February 2014 Starting Chemo Club

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  • Njmom3
    Njmom3 Member Posts: 143
    edited March 2014

    Macintx - it was 2 days after my 2nd round of AC that I started shedding, so that was day 16.  Lots came out in the shower.  A few days later I could pull clumps out...  

    Tang - I still haven't shaved mine either :(

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  • Macintx
    Macintx Member Posts: 118
    edited March 2014

    My wig was ordered and is in, and they just told me to come in when it starts to fall out and they will buzz it for me and fit my wig at the same time.  The weird thing is that I love my short hair, and my wig is exactly like my old hair.  Boo!  Oh well, at least I will have options.

    I have another question.  Did any of you get thrush with your chemo treatments?  I have a friend who had it and is trying me to get my MO to write a prescription for the medicine for it to have on hand.  Apparently, it can come on very fast.  She couldn't eat for a week.  How common is this?

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  • h0pe
    h0pe Member Posts: 125
    edited March 2014

    Crossing fingers for no thrush! Had 2 tx's of AC. I eat a lot of yogurt, not sure if that helps. Also, I try to rinse with biotene sporadically and brush my teeth throughout the day. 

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  • princessrn
    princessrn Member Posts: 370
    edited March 2014

    Macintx...fairly common on thrush. I am taking a probiotic to help prevent that and the Biotene rinses too. 

    Njmom.... I am shaved on my head and can pull it out but just a little shedding. Pubic hair definitely almost gone. 3 weeks after 1st round. 

    I still am having persistent headache and overall sore scalp. 

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited March 2014

    Macintx I know a few folks that got it with TCH. I do/did eat yogurt daily as well as Biotene mouth wash. Also if you notice your tongue feeling "furry" call your MO to get the script. The sooner you address it the fast it will go away. Also stay away from sugar if you get it. Yeast loves sugar. It's basically a yeast infection in your mouth/throat. I'm also betting eating things with garlic might help too keep it away. Also drinking water but I'm sure you are doing plenty of that already.

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited March 2014

    Lago's advice as always is spot on.  I had thrush after every single TCH and then battled it for many months post chemo.  But I am an unusual case.  I think the reason mine was so hard to treat was because I became prediabetic due to all the steroids during chemo.  But I was not diagnosed until several months post chemo.  Yeast grows even more when you are diabetic because of elevated blood sugar levels in your bloodstream. 

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited March 2014

    Thanks dance but please don't give me that much credit.  My advice is my opinion  based on my or others experiences. Please check it out with your doctors... but I am a native New Englander and we do typically think we're always right Loopy

    I never had thrush but in my late 20's I had chronic yeast infections. I learned a lot from that 1.5 years.

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited March 2014

    ha ha ha

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  • Njmom3
    Njmom3 Member Posts: 143
    edited March 2014

    Well had my blood work done today and chemo is cancelled for tomorrow. Apparently I had my hemoglobin go low. So instead I have to go for IV iron tomorrow and Thursday. 

    I was complaining to the dr last week about being tired and dizzy. He said before chemo my level was 11 after the 1st round it dropped to 9. Today I went for blood work and it was 7. If it goes any lower I would need a transfusion but he said the iron IV will help. The fun never ends!

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  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited March 2014

    NJmom-sorry to hear this...I had to have a iron infusion the day after my first chemo. How long till you can start again?

    I have a question, anyone have the taste of blood in their mouth? I've been noticing that on and off since first tx. Is this a chemo thing or something else mabye?

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited March 2014

    tangandchris are your gums bleeding or nose bleeding?

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited March 2014

    njmom - sorry to hear about the hemoglobin.  7 is pretty low - so take it easy.   My onc said I'd need a transfusion if mine dropped below 8, but thankfully 8 is the lowest it got.  And I felt like h*ll when it was at 8.  So rest up and don't push yourself! 

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  • princessrn
    princessrn Member Posts: 370
    edited March 2014

    njmom ...I'm so sorry!!  The iron will help. 

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  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited March 2014


    lago-no bleeding from nose or mouth, just a taste of blood in my mouth sometimes.

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited March 2014

    tangandchris if you're concerned call tomorrow. It might be just one of those strange taste changing things.

    njmom I have known a few people that did have to get a transfusion... they said they felt wonderful afterwards but I really hope you don't have to do it.

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  • Njmom3
    Njmom3 Member Posts: 143
    edited March 2014

    At least I know why I feel so tired...  I have the two iron infusions this week, then more bloodworm on Monday.  He has me scheduled for chemo the next day assuming my counts are up.  I think he will be including iron in my cocktail from now on.  I wonder if having the iron infused has the same side effect as a supplemental iron pill...  Maybe it will counteract the "d" I keep having lol!

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  • Sicilian
    Sicilian Member Posts: 49
    edited March 2014

    I've had thrush after each chemo treatment. I just eat yogurt and take acidophilus, one in the morning, one in the evening, and it clears up after a couple of days.

    Yes, my scalp hurt like hell. Even though my hair has been gone for weeks already (it started going just a week after my first treatment) except for a bit of scattered fuzz, it's still itchy. I can't imagine putting a wig on. I decided to stick with the headscarves I got online. My MIL refuses to accept this and keeps shoving wig catalogues at me. I told her that I will not wear a wig, but when we had dinner at her house last night, she pulled out another wig catalogue. Some people!

    My body hair didn't really fall out. However, I shaved my legs about two weeks ago and it simply hasn't grown back. Same with underarms. My mom is an ovarian cancer survivor and she said that she almost never had to shave her legs again after she finished her treatments.

    NJMom. a friend of mine would make me what she called chemo soup. She cooks black beans, spinach and grated carrots together. Then she blends them together to make it easy to swallow. I just throw it in a mug and warm it up in the microwave. It looks vile, but it actually tastes very good. And it has really helped keep my hemoglobin up! Another hint I got from a friend who is a dietician. It's very difficult for your body to break down iron, so drink a glass of OJ when you eat iron-rich foods. The Vitamin C makes it easier for your body to break it down and absorb the iron.

    Hang in there everybody!



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  • jbokland
    jbokland Member Posts: 890
    edited March 2014

    Hello "sisters",

    I completed the 4th and final AC DD on Thursday.  I've got to say this weekend was the HARDEST.  I really felt weak, flu-ish, nauseated and generally blue.  I am very glad to  have completed it, because I don't think I could face another one.  I know that the effects are accumlative but I really wonder if the extent of the SE  influenced by my state of mind...I was almost panicky at the thought of doing the 4th.

    On to 12 weeks of Taxol and hoping for a much more tolerable round.  I REALLY want to get back to work!


     

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited March 2014

    Yah jbokland you are done with the red devil!!! From what others have told me the Taxol is easier than the red devil.

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  • h0pe
    h0pe Member Posts: 125
    edited March 2014

    jbokland - Congrats for completing dd AC! I hope you start feeling better soon. Did you also feel bad for the first 3 treatments? Did the neuropathy get better?  Happy you're done with AC! Can't wait to join you. 

    NJMOM - hope your fatigue is getting better. My good friend who had BC 18 years ago told me, someone told her when she was going through tx - you know it's working when you're having bad SE's. 

    Feeling a little down the last couple of days about everything. Prepping this week for dd #3 Friday. 

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  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited March 2014


    Hello :)

    So tonight I've had 2 pretty intense dizzy spells, this is the chemo right? uggg....I don't like this at all!

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  • princessrn
    princessrn Member Posts: 370
    edited March 2014

    Tangandchris...when was your last chemo?  Have you added any new medications? Recent labs?  Are you able to eat and drink?  Anyway to take your blood pressure?

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  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited March 2014


    My last chemo was Thursday and I'm eating drinking okay. No new meds or labs and the batteries in my stupid bp cuff arent any good. I'm feeling better now, just sitting on the couch though. I'm gonna call doc in the morning for sure, just wondered if anyone had this or has had this. I'm worried it might be my iron, but so soon after chemo? idk

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  • princessrn
    princessrn Member Posts: 370
    edited March 2014

    Tangandchris...I would make sure you are well hydrated.  And I felt like I was hit by a bus for about 8 days.  Please do follow up in the morning and change positions, lying to sitting to standing slowly in case you get dizzy again.  Best of luck

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  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited March 2014


    thanks princessrn :) This time the fatigue seems to be really harsh!!

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited March 2014

    tangandchris if you are so tired that you're dizzy I would call your onc.  You may need a transfusion, could be heart, BP or could be nothing. But why wait.

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  • purpletron
    purpletron Member Posts: 9
    edited March 2014

    I've been taking a bit of a 'cancer vacation' the last week or two, cramming in as much Normal Life as I could while I felt okay... a little hard to really ignore it all when your hair's jumping ship but I did my best! And Gardengirl66, I did get to enjoy my mohawk for a few days at least :)

    But, now it's time for #2 and I'm suddenly dreading it, despite having a relatively "easy" time with the first round. I know it's likely to be at least a little worse this time but I think I can handle it now, I just... don't WANT to. Sigh.

    jbokland, tangandchris, MicheTheVanquisher, I hope you're all feeling better -- and I hope those iron infusions are doing the job, Njmom3. Quiet in here today; I hope that means everyone else is doing well too!

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited March 2014

    purpleton I actually found my 2nd and 3rd easier than my 1st. You know what coming so you can pre-medicate.

    Hope everyone else is doing OK. I agree it was quiet today.

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  • Njmom3
    Njmom3 Member Posts: 143
    edited March 2014

    tang - when was your last blood work taken?  I would definitely call your dr and tell him. I was very dizzy and the mo had a feeling it was going to be Anemia s.and sure enough he was right. I have my second iron infusion tomorrow hoping to feel something positive from it. The nurses said usually after the second dose, so I'm crossing my fingers!  I never thought I would be mad for graving my chemo delayed.  I want it over!

    Welcome back purple I tend to "vacation" from thud on the weekends. Kids are home and I try for normalcy, whatever that is! 

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  • princessrn
    princessrn Member Posts: 370
    edited March 2014

    #2 for me tomorrow. I'm baking like crazy, I do that when nervous. And I can smell things right now. 

    I've been great since day 8-9 after 1st infusion. More prepared this time meds mentally and physically. I hopeful at least. 

    I've been really lucky to be blessed with awesome co-workers. They've made arrangements to get dinners to my house on the Monday Tuesday and Wednesday after this weekend. I go back to work but  i was so tired it was hard to cook for my boys. This will help. I had made food and froze it but was too wiped to get it heated and served. This will be a nice help. 

    Mostly I know howlucky I am to have them. Each day someone stops by my desk and asks how I'm doing and what they can do. 

    Also I had the opportunity to use cleaning for a reason for my house. They were great and are coming back once a month for the next three for free. It's just terrific!!

    Best wishes to those infusing this week and for those already done, praying for minimal side effects!!

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