April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

rgina - the fallout is WAY worse then just being bald!  (except for the draft on the back on your naked neck!)

Thanks for the info on the alcohol.  Sounds like I would be safe with a glass tomorrow night.  Maybe make sure to drink a lot of water as well so I don't get dehydrated.  Thanks girls...hope everyone has a SE's free weekend.

lsharvey822 - Not working isn't really an option.  My employer is amazing and has even been finding some projects that I can do from home (we don't typically have an option of working from home,) but the less I'm there, the smaller my check becomes, and we cannot survive on DHs check alone.  We CAN make it if I miss a day or two when I'm at my lowest.  I just can't take weeks off at a time.  I burned through all of my sick and vacation time when I had surgery.

It'll be OK, though.  We'll be married 17 years as of next weekend, and we've been through worse (financially.)  We're just putting our heads down and plowing ahead!  I feel like I've got my optimistic big-girl panties on today.  My three year old granddaughter is visiting, and it's like the fountain of youth!

Silkuk52:  I take the claritan readitabs (24 hour) whe I get home from my infusion, the day of and 5 days after.  Just had my second neulasta shot yesterday.  Hoping it goes PAINFREE like the first one.

Fighting like a girl:  My MO said none the night before.  I usually hold off until the third week and have a glass of white wine.  It's interesting because a few weeks ago when I was on the scale at the MO, there was a sign that said, "Ask us about a new study if you have weight loss and would like to drink white wine".  I was going to ask, but was so put off by the PA saying I couldn't have my chemo due to low platelets, I forgot to ask about it and now the sign is gone.  

Vicki:  I love water and iced tea w/lemon.  

 Woke up today (day 3) with a sore throat.  Ugh!  Just done done rinsing.  Hopefully, it wil help.  Stay away THRUSH! 

Ok...just took a shower, and came out covered in hairs...amazing how they don't end up in the shower, but just all over your body. Pretty gross actually...ok I guess that is the sign i needed...still anxious about doing the deed...

Doris:  My crash always begins day 3.  The nurse administering the chemo said it takes about 40 hours for the crash to really hit you.  Since this is my third round, I can attest to that.  Day 4 and 5--probably the worst for me.  Haven't really gotten off the couch, where I moved from the bed this a.m.  Coffee--ugh!  Doesn't sound good to me.  Just drinking cold water.  Had a small, 4 oz. container of cottage cheese w/pineapple for breakfast and a strawberry fruit pop to suck on.  My throat is sore.  

JKBuffy:  Sounds like today is the day for you.  Just rejoice in it knowing you won't have to worry about all that hair falling out.  It's what helped me get through it.  My hair was so beautiful and thick.  I didn't cry a drop when it was shaved--it was something I knew I had to do.  Make it a happy day.  It's a sign the chemo is working!   

Fatigued and Sore day 11. Neulasta adds to it.

I'm still thinking about how to present my question to my onc About whether I am ER pos or neg. There are conflicting lab reports. he kind of sped over that when we were starting Onco folks say I am ER neg, test may not be valid. Onc says slide showed 30% pos.Probably ok since I would have had chemo either way (0nco 38 or triple neg)I am now worried about did he give me the RIGHT chemo and what about hormone therapy. Hate thinking I could be going through all this and it's not going to help me as much as it could. I have an appointment with him 6/20 before chemo and made another for a week later. Since he was the one who said he'd never seen that test discrepancy before I hope he's done some research. I just called the lab and talked to them, took notes. Maybe 2nd opinion or tumor board. Do NOT want additional chemo.

fierro66, I understand the need to work.  My job is the one that gives us health insurance, so I will be working during chemo.  I have about a week of EIB left; hoping to use that if I need a day off during chemo.  Actually, planning on NOT needing time off during chemo! 

Melrose, I had my daughter cut my hair pretty short after my mx.  This week, she is going to give me a Mohawk, a real, honest-to-goodness Mohawk which she will color PINK.  How many times in your adult working life do you have the opportunity to rock a Mohawk?  Then, after about a week, I will have her shave it off before it starts falling out. 

Oh, my girl and I plan on taking LOTS of pic's and posting them here and on fb.  Enjoy it while we can. 

Hey ladies! I've been reading your posts the last few weeks. They are quite helpful! I had my 2nd round of TCH this past Tuesday. I have been so tired this week. I think partially from the nuelasta.



Regarding alcohol, I haven't drank much at all. Things just taste differently. However, we went camping last Saturday and I drank some beer. It was amazing! It felt so good to have a normal day and feel great!

Ok y'all--its done! My stylist worked me in, and shaved it all off to a chipper disco soundtrack. I am told my head is nicely shaped--my DH came along and took lots of pictures. I am feeling ok...really happy that it is done...and feeling light and almost cute with my new look. Thanks for all the support and hugs--it means so much to know that I am not alone in this experience! 

@Fierro - me either on the not working front unfortunately.  the first week after the first round I was able to work quite a bit from home.  2nd round was a little tougher but I had it on Thurs so it was more of a long weekend (crappy weekend!).  Hope everything goes well for you.  I'll be thinking of you.

@Vicki - there's a lot of us on here trying  to work thru it so we'll help you any way we can!

@Vicki......After my first round I had bone pain on day 4 and 5 from the chemo (no Neulasta or Neupogen) then the following week my WBC's went extremely low so I got 2 injections of Neupogen. The first injection was severe pelvic/hip pain for about a day and a half. Round 2 they gave me Neulasta........I've had excruciating bone pain (mostly legs) for 3 days now. It's finally easing up. I tried the Claritin but don't really think it helped much. I don't know why some people get the severe bone pain and some don't. I honestly don't know if I can handle it 2 more times.