Citoxon and toxotere

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Tobycc
Tobycc Member Posts: 789
edited October 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

man.....what a day. Bottom line.....doc is recommending this......I have a heart condition so this is supposedly less toxic. Triple negative...in one lymph node. Want to hear the truth :). Says cod caps not worth it. I am CEO of company. Struggling with telling my board, etc. hugs to all of you

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  • jarris77
    jarris77 Member Posts: 100
    edited September 2014

    I was diagnosed with triple negative a year ago. No lymph node involvement. I was given taxotere and Cytoxan. 4 treatments 3 weeks apart.

    I didn't check on cold caps and I did lose my hair (even though I was told that my hair would just get thinner). Thankfully I found a wig that my husband couldn't even tell wasn't my real hair. I tried it out before my hair came out and he honestly couldn't tell. I got lots of compliments on my "hair" from strangers. When I went to back to my breast surgeon, he commented about me not losing my hair. I told him that I had and that I was wearing a wig. He did a double take and acted like he wasn't sure I was telling the truth. I guess it's good that my hair was white to begin with (started turning when I was 18 years old). It obviously wasn't hard to match!  It has now grown back and is longer that it was when it came out.

    Good luck.

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  • Akitagirl
    Akitagirl Member Posts: 142
    edited September 2014

    Hi Jarris77,

    Where did you get your wig?  I have been looking online and there is a lot of variability in cost/quality.  I haven't had surgery yet (scheduled 28Oct14), but will be doing chemo and want to be prepared.  I also have a high level position that requires travel/presentations/etc. and want to look my best, even when not feeling the best.  :-)  Also, how was your energy level throughout your treatment?  Did you tolerate the chemo well?

    All my best,

    Akitagirl

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited September 2014

    akitagirl - I recommend trying on wigs in a wig store to get an idea of how they look and sizing, and color.  I would then check online to see if you can get the same wig at a better price.  I purchased mine in a shop, but later found it for much less online.  I used a lace front Racquel Welch versafiber wig - it could be heat styled with a hair dryer or flat iron.  I got many compliments also on my "hair" and people thought I had just been to the salon.  Also, many insurance companies cover wigs for cancer patients, but you need a prescription from your oncologist for a "cranial prosthesis" and usually you purchase the wig and then get reimbursed, up to their coverage amount, afterward.  I submitted the prescription and my receipt, along with the insurance claim form.

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  • jarris77
    jarris77 Member Posts: 100
    edited October 2014

    Hi akitagirl. I'm sorry I didn't respond sooner, I just saw your post.

    I got my wigs on line, Paula Young brand and they were very inexpensive. I think I only paid $40 when I could get them on sale. I bought several just alike so, when one started to wear out, I was always prepared. I was lucky to find one that looked just like my hair style. When people knew I was wearing a wig and commented that it looked exactly like my real hair, I jokingly told them thanks for letting me know that my real hair evidently looks like a cheap wig!! lol.

    As far as chemo, I tolerated it exceptionally well. After doing so well after my first treatment, I begged my onc to let me go back to work. They just kept telling me to wait to make sure that the side effects didn't get any worse after the next treatment. Luckily they never got any worse. I have a desk job (I work in the business office of the medical facility where I received my treatments), and I think I could have worked without any problems. I'm sure I wouldn't have been 100% every single day, but I could have done it. I didn't suffer from any of the fatigue that a lot of people do. After completing the treatments, my oncologist said, "After seeing how well you tolerated the chemo, I think you could have worked". Duh!!

    If your chemo is anything like mine, just be prepared for some constipation the first week after a treatment, mild nausea (I only took the anti-nausea med a couple of times), and changes in the taste of food. Some people breeze right through and others suffer with every side effect possible. Hopefully you will be one of the lucky ones!

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