August 2011 chemo, anyone w/ me?!

I broke down today and had my daughter-in-law shave my head. She almost started to cry and I told her she better not or we would both be bawling! So far I haven't cried, but I made both of my daughters cry.  I told my 13yr old, it's only temporary! She wants to shave her head, but I don't want her to, middle schoolers are very mean. I actually feel human today, just a slight headache, but that's probably because it's so hot here.

I hope everyone is feeling better and getting the stomach issues under control. It is very hard to make yourself eat when you just don't feel like eating. My chemo nurse said that if you try to keep something in your stomach, it should help to not get sick to your stomach. She suggested small meals every two hours, sometimes it works, sometimes not....Thankfully, I have not had too much trouble with nausea

Feel Better everyone....Hugs

Wow...a lot to catch up on. I was feeling a little guilty because I was feeling pretty good with really no major s/e and the hair was holding up. Well it is official, it's coming out like crazy now. UGH I thought I was ready to deal with it. Got pretty emotional over it all today. Thinking shaving it off in the next day or two.

Ashvegas, I'm about 45 mins down the mtn from you in Landrum SC. I was in up there last night. I think Asheville is a great place to be bald. They expect things like that there! I love Asheville!

Chrys23. glad your furkids are back home and doing better!  Mine are keeping me sane and helping me be focused on something besides myself! Rescued a new one this week that is incredible.  

I go for my next TCH on Wednesday...hoping it goes as easily as the first.

Hope everyone is hanging in there!

 It's only hair, it's only hair, it's only hair...it will grow back.....  

Add me to the list of those whose hair is fleeing my head at a fast and furious pace. Wow, today was really bad. And like others have said, my scalp hurts bad.  I think I will have to buzz it this weekend. 

 East Coasters: Hunker Down and stay safe!

I hope everyone will have a good, side effect free weekend! 

Well I made it thru 1st week of chemo - wahoo! So far okay. Just heartburn and constipation on days 3-5, then diarrhea - what do you all take for that? I'm afraid to leave the house to be away from a toilet for too long! Oh and I got the mouth sores, they don't hurt, just feel sort of numb. I cut my hair short and now awaiting the fall - I think I'm going to freak when it happens! And i'm worried what to tell my 2 year old about it! Hope you all are hanging in there!

Dogmom - Feel free to join us anytime.  We laugh because I get a lot of looks like "is she a L?"  and sometimes I scare kids but overall is ok.  We live in South Asheville where it is much more like Greenville SC (where I am from) but people up here still accept the abnormal as normal.  

 You are in Horse Coutry - I spend A LOT of time there with my daughter at horse shows!  Wanna trade?

Ok, I'm in chemo prep mode this weekend. Honestly, I think my DH thinks I'm crazy with my lists of stuff to do and buy but I need this to feel I'm in control. I think I'm going to make a couple homemade soups tomorrow but don't want to mess up every pot in the house..... Anyone have any fairly simple (preferably one pot, or crockpot) ideas??? I know I'm making my grandma's chicken soup....it's always helped me feel better throughout my life's ups and downs..... Than maybe potato? But is a cream based soup too heavy??? I already have yogurt and fruit and crackers and jello on my list.... Anything else that's helped you??



I'm going into Tuesday armed with everything I have.....

Madismommy, I have a really good recipe for taco soup that is super simple. It has pinto and kidney beans, corn, onion, hominy, gr beef or turkey, and some other stuff....one pot!  It's southwestern type soup....let me know!

I hope everyone has a good se free day!

Good Morning Everyone!!!

 I have to say all of you women are amazing!! I cant even keep up with your posts!! Im glad Chrys that your pets are home and safe!! Madismommy where are you getting all your energy from?? I still have a bunch Of stuff to buy for Tues. and I'm having my son's 9th birthday party on sat. that I have to prepare for!! I have no energy and I'm starting to freak about starting chemo on tues!!!! Can I still take my ativan and pain killers before I do chemo??

I dont mean to sound like a complainer but my port area and my neck are still sore!! I've been icing it taking pain pills..ughhhh!!! Is this normal?? I had it done on Tues and its sat. and it still is uncomfortable but I know diana you said yours lasted 10 days...Im just getting angry about everyhting now!! Summer is almost over havent enjoyed it bec of all the worry and stress of just being dx and now on Tues. I start chemo..The whole hair thing is freaking me out!! This whole BC sucks and its not fair that any of us are going thru this!!

I took my 8 yr old son to the dr. last Thurs and he started crying saying what if he has cancer? Absolutely bull that our kids have to go thru this life is so not fair!!

I am so sorry I'm just having a bad day !!  Hope your all enjoying your Saturday!!!

Morning --

Hope everyone is ok today; especially those of us on the Eastern side of the country!

Taylor: Ooh, sorry that your little one is upset; poor little guy. My son will be 21 next month (I'm 46), and I even hate to be around him with my hair all balding and messy   I think he's worried, but as a young man, he doesn't talk about it much.  I try to act as "normal" as possible (whatever that is). I hope your little guy will be ok.  I know that Tuesday is looming for you; so I pray you have some peace as you start treatment. Oh and your profile pic is gorgeous!!

Hello to Mommyx2!!

finally feeling good again a little more tired than normal but no other SEs but tommorrow is day 12 for me and Im starting to freak out about the HAIR, its still all intact but was told to start expecting it to come out after day 12 , Im so afraid to wash/brush it for fear it will start , I am still not sure how I will cope with this when it happens, I am so tiny built I feel like all I really have is my thick long hair without it there will be nothing of me, and Madismommy I agree losing my breast was no big deal to me as compared to this, 

I have been eating normally but have lost another 5lbs since chemo began ,not sure why I will have to let them know cant afford to lose any more.  

Good luck to all and STAY safe those of you in east coast ,, heard bad weather is on the way.

Taylor777 - it's really only been in the last couple days that I've forgotten about my port altogether (it's not bothering me at all).  One nurse said on Thursday (2 days ago, 2nd round of chemo) tht I should ice it again, after it having been used. But I forgot to and I really haven't needed it.  She also said to take a couple ibuprofen.  Which I did do yesterday.

mommyx2: I started doing salt-water rinses last week, 3-4 times/day, and brushing after EVERY meal/snack.  All beginning mouth sores went away and no other new ones have started. 

Hair is now starting to come out in tufts.  It's gross. I got it cut short (Halle Berry length) last week, so at least it's not long strands.  I'm anxious about the whole shaving thing, but I may have hubby help me get it down to a 1/4" buzz cut.   

I've been tired all day today, but not much nausea at all. Two new things this round that might be making the difference: a scopolamine patch behind my ear plus acupuncture yesterday.  And I still have this tiny acupuncture thing on my wrist that's pressing that one site that affects nausea.  So don't know what's exactly helping, but I'm grateful for whatever it is.

sara and summergirl - in regards to the TEs - my physical therapist says to move them around.  When I go to PT she pushes them inwards as she says they have a tendancy to slide to the side.  I don't know if this will help or not, but I haven't experienced any changes with mine since I started chemo last week.

 Hope this helps!