Starting chemo January 2009?

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  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited January 2009

    Hi everyone!  I haven't been posting much as I've been feeling so "normal"!  My husband and daughter went skiing this weekend (her 1st time....she's 5).  So, I've been hanging out with my son.  He plays every sport known to mankind so today we have basketball and soccer.  We did manage to go to the movies yesterday and saw "hotel for dogs".  It was very cute!

     I have 9 days till chemo #3 and I'm so excited to feel like I have a regular life for a bit!  I hope I can still feel good in between chemos when I get to cycle #6!!!

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  • carpediem
    carpediem Member Posts: 4
    edited January 2009

    Hello everyone!

    3 days out from my first TC tx. Very nauseated, no appetite and have some irritations in my mouth. Have been up since 4 AM. STEROIDS!! Wishing well to all the January Chemo clan.

    Off for a nap!

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  • Alo123
    Alo123 Member Posts: 308
    edited January 2009

    Steroids stink!  After taking my last 2 pills Thurday night I finally have some relief today!  Does anyone have any advise abour taking less the second time around....

    what do the steroids do for us on TC?  

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  • Renrel
    Renrel Member Posts: 497
    edited January 2009

    alo - I belive the steroid help with the nausea mostly.  I would ask you doctor about whether you can decrease the dose or maybe there is a different kind they could try for you that might get you less buzzed. 

    Carpedimem - Sorry you are not feeling well.  Hope your nap goes well. 

    Lisalisa - Glad you are feeling well. Sounds like a very fun weekend.  

    Jasman- Sounds like you are handling it well so far.  I know greesy food is probably the worst thing rignt now but I was reading a book last night that gave such a good description of a corn beef and pastraomi sandwhich that I was just craving one for dinner.   Instead I had roasted chicken and pasta.

    yearofhehat- And I admire you and others who manage to do this without the support of family around you.  It is a mixed bag isn't it ?  Wanting or needed support and help yet feeling obligated to those who would/do provide it.

    MamaSarah - Glad you are enjoying your scarfs. I have to get a few nice ones.  I have been concentrating on hats mostly.  

     Last night was better.  Just woken up with aches and pains, no tummy issues.  But I think I am backed up again. I did not push anything to hard yesterday because I did not know if I was still dealing with constipation, OK or heading into the loose zone.  I am going to take some more miralax today, up the fiber but skip the colace and see what happens.  I took a nice long bath today to deal with some of the aches and pains.  It felt good and hopefully it was not stupid to sit in a tub of hot water for an hour with possible low blood counts.  I scrubbed all over with a salt and oil scrub before climbing which did a good job moisterising.  I notice that I am breaking out a bit on my body though.  Just a few zits on my breasts and torsu.  

    We have managed to keep DS off the tv all day so far, though I was sorely temped to turn it on to take a break from entertaining him.  But he has actually been really good the last two days.  He and DH had a great time sledding yesterday.  DS said he can't wait till next year when I am well and can join them.  He checked the calender so that we can go on exactly the same day.  He said we have to be sure an do any shopping the day before so we are free to sled.

    DH just took him out to buy a new car seat since our secondary one is too small and we need to lend that to others if they are going to help with an transport issues.  So I have a couple of hours to myself.  I need to take another short walk, nap and make a shopping list.  

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  • holtbolt
    holtbolt Member Posts: 625
    edited January 2009
    Yearof the Hat - luckily my mom is here to help... she'll be leaving soon so I better get my butt up and soon.... the indigestion has been almost intolerable... so painful it feels like a heart attack sometimes... anybody having bad indigestion?  I've tried Prylosec and Pepcid AC... what else???
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  • sweeeeetpam
    sweeeeetpam Member Posts: 115
    edited January 2009

    Hi Donna and artemis,

                   I am also doing 4 rounds a/c and then 4 of taxol, I actually did 2 rounds before surgery and now finishing up with the last six my 4th ac is this thursday at 10.00am.

              So far I have had no s/e......except for an hour on friday night I thought my heart was going to fly out of my chest!!!!!   I also called 911 I was so scaared but ti did go away, Drink lots of fluids both days do either of you have Emends???it works wonders. it is 75 here today way to hot for me it makes it a long summer season!!!

                   My hair is about 1/4 inch now and looks sorta cute properly will start falling out again after next week but we shall see!!

                   Talk to you all soon thanks for all of your thoughts!!!  Pamela 

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  • ladyjane54
    ladyjane54 Member Posts: 192
    edited January 2009

    Hi everyone:  Day 3 after second treatment and other than feeling like a zombie with no energy at all I feel ok. 

    Had to shave head today and that was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be.  My daughter did it for me and I cried the whole time.  Now that its done I can not even look in the mirror.  I really did not feel like I had CANCER until now.  Now I feel lilke the secret is out and the whole world will know.  I do not even want to leave the house now.  Not sure how I am going to handle work tomorrow with everyone looking at me.

    Sorry to hear some of you are dealing with some nasty SEs.  I guess I should be grateful that I am at least not feeling any nausea or dealing with vomitting or periods.   Hang in their ladies.

    Patti

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  • brendafromflorida
    brendafromflorida Member Posts: 90
    edited January 2009

    Hi everyone, like Lisa, I have been feeling really good so have not been posting much. 

    Kim, I had my 2nd A/C treatment on Thursday and I definitely feel flushed the day or 2 after treatment.  I seem to have a constant dull headache also.  Not sure if that is the Avastin or what.  Other than that, I am feeling good.  I am almost afraid to say it, but I feel almost normal.  I do have very dry mouth most of the time and am much more tired, but otherwise not so bad.

    Renrel, thanks for the encouragement.  I have always been pretty tough, but this cancer thing was something I never expected.  Hope you feel better about the hair thing.  I worried about it for a while, but once I did it, it wasn't so bad.  My DSO thinks I look pretty good bald.  Can't say I agree, but is good to hear him say that. 

    I was really worried about the Neulasta shot also, but so far, I have just had a little bit of achy feeling but no real pain from it. 

    I actually went to the golf course today and hit some golf balls.  It felt sooooo good.  The sun was out, it was finally normal Florida weather.  It's been really cold the last week or so. 

    Good luck to all who have tx this week.   Welcome to all the new members.  Again, we are all sorry you are here, but glad you found us. 

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  • brendafromflorida
    brendafromflorida Member Posts: 90
    edited January 2009

    Patti, I am sorry to hear that the shaving was so difficult for you.  I understand.  Go to the mirror and look at yourself.  You can do this.  Do you have wigs or are you doing the scarf and hats?  I know what you mean about the secret being out.   Please don't feel that way.  You will be OK.  Just hold your head up and know you are going to beat this and the baldness is just another step in your journey.   I wore my wig for the first time today to my country club to hit some golf balls.  I felt like it was so fake, but no one I saw looked at me any differently than before.  

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  • Alo123
    Alo123 Member Posts: 308
    edited January 2009

    Patti....I'm right behind you on the shaving!!!  I'll do it Friday!  I've been crying about it on and off for a day or so!!!  I am going wig shopping tomorow....maybe that'll help.

    I feel like now I'm a prisoner to cancer if I have a bald head......I need to get over it this week and turn it into a positive.......

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  • BevR
    BevR Member Posts: 101
    edited January 2009

    Patti (and others), I am probably right behind you this week with the hair.....if the "average" holds up. My scalp is itchy and tingling. Patti, I shared the same thought about everyone knowing with my DH just yesterday......! Maybe great minds think alike!

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  • BerkeleyKim
    BerkeleyKim Member Posts: 390
    edited January 2009

    Hi all: It's good to read everyone's posts. I can completely relate to all the feelings about hair, family, dealing with being and looking like a cancer patient (and I have to admit--I always thought, "I'm so glad that's not me." And unbelievably now it is), dealing with family (and Renrel--one of my most precious recent moments was taking a nap with my 14 yr old dd--and my husband who said he's trying to be loving, even when I'm cranky. Cranky???). I'm still waiting for the remaining tuffs of hair to fall out. I admire everyone who can just take it off.

    I'm feeling better today, after getting my strength back more slowly after the second tx. My onc. told me he'd be happy to write a back to work letter--my blood counts were ok,and I've had 3 shots of Neupogen. Hope they stay up. I've been continuing to spin wheels about how much I can work, and whether I'll really be up to all that the student teaching requires. I'm thinking that maybe a change in career last year wasn't such a hot idea--too much stress. And, as I've been told as some of you have, the SEs are  CUMULATIVE. The new c word I hate. 

    Anyhow, our to-go dinner is here. Has anyone eaten out. I'm so paranoid about food I don't cook myself, but I'm going to try it.

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  • Renrel
    Renrel Member Posts: 497
    edited January 2009

    Berkleykim - DH brought home BBQ tonight. I only thought about possible greese issues not germs.  I only at a bit of meat but really enjoyed the corn bread and cucumber salad, though maybe I should of skipped the salad, though vinigar is an awsome antibacterial so it was probably fine.  I ate a few bites of greens and the candies sweet potato.  Can't say I was in love with the meal but it sure beat thinking of something to cook.  Tomorrow we defrost a meatloaf my mom made and i have to do some food shopping. 

    I am going to sit down now and put a bunch of my medical papers and flyers for classes I have taken into a note book so I can find what I need when I need it.  

    Tomorrow I have to do my Long Term Leave form and some other paperwork.  I also have to decide whether to bother with a private accupuncture appointment since my accupucturists hospital times were booked for the next two weeks and he said that it is best to go the same week as treatment, but do my side effects warrent the effort?   I am also trying to decide whether to try to attend certain support and excercise classes this week when my blood counts are suppose to be low.  Better to get the support or protect myself from bugs. 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2009

    Please add me to the chemo January 2009!  I am doing CMF and think I am the only one on this thread with that combo.  I have 24 weekly infusions (take the cytoxan daily with the M and the Fu infused).  So far, so good but weekly is kind of getting me down.  I have done three, so 21 to go.  I have caught my kids cold - sure my immune system is down - don't know if they will reschedule me or not if I don't kick this.

    Sounds like you are all doing really well.  Berkeleykim - I used to live in Berkeley - near Fat Apples - I love that city!

    Susan

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  • 07rescue
    07rescue Member Posts: 168
    edited January 2009

    Hi everyone

    I started TCH (taxotere, carboplatin, Herceptin) x6 with Herceptin for a year. It's been 10 days since my first treatment. I think I'm kind of average in that the first week I felt pretty crummy, then started feeling human again around day 7. I can see I don't have my usual stamina. When I try to do my normal exercise routine I poop out very quickly, I've never pooped out quite so easily, even though I have been far sicker in my life with other chronic illness (endometriosis and rheumatoid arthritis). I would have to say that I have been much sicker and in much more pain before in my life, so chemo doesn't really frighten me in terms of the ill feelings it creates. I am worried about my marginal kidney and liver function from my other long term diseases making the chemo side effects worse, because my body won't be able to clear the toxic drugs as quickly as a healthy person's. I've been following everyone's advice and drinking a great deal of water to help my body flush them out. I think it's helping, although my nausea lasted for a good 7 days following the treatment.

    Patti, Alo, and Bev, I will be joining you on the shaving! 

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  • ktym
    ktym Member Posts: 2,637
    edited January 2009

    Alo123--I'll let you know re: steroids. I'm trying to decrease them this time around (2nd tx of TC Fri).  Last time I didn't get the wired feeling others complained about, but terrible muscle weakness after and thrush/yeast without it seeming to help any of the TC symptoms.  So, this time we're decreasing at time of infusion and cutting the steroids for the taper after in half.  Only time will tell if its a good idea but I sure hope it works.  

    Carpediem: I'll be thinking of you today, hope its a slightly better day for you. I'd call your onc about the mouth sores if you're getting them.   I had a harder time with my first round then most have reported here--so I'm absolutely dreading round 2 this week--so you have all of my sympathy today.

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  • bobcat
    bobcat Member Posts: 681
    edited January 2009

    mamasarah - I too found I could start back on the coffee after week two.  Funny, I have that from others too and I hated giving up my one mug in the morning.  I will check out you-tube as I cannot get the hang of the scarf thing and end up going bald.  Wear hats outside and my wig makes me twitchy.  I wonder is there someplace to donate all these hats and wigs when we are done? Anyone know?

    Have a blessed Monday all!

    Bobbi

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  • sjr585
    sjr585 Member Posts: 20
    edited January 2009

    On Wed I will have T/C #2.  I will also shave my hair tomorrow. It is falling out in clumps, but still have enough to get by today. Shampooing is a pain, so will be glad to see it gone!  Just hope I can adjust to wearing a wig.  I like the ones I got, but it will take time to get use to it.  Have scarves and hats too.

     My SE the first time weren't really that bad other than the taste and a dull headache which finally went away on day 5.  Taste buds came back on around day 8 and after than felt "normal" again.

     sally

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  • marymoir
    marymoir Member Posts: 245
    edited January 2009

    Hi everyone!  Like Lisa & Brenda, I've been blessed with a run of "normal"-feeling days, so haven't checked here for a while!

    Holtbolt -- hang in there!  It sounds like we're having almost exactly the same SE's, but you're about a week behind me on treatment.  My worst days were 3, 4, 7, and 8.  Aside from feeling pooped out if I try to exercise like I did pre-chemo (like 07rescue), I feel almost normal, so if my experience is truly similar to yours, you're almost there!!  About the headaches -- my onc nurse said it could be caused by the anti-nausea stuff they put in my IV (even up to a week after the infusion)!  She also said it could be caused by dehydration, so make sure you drink up!!  My headaches had gone completely after day 8, but when I had a glass of wine Sat. night (the 1st alcohol I've had since December!), the dang headache came back...so it appears that, for me at least, dehydration could be causing the nasty buggers.

     Ladyjane -- your "new hat every day" idea sounds like a winner, especially since kids (mine, at least) who saw Aretha's hat at the inauguration on TV seem to think funky hats are IN!!  Do you have any vintage clothing stores near you?  We went to one when my daughter needed a hat for "Crazy Hat" day, & they had a huge selection of hats, and the price was definitely right (some were just $1). 

    Trying to use this "good" period before my next infusion (Feb. 3) to be productive, as I, like most of you, have heard the "cumulative" refrain multiple times.  Wouldn't it be great if all those soothsayers are wrong, & we still have "good" weeks at the end of our regimens?  (From our mouths to God's ear!!!)

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  • shockedat39
    shockedat39 Member Posts: 252
    edited January 2009

    Hi ladies,

    I just wanted to all of my fellow headshavers from this week that I LOVE my wig.  It wasn't comfortable at first but now I'm getting used to it.  Plus it's the texture I've always wanted!!!  And, to top it off, while I was checking out at the grocery store the other day a woman tapped my on the shoulder and told me "you have the most beautiful hair I've ever seen).  And then I got carded when I bought my husband a six pack!

    Today I wore it with a Joe Boxer knit hat and probably looked more in style than I have in 10 years :)

    I hope everyone can feel as good about it as I have.  If you saw any of my posts before I actually had it done, you will know that I was one of the most horrified ladies about losing my hair.

    ((HUGS TO ALL))

    Diane 

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  • jillyG
    jillyG Member Posts: 401
    edited January 2009

    Hi everyone!  Today is chemo day (AC #2 out of 4) and I am going for bloodwork at lunch to make sure my counts are fine before the 1:30 chemo.  They called and said they were a little low on Thursday so hopefully they climbed a bit.  I am just telling myself that once I have this one and get over the first week SE's , I am halfway there....50% done!  

    My hair is so creepy.  I have a mohawk!!! lol.  My hair is completely gone on the sides and most of the back and then on top it's much thicker.  That'll be the last to go I guess.  I think within the next 3 days I will have nothing at all which will be nice for my shower drain :)  I shaved it down short a few weeks ago but it's still hilarious.  I decided to wear my little hat around the house because it feels chilly on my head.  It's minus 25 out today in beautiful Alberta, so I can get away with wearing a winter hat everywhere I go.  I love my wig but it's more comfy to wear a hat. 

    Patti (any others), I didn't like losing my hair at all, it was a big part of me, and I cried the first time I looked in the mirror and saw no breast with a big scar and this shaved head and I just felt so unattractive, but these are our battle scars.  I feel some pride in my baldness, like I am a fighter and you know what, the cancer didn't make us bald, fighting it did :)  

    Be strong Jewels!  Wishing everyone a great day.

    Jill

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  • mamasarah
    mamasarah Member Posts: 23
    edited January 2009

    Hello Jewels - 

    I've got another quick cover for those of us who are bald, and not quite up to flaunting it in January...in public!  I sewed a fake ponytail into a baseball cap and it looks pretty normal. I can't wait to hear the comments from airport security when they ask me to remove it...  Last time with my short 'Judy Dench' cut, the guy said, "I liked it better long."  To which I wish I had responded, "gosh, if only I had known that you cared."

    Second TCH treatment is tomorrow.  07Rescue, I think at day 10 you are over the hump.  Enjoy the next 10 days!  For my second treatment I plan to preventively dose myself with pain meds, immodium and magnesium.  We'll see what's better = pretreat or worse=cumulative effect.

    One week closer ... 

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  • mamasarah
    mamasarah Member Posts: 23
    edited January 2009

    JillyG -  good luck today.  Just think, after this you'll be halfway!  I love the idea of a mohawk.  My family thinks I look like the dancing bald guy in the Six Flags commercials.  Sorry if that's lost on you in Alberta.

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  • Alo123
    Alo123 Member Posts: 308
    edited January 2009

    HAHA!!!!  I love that MAMA!!! 

    KMMD.....can't wait to hear how the tapering off goes.!!!

    I feel ok today....gonna stick my chin up and go by a wig!!!  The hair depression seems to have left me!!!!!!  I need to keep strong.  

    I'm glad everyone is so positive around here!!!!  It's helping me more than you know!!!!

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  • marlenet
    marlenet Member Posts: 345
    edited January 2009

    Hi ~ question

    today is day 13 since 1st  tx,  I think my hair is starting to go ( well i now it is ) When i ran my fingers through it i had quite a few strands.  My question to you all is when do you think is a good time so shave it ? ( maybe a inch to  three inches  ) or buzz it all off?  Once this process starts how fast does it fall out?  

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  • shockedat39
    shockedat39 Member Posts: 252
    edited January 2009

    Hi Marlenet,

    I have extremely thick hair and it was just starting to come out a little bit at 15 days past 1st tx (kind of like after I was pregnant, how it thinned a bit).  Not drastic at all.  I wasn't taking any chances, though, and I went ahead and had it shaved anyway.  Total Sinead O'Connor.  That was Saturday and, to be honest, it doesn't look as if any more has fallen out.  That said, I'm sure it is but I just have so many follicles it's not noticable yet.

    So, no great advice from me other than I'm glad that I was in control of it.  It helped me a lot!!

    Good luck,

    Diane 

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  • Renrel
    Renrel Member Posts: 497
    edited January 2009

    Hey all.  The weekend went well but I could not sleep last night.  I took no meds and my head was just going all night.  Not worried necessariy, it just would not turn off.   I don't want to rely on meds to sleep but my body needs rest during this so I think tonight I will either take ativan or the flexeral (sp) muscle relaxant they gave me for the surgury which I was I was told would also help turn off my head.  Maybe it will help with some of these body aches.  (I was given the OK to take the med with my chemo stuff  but I am not sure if it helps for this particular pain.  Today my back is killing me and I don't know if it is the chemo, the fact that I have not had a BM since Friday night /Saturday morning or that my period has kicked in full blast.  I am also very tired.  The check out girl at Trader Joes today could tell I was not at the top of my game though she just though I was having your normal bad day.  I spent a fortune at TJ's just picking up any food that appealed to me.  Hummus, low fat cheese puffs, dark chocolet, apricots, brown rice marshmellow bars, mango and cream ice pops, mixed greens to cook, peanut satay.  Whatever, expecially if it was high in protien and fiber. 

     I am wearing a fun hat my mom made for me out of fuzzy yarn for when my hair comes out.  She thinks I would look good as a platium blond so she bought the yard in that color.  I too am wondering about how to best deal with the hair when it starts coming out. I think  I need to take my son and my DH with me to my salon and cut it super short at least, if not a buzz cut, so that it is not a shock to either of them when the see me the first time with a very different look.  I don't know when though. I want to be in control but I also want to enjoy my hair for as long as I can.  It is going to be sooooo weird not to run my own hands through my hair.  I really wonder how long it will take me to get used to reaching up to my head and not finding any hair there.  Some how I think that will take longer to get used to then the visual.  I am strange in that I have always had a better picture in my head of what I look like than what I actually look like (like men who think they are gorgous with their beer hairy beer bellies and comb overs rather then woman who can be perfectly made up and focus on the invisible zit on their chin- though I am a reasonable good looking woman) so I am used to carrying myself as if I looked better than I do and with being a bit suprised when I pass a mirror and realize that I really look rather a mess.  

    I am going to lay down for abit and rest now before I have to go pick up DS from school.  

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  • jas_man
    jas_man Member Posts: 25
    edited January 2009

    It's Day 5 after my 1st TC treatment and I finally feel normal again. Hopefully this lasts longer than a couple of hours so that I can go back to work in a few hours. I finally managed to eat a real meal last night (Chicken Kebabs at a Mediterannean place) and 2 Krispy Kreme donuts in  the past 8 hours. Talk about catching up on lost calories! :P

    My anti-nausea meds run out today so hopefully I won't have the dizzy and puking feeling I had yesterday. Only concern I have right now is constipation. I've been taking Senekot at least once a day for the past 2 days and I've managed to do well but how long do I take it?? Any other way to "let it all out"?? :D

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  • ddlatt
    ddlatt Member Posts: 448
    edited January 2009

    had my bloodwork today pre-chemo #2, and the white blood cells are 23.6, so i'm good to go for wednesday's chemo (AC).  my son buzzed my hair today! it's about 1/4 of an inch long. i love it! i might keep it his way forever! i don't plan on wearing wigs or scarves or hats unless it's super cold. i posted a photo on my blog: www.ddlatt.blogspot.com.  wow - without breasts and hair, showers take no time at all. :)

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2009

    *delurks*

    hello, ladies. my name is Lisa and i had a bilateral mastectomy on 12/30 with reconstruction. luckily i'm cancer-free, but my surgeon said i need chemo/radiation as a preventative. i meet my oncologist for the first time on wednesday.

    i'm so afraid of chemo, i've had a hard time even just lurking in this thread, even tho i know it's the best way to lessen my fear. everytime i read about the side effects, i have gut feelings i'm going to suffer them ALL and i start crying. funny, i figured once i got thru the surgery, i'd be superstrong for the chemo, but it's turning out to be quite the opposite. i've never been more terrified. i've never felt more weak.

    i'm trying my best to be proactive. i went to the optomotrist and ordered sassy new glasses, in case i can't wear my contacts due to dry eye. i plan on wig shopping on monday with my sister. i can't see myself shaving when the time comes. i get nauseous just thinking about losing my hair.

    Diane/shockedat39, thank you for sharing how much you love your wig: "I LOVE my wig ... If you saw any of my posts before I actually had it done, you will know that I was one of the most horrified ladies about losing my hair."  you've given me a teeny bit of hope. *weak smile*

    can I ask where you wig-wearers bought your wigs? did you go to a salon or order one online? 

    tons of feel-good vibes to you all. you're all Super Heroes to me. i'm in awe.

    *relurks* 

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