November 2014 Starting Chemo Crew

Hang in there karen1971! I'm at day 10 and feel so much better. Day 3 and 4 were my worst. We all will get through this!

My cancer nurse says that if you managed pregancy well then chances are that Chemo might not be has tough. I didn't have morning sickness with either of my pregancies, and seem to have escaped nausea and fatique with the chemo. Infections are another story though - we are all so different.

SCVA, double sided tape, of course!

Jovigirl; I think I'm past the itchy, prickly part (thank goodness!) I hope the purell with help others.

I know some of you are probably considering hats and such.Here's my info on the ones I have so far.Hats, scarves, and more has been my favorite vendor so far but all got me the items, as advertised, in a timely way!

Chemoscarves.com

• Cotton material
• Scarf like/pre-tied/kind of looks like a tied bandana or scrub hat
• Elastic on the back
• I found the woven cotton to be a little bit stiff on my head at first.
• I didn't think these quite covered my head well enough as I was losing my hair but seems to be okay now that I'm bald.

Hats, scarves, and more

• Luxury bamboo turban (3 seam)
• Very soft, fits my head well and doesn't give me headache
• Has a little bit of height and doesn't hug the head on top
• Cotton 3 seam turban (soft like t-shirt material)
• Very soft and also fits well and similar to the luxury bamboo
• EcoCloche
• Very cute and comfortable
• Is double material and kind of thick so this may end up being too hot for the desert.We shall see!

Uptown Girl headwear (through Amazon)

• Soft Comfy sleep/chemocap
• Fits very close to the head/basic beanie
• Soft material
• Have worn this alone and underneath head scarves to they would have something to "stick" to

Chemo Beanies (through Amazon)

• Rita:
• very, very cute
• A little bit dressy
• Fit well and elastic is comfortable

Hello Ladies! I have been following this board for the most part of this month and feel like I know you all already. I finally created a user name so I can join in the conversation. Preparing for my 2nd treatment on Wednesday.

Hi. I just joined while researching relief for tightness on my scalp and/ headache; muscle soreness at neck and shoulders. I started Taxotere 11/24 but does the muscle soreness linger on a week after? The dose of Zofran I took was 2 days ago. I'm not taking anything else.

I'm also under a lot of stress and aggravation at home so it may be that too. Family members who are more needy than I am! I'm trying to drink lots of fluids but maybe not enough? Thank you for your help.

Hello, my chemo nurse told me about the Claritin. I used it for five days and I haven't had pain due to the dreaded "shot" it worked for me!

Leslienva, No, I did not get the neulesta shot. I may have to try some pain relievers if I can't figure this out. Maybe too much time in bed and not enough activity.

Michelle49

My oncology nurse told me not to take too much Ativan because it can make you depressed. But it works better than the Zofran on nausea. The only problem is it makes me drowsy, which is fine at night but not so good during the day.

What anti nausea meds are working for everyone?

Love those hats, Palameda

thatcameragirl, yes, I've described what I'm going through as just about the exact same as my oh so miserable pregnancy, which I was violently ill for the entirety of. Also from the standpoint that we have to hang in there until it's over, it's not a ride we can get off of if we feel like it (we could, but I wouldn't!).

Another poster, I got lost in the posts who, had trouble sleeping. I highly recommend some good indica (marijuana). You don't have to smoke, you can do edibles (I do).

Anyone else doing mmj besides me?

Hi Tally

I felt sheepish asking the nurse about having a glass of wine once in a while and she gave me a strange look, (and I'm writing this from wine country! )

2 days after my first round, I decided to see for myself , because I do believe in the benefits of a glass of red once in a while (I am French after all) and it was just fine, not the same pleasure for sure but it didn't make me sick and it may have given me more appetite.

I had another glass today while preparing lunch and that was quite nice - so my advice is, Listen to your body and don't deny yourself any little pleasure at this time, your body will tell you but if it's ok, however remember that the liver is affected first with chemo so it doesn't need any extra toxins or extra work to do.

Hugs,

knittingPT, as Kiwi1966 said, it took perhaps a little over a week for the hat to get here. I was pleasantly surprised. What may not be obvious from the picture, it's made of light stretchy material which works well for hot flashes. I too used edibles during treatment (and now) to help with nausea, appetite, sleeping and general well being. Csnnot believe there are still states that deny cancer patients this medicine. I found that I could enjoy a glass of wine in my third week after chemo: week one not so much! Good luck ladies, this will be over quite soon, and you'll have a full head of hair rather quickly. I have the most beautiful curls, with one ringlet that drops perfectly over my forehead.

Erica, I was very much opposed to losing my hair, too. The first time I showered and it came out in my hands, I promptly stopped the shower and patted it dry very, very carefully. Now it is falling out so fast that I just want it gone. When I shower, I try to get as much out as possible. The "in between" bald spot stage seems worse to me than fully bald. I don't like the trail of prickly hairs behind me or on my shoulders. I've now moved on to "get it off me" so I can be done with it stage. It is funny how we have to go through all these emotional stages with every step of treatment. First it was the start of chemo, now the loss of hair . . .what will be the next big stage? I get my third round of chemo this week! I wonder what joys await me after that :-) I am trying to take it all in stride. Luckily, I have many friends with a morbid sense of humor and they help get through it with a smile while also letting me "feel the burn".

Erica

I am so thankful to be walking it with you, we can do this hugs and love back!

thanks ladies on the alcohol tips. I am thinking a glass of wine, not shots of Patron. Lol