Chemo June 2010

sherry:  how are u feeling today?  u've had a tough go at this from the beginning!! 

all:  seems the hair loss thing is what we're all facing right now----& i have to agree, it's the absolute pits to know that something we are usually proud of that NO ONE can take away from us w/out our permission is now something that we have absolutely NO CONTROL over-----something wrong with that picture!

question:  do any of you have a 'better potion' of hair product(s) for the hair loss process, then the bald scalp issue?  i've heard some ladies actually get a few sores on the head while others have a rash.....but haven't seen anyone post if there's a 'best choice' for the scalp.....anyone????

to those who are facing their 2nd AC treatment this week, i'll be watching to see how you fare--mine will be next wednesday & i'm curious to see if i have the same wretched SE's from my 1st round.

deb

Hey Cheyanna:

 I just noticed that your dx and mine are very similar - my tumor was larger but it seems there are very few ILC ER+/PR+  HER2- 's no the board.  I know that chemo has been rough for you, Hang in there girl. 

Liz

Mybails and Dsa-->   I heard someone mention awhile back that they use witch hazel on the pimples on their scalp.  I've had some off and on tenderness, but that's it so far.  I bought a 3 pc Nioxin kit and my hairdresser said to keep using all 3 products (cleanser, scalp conditioner and scalp treatment) even after I lose my hair.  Thankfully he gave me a discount   Its what he uses on his thinning hair too.

Anybody else getting hiccups after AC?  I've had them both rounds.  Maybe its from all the liquids I have to drink.  I only get them 1 day, but they are really annoying!  They keep coming back and they hurt!

T

Meliss

That's too bad! Well I know longer regimen is hard to deal with but better than ending up in the ER. I hope whatever you decide it works out better for you.

Lots of luck!

Di

Sherry9316: I ordered several different types of hats from both tlc and headcovers.com. I have a small head, and I wasn't sure which styles of hats would work for me. I wanted a variety to choose from, and I will send back what doesn't work. My order from headcovers came in and I liked 2 or maybe 3 of 8 I ordered.  I should get an order from tlc tomorrow. Scarves don't work for me. I look like an idiot. Not my style--I need something with a brim of some type.

I have a wig that looks better to others than it does to me. I wear it at work, but at home I go bald unless I am cold from having the air conditioning on in the sauna that Georgia is in right now. To go out casually I usually choose a hat over the hair. Part of the reason for that is I need a band to put under the wig to keep it in place better. I ordered that from tlc. Hopefully that will make the wig stay put so i won't feel like tugging on it all day!

I saw a baseball cap on a website that said "Hairstyle courtesy of my oncologist" and another that said "I'm having a no hair day!" When someone complimented my "haircut" at work today, I said "Thanks, my oncologist provided it!" They honestly did not realize it was a wig. I don't know if it really looks that real or people are just that unaware...whatever!

I went and got a pedicure and manicure today ~ then took my 2 year old grandson to the golf course as he loves to 'help' the kids wash the golf carts ~ then went to play at the park ~ went for a long walk with a friend.....all day long my hair was shedding, coming out in bigger and bigger clumps so this evening my daughter buzzed my head, we left about 1/4 inch of what is left of my hair.  It hit really hard tonight, I feel so desperately alone, even though I'm surrounded by wonderful friends and family.  I look so different, I don't feel like myself at all.  I decided that I'll have my pity party tonight, and then put on a happy face, with scarves for my head and all, tomorrow.

Hi Beanus!

Yes I developed Thrush also.  I tool Acidophillus tabs (3mil/tablet) 3 or 4 times per day and that helped).  My MD also prescribed Diflucan - that really fixed things up in about 3 days.  If you have diarhhea with this, stay away from diary!  Even yogurt!

Going in for 2nd tx today and hardly slept last night.  Noticed yesterday that my eyebrows are thinning out, but not so much my hair.  I wonder if by swabbing with Witch Hazel that has helped (closes the pores).  The sore on my head are gone and the pimples are FINALLY clearing up (again thanks to Witch Hazel).

But in case my SE are as bad as last time I got all my meds (lomotil, difucan, nausea meds [which I didn't need last time}, acidophillus and the dreaded steroids - wonder if I'll get pimples again - dang!)

I'll keep you informed and wish everyone a SE free day!

Sherry, I have become a hat-olic!  I buy a new hat every time I go into a store anymore.  I have a million.  I have a wig but it is too hot and I don't feel natural in it.  I also went to the discussion board on "head coverings" and checked out some of those sites.  I got some great headwraps on there.  Hopefully you can find some alternatives that will work for you.  I found some really cute ones at DSW shoes, Charlotte Russo (ordered online) and Old Navy. 

 Also, I am one day past my #2 treatment and doing ok.  Was a little tired yesterday afternoon but otherwise doing ok. Tomorrow will be the real test for me.  Hoping to have a good day! 

Latte - I think the dizziness and weakness may be blood pressure related. Spoke to nurse on the phone and thats what she said. I actually have high blood pressure and take meds for it. Have to monitor it now throughout day to see if I should skip meds some time if its too low. Last night and today have funky tongue - like i kind of burned it? And really bad sore throat. And a congested cough. Like too much mucus going down back of throat (maybe just regular allergies?)Nurse called to check in on me and said to come to triage today to have throat checked later if still bothering me. Think I may go just to ease my mind. Also, YES, I'm doing acupuncture. Never did it before but was recommended by a friend of mine who went through chemo last year. She swore by it. I went day before my treatment. Have another session today and will go every single week. Figure it can't hurt!

Just checking in on all my new friends.  Yesterday I spent an absolutely perfect day with a dear friend at her beautiful home enjoying her gardens, pool, wonderful food and wonderful conversation.  Swimming with my 11 year old and fishing lost frogs out of the pool (and avoiding being dumped off my float!) helped me totally forget about cancer for the day.  What a gift!  I highly recommend taking a  vacation from cancer to all of you. 

For all my friends battling the hair loss. There are two wonderful sites that give a free high fashion headwrap to chemo girls.  Some of the scarves are truly lovely.  I also found an organization that offers free housecleaning services to anyone in chemo.  It has cleaners in place nationwide.  I can't deal with having anyone underfoot in my place, but I think it would be a wonderful gift for  others.  I am writing the addresses below.  I think you have to copy and paste them, I still haven't figured out how to make the links work.

 www.gailafund.org

www.franceluxe.com     (click on Good Wishes)

www.cleaningforareason.org

workmother - Hi, I am 8 days past my first TC and also have had a funky tongue as well.  Mine feels burnt also.  I also had a sore throat yesterday but I found that brushing my tongue lightly with some Biotene toothpaste and then rinsing with the Biotene mouthwash has helped some.  Each day it does seem to get better. 

Sherri K

Mari- I just got my headwrap from the francelux (Good Wishes) good wishes site.  It is so beautiful and it comes with a card from the folks there all signed personally!  It was so special. Definitely check that one out.

 Enjoy the beautiful day!  It is a beautiful one here in OH as well.

workmother - i was also on blood pressure medication for high blood pressure before chemo. then with chemo, my blood pressure plummeted to 80/60 and i felt terrible. my GP stopped my BP medication altogehter and then i felt much better, but I need to monitor it every day and if it goes up (for example, on days that i need to take steroids) then I need to start taking a reduced dose again. I hope you get it sorted soon, because it will make you feel much better.

Has anyone found anything that helps with the irritated scalp? I am trying some aloe vera and will let you know if it works...

Yay!  No chemo today!  My sweet onco decided my body was not going to tolerate the AC/T tx so we changed today to FEC once a week for 12 weeks starting next Wednesday.  He says he doesn't think I'll have any trouble with this tx.  He gave me an extra week off and I'm so glad.  I feel pretty good today and look forward to several days of feeling more normal.  My CT scan revealed a spot on my liver.  Will have a PET scan in a couple of days. There's always something!

Thanks everyone for the hair covering tips.  I wore a ball cap today to the onco office and I didn't feel as "odd" as I thought I would so I think that's the way I'll go for this summer while it's so hot. I'm just not digging my wig as much as I thought I would.