Starting Chemo in July 2009

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  • Hopeful-1
    Hopeful-1 Member Posts: 72
    edited August 2009

    Hello Sheila,

    Thanks for the information.  I'm not post menopausal yet, but I plan to have my ovaries removed as a prophylactic measure and my doc said if I do, I could do arimidex or tamoxifen.  I want to see if Femara  (LETRAZOLE ) is also an option after my ovaries are removed.

    It's good to know you only have limited side effects from the medication because when I was reading the side effects for all 3 meds none really appealed to me.

    Thanks again,

    Connie

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited August 2009

    Okay, question. I keep having these freeze flashes. It is the exact opposite of a hot flash and last for about 30 minutes. Even in this hot southern heat everyone is walking around dripping in sweat and I have on warm clothes and a blanket? Even to the touch I am very cold. One day earlier this month I took my temp. during one of these spells and it was 96.7. Am I a wierdo?? or is anyone else having this problem. 

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  • hopingforacure845
    hopingforacure845 Member Posts: 17
    edited August 2009

    Gill- My mom and I went to a wig specialist yesterday to get some tips and have her wig washed. Is yours a human hair wig or a synthetic? I'm not sure about the answer if it's synthetic but if it's human hair, the lady we spoke with said it is fine to use normal hair products on it- and she advised us to use shampoo/conditioner for color-treated hair because it is a little gentler. But if your wig is synthetic, I think they have special products for those too- I would check wherever you bought your wig. Hope that helps! :)

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  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 1,727
    edited August 2009

    Thanks - but it is synthetic.

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  • LindaSueH
    LindaSueH Member Posts: 70
    edited August 2009

    Gilly...

    I was told that synthetic wigs only need to be washed once a month and in a special shampoo. You just fill the sink and put the shampoo in and let it soak.  You cannot use any other products on them except those made exclusively for synthetic hair (no gels or regular hairspray).

    Hope this helps...

    Linda

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  • Jayne_in_UK
    Jayne_in_UK Member Posts: 517
    edited August 2009

    Gill I was also told the same as Linda, that you cannot use normal hair products on a synthetic wig. Normal hairspray in particular should be avoided because it could damage the synthetic material.

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  • KarenVW
    KarenVW Member Posts: 92
    edited August 2009

    Gilly - On the wig front, I was told to only use 'wig'  hairspray which you can get at Sally's Beauty Supply.  For washing, I was told to use a couple of drops of Johnson's Baby Shampoo.  They also told me I could use hot rollers for styling.  You simply wrap the hair around the roller and hold it in your hand for a few seconds (versus putting the rollers in the hair and leaving them in).  Because I am such a pack rat, I still had a set of hot rollers in the closet.  :)

    Linda - So sorry to hear about your husband and his job.  Like you need more stress right now.  I'm a big believer that everything happens for a reason, so there is something better out there for him.  Hang in there!

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  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 1,727
    edited August 2009

    thanks for all the wig info ladies.

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  • stef58
    stef58 Member Posts: 288
    edited August 2009

    Hey Everybody, finally feeling better today. Ate way too fresh stuff and it attacked me last night. it did taste good. Hoping everyone that did chemo this week is feeling good and good luck too all that have it next week. I start on doectaxol on Wednsday #5, Time has gone fast this month. Just thinking about the hair thing,. They say on just docetaxol alone hair can come back. Has anyone had there hair come in as stubble yet. i have and have been shaving it. I am going to give this stuff a week to see what happens. Question for all,  Has anyone been having weeping eye from A/C. know some of it is the allergries,  but I have never had eye probems like this. Hugs and Strength Dianne

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  • josybee
    josybee Member Posts: 86
    edited August 2009

    stef58,

    Hi glad your feeling better, it seemed that it took me a longer time to feel better after my 4th AC. At my last treatment I asked my Dr. about my eyes, because they were tearing alot, she gave me a prescription for eyes drops and that has helped some, they were quite expensive though, even with my insurance copay, but you should ask for something.  Good luck on Wednesday with the Taxol, I go Wednesday also, not looking foward to it, but your right the first 4 went pretty quick. 

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  • Niknak0320
    Niknak0320 Member Posts: 138
    edited August 2009

    I hope you ladies are doing better than me today!  I have "hit my wall" and I don't know how I'm going to gain the strength to continue :(  How are you others with young children able to handle this???

    Monday was TAC #3 in addition to my first week back to "work" (I run a home daycare) so I knew it was going to be a tough week but last night it hit me HARD and I just don't know if I can handle it!

    I was ready for bed last night at 6pm...had a headache and the runs :(  My husband was home but had a long day at work and he doesn't seem to be picking up any slack to help me out unfortunately.  Although even if he did my kids ALWAYS want mom :(  My 9yo DD has been pretty good but I wish my 4yo DS was a year or two older and understood that I really need him to behave, listen and just be a good boy these days!

    Both of my kids have stuffy noses and a cough...I'm terrified of getting sick although as a mom I'm guessing it's just allergies on the rise.

    Please someone tell me this gets better!

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  • pdaw
    pdaw Member Posts: 202
    edited August 2009

    Gil - I was told the same thing on the synthetic wig.  I purchased the recommended shampoo and hair spray.  You don't use much so the product should last a long time.  Unlike Karen, I was also told not to use any heat on mine - but if needed some lift use a foam roller, spray with the hair spray and brush out when dry.  Sometimes, I do spray my bangs at night and brush out in the morning.

    niknak - I admire you young mothers having to go through this terrible disease and treatment.  Hope your husband becomes more understanding as time goes on.  Ask  him to take your kids out to McDonald's or somewhere to play to just give you a break once in a while.  You have to take care of yourself!

    Pam

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  • Eph3_12
    Eph3_12 Member Posts: 4,781
    edited August 2009

    I wanted to whine but I can't becuz I'm not as bad off as Niknak.  I'm sorry you are facing all of those things at once.  I'm fortunate that my daughter is almost 15 and can fend for herself & loser man has been gone for 5 1/2 yrs!!!  But today has sucked!  I have no energy at all!

    Niknak, try to think of glitter-it sort of  puts a shine on everything!  At least that's what I'm trying to do.

    Joni2

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  • Jayne_in_UK
    Jayne_in_UK Member Posts: 517
    edited August 2009

    Niknak I'm sorry you are having such a rough time at the moment. I can't imagine what it must be like to go through this while taking care of young kids. I agree with Pam that you need a break from time to time. If your husband can't or won't take up the slack do you have any family, friends or neighbours around who could look after your kids for a while? Has anyone said to you "If there is anything I can do just let me know"? They would probably be really pleased to help if you let them know what you need doing, whether that is looking after kids or something else. Just a thought. I hope you feel better soon.

    Joni2 you can certainly whine if you want to! Sorry to hear you have no energy, that is horrible. I am halfway through my chemo now (FEC-T) and I have found that it seems to hit me a bit harder and take a bit longer to feel better each time. At least I have got to feeling better every time so far, so I am thankful for that. I've had enough of this game now. Mind you I have finished the FEC bit so next time will be Taxotere so could be completely different.

    Hugs to all you wonderful Triple J's. I hope all who are feeling good continue to do so and all those who are having a bad time will feel lots better soon.

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  • jewlls
    jewlls Member Posts: 15
    edited August 2009

    gillyone

    I was with wig specialist on friday and she has said its ok to use hairspray on all wigs even synthetic , she use some on mine and its fine my friend has been using it for months , saysshe cant function without it.

    hope this helps

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited August 2009

    Stef 58  Yep I am leaving my stubble alone this treatment and see what happens. It grew to a nice 1/4 inch from the last time I shaved it till the treatment I had on the 17th. So far it is still holding but doc. told me it would fall out. Waiting to prove him wrong. The eye thing kinda comes and goes with me. One morning I woke up to very weepy eyes. I was pretty scared and didn't put in my contact lenses. But it went away. 

    Nik Nak YOu have just hit a bump in the road. It will get better. Put the 4 yr. old in bed with you and watch a movie together. I have also been wearing a mask around the little ones. Let them draw funny mouth pictures on it. Take a nap, when they take a nap, take one too. Heck if they have runny noses, give the Benedryl. Sounds evil but I bet it makes them sleep and you can catch up. I had to hire outside help. It gives me a rest during the day that I have to have.

    On the wigs, I used a very light amount of hair spray only when needed and I use the synthetic shampoo about every 10 days. (I sweat like a pig so it get yucky TMI)

    I'm, what we call here, on the mend now. Kinda crappy all week after treatment and then feel much better the next week. Last night I actually dreamt of food. My tongue is a mess. Feels like I licked the driveway, but food once again taste good.
    You gals, hang tough. You know you will feel better soon so look forward to it. We've come a long way, no time now to be down.

    Time to pull up our big girl panties!  and perhaps have a good cry at the same time!
    Love ya all!
    Lisa 

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  • eliz46
    eliz46 Member Posts: 71
    edited August 2009

    Hi all. i too have the runny eyes it so hard to read fine print, doc said it will go away after treatment...I am still holding together bandanas on my head, and yes paulding mom the head sweats are terriable. my doc said im being pushed into menapause, those night sweats are like taking a bath even with the air conditioner on high...my 3rd treatment is sept 2  time is going quickly i remember being scared and waiting for results, i like everyone else have made so many new friendship bonds. its wonderful ...i am wishing everyone here very few SE .....have anyone said lately that we are survivors.  were doing it ..we made it ......everyday we are blessed with each other to cope and tell our storys of our battle........ladies guess what we are survivors !

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  • chrisct
    chrisct Member Posts: 2,662
    edited August 2009

    Thanks for the update, Lisa.  I'm a week behind you - T/C #3 tomorrow.  I had a little eye tearing after tx #2.  Did the tearing get worse for you each treatment?  Does it come and go throughout or just mostly the week after tx?  Just wondering...

    Hope you hold on to the hair and you can be the exception to the rule.  I'm still holding on to my tiny pony tail and other scraggle for some reason...I thought the rest might come out 2 weeks after tx 2 like it did after tx 1, but it didn't.  Just falling out the way it normally would when I wash it.  I really don't know why I'm holding onto the ponytail.  I did cut it in half, but that's all I could make myself do.  It looks terrible and I know I will have to cut off most of it at some point.  I guess I'm just waiting to see how much I can leave to blend in with what starts to come back.  I think I'm hoping it will look longer overall than it really is later if I can preserve some of the length of what's left.  Silly me, I know.  Maybe I just hate the way it looks less if I can pull it back rather than having it just be short.  

    Meanwhile - leg hair is still going strong...I knew it would.  Maybe it's a tad slower growing than usual, but not slow enough...still have to shave.  Oh well.

    Hope everyone's SE's go away soon!

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited August 2009

    As far as the eye tears, for me, it comes and goes. It's different than allergies which seem to last most of the day, these only last for about an hour. 

     My daughter has just invited me to speak at her college about B.C. I'm horrible at speaking in front of groups, but I told her I would, for her. She is a Resident assistant on campus and is in charge of creating awareness programs for the residents. She choose B.C.. If anyoe has any suggestions on what I should speak about or even better what I should not speak about, please let me know. I'm leaning on relaying the message of self examination and prevention. I'm also planning on talking about all these bright young minds that our generation raised finding better treatment and hopefully a cure. 

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  • SallyMae
    SallyMae Member Posts: 13
    edited August 2009

    Completed TC#2 on Wed.  Felt pretty bad  on Sat & Sun.  Feel Great today.  Knew I could do it.!!! 

    Gillione:  I have found some cute Hats at thw Dollar Store and Freds (don't know if you have one of those:)  I wear them instead and a scarf or head cover.  Much cooler.  In the house I usually do not wear anything on my head.

    I was told you could use regular hair spray on my wig.  Just use in lightly.  Do need special shampoo, I was told.  And do not open the oven door with your wig on.

    I was notified that I was assigned to two angles.  Can't wait to hear from them.

    Well girls I plan on getting some things done today so I better get busy.  Can't lay around like a couch potatoe forever.  Ha Ha.  Love to all

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  • PS73
    PS73 Member Posts: 469
    edited August 2009

    Hi guys.  Sorry that this disease sucks massively.  Everyone is having a hard time.  I know Im barely hanging on.  Spent all day in the ER for two blood clots that developed from the chemo and my port.  Its a shit disease.  I was wrapped up in all of the hospital beuracracy yesterday and am just so frustrated by everything and I should just be happy to be living and lucky to be on this earth -but Im not, Im pist.  So pist as most of us are right now.  I guess we are all in the trenches now.  Id like to break something but am on blood thinners so its probably not a good idea.  Id say hang in there but what else are we supposed to do?

    My friend just got back from Africa and visited the prison where Nelson Mandela spent manymany years.  Here is a quote because I don't know what else to do with myself and Im crossing the verge of self pity, which I loathe.  I know we will get thru this because we have to, there are no better options on the table.  Im throwing five virutal pieces of really expensive crystal and saying to you cancer - FUCK YOU and the horse you came in on - Im going to kick your ass and feed your bones to my little puppy. 

    ..to leave this thread on a more refined note, I will add:

      True reconciliation does not consist in merely forgetting the past. - Nelson Mandela

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  • PAP
    PAP Member Posts: 142
    edited August 2009

    PAULDINGMOM.....Sounds like you are right on cue with your topics....perfect!  What a great opportunity for you and the girls.  Might be more emotional than you expect which can be a good thing.  Good luck and keep us posted on how it goes.  Patti

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited August 2009

    PS73-Gosh, I here ya gir!! It's okay, better yet, it's expected. You are having a rougher time than most of us. It hits everyone differently. Go ahead and get pissed off. You do not deserve this! None of us do! 

    Now take a deep breath, and FIGHT LIKE A GIRL!!! I have the greatest tee shirt my 22 year old son gave me that says, F#$K, F#$K, F#$K, F#$K, F#$K CANCER. I will wear it tonight and think of you. Hang in there sweetie.

    Thanks PAP, I am terrified of speaking in public, but this disease has given me strenght to do things I never thought I could do. Like the Tim McGraw song about his dad, "I went sky diving, I went Rocky Mtn. climbing, I went 2.7 seconds on a Bull named Fu Man Chu". I'm gonna do it and lots of other silly things I never thought I had balls to do. (pardon my slang)
    I would love to tell you all that my parents have given me and my husband a great gift and alot of these things that I've always feared to do, I am gonna do. I may make a total ASS of myself but I' gonna do them. You better have the video camera ready Mom! 

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  • shelclaire
    shelclaire Member Posts: 55
    edited August 2009

    hEY gIRSL

    TCH LADIES.. Are anyone of you having symptoms. I am going threw #3 on Wednesday and thus far it has not been too bad (3-6) days are blah but gosh I am sorry to say it is not as bad as I thought. I worry it is not doing the job. IO am still having to shave, did not lose any hair where I I could have given up bikini was UGH. I shaved my head only cause I wanted to fit it ( ok not really just tired of following myself around with a vacuum) but now I have peach fuzz. I got my period, awful for 6 days. I can not stop whining. If it is doing the job then I am blessed and sorry for bragging but am I only the one that does not have it as awful as I planned and think maybe the drugs are not enough or doing the job. HEY WHAT AMOUNT DO YOU GET . I do weekly  and I don't have any problems, thank GOD as well. I can eat a Big mac and fries (super size in 3 minutes flat) so I have not even lost a pound, no nausea, no meds at home, little burn when I drink soda the first few days but not enough to stop the double fisted Diet Pepsi. Anyone out there can you relate.

    REAlly only word of wisdom is don't eat Jalapenos after chemo.

    For those that are having a hard time, know that you are being healed and that the light at the end of tunnel is almost here. Subway  light not any other light. So I pray for you each day, for us all.

    Blessings and Hugs

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  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 2,101
    edited August 2009

    Shelclaire - I am getting TCH every 3 weeks with H every week between. My SE's have not been very severe in the grand scheme of things but days 2-5 kick my butt (fatigue, hot flashes, body aches like the flu and either constipation or diarrhea).   I whine and complain and feel like an all around A$$ but cannot help myself...Most of my Wed Chemo friends locally have a much more advanced stage of cancer (breast, colon, lymph, throat) and I feel so guilty that my SE's are not as bad but at the the same time I AM SO GRATEFUL because I don't think I could handle any worse SE's. I shaved my head for the same reason and still have hair everywhere else (although bikini area has thinned considerably). Just finished #2 last Wednesday, you are two weeks ahead of me...

    PS73 - I am sooooooo sorry you are having such a rough time of it!   By day 5 NOTHING can get me out of my pity party and yet your strength shines through in your post! It is so hard to focus on the fact that this too will pass and eventually we will be done with chemo....especially when you are right in the middle of it!  I love that we can come here to  voice our doubts, fears, frustrations and throw royal hissy fits and everyone just gets it! 

    Paulding - other then a cure for cancer (ALL FORMS) my biggest wish is that there is more compassion from the medical field for the emotional and mental trama cancer patients go through...I think sometimes they forget that we are more then a disease and we have lost more then a breast... 

    I got three wigs from ACS and just cannot seems to find the will to wear them...I have gone commando since I first shaved and have decided that scarves and hats are not for me either (everything gives me headaches - or - it could be the herceptin).  Went to church Sunday and everyone kept saying I was so brave...for what going topless (on my head Laughing)...Gheeese! I wish that was the biggest of my worries...

    I hope everyone else is doing well and having minimal SE's

    Blessings and hugs!

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  • shelclaire
    shelclaire Member Posts: 55
    edited August 2009

    Thank you and what about your periods. Anyone that has one still have it during chemo. I also don't have a port, did not want to have that reminder as well as the giant scar across my chest. One is enough. Anyone else no port. so far so  good. I too wear hats but in Florida it is so hot. I am still embarrassed to wear nothing although I would love to. What do people that are brave enough to go bald seem to think of people around you. I have a 5 and 10 year old and they think it is cool but I wonder what their friends say.

    Blessings and Hugs to you all. This will go away. I am watching funny videos and that will make you feel better. ABC family. Laugh so much I wet may wet myself. That could be a new side effect though.

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  • eliz46
    eliz46 Member Posts: 71
    edited August 2009

    o2behealthy ---- i am commando also ..hats give me a headache too. i have also returned my wig. it was itchy and hoy and sweaty.  being a chef and still working almost full time i have come to like being almost bald ....i just wear a biker chick bandana, do rag........they are very comfy and all cotton,  they have some really funny saying also ...

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  • josybee
    josybee Member Posts: 86
    edited August 2009

    PS73,I am so sorry to hear you are having such a tough time, you deserve to be pissed off, and I am sure you speak for a lot of us, as you said we have to hang in there & as hard as it is we WILL get through it, just keep thinking positive!!!!!!!! 

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  • chrisct
    chrisct Member Posts: 2,662
    edited August 2009

    Shelclaire - my periods have gotten irregular so far.  Had the one I was expecting 4 days after first chemo, but then had another 2 weeks later and another 10 days later.  Waiting to see what happens next...

    I ordered 2 wigs from TLC and as soon as I get off my butt and figure out how to package them, I'm going to sent them back - I think they are too small and color wasn't right for me.  One of them was on clearance, so all I can do is exchange it. Not sure if I will ever wear it though.  I will feel like I'm pretending it's real hair.  For some reason, I just don't want to fake it.  If I weren't so self-conscious, I would have fun with it and get some fun wigs, but I don't want to call any more attention to myself than I already am.  So going commando is definitely out for me.  I admire all the women who do it though.  Met one at chemo today.  She commented about her lack of hair. Her husband said hair is overrated. Her daughter said she is still pretty.  I got all choked up.

    I've been pretty much wearing a do-rag myself.  Especially in this hot weather.  All the scarves and hats seem to want to cover part of the ears - it's too hot for that!  Maybe when it's cooler out. I do have a couple of small turbans with little scarf ties to dress them up which I will wear when it's cooler out.  But really, I'm not comfortable with any of these things - phyically or psychologically.  I'm hoping I get used to it soon...

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  • PS73
    PS73 Member Posts: 469
    edited August 2009

    Hi gals. thanks for the supportive words, they really do help.  I am pist still, hoping to recover from the anger soon.  Ive had two doses of blood thinners now.  It looks like the clots are from the port and the chemo.  My onc today said they need to monitor me every few days to make sure my blood isn't too thin but is about 2x more thin than normally. I am secretly desiring a dirty martini but am not going to do it even though, it should help thin out the blood!  I was told that after my twelve weeks of taxol they are going to remove the port bc of the clots so every three weeks Ill have herceptin intravenously.  Ive read a couple women saying that they don't have the port, how does this feel?  Are your arms sore?  ..Im a lttle worried bc my 'good' veins are on the cancer side.  uggh.  keeping focus.  thanks again.

    Just wanted to say congrats to those who are feeling great, and I envy you but no doubt you are also dealing w/ cancer so it's not like it's an easy ride for anybody here.  Everyones strength helps me to be strong too. 

    Also wanted to suggest buff hats.  http://www.planetbuff.com  these are great.  they are sweat wicking so more comfy than hats or scarves.  lots of color options too.  ..not commando as this is really the most comfortable but a close second imo. 

    Be strong ladies, thanks again! xo

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