October 2011 Chemo group

 Ladies for those with stomach issues and if you have thrush issues, take acidophilus or primadophilus daily and double it the day before and during chemo. I started it two days ago (little late) and it really helped me. It is an active probiotic.  I got thrush so bad this last treatment, I couldn't eat for days and could barely gag water down. It was just awful.

I'm doing pretty good. only issue is mouth is sore. don't have thrush, just very tender. been doing the magic mouthwash-gawd I hate the taste of that. and drinking lots of water.

no bumps on head, just got this hair stubble that is having trouble falling out. have to pull it. messy

been doing fruit shakes, soft foods 

Hi Everyone,

My new favorite drink is a glass 3/4 full of ice water and I top it off with cranberry juice. I thought I would share in case some of you are as sick of plain water as I am!

MRBerton I feel your pain! This last time I had horrible acne on my scalp. I did put a Neutrogena product on it called Clear Complextion and it seemed to help a little. It will clear up. I am 13 days post last treatment and my head is all clear.

I have been very lucky in that I have not had any mouth sores-one of the few side effects I have not experienced! I use Biotene toothpaste and mouth wash. I brush every time after I eat. I also suck on ice during treatment.

A quote I found that hit home with me is this: "You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have". I wish you all strength today!

TallM-great news with your progress-you keep kicking that cancer!

Luvrving-you look sassy with your red hair coming back in.How are you feeling generally, six weeks out from tx?

Terry-bet you are anxious to get your last treatment over. I have my last one of A/C on Tuesday and then onto the Taxol. I have heard that the nausea isn't as bad but the aches and pains start-anyone got any comments on this transition? I think I'll load up on Tylenol. These sore feet are awful- can't even go for short walks...I am hobbling like a 90 year old! At least they don't hurt when I am sitting-I think my butt will be flatter soon!

I haven't had any head pimple issues and my hair still hasn't completely fallen out although it is thinning-still bristly and I just use my regular shampoo. I have developed some pimple type spots on my body- that clear by themselves- guess it's the system breaking down somewhat.

Anybody else feeling queasy a lot of the time? I am on the verge most days and all day. Makes it hard to get the water down- I shall try the cranberry juice with it-white tea seems okay too.

Carla-I don't know how do your job- any chance of taking a leave- it all seems just simply too much to deal with!

Dia123-I'll maybe look into the wellness group although a little harder for me to get at from here in Dover.We seem to be on the highway a lot as it is.

Have a pleasant rest of the day and get some rest all,    Warm Hugs and Thoughts, Juls

And i still dont know how to post pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its making me sad.....

WIM- I came across that quote a few weeks ago and it became one of my favorites also.



Juls- I hope you don't mind or think it forward of me, but i did a little research and found that Simcoe has some support groups there. I think it's much closer to you. If you google "CSRP Simcoe" it should appear.

Terry - there are a couple tricks to posting pictures.  First, your picture must be on the internet somewhere, it won't post from your computer's hard drive. So Facebooks, Flickr, Picasa, Shutterfly...any of those places are examples of where you can upload your photo.  Once you've done that, if you are using Internet Explorer, you can click on the picture, right click your mouse and select copy, then click inside the text box here, right click and select paste.  It will ask you if you want to allow the external content and you answer yes.  From other browsers (Chrome, Firefox, etc), click on the little green tree icon in the grey area above the text box, then paste the picture link in the Image URL text box. 

 Juls - I am feeling quite well and have regained most of my energy even though I had surgery 2 1/2 weeks ago to remove my TEs and a quick office procedure to remove my port.  I did feel more joint aches and pains during Taxol, especially on days four and five.  I had Neulasta with Taxol, too, and I did continue to take claritin.  That red hair, by the way, is right out of a bottle!  My hair was coming in more white than grey and I decided I needed to spice it up a bit.  I tried a reddish color the first time and it came out sort of copper.  This time (two weeks later) I used chestnut brown.  It still pulled mostly red but it's darker and looks better.  It's kinda fun!  My kids say I look "artsy"...lol. My eyes are green so the red is not out there too much.  It's a non-permanent color, so I can change it again in a few weeks.  Might as well have fun with it!  And I am finally getting eyelashes and eyebrows, yippee!!!

Hang in there, sisters, you can get through this!  Hugs to all!

Terry-

Beautiful before & after! It is a shocker. I'm so sorry you had to lose your beautiful hair too:o. I like that you posted & figured out how to:) I'll have to see if can figure that out eventually:) I haven't lost all mine yet. I have a pixie cut to help transition. You're a brave women! Hangmim there. I hope don't shed to many tears. Our morphing bodies make it so we hardly recognize ourselves when we pass by a mirror. I guess we are to remember our inner beauty & embrace the new exotic look.



Hugs-

Malinda

Terry you look great!  Both the before & after pics!  Where do you live with all those wonderful trees?  We don't have to all be raving beauties to look wonderful in our pictures.  Ok my friends!  On to conquer next week!

If any of you have facebook you can add me Terry LeBreton-Dashnay

An FYI I didn't mention that may help is Popsicles. It's a temporary relief of the tongue/metal taste. I found some cocunut & other subtle flavors that taste good at the health food store.



Good luck this week to all us raving, exotic beauties:)

-Malinda

Hello all I had my first round og chem on Oct. 27th and was very scared. I did not know what to expect. My Oncologist stayed with me and put my mind at ease. I have been taking a walk everyday I find that the walks give me more energy. I do have to say that when you are tired just rest. My next chemo is Nov 17th that is a week from Thanksgiving but I feel so blessed that everyone around me is cooking something and bringing it to my house so that if I need to rest for awhile I can and dont have to worry about messing up anyones holiday. I feel so good about that.

Michelle - thanks for the info on the pics. Good advice as always!