Starting Chemo Feb 2010?

Had to laugh - I heard Carol Burnett on the radio today talking about her old show (which I adored as a kid) and the image came to mind of one of her characters - and I think it's what we're all afraid we're going to look like when we paint on our eyebrows and put on lashes!

Add me to the no-sleep club.  I don't take any sleeping meds, tho, due to bad reactions in the past.  But I could have fallen asleep during the MRI I had

Had to renew my driver's license today and get my photo taken in my wig.  Not super-happy about that, but I guess it's better than my bald look.

congrats CAL30 on your chemo completion

have been taking ativan for the past 2 nights otherwise I wouldnt be able to sleep at night as well. so far so good with it, able to catch about 4-5hrs of night sleep.

i've got fran drescher's voice double next to me on the chemo floor.  aaahhh.  hearing it on TV is one thing but it's pretty annoying in person.  gotta look on the brightside, i only have 3 more weeks to go and we're getting record high temps today.  everything is gonna be ok.

can relate to the sleeping problems.  i wake up around 5:30am every morning, look at the clock and my mind starts racing.  usually wind up feeling groggy all day when that happens.

my doc warned me that ativan can be addictive so i've been abstaining but think it's time to break open the bottle.  why is everything that's bad for you so addictive?

happy wednesday all.

You can build tolerance.  It would take me 10 benadryl to knock out hives now, and agitation instead of sleepiness.

I'm getting tired of all the "how are you's?"  How about just a, "you look great!" and leave it at that!   That may sound terrible, but alas...it's true.  I've been filling in at my old work and everyone asks the same questions every time I see them, when it's obvious I feel fine-I'm working, I'm smiling, I look totally normal because of the wig.  Sometimes I just want the conversation to be about something else other than my cancer/chemo.  Ask me how my kids are...ask me how the husband is.  Something!  I think people get caught up in feeling like they have to talk about it, when they really don't.  So I'm working on getting better at changing the subject...

I hope everyone has a day filled with few SE's!

Round 4 tomorrow.  Took my dex this morning and started drinking water like mad.  This is my day off work each week, and I devote it to dog training.  Got a little dizzy this morning, and had to find someplace to stop for a restroom on the way home, but otherwise things are going normally for pre-treatment day.

My friends and co-workers know the non-cancer subjects that get me talking about other things.  All they have to do is ask about my son, for one thing.  So, I bring him up if I want to change the topic.  And there's always, "who do you like on American Idol?"  I get, "I can't believe you're working; and, you look so good."  I just say, "If I'm here, I'm having a good day," then move on.  I appreciate someone who asks how I'm doing more than the folks who have avoided the topic altogether, but that's just me.

I brought up some of the hurt I feel over people from my former church being silent when I was talking with a friend this afternoon.  She knows someone recently diagnosed with leukemia and didn't know how to act or what to say.  I brought up some of the things I've read here, as well as my own feelings.  Gave some practical things she could do as well.

I wouldn't want people looking at my chest and checking it out, so slap those folks!

Beth I know what you mean about the dreams. I've had some really crazy ones and when I wake up I feel like I haven't slept a wink. I keep telling myself I'm half way through and this will be over soon. Hopefully we all will be able to sleep better a month or so after our last tx.

Hang in there ladies, it's almost over! This too will pass. 

Sleep does seem to be the hot topic. When I remember to take an Ambien I seem to do better. When I forget - my mind is racing all night and my head is sweating.

Got through tx #3 last Thursday - and like kshep - I did not rebound as well as the first two. Also managed to pick up some kind of stomach bug. Feels like I have a bag full of puppies in my gut. Doesn't really hurt - just very irritating! My onc suggested Prilosec to calm things down. Had a much worse time with the fatigue this time, but getting vertical and moving around seemed to help.

My eyebrows are fading away, but have managed to hold on to my eyelashes so far. I've signed up for a Look Good Feel Better class next week hoping to get lots of good makeup tips! I've found that wearing wigs is just too big a hassle for me. I'd much rather wear the nice caps and scarves, so that's how they see me in the office now. 

Praying for mild to no SE's for all of you ladies!

Round 3 for me too today. Round 2 was for whatever reason waaay easier than the first and I rebounded faster (maybe anxiety of not knowing for round 1? dunno).  I'm getting a little freaked out with all the talk about cumulative nature of this - I'm on carboplatin and taxotere, every three weeks.  I just felt like I got my taste buds back the last week; am dreading losing them again for the next two weeks I have some ofmy hair left ~ I can wear a cap and some still sticks out (not much, mind you), still have eyelashes and eyebrows (getting thin tho).  I related to others who, like me, inexplicably couldn't bring ourselves to shaving it all off. The slow loss has been depressing. But thankfully I found a wig (paid a pretty penny for it tho) that I like and feels good, so that has helped.

*knock on wood* this has been pretty managable (with the help of many drugs and good onco staff) so far... I'm struggling not to keep expecting the worst and staying positive. OK got to get ready for the poking and prodding and my third round. Wish me luck and wishing you all for a SE free week!

Just adding my name to the no sleep list. Dr gave me Ambien, I'm concerned about weaning off of it later so I take sporadically and sleep well every other night

That said, my opinion on the drugs is that, unless you've had addictions in the past, you probably won't start a lifelong addiction now, and we should do anything we can to make this ride easier. When we feel good, strong and have energy again, we probably won't even think about taking a pill. I decided to stop worrying about it because my worry list was just too long and something had to go!

I am fully enjoying my week 3, which started today. I feel completely normal except for the weird scalp that feels like it's pushing its hairs out.

Hugs to all having a treatment this week. 

Hey, my dog clings to me at mealtimes too!

One thing I also notice, he is much more "snuggly" throughout the day, too. He especially likes to "snuggle" up to either my breast area (where my tumor was removed) or my right side, tucked into my liver area (which is where my mets are).

Dogs are soooooo funny that way.

I have to admit this last round, round 3, really kicked me on my rear. Plus I ended up with pneumonia this week. 

I feel like I've been tossed into a potato sack and thrown into the the bowels of a 12th century wooden ship!

But did want to check in and give all the Feb Chemo pals a thumbs up! One more infusion in a couple weeks to look forward to. . . . 

Bring it on!!