August 2011 chemo, anyone w/ me?!

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  • Madismommy719
    Madismommy719 Member Posts: 781
    edited September 2011

    Robyn....you talking about your mom made me tear up....because my mom is one of the only people that I openly show all my scars, my foobs with no nipples and awkward t/e's and she was there crying as my head was buzzed.... I'm so sorry you lost yours!!!! :( (((hugs))) to you!!!

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  • vtellen
    vtellen Member Posts: 345
    edited September 2011

    Well, I, the "wig-less one" wore a wig for the first time last night. My older sister, who went through chemo for Hodgkin's, sent me a wig she had (but ended up not wearing) It was kind of fun, actually! My family was all smiles and loving it and very cute about it. We went out to dinner, and I felt a little self conscious, but I got over it. Definitely got fewer looks than when I wear a scarf. It was sort of a hoot to have this straightish styled hair!

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  • Madismommy719
    Madismommy719 Member Posts: 781
    edited September 2011

    Vt.... :) that's how I'm trying to approach my 3 wigs....as a different fun part of my life right now. Reinvent myself a little.... I wish they wouldn't itch though!!! How was yours? Itchy? Sounds like you guys had a great time at dinner!!!

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  • Robyn6463
    Robyn6463 Member Posts: 167
    edited September 2011

    I've been told that radiation treatments would start 2-4 weeks after the final chemo. I think it depends on how well we handle and recover from the treatments, and the cancer centers schedule...I'm hoping for 2 weeks, that will get it over with that much sooner! My last treatment is 10/14...which means I should...maybe...be all done by New Years!

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  • Vivie
    Vivie Member Posts: 52
    edited September 2011

    Itching head is the worst thing abt wigs!! Maybe these wick away liners would help? I found them in some online store , but at 23$ a pop is pretty expensive for disposable ones!!

     Thanks for the support girls, much appreciated and needed.I needed to vent.Thankfully , my mom today finally saw reason , and understood some , and said , just make sure to get some hats too....FINALLY.I did promise her to try again when it's cooler.LOL.One fight won  , but battle's not over yet.

      I also am getting myself a Kindle.Read , read read a lot , since my life's on hold :) 

     It's been incredible , getting on here and have a lot of support.Although now I'm worrying again..I don't want to be TMI , but I went for #2 awhile ago , and I wiped and had blood.Ugh.We have a family history of bowel cancer and hemorroids , so I'm worrying.Plus , this is not a fun S/E.It's not much yet , but it started that way for my grandfather  and uncle ( Dad's side ) for bowel cancer , and my mom for hemorroids ( she had to get surgery for that , it was VERY bad.) , so I'm into a worryspin.The first two times , I thought that some vein or something burst since I had some of the dreaded C.Nope.

    Ugh..

    Robyn..wow , you'd show your mom? I usually hide from everyone.I showed the scar only to my cousin O , and briefly.My mom does get glimpses from when I change or at PS appts , although I've warned her that I feel uncomfortable about that.I'm so sorry to hear about your mom , but she lives in your heart every day , same as your aunt.

     BIG HUGS to each one of you.We'll battle that beast soon!!! 

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  • vtellen
    vtellen Member Posts: 345
    edited September 2011

    The wig was a bit itchy towards the end of dinner! I started wanting to pull it up or off or something. I did have a wig liner on, so that probably helped.  Fortunately, it has cooled down up here, so the wig actually felt kind of nice outside! And yes, Madismommy, I try not to take myself too seriously! We've got to find some fun in this stuff, don't we?

    I feel for you guys w/ little kids and worrying about trick or treating. I loved trick or treating w/ my daughter! Hope you all feel up to it this year!

    Oh, did I already say that I was told radiation starts 3-4 weeks out or sooner depending on my bloodwork and how I am feeling after dose 4.

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  • DebinUtah
    DebinUtah Member Posts: 75
    edited September 2011

    Hey Vivie, although you definitely need to tell your onc about the blood, I've had bright red blood on my toilet paper quite a bit these days.  My doc said that ALL our mucus membranes (nose, eyes, vagina and rectum) get very dry both from the tx and from a lot of the nausea meds and that the blood is likely from that dryness rather than hemorroids or something worse.  But make sure they know, especially with your family history. Loved the wedding story! You need that on video!

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  • summergirl1
    summergirl1 Member Posts: 182
    edited September 2011

    VTellen, glad you enjoyed dinner last night, and the wig does actually keep you warm, its pretty cold here at the moment,

    Madismommy WOW, how do you remember all the comments and reply to everyone, I find it really hard to keep up and usually by the time I get to the bottome to write my comment I have forgotten who said what, LOL (must be the old age) or maybe chemo brain !!

    Well had a good day today (no crying) TG, did a lot of cleaning round the house then went to market, and spent last 2 hours picking blackberries , gonna relax tonight by the fire ,my energy level is back on track , yeah and still have 11 days till next TX.

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  • Vivie
    Vivie Member Posts: 52
    edited September 2011

    Debin...if that S/E was true on me...I wouldn't have a running nose bc of seasonal allergies!! it's turning to fall , and that means , congested / runny nose and swollen shut throat if I don't take my meds..ughhhh!! Definitely going to mention it though, just in case.

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  • vtellen
    vtellen Member Posts: 345
    edited September 2011

    Yeah, I had a touch of blood a few days ago. And my eyes have been driving me crazy, they have been so dry! And Summergirl, I agree w/ you! I think Madismommy is taking notes or using side by side computers or something! I can only remember 1 or 2 posts at a time!

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  • missey29
    missey29 Member Posts: 48
    edited September 2011

    Thanks summergirl! Praying harder to rely totally on Him.

    edyem - I live in Dallas. The heat is coming down. We even got some measurable rain on Friday. Love Fall!  

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  • Madismommy719
    Madismommy719 Member Posts: 781
    edited September 2011

    Lol....I scroll up and down a lot!!!! :) I could never remember everything I wanna say without cheating and looking again. :)

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  • dianamaps
    dianamaps Member Posts: 50
    edited September 2011

    Hi all.  I just came back from our local Cancer Resource Center's annual Survivors Celebration. I'm sure I wasn't the only one with active cancer there, but it was encouraging to be around people who all seemed to not be dealing with cancer at all!  

    It's great to have both a local and an online support community.

    Yesterday I tried wearing a head scarf that wasn't really big enough. I kept trying to tug it down in the back but at some point realized I'd been "flashing" my head around town.  

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  • YaYa5
    YaYa5 Member Posts: 667
    edited September 2011
    diana, you look wonderful in your avatar pic.  i love your scarf!
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  • dianamaps
    dianamaps Member Posts: 50
    edited September 2011

    Thanks, YaYa5!  Scarves are what I wear most of the time now.  It's not quite cool enough for hats all the time, and I haven't bonded with my wig yet.  And I've still got scattered patches of stubborn hair that seem unwilling to give up!   I call it the poorly plucked chicken look.

    You've got a great picture too, love the smile. Was it a good chemo day?  Did you shave your head to get it so smooth looking, or was it "coiffure by chemo"?   

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  • YaYa5
    YaYa5 Member Posts: 667
    edited September 2011
    diana, my hair was beginning to fall out so i had it shaved before it came out in clumps in the shower.  the thought of that made me sick ... i have a hair phobia!  it was an easy decision and i was glad when i was done.  it did it two weeks after my lst tx.  it's still coming out, but i don't notice it because the hairs are so tiny.  i know what you mean about the 'plucked chicken look.'  i have hairs like that too.  thank you for the compliment!
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  • Chrys23
    Chrys23 Member Posts: 291
    edited September 2011

    Evening --

    Not going to post much; I'm REALLY having bad itching/burning all over; it comes and goes (even heiny and lady parts)...Whatever....I don't want to complain. At least I went out for my wedding anniversary tonight and had some champagne.  Sealed

    I hope everyone is doing well -- take care of yourselves.

    C.

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  • YaYa5
    YaYa5 Member Posts: 667
    edited September 2011

    chrys, i've wondered why i haven't read about the s/e you're experiencing with your 'heiny and lady parts.'  i have the same thing after chemo and i think it's the chemo we're excreting when we pee.  i don't discuss it with my onco (or anyone else for that matter) so i don't know if i'm right or not.  but OUCH.  it burns, doesn't it?  i hope you're feeling better really soon and happy anniversary! 

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  • Grimbol
    Grimbol Member Posts: 326
    edited September 2011

    A friend who went thru chemo a couple of years ago told me about the nasty itching and burning and told me to get Cottonelle with Aloe, toilet tissue and wet wipes.  I have them and they are really much nicer than regular toilet paper.  I am not having too much trouble there, but I do prefer the softer paper.  Maybe you could try that.  Glad to see you posting Chrys.  Happy Anniversary, mine fell on my last chemo day, 8/31, so we went out the night before.  I am not looking forward to Wednesday, except to get one more done with.  Half way thru then.

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  • capinva
    capinva Member Posts: 138
    edited September 2011

    Will be heading out soon for my 3rd A/C. Glad I had this weekend to feel great and get stuff done around the house. Taking Emend for the first time, hope it keeps me from throwing up. Hugs to all getting tx this week and hope it is a free/minimal s/e week for all.

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  • IslandGirl50
    IslandGirl50 Member Posts: 50
    edited September 2011

    Going for AC #3 this morning.  I have a list of questions for the oncologist.  Having issues with hemorrhoids.  Not constipated or diarria but pain when i go.  Lots of blood. UGH, another thing to contend with.

    Have a good SE week everybody.  We are strong and we WILL get through this!  Thank goodness I have you guys to commiserate with!

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  • vtellen
    vtellen Member Posts: 345
    edited September 2011

    I'll join the line up! Going for 3rd T/C today! Yeehaw! Then, only ONE more to go after this. YES! I hope to get a better handle on the nasty C this time. Both nasty Cs, for that matter!

    Debin Utah- thanks for the CD suggestion. I find it very soothing. " I am relaxing" sorta.

    Chrys- What did onco say about the rash? I have seen other members talking about it on the T/C posts. Some take Benedryl to alleviate it, and an ointment, I think.

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  • Madismommy719
    Madismommy719 Member Posts: 781
    edited September 2011

    Good luck to capinva, islandgirl and Vt today!!!! Hope the. s/e's stay away for you!!!! One step closer to done!!! YAY!



    Happy anniversary Chrys! Sorry you're still having a rough time! I wish you'd feel better soon. Hugs to you!!!!



    Yaya and diana....love both your avatars!!! I think you both look great!!! Thats gonna be my head here very soon!!! I hope I can pull it off too! :0)

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  • jbagley
    jbagley Member Posts: 102
    edited September 2011

    I, too, will be going for a tx today. Taxol 1#. Quite nervous, haven't really been feeling well, really tired. Not the chemo fatigue, but I have had to lie down the last few nights.



    There were about 5,600 people participating in the Susan G Komen race for the cure with about 300,000 dollars raised. I got on the news feed with my daughter. The survivors went up on stage and a woman was singing I Will Love You Through It by Martina Mcbride. I always cry when I hear this song so my daughter came through the crowd and held my hand. The camera woman did a close up of our holding hands. It was just beautiful.



    Good luck everyone, no se this week.

    love and hugs

    jenn

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  • Madismommy719
    Madismommy719 Member Posts: 781
    edited September 2011

    Good luck Jenn!!!! I'm attending a Susan g komen race for the cure event this coming Sunday. My cousin is running in my honor....my daughter and I are going to cheer her on, looking forward to it!!!

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  • Robyn6463
    Robyn6463 Member Posts: 167
    edited September 2011

    Happy Anniversary Chrys! I hope you feel well enough to enjoy it!

    Capinva, JBagley, IslandGirl50 and VtEllen - Good luck today! I'm up on Friday. 

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  • Madismommy719
    Madismommy719 Member Posts: 781
    edited September 2011

    I'm up tomorrow and the last few days have been feeling as if I'm coming down with a bad cold.... i hope this isn't going to delay me tomorrow???  I just want to stay on track and be done before Christmas!!!!!  UGH....

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  • meholly
    meholly Member Posts: 7
    edited September 2011

    Hi all,

    I haven't checked in for a while and was so happy to find all this info.   I started my chemo and got slammed with crazy side effects, blistering ..where i was in the sun but BEFORE starting the chemo, landed in the hospital for 5 days, just awful.

    So I started round 2 friday..ding ding...and they decreased my dose 20 % to see how it goes and i must say its better but i have only that horror to compare it to.

    I hope i get through this day.

    thanks for the vent.

    Holly

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  • Taylor777
    Taylor777 Member Posts: 141
    edited September 2011

    Hi Everyone...I havent been on here in a few days...I have been so damned depressed!! I know it's all about positive thinking but with my hair falling out like crazy!!!! I just left my hair alone in a pony tail and headband and everytime my headband would fall off ughhhh so much hair would come out!! So yesterday went to my hairdresser and had her just shave it all off!! Having my breast off was nothing but this hair thing is complete torture!! So I shaved it off and it feels so much better that I don't have to see it come out in chunks!!

    Thinking of all you who are having tx!! Hope you are all doing well Laughing

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  • summergirl1
    summergirl1 Member Posts: 182
    edited September 2011

    Taylor777 .   WELL DONE,!!!!!!!!  so proud of you, you have taken this HUGE step and Im glad u feel better now, its so devastating watching it fall out especially when its so long, and yes its not easy at all , I really really really miss mine and some days get down about it but keep tryiing to tell myself its only temporary, when I had mine shaved it was about 1/4 inch off my head and know its like someone else said a badly plucked chicken LOL , think Im gonna have my son get the razor out tonight and finish it off cant stand this patchy look its awful. OH and Dont forget to stay away from the oven if you are wearing a wig I made that mistake and know have a frizzy patch at the front , hoping they will replace it when I get up to Dublin next.  and try stay positive we can vent to each other as I hate it too. xx

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