Anyone Starting Chemo Jan. 2010?

nkrun- thanks for the information.  Many of those food suggestions I was already eating as that is what my body has been craving!  Peaches and vegies are my two biggies!

nkrun - I will let you know!  Thanks!  Also, I noticed we have a similar treatment plan. 

mom2bnegative- Great News!

Pagowens - we had ac the same day and I agree, Day 6 was much better for me!  I did manage to get out on Day 5 in the evening for a little bit.  Steroids really bother my eyes.  Today is my last day to take them.  Are you taking steroids?

mslrg- The trouble you have with ga is the exact reason I had the port put in with just a local.  I get way tooooo sick.  Loved reading your stories.  One time I woke up in the middle of a heel tumor surgery where they had just used an epideral.  I woke up and could feel them tugging on my hip to get bone marrow out, but I had no pain.  I said outloud, "I Love this epideral, no nausea!"  I really scared the doctors!  Within seconds they had given me more happy juice to make me sleep!

Issymom - loved your wig and all your pictures!  Thanks for being so transparent!!!

11tybillion - thanks for your work on this!

Went to find a wig today, I wasn't happy with the one I ordered on-line. Found a wonderful wig shop with a wonderful woman that specalizes in wigs for chemo patients or others with medical conditions that cause hair loss. I tried putting before and after pics here but not having luck with just pasting the pic in, any ideas?

BTW - if anyone in the Houston area needs a wig I highly recommend this lady in The Woodlands, Gayla Wigs, she was just awesome.

Ok, can't get pics to work but updated my profile pic. That's me in my new hair.

friscosmom wow, I would have never guessed that was your wig.  You look great!  I just did a straight copy and paste when I did my pics.

My onc just asked me to show her all the supplements I am taking.  She was fine with everything.  No one ever mentioned anything about diet.  I was the one that brought up the soy question.  She advised to stay away from it, but occassionally I could have a tofu stir fry.  I don't think I eat that much soy that it would be an issue.

Well, I am back from round 2 of AC.  Half done with AC (yeah).  I am feeling much better than I did with round 1 but still a little off.  My onc gave me some steroids this time to help with the nausea.  Just the one dose, I don't need to take it at home.  I am glad as I don't want to have to deal with SE of steroids.

As for the wigs, my wigmaker gave me two sided tape.  I put a peice (2 inches) in the front, back, and one sides close to ears.  It works well and that is not the unfortable part, the entire head starts to itch.  I hope that will go away when the stubble fall out.

As for posting pictures, I had to try different things but eventually posted my pics to photobucket (free and easy to use).  Then when you put the cursor/arrow on a pic you want to post there will be a box that opens under the picture.  The second option is "direct link".  Highlight that information and cut it from photobucket and paste into you message.  The picture will magically embed within you message.  Hope this helps.

Hi. I felt good after chemo on days 1-2, but starting on day 3, started feeling tired and stomach ache. Actually on day 2, my teeth started to hurt. Not getting good sleep either, doesn't help w/barking dogs and snoring husband!! UGH! Doctor called and wanted me to come in for Leukine shot, but I just didn't feel like leaving the house today. I would like to see my blood count first before taking any more drugs(shot). Is that such a bad idea? I see people mention Neulasta is that the same thing? for the white counts? 

Issymom- Fabulous wig. I wish I knew that making a wig from your own hair was an option. My fat head made finding a wig very difficult. My one of two choices is ok, but not great.

Gramoflexus- As tonight is the eve of treatment #2, your experience is making me a little anxious, but I will make sure to eat lunch.

Emme-It doesn't seem fair to have to endure gallbladder, swollen gland biopsies and cancer at once. Hope you continue to feel better.

Mom2bnegativeX3- Awesome news. Here's to having 4 be your lucky number.

Cal30-Welcome to the January sisters.

Nkrun-Will keep an eye out for your starring role in commercial. I wonder if the East Coast will have it.

Leta17- I too want ANY information about diet or other 'non-drugs' as part of living a LONG, HEALTHY and STRONG life beyond chemo. Thank you Mslrg for the info.

Vegasdiva- I too am looking for wig tips. Today was day 2 of wearing the wig to the office. I can't wait to rip it off when I walk through the door. It feels still tight because of my fathead. Yesterday was my first day of wearing it to work and we had pouring rain and 50 mph winds. I thought surely it would take off in the wind like a tornado. Fortunately, I was able to keep it on my head.  I am hoping it stretches, but it doesn't help.

January sisters...thanks for all your posts. It certainly helps to have you all to vent/advise/laugh and cry with. Tx 2 tomorrow....piece of cake

Best,

Barbara

nkrun - Thank you for your detailed outline from you ND about nutrition and supplements!!! 

mslrg - Thank you too for your input over supplements and for making me laugh, you sure had some wild nurses!!!

paddlegirl -  This evening I am also achy all of a sudden, it started about an hour after I took an antibiotic.  I am supposed to take them on days 6 - 11 as added protection, but I am thinking that it activated the Neulasta side effects of achy bones!!!  Not a great feeling, hoping it will pass by the morning.

Love all of your pics with wigs and without, you all look fabulous!!!

faithfulc - I read research too about Vitamin D and my onc tested me for Vitimin D, I was very low, Thanks for the reminder about that, she was going to prescribe a supplement b/c it was SO low but I don't have it yet so I will add that to my list of things to ask on Thursday, when I go in for my blood counts. 

Another friend who has gone through BC and other cancers, told me to attack this problem like any other roadblock that comes up, at work, or at school (kids) etc., and thus I read research reports, probably too many, but for me the information helps me feel like I am doing something and helps me formulate questions for the docs etc. 

There are some good research comments on this website around nutrition.  I just reread the top one about Soy and towards the bottom it states that the Dr conducting the research received money from the United Soybean Board in 05...so for me that erases the credibility of that specific report.  In most other research reports and from others here on the board there is a similar theme, increase veggies/greens (esp. broccoli & cauliflower), increase fruits, decrease meats and other fats (i.e. cheese), lower/no alchohol consumption, no smoking and  exercise 30min+ a day etc.  And as my parents always said, everything in moderation!

Have a great night and a great day tomorrow!!

nkrun--Saw you in the Kashi commercial today.  I was telling my kids that I "know" you from this group--they were very impressed!!

Also have to say that my third grader's class all made me get well cards last week.  They were so cute!!  One boy wrote that he "hoped my hair grew back real soon"!  So do I!  Sometimes it's just the little things that make things seem not so bad.  Starting the steroids tomorrow for chemo on Thursday.

Dearest Issymom, I am telling you the truth when I write that you look like an angel with or without the wig. FOR REAL! AND YES, I got into the shower tonight and my hair fell out in great gobs into the bathtub. I had first chemo about two weeks ago. I had already cut my hair very  short to lessen the impact BUT what a shock.So I took matters into my own hand, grabbed the dog clippers and shaved my head bald tonight. This was my first chemo (January chemo child) and the first time I have been bald since I was a baby. I SO wish our culture valued bald headed women and I am getting so angry as I write, that we are somehow SO different and think we have to "hide" our beauty. When I look at the photos of us bald warrior sisters, we are stunning and we rock!! SV

youngmomof3- You are doing a great job!  When I was young my mother was very sick.  She died from cancer when I was 25.  I learned so much from seeing her strong and weak!  Hang in there.  Hugs!

Youngmom- I know what you mean about the kids.  I can keep a brave face almost all the time until I start thinking about how unfair all of this is to the kids.  That's when I start to really get upset. I mean my husband and I can understand and deal with our fear and frustration and just keep going.  Kids, on the other hand, don't get why you don't want to play with them or why you're crying.  I've read a couple of children's books about moms with cancer to my kids and they seem to have a handle on it sometimes.  They made big signs for my bedroom door that I can put up to show if I'm in a good playing mood or a sad sick mood .  They have been so happy to see the "Smiley Face" sign on my door all week. 

I finally went wig shopping yesterday and I picked out a wig that I like.  It wasn't nearly as traumatizing as I had expected and they were really nice and funny.  I am still nervous about wearing it and getting used to it, but it looks pretty good on me.  I also bought a halo which looked great with a hat over it.  I probably will wear that more often, since it can be pulled back into a ponytail- which is my standard hairdo.

My docs said the same thing about supplements and chemo.  They told me to stay away from all the "healthy" anti-oxidant stuff while I was on chemo.  It sounded crazy to me, but they said that the job of the chemo would be counteracted by all the anti-oxidant activity of the supplements.  I didn't think about green tea.  I drink that stuff all the time.  OOPS! 

I've also been told to stay away from soy.  I'm ER+ and the doc said that it's ok is small doses, but that I should definitely not be drinking soy milk regularly or consuming a lot of it in my diet.  I ate a lot of soy before my diagnosis and I've worried that somehow that contributed to this cancer.  No one seems to know any other reason why I'm in this boat!

I may have spoken too soon about SE from Neulasta!  My joints, especially my lower back and hips hurt like crazy!  It is either the Neulasta or I was instructed to take an antibiotic starting day 6 - 11 as a precaution and within the hour of taking my first antibiotic, the bone/joint pain started, maybe that was a trigger for the Neulasta.

I'm ticked, b/c I have had very few side effects and if it is from the neulasta, then I am going to forgo it unless they show me that my white cell counts are too low and need the boost.  Very frustrated today, walking up a flight of stairs made my bones throb, not acceptable, I'd rather live in a bubble for a few days each round then be in pain walking!

Nkrun, I saw the commercial! Oh how cute!! I was shocked that I saw it last night. I live in Kansas,

Mrs Lrg, sorry for all the trouble. But soon you will forget all about the port. I fianllydid. Everytime I go in the infusion room I see the more people that have to have their arms warmed up to get stick by a needle. My nurses get so happy when they see a port. I was really nervous about themj acessing it for the first time but it wasn't that bad.

Day 16/3 after second treatment. I feel so much better this time around. I still feel "wierd" but it's not that bad. I eat every two hours and drink atleast 100 oz of water a day. I add a lot more fiber and protien. My onc told me to stay away from lettuce, friuts that I can peel and brocilli. And supplments. I had a my D levels checked and they are 55. I just thoght it would be low. I also get the 30 min a day. My hair hasn'tstarted to fallout yet. I am really gald cause tomorrow is my little girls music program so it call fall out after that. I jsut know people will be staring at me just waiting for it to fall out. (we live in a small town.

Well my girls know.That waws a huge disscussion. My onc said that if they waited to they can come and tour where I get treatment. Not during office hours though. I thought that was so thoghtful.

Is anyone having dried lips and dry hands from washing all the time? I did a salt scrub with some bath and body products and they are soo smooth. I do the relaxing aroma therapy. Also I havethisgreat lotion that is called "gloves in a bottle" I do it every 24hours and it locks in moisture inside out. Also for my lips is from bath and body too.

Monday for treatment we brought popcicles but by the time we got down there they were melted.

Am I the only one that hasn't had surgery yet? I am worried that I won't be a canidate for recon during the surgery. I am so confused about if you can have recon before or after radation.

michelle-nj, will you have to have radation. Is chemo easie after surgery? Sorry about the bone pain. Did they tell you anything to take for it? Is is managable?

Welcome, Cal30!! I hope you make yourself right at home!

Thank you very much,Pagowens!!