March 2012 chemo

baldeagle- My mom has dry mouth with her Sjogren's and she chews sugar free gum or uses sugar free candy constantly.

zillamom -   Feel better

Kim - glad you got the big shave over with

Is biotene OTC or do you need a prescription? I'd love to not have carpet mouth for a while!

Cool! Will go there tomorrow. Thanks kim! I have tx 2 Monday and.would like to be prepared.

KCB



Lesson of the day - a little hair is TOTALLY different than no hair. . I didn't use a razor/blade because I was afraid to cut myself but I got as close as I could get with DH electric razor. Then I just left the mess and will deal with it in the morning. Couldn't get a cap on fast enough.

Oh, wow, kltb04!  I am trying to keep my chin up like I've said, but I don't think I'll be ready to look my hairless self in the mirror when that day comes. 

All of you are so brave.   I don't know what else to say - except everyone's story, the good and not so good, gives me hope and proves to me that we aren't alone.

My son's girlfriend is going with me to go wig shopping tomorrow.  I'm getting a shampoo and blow dry first just so I don't risk having a "bad hair day" (that is exactly the kind of thing that would happen to me).  

Hugs to all!

Good evening ladies. I actually started my chemo the end of Dec 2011 doing AC  4 times every three weeks.  I ended up in the hospital after my last treatment in Feb. I was suppose to have Taxol then every week for 12 week but my hands and feet immediately started going numb.  After the second treatment my oncologist said I would need to change to taxotere. I will have my second of 4 treatments on Tuesday. I was sick for a week and ahalf after my last treatment, but I think part of the pain and bad feeling is from the nuelasta shot the next day. I really just started feeling halfway normal 4 days ago so I am not looking forward to next week. I keep telling myself only 3 more treatments " I can do this" it is one of the things helping me get through this. I am very lucky though, my husband has been awesome through this whole thing. He has taken me to every appointment, treatment, blood work, everthing - and we live two and ahalf hours away from the doctor, hospital, and treatment. On the hair loss - I lost my hair Dec 29, 2011 I think it was more tramatic than the surgery, I don't know why. But I have finally been able to go without a hat or scarf at home within the last 3 weeks. My favorite saying for the moment is: It is what it is. Sorry to ramble but it is so good to talk this out every once in awhile. Best wishes to all - stay strong!

Back/ hip muscle spasms on the 10th day of tx 1 A/C ????

Joan - I only had the Emend on the infusion day, before they started so I can't answer to that.

January - I think any and every symptom can likely be linked back to the chemo - my back issues were closer to the shot time though.  If it gets much worse you can always call the dr.

munnybunni - it was a process for me - I have been doing this for a week from the first shed to trying to finish it off last night.  My DH keeps saying "it's only temporary, it will grow back" and all and all, I have been ok with it.  When I got it so close and bald looking last night, I had just sat down on the bed all dejected and he came in and said what's wrong?  I told him and before he could open his mouth, I said "if you tell me it's only temporary I am going to throw this (edited) remote control at your head!"  I was kind of kidding.

Indigo, don't spend too much time on the hair before you go, lol, it'll be smushed flat by the time you try on your first wig - if you have other shopping to do, save the wigs for last!

Melrose - my mantra for everything - including chemo - is hope for the best but prepare for the worst.  It sounds like you are prepared!

 Teresa - ugh what a rough ride! 

Ok, ladies, taking the weekend off.  We are taking a little overnight trip to go shopping, go to a new museum, and just have a break from it all.  We have to be back in time for Easter dinner tomorrow at my bro/sil house so we can't venture too far from home.  And, no, I am not going to church (bad me) we don't attend regularly (although I do intend to start, I promise) and the thought of venturing out in the wig in this small town with everyone giving me the sympathy stare is too much right now..God is probably all "oh, yeah, you ask me for help and this is how you repay me???"

And that my BC friends is your (slightly sacrilegious) humor for the day. Hope it will tide you over until I get back.

onvacation

I love how it feels in the shower too and the shortened time it takes to get ready!!  Careful with the pedicure though, no cuticule cutting!!!

Went out to a social function for the first time with my wig.  It was so much fun!  Even had a couple of glasses of wine (copius water before and after though) Got lots of compliments on the wig too!  Now it could be everyone just being nice but I overheard a lady saying to a friend "that lady's hair is gorgeous, that's the colour I'm getting" LOL!!  I ran into a lady I know there that's 2 years out from TX, quite honestly I have never seen her look better!  Her hair was stunning and I told her so, she said her hair has never been so healthy and full since she was a teen.  She figures its because we get alot more aware of nutrition and healthy living after TX.  I had to laugh at another freind that had serious back surgury in February and this was pretty much her first outing as well.  She looked great, even lost about 30 pounds.  I said you likely would have thought I would have lost weight through TX too eh?  She thought so too, but I explained that I was lucky not have GAINED because of the steroids and the cravings for carb laden food. 

myleftboob - oh thanks for the tip, didn't know about cutting the cuticles!  Wine is always good!

Kim real quick ( I can't stay away). There was a whole thread about mani/pedis the other day. You may just want to stick to getting the nails polished bc of chance of infection and cross contamination.

myleftboob - I am trying to find the hair, hair, hair thread and haven't been able to locate it.  Can you post a link? Thanks!

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/707348?page=481#idx_14423

Amy, I hope this works!!!  Its the hair forum.

As my way of defiance against hair loss I decided not to wax my upper lip a few weeks before starting chemo. It is day 10 after 1 Tx and I noticed I have quite a mustache soon it may be a bald head and a mustache. I guess will have to cave in and wax.

Good morning ladies!  Happy Easter!  I am heading to my parents later and hope to sit outside a bit and get some vit D.  Think I will even drive over there with my convertible top down!  NOT wearing the wig - would be afraid it would fly off!  Going with the halo and a baseball hat!