December 2012 chemo group

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  • Runnergirl2013
    Runnergirl2013 Member Posts: 83
    edited December 2012

    Well I took a shower today and the hair just fell out in hand fills....I went to the salon amd they shaved it. I also ordered a wig. Tough day for sure and so tough to look in the mirror



    Thanks for all of the well wishes and nice comments!!! Love to all of you for the wonderful support!



    Sandra60 and Gwen....lets set a goal and commit to it together even if we are different cities.... Gwen...when is your 5K .??? Maybe we can each find a 5K on that day



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  • bcoct
    bcoct Member Posts: 28
    edited December 2012

    I heard that sucking on ice and ice pops (bring small cooler) helps to aleviate mouth sores as well

    as nail problems...a friend didnt get mouth sores in her treatment swore by it.  Due for second chemo soon and

    wonder if anyone had one this week Christmas Eve?  Its already 3 weeks from last and hope it is only tiredness again no

    nausea last time just those darn mouth sores a few days later...will let you know about ice chips/pops..and try to put

    the fingertips in there too.  Getting closer...anyone else this week? or soon?

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  • FriendGwen
    FriendGwen Member Posts: 177
    edited December 2012

    Runnergirl - yes let's committ to the 5Ks. Mine is April 21 which is a month PFC. I haven't run in a race in about five years but I think it's a great warrior goal. What I did like about running was I adopted a tough girl no vanity but strong mentality when I was running. I mean you really don't care what you look like and have your eye on the finish line. I need to adopt that same mentality during treatment. My hair is shedding and I had several eyelashes in my eyes throughout the day. I need to identify again with runner Gwen and keep my eye on the prize. We all do. The end result will be warrior cancer-free bodies. We can do this.

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  • Sjesse12345
    Sjesse12345 Member Posts: 45
    edited December 2012

    bcoct - I am up again on Wednesday the 26th, when are you going again? As for the ice, when I went for my first treatment they had my friend go to the ice machine they conveniently have there and get me a cup full which they made me keep sucking on (the nurse was quite insistent about it) I didn't end up with mouth sores.

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  • Bren58
    Bren58 Member Posts: 1,048
    edited December 2012

    I admire you girls for committing to do a 5K! That is awesome. I think the only 5K I could do would be to walk, I haven't run in years and would probably have to wear depends b/c of the bladder leakage issues due to pregnancies! Not a pretty sight! I hope you all can achieve your goals!

    So far the SE's from round 2 have not been as bad as round 1. Either that or I am better prepared this time. So far just some mild nausea and fatigue. I am going to start the magic mouthwash rinses today to try to ward off the mouth sores.

    Two days until Christmas! I hope those who have been suffering with bad SE's will be feeling better today. Hopefully we will all feel well enough to enjoy the holiday!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2012

    My treatment #2 is Friday Dec. 28. You girls on Carboplatin, do you get taxotere at the same time or is that after you finish Carboplatin? I'm getting Adria/cytoxan 4X, then on to Taxol, which is a Taxane just like Taxotere.



    bcoct~What kind of chemo are you getting?



    I'm dreading this next treatment, but am praying that the SEs are no worse than before.



    I need to get ready or church. Y'all have a wonderful day!



    Blessings

    Paula

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  • Runnergirl2013
    Runnergirl2013 Member Posts: 83
    edited December 2012

    Friendgwen - my birthday is 4/21 so that would be a great day to do a 5K - I would be so happy to be out there running a bit.  I ran/walked on the treadmill yesterday and it felt so good.

    Anyone else want to join in? 
    It would be fun knowing we were all doing something on the same day!

    Well my hair was falling out in clumps yesterday - it was a complete mess in the shower so I decide it was time to shave it off.  I went and met with a man at a salon who specializes in wigs and he is ordering me a wig....it is super natural and matches my hair color.  I am still not sure if I will be comfortable wearing it but it was only $250 so i have it as an option.

    I have a really hard time looking at myself in the mirror - it's just so hard knowing the hair is completely gone.  I have lost my inner eyelashes too - has anyone else lost eyelashes or eye brows yet?

    Bren58- i am glad your side effects aren't too bad and that you are managing ok - I go on 12/26 and pray that it's not tood bad. :)

    Take care everyone - I pray that you have a a great weekend!

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  • powermom
    powermom Member Posts: 195
    edited December 2012

    Runnergirl - How closely did you have your head shaved?  Think I'm going to do mine today, but I'm not sure what length to leave.  I can't leave mine alone, keep running my fingers through it to see how much is coming out!  My hairdresser never returned my calls, so I don't have a wig trimmed and ready to wear.  I guess my first venture out with a headcovering will be today when I go to buy cookie ingredients.

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  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited December 2012

    Well I just came out of my chemo cave.  I don't know how you ladies are so perky and busy.  The chemo hit me hard and fast.  Treatment day I felt like I was overdosing.  Day 2 sick, unable to eat and vision effected.  Day 3, unable to eat and drink sore throat, terrible headache, unable to sleep.  Day 4 went to doctor for fluids, ate my 1st meal that night.  Day 5.  PAIN PAIN EVERYWHERE...I felt like I was being held down and people were beating me with bats.  Day 6 - I'M ALIVE.  Sore as shit but alive.   

    I have a feeling muy DH is going to be dragging me into the next one.  Happy Holidays Ladies and thanks for you support.  Again, you ladies are amazing in how positive, happy and perky you are....send some my way.

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  • PeggySull
    PeggySull Member Posts: 686
    edited December 2012

    Don't know if the nausea just ran its course or the phenegran alternating with the zofran worked but by yesterday afternoon the nausea greatly decreased. Just queasiness now.



    My pixie hair cut has some bald spots now. Hard to look at in the mirror.



    Very tired but so glad able to eat a few things now.



    Thanks for all the support. Hope everyone is doing as we'll as can be expected!



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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited December 2012

    jenjenl,  When you describe your six days of chemo-hell to your doctor, is he/she o.k. with that?  I mean, no changes made to the chemo dose, no meds. going to be given for pain?  It seems like you had a severe reaction, so the plan is to just do it all again the same?  I don't get that.

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  • Bren58
    Bren58 Member Posts: 1,048
    edited December 2012

    jenjen - I agree with elimar, you really need to talk to your MO before your next treatment. Chemo is no walk in the park, but you should not have been suffering as much as you did.

    Peggy - glad you are finally feeling better.

    Paula - After I get all the anti- nausea's, etc., then I get the Herceptin, then the Taxotere, then the Carboplatin and the flush. I know not all MO's do the same routine, but that's mine.

    Runner - glad you found a wig. I hope you will be comfortable wearing it.

    DH is taking me to grocery store for a couple items. I just need to get out of the house for a bit! Will sanitize myself when I get back in the car! lol.

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  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited December 2012

    We will be talking on 12/28 after the holidays about everything.  We did discuss scheduling fluids the days after my infusion going forward. My next one is 1/8.  I certainly know more now about how I react. 

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  • MTJulie
    MTJulie Member Posts: 63
    edited December 2012

    I am starting to lose my hair now. I guess it really is going to happen! I was just getting used to my short stylish haircut. Yesterday I finished up my shopping and my two daughters and my dil arrived for Christmas so I am glad I had an energetic day. A few of my fingertips hurt and I am worried about neuropathy, especially since my onc and nurses never offered ice or even mentioned it at my first appt. seems like losing fingernails might be as traumatic as losing hair. I haven't had any problems with mouth sores really. I rinse my mouth often with the salt water baking soda solution and it seems to work so far. Even cleared up the burnt tongue feeling. You ladies talking about running a race in April are so optimistic! I could walk it now but don't know how I will feel in April.

    So sorry that some of you are suffering. Better days are ahead for us all.

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  • PeggySull
    PeggySull Member Posts: 686
    edited December 2012

    Jenjen, since I have had nearly the same severe side effects (with same chemo regimen), I wanted to know how/why the iv fluids helped? I meet with someone from my onc team on the 27th so I could talk to them if I know a little bit more about how they helped.



    Thanks, Peggy

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2012

    Day # 17 after first chemo. I had to keep rinsing hair off my hands while shampooing in the shower before church his morning. I've had no tingling or tenderness, but hair is definitely going. I imagine I will buzz it mid week. It's ok, I've made my peace with it. I guess I'll be wearing my wig to church next Sunday.



    I'll take the hair loss over cancer any day.



    Blessings

    Paula

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  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited December 2012

    PeggySull - a lot of what I had going on seemed to be a result of dehydration.

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  • beckstar18
    beckstar18 Member Posts: 253
    edited December 2012

    Skimommy, I'm using my regular face wash but I've noticed my skin is much more dry and sensitive.  And I'm breaking out more (yay!)  I'm having to moisturize 2x daily now instead of the usual once.

    Sandra60, YES the steroids made me super restless and I couldn't sleep at night for the first 4 nights or so after I took them.  I did take Ativan but it didn't seem to help. My MO cut my steroid dose back for this next round, so we'll see if that helps.

    Paula, I got some scarves from coldwatercreek.com.  Currently they're 50% off all sale and outlet stuff, plus another 40% code that stacks (you can Google or find it on slickdeals.net).  I borrowed lots of scarves from my mom too.  And my mom bought some fabric from Joann's and made me some cute head coverings, they were pretty simple to sew together she said.  I'm glad to have the scarves and headcoverings.  I shaved my head Thursday after the hair starting coming out in clumps.  My scalp is itchy and tender so my wig won't work, and hats are okay but just not as comfortable as a scarf.

    FriendGwen, I think you'll be happy you got the port.  It's so much easier!  Did you get some lidocaine cream to apply 1 hour before appts where they access it?  If not, ask your MO.  I've been using it and don't even feel it when they access my port.  Best wishes for your next Tx, I have mine on the 26th.

    Jenjen, dang girl, I'm sorry :(  You've had a bad run with this.  I really hope the IV fluids helped!  How are your blood counts looking?  Hang in there, and know that you've got all of us here to support you!!

    Runnergirl i've lost a few eyelashes.  I hope they all don't go.  It's been fun getting to glam up my eyes and make them standout with shorter (now buzzed) hair.  Mascara and eyeliner makes me feel a bit more feminine with this military buzz cut!

    For those of you who started on or around the 4th like me, if you haven't done your buzz cut yet I highly recommend it. My husband did mine for me and it's such a relief to not have to style hair!  Plus, not seeing it fall out while showering or styling has been nice.  I cried for a minute as he was doing it.  I felt pissed that cancer has taken my boobs, and now my hair, leaving me feeling as though I look like a 12 year old boy.  But I got over it.

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  • Jud
    Jud Member Posts: 26
    edited December 2012

    Eyelashes... mine are getting really thin, so I went to Wal-Mart and got a pair of false eyelashes for $3.00 and watched a you tube video to learn how to put them on.... they worked out pretty well, didn't take long at all to get the hang of it... and they look amazing!!!! and they look real.... but they have so many to choose from so I didn't get the real long ones. I think my real lashes are longer than the false ones so next time I will try a longer pair... and you can wear them several times...



    Wishing everyone a peaceful night!!! Judy >

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  • Sandra60
    Sandra60 Member Posts: 201
    edited December 2012

    Wow u ladies have been busy sharing and helping each other ! I am so thankful I found this group and also the January chemo group it is very supportive ! Thank u to all for all the suggestions on making it through chemo .



    YES I will try to find a 5 k run for 4/21 And go Defoe it too ! If I don't - I will just do one with a few of my dear girlfriends !! We will toast to runner girls b-day after we all are finished !



    Merry Christmas - Happy Holidays to all of you !!!



    I will update closer to my first chemo session on 12/27 .....

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  • milkyway2
    milkyway2 Member Posts: 259
    edited December 2012

    I m most concerned about my eye brows. It will change the face now when i go out nobody knows about my chemo but after loosing eye brows i dont know. I can cover my head. I can cover my eye lashes behind my glasses. But evil chemo takes away every thing i can see my thinner eye lashes. I want to look normal atleast close to normal

    Good night ladies

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2012

    Milkway~Here's an excellent video on creating eyebrows. She makes it easy and they look so real. She also has a video for wearing scarves and another for buffs.



    Blessings

    Paula



    http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=U4lajZWeEyE&feature=related#/watch?v=U4lajZWeEyE&feature=related

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2012

    Paula I watched a video on Youtube about tying head scarves. You can buy fabric at a fabric store and don't even have to sew it. Just look up how to tie a turban. The fabric should be rectangular and large. The ladies of color make these look so awesome. I'm a simple white girl, but hope I can pull it off too. 

    I love that you ladies are setting a goal to run a 5k. I will run the KissMeDirty again this year. The proceeds to towards gynecological cancer research. If you have that or the Dirty Girl Mud Run (Godirtygirl.com) in your area I highly recommend either one. And the Dirty Girl benefits the National Breast Cancer Foundation. So much fun and adds just a little more to your typical 5k. My last chemo day is April 18th, so my goal for anything extrenuous will be out a little further. There is a 60 bike ride that I've wanted to do for years and told a friend of mine that I will aim for doing that in June. DH bought me a road bike for Christmas, so it is the perfect thing to work towards.

    Judaday does the glue from the eyelashes bother you? I contemplated that route, but read that the glue on the already sensitive skin was too much to bear.

    Has anyone bothered with the eyebrow stenciles? Similar to the fake lashes, just glue and go. I was worried how it would look.

    Jenjenl are you taking the tri-cocktail (A, C and T all together)? That will be my regime as well. While the MO said there is much difference between that and doing dose dense, where you have AC followed by T, I'm so worried that hitting hard with all three will be more than I can bear.

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  • ScarYola
    ScarYola Member Posts: 15
    edited December 2012

    Hello Ladies, I have been trolling and reading this thread since it was started, so I said maybe I just just introduce myself. I am Yolanda. I am a wife of one James for twenty years and we are the parents of six children. I love this site because no one in the world understands what I am going through like you ladies and in that I find solace. I started chemo on December 10, 2012. Taxotere and Cytaxon. Lost all my hair on Saturday, it was very interesting the coming out was the most tragic once shaved and I saw my self in the mirror, I felt empowered and my thoughts were, "This is all this was," I think we build so much of this in our heads and when  the "it" comes that we have been dreading, we find we are stronger for it, and it helps us get through the next hurdle. I have a couple maybe a few questions, please chime in if you have a answer. Very dissapointed right now with my medical team, feel like they are not taking me serious and giving me all the information I require. As you can see I am stage 1b with a micromet0.5. I have had no pet scans, no MRI, I did have a bone scan (only because I had pain in shoulder), bone scan came out fine. I asked about why I have not had the other tests and was told that they do not give them unless there is suspicion of spread (just does not sound right, please chime in). I have a six paghology report that has not been gone over in detail yet. I feel I am being treated agressively with chemo and that is fine if I need it, radiation oncologist said she would not touch me for rads because of a micromet that small. I did not do the full axillary node dissection after surgery because I feel it is overkill in my situation and thankfully the doctors and modern today science are agreeing with that as well. Lastly, I have a opportunity to go to Cancer Center's of America for a second opinion and possible treatment. I have found reviews they are mixed, has anyone had family members or know anything about them? I know that was alot for a introduction..... Nice to meet you all, and I hope that you allow me to share this journey with you!

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  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited December 2012

    skimommi - yes I get all 3 (TAC) in one day, every 3 weeks.  It's no joke.

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited December 2012

    I just wanted to pop in to offer youll encouragement. Last year this time I had just finished AC about to move on to taxol. I was depressed and scared. The wekly taxols were nothing compared to AC. Never give up. Youll can do this

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2012

    Yolanda~Welcome! You have come to the best place for support, tips, love, & laughter.

    I had my first chemo on Dec. 7. Mine are three weeks apart, so I go back this Friday. My hair started loosening up yesterday. I'm ready to buzz it this week. I've got hats & a wig.

    I've always admired how women of color can buzz their hair off and still look so beautiful, and remain so confident.



    The Cancer Centers of America are great, but if you have a Breast Cancer Center in your area go there? What part of the country are you in? Since they only work with breast cancer, they are up to date on every treatment & risk.



    Blessings

    Paula

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2012

    Yolanda~Welcome! You have come to the best place for support, tips, love, & laughter.

    I had my first chemo on Dec. 7. Mine are three weeks apart, so I go back this Friday. My hair started loosening up yesterday. I'm ready to buzz it this week. I've got hats & a wig.

    I've always admired how women of color can buzz their hair off and still look so beautiful, and remain so confident.



    The Cancer Centers of America are great, but if you have a Breast Cancer Center in your area go there? What part of the country are you in? Since they only work with breast cancer, they are up to date on every treatment & risk.



    Blessings

    Paula

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  • FriendGwen
    FriendGwen Member Posts: 177
    edited December 2012

    Hi ScarYola! Glad to hear the hair loss wasn't as rough as you had anticipated. Mine is still hanging on but I know it's coming. As for the tests I had an MRI on my breasts only prior to my surgery just so they could verify what they had already seen with the mammogram and sonogram. I asked about additional tests but the dr said it wouldn't show them anything. Treating the whole body with chemo was the most aggressive treatment.

    FrednTan - thank you for stopping in and encouraging us!

    Am off to the hospital for blood work and to have my port bandaged changed. Then it's family time! Merry Christmas everyone! Wishing you all a wonderful Xmas Eve!

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  • Runnergirl2013
    Runnergirl2013 Member Posts: 83
    edited December 2012

    scaryola- my situation is very similar to yours.  My tumor was .6cm and i had a micro-met of 1.5mm.  I got opinions from 3 oncs and all said to do chemo.  Two of the doctors recommended TC regimen and the doctor at Sloan Kettering in NY recommended a less aggressive chemo (CMF).  I chose the more aggressive chemo just because i am young and i have young children.  My doctors all said that I should do radiation and they want to be aggressive with radiation in my breast, underarm and neck due to the micromet.

    I did have the full axillary disection (12 nodes removed)- I am not sure if i agree with this - but it is what it is at this point.

    My surgeon supported me in going to Sloan Kettering to get a second opinion but she was not very fond of the Cancer Centers of America- she said she would go somewhere that specialized in breast cancer. 

    I hope this helps - please let me know if you have other questions.

    Oh one last thing....because my tumor was .6cm - the oncotype came back inconclusive...that's another reason I chose to be aggressive - not knowing my oncotype score.

    Soteria - thanks for the link about the makeup.  That lady rules....i love her makeup tips and am going to order some of the makeup in case my eyebrows start to fall out.

    Merry Christmas to all!

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