August 2013 Chemo Sisters

Thanks for joining us reddevilism...this is not the bravest thing you'll be doing, eh?? I figure just showing up is key. We're all standing up for each other here in this weird cyber universe. It's good to have another sister in the ranks.



Port. Day, but first a few hours at work! And clear liquids for another few hours..ick, I hate my tea black : (. Lol! By this time next week, I may hate my tea completely!

Oh! And the tips page that was posted earier was awesome! We integrated quite a few items in the last few days and it gave my husband a mission to buy things we didnt have in the house and to clean/disinfect EVERYTHING! lolol He was a madmad running around. Quite cute.  I have my "Chemo Bag" ready for the day too.  So thanks for reposting that!

Redevilism,hi and thank you for sharing, I am glad your se have not been to bad so far and it really helps those of us getting ready to star treatment to hear everyone's stories, keep us posted😄



Shary🌞

Hello everyone:

I hope everyone is managing their SE okay. I finally got home from the hospital, My nutraphil count was up to 1.2 which means I'm not in danger of infections anymore.

Hopefully I can do my second chemo on the 13th, will see the onco the day before and see what the WBC count is.

I had shaved my head the other day and now am almost bald, the stubble came out fast, I find washing it helps it fall out. I didn't mind the stubble but am not crazy about the bald head.

My family has been so supportive, my husband shaved his head 2 weeks ago and the day I shaved my head my son (11) shaved his head as well. Yesterday my sister went and cut her hair off (over a foot worth) to support me and when she got home and showed my brother in law he shaved his head as well. We're gonna look like a cult family soon. lol

Prayers are going out for all of my sisters here that we all have faith and courage through this journey.

Love, Rayna

Jelly K  I dont know if they are the same I have  heard of women having to give themselves that shot  maybe its a different form of the neulasta shot most of us get day after chemo. Im sure someone can speak to that for you.

Togetherness I dont have a port and wasnt offered one. Its funny when I had my chemo they asked me if they needed to access my port... it made me wonder if they were suppose to.  I prefer not to have a port.

I didnt take the clariton and it wasnt too bad   Ill see how the next one goes.

Rayna, that is awesome that you are getting so much family support😄I start my chemo next Thursday and I will probably shave it before I start, I was a hairstylist for 25 years and it just seems easier on the psyche than watching it fall out.

Carol, glad you got your port in ok, mine was sore for about a week but I did get it in 1week post -op so my chest was still sore anyway, get your rest😴

Candi07, not so sure anyone is jumping on the shaved head with me except my hubby, my girls are 23 and 21 and that would be social suicide, in fact my youngest daughter just got extensions in today.



Shary🌞

Muga scan complete - 3 months ago I had no idea you could inject radioactive fluids into someone's veins, now I've had it done twice, lol.

Rayna, I think it's great your family is shaving their heads in your honor - I think I'd be mortified if anyone in my family did that though, it's weird enough having people running 5K's and donating to different cancer charities in my honor, and my family is not full of people who can pull off being bald :-P  You'll have to get a great family picture to document the 'cult' :-)

Welcome ForMyGranddaughter, good luck with your first treatment!  It's amazing how incredibly personal the hair thing is.  When I was first diagnosed I assumed I'd cut it off and have a cute pixie cut for a while before chemo even started, but now that I'm staring down the barrel I can't get myself to make the appointment.  I might just take the clippers to it at the last minute.  Whatever you decide will be the right choice I'm sure.

Hey wonderful ladies, back from first chemo treatment.  Wasnt as bad as I thought it would be.   Had a reaction to the T, so had to stop and get Benedryl added, then the rest went well.  I see others getting the ports, my nurses seem to think my veins are good enough so I dont have to have one.  So everything was done in my hand today.  Went to bed when we got home and slept for a couple of hours.  No SE's at this point.

Carolpr56: Thanks for the well wishes! Hugs girly!

Gavinsgrandma: Thank you!  Yes, my nurse coordinator told me to give him tasks to help him feel better and I am taking her up on it!  It seems to help him. He really is cute.  We are newlyweds of 8 months so this is quite the first year.

Rana: I am so glad you are doing better!  I am taking to heart with you shaving your head. I am trying to determine when. Wondering if I should have a cute short cut for a week or so or just shave it down when it starts to fall.  Still on the fence.  That is so cute that your family is shaving their heads with you! What a wonderful love.  My husband shaved his the day we decided on chemo.  Hugs chicky!

Peace777: I dont have a port either and did well today.

Formygrandaughter: Welcome! Will be thinking of you tomorrow! Hugs!

JellyK: I am on the fence too about the hair Just not sure when to bite the bullet. Will probably have my husband take the clippers to it at the last minute as well.

My husband has found some funny t-shirts I wanted to share:

• My Oncologist does my hair!
• Im having a no hair day!
• Yes their fake, the real ones tried to kill me! (I think this one is hilarious!)

Much love and hugs from Vermont!

Gigi  

Hi All:

I'm just wondering how everyone who started chemo the beginning of August is making out, I went back and read to try and see everyones dates but cant remember them all. This was about the time I was feeling really awful.

Someone mentioned fluids, I drank 4 litres of water a day, on the day before, the day of and for at least two days following, then I cut back a bit and I don't think it was too much.

If you are having a rough time we are here for you, if only for a few encouraging words.

Love, Rayna

I'm going to start a little note book so I can keep track of everyone. 

Rayna, wow I love all the support you have. So many want to cut their hair. You are loved! I'm on day 10 havent started loosing my hair yet.  The side effects went easy on me my first round hopefully it continues with the next one.  Right now the only SE i have is nothing has any taste and last few nights I've gotten heart burn.  Ive been very blessed so far.

Welcome Formygrandaughter I love your idea of a video of your experience.  Im keeping a journal and making a scrapbook of my adventure. Im also standing on the promises of His Word.  I dont deny the desease I do deny the right of it to stay in my body.  Im believing to keep my hair.

Gigi do you get the shot tomorrow i forgot the name of it neu.....  The t-shirt saying are great where did your husband find them?

hockeymommy Its hard not to get nervous, but once you get their you'll feel better its just the unknown. You can do it and I pray for little SE for you and everyone else.

Im hoping not to loose my hair, but in the event I do I've decided to get all my grandkids together and let them cut my hair. Have some fun with it.  Maybe it will help me get through it also.  Then I want all of them to write their name on my head. 

Hope all is well   you are all in my prayers.

Hey, shalimar - yep, shoulder aching. Norco and cascara sagrada ; )



We have a great group here - I feel so close to all you guys! It's wonderful. Formygrandtr, welcome - good to have another prayer warrior on board! I like that you are showing your hair some special love. I went out and bought some luxurious lotions to tend my scalp with I want my body to know how much I appreciate all it's done, carrying my spirit around all these years. Maybe apologize a bit in advance for the grief that's coming.



Rayna - 4 rounds 3 weeks apart of TC, just like FMGdtr...I can't have needles in my post mx right arm and my good left elbow vein is all scarred from years of platelet donation, hence the port. Funny to think I might be one of those platelet recipients! Full circle, ladies!



A good and peaceful night to all of us!

Hi Gals:
I'm wondering if anyone knows what we should put on our heads to sooth them or protect them after the hair falls out. Sunscreen of course but anything else. My head is sore in spots with the little bit of stubble it hurts on the pillow at night and when I have a scarf on for too long. Maybe some lotion with vitamin E in it, let me know if anyone has any suggestions. Thanks.

Love, Rayna

Wow, V! Ask the dr, of course you will ... My doc reviewed all my meds with me before treatment. Sorry for the complication, just one more insult this bc crap deals us !



Rayna, I've not had my chemo teach yet. However, I can't stand to pit a lot of chemical sounding stuff on my poor skin, so I'm treating myself to something from LUSH called Sympathy for the Skin. All natural fruits and oils...yum.



BTW, feels like I've been kicked in the shoulder by a mule this morning! Bless this port ; )

Morning, Gigi! I too will head to work for a bit. Told my concerned neighbor, "gotta save those off days for when I REALLY feel awful," cuz they WILL be a- com in'.



Hope your day continues well!

Morning Carolpr56! Right? I said the same thing! I am really lucky though, I temp for TD Bank and they are such a wonderful company to work for.  A lot of their employees work remotely and thought they usually dont allow temps to do it they are allowing me to work from home those days that I wont be feeling well.  So I can work when I am feeling up to it thank heavens! Such a blessing! So I can make up time at my leisure from home.  I dont get paid if I dont work so this is so wonderful that they are doing this for me.

Hope you have a great day as well.

Much love and hugs!

Gigi