March 2010 Chemo Start

Hereandnow - Love, love, love your attitude and how some things just work out as meant to be like that barbershop!  My mental pic of you with an AK37 and big boots with your kickass hair heading out to kick some IDC cancer butt is great.  Consider me in your platoon (with my extra 15 pounds) bringing up the rear.  I'm totally in the fight with you - and WE WILL WIN!!

Teemee- My hair felt the same way as yours, so I did start to pull it out where my scalp was hurting.  I had my second treatment on Wednesday and still have some hair on my head. Not enough to go out in public, but enough to give a slight appearance around a cap.

MelanieB  Thinking of you and praying that today is a better day. Can't wait to hear next week that all is okay!

Forsty1 - Thank you so very much for this board and keeping up as you do with everypne.  Hope to meet you and all of my March sisters some day.  You are all in my heart and a great inspiration.

As for me -  Had my Neulasta shot yesterday and knew I was feeling a little foggy as my words in conversation were a bit off and was having to constantly correct myself.  Well that was not all that was off.  I took my Emend as I was supposed to, but totally forgot my Decadron yesterday morning,  Realized it last night, didn't double up and just took (or thought I did)  the prescribed two with dinner. Realized later that I had taken two Penicillins instead of two Decadrons. Then took the Decadrons.  (I take Penicillin every day as a preventative for getting cellulitis in pelvic area radiated in last cancer, so it was okay that I took it.)  Anyway, please be sure and double check your post-meds in case you have "chembrain"  like me.  I was really foggy evidently yesterday.

Hope everyone has a good, if not great, weekend!   XOXOXO 

Good Morning Ladies

hereandnow - I second LillyC - you have a fabulous attitude and that is great - gave me a laugh and put a smile on my face when I read your entry.  You go Girl !!

frosty1- I noticed yesterday that my legs and ankles were huge (more than normal) and had a hard time getting my shoes on in the morning.  I will let my onco nurse know on Tues (#3) and also this darn twitch in my eye lid - it is driving me up the wall. 

horsedoc - Thanks for info - did you read it on this post about the twitching?

Yesterday when I was grocery shopping, I kept running into this woman in the different aisles and she would stare at me.  Finally, she said to me, I'm sorry to stare but I'm looking at the way you tied your scarf and looks great. She told me she wears a wig and that some days it really bothers her.  So while we're standing in the middle of the aisle in the grocery store I tell her where I bought my bandannas and how I tied them.  I felt great after that not only did I receive a compliment I was able to help another Sister !!

My best to all - Hugs and well wishes - Stacey

So glad to hear that everyone is hanging in there! I had my 2nd tx. on Wednesday, so far so good. Day 4 is usually when I hit the wall. Frosty1- I'm slightly concerned about the edema in your legs? Are you keeping them elevated? Edema is not a normal side affect from decadron, the Onc. does not seem concerned? Have you called the Dr. again to let him know about it? What dosage are you on? Hang in there!

Suzanne E.

Oh and hereandnow, what a great barbershop you found!   That is so cool!!

Horsedoc, my hair also started coming out around day 14 "when you pull on it".  My husband caught me pulling on it, and said please stop pulling on your hair!  But it was strangely hard not to pull on it, to "check".  Hubby offered to shave it for me, that was the hardest time for me.  But I decided not to, I wanted to keep it for as long as I could.  I decided to start wearing scarves at that time, for 2 reasons: 1. to stop myself from pulling on it, and 2. to get used to wearing something on my head, easing myself into the whole thing.  And it worked, I did stop pulling and it has made the transition easier.  Once I started wearing the scarf the hair coming out stopped upsetting me as much.  I cut my hair shorter, but long enough that you could see it under a cap.  And I still have about 1/4 of my hair left, not much but enough that I can still wear a cap out and look "normal".  For now.

Melanie B

Hello Ladies, 

Melanie- I had a similar scare as my Onc thought she saw something on my liver in my PET Scan.  However, it turned out to be nothing in CT Scan.  So I totally understand your anxiety. I am praying that everything turns out ok for you.

Mamaof3- Yours and mine diagnosis are the same but we seem to be having different treatment plans. I will be having 4 rounds of done dense Taxol and no radiation since I am lymph node negative.  Can you please tell me more about your treatment decision? I will like to know if I need to discuss some more options which my Onc.

Sorry for the hair loss trauma that everyone seems to be going through.  I went through it 2 weeks ago after my round #2 and was absolutely miserable.  But after 3 days of hair falling all over, I had had enough and just shaved it off.  I felt so good after dealing with it and have been mostly wearing scarves since.  My wig is also great and my friends and family say it looks so cute that when my hair grows back, I should have it in the same style as my wig

I had my round # 3 two days ago.  I told my Onc that I was very fatigued and dizzy after round #2 so she give me an extra bottle of fluids during the infusion.  It seems to have helped me a lot since I am feeling much better than I was after the first 2 rounds.  I just hope it lasts.  Also for the mouth sores, my Onc suggested using Orajel.  I also have vaginal dryness for which I am told to use KY gel.  Just some tips for anyone having similar issues.

I hope everyone has manageable SEs.

Dear MelB;  There's nothing better for you right now than veggies!  Your taste buds might be telling you that your body needs all of these good things to help you in this battle. 

Put your thoughts and anxiety about your upcoming tests in another room, shut the door and enjoy the weekend.  Please remember, we have all been there when the unexpected spot, shadow,etc appears and we are all there for you now.  

Dream of wellness and eat your veggies! Heather

hmh23  Heather, I know!  I have tried so hard since I first found my lump to fix my eating habits...I have stuck to a mostly plant-based diet and am eating lots of veggies.  But that gets really hard sometimes, sometimes you just crave something good!!  I thought it was really appropriate that when I tried treating myself to something on my "naughty" list yesterday, that it tasted pretty cruddy, and when I went back to the veggies they tasted fine.  Like that was God's way of keeping me on track.  So no more milkshakes for me!!!  Back to the veggies...lol 

Melanie B

JLLG, that's exactly where the neupogen hit me, every breath hurt for 2 days. I hope hope hope yours goes away more quickly than mine did. It seemed I could feel every rib.

Every post I read today warmed my heart. I can't get all the names once I've scrolled down here but I just wanted you to know how much you all help me, daily. Thank you.

Right back at you LillyC - Stacey

praying for minimal se's for all and speedy recovery to feeling some what normal again!!!!

Hang in!!!!

Angi - Thank you for replying to my question.  I am 33 yrs old and my tumor was 3.2 cms so we are pretty much in the same stage.  I will also be getting taxol but it will be 4 rounds of DD. However, the radiation Onc ruled out radiation for me because of the lymph node negative status.  I see that you are also lymph node negative hence I wanted to understand the reason behind it.

Is there anyone else getting radiation inspite of lymph node negative status and the tumor being less than 4 cms?  Maybe this is something I need to discuss with my Onc once again. 

Kayne- My hair started falling on day 3 after my round #2 of AC.  Within 3 days I had lost a lot of hair which was upsetting so I shaved it to 1/4 in on day 4 and have been ok with since then.

Hello everyone.  I've been lurking about the last few days and keeping up with everyone. Like TeeMee, once I scroll down here, I can't remember all the specific names!  However, I do read the thread everyday, it pulls me up, reminds me that we are all in this place together.

MelB:  thinking of you since I read the post about the questionable bone item...sending peace and calm and all wishes for only the best news.

StaceyT:  my round #3 is also on the upcoming Tuesday.  Enjoy the weekend, come Monday, Decadron and here we go again. 

I had a little hard time earlier this week.  Set out to run some errands and about halfway through, was so tired, had to come home.  Got home, tried to nap, couldn't.  Too tired to accomplish what I set out to do and too restless to sleep, I just sat there, sort of overwhelmed and immobilized. Not a good day psychologically.  Tears, the whole nine yards.  Yikes, I really don't like falling apart like that.  

Let's see, this week, just to add to Frostys list of the weeks fun; I have dry mouth, loss of appetite, knee pain, stomach upset, insomnia.  But, really, all in all, if the rest goes the same (and I am hopeful that it will), then I'll be grateful.  

Wishing all the Marchers (read the April 2010 starters thread, they are jealous of our cool name! lol.) a weekend w/out s/e's that is relaxing and warm and sunny...come on Spring!  

Here's to "marching" forward and NOT looking back! 

I love coming here and reading through all your posts. You are such amazing, incredible women, and I'm so thankful to have such a supportive group to come to. As much as I wish none of us would have to go through the difficult times, it's those difficult times that bring about the outpouring of love and support and all the knowledge that is shared by not only the March 2010 group, but all the ladies who pop in from last month, and the month before, and last year... And I'll stop now, you get my drift.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I had such a good time at my chemo treatment today. My sister came with me today (5+ year Her2+ survivor and in perfect health), and we laughed ourselves silly. If laughter is the best medicine, I think I may have OD'ed.

Hey carolsue were you in the group tx "party room" during my last tx?  I was in an individual area by the windows again but could hear some women hootin & hollerin LOL!   

For my first two tx's I notice a trend: the first week SE is mainly nausea (for which I take compazine and frequent small bland meals), the second week SE is mainly fatigue (for which I take naps and walks and eat really well), and the third week is mainly back to normal.  Then I have another tx.  I go for #3 next week Tues 4/13 and will be halfway thru after that. 

Hair is baby fine now with lots of scalp showing.  I have newfound sympathy for guys who do comb-overs!  I splurged $20 on a pair of satin pillowcases, they just arrived today and are in the wash as we speak.  Thought it would feel nice and maybe lose fewer hairs overnight.

Still going commando, and haven't shaved my head yet.  Not sure I will, maybe just let it come out naturally since it doesn't hurt.  There is hair there, a close-cropped white fringe like Captain Picard LOL!!  I started using Nioxin shampoo, takes like 1 minute to wash my hair these days.

While I REALLY hate being without hair, ya know, this is what chemo does, this is how I look and if I can live with it so can other people.  Mostly everyone is normal with me, once they get over the initial shock.  Not much pity but some OMG and WTH looks.  And more looks of compassion and admiration and lady you have guts than I'd expected.  So far only one person has come right out and said what's up with your hair.

The best (non-)reaction was by a co-worker's three year old son this afternoon, didn't phase him to meet a bald-headed woman!  And, the bald guys in my office smile at me a lot more these days.  :-)

This is getting long so will say good night. Sweet dreams and minimal SE's.  {{hugs}}

edit to add the word compassion, it's a better descriptor.