my head shaved yesterday , as I didn't want it falling out in clumps. All I can think about is my hair. It's so depressing. But then I'm like, get a grip!! You have cancer and more important things to focus on (like kicking cancer's butt!) but still, omg I've had many a meltdown over my hair.

Moderators

Hi Glitterbomb-

We want to welcome you to BCO! We hope your chemo is going well so far. And hair meltdowns are totally normal, you'll find a lot of members here have had them! We have a great resource put together by our members with tips on how to get through chemo, you may find it helpful as your treatment continues: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topics....

Best of luck, we look forward to seeing you on the boards!

The Mods

Mquara

I started Chemo March 29th. 4 rounds of taxotere and cytoxan. I was fine for 2 days, just tired, did ok with the Neulasta, took Claritin and that helped, was hit with exhaustion then for a few days then 6 days of horrid diarrhea. . Now I am 14 days post treatment andq am in the hospital with pneumonia. Hopefully I get to go home today though! I have my next one this coming Tuesday.

@. Just some slight thinning when I comb my hair, no clumps. I'm hoping it stays that way!

Has anybody that has had their second treatment noticed any differences in post chemo issues? Will I likely have more of the same, worse, or new dytptoms as each on comes and goes

Tara17

mommyerin and Kimburke --thanks so much for thinking about me and my treatment ! Treatment # 6 was on Monday -- difficulty with IV stick as usual, sigh, and side effects are ongoing ---almost bald, fatigue, hot flashes , bone pains , skin rash, blurring of vision etc.--all have been persistent over the last six weeks , so in a way i am used to it -- and after this comes mastectomy. I think it's all going as well as it can, sigh --it's certainly a trudge. Six more weekly treatments to go .

I am focusing on the emotional part of the journey now --chaplain came during chemo and did a chemo blessing which really created a positive energy. I started going to a weekly art therapy class offered at the cancer center --and I am finding that incredibly useful --something about putting paint to paper with a brush that is relaxing and I don't paint with any particular goal.

What strategies are ladies using as coping tools for the emotional reactions to this diagnosis and its treatment ?

Mommy Erin and Kimburke --how are your treatments going ?

Lordhelpmetoo

Mquara,

I'm on same regime as you. TC X4. I'm having last one April 21. I've learned to eat small portions every 3 hours. Drink at least 2 quarts of water per day. Walk when you can to flush chemo out of your system. Eat protein everyday, be it, plant based or animal based( i only have fish or chicken). My worst days are days 4-5.

Tara17

something i want to share with everyone -- the scalp hurts as the hair falls out and i have been applying coconut oil which is really helping my balding scalp feel soothed. So just wanted to share whats working for me if it helps anyone else.

Glitterbomb--I totally hear you about the hair ! Its totally ok to have had a meltodown --and you just have to tell yoruself that you honor and respect every emotion as things transition -- its difficult to see ones own face so different in the mirror, our hair is central to the way we express our femininity and present ourselves to the world --and lack of hair announces what is going on to the world. Every emotion is valid . Wishing you the best for your treatment tomorrow !

MommyErin

Tara17- Glad to hear you're taking care of yourself emotionally! I'm definitely going to have to try the coconut oil on my scalp.

Treatment went well today. I'm so thankful for my port as my forearm vein is still visibly bruised and painful from my first treatment. The Benadryl made me so drowsy that I ended up sleeping through most of the treatment. Now I'm just eating like crazy while I still have my appetite and drinking tons of water.

Hoping all you ladies are doing well and staying strong!

Xo,

Erin

Lordhelpmetoo

Tara,

I will also have masectomy in May. I had to go on antidepressant and anxiolytics to help with this journey. I can say it's kicking in. I also go into my backyard and listen to birds sing. Read scriptures.

kimburke

Mquara, I am on the same treatment as you are, i have completed two sessions, My third is on Wed 19th of April. As Lordhelpmetoo said, the initial days are harder, For me I found day 3-4 were the worst, with loss of appetite, no taste buds and tired and miserable. Felt a little more blah after the second treatment , than the first .

Tara17- Sorry to hear about the IV challenge again. I didn't realize you are doing a Mastectomy after chemo. Hush, in regards to all the side effects. This too shall pass.

Tara "What strategies are ladies using as coping tools for the emotional reactions to this diagnosis and its treatment ?"

Huh, huh, huh ????? Ummmmmmmmm, try and have a normal a routine as I am allowed, in-between my tiredness and hovering mother. (Makes me sound like a kid huh, 44 yrs old and mom lives next door.) Busy planning my meals daily , doing some work from home or going into office, and getting rest. I guess, gardening could be my outlet, even though I don't get into it too often and music, forever working on my iTunes library. This forum is my therapy , communicating with other women who go through similar situations.

I have been battling with a headache this week, not sure if it's the start of the summer heat, not having enough water daily, or too much work. The base of my fingernails are starting to get dark, there is a little on and off pain in the tip of the fingers and toes. Oiling with tea tree oil every night and hoping to not get any infections or that the nails drop out. Still have a fuzz on my head, not totally bald, and yes, Tara, when the hair is shedding the scalp did hurt. My hot flashes started from before chemo did, I had started early menopause prior to cancer diagnosis. I am having some discomfort in the area of my mastectomy, tightness on and around the cut. Also feels very tender and full towards the side of the cut , as if there is fluid there, under my arm . I got the number for a physiotherapist, will try and get her to come for a house call tomorrow and I need to discuss with My Onc when I go in on Wed. Makes for an uncomfortable sleeping position , at nights.

It could be worse, chin up. Happy Easter ladies!

kimburke

Glitterbomb,

Welcome to the group.

Don't worry about being freaked out by the loss of hair. Easier said than done. I understand completely. I felt the same way as well. I bought chemo caps and wigs in anticipation. I only use the caps when I go out in public, and I have no interest in wearing the wigs at all. I am close to getting rid of the caps too, when my hot flashes start.

How did your second treatment go?

RoseMT

Has anyone in the Chemo for March 2017 topic

Have chemotherapy weekly consisting of "Taxol 12 weeks" and "Herceptin 12 months"? I did not have to have AC due to having a Bilateral Mastectomy and clear nodes/margins.

However, my burning question is about hair loss for Taxol? I've researched until I'm blue in the face and me as I do understand we are each different. I've been advised hair loss within 12 to 16 days, to 5th or 6th treatment (Comparing to the 3rd treatment of people who get it every 3 weeks), to some saying 3 days after 3rd treatment. The waiting game is terrible! I've accepted losing my hair and will embrace the "Bald and Beautiful" It's summer time that's a plus. I'm just curious to others input on the hair loss.

Tara17

hi Rose MT --i too am on taxol and herpcetin --i heard varying things like you. I was told "thinnign of hair " would happen. After treatment # 2, hair started shedding in large quantities -- i had very thick hair to start so this significant daily shedding was not noticeable to others at week 3. Between weeks 4-6, i have gone bald. So the answer is the hair does "thin" with sheddign and when it is noticeable depends on how thick your hair was in the first place. Baldness is guaranteed as far as I can tell. Hoping to hang onto eyebrows A few stray strands of hair still reside -- i expect these will be gone in the next week. I have large hats for summer as the barescalp skin can be prone to sunburn in the summer

Alert2017

RoseMT and Tara 17 Now we know why you can research until you are blue in the face regarding hair loss-no one knows! I have medium fine hair. I am doing 12 weekly taxol+ herceptin. After my 4th my hair just looked dry and crappy, since I had stopped coloring it. After 5 it started to come out in strands, but not terribly messy except in the shower or over the sink when styling. But not all over the house. Finally, i had my hair all cut off into to pixie right before #6. I have my eyebrows and bangs and many women would go around with this spikey hair cut, but you can see my scalp,so I'm wearing scarves. It is 2 days after #6 and so far, no more loss in the shower this am. If this is as bad as it gets, I will be doing the HAPPY DANCE!

RoseMT

Hi Tara17 and Alert2017 thank you both for responding!,

My hair is thick as well, and before chemo, I cut it into a pixie cut to prepare myself. One of the weird things I've heard about Taxol is that after treatment the eyebrows and eyelashes fall out. Go figure! I have Latisse to put on my eyelashes and brows. We'll see if that will help to keep them. I never put colored my hair or put a lot of products on it, so I don't know if that has a lot to do with the hair or not. I will for sure update between my 4-6 treatments on how the process is going. Much love

Limonia

Hello Tara17 (and all),

I just posted my first ever post, and am also really happy I've found this post and am going through all the excellent replies. I don't have my tx schedule yet, but looks like it will be within the month and wow...so much to think about.

Tara17

dear Limonia --sorry for the reason that necessitated you to find us, but happy that you found us and find the posts useful! This group and this whole support site has helped me so much. Just the simple fact of communicating with other ladies who are facing the same challenges "normalized " things if you will, speaking for myself and has helped me carry on . Wishing you the best !!

Tara17

Kimburke --thanks for the encouragement --yes indeed, this too shall pass! Thanks for your detailed response outlining what you are doing to stay busy --sounds like you are indeed staying busy and well occupied ! ( we both are the same age btw, i too am 44 years old ) . Be careful with the summer heat and make sure you stay well hydrated with plenty of water --how hot does it get in Jamaica ? Hope the physiotherapist had an answer for the issue you mention near your mastectomy scar --sometimes tightness can be due to cording ( i developed cording after my lumpectomy --very tight and tender in the armpit and arm near scars ) so maybe ask them to check you for that too. For the hot flashes, neurontin is really helping me . So that may be something to ask your doctors about for the hot flashes if they are bothersome. For the nails, i read that sensitityto the sun due to chemo is part of the reason for nail changes --so i do wear cotton gloves when i go out in the sun . Wish you the very best for your next treatment

Limonia

Thank you so much Tara!

Castigame

AC#3 this tuesday. Been taking 1250mg tylenol per day to minimize arthritis pain which will be aggrevated by Neulasta. Will make Epsom Salt paste to use in shower. Plenty of Claritin. Yes i have to remember 10mg per day. Have beautiful beanie cap to wear. Still scared about Neulasta though

Tara17

hi Rebamacfan --i hear you and am sending all good thoughts that all your meds will work to alleviate your neulasta pain. Pain is possibly the worst thing to face --sounds like you have a plan with your tylenol , Claritin and Epsom salts! Is there any role for aleve in your pain regimen? Might be worth asking your doctor . Sending my best wishes your way

Tara17

I am off for weekly treatment #7 today ! Wishing everyone good luck with side effects and treatments this week !

RoseMT

Good Luck Thinking of you Tara17,

Due to your reply on your hair loss. I have my calendar marked for treatments between 4-6 about. :-)

Just an FYI:

Would it not be nice to be able to an icon to click on for "hugs" also to be able to respond directly underneath your main comment.

moodyblues

Tara17  Thank you for your encouraging and uplifting post, I totally agree!  Acknowledge the feelings and let them flow out.... 

tinker-bell

Hi Tara17 and everyone

Hope you're all as well as can be expected and getting through your treatments! I'm coming up to #6 weekly taxol tomorrow then a 1 week 'holiday' before the next 6 - a milestone! So far, still have my hair (cold capping) but am shedding a bit. Other s/e digestive probs,sore eyes, bone/muscle pain and a bit of the dreaded neuropathy.

I'm now on anti anxiety medication (escitalopram) which seems to have helped my feelings of doom/misery etc, at least I feel more stable now. Psychiatrist said if I could sort out the anxiety I'd have more energy to fight the cancer - hope she's right!

tinker-bell

Tara17 in terms of emotional help - I've found Headspace mindfulness app very useful for calming my nerves - there's a series of cancer meditations / and I walk every day. I've also bought a gratitude journal called the Five Minute journal to help me focus on positive emotions and I talk to a volunteer from a charity in the UK who's had similar treatment to me (it's called Someone Like Me). I also get acupuncture and massage when I can. Hope this helps

Lordhelpmetoo

tinker bell,

I'm also on anti anxiety medication. I know this is only temporary. I'm also on low dose Prozac

tinker-bell

hi lordhelpmetoo yes exactly, it's not forever but I'll take whatever help I can get for the next few months! Onco reckons I'll need it for 6 months, psychiatrist maybe a year. I'm already feeling better 2 weeks in!