March 2012 chemo

Thanks, kltb04, that's good to know. Thanks to amymomof5!

I thought I'd post this for those behind me, timewise, on their chemo schedules and pose a question for those ahead of me....(started AC March 1, but on a every other week schedule on Wednesdays now).

The Thursdays, the week after chemo, must be my "nadir" day.  When blood counts are at their lowest.  I slightly noticed the first Thursday, the 2nd one I stayed home from work (that killed me as this was starting to appear to be the first day I reliably came out of the "yuck!" and I need to work), but today, bam...down for the count. 

Has anyone else noticed the one day they are extra extra tired or know how long it will last?  Last time I went back to work the next day, but not so sure that will happen tomorrow. 

Amy...I am one week into my third tx and have been wearing my wig since day 15 of the first. Mine doesn't itch anymore and I can wear it all day without issues. It does get better! I also had weird red bumps on my head at first but they have all cleared up. Washing it helps with the itch...and kind of dulls the shininess a bit. The weather up here in Canada might be helping though...just had about 6" of snow yesterday. I couldn't imagine wearing my wig in the heat...yuk.



Is anybody getting a tingly face? I have had tingly cheeks a couple of days each tx.

Ktlb - thats exactly what it feels like!



I still have stubble on my head. I shaved it to about 1/4" and its grown to about 3/4". Shaving it off was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life and I am mad every time I look at it. My friends and family think I'm brave and strong but when I look in the mirror I am the exact opposite. Its hard...you have to do it in your own way. If you can't do it...just cover it up with your wig or a scarf.

Good morning ladies!  Just was checking in on the chemo thread and wanted to tell you all that although it is tough, life does get better.  Stay strong.  Lean on each other.  I was in the August 2010 thread and those ladies helped me get through some very tough days.  It is so nice to be able to talk to people who really do know EXACTLY how you feel. Better days are ahead.  I know that is sometimes hard to believe, but it is true.  On the tough days I also found the Success Stories! thread on this site was fabulous.  Very inspirational.  It was started by Carmelle in June of 2003 in case you want to use the search function to find it).  There are 30 pages of stories.  When you are feeling down go there to read a couple pages, it should perk you up a little.  

Thinking and praying for you all.  Be tough and kick cancer's butt!

Hugs,

Michelle 

mommichelle

Thanks for popping by.  It's so encouraging when someone that's been through TX.  You have perked me up already!  I will check out that thread though for usre.

KCB

Glad you out of ER.  Interesting about the readings.  I guess unless you end up getting bloodwork there would be no way of knowing what those counts were.  Being in the GTA myself, you likely don't get bloodwork until before chemo like me. Scary.

For all the ladies either doing or have recently done the big shave.  I'm so looking forward to when we are all done chemo and we can start comparing notes on hair growth!!!! I have been visiting the thread called Hair, Hair, Hair and have found it so encouraging.  Alot of the ladies post pics there and I find it helpfull when I'm feeling down about being bald.

My DH's Aunt did 6 rounds of TC about a year and a half ago.  She's in her early 60's and quite a stylish lady.  She's in another province and I have only met her once mind you but she sent me to her FB pics for before, during and after.  I have to say her hair came in so lovely and better than it ever was in her adult life.  She always died it like alot of us that go gray, but it came in such a beautiful silver and really thick that she has left it as is.  Just georgeous!! At nearly 50 I'm not ready to be gray and will be dying it at some point.

Morning ladies -  Kim, I feel ya.  Kids are out of school and DH working from home so I thought I would sleep in.  No such luck - one cat started scratching on my bedroom door at dawn, then I woke up and had to use the bathroom, then the youngest got up etc...etc...oh well, I did get to sleep in about 30 more minutes and no one is in a rush.  Good luck with the big shave.

MLB - I would about be willing to be money that mine will be coming in gray even at my ripe old age of 38.  I started getting gray streaks at about 18 to the point that it almost looks like I did it on purpose.  The more I cut/shave off, the grayer it is at the roots.  

 Mommichelle - thanks for the encouragement!

Amy - geez, lovely huh?  Oh well, he's a kid.  I know I am getting confused too - decided to leave mine the same but took my real name out of my sig - I don't care if y'all use it though!

Well, no great plans for today - l have let the laundry go the last couple days so need to get caught up and still need to decide where we are going tomorrow.  I just feel like the weekend before chemo I should DO stuff!

I had almost waist length hair that I cut into a pixie cut before chemo started. And I've decided that when my hair grows back in I'm going to keep it short and rock all kinds of funky hair dos to celebrate the fact that I have it again.

Michelle - I don't think I will go back to the length I had mine either - it was only shoulder length but I think I will keep in shorter in the future once it grows back.

slak - Congrats on the big cut and kudos to your DD!  I got my freebie wig back yesterday and thinning and trimming it made a HUGE difference.  I think I even like it more than my expensive one now - except for the comfort level.  I hear you on the house; once you get caught up/clean it starts all over. I need to clean the bathrooms but am waiting til Sunday night before my next TX Monday.  

Kids are coloring Easter eggs after a protracted negotiation with youngest on what percentage of her room had to be cleaned before they could start.  

Ladies, thanks to you I am feeling okay at the prospect of losing my hair. I do have a dumb question though (they seem to be my specialty); when your hair is really gone do you wash your head with shampoo? If your scalp tends to be oily should you use your regular shampoo or get something gentle like baby shampoo?

And today's mental image RE: hair: 

Maybe I will just pull it all out.  My head was itchy so I whipped off the bandana.  I am sitting here looking for hotel sites for our little trip and just picking at my hair, lol, have a neat little pile on a napkin beside me.  Enough for a decent little cat toupee.

As with all my images I paint for you people...you're welcome.

Grrrrrrrrrrrr...wrote a long post, got kicked off internet, and lost the whole damn thing!

I also decided to change my user name (was lisajcj) so in keeping with my new name, I also chose a different avatar. I think of it as me, staring down BC and daring it to try to win this battle!

Is anyone else having dry mouth issues? I sat through two meetings today and couldn't find anything to hydrate my mouth. I was miserable!  I would appreciate any suggestions on what might help.

As far as the hair - I'm with whoever said it got easier with time. I've been wearing a plain white baseball hat with a pink ribbon on it (my sister gave it to me). During those tough moments when I'm out and get those looks, I try to tell myself  "yep people, this is what cancer looks like but I'm not going to let it change who I am!" I find I smile to myself and hold my head a little higher. I've even been able to take the cap off in front of a few co-workers and it didn't freak me out!

Next week is Tx3 A/C so I have a to-do list of things to accomplish this weekend while I still feel good. How about everyone else?

I am on day 2 from treatment #2. I felt worst this time than I did last time. I still had my menstrual cycle after my 1st period so my onc said I need to have lupron next week. I am concerned about what it is going to be like with instant menopause. I think the menopause is freaking me out more than anything. I hope everyone else is feeling ok.

Karri - you crack me up with your images!

Zillamom - sorry to hear this one hit you harder. Be sure to hydrate and maybe you can flush it out quickly!