Starting Chemo October 2009

Hi MaryNY,

I hope all is well with you. I have another suggestion to make. I like the idea of adding the smiley face at the end of treatment but since it's still so far off for so many of us, why not add symbols (like the breast cancer ribbon, hearts, etc.) for the amount of treatments each one of us is getting - then removing one each time a treatment is completed? This way we can track the progress for everyone and whatch those dreaded treatments nearing the end. Then when the last symbol is removed - replace it with a big fat smiley face. Here is a symbol allof us know only too well. 

Laura - I bought some leather pants several months ago and they were just a little too small.  Hoping they would encourage me to lose those extra pounds.  However, that has not worked to my benefit.  I did manage to lose about 10 but 5 more and maybe I can wear them.  I am not sure that cancer treatment was the way I wanted to lose weight.  Of course, there are those that gain, I hope I am not one of them.  Who knows what I will do, I am not going to second guess anything at this point.  The way my luck is, I will gain about 50 lbs oh how bad would that be!! lol

I told my doctor one day when he was fussing about my weight, that I was eating for bypass surgery.  I can't lose it on my own, so I might as well gain, that would be easier and get the surgery.  He did not think that was funny.  Sometime docs just do not have a sense of humor.

Juannelle

For those that are interested in the bandana with the knit cap, I'm having trouble finding something online.  I live in Atlanta and found it at a shop.  I'll look to see if I can find a brand or something later today....my online time is almost up...heading for kids' sports.

The bandana is much like this scarf...but in solids or bandana print fabrics.  See how it is attached to a knit cap?  The girl recommended I also put a headband underneath for even more security and to help absorb perspiration.  I got mine in black with black because it seems all of my workout pants are black.  There were the normal bandana colors, though...red, navy, etc.

Here's the page reference...you have to cut and paste into browser to see it...I'll see if I can dig up a brand or company name later since I can't find an exact link.

 http://www.chemosavvy.com/item.asp?n=s015&d=8&b=1

Dear Sido,

Are you getting Decadron at home also or only once by IV before chemo?

Glad those of you who just started are surviving the after effects. 

The opening post looks great! 

I did find the brand on my workout bandanna/scarf thing.   http://www.hatswithheart.com/

If you look on that website at the annie scarf, that is what I use for working out.  The other website I referenced earlier actually had a better picture of how it is a knit cap with a scarf sorta attached....so no bald head shows through if the scarf moves around. 

Anyhow, for true bandana patterns you need to look in the sale section....I guess bandanas are Spring/Summer items?  But I think there are a number of scarf fabrics that would work...I bought mine off of a store inventory, so some of it I guess isn't on the website any longer.

Those that are having trouble with the hair thing, that's me too.  I think when the boob changed, that was private.  The problem with hair is that it is so public.  We can't go anywhere without seeing people doing double-takes (unless we're in a wig) and then there's the whole around the house look.  The boob was the offending cancer container, and changes in it were much more private.  For me, that was probably what made it easier....although I remember after my mast. having a lot of people giving it a once-over as well.  I had immediate reconstruction, and my PS did a great job, so I remember thinking...go ahead and look, YOU aren't going to notice anything!   

Renee Jean...you go girl!  I think it's perfectly fine to have our moments....the ladies I've met at chemo, several who are on their second or third round of all this, tell me it is something we just have to let come when it does.  What I noticed is that when I see them, they are strong, they are positive, they look good and they just get on with the business of getting better.  That's what you did.......good for you!  And I hope the wig is a hit!

Hi All!

Shelby - don't try to fight the fatigue - REST- you will be better for it if you take the time for regular naps rather than when you are falling down tired and can't nap because you have stuff to do...

Renee Jean and everyone else who's going the wig route.

I am LOVING my new looks. 

My head was shaved yesterday to about 1/4 inch.  I was surprised to see how many bald patches I had!

I don't mind my baldness but I'm having fun wearing a wig.  No more bad hair days!  I just pop one on and away I go. 

The KEY is wearing makeup.  I'm not much into makeup but with the new hair - makeup is a must.  At least eyes and lips!

I went out today in my wig to my son's soccer game.  You would not believe the looks I get with my wig!!

One lady (someone I didn't know) was staring at me and I thought  uh oh she knows I'm wearing a wig.  But no she came up to me and said I LOVE your hair - do you think that style would look good on me?  . 

Another soccer mom didn't recognize me but when she did she couldn't say enough about my "new" hair do.  I told her that I was wearing a wig and she said "wow I didn't know that anyone wore wigs anymore".  So I had to tell her about the chemo and she said she had no idea - that I look so good she wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't told her myself.

I just wanted to tell you all not to be self conscious about the wig.  If you get a good fitting wig that suits your face most people won't know that you're wearing a wig.

Seriously even if it's different from your previous hair colour and texture as long as you ROCK IT people will believe it!

Ok that's enough about wigs for now - I've got to go get ready for a birthday dinner party and I need to figure out which wig I'm going to wear!  Do I go dark and sultry or long and flirty?

Have a great weekend everyone!

Hi Onty, the Decadron was in pill form the day before, day of, and today.  My dr warned me that I might "slump" tomorrow without it, but that seems to be a stretch.  Food seems to perk me up, but not for terribly long.

Valerie and Renee Jean, you are both beautiful!  I hope when I feel better I have the same attitude though I'm still leaning away from wigs.  MarieK, I'm sure you are just so stylish, but I vote for dark and sultry during this time of year....

I had a really good day today.  Had a date with DH and then on to Wal-Mart to get my chemo supplies.  I have a big basket that is just full  of all the things I will need.

ReneeJean -- I may look at wigs later, but I am not in the mood  now to even consider a wig.  I think it is the decision thing, no more decisions.  I want my simple life back.

I know the people in my life that count, will not care whether  I am bald or not.  They just want me here for many more years and that is what counts.

Is it taking about a week to get over the treatments?  After the first week how are the other two weeks?  I am just trying to plan the next couple of months.

Juannelle

Dear Sido,

I think those that get Decadron longer than you - yes there are some - get the most UP feeling form it. I'm only getting Decadron the day of chemo in IV and I don't feel a thing.

Dear 1L,

Yes, plan for 5-7 days of GI issues, fatigue, low fever etc. Then 1-4 days of lower WBC. Second week is usually ok.

Dear Dee,

Welcome here.

Dear MarieK and all the lovely ladies,

Love you!

greetings

sounds like you are all doing well-- a couple of tricks I used during chemo--rinsed my mouth out 5x per day with warm water and baking soda--not sure if it helped, but I never got mouth sores....had my head buzzed after the second treatment and started wearing the wig.... just put it on and went.  But did I ever cry in the weeks leading up to the cutting.  The hardest day for me in all of this was the day I had to go in to get shaved--- I cried all day.  

But, my hairdresser said" you won't love the wig, but you will like it" and she was right... it did make life alot easier--- I was never very good at styling my thick hair--- and with the wig, I did not have to.... it always looked good.  I suggest getting a good one or two--don't skimp on this particular thing--- because you may be wearing it for 6 months or so---- 

Thanks for all the good advice.  I may try to do all of them... salt and baking soda in club soda, not real sure how that will do or taste... lol  It might just be the trick.

I may just end up taking the time off from work, so I will just not have to worry about it.  I just can't seem to make decisions lately.  I don't know what it will be like with "Chemo Brain".

Maybe it will not be any different.

Thanks for all the support you guys give, I know it will make the treatment lots easier.

Juannelle

It would be like those fizzy candies that my kids use to buy.  Maybe I would blow up the bathroom at work, that would be pretty funny.

I really guess I could use the salt and water at home and the club soda at work, that would be lots easier than mixing salt and water at work.

There are so many things to try and remember to do, I just hope I can remember all of them.  I have printed lists off and I guess I will  check them lots, so I will not forget anything.  I want to learn from everyone's experience, because some of these things, I don't want to experience myself. Know what I mean?

Juannelle