Nervous Wreck

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Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2010

    Nancy - You're the true ANGEL!

  • kira1234
    kira1234 Member Posts: 3,091
    edited November 2010

    Nancy, We are all hear to help each other. You are an insperation to me how you are handeling this 2nd diagnosis, any of us could be in your shoes.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2010

    Nancy -  HUGS TO YOU!

  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited November 2010

    Nancy

    are you feeling better today?

  • IllinoisNancy
    IllinoisNancy Member Posts: 722
    edited November 2010

    Hi,

    Yes, I'm feeling better tonight.Laughing  My son and DIL are here keeping me from thinking about my problems.  I hope you all have a good night and sleep well.  Happy Thanksgiving if I don't get to talk to you again.

    Love,

    Nancy

  • MaureenA
    MaureenA Member Posts: 39
    edited November 2010

    Nancy,  So very pleased to hear you are feeling better.  Hugs and Happy Thanksgiving to you.  So glad your son and DIL are there to celebrate with you.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2010

    Happy Thanksgiving Nancy!

  • AnacortesGirl
    AnacortesGirl Member Posts: 1,758
    edited November 2010

    Checking in to see how you are doing.  I was concerned when I heard that things weren't so great for a few days but it sounds like you've made it pass that.  I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We're doing ours tomorrow.

  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited November 2010

    Nancy,

    I am hoping you are starting to be on the upswing now.... My AC was every 2 weeks and I found that during the second week, I felt great (I think some of that was that I felt so crappy the week before, that it seemed like great, but it was probably just OK) but nonetheless, it was much better.  I hope you are having a similar experiences.  Friends who did it every 3 weeks told me that they really felt good during the 3rd week..... Hope you were able to enjoy thanksgiving a little..... when is your next tx?

  • IllinoisNancy
    IllinoisNancy Member Posts: 722
    edited November 2010

    Hi,

    I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family as I hope all of you did.  I'm feeling good today and hope it lasts.  It's so nice to feel a little normal again:)  I get my next treatment on Wednesday morning followed by Neulasta 24 hours later.  Maybe this time I won't get so weak and tired.  I want you all to know that on Thanksgiving I thanked God for all of you wonderful breast cancer sisters!

    Love,

    Nancy

  • toomuch
    toomuch Member Posts: 901
    edited November 2010

    Nancy,

    I'm so glad to hear that you were able to enjoy the holiday! I had a much better time with my second AC then the first and I'll hope the same for you. It helped me to count the cycles down and after Wednesday, you'll be halfway done with AC! Sending you hugs.

    TooMuch

  • ktn
    ktn Member Posts: 181
    edited November 2010

    Nancy~ Just read all the posts and wanted to wish you well. You will find out how strong you are to handle all of this! The AC chemo was hardest for me. I did a countdown on my calendar which helped. I always felt great the few days before the next chemo so got my groceries and errands done so I could just rest if I had bad days. I watched lots of tv too. One day I watched all holiday lifetime movies and my husband was afraid my brain would turn to mush!! Reading seemed like too much work! It all must seem so overwhelming right now but as many here say, it is all doable! You have lots of good chemo advice on this board but I have to add one more thing....the antinausea meds and steroids made me so constipated so I learned to take senokat s the day I started chemo and for several days after. I had a hard time drinking alot of water so that probably didn't help. My appetite got better after AC and I didn't have to take the antinausea meds at home. Take things one day at a time...Kathy

  • flopsy
    flopsy Member Posts: 365
    edited November 2010

    Nancy,  I have not posted here before but wanted you to know that I have been following your story and I am praying and thinking of you.  I also was diagnosed with PILC in 5/2010 and have just finished chemo and rads and now taking Femara for hormone blocker.  This is a horrible disease and is so sneaky.

    I found with my AC treatment that my worst problem was not being able to drink enough fluids.  No matter what I tried to drink it made me feel sick.  Could not drink anything cold at all but did best with Hot Tea or lukewarm Apple Juice mixed with water.  I did eat soup with lots of water a good bit.

    I also had to totally stay away from anything spicy as it would literally burn my mouth like something too hot.  These are things that I learned over time.  Also, the anti-nausea meds and lack of fluid intake led to extreme constipation that I had to do a home enema for to loosen things up.   I then started taking Senna tablets daily and drinking warm Prune Juice mixed with Apple juice to help with that problem.  I hope you do not have any of these problems like I did but wanted to pass this info on just in case.

    Thinking of you and sending a hug, Ginny in SC

  • flopsy
    flopsy Member Posts: 365
    edited November 2010

    P.S.  I also did a BMX and no recon as I want to be able to access the chest wall as well as possible.  I am liking the forms in my prothetic bra better and better.   I could not wear them during rads though because they were too uncomfortable.  Life is getting better and better for me and I pray that once you are past all of this you will have the same experience.

    Stay strong, and I will be thinking of you,  Ginny

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2010

    Nancy - So glad you posted! You "sound" good. Best wishes with your next chemo day. Everything is crossed for you! Hugs to you, sista! You CAN  do this.

  • IllinoisNancy
    IllinoisNancy Member Posts: 722
    edited November 2010

    HI,

    Wow...I actually felt normal today.  I got up and went to work at 8 and lasted all day.  I never thought it would feel good to work but it did.  I'm going to try and get a lot done again tomorrow because Wednesday I fight the Red Devil again.  I'm not showing any signs of hair loss yet and my fingernails are growing like crazy.  Once again.........I'm unusual, ha ha.  Thanks for checking in on me.

    Love,

    Nancy

  • kira1234
    kira1234 Member Posts: 3,091
    edited November 2010

    Nancy, I'm glad your'e feeling so good. Enjoy the next few days before the next treatment.

  • Gitane
    Gitane Member Posts: 1,885
    edited November 2010

    Hi Nancy,  We'll be crowding that infusion room with you again tomorrow.  Thinking of you. G.

  • kira1234
    kira1234 Member Posts: 3,091
    edited December 2010

    Thinking about you on Wednesday.

  • IllinoisNancy
    IllinoisNancy Member Posts: 722
    edited December 2010

    Hi,

    I just took a nice relaxing bath and washed my hair....all of the sudden I was bathing with long dark hair floating around me.  It is coming out all of the sudden and my head feels really hot.  Is this normal?  I thought it happened after the second AC treatment? 

    Thanks,

    Nancy

  • toomuch
    toomuch Member Posts: 901
    edited December 2010

    Nancy,

    As I was getting ready the morning of my 2nd AC infusion, my hair started to come out in clumps. So, it was day #14. I couldn't stand the long strands coming out when I ran my fingers through my hair or itched my scalp so, I had my head shaved the next day! Most unexpectedly, my scalp ached for about a week. I hope that your infusion goes smoothly tomorrow and that you feel well over the weekend!

    toomuch

  • Gitane
    Gitane Member Posts: 1,885
    edited December 2010

    I'll tell you my hair story.  The day of my second infusion I was pretty glad I still had my hair.  I guess I was hoping it would stay put.  The nurse told me it wouldn't be long now.  Boy, was she right.   As I went out the door into the parking lot I saw my hair literally blowing across the parking lot in the wind, kind of like a little snow storm.  Not a lot, but enough to know what was coming.  When I got home I went into the back yard and rubbed my head,  another much bigger snow storm.  My scalp was tingling and it felt kind of prickly.  I went down to the local Fantastic Sam's and had it buzzed.  The hairdresser was a bit nervous; she kept asking me if I was sure.  Yep, it was an experience watching it hit the floor, but it was inevitable anyway.  I don't remember it feeling hot.  In the words of my infusion nurse, "It won't be long now."  Sorry this is happening to you!  G.

  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited December 2010

    My hair started to fall out day 12 after my first TAC Tx...head was all tingly.....My hair was long before BC...girlfriend cut it in a bob before first chemo, then 2 weeks later cut it really, really short and the next day it started to come out....once it started to fall out, I would grab handfuls of hair to pull it out...didn't shave my head for a couple months...the little bit of hair that I had left was like straw...should have shaved it right away....

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2010

    Nancy - The hair loss "thing" happens in many different ways. Sorry you're dealing with this. But it will grow back and many times, it will be fuller and thicker. Don't forget...this Saturday is the IL Girls Holiday Party in Schaumburg...I would be thrilled if you made an appearance. Hugs to you Nancy...remember...Illinois Girls are Tough! Hugs!

  • IllinoisNancy
    IllinoisNancy Member Posts: 722
    edited December 2010

    Hi Friends,

    My infusion: went really slow today.  The appointment was at 10:30 and I didn't get to see the  Doc until  11:30 and didn't leave until after 2:30.  The good news was I found out my Thyroid biopsy was b9  and my HER2 was negative along with my BRCA test.  Now the doctors wants to do some other genitic test which checks different things from the BRCA.  It is a blood test so they will do it before my next infusion on Dec. 13th.  My hair keeps falling off everytime I wash or brush it.  I'm not sure what I want to do with it.

    Hope you  all have a good night,

    Love,

    Nancy

  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited December 2010

    Nancy - great news on the thyroid biopsy!!! Go and get your head buzz cut. My hairdresser didn't charge me and still doesn't when I go for a trim. You will feel much better after you buzz it - you won't notice it falling out so much - it won't be anywhere near as traumatic. I went for a No 2 to start with and near the end of chemo had a no 1 buzz. I never got a wig just wore Buffs (www.planetbuff.com) they were so great to wear and looked fabulous. They are SO soft and breathe and you can use them later as they are really a sports accessory.

    Hugs

    Sue

  • Gitane
    Gitane Member Posts: 1,885
    edited December 2010

    Those long infusion days are really tiring.  At least the very good news you received gives you something to take home and hold on to.  Our sadness and the hair issues are just the reminders of what our poor bodies are enduring.  I hope you can rest, let go of the worry, and remember you are whole, in spite of how these treatments make you feel.  Warm hugs! G.

  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 2,600
    edited December 2010

    I'm glad to hear your good news, Nancy. And yeah, the hair falling out sucks. I found that to be one of the most traumatic parts of chemo. I know almost everyone buzzes it off, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I had so much hair that it actually took six weeks to completely fall out. Once it was gone, though, I didn't really care anymore. Just plopped a hat on my head and went about my business.

    Hope you're feeling OK after chemo #2.

  • SAMayoFL
    SAMayoFL Member Posts: 958
    edited December 2010

    Hey Nancy,

    My hair started doing what you described on day 12 following my first treatment.  It was too traumatic for me to see hair in my hands every time I touched it.  It was also all over my clothes, chair, car, etc.  I shaved it so I didn't have to go through the trauma of watching it fall out every day.  I absolutely agree that losing your hair is the worst!  I dealt with losing my breast far better than losing my hair!  Everyone else around me can say it's only temporary and will grow back but they are not running around bald!  I also HATE my wig although I paid $300 for it.  I mostly wear scarves, which is something I NEVER thought I would do. 

    I know you are strong and will get through this.  We will all do it together!

    Susan

  • IllinoisNancy
    IllinoisNancy Member Posts: 722
    edited December 2010

    Hi,

    My husband asked me if he could cut my hair last night and I said yes..I guess so?? He spent not more than 2 minutes cutting it dry and gave me a short cut just to my chin.  He didn't do too bad of job.  I showed my mom and she thought it was cute. I'm still losing hair but this should go better now that its shorter.  I almost forgot to tell you all my other news.  The tumors are shinking.  The ones on the outside are completely flat and the two under my nipples have gone down too.  The oncologist was very happy with the results of just one treatment.  Thanks again for all your support.  Love you all!!!

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