Starting Chemo June 2013!?!?!

When do you start the Brian Joseph? I'm on just finished my second chemo.

Tasharka, I started Brian Joseph's a few days into my 1st round of chemo. I still have my brows and eyelashes after 2 rounds. I do have thick eyebrows to start with however.

Has any one else's port moved? I think my doctor put mine too deep

Because it takes a 1 1/2 inch needle and the nurse said it should only need a 1 inch usually. It takes several different nurses taking turns about 45 minutes (of pain) to access it. It has moved I believe at least one inch towards my arm from first treatment to the second.

I made it out to play with the horses today.  I got pictures of me with Comet.  He's been there 9 days and I'll bet he's gained 20 or 30 pounds!  He's on the fast track!  There are several people working with him so he should be fat and sassy in a couple months. 

Today I felt good.  I'm bald and I'm tired but at least I felt good.  Hoping for a good week before Round 3 on Tuesday.  ugh, I can see why it get's harder.  What's harder is keeping your chin up.

Hello all been very trying lately. Round three postponed till next week going g to gastroentorologist Thursday Onc said no more chemo until they find out what is causing the rectal bleeding g I'm having. Well gee maybe Bc chemo burns your entire intestinal tract. Probably need a colonoscopy oh yippy cant wait to drank something that is going g to make me go more.

Ocean are you taking clariton it really works for me. Aaoaao your amazing with all you do. And as for shaving your heads I think I did to soon but I just have to own it like we all do. Good luck to all today. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger and Stronger we will be.

I see some of you able to keep your hair?  I was a cueball after day 14!!!!!  And still am!!!!  It starts growing a little before next infusion and then out it comes after.  When I say growing, I mean a little fuzz.  Haven't shaved under my arms or legs for weeks.  (That is nice)  Envy those of your with hair!

Laka,

If you are doing does dense treatments, meaning every two weeks, you're supposed to be getting a Nuelasta shot on Day 2 after every treatment to boost your production of red blood cells. Obviously they didn't explain your treatment plan to you very well. There's no reason for rude nurses, that really drives me nuts. I'd give my onc a call and let her know what happened and ask for clarification. Like dealing with chemo isn't enough, we have to deal with poor care on top of it!

Thank you ladies. Nobody mentioned or scheduled me for any shots after chemo. How would I know yes I am going to talk to my onc. dlm425 I live in Atl Ga.

Just curious. Has anyone tried Brian Joseph's on their head? Just occurred to me that if it worked on brows and lashes might it not protect hair follicles?

sarajaneevans-I'm 11 months PFC and my hair is a little wavy and about 3 1/2- 4 inches long.  I haven't cut it since early May 2012 right before my second round of chemo.  My last hair cut was a pixie cut that I started myself.  My short bob hair started to aggravate me once it started to leave so I made some little ponytails and snipped away.  I'm sorry you are experiencing the scalp soreness.  Your little hair follicles are letting you know that the hair will be leaving.  I felt the most relief during that time when I took a shower and had that water running down my head.  The hair does start coming out in strands at first and then the hair fallout may accelerate.  If you have cut your hair very short or buzzed it, you may notice that there are hair stubs.  I slept on a polyester satin pillow case when my hair was short and coming out because it didn't seem to get "stuck" or caught on my cotton pillowcase.  Just remember, there are no written rules about hair---- you keep it as long as you like for as long as you want.  I never buzzed and just let my hair do its thing.  I know that how I handled the hair situation isn't for everyone.  Some of my mighty hair held on until after I finished 6 rounds of Cytoxan/Taxotere chemo.  My eyebrows became more sparse towards the last few rounds of chemo and only my bottom eyelashes fell out.  I occasionally used some $8 Rimmel Eyebrow/Eyelash Serum that I got from Target.  Do I think it worked.... who knows.  On this particular chemo regimen, one can lose their eyebrows and eyelashes after finishing chemo and can also lose them several times during the next year post chemo.  The growth cycle of eyebrows and eyelashes is different from the head hair.  If you have any questions about this chemo regimen, please don't hesistate to private message me.  Always willing to help anyone here.

I feel pretty human today.  But ... I have a sore throat.  Don't know if that's chemo or if I'm getting sick.  Frustrating.  Do NOT want to get sick and drag this chemo thing out any longer than I have to.  I want to get through it and be done.

Thanks Dyvgrl!  It might be nice to meet up and compare notes!

Hang in there Dim425.  I've had some rectal bleeding but it feel like fissures or hemorrhoids.  It's minimal.  Hope yours is just an internal hemorrhoid (they're not too hard to take care of) and not something serious.

Going to bed early - my husband snores and keeps me awake.  TIRED.

KatiAK,

Sore throat is most likely from the chemo.

It has happened to me each of my four transfusions...thankfully not as bad as some people get it.

Rinse after each meal...use Biotene or try 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp baking soda and 1/2 c. Warm water. Keeps those food sugars out of your mouth.

It could also be from heartburn.(yes, who would thinkit goes into the throat! But I never had heartburn before!)...so you might want to try using Prilosec.



I keep my "bowl of goodies" (medicines) on my kitchen table and make sure to take them first thing in the am. Claritan for the Nuelasta shot, , Prilosec for the heartburn, stool softener to avoid constipation, vitamin D (mine became low), Miralax to mix into my water. It makes me look like I am a sick person! Lol (keeping the sense of humor).



In my pocketbook i keep an old pill bottle with a few Tums in it, (for the heartburn that comes out of nowhere even though I took the Prilosec!) and a few anti-Nausea meds. If I am out running I don't have to worry about not having my pills.



Pat

(Katie, I haven't forgotten you, I am in the "sleepy" post chemo days and will get to the Post Office soon)

Brooksy - my onc told me to call right away if I had any tingling or numbness. Maybe you should call them. Best wishes!



Jorman - NEVER be in pain. Call your Onc night or day, someone is there to help. Best wishes for a better tomorrow.



Kmurphy - I did fine. Out in record timing. I hope yours went well.



aaoaao - love your humor! I'm right there with you!



Tasharka - my port hasn't moved, but I would definitely report that. Best wishes and prayers.



KatiAk - I hope your throat feels better and no colds!



Laka - after reading your post and several others, I vented below! I pray you have better nurses on the phone, and hoping that nurse doesn't have any more "bad" days!



Pat - I have come to LOVE my bowl of goodies...I hope they LOVE me back! I love reading your helpful posts!



Sarajaneevans - my sore head (bad pain) gave me a headache for 4 days until almost all my hair was gone. I send you lots of hugs for less soreness. Everyone is different, but I call myself "Sherry Seven Hairs". I think it helps get my family through it with the humor.



Dyvgrl - you are awesome with your quick responses! You make me smile.





Now for my venting: I love my chemo nurses. They are so nice! I hope everyone gets treated nice or better.....like a Queen! I read horror stories about nurses with attitudes, nurses not listening, etc., please make sure you have nice nurses and caregivers, or report them. You should feel good when you leave your team after treatment. It's crappy with all you are dealing with, do not take less-than from anyone! Peace be with all of you, and I pray for sleep-filled nights and beautiful days! {{{{{{Group Hugs}}}}}} Sherry

My chemo also went good.  Did not feel as in a fog as I did last time, but I had a lot more going on the first time.  Both physically and emotionally.  

As far as my port, for whatever reason, I have to be in a reclining position for anything that requires its use.  So I didn't get things done that I was going to, but I did watch tv and get a mini nap so that wasn't bad!

No one should have mean nurses or doctors.  Along the way, I have been touched at how wonderful every doctor, nurse, volunteer, etc has been.  They listen to everything I have to say and have given me gentle, reassuring hand squeezes along the way.  They definitely have helped to make this process easier.  Report anyone who is out of line.  No one needs this process to be harder.

Netter,

That video was great. Puts it into perspective.