Starting Chemo in April 2014

Jhondro, it was good to read your post because I was thrown a loop last week from my MO.  I am headed to U of M next week for a radiation consult.  Word on the street since January after my BMX was no need for rads.  Didn't start this journey thinking chemo or rads on the table but there you go.  I read the link from Clarnn  and now am more convinced my next opinion will be rads.  

3 weeks PFC tomorrow for me and I feel better every day.  Tongue neuropathy persists and still working on fatigue but it is better and I am exercising more and more every day.  Hair on head is slowly appearing.  Like dandelion fuzz!

Ever, sounds like great news, glad you're feeling well! 

I have a hair question for y'all. I am going on 7 weeks PFC and have all kinds of things going on. The back of my hair is really coming in, like you all say about a 1/4 inch. The sides still have white and the top had "sprouts" they never feel out during chemo, but they are sporadic and in between those there is fuzz. It's kind of a hot mess, anyone else have portions growing more than others? I guess I should maybe shave it a little to be even, but I can't bring myself to cut any of it. Lol. 

-dawn

DdKath70...we are about at the same PFC   I have even fuzz/hair all over.  See photos on Hair Hair Hair.  I've been using  Nioxin and taking Biotin. MO wouldn't let me start Biotin until 1 month post chemo.   I have my exchange scheduled for Oct 21. My goal is to go back to work topless after that surgery.   Did I say I REALLY hate my wig. I have been wearing my running hats everywhere. I just don't care!! I'm tired of the stocking cap all day feeling!!!  Also, my scalp is tender where the dumb wig is on it all day!!!

I'm still really achy muscle wise...I hope this goes away...it is driving me crazy.   I've been taking the tamoxifen for about a week now. Has anyone had muscle fatigue/achiness with that?  Or...am j just trying to do too much too soon?

Clarm-  Hello-  I have been quietly following this thread but haven't contributed much.  My oncologist made a huge point of warning me that it is quite common to go through depression after chemo is done.  Has something to do with the "fight or flight" syndrome.  We have been putting a whole lot of energy into making appointments, researching options, infusions, etc. etc. and all of a sudden it slows down.  She also pointed out that we aren't going to get the level of support from others at this juncture.    I thought it was kind of pointless to tell me this since I have not been "down" much and have been pretty perky.   HA! ....... At day 10 of my radiation, I sat on the table and cried and cried.  The four technicians were wonderful but they couldn't continue with the treatment until I calmed down because I was so upset....I had just HAD ENOUGH of this shit. I had  lost my eyebrows and lashes six weeks after PFC (very rude)  and I was gaining weight.  Hair wasn't doing anything much either.   Turns out that the head tech just finished chemo two weeks prior herself and really understood.  I've felt better since "losing it", but have occasional blahs on and off.   Meanwhile, hair is better and growing the at about the same rate you ladies are describing in this thread.  Lashes and brows are back, and I have lost a couple of pounds.  I have a pretty significant radiation burn, but it is nothing compared to the chemo and I am getting a huge bunch of energy and ambition back.  I hope you are feeling better soon.  I totally understand.  Thanks for letting me share, and I'm sorry this is so long-winded.

Thanks rosebud and Timbuktu.  I wish you weren't feeling the same but also glad to be understood.  It helps some.  Hugs and kleenex and maybe a great nap for us all.  

And a walk tonight.  I know that I need to get out of my house.

It does seem like many of us are going through similar feelings.  Timbuktu - I hear you on your concerns about your check-up.  I fly out on Saturday and will have my first check-up since chemo ended.  Not expecting anything odd, but our minds just go strange places.

I think the hair issue is symbolic - losing it was one of the early signs of what we were going through.  I just keep telling myself I am lucky it is growing back, but it sure seems to be taking forever and a day to fill in.

Timbuktu - it's even harder when you don't like to fly and are going alone, and also when you aren't excited to get to your destination.  Wishing you a safe trip - deep breaths and know this is something you need to do.

Flying from Maine to Florida.  A week of doctor/dentist/dermatologist visits, then at least I get to go to Disney World.  We will fly back to Maine before driving back to Florida in December.

I am glad you all posted about depression. I am having my last DD taxol tomorrow. I feel like I want to cry. I think its because the SE are cumulative and I am dreading the next couple of weeks. I am still in some pain and have numb fingers and feet. Feels like I am walking on balls and my legs feel like dead weights. I already whined on another board and feel guilt about doing it again. I am just exhausted. I tried to work normally and took only treatment day and some 1/2 days off. Looking back that was a mistake, I should have taken more time to rest. So, I am leaving work early today, and am taking at least Monday and Tuesday off next week. Friday I will work for couple hours and thats it!!!! It took me all this time to realize I really needed to take care of myself and not worry so much about work. So, if anyone is lurking out there who is starting chemo soon. TAKE TIME TO REST!!!! Oh and don't be afraid to take any pain meds they give you!

Damn chemicals playing games with everyone.  I spent Monday getting x-rayed for radiation and then cried during rads the entire time.  I am not much of a crier but I had just about had enough of everything.  I feel much better as the week is going on but I am just SICK of everything.  I want to be well and not deal with all of the cancer crap.  I realized a couple weeks ago that I have been bald for at least 1 year out of my 37 years and I am just sick of it.  I want to be well and healthy.  

As for this week one more radiation treatment and then I will have finished 5 out of 33 treatments.  My mold is a mess as they had my head straight when they did it and now during rads I am turned to the side.  My appetite has finally slowed down and I am not sure if it is rads or the fact that I started back doing T25 (today was day 3) but I will take whatever is working.  I have 10lbs that I would like to go away at least.  I am only 5lbs up from my starting point but before that I was up.  I am hoping that working out and moving will help keep my weight down and deal with the rads SE's.  

My hair is seeming hopeless.  .  I know it will be back but it is taking it's good old time coming in.  

clarrn. I say to heck with them. I am gonna get in a shape beside round while I am doing rads. Exercise makes me feel better and feeling better helps me deal with them. Plus I get checked for alignment  twice a week. So they will just have to fix it. 

Jaimieh- I agree.. an extra xray or two can't be so terrible for me at this point!   Did part of a T25 yesterday  hope to get through more of it today. .. so out of shape and sore!

Hello ladies!  I really say that loosely because as I said a long time ago, not having a smart phone kinda kept me out of the loop.  Now I find myself feeling as though I was shunned from my own group because I did not have the ability to pick up my phone a hit reply.  I know in my heart no one meant any harm, but the last time I was here I was called a stalker, and now (just so all of you ladies know) I do not share or even feel welcome.  Just wanted all of you to know that just because someone can not be here every minute of the day does not mean they are not hurting or need support.  Just go way back in this thread and maybe you will see where once I actually existed in this group.  No worries though. I will make it alright without stalking "Your Group" even though we started together. Hope you have fun at your pirate reunion!

mikishelley~ I remember you and I am sorry that someone said something nasty.  I just was hoping you were out feeling great and enjoying life.  I hope you are recovering and doing well.

Vera Ann, I remember your posts from awhile back but don't remember your stats.  I agree, that would be helpful. Are you done with chemo now? What has been suggested for treatment ?

Hi mmtagirl, I am going on my 5th out of 12 weekly taxol - already did the 4 A/C. They are telling me that I don't have to do the right and if I do there is not much difference as far as survival.  I have a 6cm in the left breast (shrunk by now of course), ILC - the sneaky one is who got me.  After the surgery, they highly recommend radiation which I am not happy with.  I was not happy with chemo either but I thank God every day that I have done really well with it.  Are you happy with all of your decisions?  It's so hard to really know if you are doing the right thing.  Oh and that pill that I have to take for 10 years also makes me uneasy.  My ONC said only 1% chance of causing something in the uterus.  Just don't know.  Thanks for your help, VeraAnn