Chemo in May 2014

glad to hear it linda

Great news Linda!!!! I know how relieved you must be.

I don't know how I can shave my head. My Friend who is a hair dresser is coming over, I will see what she says. I have two wigs, one blonde that makes me look 20 years younger (so everyone says) and one that is more practical. It is a short hair cut and a brunette / auburn color. Both are very nice.

Great news on the CT scan!! I too get the taxotere eye twitch, it so annoying!!

I am sitting here doing pre meds for round 3!! It gone pretty fast but it is still such a crappy way to spend the summer! Anyone else on round 3 this week?

I'm round three next week. Ugh…dreading it!!! Totally savoring these days when I feel well!!!

HomeMom...use a sticky lint roller on your head!  It actually feels pretty good and gets those little ones!!!  

Hi Ricanbabe - I had a double MXC on 4/16 and have started a my chemo 5/20. I have a similar course to yours and also have HER2+. 8 weeks of AC every second week. Then weekly Taxol with Herceptin for 12 weeks followed by Hercepton every 3rd week until next May.

I was terrified to start chemo but can honestly say it has not been as bad as I expected. I have not gotten sick just a little tired the day of treatment, dry mouth (use lots of Biotin and drink lots of water) and sore gums (gargle with baking soda water) for a day or 2. Of course the hair loss is devastating. I had hair down my back and now bald (started at about day 21) but I have some cute wigs and no one can tell. A friend of a friend gave me good advise to walk everyday, and I have most days. I have a walking trail at 3.8 miles which I do almost daily. Don't be terrified and let me know if you have any other questions.

Hi, ricanbabe. I don't have the same diagnosis as you, but like amyo, so far chemo hasn't been as hard as I expected and I was horribly frightened of it, more so than the surgery. People's bodies are all different though. My mode is to research as much as I can through credible, authoritative, evidenced-based sources--I find that Googling can be great for simple queries (looking up terminology, etc.) on medical websites, but some websites are obviously more reliable than others. I did get a second opinion at Dana Farber--I highly recommend getting a second opinion. For me, with ILC, I was mostly concerned about the chemo protocol and  the second opinion affirmed that the course of treatment I'm under is what they would prescribe (the MO I met with teaches at Harvard), which gave me enormous peace of mind, and I even found out I qualify for a clinical trial which will add to my treatment and reduce risk of recurrence even more. Dana Farber also has a good website for research, as do all the major cancer hospitals, such as Sloan-Kettering in NY. Also, Dr. Susan Love's website is a good one. If you have a university near you, you can also get access to medical research databases--though lots of high-tech terminology and, as my oncs remind me, what's published is about 10 years behind, which is good news when looking at statistics because it means that outcomes and risks of recurrence are actually better now than the published stats.

What I understand about "alternative" medicine is that there aren't the scientific, clinical trials to provide evidence of its effectiveness as an exclusive course of treatment. However, as someone who tends toward more alternative medicine for other health issues, I have been happy to hear from all of my doctors that they support what they call "supplementary" treatment--massage, healthy diet, acupuncture, etc.

I am on Day 9 after 2nd infusion.  It went about the same as last time (fluish feelings + occasional bone pain even while taking Claritin for 7 days, trying to balance btwn C & D with food and sometimes drugs, and trying to figure out what to eat with mouth changes and the dark thoughts). It actually felt a little less intense than the first infusion. I don't think I ran a fever this time.  I have my infusions on Tuesdays and I seem to go down Saturday through Monday. I had some dizziness that I didn't have last time and I think I had more fatigue this time around. I feel like I can do it again 2 more times if it doesn't get much worse, although those dark thoughts are terrible and I do not want to deal with them again.

I think my hair is going on it's 2nd purge. I buzzed it a few weeks back and a lot fell out.  I used a lint roller too but after a while I could tell the fall out was slowing down.  Then a week after 2nd infusion my scalp started hurting again at the top. So I broke out the lint roller again. I've almost gone through the whole roll! Ha!  Also my nail beds started feeling tender a few days ago. I hope my nails don't get too gross. I don't really have issues with walking around without breasts or foobs or hair but having gross fingernails, well, ick. (lol) 

I signed up for the Look Good Feel Better program. I hesitated at first because I am not really one to be interested in a program like that but later thought they may have some tips for the acne i was getting and upcoming nail issues. So I signed up.  It's tomorrow and I am actually very excited about it.  After 2 rounds of a week with the dementors in my head I think it might be a nice break and boost.

ricanbabe, have you looked at the holistic or alternative medicine discussion board? They may be able to offer you some insight.  I looked into alternative treatment  and one thing I found was that both sides (alternative & conventional) had pretty strong opinions against each other and it made it very difficult for me to sort through it all and try to make my choice.

Peace,

Wendy

Nice pic, debiann. Thanks for sharing.

Oh yesterday I did something for the first time. I went out with nothing on my head. When I first shaved my head I had about 1/4 long hair left and I didn't wear anything. But three weeks ago I got rid of the last of it, shaving it to the skin. I'm now smooth headed and shiny.  Anyway, I get SO HOT with anything on my head. I ran to the store for something and realized I'd forgotten to grab something for my head. I thought about running home then said screw it! I just went bald! 

I realized something a few days ago. I have always hated my hair. I actually feel prettier without it!!! 

• I started chemo may 20, 2014. AC every other week for 8 weeks followed by taxol every other week for 8 weeks, then radiation , then tamoxifen for 5 years. Haven't really had too many side effects except the hair loss and lack of sleep. Oh yeah and the neulasta pain.

You and I are on the same schedule. I have my 3rd treatment on June 26th. (two days before my birthday dang it!) My first round I woke up on day 14 with a bit of a sore throat and my sinuses congested. I was really worried because I am very susceptible to tonsillitis. I had it three times from November to March. I was really glad when it was gone the next morning! This second round I had the same thing but it only lasted about 1/2 the day. 

Lespring...we are on the same schedule.  I am totally prone for sinus infection. I had the surgery a few years ago, which really helped. I am just wondering if I ever got rid of it last time. My ear hurt last night, too.  When I got up this am I have big dark circles under my eyes.  Although, those could be attributed to my strange sleep schedule!!!  I think I will just go to prompt care this am. I don't want to get off track!!!  I only have 2 treatments to go!!!  

 
I am having a wicked rash (or is it acne) on my face and head. I had some acne with my last round. My MO seemed to think it was caused by the steroids and she gave me some AB to take until it cleared up. I am not sure if this is the same as last time but it showed up about 9 days after chemo and 1 day after i stopped taking the Claritin (hmm, interesting). It's slightly itchy, red, raised, pimple-like.  And my eyes are swollen and i feel my throat is swollen. I called the on call MO and he said take the Ab again.  I think it's an allergic reaction (slow onset not rapid, anaphylactic) . I asked if i could take Benadryl and he said if you want but if you're concerned go to the ER (weird shrugged-off response from a doc, and I'm with a big practice in the DC area, very reputable locally). I am not concerned now but if the symptoms get worse i will go to ER. Otherwise i'd like to avoid ER fees.

So I took the Benadryl, I'm going to wait and see what it does then I'll take the AB later and monitor it's effects.

Has anyone had this?  I can't seem to find much info online about it. I think it's because i am not sure if  I should be searching for a rash or acne; or chemo side effects or steroid side effects.

The Look Good Feel Better class was a disappointment.  They mainly told me how to put on make up.  I know how to do that.  I think the instructor was just lame.  Initially I wanted to attend a class in the DC area (sort of close to me).  I think the instructor at that class is supposed to be better. I did get a bunch of free makeup. The brands ranged from Physician's Formula and Neutrogena to Clinique, Estee Lauder and Chanel.  Nice but isn't there some controversy about the carcinogenic ingredients in some of these brands?  I would have thought that the makeup given would have been a more natural brand, ya' know?

Hope everyone is doing well this weekend.

Lakegirl, I've gotten a slight earache with each round, blamed it on allergies the first two rounds, but now think its from the chemo.                          Writinghelps, Last round I was out in the sun for a bit and my skin reacted, red and puffy, different than a sunburn.       For me this round, thrush started with the very first dose of steroids.Mo insisted I try to clear it up with just the nystatin, which does nothing for me. Within two days it was so bad I was scraping it off my tongue with a popsickle stick. MO said, ok go back on the diflucan.Slowly getting relief, but this is by far my WORST se.