Starting Chemo, November 2013 Group

lorreymom- my first day with a wig started out fine, until I looked in the mirror and realized it had been riding up towards the top of my head! I forgot to put on the cap the goes underneath it! Good thing it wasn't windy!

I really don't know how I will handle the hair thing; I have a few days to go yet.

My hair WAS pretty long, but then after I had my BMX I couldn't brush it, comb it, put it in a pony tail, or do ANYTHING to it myself, so I convinced my husband to cut it short for me.

The sad part is, that this haircut, that he gave me, is the GREATEST haircut I have ever had. He had no real idea what he was doing, but he knew how he wanted it to look, and all I've heard since then is "OMG I LOVE your hair that way! It's so cute!" And I agree--it made me look younger, made me roundish face thinner, I even sort of have cheekbones (omg!)

We're gonna get some hats and stuff either this afternoon or within the next day or so and he's gonna go ahead and buzz it for me, but yeah, I think I might cry. I'm almost sure I will. I've always looked ridiculous in hats, truly I have....maybe it will be btter wtihout hair, but I'm not holding out much hope. So.... with that in mind....we're gonna buy several hats PURELY FOR THE RIDICULOUS FACTOR... I mean, by golly if I'm gonna look ridiculous, I want it to be obvious that I INTENDED to look ridiculous. Fun, goofy, silly hats. Then put some pics on facebook with my ridiculous head in my ridiculous hats. I might even make duckfaces for the pics, who knows? I think if we do that....silly as it is....and get some laughter involved in the whole losing-my-hair-thing, I'll be okay.

At least, that's the plan.

Bec - I hear your rant loud and clear, sister and I am with you!

Lisa - when was your first AC treatment? Your hair is coming out now? Mine was on 11/18 and hair is still with me and I have quite a head of it. My second treTment is tomorrow. I am a worrier and now I am worried that the chemo isn't working because I haven't lost my hair yet.

Decided to join DH today for a drive to New Hampshire to drop dd back at school. We are celebrating our 24th adding anniversary today. Tomorrow is the actual day but I will be in treatment.

I did it! head is shaved..to 3/8 inch...my 15 year old asked ' if I have any activia' apparently resembles Jamie lee Curtis...

I actually feel MUCH better having cut it...actually they cut it for me...but it was falling out in clumps this morning and had a bald area in back...so I just Had to do it...

on the plus side...amazingly quick and easy to shower and dry! Always envied that of my husband...it is just weird...but I'm ok with it..

God has a crown on my head anyway since I'm His daughter and He has this all taken care of if I just relax and let Him...

Seems that's my problem, relaxing and letting Him....tired of being anxious and going to try harder to let go...

smrlvr: No no, my hair is NOT coming out yet. I'm just a control freak who is going to go ahead and buzz it short BEFORE it starts to come out so that it's MY decision to be bald and not chemo's decision. No reason for you to worry! I promise!

Bec I hear ya! I am tired of not feeling like my old self! I miss her!

I named my wig, “RITA” it is light red color. I got it before I started chemo and I take her for a test run. I went with the client of mine. When I showed up to the wig place the lady cried said I was too young to be dealing with Cancer. I got it that day. I meet my hubby for dinner and he said, “I didn’t know you were going to color your hair today.” He really thought it was my hair. I’m glad I got it before and wearing it out. It helped me feel more comfortable with it.

I also named my cancer tumor “Felix” and his offspring “Felix Jrs.” I feel that naming things help you control your relationship with it. Besides nothing is better when your friends make you stuff with DIE FELIX DIE on it.

This month I am doing the run 1 mile a day challenge. It has been hard with the chemo. I did 1 mile today. I used to run 3 5Ks three times a week, but I did it. I’m totally wiped out now. I figured tomorrow I will walk my 1 mile and make it a 2 mile walk. The walking helps with the bone pain for some odd reason, even on those days that I might need a walking stick or walker.

For those with children, they will give you the strength you need. I could never have kids and after this treatment I won’t at all. I was a teacher for many years and my former students send me PM via FB and they are so encouraging. It will be hard emotional at times for you when they fight or disagree, but try to remember you get to be a part of the craziness in their lives. It’s just hubby, me, and the 8 pups and 2 fosters because their owner is in ICU for the last month. Today I did find myself yelling at one of the pups. I never yell. I guess the joys of chemo is you get the emotional roller coaster. There should be a t-shirt: Chemo: Emotional Wreck adventure

It is great that you gals share your stories. They are inspirational for others. It is great that we can share. I know when my mother had BC in 1980 that no one talked about it. I’m glad times have changed.

Nice to hear that most everyone had a good day. For me, it was the best of the week. Had enough energy to change the sheets and wash the bedspread. I always keep a cheapo one on it because with 3 dogs sleeping on it, it needs to be washed a lot. Even had enough energy left over to bathe one of them. Hubby had to do the other 2, but I got one.

It might be my imagination, but I swear there was more hair in the shower today than usual. Losing it won't bother me. Don't think I'll go for a wig, I've always worn it very short. I have zero talent or patience for hair. My granddaughters won't even let me try to put ponytails in their hair.

Bec65-Bitch and complain away. We won't take it personally like a family member might.

Smrlvr- I figure we'll all have something different that will be our last straw. Mine seemed to be not working my retail job on Black Friday.

And HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

Lisa137- For me it's coffee. Hubby calls me a coffee snob, whole beans, grinder, real cream etc. Now it just tastes weird.

FairyDog-I've been calling the mass (ILCs don't exactly make tumors) 'Big Ugly'. Just seems to make me feel better to insult it.

To everyone who has had a good day YEAH!!

To those who haven't BIG BOO!! And may tomorrow be much better.

MandyJ-

I too have the bone pains with Neulasta, mostly neck to my hips. My treatment plan is Adriamycin/ cyclophosphamide every 2 weeks x4cycles; followed by Taxol/Herceptin weekly x12; followed by Herceptin every 3 weeks to complete 52 weeks. This week with be #3 of A/C.

Here is a video link of the t-shirt hat/turban thing:

https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=126130780852828

hi tambabe! yall been busy...gotya read back! hugggs to all!! will write when I sit...had an ODD....cleaning spurt...gonna regret I'm sure!

I escaped the 'prison' for a while today and went out with my family to a restaurant. Going out, seeing people and eating good food (not the 'prison slop') made me feel somewhat normal. Even though I was in physical pain, it was well worth it. The only thing was that before I left I couldn't find my nurse to let her know of my plans, and my husband was rushing, so we just left without a notice. When I came I told my nurse about it, then she just gently scolded me for my 'bad behaviour' and I am back to be the 'model inmate'.

PatAlameda: People constantly comment how 'well' I look. My usual answer to that 'compliment' is: I may look good, but I may not feel good. Why don't you ask me rather how I feel?

Bec65: It's OK to let some steam out once in a while. BTW your post brought tears in my eyes because I realized that's exactly how some of my days are. One thing after another that you are so acutely aware off.

My hair started to shed exactly 14 days after my 1st CT. It's going so far for me in that regard by the book. (Is there some sort of internal clock that these hair follicles follow?)

So my hair is falling like the leaves in the fall. Strangely, I am not upset by it. Why be upset over something inevitable? Am I upset to see the leaves fall in the autumn? No! Because I know that that's the way it is. I will try to admire the bare branches in the winter time. And then in the spring it will all come back!

Beautiful, lush, green leaves!

Hi ladies.  I start chemo Dec. 5.  Can you just tell me how long the first treatment will be.  I was told 2.5 hours, but I expect longer for the first round.  I am doing a/c.  Thanks.

Mikesgirl17... My first AC chemo treatment took 5.5 hours.

Mikesgirl- I'm on the same, AC, and the first one was 4 hours. Surprised me, as I somehow thought it would take longer. I guess it depends on how fast they run things, and if they have an in-house lab for the blood work. My office does, so maybe that's why it was faster. Try to get them to slow the C down, I'm sure going to. Doing that too fast seems to cause a lot of fuzzy-head and headache. At least according to some of our ladies. And I'm sure going to believe them about ALL of the SEs.