December 2012 chemo group
Comments
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Steiner - hope you are feeling better today. The chemo really does do a number on our immune systems!
Duckie - glad you are not having nausea. That is something to celebrate! The miralax is an actual laxative the Benefiber just gives you added fiber in your diet. My MO had me doing Miralax every half an hour until I went. I could only make it thru 6 doses then had to call it quits. It did work though, even though it was the next day.
Peggy - Call your oncologist! They can make sure you have something for the nausea. It may be trial and error to find the right one, but they really don't want you throwing up!
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So it sounds like the worst side effects are in the first week after a treatment for most of you. I know I felt pretty crappy for about five days and started feeling better after that. I still don't know if my stomach issues are a bug or a se. Guess I will see the next round.
I went and cut my hair short today. It is really cute and I like it but I would like it more if I didn't have to cut it off. According to you all, I have about 6 days to enjoy it and then it will be gone. Other than that, I am feeling almost normal and am hoping I will have a couple weeks to feel decent. -
Is anyone taking abraxane ? Herceptin ? I am taking them once a week. Does anyone know if the dosage changes to more each treatment? Also, if I brought my own supplies, do you think I should have a man/ped or learn to keep my nails short and do it myself?
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I am on day 14 and my hair is coming out as well. many of you are saying that your head hurts or itches... that hasn't happened to me at all... my hands are itching all day today... what is up with that... and my lips and nose are numb, for the second time this week.. has anyone heard of that happening? and I am so tired.. I slept most of the day away... my body hurts so bad... my doctor said people with fibromyalgia don't usually do so good with chemo... thank goodness it is only four treatments....I got this!!!! DETERMINATION!!!!! I can get through this!!!! Now matter how bad it hurts!!!
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Day 16 for me and Holy Smokerinos the hair is really coming out in the shower now, shouldn't be too much longer now...got my new wig washed and ready to go.
Judaday, funny that you mention itchy hands, my right hand was really itchy around day 10 for about 3 days, I hadn't read about anyone else having this so I couldn't figure out what was going on, I guess it really was an SE, kind of glad to know that now.
Other than the sore scalp I'm doing pretty good. I've heard that some people do well with FEC so I'm hoping I'm one of them, fingers crossed, 3 more of those to go. After that though 4x Taxotere and from what I'm hearing I'm not expecting things to be as "smooth". Anyhow, I hope you all have a good night with as few SEs as possible.
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Well, looks like I've picked up a cold
. I noticed yesterday that I was feeling dizzy and that the strange sound I kept hearing was coming from inside my own ears. Went ahead and started taking an antibiotic that was left over from my surgery (after calling the on-call doc to check) because I think there is something going on in my middle ear. Woke up this morning with a stuffed up nose and sore throat. Boo!!Day 14 and no hair loss yet. i keep waiting for it to spontaneously jump off my scalp and hit the floor; almost excited about it, but not really.
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Nicole503, I'm sorry I missed your post, just saw it now. Yes, lets compare notes! I'm out all day doing exams, and I'm in a different "time zone" (I'm in europe) so I might take some time to answer, but keep me posted. I'll do the same.
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MTJulie - The first 7-9 days were the worst for me too, then I gradually started to feel better. I had a lot of indigestion last time, so for tx2 I started taking Prilosec about 4 days prior. We'll see if it helps.
Dwihtd - I have heard others say that they continued with the Mani/pedi's with their own tools. I guess it would also depend on how well they clean out their pedi tubs between clients so you don't get an infection.
Powermom - So sorry that you have a cold! ((((hugs))))and hope you feel better soon.
I am day 20 from tx1 and day 3 from tx2. Still have most of my hair, although it is buzzed to about 1/4". It is thinner and I feel like I have male pattern balding at the temples
I keep waiting for the rest of it to fall out, especially since I have baby fine thin hair. I was kind of hoping to get real adult hair when it comes in after chemo! Although after 50+ years of the fine, thin stuff, I am not sure I would know what to do with it!Hope all you wonderful ladies have a great day with minimal SE's!
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Hi everyone - haven't been on in awhile... took advantage of the 3 semi-normal feeling days to catch up on errands, christmas, and a little work. Had treatment 1 Dec 5 and then yesterday had #2 - I know many of you have had or will have number 2 soon. So far about the same for me as #1 - but its only been 1 day. Headache came on again almost as soon as the drugs came on board.. not too bad just there and doesn't go away for a week. Scalp itchy like all of you but still there. I just realized I'm gonna be really annoyed if all my hair comes out except on my legs! I haven't shaved since my Nov 1 surgery and I don't intent to!
Found out yesterday that when surgery path came back I am now triple negative.. kind of a bummer. But I guess this treatment plan is for that to - just I won't get the extra whammy from the tamoxifen. I guess its time to study that more closely.
I am having a horrible time finding my "thing" for my hair. Wore a scarf to work Tuesday and ended up balling in the bathroom because it wasn't right - like as much as when I got diagnosis (yes - misplaced emotion - hair and scarves not really that big a deal). My expensive wig hurts my ears, and my cheaper one got wet in the snow, I washed it - now it isn't as pretty. I don't know what I'm gonna do about this. I feel compelled to wear wig in meetings at work - and to certain places - but I rip it off every chance Iget. Gonna be a long struggle on that for me.
Please let me know how you ladies into treatment 2 are doing. I am nervous though I did well last time. I am so sorry for all of you have the bad side effects. I am just doing what I did last time - staying "ahead" of things with the anti-nausea, antacids, and stool softeners. I can't believe how many pills I take a day - but it worked last time so I'll do it again...
Hope everyone is managing well - you are all so strong and inspirtational. I am glad I was able to come back and read the posts - it brings me strength and hope.
Take care-
M
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Hi ladies - a bit of a pity party for me...My hair started to come out in clumps yesterday so my hair stylist came over. We were going to shave it all off but Ijust couldn't do it. Ijust got it cut about an inch long right now. I needed to take this baby step before shaving it off.
I made an appt to go look at wigs on Saturday but I still think I am going to lean towards hats and scarves.
Any advice or pep talk on how you delt with shaving your head? i have such a hard time seeing myself with this short hair - how do i look into the mirror and not freak with it being bald? Please give me some inspiration!
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Oh runnergirl - I'm sorry you are so upset. I knew watching my hair come out slowly would kill me so I just bit the bullet and got a buzz cut day after chemo 1. I'm glad I did.. because it is taking more than I expected for me to get up to speed with hats and wigs.. not working out well for me. I think I would just be too upset by the clumps. Also - I felt strangely empowered by shaving it?? Can't really explain it.. Now I just notice little whiskers here and there and in my sleeping cap as it comes out. I have always changed my hair alot - cut, color all the rest - my mother is a hairdresser. So - maybe that made it easier for me?
I hope you get to feeling better... I know you will. Look at some of the posts in this thread about hats, etc... maybe watch the you tube video on the t-shirt wraps?? that was fun... but I doubt it will be too practical in the end for me..
Hugs.. take care
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Bren~You just gave me an odd thought! That hair could possibly go on the very top first and leave us with that little ring of hair around our heads like Dr. Phil!!! Please NO!!!
I guess it really doesn't matter anyway unless we plan to go topless, which I don't.
Runnergirl~I'm only 2 days behind you. So far no changes in my hair at all. No itching, tingling, or hair coming out when I tug on it.
Mfml~Thanks for the tip about the t-shirt video. I'm thinking how all my husbands colored tees will look when I get done with them. Lol
Blessings
Paula -
Well, I'm Day 17 now and still have hair. It's coming out a lot but I'm hoping to get through tomorrow (end of work week) before having to shave. I feel like it's barely hanging on though! It's thinned out a lot in the back, I have to style and spray it "just right" to hide some thin patches. I might just shave it tonight though, we'll see how much more falls out today. It mostly comes out when I shampoo or style it. I haven't seen much on my pillows.
Feeling good today. Over the stomach bug I had, it was just a day...kinda weird! Taking it easy at work which is nice. We are part of that big midwest blizzard that rolled through last night. I had a TWO hour commute into work today! Driving on a solid sheet of ice on the interstate, it was slow moving for sure.
I hope everyone is having a good day! I'm finding that rest and relaxation are becoming more of a necessity than luxury lately, I hope you all are getting it
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Day 14 post first treatment and for the first time I did see hair in my hand when I shampooed, and on the towel when I dried off. I'm in my wig and feel the occasional tingly feeling. I had an appt with the MO's assistant today. She knew I was wearing a wig. I realized probably people that know me know I am wearing a wig. I work at at college with wonderful professors who have simply said they liked my "do" and didn't dig any deeper. I wonder if I fool complete strangers when out at the stores or in the gym. I find myself looking at everybody's hair now! I guess I never thought folks were wearing wigs before so probably strangers aren't obsessing about me! Get over it Gwen! I am wearing a wig! So what!
I had to have an EKG today in preparation for tomorrow's port surgery. I'm lying on the table hoping my wig doesn't fall off or that the tech wasn't weirded out by my odd looking breasts thinking wow this is weird. She commented on how relaxed I must be judging by my heart rate! Okay I got this. If that didn't make me nervous nothing will.
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I FEEL LIKE COMPLETE SHIT
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mfml - Glad you were able to take advantage of the normal feeling days.
Runnergirl - Sorry you are so upset about losing your hair
As women we often see our hair as our "crowning glory", that thing that makes us who we are. I guess it is natural to feel such a loss about it, especially since we have already lost or are about to lose that which makes us feel like women - our breasts. This disease certainly takes us through the rollercoaster of emotions!Gwen - hope your port surgery goes well for you tomorrow. I am sure you look great in your wig!
Paula - the Dr Phil look would definitly not be cool! I don't go topless, except around the house. Even then I sometimes wear a cute hat, just because my head gets cold. Ok, I have gone topless in the car after several hours in the wig and I can't stand it anymore. Hopefully I don't scare other drivers!
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Jenjen - I am sorry you feel so bad. Hope you feel better soon. ((((hugs))))
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I did call my oncologist who told me to start the zofran earlier than he previously advised. A little better today but not much. At least I slept last night and that is indeed a blessing!
Yes, I do take the Ativan,but I have a history of high sensitivity to steroids, so I think that's why they don't help me much in that regard.
We are all so different in body chemistry. I envy yours!
When I see the onc next (jan 3) I am going to ask about decreasing the steroid dose and trying a different nausea medication.
Thanks again for responding -
Jenjen - I am sorry for you too
Is it nausea or pain? Get well soon!On the hair subject, I'm starting chemo 28 Dec, so my hair will start to fall on Jan 12th (around that day). That's my mom's birthday and I hope I don't ruin it by being sad and tearful. I thought of this for some encouragement, don't know if it'll work: I was planning on displaying my GI Jane DVD on top of my bathroom sink, when I buzz my hair. It says on the cover: FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION with a picture of bald and gorgeous Demi Moore. But I'll probably freak out and cry and scream and break everything afterwords (that's plan B...).
http://www.tower.com/g-i-jane-demi-moore-blu-ray/wapi/107023297
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Sophiafred - I LOVE IT!! Yes GI Jane is our girl! Demi is gorgeous and I love the caption!! I may have to watch this film over the holiday!
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FriendGwen - Hope it works for you
December 2012 chemo group are all officially NAVY SEALS! -
Mfml~I love the tee shirt wrap video. My husband watched it to and was hugging his t-shirt to himself like he was afraid I'd swipe it. I'm thinking, colored tees at the thrift store are less than $2. I can get a bunch. Thank you.
Blessings
Paula -
Sympathy and hugs to you Jenjen. I felt pretty crappy the first few days too and I am trying to have the attitude of riding out the bad days without fighting them, like a storm. We will get through this! Waiting for the hair to go is the next wave. I haven't done anything about head coverings yet. I am still secretly hoping it won't fall out for me. My mother kept her hair 25 years ago when she had bc, and she is giving me what is probably false hope. We will ride this part out too.
Does anybody know if I should be very concerned about running a low grade fever? It has been from 99.4 up to 100.2 and goes down with Tylenol. I still think its a stomach bug but I am not sure. -
MT Julie - my doctor told me to call right away at 101. But I am guessing that if it has been over more than a day you should call? I don't know - I err on the side of calling rather than not.
JenJen - sorry you are feeling crappy.. maybe you should call your doctor. There are so many different things they can try. Maybe even bring you in for IV fluids. Maybe its better to see about it and not leave it for the weekend. My heart goes out to you - you must be miserable.
Paula - good idea about the thrift stores. I think Michaels might have cheap colorful plain t-shirts - normally for doing tie-dye and crafty things but should be nice for head wraps.
Sorta sad tonight... sending my hubby and girls to Mississippi for Christmas (to my parents... not his - he's a saint!). I know I shouldn't travel.. its for the best. My girls just brought me directions on what to leave santa so that he would come HERE and THERE... they are looking at the bright side..
Feel better everyone...
Mia
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Hi Ladies,
Just checking in on y'all. For many of you it is around that time that your hair starts to exit stage right. I wanted to share some tips for those wearing wigs. I chose to wear one to work and as treatment progressed I found it very uncomfortable. Someone told me about gel bands, which I quickly ordered from TLC. It releases much of the pressure of the wig and made it much more tolerable for the 7.5 hours I wore it. Also, I remember many of my chemo buddies (including myself) suffered from red pimple like bumps on our freshly bald heads for awhile. Again, someone gave me the tip of using Head and Shoulders and it worked like a charm. Hope this helps!
Wishing all of you a wonderful holiday and New year.
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jenjenl ~ I wish a lot of support for you right now so that you can just be with the sickness and know that your sweet children are well cared for. I hope that tomorrow dawns slightly easier for you. If it does not, please do check with your oncologist to see if they have some good strategies for what is ailing you. We are all rooting for you.
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Sunflower~Thanks for checking in and thank you for the great tips. It's always great to hear from ladies who have already been where we are now.
Blessings
Paula -
sunflower71 thanks so much for the tips! Much needed. I've really been wondering about what the heck to wash my head with when I start to loose.
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Hi ladies,
New to the forum and just started chemo 12/17 (AC).
Day 1 was the worst in terms of nausea. Took a while to figure out that Ativan was the secret to my survival. Days 2 & 3 weren't bad, but the Day 2 Neulasta shot made for some mighty fierce bone pain all day today (Day 4) - even with Claritan pre- and post-shot.
Two days before chemo, I chopped off about 18 inches of hair and plan to have it made into a hair halo for myself and my 5.5 year old son who LOVES my hair. I'm more depressed about the hair than anything. I feel like I'm already wearing a wig. Boo.Hoping to join you all on your journeys if you'll have me!
Dawn -
hi banksy, i had my first chemo session today, am not so much concern nor afraid w the chemo session as much as i'm terrified w hair loss. am 46 now and never wear my hair short since my college days. The hardest part to decide is whether to preempt the loss or wait. its christmas time n with all the scheduled family gatherings, its even more difficult to show up w that kind of look. So i decided to do it n tranches so i can see how i look in diff. hairstyle. i was sporting mid bobcat look last week n friends says they love it. Yesterday, i had it cut short "Rihanna" style. am actually enjoying the weekly change in my look. i might actually buzz it out totally next week since i was told effect of med will come on 2nd week.
good luck to all of us, this too shall pass
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