October 2011 Chemo group

My hair started falling out today, exactly on day 14. Not big clumps or anything...at first I thought the cat had shed on me! Never noticed before that our hair is about the same length and mix of colors.

cfdr: I remember when Mine started to fall out, a bit at first then in clumps.... Please be ready for when that happens It was heart breaking for me to see it happen..... But we are all here for you Hugs 

Ladies, hope you all don't mind me popping in here. Maybe I can help a little. Good for you, hopefully, and good for me. 

I finished  chemo in late June, 2011.

I drank tonnnns of water and cocoanut water to stay hydrated during chemo. I did 4 AC DD followed by 4 Taxol DD --so 2 weeks apart.  Lots of side effects, but nothing I couldn't handle. I'm 44, in great shape, athletic, no major health issues previously except some broken bones that healed really well.  Lost over 20 lbs during chemo.  Chemotherapy is no fun. It is very difficult, but doable.  

You are going through something really hard!  Be gentle with yourself, but be tough.  You matter.  Your fight against cancer matters to so many people. People you don't even know. You're going to get through this!

HAIR --was thick and long --down to my lower back. Always had bangs. It started slowly popping out around 10 days after my first treatment. I babied it --minimal brushing, etc. Had my second treatment on day 14, and the hair was popping out in clumps. I had so much hair that it wasn't really noticable, and I just kept being really gentle with it.  That was a Wednesday. So I decided I'd use my vacuum cleaner hose to suck it out on Friday night. Got that idea from one of these discussion threads.  But Friday morning it just came out in handfuls. Was sad, but kind of a relief.  I sucked out as much as I could and then cut the clumps that remained real short. I threw on a scarf and headed into work.  The vacuum really worked for me.

I couldn't find a wig that would stay on my tiny head (even tried children's wigs!), so I wore some nice silk scarves and Buffs --stretchy cool looking scarves --get them online or REI, EMS, sporty stores.

Sores -mouth, hands, feet, elsewhere (!) --Witch Hazel worked to sooth and heal quickly.

Be well. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Thanks everyone for your well wishes.  Terry71, yes I would appreciate to see the pictures if you don't mind.  Can I ask why they did a piccline instead of a port for you?  When I originally asked my oncologist why I had to get a port instead of doing it through an IV he response was the chemicals they are using tends to burn through veins....those words are haunting me now as I wonder what in the hell it does when it leaks from a port!  I do not think they know for sure that is what happened, it is just what the surgeon told me he was concerned about and why he put me on the week of antibiotics.  The redness is starting to go down some but it still has a burning sensation in and around the port..which I doubt is good.  Can you get the piccline wet and does it restrict your movement at all?   On a lighter note, I am ditching my wig and just ordered several hats, turbans and  scarfs from tlc.  Spent $300 on the wig and it is uncomfortable and just not me.  I am cute as a button without hair, so decided I would be a hat person and be comfortable. 

Target has some really cute knit hats right now that give good coverage and are not tightly fitted. And they are not very $$$ - so that helps

Good luck to those of you having your second treatment today! I hope those who just have their first are doing okay with few side effects. 

My hair has been falling out gradually over the past two days. I have been wearing a hat to catch all the stray hairs. Today may be the day I have my husband give me a buzz cut. It's only hair, right? Thanks for sharing your wig stories. I have not gotten a wig because I just don't think it is me, but I am having second thoughts now that the hair is going. I was seriously considering a halo wig. Is that what you are waiting for wildrumara? I think I could handle that. 

I encourage all of you to go to a Look Good, Feel Better workshop. I met some wonderful women and it was nice to learn some make-up tips and ways to help when I no longer have eye brows. There really are a lot of products out there! 

Have a great day everyone! My oldest son is coming home from college this weekend! I am so looking forward to his visit! 

Hi October Chemo group. I would like to join in. I was diagnosed late July, had lumpectomy and SNB Aug. 8th and started chemo AC/DD Oct.4th. I had my second of 4 sessions Oct.18th and will follow with Taxol/DD for 4 sessions also, followed by radiation so should be finished up maybe Feb.2012.

I am mother to 2 daughters, nana to 4 Grandchildren ( all under 5) and wife to a very supportive husband. I feel for those of you are have young ones to care for, a job you need to go to and those with little support...I am lucky in those regards, this is a journey where one needs backup and care.

I don't know about most, but I feel as though I am living someone else's life at present and it is confirmed visually every time I pass the mirror as we buzzed my hair last night in anticipation of the inevitable fall out. I can't wait to see my Grandies reaction!

First treatment for me was full of anxiety...not knowing what to expect and what SE's would happen and how I would handle them. This time, I knew ahead what to do to help with some in adance so  that helped. I think being flexible will be the key - and just keeping distracted and carrying on as normal as possible. I have been following along through the month and found the helpful hints, camaraderie and support very helpful. I have found that eating raw parsley helps with acid reflux, and eating a couple of plain crackers or cookies at 2 hour intervals is of benefit. We try and walk when weather permits and I always like a ride in the countryside to fill in time.Copios amounts of water is essential too.

I couldn't find a way to acccess the diagnosis section ( I am not all that computer literate ) but I had a 3.4cm tumour, 0/1 nodes,clear margins, and am triple neg.

Thanks in advance for including me on this bump in the road we didn't choose.  

Welcome Juls- I am on the same treatment as you and I just started last wednesday. Nurse came today to give me the neulesta needle. Love port Dover and I was on the beach in Dover when my doctor called me to tell me it was cancer. He had just received the results. I also have relatives along the erie shore. Small world. If you go into " my home" at the top you can access your diagnosis from there. You can click on the answers and it will populate your diagnosis. Try that and if it doesn't work I will try to get you a more detailed explanation.

Diana

Your very welcome Juls, Midland is nice too.. Bike week is the best we go every year :-)  spelling mistakes  Blahh its all good we all do it LOl and it is chemo brain hehe.......  I personally am feeling great almost done chemo 2 more treatments then on to radiation for 5 weeks...... Hope ou keep in touch with Us.... Hugs terry

Maya -- I'm pretty sure the picc line has to stay dry. Don't know how they bandage it up to achieve that.  Wildrumara (love the name) -- have you tried having someone style your wig?  I wasn't entirely crazy about mine when I tried it on, but the wig shop thinned it in places and cut it up over my ear (the way I normally wear my hair) and it really made a big difference.  (That was kind of a weird experience.  She cut it while I was wearing it.  Kind of like getting a manicure with gloves on LOL).

 I ordered a halo too and I'm not crazy about it.  The shortest one I could get is too long and too curly, even though it's supposed to be straight.  I'm going to try to trim it, but I can't get the blasted thing to lay flat enough to work with it.

This morning my DH took scissors and trimmer to the remains of my crazy ass hair and I am now officially bald.  Oddly enough I feel so much better now that all the tufts and  patches are gone I even took a picture of myself and sent it to a few good friends.

Wishing everyone a great weekend! 

Auntie Anne -   Oh I did.....had her put low lights in it, style it like mine.  I still hate it.  Again, I am just pissed that I paid so much money for it and I still hate it.  I am probably going to go back to her and have her thin it out in places. I', also going to take a hot iron to it and try and not make it so poofy on the sides.  .I could have gotten a synthetic and been happier for so much less.  Oh well.....it is what it is.  I will only wear it for special occasions over the holidays.

mn: I am in Canada and I go every 3 weeks for treatment I am currently on Docitaxil and herceptin now just started Oct 7th, next treatment is the 27th, I was knocked down for almost 2 weeks and it sucked big time, massive joint pain I could hardly walk, the last few days have been ok still a bit run down and tired.. NOT looking forward to the next treatment at all, but only 1 more after that then Im done with chemo and on to 5 weeks of radiation. YUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope all works out well for you and that the drugs needed to BEAT this get better in India, hugs to you

@terry...ya bt almst all here get on a 21 day regime. bt dey say its a new method of 14 days used now a days..so was jst askin if ne1 else here is going through the same.

newayz i will have to...

Hi again:

It seems to be up and down doesn't it? I  felt fine the first day after tx this session but the last three days have not been great. I thought I had it figured out- guess not. Hope you are all taking it easy and feel better soon. I also have a rotten cold so maybe that is part of it too. On a funny note. I borrowed a wig from a friend who raved about how much she loved it: but I think it makes me look more like the "Shaggy Dog". Maybe best just try hats and scarves for now. Hugs, Juls