September 2013 Chemo Group

I'll be starting TC chemotherapy on October 4th, next week. Very nervous. Been nervous since the diagnosis in August. I'm a kindergarten teacher so I plan to take a leave of absence the entire time I'm on chemo - too many germs!! Looking forward to the support on this forum. Thank you in advance!

Babyruth - thank you for the hugs.  I'm less emotional today about my hair.  I think I'm beyond frustrated and sick of shedding everywhere.  LOL   So maybe it won't be quite so traumatic now.  Not that I'm thrilled with seeing myself bald... but the way my remaining hair looks and feels, I'd be crazy to spend any amount of time and money capping to try to save it.  (Remind me I said that when I'm crying about being bald!)  I've worn a baseball cap the last two days just so I don't have to look at it.  That's not how I want to live.

I hope you do keep your hair!  I know a lot of ladies who used cold caps actually had their hair start growing back during Taxol!  Maybe you won't lose yours.  

Thanks - I keep looking at the 'good bald' pic to remind me that if I put on lipstick I don't look so creepy bald Oh & my glasses just broke this morning, so now I have to use my old backup pair which give me headaches. It's just one of those days.

Bondsy -- do read back thru some of the TC board, I found that really useful to prepare myself for possible SEs. Everyone responds a little differently, but at least knowing how this specific regimen goes is helpful. I'd highly recommend using Claritan if you're getting the Neulasta shot after your chemo. I didn't do it my 1st round & had terrible bone/joint pain. I used it this 2nd round & have had far less of the pain (still some, but not crippling). The exhaustion & loss of focus is what's getting to me.

But some ppl have nausea, constipation or diarrhea, or mouth sores too, & all of those can be remedied. Your dr. should prescribe anti-nauseau meds (some should be added directly into your IV w/chemo) - if not ask for it asap! OTC stuff helps for most other problems. Don't be shy w/the TMI here either

Well, back from my first meeting with my Onc. So glad I did my research and found him. He was such a blessing, very clear, concise and informative. Making sure I understood everything and even quizing me to make sure that I did! Wonderful bedside manner as well, he actually laughed a lot at my humor. Most other doctors I've seen don't seem to get my humor and look at me like I'm NUTS.

He actually informed me that the cancer is grade 3 not 2, still Stage IIa. He believes I will need chemo based on age, size of tumor and grade but will not make his final determination until the onco test comes back. If I fall in the low score area, he will let me by with out the chemo. High range or the gray area, he will recommend chemo. He's pretty sure I'm going to come back in the gray area, based on EVERYthing about me and my cancer.

Debora, Jellyk, SpecialK, Jessgirl and Mankatostat, thank you all for your thoughts, insight and knowledge. Much appreciated.

batcat, "Simply Marvelous Darling"! You are a beauty w/ or w/out the wig! Very spunky by the way, if I end up needing one, I'm thinking of something just as spunky!

Kimberly

Kimberly I was just thinking about you and whether you'd met with your onc yet - I'm so glad to hear you feel good with him, it means SO much to trust your onc.  I'll have my fingers crossed that your onco score comes back with clear results so that you can feel secure about your treatment plan.

New avatar again, lol.  Still coming to terms with the baldness, and the best way I know how to do that is to make it as public as possible.  I posted a bald pic on FB and am surprised and humbled by the positive responses :-)

HI girls - checking in, had my 1st ac yesterday and my shot today. Feeling ok, a little nauseus.

I hear you all about the hair  - the countdown is on for that. Even though you try to prepare yourself, I don't think you can. I have a wig I have been wearing to my work (teach preschool) cause I didn't want the kids to have to be worried or anything. But at home I will probably just do the scarves. My big issue will be going to soccer games. The season already started & I'll probably have to go with a scarf or wig on. Might be uncomfortable. How do your kids feel about you going out in wigs/scarves?

Hi soccermomof4

 I had my first infusion yesterday, all went well, no issues at all. Went in this afternoon for my Neulasta shot. Feel fine...so far LOL I did take the nausea med that first eve though I felt fine. And today I took Claritin before going for the shot.

 I ordered a wig on ebay. (just for at home)(and for some fun LOL)

But will get a script from the oncologist to go to a shop that carries better wigs & takes my insurance. I know a gal that will shape & trim it for free. Plus our cancer center has a stylist & a make up artist that head up a free program (my cousin is the esthetician) so that will be a help, & nice. I think I will like to wear a wig through the cold NH weather when I go out.

Get a funky hat, maybe a cap or a spunky visored one for outside. Put some bling on it! Have fun! All the best to you!

jellyk - Thanks for sharing that, I am not much of a hat wearer, but I guess I will become one!! And who cares if they notice, right?  Hope you feel better soon!!

Vintagegal - Glad to hear you are doing well!!! I came home from my shot, felt a little tired & went in & fell asleep for 2 hours! I don't know where that came from, I wasn't even feeling tired before. Keep doing good!!

Hi Lovely ladies

No news form today except the weather was divine here in NYC. So put on my sunscreen and walked across Central Park to ge my Neulasta shot. I woke up and took my probiotic, L lysine, L carnitane, L glutamine, B6 and Hair, skin and nalils vitamins along with a Claritin and my chinese herbs. i had my usual brekkie with lots of flax seed oil and fruit with some Kefir then went to yoga class which actually made me feel very good. Have felt slightly quesy at times but generally ok. Worried about the next few days and losing my hair as well. But being able to post and read all your posts is getting me through this time with more strentgh than i would have had alone.Thank you thank you thank you K

jellyk - you are

Lol!  How awesome would that be?

Nice - great video!

Blood draws today.  Chemo round 2 on Friday.  Bald as the King of Siam.

Thanks for the good reads today, all. 

I see todays topic seems to be hair. My problem is when people say "I love your short hair".  I always had long hair.  The only time I would cut it short was if I was in depression.  It was like a form of self mutilation.  It was my way of showing people how ugly I felt on the inside.  But I do not feel that way now yet I have short hair.  I did not cut it because I wanted a new super short cut. I feel I was forced to cut it. Assaulted if you will. Like I did not have any say in it.  So how does one react when people like it?

I had long hair too. People I don't even know have commented on my hair since I had it cut short 2 weeks ago. I gladly tell them why...smile & say I will be losing it soon because of Chemo & thought I'd take control for a month & have some fun spiking it up! It always brings a smile to their face & more comments. I'm all for any feel good interaction!!!