Starting chemo September 2014

Toby, my hair started coming out right after the 2nd infusion. I went for treatment on Tuesday and for a buzz cut that Friday. I still have some thin hair all over my head, it's more like a cat shedding all over the place now.

So yeah, day 14 seems to be the magic number.

KayaRose--funny thing about children.  My grandson (6 year old) said that he really wished that I had hair but he was more concerned about the band aid that covered my port.  He asked me to remove it so that he could make sure that there was not a scar.  Meanwhile, I was sitting there with a bald head.  I found it more depressing to continue to comb my hair as more of it came out in the comb.  I had my husband shave it off. I bought a wig but haven't worn it yet.  I wear hats and scarves.  I keep reminding myself that my soul is me..not my hair or my physical appearance.  I had a mastectomy and have gained weight due to the steroids.  

melannmor44-when taking levaquin watch for the rashes that may appear on your upper body.  I had that reaction on the third or forth day but since I only had to take it for the few days i continued to take it.  I now get the neulasta shot instead.

SueBe- I thought we were on the same schedule, #3 for me is Thursday.  90% better WOW!  Acupuncture? wow-I have to try that:) 

Good Luck Friday  

Barremom. We are on the same schedule, sort of. Hubby has to work on Thurs so we are now Friday. 

Good luck with #3 on Thursday.

Hi Everyone,

Today is day 15 and my pixie cut is beginning to shed. I don't care too much about losing my hair... it's more a feeling of frustration that this is what I have to do to kick out cancer.

My concern is that I will look sick to others now. My youngest just accept that it's what happens... he doesn't really understand everything. The important part is that he knows I am sick, but I will get better... it will just take a while. Young kids tend to be very accepting and flexible. In general, they will respond according to how you present the info to them and how you behave around them.

I chose a non-human hair wig. It's lighter weight and easier to style. Won't frizz with humidity.

My insurance company pays for wigs... sometimes referred to as "hair prosthesis". It's a significant benefit- $500/year. Check with your insurance, too!

Poppyk-  I still have my eyebrows and eyelashes so I don't believe that I look sick. thank goodness!  I found some thicker scarves so I will weather the storm and probably not wear a wig.  

Just a story to brighten your day. My boss's 6 year old daughter has been receiving treatment for leukemia for about 9 months, and she's doing quite well and of course is quite bald. She pretty much just goes with it or wears a headband which I might try cause it looks mighty cute on her. My boss buzzed his hair a few months ago and he keeps it pretty closely cut. The day I came in with mine buzzed off he stopped by my desk to compliment me on my hairstyle. Yes, he's a very nice guy.

Last weekend he took the little girl to a college women's softball game, the visiting team being his alma mater. After the game they went up to the team to have them sign the school t-shirt his daughter was wearing. Then all the girls on the team insisted she in turn sign their shirts and then all take a picture together. He was showing me the photo on his phone and I just got all teary. I thought that was one of the sweetest things I'd ever heard, restored my faith in youth. Oh yeah, and they won the game.

I am new to the site. I was diagnosed June 25,2014. Initially, it was the left stage 2 invasive ductal. The surgeon thought, bilateral mastectomy( family history) and some tamoxifen for five years. The pathology report showed invasive lobular in 3 areas of right breast along with 1 out of 6 positive nodes on left sentinel . Them then PET scan revealed a little mass on my abdominal wall. 5 weeks after surgery, my incision I the right opened and began draining profusely. The implant had to be removed and the excision of tumor on abd. Wall was removed. Begnign tumor , good news!! A week later then port was placed and chemo to start the following week.  Then a week and a half later both breasts began profusely leaking and another surgery was done. The doctor decided to replace my implants from the reconstruction with expanders. Chemo back on hold. Today, in 9'hours, I start chemo. Docetaxel and cyclophosphamide.  Every 3 weeks for 6 cycles. My FMLA only has 1 week left due to the unexpected surgeries and I am frightened about the side effects and being able to function . Did I mention I have a 17 year old daughter who is a senior in high school? I feel so horrible that this is time I hoped to help with her early admission apps to colleges and shop for homecoming dress and not be worried about going through my savings for her college. Everyone says I'm so lucky, it was found and it was early( I thank the 3 d mammo for that.) I am grateful for that. But it shouldn't minimize what the treatment takes from me. My job security, financial stability, time with my daughter her last real year at home with me. ( my daughter was dx with bipolar 3 years ago and has overcome tremendous odds with hard work, diligence, and medications to be able to have the opportunity to attend a really good college of her choice.) the focus on my illness is a weight that is so unfair to her ). I can't show my fear of what the chemo will do to my body. But it is front and center! I read the posts and rationally, I know that I am lucky and I will be ok. The blessings to be found are in the lessons that I have been experiencing about my life, my perceptions are not always right, the love and caring of family and friends is astounding, my sense of self is evolving. Bring on the hair loss, it is fine, it's just the fear of not being able to function well enough to be present for my child and my work. Thanks for listening. 9 hours from now the chemo journey begins. I am strong even though I am nervous about the unknown. Question: is there an approximate time line for the hair to fall out with my chemo combo? What are some experiences?

Ctillie- What a journey you've had so far. I have a High School senior as well and my cancer has affected his college process also. I feel bad he's just not getting the same attention and enthusiasm for the application process as my others did. Sounds like your daughter is a strong cookie given what she has been through. Best of luck to her! 

Now to the questions, on your cocktail most people find major hair shedding between 1st & 2nd treatment although everyone is slightly different. For me it started heavily day 20 and continued to day 26, but I'm cold capping. It's quite traumatic, nothing can prepare you. I'm pretty sure thats time frame is standard weather or not you're capping.  

Financially, It's definitely a hit. Money I could have used towards college also, now spent on BC. I try not to think of it though because it's saving my life right?  Since I've meet my out-of-pocket for the year I'm trying to get EVERY appointment, test, scan etc I possibly can before the year end.  

Best of luck to you today...healing thoughts are with you.

Ctillie, Holy cow... you've been through a lot! I have 3 boys, high school senior, sophomore and a 6th grader. I have had one infusion of TC so far. Days 3-5 after infusion were the most difficult for me- side effects nausea and chemo brain. It got better after that. The 10 days prior to the next infusion were almost normal; just some fatigue. Honestly, my surgery knocked me down much harder, with longer recovery time, than the chemo... so far. By day 14, I started shedding my hair.... not too bad yet. I cut my hair into a short pixie cut to make the transition easier... and so I can deceive myself into thinking the hair on the couch is from the pets. ;-) 

I have contacted my senior's counselor at school, and she is giving him some extra help with the college stuff. To make it easier, my son fills out an online application on one computer, while I'm filling out another right next to him. Also, some of my friends have taken my son along when they go to see college campuses. Sometime the schools also have these trips that your daughter may be able to attend. Colleges also visit our high school to give presentations. Your daughter is learning a lot just watching you as you fight BC! And it's okay and normal to have bad days!

Poppy

I love the jingle and the spirit in which I imagine you sing it!! Thank you for that!!

Thank you for your response . I have heard of cold capping but not sure what that actually means. I am thinking of just shaving my head now to get it over with . I'm not afraid to be bald( only because  of the cancer ) but I am concerned that chunks will come out at work or around my daughter which could be traumatic. So I'm thinking I might take some control and decide when and how it will occur. My parents are hopeful that I will fall in to that small percentage that does not lose their hair. I have never been thE one who that happens to. It sound inevitable. Both of the chemo I am taking have hair loss. What do you think from your experience? Plus I live in Miami and our coldest day is flip flop wearing weather. The steroids alone cause me sweating and hot flashes already!! Did I mention I have been in menopause prior to the diagnosis? Yep, hair makes it more uncomfortable actually!! 

Ctillie, my chemo doc said I should take otc prilosec for 4 days after treatment for heartburn.  It works well for me.  Be sure to let your chemo team about all side effects.  It is part of their job to make you as comfortable as possible so you can get thru the treatments.  Love, Jean 

Welcome, Ctillie. I'm glad you've gotten through your first infusion. It helps when a lot of the mystery is taken out of the process. Sorry to hear of your heartburn and aches. As Jean and others have said, Prilosec really does help. Of course, clear it with your MO first.

As far as hair goes, this is my second go-round with losing it, and I'm starting to shed worse than our Aussie Shepherd. Each time it's been around day 18-19 after first chemo. Luckily, my DD is a whiz with the clippers, so I'll have her buzz me down a bit in the next day or two. She never expected to do it the first time, much less again, but she likes being able to do this for me, and I love her for that. Like Poppy said, just don't go down to scalp.

Sleep - what's that? I don't think I've slept for more than 4 hours at a time, and that's if I've taken something like Ambien or Ativan. What can be difficult is that the dexamethasone many of us get in pre-meds is a steroid that can totally wire you. And yet, it's also a very good anti-nausea med as well as good to keep down any possible allergic reactions during infusion.

Speaking of nausea, my patch finally gave up the ghost this morning. Although at 6 days in, it's been pretty good. I guess I can cope with another day or two until the ride for this round is over.

Jean - that little ditty is awesome!! Can't wait to try it out with my nurses at next chemo - with all appropriate credits, of course.