Any May 2009 Chemo Starters?

Hi Ladies,

My hair is gone!! It started to become loose on day 11 and by day 14 it was as they say "coming out in fist fulls".  I went to my hairdresser and she cut what was left of it really, really short.  She told me to pull out the rest of it by hand and not to shave it. So, that's what I did, I spent last night pulling out what was left and now most of it is gone.  I just have a few patches left.  I'm thinking of maybe cutting it down to the root.  I couldn't buzz it at this point because my head is sore and I'm sure it would hurt.  I'm wearing a bandana - I feel like a pirate because I'm wearing big hoop earrings.  Maybe I'll put on an eye patch and complete the look!  I do have a wig but when I put it on it felt like it was too big.  I had it fitted when I had all of my hair.  They used a stocking to over my head to fit it.  Now I'm wondering if I should have waited until I was completely bald. So, figure on 10-14 days for hair to fall out for taxotere and cytoxin. 

For all you new ladies joining us, sorry you have to be here but welcome.

Hi Becky,

I was also on AC (every 3 weeks), and kept waiting for my hair to fall out - finally started on day 16, and was shaved on day 19...everyone is different, and if you are on dose dense, it may come out sooner. 

A lot of women in the spotlight now have shaved heads as a fashion statement. I had a great time going to the ACS Feel Good, Look Better class and finding out the makeup tricks for the different things that happen.  Then I bought some BIG earrings - I use a baseball cap with hair attached in the back if I don't want to fuss with the wig, or if it's too hot - there's a neat website "hats with hair" that you might like.

Scalp does tingle as the hair gets ready to do its disappearing act, and actually, for mr, I felt a lot better when it was gone.

It'll be alright

Geri

Hi Becky,

Those initials took me a while to...don't you hate feeling you're probably the only one who doesn't know what they mean .  The "D" before the next initial means "dear", sooo..DH = Dear Husband, DD=Dear Daughter, DS=Dear Son, etc.

Maybe the onc can give you a different medication for the nausea - there are a ton of them that can be used, and if you'd rather not be sleeping all afternoon.

Well, off to bed now - sweet dreams to everyone - we deserve them.

Geri

Mimi50, my scalp hurt in places, not all over.  It's a weird feeling, being bald.  My head feels very vulnerable, like it could be hurt by very easily.  I had a lot of hair covering it so it must have been like a protection for me.  It does take some getting used to!

deb6563, we can do this. one step at a time. i'm tryign to remind myself that there is so much to worry and think about but why destroy my day today with negative thoughts?

why not wait till it gets here? because once it does get here (for all of us), we'll deal with it! it may not be easy but we'll deal with it.

there's a man at my office that's going through stage 4 lung cancer and cannot be operated on becuase it's on the outer sides of the lung so his chemo has got to be pretty strong. he comes to work every day!

i told him we're going into chemo competitiion! if he can make into work every day, so can i. (he laughs.) the real point of this story is that he continues to tell me how positive thoughts are key to getting through this. and because the man makes it here every day, he's onto something!

forward, sisters, forward!!!! XO :-)

Hi, everyone

I've been reading this forum for several days now, but I guess it's time for me to join the club.  I start my chemo May 15.  Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences.  It helps to know I'm not alone in this.  Hope you're all having a good day today!

Sandy

Hi Sandy364 and NYmom60 - sorry you have to join us but this is a great place to be.  I am on Day 3 after starting chemo (FEC-T) and keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. So far I have been tired, but that's pretty much it. I walked to and from the chemo session, did a bunch of stuff yesterday (maybe a bit too much). Today I just made one trip to the grocery store, read my book, watched TV and enjoyed the sunshine. Hope things continue kinda sorta like this - we will see. It is a three week cycle.

Microgal  Here's a (((((hug))).  I'll be thinking about you Friday.  We know what it's like to be scared out of our minds--first the dx itself, then the tx decisions and the questions--no one should have to go through this, but you've come to the right place for support.  Ask your onc lots of questions and if you can, take someone with you, to take notes and discuss what he/she says.  Whenever you choose to do the chemo, I think most of us would agree that the anticipation is much worse than the treatment.  Anti-nausea drugs will help on that front, plus there are lots of other medications that can help you get through this...don't be afraid to ask your doc or NP. I have a sneaky feeling that most of us are taking an anti-depressant right now, too!  Just get through tonight and tomorrow and learn as much as you can on the 15th.  And come back here  often.  Take care.  Helen

First treatment on May 1, and my hair is still not falling out.  The nurse said it would because of one of the drugs I'm getting.   Has anyone had it fall out a 2nd treatment?  My next treatment is May 22.   I need a haircut but figure why spend the money when it's going to fall out.  Just wondering if anyone else in the same boat?  Thanks,

How long have you had your port?  I got mine a week ago today and have found that if I put a pillow between me and the bed, I can sleep on my side.

sherrilynne- I am still having a hard time finding a comfortable sleeping position. I have to sleep on my back and I have never done that before. It's very uncomfortable for me. I had the mastectomy and SNB on the left side and the port is on the right side, so I don't have a good side anymore. I really miss sleeping on my side and on my stomach, but it's just not possible right now. Makes for some long, uncomfortable nights.

 Good morning ladies, How are you all doing today?

Luv4my5girl/Viki - you will be doing the same chemo treatment that I did on 4/27.  I'm going for my 2nd round on monday (yikes!).  It's not that bad.  I did have a very bad allergic reaction to the taxotere but hopefully you won't.  I got a really bad sunburn like rash on my face and chest the next day.  It wore off by day 3 - just a nuisance not really painful.  Yuck taste and feeling in mouth, that gets less and less as time nears your next treatment.  I can taste coffee now but I know by monday when I get my next treatment I won't be able to.  First week is tough.  The major complaint from me was the fatigue.  I didn't get the nuelasta shot so I can't comment on that.  I was happy because I hear it makes you feel horrible with flu like symptoms.  I feel like my old self now just in time to get slapped down again.  You will get through it.  I think I tolerated it well and I'm hoping you will too!  P.S. there' s a thread for those only on t&c on the chemo board

wg1 - glad you like your wig!  I like mine too but it's not that comfortable.  Aren't people great when it comes to helping us out with the hair thing.  I was amazed how supportive and generous my hairdresser was when it came to the whole hair/wig thing.  She never charged me for anything.  My last two haircuts were free and she styled my wig for me too.  It restores my faith in the goodness of people.

Sherrilyne and Texasrose - hope you find a comfortable sleeping position with your port.  What about using one of those body pillows to help out.  I love those things!

princessofpower - love that you dyed your hair red!  I'd hire you as my lawyer, punk rock look and all!  I had a little bit of the punk rock look but that was back in the early 80's when you were just a baby and I was worshipping  The Clash!  I'm really glad you are feeling better.  You have a lot to live for so please keep the faith.  There will be other boys out there for you. I'm sounding like a Mom but I can't help it.  Keep fighting sweetheart  .

To all other ladies out there, and the new ones, love ya!!!  I mean it!!!  When I lived in a small town in Western MA and my kids were really small, I started kind of a support group for families with small children.  It seemed like most of us didn't have family around so we supported one another.  It was so comforting to know that we had each other to rely on when things were not going so well.  It's hard having babies - some of you know, the no sleep, worry, anxiety, marital problems, etc.  Anyway,  when I moved after the kids were older, a couple of those friends commented that they couldn't have done it (gotten through those tough years) without me and our group.  I used to say "we're all in this together" and I guess it made a big effect on some of them.  It's true, I feel like here we are "all in this together" and we support one another and share our worries, good stuff too.  It's what it's all about.  We need one another, in good times and especially in bad. Family is great (my sil says it's the only thing - I disagree) it is very important but so are other  people, even strangers.  Ok, I'll stop now.  I guess I'm in one of those sentimental moods today. 

Hugs and Kisses to all.

Sukiann

Ladies-

Since we all need to have a good laugh thru this......ck out this website of chemo t-shirts....I cracked up this morning reading some of them....

Becky

http://shop.cafepress.com/chemotherapy

Viki- Good luck with your treatment. I hope all goes well and your side effects are minimal!

sukiann- I completely agree about the support. I love my family and they have been amazingly supportive, but you ladies understand in a way that only someone who is going through it too can understand. It helps so much to share with others on the same journey.

Nana- Unfortunately my port is healed. It's been in there almost six weeks. It's just uncomfortable sometimes. I hate sleeping on my back. I have been trying to do a little on my side hoping it will get easier. It's better than it was. It's a combination of the mastectomy, SNB and port that make it uncomfortable. Getting better every day though!

Becky- Some of those are really funny!

blondie45- Welcome. We are doing the same treatment except I won't have Herceptin since I am HER2 negative.

The clinical trial nurse called me this morning to tell me my ECHO results were good. My tests are all done, so I am good to go. She said the 26th is the last day I can start without having to repeat all my tests for current results because it has been awhile since some of them were done. Don't want that! We had planned on starting the 25th, but I wanted to change it to the 26th because I want treatments on Tuesdays. I told her I had noticed the 25th was a holiday. She hadn't realized that and the clinic is closed that day. So, she is talking with clinical trial people to see if I can start on the 26th or if that is too late. If it's okay, then I will definitely start on the 26th. If it's too late then I will start on the 19th. Yikes! So much for thinking that I have all next week to get ready. And the bad thing is that I have a lot of appointments next week. Haircut, dentist, lab work....I guess this will be my life for awhile.

Oh well. The sooner I start, the sooner I get done.

luv the ocean great website! of course not a lot of ppl know that ihave this yet so not sure if i'll be supporting one soon

by the way so many of you have ports? what is that.. whats it like - cuz i don't have one - wondering if i should?

today feeling better.. though big headache - more scans and tests and crap