January 2012 chemo

Went to the wig shop this afternoon since I start chemo on Thurs. (port going in Wed) and the owner said that my hair is too thick and too long to try a wig now. So I need to get a short cut first. Ugh.

CharB22 - It looks like we will be having the same treatment 4 of AC and 4 of Taxol.  I take my steroids during treatment.  I think they gave me 3 pills right before the infusion and I took 2 today and will have 2 tomorrow.  I forget the name,  It starts with dex. I'm too lazy to go look right now.

You will be pleased with the port I think.  As long as there is no infection, it makes the whole process easier I think.  There was virtually no pain associated with it other than the soreness from its placement.  Mine was put in on Wednesday and I used it Friday.  No problems so far.

DianeNMil - It's all surreal, to be honest.  Every time "something" happens I am reminded that I have breast cancer - sometimes, I kinda forget.  Then something intrudes on my denial, er, forgetting, and I'm right back to asking "How the hell did I get here?"

Like buying a wig.  There are only two local places and both are "beauty suppy" stores with wig sections in the back.  They're behind swinging doors - kinda reminds me of the old "adult only" section of the video rental stores.  Prices ranged from $20 to $300.  I hated the first place - just felt funny, and the clerk was actually rude.  Second place allowed me to try on only three choices, and I fell in love with the first one and bought it.  $20.  I was told to buy a $20 wig because I'll end up hating it and refusing to wear it at some point, so why spend the money?   I love the style - except that it looks like a dang wig.  So Monday I call my insurance company to check on how much they'll cover (then there's the question of how does this get paid for?  Do I pay for it first and get reimbursed, or will a reputable wig salon "take" my insurance card?).  I want to go to a salon that will, well, spoil me a little and cater to me.  And treat me like the cancer patient I am.

Does that sound awful?  

The haircut was both horrible and beautiful.  I hated doing it because I knew I would be losing my hair anyway, but I loved having the control over doing it. Having a short cut will limit the shock and awe when it starts to fall out.  I am hoping I have shed my last tear over my hair, but probably not. 

Bone scan and EKG on Monday; think good thoughts for me, please, because I'm terrified they'll find something on the bone scan and I just cannot take anymore surprises or bad news.  Then port placement on Thursday and chemo school on Friday.  

I learned an interesting side-note:  steroids are given with Adramyacin because it's made from conifers, and many people have allergic reactions to conifers.  My DS suggested I simply drink more Tanqueray, which is made from juniper - a conifer.  He might be on to something. 

Sorry for my ramblings - hard day here.  Love to you all, and g'night.

Nancy

NancyHB

I too wish I could say I've cried the last tear over my hair. I know I haven't though. I start my treatments Tuesday. I plan to get my hair cut one evening this week. For some reason I imagine I will feel bad about still having hair at my first treatment. I would like to have it cut before Tuesday but can't get an appointment until Wednesday or later. I dread it all. An aquaintence asked me the other day when we we talking about the side effects of chemo, "well, do you like your hair? I mean, is it that important to you?" my answer..."well yeah, it's framed my face for 45 years and yep I like it." what a stupid question.

Janetanned - I did look around the store, but the lady there didn't seem like she wanted to bother with me. She just told me to get my haircut first then come back. She didn't offer to show me anything. I'm a little annoyed because I had heard so many good things about this wig shop. I'm not sure if I want to go back there.

Where did you get your wig? I'm just over the bridge in NJ and I work in Philly.

My "cranial prothesis" is not covered. I checked (I work for BC/BS which really stinks that they can't cover it for one of the own associates!). However, if I lived in DE, it would be covered - state mandate. Maybe I should start writing to Christie to see if NJ can mandate it the way DE does. It should at least be covered under "mental health." But I can't complain much, I've had to pay very little so far and my chemo and raditation is covered at 100%.

Glad to hear you had a good experience with the port. My BS is putting mine in and he's excellent, so I think/hope I'll be fine. Still....ick....

Char--



I understand how you feel. I have a large community of friends who are constantly asking me too. Followed by "you look so good!" I wanna say "yeah cause the poison hasn't started yet." They do mean well, but it does get old.



I have 3 apps next week too. Monday is the onc appt, tues radiation onc, and thurs port placement. Have you decided to to radiation? I'm having trouble deciding cause I fall in the grey area. I had a BMX in Dec. My children are still very young so the reality of this isnt aware to them. It makes healing little harder but I can spare them the emotional stuff.

By the way, For you Facebookers Im Rhonda Harrison Cole and I have been putting some head scarf ideas on my page. I have some BC friends on my page. Im thinking we should start on own page so as not to irritate my other friends but so far all my church friends want to see it all too.

Anyway, feel free to add me if you'd like.

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.  I started my chemo January, 2011 and finished in June.  It is doable and you will survive. I had a port and it made the chemo so much easier.

Char-I am waiting on my Brca test too. I had 3 tumors all under 2cm so they wanted at least the breast removed with the cancer. I opted for a double just to be done with it. I really don't want radiation if it's not necessary.

Mimidi,

Thanks for the encouragement!

Hi Char

My MO told me that it is advantageous to exercise and Not gain weight during chemo...better outcome. I'm trying as much as my energy allows. I've been getting out for 15, 30, minutes walks, since the weather has been so weirdly warm here for January in PA. I have a treadmill, but hate it.,

Strangely, my weight has remained the same since day before surgery, so that's good.

NancyHB -  No that doesn't sound horrible!  We find ourselves in a horrible place of emotional ups and downs that are sometimes beyond our control and we SHOULD have people around us that are sensitive to it.  My first go around....08 DCIS unilateral mast......I was a emotional mess and DRs kept saying the stupidest things to me!  Havnt quite got to that point this time but I havn't started chemo yet.   My Cancer center has a boutique with scarfs and wigs and stuff.  Have you checked the hospital?  Maybe if they do not have anything in house they can recommend somewhere?  Good luck with your scan.......love and prayers coming your way.

CharB and Kite-  I had to crack up when I read your post about the "how do you feels?"  Someone said to me the other day "you look so good!! "  I haven't started treatment yet so I'm glad she doesnt think I look like shit!  lol.  They do mean well.  I try to educate them instead of getting annoyed but I know it is a little exasperating.

Echo Tues...hopefully chemo before end of week...want to get this over with!

Well, I'm doing okay into Day 4, but I was sluggish and achey this morning. Made it through my rehearsal, but the wig drove me nuts - they're putting the orchestra on the stage instead of the usual pit band area, and I had a spotlight shining on the top of my head the whole time. I had been warned when I got the wig about not wearing it EVER if I cook (a good point to remember - you don't want to open the oven with a wig on; it won't catch fire, but if it's synthetic, it might start to melt...) and I kept checking to make sure it wasn't too hot. I'm feeling a little 'off' but so far haven't had any really bad SEs. I'm starting to suspect that my taste is getting ready to abandon me, though, but it's threatened before and stayed around, so who knows?

As for exercise, I've also heard it's good to get exercise. It helps your mood and energy, and you do want to stay in good shape. I'm wary about using a public gym, but as long as I keep my hand sanitizer, I would like to start going again (I haven't since surgery). 

Yes, that's the start of it. Someone described it like when you pull your hair too tightly into a ponytail. You'll also notice that you'll feel like you're sleeping on steel wool - I think the chemo triggers a change in the texture of your hair. 

CharB22 - I got my wig at a cute little shop in Media, Delaware County.  Not too close to you.  Its called Lovely You and is owned and operated by a women who worked many years in radiology departments of local hospitals.  She is familiar with the effects of chemo and other hair loss problems.  The shop is small but very comfortable.  She was very helpful and she offered good advice on other issues that come up with chemo.  She has a local hairdresser who can trim your wig to make it look more like your style if needed.  I had my hair trimmed to match my wig instead.

I still can't get a clear answer to whether or not Blue Cross will cover any cost.  I didn't have the correct procedure code when I called on Friday.  I have a feeling that they won't.  Someone told me about Delaware.  If only PA and NJ followed suite!  It sounds like you work at BC/BS in center city?  My neighbor works there and my daughter's boyfriend is an intern there (Drexel U).