Starting Chemo June 2013!?!?!

I ran into the same trouble. Any stubble left behind is irritating.  It tends to feel like little needles all over.  I razored it because it bothered me too much.  I don't know if you get use to it or not.  I assume it would eventually fall out since most of the time you go completely bald...eyebrows, eyelashes, arm hair...so the fuzz would probably go too.  I was just too impatient to wait for the complete fallout.

aaoaao - hang in there!  I like your fighting spirit!

Day 5 after Round 2 I feel fairly "normal".  I had my mom buzz cut my hair this morning cuz my hair was falling out like a "shedding dog" (in my daughters words).  Dew rag and a baseball cap.  I don't see myself as a wig wearer.  Maybe . . . if I found the right one.  By Sept or Oct I can just throw a winter hat on and call it good.  It is Alaska.

I did go ride horses last week.  That is my sanity.  The lady that owns the horses does rescues.  As I was leaving last week the vet brought in a young horse on the edge of death from starvation.  We really weren't sure he'd make it through the night.  He's been there a week now, I'm going to see him tomorrow and take pictures of us together.  I've decided we will walk this recovery together.  I'll take another picture in 6 months.  I think it'll be good for both of us.

Seems I spend a lot of time making sure everyone around me is comfortable with my situation.  I keep life as normal as possible for myself and my kids (tho things are a little obvious now with no hair).  Some times I think the "fake it til you make it" attitude is good and sometimes I wonder if I'm in denial.  I like to think I'm just staying positive cuz I'm gonna beat this.  My mother-in-law beat it 14 years ago.

My period is trying to break through too.  Really?  Who needs it??  Nothing like PMS on steroids right?  My poor family!    Glad I'm done with medicine and PMS for now.  I'm hoping the next week is good for all of us. 

KatiAK, thanks for the complement.  Yes I'm a fighter, always have been with the background I had growing up.  I currently live on a farm and my sister stables her 2 horses here.  They are older, the female one (Ruby) doesn't like to be ridden, her favorite activity is eating.  The male one (Rowdy) likes to be ridden but has bad legs now so riding him can be painful.  I tend to them everyday, it keeps me active, and it is a calming influence.  I also have a velcro dog (she sticks to me like glue), she is a pit mix but really just a big baby.  I also try to stay positive for my family, especially my son and sister.  My son kind of knows because he once said to me "I know you're worried but you're trying to be strong for me".  It's okay to be in denial, as long as you're realistic enough to get treatments.  Denial gives us hope and the belief that we will win this fight.

DLM, thank you for the complement also.  I haven't had my ovaries removed.  I asked my MO and she thinks that with chemo it would be to risky and too much to handle.  She said there are ovary suppressants that work great.  The only reason to remove them at this point would be if I developed tumors there.  Yes, I have bleeding out of my rectum at times.  It is related to fissures down there due to the severe constipation I get.  The amount of blood is determined by the size of the fissure. I also have a good size hemorroid.  I'm pretty sure it isn't cancer because I had a full colonoscopy almost 2 years ago and everything was fine, just one polyp that wasn't cancer.  Bleeding can also be from diverticulites (not sure of the spelling).  The fissures tend to heal on their own, the hemorroids can be removed if they become a big issue, and even the diverticulites can be easily fixed during a colonscopy.  So yes ass bleeding can happen for very simple reasons.  Definitely talk to your doctor to determine your cause and plan of action.  But I wouldn't worry because my gastro doc told me that very few butt problems are actually cancer.  Also don't be embarrassed to discuss any issues, that's what we're here for, to discuss things we can't talk about with others not going through it.  Talking about it is better than stressing yourself out.  Stress weakens our bodies and we need strength at this time. 

You both have a great chance for positive outcomes.  However, it is hard to get through things you're experiencing at this time.  Remain positive (you will win), and baby yourself as much as you can.  Cancer can be an awakening that material things aren't as important as we think they are, good family and friends reveal themselves and the ones who only wish to use you also become apparent.  I learned how much I am loved and who I can count on.  Cancer gave me the realization that I need to simplify my life (that sounds strange given all the tests/treatments I'm enduring). I don't let things bother me so much.  I use to have a problem with road rage, not quite that bad, but I was pretty irritable with other drivers.  These days I just don't care, in the scheme of things it is minor.  Cancer also give us an insight into how strong we can be.  Remember a diamond is made by the beating it takes.  Of course, I rather not have cancer but there are positives to it, at least for me. 

Got a pixie cut today.  Just taking baby steps so far.  Probably will only have a day or two with this before I have to go a step further but I guess I am dragging it out as far as I can.  Atleast this will cut down on the mess for now.

I lost MAJOR amounts of hair yesterday and today and it was a huge mess because it was shoulder length.  I went with the pixie cut for now because I had heard some people don't lose every bit and then they are sorry that they shaved.  Not sure what it will look like tomorrow, or what I will do with it but I guess I will figure it out then.

Patty- I checked and did not have a PM response.  Must not have gone thru.

Good luck Sunnyskys!! Sure it will be fine, they will all be fussing with their own work etc... Hope it goes ok...

Aaooaao; you should post on the thread Comfort Dogs... Velcro dog is great!!!! I have one too, can't go to the loo without her coming too..!!

Dlm; see your doc, hope he or she has some suggestions...

Katie, Ocean, Patty, kmurphy, wish you all well for next few days..

Wish everyone well..

Am doing ok, but got cold from kids, one day feel fine, next really crappy... Taking it easy. Next one next Monday... Getting used to no hair, hard though.. Can't believe there are some cultures and religions where it is actively shaved off.. !!!

Never made it to the barn today. Will try again Tuesday afternoon. Just so tired and run down. Did too much yesterday maybe. I did see my oldest one play ball. He has a game tomorrow I'd like to see. SO frustrating to be so tired. And my stomach's just off. Sigh . . . Maybe tomorrow will be better. I'm really not liking the bald thing. Can't find a head covering I like. My teenage son buzzed his hair tho. He's such a good kid!

Hope everyone has a good Monday. First day at work bald ffor me.

Party and kmurphy - I wish I had waited to buzz my head like you guys are doing. I think it's smart. Because for me the stubble is really painful when I sleep (pulls on my pillow) and wear a wig (pulls on the netting). Mine was falling out in handfuls and was already cut short so I now wish I had just dealt with the hair falling out naturally. I don't mind my bald head but the stubble pain is really annoying for me.



Good luck to anyone in the chair thd week!

Hi all!

Hair is coming out in chunks now. Glad I cut it super short on day 12. The top of my head feels like I have been wearing tight ponytails. I wear hats called Turtle Fur, they are comfortable, thin, and have really cute colors. I also wear bandana caps that you can get cheap on the Internet. I got my free hats from Hat Box this weekend. They are homemade hats, and they are soft and comfortable. I go for Round 2 Thursday, and I hope anyone else having Rounds this week does well. Kmurphy - do you go Thursday?

{{{{{{Group Hugs}}}}}}

Sherry

Sharon - sure you will make it! Positive thoughts and anti nausea meds will get you there and moving to the music! I will be thinking about you tomorrow!

{{{{{{Group Hugs}}}}}}

Sherry

Ocean! I hope things get better for you. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts going up for you! Sleep well tonight and hopefully you will be better in the morning! Hugs to you!

Sherry

Netter-do you use the brian josephs during infusion time only or continually on a daily basis?

My hair started coming out day 14 a little.  Day 17 was the big day for me.  It is less now mostly because I have so little left.  But I never did have the tenderness everyone said I would have.

Sharon--your hanging on to your hair a long time!  I think your chances of getting to the concert are very good.  For me, that was the day I felt "new" again after a rough couple days.

Sherry--Yep, back to chemo on Thursday!  Last time I had treatment in the morning and then went to work.  I was wiped out and felt kind of foggy.  This time I am going to work in the morning and then have an afternoon treatment.  I think that will probably work out much better.

Ocean--I hope your feeling better.  I know that "hit the wall" feeling.  Sometimes I think we just need a good cry (sometimes it's a days worth).  Then we can brush ourselves off and move forward again.  We can't be "Superwoman" all the time!!

Hope everyone has a great day!!

Netter - Keep us posted on how the Brian Joseph's is working - I'm contemplating getting some - 50$ tho - wow. I REALLY don't want to lose my brows and lashes tho. I have some stuff I got at Walgreens that is Loreal brow and eyelash healthy growth kind of stuff - was $15 but - once they go - they're gone so not sure I want to gamble. Also - has anyone here taken Garcinia Cambogia before? Did anyone take it during chemo? My hubby and I both need to lose weight - and this is supposed to be safe and natural - we'll see. I want to be down to a safe BMI before my flap surgery - and unfortunately that means losing weight during chemo and rads. My doc tells me most people gain weight during chemo - NOT what I wanted to hear!

Netter - maybe I'll give it a shot. Just REALLY hoping it works! Losing my hair is bad enough... When did you start using it? Prior to your first treatment? How long did it take you to get it once you ordered it?