Anyone starting chemo in Aug. 08?

Good Morning All,

Apple-Welcome!  You and I will be on the closest schedule because I started TC x 4 on July 31st.  I go again next Thursday, 8/21.

Okay girls, the wig trimming was a big success!!  She trimmed both wigs-bought two of the same one.  the hair is pretty much one length, about 2 in. higher than my shoulders with two long wisps on each side of the left side part.  I walked out wearing one to dinner with my two friends who came with me.  They were so surprised by how real it looks-they kept running their fingers through it!  We sat outside at a restaurant to eat, and I actually forgot I was wearing it.  when I got home, my DH said it looks just like me with fresh highlights.  I can actually pull some of the sides back to put a clip in the back, which is what I usually do in the summer.  Do I know it's not the real me? Yes.  But, I do want to be able to go back to work next week and out anywhere with HAIR!!  I am on Day 14 and some strands are coming out, but nothing major yet.  I think I am going to do what Nico did-I am not a shave person.  I am planning to don this wig over the next couple of days to different outings to get used to it.  Also, I signed up for the "Look Good, Feel Good" program at a center near my house next Monday night.  They give you makeup tips...  But, apparently, they give you a goodie bag of wonderful makeup products that were donated by companies.  I'll let you know how it goes-look for one in your area.  I think the ACS sponsors this.

So, I feel pretty much back to my old self, so I guess I will enjoy this until August 21.

Have a great day, everyone!!

~Misty

PS-Stacy, you are so pretty in your picture-is that your daughter with you?  Beautiful girls!!

jdpeaches, now that's a good idea!  getting your hair cut to match the wig!  I'm going for my pre-chemo haircut this weekend and have been wondering how to get it cut.  I did order one wig but haven't received it yet, and I may borrow one from the cancer support group.  What brand / type of wigs is everyone getting?  I still think I'm going to feel weird wearing one, or even a hat or scarf, but I've ordered some of each just in case.  I still think I may end up going bald most of the time.  I saw a bald woman at Walmart yesterday and she looked great, but she was tall and slender and had darker skin.  I'm short, chubby and pale!

Hello ladies.  Peaches I am thinking of you today.  Hope all goes well with your port and you don't have much soreness.  Mamashift, I think I have lost 2 or 2.5 lbs since last Wed.  I am trying to make myself eat now though.  My taste is gone but I have to have the nourishment so I keep telling myself "I have to eat the whole piece of chicken" lol.  Such mind games we have to play with ourselves. 

I hope everyone else is doing well today.  I just came back from onc's office and all my counts are low.  WBC is 1.4 so I have to "be careful".  Got the lecture on no raw fruits and vegetables.  No eating out.  Everything has to be cooked and just be very careful.  I guess I am silly because I did not think they would plunge this much until my 2nd or 3rd tx especially since I had the Neulasta shot.  The chemo nurse today said the shot won't start working for another couple of days though.  There is sooo much about this I don't understand.  I assumed it had been working the whole time.  Boy do I have alot to learn.  Anyway, I do hope everyone is having a good day and the least amount of se's possible.  I will ck back in on you all later.

God Bless,

Tonya

Tonya ~ I wish I could give you some of my WBcells!  I just returned from my onc's office, and all of my counts were in the too high range -- 19.6 on WBC.  I take good vitamins, which chemo nurses told me it was okay to continue.  Then I got a Neulasta shot, and I wonder if this is the result?  Does anyone know if there is a problem to counts being very high?  The nurse just seemed to think they would go down in the future. 

Peaches ~  I thought putting in a port required surgery.  I was surprised that you were doing it and the hair app'ts. the same day.  Hope all went great and that you're happy with your new hairstyle.

Apple ~  Welcome!  Did you tell us where you're from?

Have any of you been on other discussion boards here?  I found a very funny one yesterday called Worst Thing Someone Said To You.  It's about all the stupid things people say to you when you have bc.  Some of them are just beyond believe.  You should check if out if you haven't already --   good for some smiles and giggles, as well as head shaking.

Continue to take good care of yourselves everyone ~

Deanna

Thanks for the kind words Joyce.... To be completely honest, first treatment was super hard on me. I read everyone elses 1st time and I feel like a total failure... I was sooooo sick... shaking throwing up couldn't walk or function... it was really tough for about 5 to 6 days. I honestly don't know if I was being a whimp or not. The only thing I can figure is that I am doing AC and also at the same time a clinical trial for another drug on top of it.... I wonder if it just put me over the edge.

Anyway, I am better now... and trying to not think about my next apt in 7 days (not that I am counting)

Deanna, I am from the Denver Colorado area.  

Apple 

Ya... I live out in the boon docks but drive the 2 hours into denver each time I need a treatment or blood draw...

It's a drive, but I like peace and quiet and fresh air and I like seeing the stars at night. I am closer to the Springs.

I was wondering if I should tell my onc about my rough time. I hate to be a complainer, but... I don't know... how do you say to a doctor... "I was super sick... like... shoot me now sick" Perhaps I will say just that

I am hoping like crazy that my taxol treatments after AC is over with is not like this at all. I have to do that weekly, and at this point, I don't think it is possible... they would have to hospitalize me first or something.

Anyway, enough of my belly aching... Im feeling good now and as long as I can keep the depression at bay, I think I can keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Thanks for being kind

Apple 

Apple ~  I would think especially since one of the drugs you're on is a trial drug, your onc will want to know exactly how you're reacting to it.  Tell him now, while it's still fresh in your mind.  I might be wrong, but I don't think that's considered complaining -- I think it's exchanging information with him to be sure you get the best care.  

Jeannine ~  Congratulations on the clear scan!  Huge relief, I'm sure.  With a heart concern, are you absolutely sure you need Adriamycin?  Many oncs disagree on regimens and many go with Adrimycin out of habit.  I might be inclined to get a second opinion if you have any sort of existing heart condition.     Deanna

apple- I hate that you have been suffering so much.  You will be in my daily prayers.

stacy-the exercise study is a great motivation.  I was going to freeze my gym membership but sounds like I better get up there and start walking again.  I need to do this anyway but now I really must!!

Well gals I got home from port placement about 1:45pm I rested until 3:45 then my best friend picked me up and we went to my wig appt.  Gayla's wigs was awsome.  She took us into a private fitting room, and picked out two awsome cute wigs.  My surgeon reccommended that I get my hair cut really really short several days before it's supposed to fall out and start putting that ointment on it..he said it would hurt less. So I think that's what I'm going to do.  There's a salon here that puts you in a private room to cut off your hair for free then I'll go back to the wig lady for a final fitting.  Luckily my ins. will pay a huge chunck of the wigs and they weren't to bad anyway. My DH loves the style of the wigs and said it makes me look younger.  Wow Cancer can have some benefits.  We just have to make the best of a bad situation.

I'm sorry to be so long. But I have a neat story to tell you.  I have a friend that has been really depressed the last several months, taking a couple of different meds. I asked her to meet me there today, that I really needed her help.  As she listened to the lady talk about how fulfilling her job was providing these wigs for cancer and other medical reasons Sherri was amazed.  When we left Sherri said that God had walked in the room today and told her she need to go into this type of work.  She left there so excited and feeling like she had a new lease on life.  We can use our expierences to help others in so many ways.

My new motto "Help myself by sharing my strength with others"  This expierence today has made me feel better than any pain pill.

thinking of each of you so much.....love peaches

I'm going in for my first EC treatment today. DH is going in with me....yeah for a great support system. I have already had him shave my head 3 days ago, so if I'm feeling really lousy this afternoon, at least I don't have to worry about bad hair....I'm feeling calm so far and have started to listen to the "chemo" tapes that have been mentioned on there before. Looking forward to the medication doing its thing and hunting down the cancer. I will update about SE etc. 

Appleg8 - You are not alone in the hair thing!!!! I too had hair that was down a little past my shoulders - I too went and got it cut - a cute little bob at my chin - my niece is my hairdresser and I ALWAYS love it when she cuts my hair - I hated it and still do.  It isn't the cut it is the fact that I shouldn't have to cut my hair if I don't want to and I didn't want too!!!!!!  I thought it would be easier on me but it wasn't.  When I was leaving the salon she said to me "you didn't even look at the back - don't you like it?"  I told her it was fine and she KNEW it wasn't her or the cut it was just the situation!!!  She is only 24 and beautiful with beautiful long hair - after I left I sat in the car and cried.  I felt totally helpless - NOBODY made me cut my hair I thought it would lessen the pain of losing it - I was wrong.  Just wanted you to know that you weren't alone in that!!!!!! I am with you!!!!   Good luck all the ladies that go this week and next.  My next one is the 29th - day after my sons 10th birthday - he is soooooooo lucky - I won't have hair by then and will be too drained to celebrate with him!!!!!! But he does understand and that makes me feel a little better!!!!

Jeannine, I agree with the others that you should talk a little deeper with your onc about heart problems.  My onc said AC has a 5% chance of heart risk so he put me on EC which only has a 2% of heart damage.  He said the efficacy is the same of the two drugs but heart damage is heart damage.  Both my parents have had heart attacks and a 3% difference is alot to me. 

Apple, Tell your onc everything.  No need to suffer if its not necessary.  This road is tough enough.  They should have many tricks up their sleeves to help you with those se's.  Please don't be miserable when you don't have to be.  I figure my onc has heard it all before and if wants to think I'm a whiner then go ahead.  But if I need help he needs to help me. 

Stacy, I too had that lump in my throat and film in my mouth.  They gave me diflucan for thrush and it made a world of difference.  Luckily no mouth sores yet but as soon as I think I'm getting one I will be asking for the mouthwash.  I hope you feel better this morning.  Once I had the meds in me I could tell a small difference in my taste.

Roya, Sorry you have been feeling so bad.  Make sure they give you different meds for next tx.  They should be able to listen to your se's and tweak the meds enough to give you some relief.

Peaches, I am so glad that your port went well.   I loved your story about your friend.  Your attitude sounds wonderful and I am sure you and the whole experience yesterday was a blessing to your friend.  God uses us in ways that we could never imagine. 

Deanna, Quit hogging up all the WBC's.  I can't believe they are that high.  Good for you.  I was shocked that mine dropped after the first tx.  I really thought the Neulasta shot would have been working all this time.

Hanami, Good luck today.  I will be thinking about you.  Keep in touch and let us know how you are.

God Bless,

Tonya

I know this post is a little late, but I started chemo on August 1. Have done two rounds of Gemzar/Carbo. Anyone taking this now?

Roya: the tapes I am listening too are from www.healthjourneys.com I think they were mentioned either on this thread on an early page or in another thread within the chemo-section on here. It's basically a tape (mp3 file in my case) the leads you through a guided visualization tour regarding chemo treatment. It talks about chemo as a "potion" that seeps into every pore of my body and finds any stray cancer cells etc.....it's very calming and reassuring and I have to say that with a BP of 120/80 at the hospital this morning I was REALLY very calm and relaxed about receiving my first of 4 EC treatments today. 

Tonya36: So far the Chemo went very well today. I had my appointment at 9.00 and was home around 1.30 pm. In the beginning a lot of time was spent taking vitals and getting the pre-meds in (4mg Cortison and IV Zofran)...the E took 20 mins. to go in, and the C 30 mins. I felt well during  the treatment. It's now 6.30pm local time (I'm over in Germany) and so far so good. I'm feeling a little tired but had enough appetite to eat a small sandwhich and some potatos around 3 and some Goldfish now at 6.30. If nausea starts up later on they gave me Reglan but I'm not super sure yet if I should take it (I'd prefer to take the Zofran again, since it already worked in the hospital and because I'm just super freaked-out by meds in general and side-effects specifically). My call the docs tomorrow for a prescription.

 Ok....that's my update so far. Off to take the second pill they gave me for at home (something to protect the bladder)....will check in again later.

 Good luck to anybody who is due for treatment today or tomorrow. 

Day 14 and my hair is coming out in huge tufts.  I'm off to shave it off where my mom did hers.  I need a scarf, though.  I bought a wig yesterday, but I'm not crazy about the idea of wearing a wig.  My mom's been in a baseball cap for the last 3 months.

g94u67, my nurse had me to suck on ice chips during the administration of the Adriamycin.  She said that would cut down on the chances of developing the oral lesions that some patients get when they are on it. She mentioned that it is important to suck on the ice while the drug is being administered.

Thank you for the info Hanami.  I'm sure that I can order the chemo tapes from here with no problem.  I needed something like that to listen to while I am getting chemo.....something very positive.

MamaShift, Just rmember that this hair loss is only very temporary!