Starting Chemo April 2009

Paula3558 and luckofthedraw - Our yard really reminds me of the opening scene from the Broadway musical "Cats".  If you look outside, there is not a cat to be seen.  Annabelle will go out on the driveway and call them; and one at a time they will start to appear - one from here, one from there, one from over there, one from behind there, etc - and come to her from all different places around the yard.  Pretty soon she is surrounded.

They sure brighten her day.  Definitely a whole bunch of rays of sunshine!

Amy - You are not alone, my hair is growing back also.  I had it buzzed down to almost nothing because I had holes of no hair.  It's grown enough in the past 2 weeks that it is visible to anyone who saw me after the buzz.

Chris, thank you so much for the encouragement and we are all so glad you are doing so well. Thank you for stopping in to say hi. We are all at the beginning of this treatment journey but we are becoming a tight group and are dedicated to seeing one another through to the other side.

We'll be able to write in '10 to that group and offer encouragement the way you did for us.  That is something to look forward to.

I hope everyone is feeling good and having a peaceful happy weekend.

Amy

hrf - I am still dealing with the bumps/pimples on my scalp, and it's been 4 weeks since my last tx of tc.  I called my onc's office this week and they suggested a steroidal cream, like cortisone, which I've been faithfully applying twice a day and not seeing any results.  I think I'm going to have to call the dermatologist, because the onc's office had not seen any patients with this issue and they frankly weren't sure how to deal with it, other than to tell me to try to not wear any wigs, which I cannot do during the day at work.   I also tried white vinegar rinses, head and shoulders shampoo, and they weren't helping either.  Sorry I don't have any other news right now, but once I find out from the derm how to treat it, I'll let you know.

Have a great weekend.

I'm not on the same chemo drugs you are on (I'm on AC), but I had a lot of red bumps that started looking like hives, they were angry and red and then turned into pustules (looked like pimples).  I went to the dermatologist (because I didn't think the oncologist would be that helpful) and the derm said it was a folliculitis (I think this is inflammation of the hair follicles). She gave me two things. One was a prescription medicine that has clindymycin and benzol peroxide in it and also she had me buy herbiclens (an over the counter anti bacterial shampoo).  They also did a test on my scalp to make sure there wasn't anything bacterial growing and it came back clear.  The rash/bumps cleared up in several days and I feel so much better.  She said it was something they commonly see after chem hair loss. In my case I think it was a combination of the shaving and then sunscreen that caused it.

 Sorry this got so long and I apologize for my spelling errors. All the medicines are impossible to spelll and I didn't go and check them on the bottles.

Go see a dermatologist and have them give you something, you will feel so much better.

Pam

Aris, that sounds like what I have now - a raging case lasting 2+ weeks!  I'm planning to call my dermatologist on Monday, because the onc's office frankly sounded puzzled,like they don't deal with that very often.  You can buy the shampoo at a drug store?

Helen...A&D Ointment is over the counter in the US, but I'm not sure about Canada.  Hopefully it is or someone from your area will respond.   I've had a coupe of bumps come up over the last few days so I will try this as soon as I can get to the drug store. Tx 2 really hit me hard.  I'm 10 days out and and finally starting to feel like my old self.  Last weekend is a huge blurr I think I slept for about 5 days straight and completely through Mother's Day.

Nadine thanks so much for the information about the A&D it is a simple and cheap solution.  Let's hope it works for everyone.

Chris, thanks for stopping by and sending everyone words of encouragement.  I'm a 12 year survivor who didn't have a recurrence, but found a new primary.  So I know the other side too and it can be done and you will feel human and strong again...we may have a new normal, but we will be normal again.  

I hope everyone has a great weekend and feels good.  God bless!!

Jeezy~ 

On A & D Ointment, there are two different kinds.  I use the A&D Original Ointment.  Its also great for the diaper rash and as a skin protectant.  I have used it on my head for the pimple bumps, arm for a problem with skin rash, and private area for sores I got at one point.  There is no burning and it feels more like Vaseline but works like a champ.  It is inexpensive which is plus right now.  For me on every area I had to put it everything cleared up fast. 

I would look in the ointment section of the drug store, however any grocery store should have it also since its also used for baby rash.  To save time of hunting I just ask someone to help me find it...way to much stuff on the shelves to look at.  Also, baby shampoo and other products are real mild and have been a true saver for me...and about the only odor right now I can tolerate.

Nadine

Hi all,

A&D Ointment is definitely in the baby section of the store - near the diapers etc.  It works miracles on diaper rash, so I am not surprised that it would work for this too.  The bumps definitely are disconcerting, but as long as I keep them moist, It seems to help for me..

Chris thank you for stopping by.  When you are where we all are in "the journey" it often feels like it will never end.  It's like one long "hump day"!!!  It's so reassuring to hear from someone who is just far out enough to remember.

Dreading tomorrow - tx #3 - had more SEs the second time than the first..... does anyone else find that they get very anxious the day before, and almost nauseous at the thought?

Chelev, you have been put through the mill, girl.  I feel so bad - dealing with SEs still after you stopped tx.  I am glad you stop by though, it's like you're still part of the group!

Tammy

Tammy - Hi!  Yes, its been quite the adventure!!  I always have said, if there are going to be weird side effects to ANYTHING I am taking or given, I will have them.  Goes with the territory, so at least I'm used to it.  Not to say I don't like it!  We'll see what the dermatologist says.  Hopefully, this seems to be the last of the chemo side effects, besides the slight numbness in my fingers on the right hand, which I hear can last a long time.

How are you doing?  Good luck with round #3 - I would have been right there with you, if I were still getting chemo.  Have 4 radiation treatments under my belt, out of 26.  So far, so good. 

Take care and have a great week, ladies!!  Hoping nobody has to deal with horrible s.es!

Last time I had chemo, that happened to one toe nail which did eventually fall out. It wasn't painful. But it took a while for the nail to grow back.

Hi ladies, I  was just on the reconstruction forum, but before leaving I wanted to check in and tell all of you, that you are truly in my thoughts everyday.  Although, I am no longer doing the chemo, it is something I think about everyday.  I am hoping that fades in the future.  I wish all of you the very best in your treatments and in your health for many, many years. Having been an April girl as well, I know how hard it is and I respect everyone of you.

Can I join this group? Started chemo on April 9. TACx6

Eliza

Hi Everyone,

I had my third chemo treatment last thursday. I am pleased to say that the side effects this time were much better than the second go round. I took Claritin and Aleve everyday and noticed that the bone pain was tolerable. And no shingles this time. Yea! Nausea also under control with reglan before meals and at bedtime. I'm halfway there, can't wait until I'm done with the chemo. I wish everyone well.

Chelev, thanks for the update on the folliculitis. Today is a holiday in Canada so I will call the doc tomorrow. Others suggested A & D ointment but I haven't been able to find it here.

Aris, I also got my beautiful head wrap from Laurie Erickson - along with the card signed by everyone there. It was truly a lovely gesture. The one I got is like an animal print - just black and brown and it is soooooo soft. With my head being so irritated right now and I'm not able to wear a wig, I wore it when I went to visit my grandchildren.

Even so, my grandson (4 1/2 yrs.old) commented that I looked different. His parents don't want me to tell the truth about what is wrong so I just said that I had a rash on my head and had to wear a scarf.