Starting chemo November 2012

BetNy-

It was horrible for me too!!! I still hate looking ingbthe mirror I have A/C # 4 Thursday then onto Taxol. I hear it could start growing back for taxol. I sure hope so!

So who is doing rads when they are done with chemo?  I have one more AC on Dec. 27th, and then I am not sure if I get two or three weeks off, and then 12 straight weeks of taxol.  We met with the rad onc on Thursday and technically I fall into the gray area of radiation.  Since I had the mastectomy it would be chest wall.  She wanted me to move up my appointment with plastics.    Right now I am feeling like it is the right thing to do, but lots of decisions.  

thanks for being so supportive, only you women know the real emotions of this. txjunebug, that is a good way to look at it, at least I know its working. My family keeps convincing me to shave it but I somehow am scared that if I do, just what if I were able to retain some to pull some out of the bottom of a hat or scarf. I know I am dilussional and I have to move on

How is everyone doing with their weight? I gained last time and my Ocologist said that I have to be careful because most weight gained during chemo is very hard to lose. I just don't want anything but carbs.

Im gonna put a cute hat on and try and enjoy this day with my children, we are doing all the great xmas sites in NYC today.

Dakota EAT and forget about skipping the steriods - you will be soooo sick to your stomach!!! Eat and enjoy...Also, I'm sure you are beautiful with or without hair - at least thats what I try to convince myself  )

BetNY - hope you had a great day with the kids - you and they deserve it...I left my Clarabell hair just to have a little cushioning and warmth and I do pull it out of my hat and wig but it is still thinning sooooo much, this is the first time my husband has more hair than me - it's freakin scarey!! I'm sure I'll be buzzing it off soon also.  I got a cute halo wig to wear with hats, it's more comfortable than a wig if your wearing a hat www.tlc.com (cancer society)  or www.headcovers.com

TLYM hope your feeling better by now, you had a rough round #3 = I had mine today, I will update all of you when I'm don't this post

Pands already told you your buzz looks cool - I'll be joining you and the rest of the girls soon - just keeping it for a little warmth.

Politicomama I will be starting radiation (6weeks) probably beginning last week Jan or 1st week Feb = not looking forward to it but we gotta do what we gotta do!

OK, that's as far as I scrolled back so my next post will be about my day for chemo #3.....

Survived #2...counts rebounded well...I am starting with a white count of 10....so that gives me area to fall...My Oncologist doesn't do the injections if your body can recover on its own...which mine seems to be...now to enjoy the next 2 weeks as much as possible and then we will be in the home stretch!

Hi ladies - Hope everyone is doing well after chemo 2 and 3. Is it only me or is treatment 3 kickin your butt? I breezed through 1 and 2, even went on a business trip to Florida, after 2. I feel like i've been hit by a bus after 3. Extreme fatigue and muscle pain. I've been working full time throughout this journey and find myself totally crashing by about 3pm. I told coworkers its an out of body experience - my body has been taken over by an old person - which is hard to get your mind wrapped around. Climbing stairs and lifting anything is a major effort. Hope this is all temporary and you have a better experience. Hugs to everyone!

Hi Loafer-Still exhausted day 5 after #3. Just can't seem to get enough sleep-I wake up tired!

5LuvBugs (Mama)-Hope your day went well and you get lots of rest before doing all the Christmas cooking!

Hi everyone, so I am still up past 2am eating and feeling restless from taking the infamous steroids, when I have chemo #3 in the morning.  Btw PANDS I like your GI Jane look! MACY great to hear you started kicking that cancer butt, have fun on your road trip! Good luck to all.

Chemo # 3 and day 7 and I'm fatigued still. I'm really restless then sleep a couple of hours, back up again when my son gets up !! I'm still working few days a week and thank goodness its not all day as I have a nap in the arvo when my son does!

My feet are peeling and I have burns on my hands....as for the nails....a couple are 'thick' .. when I showed one of the nurses she said that that will grow out no lift off and the new one will come through just as your nail grows.

adagio, no post from you. Did the bone pain resolve? My first Taxol went well and with .5 mg of Ativan and the Gabapentin I am on for the S/E of Taxol has its own S/E one of which can be drowsiness. I woke up off and on and once my pillow was soaked through so my head must have really sweated. Had to get up and change pillows. Woke really early but feel OK. 

Politicomama - thanks for the laugh.   Topless in Wally World.  Love it!!

I'm having problems with the feet not hands.  Nails are dark and heels are bright red.  Nurse said it's neuropathy.  Taking vitamin B6 and painfulness is a little less.  But I've also worked from home for two days and I think that's helping too. 

Yep that's right my boss caved in.  I'm working from home from now until the end of treatment unless I feel good and can make it to the office.  Í'm really enjoying this telecommuting. Have a feeling from hearing about round #3 that I'm going to need naps during the day too.

Hugs to all! 

Had Neulasta shot today, asked about my nails - nurse said they won't fall out just darken a bit and clear up after chemo is finished = what a relief..All this worry about what's going on with our hair, nails, skin, etc = wonder what our insides look like, that's the main thing but .....Remember we are ALL Beautiful Inside so smile :O)

Loafer-I wish I had "chemopause!" I am on my second period since starting chemo and it is super-heavy! Other than the fatigue and my nuisance period, no other SEs from tx #3.

Since I've been bored and resting in bed, I decided to do some online Christmas shopping-big mistake! Found more for myself than the DH and kids and blew tons of money! Oh well...

Hope the rest of you ladies are doing well. Christmas is around the corner. Love this time of year!

5LUVBUGS, my nails are turning grey and blue at the cuticle too, just like Eleni I keep them short and paint them every now and them to keep the nails strongs. Glad to hear I wan't the only one up and hungry lol. I had to take the day off today because I have zero energy after chemo #3 today and after not sleeping at all since last night until now. So I am going to bed after this post; to make it for my neulasta shot in the morning then work. My onc offered me Ambien, I am thinking of taking his offer as much as I am a partisan od the least medication necessary but this lack is getting to me

TXJUNEBUG that's awesome to hear that your boss is accomodating you in that way. Mine is pretty cool too, called me today to check on me after chemo and offer me some support- told me to stay at home tomorrow also if needed.

Onc schedule a CAT scan in 2 weeks to check the progression/regression of the cancer. I am very very nervous about those results and just hoping for the best.

Thinking of you all Ladies and hoping for the best through this journey for everyone

Sickof pink - sending a prayer that this time won't be as bad as you fear.  And hugs.