April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

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  • mary71145329
    mary71145329 Member Posts: 133
    edited May 2012

    Vballmom-sending positive thoughts your way today!

    Fierro6 - sorry for your delay again. Definitely go to the LGFB class you have scheduled! You might as well do it while you are feeling welll!

  • ahdjdbcjdjdbkf
    ahdjdbcjdjdbkf Member Posts: 645
    edited May 2012

    I'm gearing up for A/C #3 this week. While i am not at all looking forward to it, because I am on leave for work I feel like I can get through it. I am a lot more fearful of going back to work in June when I start my weekly taxol but it is what I have to do. I am determined to be badass and face it and keep my job I have had for 17 years. As long as I can put in 28 productive hours a week most weeks I am told my job is safe. Prior to my diagnosis I was doing 42-45. I am going to download a couple of Lance Armstrong's books today. :-)

  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited May 2012

    Fierro6- I had a one on one LGFG session during my 1st infusion.  I ended up getting a wig that day also from them.  I'm not a makeup gal so I did not have the makeup session but did get the makeup kit.  The wig and makeup are not me but like you said, I did something what I normally don't do which is a good thing.  My onco suggested that I paint my fingernails with clear polish to help protect/save them from the effects of the Taxotere chemo.  Now I do my nails every week which is something I never did before.  Have a wonderful time at your LGFG session!!!!

    Keep that drain attitude up!!!!!!!  You will get that drain out and we will do the happy dance together!!!! 

  • slak
    slak Member Posts: 179
    edited May 2012

    Jeannie57 - I got a halo made from my own hair and I like it a lot!  I look like me still (with a hat on of course).  It is much cooler than the wig.  I had mine made by hatswithhair.com.  They did a really nice job (though it isn't cheap).  I'm not handy with a sewing machine, so I didn't really have a choice of making it myself.  It is nice to have your own hair and no one has a clue that I am going through chemo.  I wear the wig when a hat isn't appropriate to wear.  To get the hair for the halo, you do need to do the clipping off of ponytails before much hair falls out.  I did it before any fell out and just had a really short hair-cut for several days.  I highly recommend it!

  • IndigoMont11
    IndigoMont11 Member Posts: 1,095
    edited May 2012

    Hi Fierro!  I attended my LGFB class 3 days before my tx#1.  They didn't really show me any special techniques as far as makeup for looking better while on chemo - just general makeup techniques.  (BTW - Their method is to have you put on foundation first, then do the eyes.  Coming from a longtime makeup girl, if you do your eyes first, you can easily clean up or cover any shadow fallout - and you almost always have fallout - *before* putting on foundation.  Wink  I was kinda surprised they were a little behind the times with that).

    The hair-head cover techniques they show you are ones you can easily do over your hair.  No biggie!  

    So go for it and have fun!! 

  • IndigoMont11
    IndigoMont11 Member Posts: 1,095
    edited May 2012

    Hi Mariasnow!  I sure hope after 17 years that your office is like mine - like family and will be supportive and understanding.  All the best to you! 

  • Stacie
    Stacie Member Posts: 607
    edited May 2012

    Fierro I remember hoping my drain would be ready one Friday but it wasn't and I had to wear it until Tuesday cause it was a 3 day weekend.  But my doc told me sometimes you have to drain them with a needle if the fluid collects after the drain is removed.  THAT was enough to give me patience.

    s

  • Fierro6
    Fierro6 Member Posts: 224
    edited May 2012

    Indigo, they "skipped" the wig/turban/hat/scarf section, because that person didn't show up.  It was makeup only.  I'm thankful for the cool stuff that was sent home with me, but will definitely take another class later.  I need head help WAY more than makeup help.  LOL@head help.  Yes, a therapist wouldn't hurt sometimes, either.  :)

  • sandik
    sandik Member Posts: 482
    edited May 2012

    Haha I could use some head help. Mine looks rediculous. I've got one thin strip of 1/4 inch hair at my side part, then sparse hair that's hanging on, all over the back. Everywhere else is bald. Haha

    I was supposed to work on my garden today, but it was raining when I got up. My niece is getting ready here for her wedding next weekend, so i stayed inside and went on a cleaning frenzy. I got so much done! I will sleep like a baby tonight.



    Ball, hope you did OK today.

  • Marcia1111
    Marcia1111 Member Posts: 368
    edited May 2012

    Thanks, IndigoMont11.  

    I am akso 51.  So far my mastectomy scars don't look too bad, but the scar under my arm where the lymph nodes were removed looks awful.  I tried to wear a sleeveless dress the other day and had to change.  I think I will go for the port in my chest and once I'm done with all this, I will try to think of it as a badge of courage!

     

  • hopeful123
    hopeful123 Member Posts: 191
    edited May 2012

    Hello back gain. I am in my third good week after Tx. Finished with AC #3. Will have AC#4 in ten days. I was curled up and did nothing the first week. Was catching up at work the second. Now finally feel things are a little normal. Same routine as my first two treatments. Hopefully the fourth will follow the same pattern.

    I have been reading all your posts, hair, SE and all.

    Dance- I did check to make sure it was just reflux for you and was glad to see everything went fine.

    Marcia- I have port in my chest, and it is out of the way and doesn't bother me.

    Sade- you get used to the baldness. I usually wear my cap at home. Once, I walked down forgetting to put it on, my DH and DS were laughing because my 3 year old daughter had a shocked look. She looked at me and said mom what happened to your hair. She didnt realize i had lost it as i was always wearing my cap. It was funny to see her disbelief. I did put the cap back on and had a chat with her about how the medicine I was having made it fall off and that it would grow back soon :)

  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited May 2012
    Sandik- Hey twin.... our hair must be mighty since it is still hanging on..... a thin veil of hair but still it is strong!!!!  I keep thinking that this recent #2 chemo will take out the rest of my hair.  I still have hair down south, lashes and brows and leg hair.  Weird, i never thought I'd be chatting about my body hair ...... lol
  • IndigoMont11
    IndigoMont11 Member Posts: 1,095
    edited May 2012

    Fierro - well, shoot!  It's good they let you do another class again anyway.  I do think it's a pretty good program overall - most of the volunteers don't seem to be along the line of the ones they show in their video (who must have been high-powered stylists!).  Wink

    But like I think I said, the whole thing was worth it to me just to get the Brow Power pencil.  That alone retails for around $25.00.  

  • hopeful123
    hopeful123 Member Posts: 191
    edited May 2012

    Melrose- I lost my hair on my head first then down south, shaved my underarms and legs and they never grew back. Even after #3 I have hair on my arms (i am too lazy I don't do anything about it). Brows and lashes are barely hangin in there. Weird as to what the order is.

    Sandik and others- I hated the free wig. It poked my bald head as it didn't have a nice lining. I spent a lot of money and got a human hair wig at a wig salon, with a really nice lining that actually makes my head feel cool. I love it. Worth every penny. Still waiting for insurance to reimburse at least part. Let's see.

  • hopeful123
    hopeful123 Member Posts: 191
    edited May 2012

    Indigo and Fierro- I really should sign up for one of those classes. I have just been lazy. I now see the dark circles under my eyes and thinning eyebrows and I think I need to get some help with the make up.

  • Fierro6
    Fierro6 Member Posts: 224
    edited May 2012

    hopeful123- I bet the kit contained over $150 worth of stuff.  Will I use all of the items?  No.  However, there are plenty that I will, and I have teen girls who will use the rest.  (I offered to re-donate the stuff that was wrong for me, and the lady suggested that I take them and give them to someone else, since it's all donated.)  Sweet!

  • Rose_d
    Rose_d Member Posts: 144
    edited May 2012

    Hello all,



    I have finally rebounded from AC#3, which took until day 7 this time. The thought of tap water for some reason still makes me gag, I don't think I will be drinking anything but bottled water for some time. Strange.



    I was going to ask how everyone is doing hair-wise. I would say I still have 25% or so of my hair on my head. I'm curious of I will still lose it or if that's it for me. I haven't lost any in over a week now. I started to get excited that maybe I won't be starting from completely bald when this is over, which probably means it will fall out tomorrow:). Anyone else not really bald? I shaved it 2 weeks ago. Of course the one thing I was looking forward to, the losing of the 'hair down there' also hasn't happened. It has thinned but still very much there! And I had to shave my legs over the weekend! It was growing back thin but still growing. It hasn't grown back since but has only been a day or so.



    I haven't worn the wig I paid a fortune for once, have been going with hats with hair underneath (I bought the hair halo online). I think that willbe my look, don't think I can stand the wig.



    I'm really hoping #4 goes better than 3 next week, but for now I'm going to focus on feeling like myself again for the long weekend!



    Good luck for everyone having treatment this week!



    Rose

  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited May 2012

    Fierro:  Just finished my LGFB class a few hours ago.  They spent about 15 minutes showing the t-shirt cut-out head cover.  The remainder of the two hours was devoted to makeup do's and don'ts.  Was it beneficial to me?  First of all, let me say I am a makeup and skincare junkie so not much that they told the class was new to me.  I didn't like the fact they passed out Amway cleanser when no way am I ordering from Amway. When I asked her what products that were paraben-free could be purchased from a local drugstore or makeup counter, she couldn't give me a straight answer other than not to trust the makeup counters and ask the actual pharmacist at the drugstore, which makes good sense.  I did like most of the stuff in the bag, but if you go in thinking you're coming out with a haul, you may be a little disappointed, because everyone's bag has different products in it and the colors might not be you.  However, would I recommend it? Yes..... It's the first time, other than on these boards, I have gotten together with other cancer patients, and all but one had breast cancer. 

    Sandik:  My head looks like yours-roadmap on the back.  I am day 5 post Tx2 so I know I will be bald as an eagle soon!

    For those of you have mouthsore issues:  I have been using a product called MU Guard.  My sister sent me a sample bottle of it and I have NO mouth sores.  It is a gel that you rinse with 4-6 times a day. It sticks to your gums/mouth and the taste is minty and tolerable.  You can google it up, but your doctor has to write the rx and have the company call your insurance provider.  I wanted to try it first, but compared to my first treatment, I am truly amazed and will pay cash for it if I have to! 

  • nofear2012
    nofear2012 Member Posts: 160
    edited May 2012

    Dancertracer - I got a presc for protonix & took 1 pill & now I have diaherra & my lower intestines are gurgling but my stomach feels better. It is never simple, so not sure what is next. I will call my onc office & see what they suggest. Do u have any suggestions.

  • ellamilana
    ellamilana Member Posts: 76
    edited May 2012

    For those of you who have mouthsore issues: 

    My chemo nurse gives me ice 10 min before during and 10 min after Taxotere infusion. I already had 2 treatments and so far no mousesores.

  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited May 2012

    We women have mighty strong hair on this thread!!!!!  Before my chemo, my onco told me that I may still have to shave my leg hair.... she may have predicted that correctly!!!!!  Still glad I didn't buzz imy head.... have to use a lint roller everyday to get the hair off of my pillows, sheets and my clothes but I don't mind.... lol

  • lsharvey822
    lsharvey822 Member Posts: 257
    edited May 2012

    2 weeks out from tx#1 and the hair is rapidly leaving the building!  guess I won't have to worry about having a pony tail  holder around this summer!

  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited May 2012

    Isharvey822- that's about when my hair aka Elvis decided to leave the building also!!!! It has been going pretty fast since then!!!!  still having to vacuum daily to control the fallout!!! lol

  • sandik
    sandik Member Posts: 482
    edited May 2012

    Yep. Leg hair still here too. Down south is gone. Under arm is pretty much gone, so Im still holding out hope for the legs. Haha

    Im 12 days past tx#2. My eyes are watery. My stomach issues have subsided. Im feeling good. We pushed my next infusion back to Friday so I will be good for weekends, so Ive got the whole week to do stuff before the crap starts all over. Haha But, I al half way through my AC. Yay!!! Praying the next two infusions aren't too bad.

  • hopeful123
    hopeful123 Member Posts: 191
    edited May 2012

    Nofear- promise OTC works for me. Don't know if it is a lower dose or acts on something else relative to protinix. Might want to look into it. Also when I had D (was just twice) the MO suggested to wait it out a day and only if things got worse asked me to take imodium. He didn't want me to get to the C side of things. It didn't get worse so I didn't have the imodium.

  • nofear2012
    nofear2012 Member Posts: 160
    edited May 2012

    Hopeful123 - is promise otc over the counter or presc?. I am going to wait it out & see what happens. I'll take another pill tomorrow & hopefully it doesn't get worse. It is not too bad now & seems to be easing up. Thx for the suggestion.

  • lsharvey822
    lsharvey822 Member Posts: 257
    edited May 2012

    2 weeks out from tx#1 and the hair is rapidly leaving the building!  guess I won't have to worry about having a pony tail  holder around this summer!

  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited May 2012
    Sandik- Wow.... just two more AC for you!!!!  Are you also going to have Taxol or are you finished with chemo?
  • Krazycatlady37
    Krazycatlady37 Member Posts: 40
    edited May 2012

    Tomorrow will be day 14 passed my 1st nfusion. My hair is very thick and haven't lost a bit of it. My onco told me 14-21 days. My hair and head don't hurt or feel funny. Leg hair is slooooow to grow back which is appreciated!

  • hopeful123
    hopeful123 Member Posts: 191
    edited May 2012

    Nofear- I meant Prilosec over the counter. Can't believe how the autocorrect screwed it up.

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