April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

dance..ya mean something coulda gone wrong? glad I didn't know that..he he..I worry enuf as is..

DorisMarie,

I had BMX so I'm not sure which side they will use.  Non-cancer side, I guess.  I was given the arm as a choice, but I think that will get in the way.  Still not sure and it's tomorrow!  Surgery isn't until 3:15 and I can't eat all day.  I can't wait for the port surgery to be over.  I am dreading it.

Fellow Big Girl Lounge Chair Gals- Happy to know that I'm not the only one who is sitting in a lounge chair that accomodates a 6 foot person and have feet dangling in the air when sitting back.  Come to think of it I still had to have the foot rest pulled out for me even though I had a pillow behind my back at round #2.  LOL!!!!

KristyH- I didn't shave my head but cut that short bob I had right before round #2 to a very short short boy cut.  In fact, I got so annoyed with the hair falling out everywhere, that I made 5 little ponytails and cut those off with scissors and had my DH use electric clippers with a 1 inch guard to cut and clean up the sides and back.  I still have some hair but not much.  I just wanted to see what hair would be left after each round so no shaving down to the scalp for me.  I look at it as another me science experiment!!!  Whenever you decide to cut your hair, just do it to control that hair before it starts to control you.

babysammy & mistym: I have my 2nd round of FEC in the big girl chair tomorrow, with Taxotere x3 to follow. sounds like we are on the same regimen. first round SE were mostly nausea for first few days, but dizziness lasted nearly 2 weeks. Then got an infection at the little incision where catheter for port goes into vein. Go figure that one. smallest of my 5 incisions, and it's the one that gives me trouble. my theory is that it is where all my shirt collars rub?  

on the hair loss: Was with my sisters, Mom, and family over Memorial Day. My sis did a buzz cut for me, assuming by Day 14 or so, my hair would start to go. We had a lot of fun with it, had a couple of mohawk pics, my 6'5" bro-in-law holding a lawn mower over my head. Made it a little less painful. This past Friday, started to see hair on shower floor, did a little tug on some hair, and it came out in chunks. so, persuaded my DH to take it all off. Big diff in a buzz and a shaved head. Anyone asked about, or tried, the facial self-tanner on their head.  the white head is blinding!  

anyone else used the transderm patch for the nausea? I put one on last time on way home from chemo, and would say my nausea was fairly mild. wondered if I should put one on before chemo in the morning, assuming nausea will be same, or worse.  

thanks, and hugs to all for the support. 

Hello ladies - this Thursday I am in the big girl chair for TCH #3. Wish me luck, at infusion #2 I had an allergic reaction to the taxotere and last Thursday my MO pushed my TCH back one week due to my low platelets and low white blood count.



I hope you all have a wonderful night.

Roula:  OMG--the same thing happened to me during the TX#2.  They slowed down the drip after my entire body felt like it was on fire and beet red.  They had already stalled the #2 by a week due to an incorrect low platelet reading.  I get #3 on Thursday as well.  I will be thinking of you and all other "big chair sisters" this week.  Hopefully, it will provide me some strength.  I have to tell you, I am VERY nervous amount Thursday because of my past experience.

Bonbon12:  Welcome!  I wasn't stressed during the shaving.  Just the days leading up to it.  Once it was done, it was done.   

Welcome to those just joining us. And I'm glad I'm not the only one who remembers Edith Ann, although I was too young to understand the double entendres at the time.

Welcome all the newbies!!!



Lisa sorry your spirits are low. Praying for better days to come your way SOON. Must be nice to have breasts again though. I can't wait until reconstruction but I was told I had to wait 6 months to a year.



Stacie glad to hear your trip is good thus far. Enjoy yourself and be safe.



It seems like there is a lot of us going to the chemo chair Thursday. I will be there too for my last A/C treatment. I am totally not looking forward to it. Praying for minimal SE for us all.

Welcome to the new people and best wishes to those going in for infusions today! 

Lisa2012 - hang in there.  We've all had those low periods - lasts longer for some of us than others - you aren't alone!  Hugs!  Hope the movie helped!  

Second A/C yesterday and it was a breeze. Didn't feel the needle at all. I had to ask if it was in.  Nice.  Sneezed a couple of times at the end, and came home ready for a nap but the steroids said no.

 Docs changed up a few things for me.  I am switching from Neulasta to Neupogen, since I had no luck round one.  I am also getting prophylatic antibiotics and will have my blood counds checked on Friday before the weekend.  Nurse said to try Ativan last night to help control the nausea.  I slept like a baby for most of the night. Woke up queasy 2 on a scale of 10. Now that's progress already. Hair is falling out in clumps.

Marcia - I was so worried about getting a port. I was terrified of the surgery.  It was really nothing, and I am the biggest wimp.  I did take Ativan beforehand.  If you tell the nurses your fears, they really do help make sure you are comfortable.  Check in later!  I was sore for a few days, but I can handle sore.

 I'm 5'8" and fit just fine in the big girl chair.  I think of it as finally growing up.

 Lisa, I had a lot of those feelings last week.  I didn't feel strong or brave and wondered how I'd even walk through the door for round 2.  I began to worry about my body not cooperating - then what?  How do you be strong when you feel so miserable?   Then I had a better SE day and got real excited when I began to feel like myself. It gave me hope that there is light at the end of this very long tunnel.

No answer.  They said that had I not had a fever, we never would have know and many people probably never do know.  I had the shot Tuesday and was hospitalized Sunday.   The next Wednesday my neutrophils spiked. Maybe I am a slow learner.

Stacie- Safe travels to you and your niece as you continue your Alaska adventure!!!!

Getting my gear ready so I can get to Round #3 this morning.  Hopefully my numbers are good enough to go ahead!!!  I'll be thinking about my gal pals also sitting in the big girl chair today.  I'm taking the Activan in the IV so i can nap and watch mindless tv while I freeze my toes and fingers during the Taxotere infusion.... oh fun!!!!  Good luck to everyone today with the chemo and minimal side effects should rule the day!!! 

Kjiberty and Bonbon12, I will be thinking of both of you Thursday as I am sitting in the chair! I hope the infusion goes smoothly for all three of us. I will finally be able to say I am half way done!

I too am going to be in the big girl chair for my 1st round of taxol & I am so nervous. I hope it is easier on my GI track & not to much bone/muscle pain. I also decided to use my short term disability, which I feel like a cop out for doing so. I have only been working less than part time as it is, but it is too hard to work & do treatment. My boss is in full support. I think for me it was more denial. I just want to get back to being normal again......good luck to everyone this week.