Starting Chemo in April 2014

My hair hurts. It's coming out fast. "Chair Day 2"  is Tuesday. I am not looking forward to it. I brought my wig back but they wouldn't take it at the ACS. It's too small. I have a big head. The lady is trying to get me an xl wig. All of hers were average. Kind of bummed today. That's all. Rest easy ya'll.

Add me to Tuesday - A /C #3 

I am also in the chair on Tuesdays...my 4th round of AC tomorrow.  Then I'm doing Taxol for four more rounds, every other Tuesday.  

The hair loss has really thrown me...I would truly prefer to stay home and not deal with the wig or the scarf or the hat at all.  But  this last weekend I braved a day at a festival with the wig, and yesterday I hit the mall with my teenagers wearing just a cute hat.  Honestly, I felt better in the hat, as I always feel like people "know" I'm wearing a wig anyways, so why pretend?  I was always under the impression that my hair would start to grow back right after my last chemo infusion...but now I'm reading about women who are still wearing their wigs almost a year after?!  I'm scared now.  I just want my hair back

Despite the hair issues, it was a lovely weekend and I felt good physically.  Hope you're all enjoying your Monday!

had my 5th TAC last Monday...June 2 is my last chemo...there is a light at the end of this tunnel!  Then radiation thru the summer...I spent 300.00 on a wig...wore it a few times...stubble was uncomfortable, so I just shaved my head smooth with a good electric razor.  I love my caps and little scarves I tie around them...they were my moms so I feel she is with me all the time!!  I also got lightweight bandanas for 1.00 at family dollar!  Summer wear!!  I never go out bald as it would be a shock to some!  My wig lady was great with good tips: best one was for skin care...mix 1/2 avocado oil with 1/2 coconut oil ...helped my rashy skin a lot!  I slather it on my face all day!  Never had so many compliments on how good my skin looks!  I think I have more time to pamper myself so even with the chemo, hair loss and such, I have looked pretty healthy!!  I always have face makeup and eyebrow pencil in before I go out so that helps with confidence !  

It seems like a lot of us entered the dx thinking lumpectomy/ radiation only....then surprise!  Chemo!  I learned so much through all of this but mostly that there are blessings through our storm and remaining positive every single day helps us get through it....Pinterest quotes helped me!! Lol...good luck and it will be over soon!!! 

Hi Rosie!

Thank you for giving me a positive outlook on the hair regrowth...I like having something to look forward to  A year ago I had long, long hair, and throughout my diagnosis and treatment I kept cutting it shorter and shorter, so having short hair won't seem like a compromise in the least.  I would have never pictured myself in a pixie, however...but I am very much looking forward to finding out how I'll look.  Who knows, maybe I'll end up keeping it short

And I like wearing bandanas at home...so much cooler and lightweight than most of the hats I have.  Today I am determined to take some time to learn how to tie scarves via YouTube.  I am so fortunate to have received a beautiful pink scarf as a gift, but in these Oklahoma winds, I better make sure it's securely on my head...wouldn't want to shock anyone at Walmart with my bald head.  LOL!

After tomorrow marks my half-way point in my chemotherapy.  I am hoping to move onto radiation in August.  With luck and prayers and determination, next summer will be a lot more fun

swissmiss..with any luck i'll have my last chemo treatment on July 22, so I'll be with you at radiation in August. I haven't met with the RO since I started chemo, so I'll probably give them a call to make sure it's lined up. I have 6.5 weeks of daily (m-f) treatment. I'm looking forward to getting back to a normal schedule. I also miss long hair! I got a longish wig so that I can wear it until my real hair grows back more, but honestly, I like the hats and the cap-scarves (with elastic in the back that you tie too) better. The wig is very itchy with my stubble. We'll see how much I wear the wig when I return to work. 

Happy Monday!!

Sending good thoughts to everyone for tomorrow - looks like a large part of our April Group will be in treatment on Tuesday.

Footballnut - hugs to you.  Never worry about expressing your feelings here - if not here, where?  Hope the testing tomorrow goes okay for you.

Footballnut -Cancer sucks!! Chemo sucks!!! You are allowed to have down days you are allowed to cry and you are most definitely allowed to vent and here is a great place to do all three and you will never bring us down - we are here to support the hard times and cheer the good times.  We are super heros and even they have bad days!!   Blood work through my port didn't hurt at all and I don't have emla - they sprayed it with some freezy stuff.

Had my LGFB class today and it was very nice - got some nice makeup and meet 7 women going through this - the youngest was 48 and the oldest was 77 - she sat next to me and we had a blast together - I am 57.  She has treatment tomorrow at 1030 - so I will be there when she comes in.  It will be her third treatment and she is doing great and she hardly had a wrinkle on her face and the biggest bluest eyes I ever saw.

Huddling saying "easy peasy" LOL

I had TC #2 today.  Everthing seemed to be going well.  I had a room with a bed and bathroom so I fell asleep for awhile.  That was the best.  The bad thing, I could not make it to the bathroom in time and peed all over the place!  I sure hope that SE leaves!

Then, when I was all done and ready to leave, the nurse told me that my tumor markers went up.

Just from 30 to 50 so they want a ct scan before chemo # 3.  I thought most drs don't even pay attention to tumor markers because they are do unreliable.  But she really wanted a CT scan from the start so i'm going along with it.  Anyone here have tumor markers go up

during chemo?

hey there ladies! You guys rock..I'm serious. Every time I feel like it's all just too overwhelming, I come here and learn that I'm not alone.

Looks like a lot of you are in the chair tomorrow...good vibes coming your way {{{{{{{{{{{}}}}}}}}}}}}!!!!!!! It also looks like a lot of you are marking your halfway point. That must feel great!!!!

Thanks for the advice (a few pages back.lol). We all seem to have a lot in common. ColdinCanada, please let me know which nausea meds they switched you to if you can. I think I will be in the chair for round 1 on Tuesday so I'm partying this weekend. Well, as much as possible considering I'm having another surgery on Friday to put my "power" port in. No, joke that's the name of it. Lol. I told them to just knock me out, and my surgeon actually said it before I could. He said, "you have been poked, prodded and through enough. Let's make you comfortable and unaware of any pain or discomfort". I said, AMEN!!!!!

So, I had an echocardiogram today, met with the vascular surgeon and went to a chemo class where I had a small breakdown. The nausea just really scares the shit out of me. Excuse my mouth, I'm originally from NJ, I curse like a sailor. Wednesday is bone scan, genetic consult and cat scan, Thursday is a follow up with my MO where I will find out more details. It's all so scary and really feels like I'm talking about someone else's life. 

I'm forging forward, gaining strength from my support team and you great ladies!!

Ddkath- welcome to I cuss like a sailor club. Lol. I erase a LOT. Lol. 

Lakegirl, how are the nausea meds holding up? Hope they are working like a charm!

MommyQ, I believe you said in an earlier post that you just recently had a bone scan and CT scan. My itinerary says that I have to show up 2.5 hours early for an injection???? What is that about? I didn't ask my MO yet. I was going to do that tomorrow. Just wondering if you had that as well.

I just found out today I'll need chemo as my HER2 was positive- almost 9%. I've found great comfort in reading your stories.  I also cried quite a bit when I found out.  My hair is looking the best and longest it has in a long time, it figures.  I like the comment that one of you made about people who say "it's only hair,it will grow back"  yet they're not the ones about to lose theirs!   Oh the things people say.  We should start a topic thread on things people say because if I don't laugh about it I may want to smack them.  I thought I was past this cancer thing.  Had a BMX 2/14/11 for DCIS no cancer in lymph nodes, clear margins (though I think they should have been wider).  Now I am back after finding a lump.  IBC.  ER+ HER2 Positive.  All this after I had a bilateral mastectomy for DCIS!  Anyway, that is another thread that I have explained.  But I am really scared of the chemo. I always thought how blessed I was to have avoided chemo and radiation and the drugs.  But here I am.  We all are part of that "club" now and it sucks.  But I know dwelling on the "why me?" doesn't change anything.  I am just really clueless of what to expect,  BS mentioned the port today.  Why can't they just do the IV each time?  I don't like something sticking out of my skin for all those months.  I'm sure there are reasons.  And some of you are talking about a "cold cap"  What is that? 

Some advice: if you are foolish enough to change all your website passwords while under the influence of chemo brain, at least have the sense to write them down! Sigh.

Between getting my wallet stolen, chemo #2, and forgetting my new passwords, this is not my best week. Oh, and there are no LGFB classes that are not during working hours, so no cool makeup for me.

Ok, pity party is over.

Hey Ya'll. Today is "Chair Day". It's round 2 for me. I go at 10:00. What time does everyone else go? Happy Thoughts to everyone!(oh yea, I really don't want to go....)