2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS

sherryhaire
I live in Orange where Rita just came through ,she upset all my chemo plans for a while just glad to get back on track now
Sharon

Hi all! Had my second round of AC on Friday - went well - so glad I got the port put in.

So far not too bad of nausea, but constipated today - will try the colace, etc. Don't remember being constipated last time; I've started writing everything down -even my mood swings.

Was able to take a walk with my dog and my son on Saturday and went to Costco on Sunday with my brother. Just really really tired, but fighting it. Sleeping well, which is a blessing because I'm getting very anxious about money - will be working with the Social Worker at the hospital to see what avenues are available for me.

My son has changed his work schedule so he will be coming to every chemo with me, even though I thought I could go it alone - I'm forgetting to ask things, etc. so having him there will help. He's a good guy.

Beginning to adjust to the hair loss. My sister is sending me pictures of when my hair was shaved when I was about six years old - had ringworm or something so they shaved it all off to be able to put the medicine on it. I remember my father crying because I had beautiful long black hair down to my bottom...but it grew back then and it will again.

Hope you are all hanging in there!!! Oh, they are doing an xray on my knee that hurts so bad next week. Hope it's nothing to worry about.

God Bless!

Lynn

hi just can't seem to sleep so here i am. is any one having second thoughts about their drs. i didn't know any thing about this oncologist when iwent to him now i'm not sure if he's the right one . when i ask a question idon't get a clear answer sometimes the nures will finaly tell me the answer .the day after my first chemo i felt very nauseated the dr told me to take one pill for nasuea that day and one the next day the nurses said they would ask about taking them every 8hours but know one ever let me know anything .i guess it's all miss understanding. has anyone ever switched chemo drs while they'er taking chemo .if so did it work out
sharon tx

Sharon,



Oh, my gosh! You live in Orange?! My aunt and uncle lived there just about all their married years. They are now both deceased (I MISS THEM DEARLY!). However, my cousin still lives there. She lives in Mauriceville (I think that's the name). Geez, what a small, small world!



About your nausea question. You should be taking MORE anti-nausea drugs if your on the AC/TAXOL regimen. Especially on AC. I had a steroid to take for about three days after chemo was given, Zofran (I think every 12 hours..would have to look it up)and another nausea drug that I could take every four hours one or two at a time.



Tell your onc to take one pill a day and see if that helps him. That really angers me. GEEZ!



Where are you receiving your treatments? My Uncle died from lung cancer caused by asbestos.



Get on the phone or in the doc's face and demand better treatment!

Shirley

Amy - go for the scarves !
I only bought a wig as my little boy seemed a bit worried about mum losing hair - i have bought loads of hats and scarves . I bought one wig to wear occasionally - a rock chick one to make people realise i am still me under there!
Debbie

Quote:

---

Amy,
Go with how you feel. If you're comfortable with scarves, wear scarves. If you don't want to look bald in scarves you may want to try the scarf over the wig, you know, like a hat over the wig. We baldies are lucky it is not summertime!

---

There are also headbands you can wear under scarves. I got some at www.chemocareheadwear.com They are very soft and look really nice under scarves.

There are also hats and scarves with a little hair sticking out at http://www.hip-hat.com/

I personally feel better when I go out with a wig, but I'm wearing scarves with headbands around the house. I think, though, if you feel prettier in a scarf, you should go with the scarves.

Just MHO,
Jane

Hi Susan,
I'm just checking in here to offer any words of encouragement. I had my neoadjuvant TAC last year. Never thought I'd get through it but it does end. One suggestion I'd offer is to drink LOTS of fluids and if you can avoid it, don't drink a lot of tea since it acts as a diuretic. Drinking lots of fluids will help with prevent constipation and dehydration. It may become tricky if your taste buds are affected and everything tastes yucky, but find a way to get fluids down. I resorted to Gatorade but since it was too sweet, diluted it.
Take care and remember to take it one day at a time.

My Dr. told me to drink 80 oz of water per day (minimum). I start chemo on Friday so I have been really trying to pump in the water today and for the rest of the week!

Graycie,

I couldn't eat much for about a week after my first chemo. After that I wanted to eat everything, waking up with cravings. Now I'm afraid to weigh myself. I need to control my eating (too much) before I go back for my second chemo. They might increase the dosage!!

journeyor, Thanks....I am glad to know I am not alone and it took you a week to eat too......I think I am finally starting to feel hungry..I can't believe I have to do this all again next week......I hope the next time goes better....

thanks for the advice, ladies, about wearing scarves. never thought i would feel prettier without my hair, but i do like it better than the wig...i feel like i'm faking it by wearing the wig or something.

getting ready for ac #2 on thursday...i'm so nervous. my insurance company gave me the runaround about paying for my prescription. i seriously wonder if any of them have anything stressful happen to them...there are such morons who work at my insurance company.

is the second round of chemo like the first one? eek!

-amy

i'm mainly nervous about the steroid...when i stopped taking it after 4 days, i completely crashed! fatigue, achiness, bad acne...did this happen to anyone?

-amy

I know some of you here a bit....Started my chemo last Wed. ... almost a week now. I have been sooooo blessed and grateful to not be sick at all. If anything, I have more energy than I know what to do with!

I was waiting every day for the nausea to begin or all/any of the common symptoms of receiving chemo. But so far, nothing has happened!! (fingers & toes crossed!)

My next chemo is Nov. 9. I'm on A/C every 3 weeks with 4 sessions of it...NO..3 more to go!!! Haven't had time to read all the posts here. Will try to do so tomorrow!!!

hugs,
kate

Now on day 13 after first chemo - still feeling great. i can honestly say that apart from feeling a little tired day 2-5 ( had a nap in afternoon) and the anti sickness tablets they gave me to take making me a little constipated, i really had no side effects at all. Husband keeps waking me up by taking my temp all the time - i could call that a side effect i guess!
I drunk flavoured wated all of the way through treatment and after and make sure i have plenty of fruit juice in the house. I was dreading being sick as i am a wimp and being sick maked me feel sorry for myself! Luckily never happened.If i can d o this Tracey - anyone can.
My hair is still attatched - gave it a quick tug ( not too hard just in case). Thats the bit i am dreading.
We are doing a sponsored walk for BC this Sunday - only 5k as didnt know how i would be feeling and my hubby reckoned that he could poss carry me that far if need be ( bless him)
Take care all
Debbie