Starting Chemo in June 2005

Liz,

We too are avid cruisers and have been on about 5 now. This will take us to the southern carribean. We have not been there yet. I love how you can do nothing at all and still have a great time!

Welcome, Rebecca.
I can't emphasize enough how good it is to read everyone else's accounts of their chemo treatments. It makes things a little less scary and lonely knowing we're going through it together.

I have developed (along with a full-blow period)(lucky me) a mouth sore. I have been using the Biotene toothpaste regularly, but to no avail apparently. I did call the onc's office and they called in an Rx for a topical rinse cocktail composed of - lidocaine, maalox, and benadryl. It does help the pain, but only for a short while. Hopefully I won't get any more.

I still break down every now and then.. about my hair (which I have for about one more week), about my breasts that will never match again, about the whole ball of wax in general. But then after I get it out, I go about my business and realize that things could definitely be a lot worse.. and I have to keep fighting.

Anyway.. too tired tonight. I went to a graduation party and actually danced a bit.

You girls are sure sounding great! GOOD JOB!

For the mouth sore this is what I did and it worked for me. Take some Milk of Magnesia and apply it to the sore with a Q-Tip like you would be putting calamine lotion on poison ivy. It dries it up AND soothes it.

Remember girls to WASH YOUR HANDS! Stay away from sick people!

Towanda

Hi girls,

I'm feeling so much better today! My husband found a recipe for a fruit smoothie that helps nausea and it worked like a charm! I'm going to take it very easy today to insure that I can return to work tommorrow. I hope all is going ok with everyone.

Welcome Rebecca!
I wish I were welcoming you so something that was fun, but here we are dangit!
Glad to hear most of you are doing well. Jo, I wish you were feeling better, but you know you will again soon! You always seem to bounce back well.
I laid around yesterday and most of today on purpose to make sure I rest. I've had some queasiness, but nothing too bad.
This darn ashtray taste in my mouth is driving me crazy! Food still tastes the same, so I'm okay there so far. It's when I'm NOT eating that I get that yukky taste. I guess I"ll gain 50 lbs on chemo!
The encouragement from you ladies and others does wonders. I met someone on the live chat here that lives very close to me and she's called to check on me since my chemo on Thursday. Her last chemo is next week. There is a lighit at the end of this treatment!
Wishing you well,

Yeah...that yucky mouth is pretty gross...I've been sucking on lemons which keeps it at bay for short periods, plus the ices, plus peppermints with no sugar.

Now I'm trying to decide what to do about my hair...get it cut short or buzz cut or wait until it starts coming out. I need to call my hairdresser to see when she's available. I guess the buzz cut makes the most sense?

Next week I only have one doctor's appointment...wow what will I do with all that extra time

Liz

Zeamer...are you getting it cut real short or buzz cut? I guess I will get it done this week...cause the following week is going to be busy..have a CT scan that week and the 2nd chemo, plus it will be a short week with the holiday.

JoMac...try to enjoy the next couple of days. Things will most likely go smoother this time. I know it's easier said than done not to get nervous....just know we are all here holding your hand

Hugs,
Liz

LizFL, about 2 weeks after my first surgery (lumpectomy)and I knew what my treatment plan would be, I got my hair cut short. I had always thought I looked awful with short hair, so I've always had my hair long, mid back. I think for me the shock of that first cut was far more traumatic than shaving my head will be! I got great compliments on the short do, so I decided to purchase a medium length wig. I'm going to go all way and never look back!! IT WILL GROW BACK SOMEDAY RIGHT? lol

Hey June Bugs
I'm starting to think about the hair more often now. I'm on day 5 post treatment, and the countdown begins. I am so dreading this part. And I don't even like my hair!
I have two questions that you 'pros' can maybe help me with.
1. How long did you take your anti nausea meds for?
2. For those of you wearing wigs, did you just slap it on, or did you wear a wig cap or something else in between.

thanks.
I'm at work, feeling okay I guess. Just a litte tired.

Hey Jo,
Put the cream on an hour before your infusion. Did your tube come with clear bandage type things? You put a glob of the cream over the port, (don't rub it in) and then cover with the plastic. If you don't have the bandages, you can use saran wrap.
It's a small tube, but it should more than last through your chemo's.
Thanks for your help with my questions! I'm going to find some wig caps myself. I just know I'll be itchy without.
Thanks again!

Hi, Junies,
I'm just back from #2. I really felt sleepy on the way home, but the Ativan really didn't have much effect on the first one. So, I've got to go to the store and get something for supper, since DH went back to work for a while. They have such a pleasant environment at Cleveland Clinic, lots of emotional support with a social worker and a chemo nurse advocate that comes in to chat while you're getting the infusion. My hair is really going, and the social worker told me a funny story. She said one lady was using the brush n her vaccuum to get the hair off her clothes, and had the idea to run it over her head. Whoosh-there went her hair! And no more mess! I've been thinking about a buzz, but my hair is really short anyway, and I don't know. I can tell my hair is dead, though, it's just lying on my head, no spring, no bounce. Good news, though, the wig I ordered to replace the one that was too big is here, and it's not bad at all. I'm thinking that we should go for a convertible ride tonight and see if I get home with any hair left!

OK, to the store, then a rest. Have a good evening, ladies. Who else is up this week?

Junesters- You all sound MUCH BETTER.

Now for those with chemo-nerves about upcoming treatment this week please know that you are NORMAL. I used to dread the next one- even if the last one went fine. But once you are settled in you will relax. Someone asked if anyone ever felt like running out in the middle of the infusion? YES! ME! All eight times I would plot my escape route as I was driving over. It always calms me down to imagine my emergency exit strategy. Never did it though- ALMOST did it for my first one but then they had bouncers holding me down. I wonder who tipped them off???

Wigs are not going to feel too great in the hot summer- get a wig cap if you can - even though it makes no sense adding another layer to your head. Like I said before keep a bottle of Sea Breeze handy and put it on your hot head and you will cool right off! SOME of you may get hot flashes during chemo so the Sea Breeze is something to keep in mind.

Please remember to be as diligent as possible for all future chemos. Follow the med schedule, drink that water and keep the ice pops coming.

After about day three you won't need the anti-nausea meds anymore.

About the hair...it will start to hurt a little- your scalp will feel all weird. It will actually feel good to get it all off. The more you play with it the more it will come out. But to get it all off you have to shave it.

Was it Brenda who was going grocery shopping the afternoon of her chemo??? Girl! You have to plan ahead! Baby yourself after chemo- don't be out galavanting! I hope you brought your water with you!

Breast lymphadema is tricky stuff...especially so close to your surgeries. Make sure it isn't an infection. I had that and they thought it was just lymphadema... big mistake. Talk to your doc about some Cipro or Levaquin. I had a major problem that could have been nothing if Ihad taken antibiotics in time.

Everyone should be aware of redness, warmth, swelling, stripes of red across their chests- all these are signs of infection especially if you had your lymph nodes removed. You must see a doc ASAP.

I THINK I covered everything??? Anything else you want to ask? - Just ask- JUST NO MATH QUESTIONS!

Just spoke with my hairdresser. She is so sweet...she is going to come to my house next Tuesday for the "hair trauma". I didn't want to sit in the salon so I asked if they have a private room. She volunteered to come to my house to do it! Amazing how kindness can make you feel so much better!

Liz

Dana....sorry to hear this clump of days has been so difficult.
Tomorrrow is treatment number 3 for me .
I am taking everything but the kitchen sink this time.
I can only quote a friend of mine who said this prior to her four years birthday party ..." I need it to go great and I need it to be over".
Yup...that is exactly how I feel .

I'm going on day 3 of extreme fatigue....this really sucks! I was able to get out and cut some flowers yesterday...had to do it in stages, but it felt good to see my "babies" and bring some sunshine inside.
I see the surgical onc. today for the nodes removal and I'm going to ask her about this extreme fatigue, which is most likely part way due to this horrible cold I have.
I see the surgeon who put the port in tomorrow and friday I have the ct's and body scans...fun week.
I've only had one treatment, out of 6, and I just don't think I can do another. How do you all keep going on?? Maybe it's the fatigue, but I even have to sit down to brush my teeth!