February 2011 chemo pals

Special K - Well my hair continued to fall out today and it was just too much.  I had my friend come over and shave my head.  I just needed it to be done.  So I am not sure what I am going to do this weekend in terms of my head.  I have two wigs I bought several weeks ago but it's hot hear so I might just wear a baseball cap ( we are going out of town to my son's baseball tournament).  I probably need to make a run to get more sleep caps as I only have one and no scarves or anything else, but I should be OK for the weekend.

 I am sorry to hear you are feeling bad.  I think you are one week ahead of me on TCH and the shot.  Do you take more than one medication for nausea?

 Get some rest!

FEC-D (taxotere) Start: Jan28/2011 Cycle3/6 Day 2

Round 3 was yesterday..got to chemo late as many did due to the weather. Side effects seem to be kicking in sooner. Spent many hours last night stripping off due to hot flashes and bundling up immediately after because I was cold..*L* Annoying. Waiting for Neulasta nurse now.Sooooooooo happy I am done with the "red devil. Now on to taxotere..how many of you have done that one?

Hope everyone is doing okay?

Hey Emily -

I believe Neulasta is only with the Red Devil (according to my doc anyway).  Did you only have 3 of those Red ones?  I have four so I'm only half way done.

EDIT ... I don't mean "only" ... 3 is aweful ... I hope that doesn't sound terrible ... I'm not sure why I am getting four ...

Emily,

I receive Neulasta the day after all my chemo treatments, AC and Taxotere.

Well just think ladies...everyone else needs a brush or a comb...we can use a lint roller! AND No more bad hair days!!!

Feel better Paula!! and Michelle you just reminded me by your fright wig...I have a bright pink feather boa...think I will wear that to chemo one day!!

Thanks for  the Pandora bracelet idea somewhere back there in the reading!! I was telling my mom about it so she bought me the bracelet to get strated (and I'm betting on a cpl charms as well!)

TCHx6 start 2/17/11, cycle 2, day 4 

Hi All,

I was AWOL yesterday - only got out of bed for brief upright forays!  The yucky, headachey thing started sooner this time, late afternoon the day after.  My DH's theory is that it is cumulative - you are not compeltely rid of the previous tx.  I did try the Compazine instead of Zofran - def worked better and I ate more yesterday than during the last tx.  I feel weird right now but not sure if it is anything I can medicate. 

I still have hair but it is detaching faster.  I washed it this morning and it really came off in my hand for the first time.  I dried it and the brush looked like a long-haired guinea pig when I was done!  I think it will probably have to go in the next couple of days.

Paula - sorry you are in-house, but I guess they figure it is better than having an infection.  When can you come home? 

On the Neulasta question - I get TCH (Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin) and have Neulasta every time.  Its purpose is to boost white cell production so any regimen that attacks those rapidly dividing cells would most likely include it.

mks16 - Typhoo is not peppermint it is just superdelicious.  I would avoid peppermint, especially if you are having any heartburn symptoms - it will irritate.  I mostly like the taste of the Typhoo - everybody I know loves it after they try it, even my DH and he doesn't drink tea!

alison - hope your tournament is going well.  I got a pang when you mentioned Malibu - spent many a summer day there many moons ago!  I miss it!

Hope everyone is hanging in and getting through it...

Kathie

Ha!  Not yet!  Should I be looking forward to this?

Well the doc deceided to let me go home, yahoo.  My counts went from .03 to .07.  I do have to still take the antibiotics, but hey thats ok by me. He says they are going up so hes ok with it. I do have to still be very cautious on what I can do and eat.  I still cant eat any fresh veggies or fruits.  That was a huge deal for me.  I love my veggies and fruits fresh.  But I do understand why so I will do it. 

I like your pic to Michelle.  You look good.  You go girl!

Emily have you tried ginger ale.  That did it for me.  Just make for sure its made with real ginger not the artifical stuff.  I hope ya get to feeling better.

Hi everyone!  Been gone a few days.  Just to remind you all that I am 72 and going through chemo for the second time.  This time am having CMF every 3 weeks for 8 times.  Last time (10 years ago) I had AC for 3 months.  Am tolerating the CMF pretty well.  You are all so brave and courageous!  Can't compete with your experiences with tx, but am thinking about you and praying for you.  You WILL get through this and you will find that life goes on and is so precious.  During my last bout with bc and tx, it was just like a dream.  I just went through it and came out the other side feeling wonderful and alive!  The nausea, hair loss, fatigue and all other se's was quickly forgotten.  Just remember that this too shall pass.  Love to all.

Thanks golfergrama and all the great encouraging feb girls. I go tomorrow a.m. for round 3 of AC. I already feel anxious about it:( i Think I need a bath to help me to relax.

Paula, I'm glad your home and levels going up.

Lisa, hope your week finds you better and better and the sores stay away. I just had to get a scrpt for mucositis. The first few days I was spitting it out, finally read the label and it says to swallow-oops. Lol

Everyone is rockin their shaved heads! I have my wig but just havnt embraced it yet I might need to go back and get something more comfy and not so wig like.

Hope everyone isfeeling better and cheers to a great week of us making progress kicking cancers a%#!!!!

emily, My onc says he will continue to give me the Neulasta injection the day after Taxol, just like now after A/C. I have the same onc as SpecialK, btw.

Hello everyone,  enjoyed reading your posts.  I am taking TC and having my third of 4 tomorrow so I usually post there since it is more specific to that regiment.  But many side effects are very similar.  I have been pretty lucky so far.  Just the usual things but I am very proactive with side effects and take my meds and over the counter meds prior to what I think is coming next and I think that has helped me. 

I loved the Look Good Feel Better program and the free makeup.  I think you could bring a friend but the make-up is only for the patient.  In our program they did not have any extra and you signed for it but I am sure your friend would understand that and enjoy going with you anyway.  Just tell the presenter that when you get there and I think they would be fine with it. 

I hate my wig!  I mean I like how it looks but it is SO uncomfortable.  It feels too tight even though I believe I have it as loose as possible (and no, I do not have an unusually large head!). It also itches like crazy!  I am going to go back to the place I bought them and see if there is anything they can do.  I tried wearing my night cap underneath but that didn't improve things.  Ugh!

LisaGH - Really glad to hear your second round of TCH resulted in less of a headache.  I would say that and stomach cramps were my worst symptons after my first treatment.

 Golfergrandma - Thanks for your wonderful post!  For those of us just starting out, it really is uplifting to hear from someone like you when the end of treatment seems so far off.

Pejkug3 - I think we are on the same exact schedule. I have my second treatment TCH this Thursday too.  Hope all goes well for you!!!!

Have a good week everyone!