Starting Chemo, November 2013 Group

As that hair does continue to fall out, do yourselves a big favor..... Try not to spend time in front of the mirror inspecting your head and looking at yourself.  I found that it was easier to not look at myself for a little while until I was ready.  Yes. I could feel the absence of hair on my head and knew it was gone.  I just chose not to fixate on how I looked and tried to focus on living through chemoland as best as I could.  I know that the loss of hair is physical evidence to the world that you are probably receiving chemo for something.  I know how people reacted when they saw me and I decided that it didn't matter since a majority of these people were strangers and I would never see them again.  So Ladies, hold your heads high and never let how you look physically hide that inner beauty and strength you each have.

we are the HOLIDAY GROUP!!! So we need to run and jump for the BEST! TOGETHER!!

Very cute hat, Ellenkc!!!  You are looking really good rocking that hat!!!
And yes, keep on trying new hats, scarves and caps...... You will find that you have a favorite that you like to wear!!!  I had a knitted cap that I wore a lot and still wear it now!!!

Smrlvr - good luck tomorrow! If my MO gives the thumbs up, I'll be joining you Tuesday.

Eatdessertfirst - I'd be anxious about infection and over exertion, especially so far from home. Can you go in the spring when you're in better condition?

PatAlameda - thanks for making me laugh with your Breaking Bad reference!

Somehow missed posts and Ellen's hat photo - you are darling in it.

1st infusion 11/7 , Neulasta shot 11/8. Today I feel awesome! Last week not so much - bone and muscle pain, tired, dry mouth, face acne, mild chest rash and constipation. Happy to say NO NAUSEA!

I went back to work Tuesday for half a day, Wednesday all day and I felt like crap, but still took care of all my patients. Thursday I was off and slept until noon! Friday back to work a full day.

Next round is the day before Thanksgiving. How is everbody doing ?

wallymama, my port is concealed by my clothes easily. I have added a scarf to hide the incision at the collarbone where they looped the cath. over. That is small and I hope heals pretty quickly. I had a mass that was 2 cm and was so relieved when it was finally removed. I see my port as a means to health and so it doesn't bother me in the least. It also helps that I made the decision to have it inserted unlike the mass which showed up unannounced and unwelcome. I found the port procedure fascinating. Never been in a room with so many screens and gadgets. The recovery was also a breeze. 30 mins and I was released. You'll do great!

hi, I started chemo last month so I should be October , FEC d, my third round is on Thursday so stressing a bit now. So great to have found this site, some really good information.

My first round was not too bad, only vomited half a dozen times before the anti nausea started working and after four days of feeling tired was ok and back at work day 5 albeit part time. I went into round 2 feeling ok...it was like being hit with a freight train, and was laid out for a week, no energy and just getting out of bed put my heart rate up and a temp spike. So needless to say I am approaching this round with a major case of fear. However this is the last of the fec and then three rounds of the D.

I a hoping the D will be better, and I won't lose my toenails as well?

My hair started to fall out after day 10 so I elected to shave the lot off and invest in a wig, it is very liberating, but I am looking forward to my first haircut ...hopefully March 2014. I love it that it is so easy to shower without having a mass of wet hair.

Things I don't like ....tea tastes metallic, the first week after chemo even water tastes bad, I smell like chemicals, my clothes smell like chemicals, perfumes smells bad. Anyone have any solutions.

I must also say without the support of friends and family, I would be so lost, just a short email, and the reminder that there is light at the end of the tunnel.....my SOH calls them my mad cow moments....and we have a good laugh afterward.

Ladies,

It sounds like you are all doing so well with the chemo. Makes me a little less fearful. I am so looking forward to getting this show on the road. I am supposed to start at 0900 today with neulasta tomorrow. Got my back pack ready with extra water and snacks. my kindle, some cards and the books given to my by my MO. Mo good friend and neighbor is taking me today as she will be more comfortable than my husband., My DH wats to be there, but I feel more comfortable with a woman there. She will be more calm and reassuring. He would be more anxious and fearful. Right now, I need the calm. I am to get the TCH started today. I have had the flu for 43 days and still have a slight fever, aches, and headache. I am also more congested than I was before. I need to call the MO this am to see if they want to start chemo today. My port was delay from Friday due to illness. ONC nurse thinks they will still do chemo.,

I have no veins and they had to soak my arm and wait 15 min to get my pre chemo labs and still stuck me 3 time with a butterfly and barely got enough blood. They are only getting one stick today. I also cannot wear a mask for more the 3*5 minutes as I am severely claustrophobic. I just don't want anyone else to get the flu. Working as a nurse on a floor with many infectious patients is hard when you are claustrophobic. We usually don't need masks, just gowns and gloves. If we have flu patients we wear suits with open helmets . They are less confining.

I love the hats I see. I have a terrible hat head. I have requested the free hat from look good and feel better. I bought two wigs through my insurance company and got tow ball caps. The knit hats will probably be too warm until I lose my hear. I have been slowly losing hair from being on the Zyvox for my tissue expander infection. Any new suggestions for light snacks for chemo days? Have many of you needed a sleeping aid from being on the decadron? I believe I am going to request some pain med for the neuropathy . I am already having nerve pain from the tissue expanders rubbing on the nerves under them. I amy also request and anti depressant or anti anxiety med. We just found out last night that our nephew has small cell lung cancer and has been todl it is terminal and no treatment is recommened. He is so young. He is going to go to Cancer treatments of America as soon as it can be arranged. He has been through so much and had his first bout with cancer at age 6. None since then, just surgery to work on his facial and oral deformaties. Please pray for Jimmy.

Thanks for the support.

Gayle

Good luck and well wishes to all.

.

Melrose - thanks for the tip about running toothbrushes through the dishwasher. This is going to save me a lot of $$$, the electric Braun Oral B heads would otherwise cost me big $$ to change often. I was also able to get all sorts of Biotene products from Drugstore.com, they ship fast, look for coupons and discounts on retailmenot.com before ordering. I got mouthwash, toothpaste, gel and spray. The cost is the same as from a regular store as long as you can get the free shipping.

It is hard to picture yourself in a hat when you have NEVER worn one. I live in a cold weather state and still don't wear hats. It was hard to picture myself in wigs with them puffing up from the hair I have. Any really good places to order hats? I am still having hot flashes so I don't know how hats with linings are going to feel.

I appreciate the info on the dry mouth and eye products. I always drink a lot of water and end up peeing half the day anyway due to my antihypertensive meds. I think I will need a leg bag and catheter if I drink anymore.

You are doing better than me, I am having nausea with the Zofran, don't want to drink, but trying...feeling weepy, congested and the site of my I.V. from 14 still swollen and red, going to see Dr about it today...

Ellen-Cute hat!

Haven't even cut my hair, am I in denial?

Audra67- Sorry you are having a tough time right now.  Yes, the tears do flow once one starts chemo and can start for no apparent reason.  I used to boo hoo for about 5-10 minutes out of the blue and then I was fine.  It's a part of this journey... part of it is from the chemo itself, part of it is your hormones are out of whack from the chemo and part of it is from dealing with what has happened and is happening to you.  You are okay.....  If you feel like crying, let those tears flow.  Don't hold them back.  It's okay,  Remember that this time in chemoland will not last forever and you just need to keep moving forward and pushing through.  I know it's hard. 

BTW:  where in Texas are you?

Hugs to you Audra!!!!! I was sobbing all day on Saturday, so I totally feel you in the boo hooey dept. I don't have a port either, and the first nurse jabbed me and my vein blew up . Then she called for the "best infusion nurse" who was a real sourpuss - so nasty and saying - well you HAVE to have a port. The story goes on and on but I won't bore you with it.... She ended up finding a vein that worked first stick (in the location I told her was successful......grrrr) anyhow I had a bit of pain when they pushed the Benadryl then some with the C - but otherwise feeling ok....just sleepy. Tomorrow I get my Neulasta shot at 1.

Brought a granola bar and some mango to my treatment - crushed those then moved on to the pretzels, cookies, and graham crackers the chemo center provided......lol....now eating a chicken sausage... We are still having unseasonably warm weather so I am going to walk (try and work off all the food I've eaten lol).....Figure i ought to capitalize on still feeling good just in case I don't feel as good the next day or so. Then I think I will crash in my recliner lol....

Hang in there Audra - the way I look at it is that chemo #1 is done, so I am 25% there.......baby steps. We are all in this together so vent vent vent!!!!!