Taxotere/Cytoxan starting February 2012.

I have a bit of hair growing back in on my head too, just kind of sparse prickly bits, but enough that I want to shave it again. Leg hair is pretty much gone and haven't had to shave in a while, same with under arms. Eye brows and eye lashes are both hanging on, thining a little bit but not much. Arms, etc seem to be a bit thinner but again not really noticable.  

All, I haven't posted for a while, and just read about a week's worth of posts here and on the Feb chemo thread. I'm glad everyone seems to be doing well. I have been exercising and drinking tons of fluids. I am more tired at the end of the second chemo cycle than after the end of the first chemo cycle, but am hanging in. Today was my last day before round three on Thursday, so I took the day off work and took my twin 8-year old daughters to the zoo. DH had to work, but we had a wonderful time. Temperature in D.C. was in the high 70s (unheard of in March). We had a lovely day. A friend of mine who dealt with cancer 30 years ago told me to make sure that I enjoyed the really good days when they came along, and that's what we did today. So nice before the next round of chemo.



I know that at least four of us are having chemo tomorrow. Good luck to all of you. I don't post during chemo because I have to take so many anti-nausea drugs (nausea during chemo has a been a real problem for me, even with Emend and tons of Lorazapam). I even threw up during first chemo but have avoided it since then. Bottom line -- I am just too drugged to be useful on chemo day. On top of that, we are dealing with cold caps, so the entire day is an ordeal. The good news, after tomorrow, just one more to go.



BTW, I asked my MO about 4 versus 6 TCs. She told me there was no evidence that 6 TCs were better than 4, but that there is study comparing 6 TCs to TAC. Results are not yet known.



Wishing little SEs for all.

Good Morning Ladies,

silviazara: My Oncologist said I can continue to exercise. She did recommend I do ONLY one activity a day. I do what I feel I can. If I feel I can do boot camp & run I will. She also mentioned the more exercising done the more toxic the chemo can be (if heart rate is constantly elevated). Hence, why she was recommending only one activity a day.  

Mom2JJ: Glad you popped back in...GREAT to hear from you! Wishing you the best today!  

Last night I went to listen to a few speakers discuss The Anti-Cancer Diet (Based on Book Anti Cancer A New Way of Life by David Servan-Schreiber). It was pretty good! Here are a couple websites they mentioned,  www.helpguide.org/life/healthy_diet_cancer_prevention.htm & www.aicr.org.

Yesterday started with a bit of a runny nose & allergy like symptoms to me. I have no fever and my nose is not bloody yet this time.  

XOXO,

Bonnie

When you arise in the morning think of what a privelege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love... ~ Marcus Aurelius

Hope all are having a good day today. Prayers are for all.

Yesterday was a good day.  I know this was my first round of chemo and that this is the easiest one.  But I am so greatful it was not as bad as I had been expecting.  Today I am a little tired, but figure it is because no Dex. today.  I have an EN&T appointment tomorrow.  The PET scan had showed something at the top part of my throat.  They said I could have swallowed during it and that is what they are seeing.  Just want to make sure nothing is there.  Since I fell asleep a couple of times and woke myself up snoring.  LOL!!! Maybe that was it.  Maybe I can convice the Dr. to give me a C-Pap for snoring.

Silviazara, Mom2JJ, Leveled - Prayers are going with you today.  

Mom2JJ - Glad you had such a good time at the Zoo.  Prayers with you too today.

Leveled - For me, now that I finished the first round, I feel more better about all this.  Still don't like the idea, but it was not as awful as I had imagined in my mind.  It is the unknown that I think got me the most.  Not to mention, no control.  

AEM47, NikkEliz - Wow, I was looking forward to no underarm and leg hair. To me that was going to be a perk.  

Kim48 - Did not have the Neulasta shot.  My Doc  said she preferrs not to give it unless my count goes way down.  It is at 4000 before my tx.  Will see how it goes at Labs next Tuesday.  

 To everyone I have missed mentioning, you are in my prayers too.  Thank you all for sharing so honestly.  You are all a great comfort to me.

Mom2JJ so glad you were able to make yesterday a wonderful day with your girls.Very good advice to enjoy the days you are feeling good.

AEM47 I do recall someone that is part of my Chemo team telling me that we loose the hair because its timing and interrupts the hair follicle growth.So we would see it start to grow at times but will also fall out during again treatments.More of a tease and aggravation this way.

Myleftboob great you feel liberated after getting rid of the hair.I am struggling with this now and was really hoping to at least get through my 2nd TX before I do this.We will see what happens over the weekend.

RuthieG  I was also promised the Chemo-pause and have yet to see it.In fact had it the week before 1st TX and for 2 weeks spotting then a feel another full blown one this week.This was the one good thing I was looking forward to ,besides no more shaving.

 Not sure if any of you felt like this but for me other than the hair loss this week I am absolutely normal.If it wasn't for that I would swear it was all a bad dream.

silviazara -  My third T/C was not a picnic.  The nausea started earlier and I had that yucky taste in  my mouth right away.  I also was much more tired.  Having said that it did pass, except for being tired all the time, the past week has been pretty good.  Of course, next week is #4 so I will have to go through this one more time but at least I know it is the last time for all these things.  Hope you can rest this weekend and just sleep through all the yuck.

MomtoJJ -  Hope today went okay for you and easy SE's

Silvazara- they ended up getting it in my forearm off to the side... Very awkward. I had to keep my arm straight and flipped up the entire time. They tried my veins on the inside of my wrist - it was less that comfortable and it looks ugly to say the least!



Good night ladies!

I feel quite bad feeling sorry for myself this morning after reading what everyone has been going through yesterday and today.  This was day four after first round and had nausia, dizziness, and all joints aching.  Took meds and it helped the neasia, I have no taste though.  Lemon wataer seems to be the only thing that tastes good.  I am doing better now, but so tired. But getting nervous again about what is ahead.

DH took me to the EN&T today.  Very relieved, throat is clear, said probably swallowed during PET test. Told him I fell asleep and woke myself snoring.  He said that would do it.  On the plus sign he gave me a prescription for a C-Pap.  My DH is respiratory and I had one awhile back.  Slept like a baby.  EN&T doc said no reason not to get another and not have to have a sleep apnea test.  So when this is all over will use one again and get some good nights sleep.  

Everyone - I am keeping each of you in my prayers.  I am so sorry for all the SEs.  You are in my thoughts all the time.

Woodburns, So glad you had good news about scan!! What a relief!!



Joan, I know what you mean. I hope I will never take feeling good for granted kin the future!



Glad that many of you put another treatment behind you this week.



I agree that some SE increase on round 3. I'm on Day 10 after 3rd T/C. I am fighting a terrible cold. Atlanta is in full spring and I have bad allergies which are making it worse. I can't stop coughing. They called in antibiotics on Tues. I'm glad because for the first time my WBC is low . The first time it was 16+ so they gave me 1/2 Neulasta on round 2, it stayed in the normal range so they did 1/2 shot again for round 3, today my WBC was only 3.5. I guess my strong first grade teacher immune system has finally been hit by chemo. I am praying for this not to get worse. Looks like I'm staying home and away from any crowds and out of pollen. It's 80 in Atlanta this weekend! Bummer!



I think of you all each day. *hugs* to all, but not in person! No passing this cold to any of you!!!!!!

Hello Everyone, I haven't been posting since I have had a bad time of it lately.  Had a severe allergic reaction to the T, so now we have had to change for this 3rd tx yesterday. So I got AC instead, aka the Red Devil.  Nausea hit in just a couple of hours and pretty much been out of it today.  But I am half way through!  

Somedays it just seems to be to much.  I really  appreciate everyone sharing.  It helps to keep my going.

 Marlene 

A_Fighter,

So glad to hear that your mom is not in pain now and it sounds like they are taking wonderful care of her and you.   I can relate to how you felt when you got home.  I had my lumpectomy on the 23rd of December and suddenly lost my father (3000 miles away) on December 29th.  My husband came running in the room cause I hit the floor in tears and pain.  I had planned to spend Christmas with him but my diagnosis changed all that.  I still feel as though I haven't been able to truly grieve.  

I hope you enjoy your event today.  I think that stepping outside the box is sometimes necessary for our growth.  

I  don't know what I would do without my friends.  They keep me up when I get down.

Prayers for you, your mother and all of you!

Marlene 

Hi All

Congrats to those with another one under their belt! Hope SE's start to get better. Mine have been manageable, a bit worse on the nausea side, but still no bone pain or fever so fingers crossed there!

Bonnie: Sorry to hear about your mom, glad she's getting such good care and is doing better though! *hugs* Thoughts are with you both! Have fun at your event today!

AEM47: My Eyelashes are just lightly thinning, Eyebrows too. Not too bad though, hopefully they'll hang on enough that I don't notice that much, btu I do have to colour in the brows now so that they don't look like a small chunk is missing in one.

Hi everyone --- 

Feeling great on day 18 -- but treatment #2 is leering at me just around the corner. SO not looking forward to going through the cycle again. 1 down, 3 to go. It will be done.

Imlola -- yes Miracle Mouthwash is prescription. They had me swallow it for sore throat in case it was thrush -- which I did 'ever so slightly'. seemed to work. 

AEM47 -- why were you able to avoid the Neulasta shot? Your counts were up that high? I'm told if counts are high enough -- I'll get half the dosage for round 2.

NikkEliz -- LOVE the blue wig! Please let me know if Claritin D works for you. I tried reg 24 and it didn't work for me. I took the 1st pill right after treatment, but some others took it before treatment. I'm going to try that as well. 

Bonnie -- sorry to hear about your mom! Glad she's in good hands.  Good luck if you run the 5K. You're energy is an inspiration! 

I'm going to ask about slower cytoxan since I've had a headache in some form or other (mild or more) everyday since treatment... and I'm on day 18. 

Marlene -- do you mean you had severe allergic reaction to T on your SECOND treatment? Damn. I thought if it didn't happen the 1st time, it likely wouldn't happen the second time. 

So my hair is shedding -- though it doesn't gross me out, could be that my tolerance is high from having a large breed dog and a hairy boyfriend. I had cut my long hair to chin-length before 1st tx, its now, on day 18, beginning to take on a slight "dread-lock" look. Dread-locks are common where I live and I've always liked the look. So I'm going to let it play out and see what happens. At some point, I expect to buzz it -- but as long as its looking okay as is -- I'll leave it. 

Have decided no wig, will just wear hats -- newsboys and beanies -- I have one turbon/scarf combo for fun. I've made a halo from the hair I'd cut off already, which when worn under my hats will work enough when I don't feel like looking like a cancer ad. Otherwise, I'll just wear hats.  I think its interesting how we each handle the hair loss in our own individual way. I imagine this summer, when its hot, going "topless", or with just hats, might feel good. 

Anyone know -- once treatment is over -- when hair begins growing back? How long until you have about an inch? 

Oh -- friend me on facebook if you want to connect over there too: shera delia  

Hi all,

As those before me I decided to buzz the head this morning I could no longer stand the shedding .This was done alcohol and tear free which I was very proud of. Was able to try the wig on without hair and find the fit will be ok but I think it is to full for me so I am going to go down and see if I can get it thinned a bit this week.But it is good to know that an average fits.Also was very curious to see the shape of my head doesn't seem to have any flat spots so looks like mom did a good job of not leaving me to long in the crib.I think right now I like the halo and hat as my scalp is still a bit sensitive but assume this will pass also. Only problem I have with the hats is they seem to keep falling forward so may have to look for some type of tightener for these.But is done and feels so much better.