April 2011 chemo

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  • geocachelinda
    geocachelinda Member Posts: 223
    edited May 2011

    Ginger, my scalp felt a little tender when washing it or brushing my hair.  Mine started falling out around day 15. 

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  • axtella
    axtella Member Posts: 88
    edited May 2011

    ginger --

    my scalp began to kind of tingle. After I initially cut it about two inches long my scalp really hurt right on top. Once I had it shaved the pain went away. I haven't lost eyelashes or eyebrows and doesn't seem like they are on their way out either.

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  • kg1234
    kg1234 Member Posts: 95
    edited May 2011

    Hey merilee...that was very cool!!

    I don't know what's wrong, but I haven't lost my hair yet.  It's tingly and sensitive and if I pull, lots comes out, so I know I am losing hair....but I am easily 26-27 days out from 1st chemo...and my #3 treatment of A/C is this friday. 

    And while my hair is thinned...I still have lots.  Of course I shaved it down to 1/4 inch 3 weeks ago in preparation.  As I said to an email out to friends....I'll be PISSED if I don't lose my hair after having shaved it off!!!!

    Kg.

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  • ginger_mea
    ginger_mea Member Posts: 264
    edited May 2011

    Roll Call:  6 TCH (taxotere, carboplatin, herceptin) every 3 wks, herceptin weekly  x1 yr, rad tx after chemo.

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  • ginger_mea
    ginger_mea Member Posts: 264
    edited May 2011
    Thank you ladies for the responses on the hair loss.  My scalp feels tingly and a little wierd, its only day 11 since my first treatment so I'm not sure, maybe what I am feeling is leading up to the big day... Wink
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  • BernieEllen
    BernieEllen Member Posts: 2,445
    edited May 2011

    6 x A/C @ every 3 weeks.  Just found out my cousin is Stage IV with glandular cancer - now spleen and bonemarrow.

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  • axtella
    axtella Member Posts: 88
    edited May 2011

    Keep in mind it doesn't usually just all drop out at once. Its started to shed and when you wash your hair you will really notice it. My probablem was when I washed it the last time it all baaled up in the back in one big rats nest. If I would have combed it out it probably would have left a bald spot.

    I am wearing scarves when not wearing my wig. I love scarves and having fun learing new tying techniques!

    Hope everyone has a good day. My #3 AC is Wednesday...then only one more!

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  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited May 2011

    Yah it felt funny just before. Just a little tender and ichty.

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  • ginger_mea
    ginger_mea Member Posts: 264
    edited May 2011
    Yeah, I kind of figured that.  Could imagine??? Surprised
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  • Sudzinvermont
    Sudzinvermont Member Posts: 70
    edited May 2011

    To me it felt like I had a pony tail in too tight......for too long. Very strange.

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  • artiecat
    artiecat Member Posts: 257
    edited May 2011

    My hair "hurt".  I know it wasnt really the hair, but it was really uncomfortable.  A relief when it started to go.  Had it shaved - some is coming back!  This is weird stuff, eh?

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  • Cyborg
    Cyborg Member Posts: 848
    edited May 2011

    One week from first tx. My scalp is starting to itch and scalp is tender.

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  • klg49
    klg49 Member Posts: 21
    edited May 2011

    Hi ginger_mae

    I am on day 11 too. I noticed on friday 5/6 that it was starting to "leave me". I just run my fingers thru it and it just gently pulls out. I noticed when I washed it that it was a lot thinner. My scalp was tingling and the part was a little sore. They told me at chemo that it would probably be gone by the next treatment, 5/19. I am taking my little hat with me to work just in case it decides to fall off my head while im at my desk. Surprised

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  • KiwiMum
    KiwiMum Member Posts: 704
    edited May 2011

    My white blood count has come up overnight to the bare minimum so it's TX for me in 3 hours.

    Not looking forward to the next few days - but at least it's another treatment ticked off.  Good luck to everyone else in the chair this week.

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  • ginger_mea
    ginger_mea Member Posts: 264
    edited May 2011

    Klg49, it looks like we are on the same schedule I go back on the 19th also.

    Speaking of work, all you girls that started Chemo in April are you still working? and does anyone know how long they are able to continue working or going out on disability. Looking for some insight... thx

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  • jackifp
    jackifp Member Posts: 185
    edited May 2011

    I'm still teaching full-time. Had TCH #2 on Friday, and today got home pretty tired, but heartburn and a raspy voice are all I'm feeling, otherwise. Counting my blessings, believe me. 4 to go.



    Got Neulasta today; fingers, toes, and eyes crossed that it doesn't hurt.



    Anyone having hearing issues? I can't figure out if my ear's plugged from chemo (ototoxicity?) or an infection...no other symptoms, just can't hear out of it. So annoying.

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  • jackifp
    jackifp Member Posts: 185
    edited May 2011

    I'm still teaching full-time. Had TCH #2 on Friday, and today got home pretty tired, but heartburn and a raspy voice are all I'm feeling, otherwise. Counting my blessings, believe me. 4 to go.



    Got Neulasta today; fingers, toes, and eyes crossed that it doesn't hurt.



    Anyone having hearing issues? I can't figure out if my ear's plugged from chemo (ototoxicity?) or an infection...no other symptoms, just can't hear out of it. So annoying.

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  • BernieEllen
    BernieEllen Member Posts: 2,445
    edited May 2011

    hair went last thursday, scalp very sore the night before.  Starting falling out in handfulls in the carpark at work so had it shaved down to mm, good now but ears are freezing.  Blister i have turns out to be an actual burn from when stomach was upset.  Toxic burn probably because i have psoriasis.  Next round tomorrow.

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  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited May 2011

    Getting ready for nuclear blast number #2 tomorrow. Steroids and tagamet today.

    After tomorrow I will be half done!

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  • pawprintgirl24
    pawprintgirl24 Member Posts: 173
    edited May 2011

    i am working..i groom dogs and cats and stand on my feet the week of chemo is very very limited but the other 2 weeks its 40 hours and i try to do the same amount we have just schuduled the smaller ones when we can after chemo! :) but my doggies makes me happy and it gives me plenty of excercise so i go to bed at like 8:30!!

    dr gave me meds for the heartburn which is not even heartburn its like FIRE!!! hopefully it helps!!

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  • CarylC
    CarylC Member Posts: 230
    edited May 2011

    I am working full time as well.  I take 1/2 day off for chemo every 3 weeks and 2 hours off for Herceptin every Wednesday but I make that up by not taking lunch on the other days and staying late a bit as well.  

    Tomorrow is round 2. 

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  • axtella
    axtella Member Posts: 88
    edited May 2011

    I'm still working full time. I do my chemo every other Wednesday afeter work which is 2:00 PM.
    My low day is usally day three which lands on the Saturday, I don't work weekends.

    Tomorrow is round 3 of 4 of AC. Next 4 rounds of Taxol.

    Still own eyelashes and brows!

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  • ginger_mea
    ginger_mea Member Posts: 264
    edited May 2011

    You girls are warriors, I feel like a baby hahahaha.... I had first chemo on a thurs. and didn't go back to work until the following Fri. I am here this whole week though and will be part of next week until Thurs. the 19th round 2.

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  • artiecat
    artiecat Member Posts: 257
    edited May 2011

    Jeez - I'm a baby too - had #2 TAC last Wednesday - going back to work tmw.  And I only work part time to start with!  You ladies are warrior women!  Last time around the doc wouldnt let me go for two weeks because white blood count was so low! 

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  • Sudzinvermont
    Sudzinvermont Member Posts: 70
    edited May 2011

    I'm still working full time"ish". I'm lucky to have the option to leave early if needed.

    I can also work from home if I have to most days, unless I have events or meetings. I haven't done that yet, I'm afraid I may like being home a little too much.

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  • Sarah246
    Sarah246 Member Posts: 53
    edited May 2011

    Tomorrow is poison day #2, been shaving the head for two weeks so I don't have to see it fall out. It's been very freeing. What are you guys using for rashes? Is the 2nd treatment easier than the first one?  Neulasta comes on Friday. Last time I ended up in the hospital after the Neulasta with chest pressure. Not looking foward to this. God bless you all. As someone said it could be worse.

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  • kg1234
    kg1234 Member Posts: 95
    edited May 2011

    You guys seriously are warriors!!  I don't work right now, and with round #2 of A/C I was OUT for the count and in bed for practically 5 days.  I think I need to ask for Emend this round.

    Sarah I was in the hospital too for chest pressure my first round (I take neupogen),,,if you are younger, sometimes it's the sternum bone that produces the white blood cells, rather than your hips, legs...that happened to me...I was walking like a 95 year old and could barely breathe...but I was getting plenty of oxygen and they did a CT to make sure it wasn't a blood clot in my lungs...For round #2, it seems to have moved to my hips, lower back and legs...which I am grateful for.

    My second treatment was 150% worse than my first.  After my first, I thought - wow, this is do-able.....now after my second, I am terrified to go again this friday.

    Axtella, what are you getting for nausea meds?  we are on the same treatment plan, within a few days from each other.  You are going wed, I go this friday for DD #3 of A/C.

    Thanks, Kg.

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  • CarlaB76
    CarlaB76 Member Posts: 74
    edited May 2011

    It's not possible for me to explain how much I appreciate this forum and all of you!  The sternum produces WBC in younger people!  Do you hear that sound?  It's angels singing as I feel like I have an explanation for why my chest has been hurting so much!  Kg, it's like you're my soul sister.  Granted, I felt like I was walking around like a 150 year old woman, but we're splitting the very few hairs we have left on our head.  My post neulasta pain has been almost exclusively in my chest/sternum and my hips.  The weekend was rough and I finally called my doctors office on Monday and they convinced me to stop trying to be a hero and take the damned percocet.  2nd treatment was WAY worse than the first.  I felt back to "normal" by Friday after round one the Monday before.  This time, round two, it's 8 days later and I'm still stiff, creaky, emotional, and CRANKY.

    Regarding work, I'm working full time still.  Which is insane, I admit it.  But I have a lot of flexibility, can work from home (WFH) when needed.  My current treatment is on Monday and my week looks like this:

    Monday - out all day for treatment, might log in at night and catch up on email etc.

    Tuesday - 1/2 @ work in AM, Neulasta shot, WFH in PM

    Wednesday - WFH - in bed all day, computer on lap, headset on, try not to fall asleep on telecons.

    Thursday - repeat of Wednesday

    Friday - 3/4 day @ work, leave around 3pm, log in at home to finish day.

    And I swear there is no way I could manage more than that.

    Today, I'm wearing the first Lilly Pulitzer Breast Cancer Awareness scarf that I got myself in like 2004, before I could ever imagine being where I am today. Wearing it with pride for all of us. 

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  • axtella
    axtella Member Posts: 88
    edited May 2011

    kg1234 -- my DD # 3 of AC is Wednesday. I take Emend for nausea. Seems to work real well. #2 treatment I was more tired on day 3 and 4. Luckily it was over the weekend!

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  • Sarah246
    Sarah246 Member Posts: 53
    edited May 2011

    Thanks kg1234, I am so glad you told me that you experienced the same thing, I thought I was nuts or something. The doctors in Emg room checked for Blood clots, and heart attack and found nothing in all the tests. I was getting oxygen also.

    I'm sorry your treatment was a 150% worse than the first time. Well now I know not to go in tomorrow thinking that thinsg will automaticly be eaiser just because it's my second treatment.

    CarlaB76 my neulasta pain was the same and we are so lucky to have folks like kg1234 to help us.

    axtella I hope I'm feeling better by day 3 or 4.

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