December 2012 chemo group

Bren~Don't you just love when those kinds of things happen?

I never thought I'd wear a wig until a lady who's been in treatment for 10 years took her wig off in front of me, to show me her newly growing hair. I had absolutely no idea she was wearing a wig.



Blessings

Paula

Paula, yes the kindness of strangers is amazing! I see you live in Reynoldsburg OH. We drove very close to there on Rt 70 for years when our kids went to Cedarville University.

Runnergirl, I got my wig at the Image Recovery Center at my local hospital and I thought the price was very reasonable. I only wear it when I go out as it does give me a headache if I wear it too long. It does not itch or itirate but does feel a bit tight. I guess it needs to be a little snug or it would come off too easily. It is what they call a lace cap design, so it is not hot and the front part actually looks like real scalp at the base of the hairs. I did have to have it thinned out as it was way too much hair for me when I first got it. I still think I might have the bangs trimmed a bit too. I will try to get a picture and post it. Maybe tomorrow.

Long but successful day! I got my thick shoulder length hair cut into a pixie and it's pretty cute. Granted I don't expect to have it more than a week or two but it has helped me visualize what I hope to have next fall. I then had my hairdresser (and dear friend) trim the bangs of my new wig. I wore my wig all day and honestly felt great. It looks really pretty and I love the highlights. I'm a real estate agent and so had an appointment to show one of my listings to a family I had never met. I'm pretty sure they had no idea I was wearing a wig! In the afternoon my husband and I drove to Pennsylvania to fetch my daughter from college. On the way we visited with my sister and brother-in-law. He had no idea I was wearing a wig! Crazy! By the time I got home it felt good to take it off but it was not uncomfortable. Am feeling like I got this part covered! Oops no pun intended

Hi everyone, I've been lurking and wanted to thank you all for your stories and supports and to join into the group!  

I was diagnosed in late September, surgery at the end of October and started chemo on Dec. 6, a bit delayed due to some surgical complications.

Chrisvel, I'm having the same chemo as you, FEC X3 + D X3.  I think this is the standard of care for most Canadian treatments too.

It's been harder than I thought it would be, but manageable.  I'm keeping my eyes on the spring and telling myself that by April this part will be all over and the healing can start.  The worst side effect right now is an extremely sore throat.  It's been building for a few days and I'm taking my temperature often but I think it's actually a sore in my throat, gargling salt water seems to help. Eating is already challenging because of altered taste and fatigue so I'm hoping it doesn't get any worse!  

Best wishes to everyone

Jen

So glad it is going ok for u. Sometimes I feel like I should have started the chemo earlier - just couldn't get my onco score back as quick as they promised . Thanks u for sharing your story I will think good thoughts for u on the 27th !

Thank you for the welcome Bren58. I am a newbie when it comes to online posts, but I am gleaning a lot of information from your posts. I see a couple of you doing the same chemo as I - A, C & T. I am curious if the SE get worse as you get deeper into the treatments. Today will be my first day w/o the steroid or anti-nausea med. I've been feeling good the last 2 days. Next treatment is the 27th. Am curious as to what i might experience leading up to the 2nd treatment. Any input from you lovely, brave gals?



Happy Sunday!

Rita

Ten days from first treatment and I would say the first three days were the "toughest" and then they got steadily better so that now I don't have any SE. But thankfully none of it was all that rough. I have had cramps, hangovers, and colds that had me way more miserable! Now I don't know whether I will stay like that with each treatment as my sense from reading the October and November boards is that each cycle is a bit more challenging.

Hi FriendGwen - I am 12 days out and feel normal except for getting tired easily.  I asked my doctor and he said hopefully each treatment might be the same but like you said the effects could build each time.  I am just keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't get much worse and that I canmanage through this.  I am a single mom of a 4 and 13 year old.  I also help run a consulting ocmpany - our owner passed away in July at 51 years of age of melonoma.  So i am just hoping and praying it doesn't get much worse and that I can keep working as much and keep managing with the kids. 

I agree with the post about drinking tons of water throughout!

One question for everyone - are you taking a multi-vitamin?  And did anyone's doctor recommend a probiotic to help with stomach issues and yeast infections?  Just curious.

Ok dreading this week as I know I am going to lose my hair.  I have only bought hats and scarves so far as I am afraid of wigs being uncomfortable and too fake looking.  But maybe I should go out and try a bunc on and find one.

I'm not taking a multi vitamin like I normally do. I asked two drs and they just grunted about getting my vitamins from food. I was given a vitamin D script to take once a week during treatment.



Runnergirl - consider wig shopping. You might be surprised how comfortable and cute they can be.

Hi Power Mom!



I had the same problem with liquids in the first 10 days or so... Found that soda water is much better. Plain bubbly. Also grapefruit juice with tonic water is very yummy... Juices in general were easier though I didn't want to go over board on sugary stuff, so I cut it with soda.



I find that oranges are great I precut them into wedges with all the white lining cut out then enjoy a plate of one or two oranges that way. Pomegranate was good for but they say to be careful of acidic stuff. I garbled with baking soda and that helps the mouth. You can add salt if you have a sore throat.



Good luck!

Runner girl - ask for the Skye wig style - it was so flattering on me when I tried it that I liked it better than my own hair ! Not really - but almost ! Good to know u feel better



To all - I am nervous about the possible allergic reaction that can happen the first time for TC . I wil be taking steroids day before and then next 2 days but still nervous . Nurse I spoke with said 10% have reaction .

I am finally feeling better, five days after my first chemo treatment. The first day was not too bad, except for a headache. Then I was achy, like my bones hurt, along with my stomach and head hurting. Last night, I actually slept which made me feel lots better today. No mouth sores but it feels like there could be some, so I started rinsing with the baking soda salt solution and that helps. It is just really inconvenient to have to deal with feeling crappy. I am not ready for Christmas!

Hello every one :-)

My mother  (TAC)chemo  started 2 days ago. She is doing fine .Also , the port was easy for her. She did not feel any pain. The only thing is  her cheeks became very red and she feel little cold. I think because of steroid. Is here any one taking TAC chemo in DEC?

runnergirl don't be afraid to bye a wig because you think it will look fake.... Yes some do... but you can get some very nice ones... and by judging from your picture, you won't have trouble finding one to match your natural hair... please don't be afraid... just do it... when I first put mine on, my husband did not know I had my wig on... (he didn't know I had gotten it) and he was like... how did you get ready so fast? he truly could not tell it was a wig... and I have short blond hair too.



I like my wigs, and I like my hats and scarves... I am not worried about wearing them... (as my hair is just starting to fall out when I comb it...) I am worried about explaining that to my grandchildren... ages 6,5,3, and 1.





I am 46, with 3 adult beautiful daughter's, and 4 super wonderful grandchildren, and an amazing husband. I am on day 11 of my first chemo treatment, and I am doing okay, today!!!!! My family has made our motto, "FOREVER STRONG" but my personal motto is "DETERMINATION"!!!!!

Well hello all.  I have been lurking on this site since my diagnosis in the middle of November and have decided it's time to join in.  I thought because I started chemo this month that this thread would be the best place to start.  Both my BS and my Onc decided that due to the size of my tumor and the fact I am Triple Negative that I needed to do Neoadjuvant chemo in order to shrink the tumor first and take care of any stray cells that may have wandered off on their own.  My first chemo was on December 4th and I am doing FEC-D (4 rounds of each).  I am very happy to say that so far I have not had very many bad side effects (knock wood).  Other than some minor nausea and tiredness here and there not much so far.  My scalp did start to hurt a few days ago so I'm thinking the hair is going to start coming out any time now, got it cut short to a pixie cut last Sunday, was very emotional as my hair was quite long.  Have one wig already and another ordered online and due here any day, several hats and caps too.  I have also managed to get in a minimum of 1/2 an hour of cardio every day except 2 (one of those 2 days was spent in the mall Christmas shopping for several hours so I didn't feel too bad about skipping exercise that day ).  My next chemo is on December 26th, I will be checking in here to see how you are all doing too as it is comforting to go through this with others going through the same thing.  Well that's it for now, time for bed.  Goodnight.