November 2014 Starting Chemo Crew

Marcella

So glad you're feeling much better and your mind is back to normal.

I think every one of those feelings is perfectly normal, I would not take one of them back. But know that you can still be stupid,silly, and reckless as you need to, you will meet and fall in love with a guy and he'll be the right guy, one who really sees you and loves you and tells you that no matter what this beast BC tries to do it cannot have your spirit, your zest and all that is deep and beautiful in your soul, they are yours forever, Cancer can't have 'em. I'm praying with you for your dreams to come true. For now onward towards port surgery, chemo, the YAaaaayyyyy New Years in NewYork!!!!! Cue the fun times, silliness and whatever your heart desires

Ugh, can't sleep due to steroids I suppose so thought I'd get caught up here, been on the FB site lots lately.

Midlife crisis, I'm so sorry you have this issue to deal with. You are not a fraud at all, this is something totally unexpected, totally out of your control. I am praying that you get answers and get this taken care of ASAP. And also figure out what is going on and get the right recommendations for moving forward. This is scary stuff...much love and hugs to you my friend.

Marcella, your feelings are totally justified!!! You have nothing to be ashamed about for feeling the way you did at that moment. I find it can feel good to write down the feelings and get them out of your mind so you can move on. You are dealing with so much at such a young age but you will get past this again. You will get your fun life back again, meet that guy, and stop having to think about this beast so much! And it's starting with your awesome trip to NY!!! I hope you have an amazing time and can live carefree!

Sheeba, your new pic with you and matching hubby is so sweet, you guys are adorable! Hope the hot flashes stay away...yuck!

Many hugs to all. Hope everyone is hanging in there, it's all we can do right? One day at a time!

Hi all: Just checking in and trying to keep up with all of you. I'm reading everything but not able to reply to everything. If we can't vent with each other, what's the use of this board?

I'm in my "good" week (last one before going in again on Monday), but I'm still up and down day to day and never sure how I'll feel. Had a heart MUGA test yesterday and I think I'm OK there. I have nose bleeds, mostly weeks 2 and 3, though not gushing. My tongue is numb and things just don't taste right. I was put back on steroids for a terrible rash on my hands from the taxotere. It's helping.

Mrshq1: so cool about doing the Clemson game. I'm an FSU fan in Tallahassee, but I took a short semester class on the Clemson campus 20+ years ago and have some affection for the Tigers. I hope you do great for the game and the week. I'll look for you on TV!

Erica: Cool that you got to go to NOLA! Love that place.

Marcella: So excited for your New Year's trip to NYC

I'm enjoying Christmas at home. I hired some guys to put up a zillion lights on my house, put up a tree, and wrote some cards today. I love the lights in the darkness. I'm going to celebrate the Solstice on Sunday since my Christmas will be Day 4 and I won't be feeling so well then.

Hang in there, everyone!

Sheeba ... I can sympathize with you on the fogginess. It reminds me of what it's like while on narcotics after surgery. I couldn't wait to get off them after my bilateral mx. I couldn't stand the fog. Thankfully w/chemo it hasn't lasted long for me. It was a good week after the 1st round, but I really only felt it 2 or 3 days after round two. It's a strange feeling but I know exactly what you mean when you say you can't do anything ...watch tv, read, deal w/commotion (my 2 boys). It's quite frustrating. I hope it passes for you soon. Try to get yourself in some sunshine each day ... even if just sitting by a bright window. It helps raise spirits. Hang in there!

My folliculitis ordeal put me in the slumps big time. I'm 24 hours in with antibiotics and I'm not seeing improvement quick enough! At least it doesn't seem to have gotten any worse. 😕 Hate having to be on medication on top of the chemo. It really bothers me. I don't even like to take tylenol so this whole cancer-trip has really thrown me for a loop. I cannot wait until I can go back to having that Tylenol be the worst thing I put in my body.

This is the first time I've experienced a lot of fogginess. I'm wondering if it's from the Emend. I had horrible nausea with my first two treatments so my onc added Emend to the pre-chemo meds. Much less nausea but I'm feeling a bit woozy. I can't concentrate on anything today

Thank you ladies for posting your experience with fog. To me this is my worst side effect. I'm on day 6 post 2nd chemo. Go in for iv fluids this morning. Praying it will ease. Day 3 and beyond is when fog strikes for me. I will keep u posted if fluids help for those who have same issues. Hugs!!!

Hi Everybody,

I realized I never posted my pictures of my new haircut. I was holding on too long (I'm a teacher and was hoping to get through parent conferences with hair.....oh well) I had my hubby shave it last Monday (I let my daughter ,9 , give me a custom haircut first. I told her it would be her only chance to cut my hair it was very punk rock)

Here is me a couple of weeks before:

Here I am after the buzz cut:

My hubby had a shaved head already, now my daughter has a matching set of parents!

Anyway wish I hadn't waited so long, it wasn't worth the stress and anticipation.

My first graders were very curious when I came in with a hat. (wig had not arrived yet) I got funny looks, comments and questions:

What kind of haircut did you get????

I don't want to be mean....but are you bald???

Take off your hat!!!

I like it.

Can I touch it?

you look younger...(i think he was thinking of his baby sister)

It will grow back...I shave mine every summer and look how long it is now

I think.....you should get a wig.

LOL too funny.

Hope everyone is feeling well.

I apologize for the size of this....had a tricky time with the pictures.

Heading out the door soon for round three of four today. Daughter home from college and is excited to take me to chemo and baby me for next five days my 15 year old daughter has seen enough and is more than willing to step aside for big sis who hasn't seen our experienced in her after chemo state! So blessed to have so much love and support. I have made the best of my last good days while still dreading today. Ugh. Here's to hoping se are less than round two. Blessings and prayers to all of you.

seagirl< You look beautiful! Congrats on going bare!! You did it! yay

WheelyGirl, the first time my husband buzz cut me, I still had quite a bit of hair left and we went down to about 1/4 inch. Once I started getting big bald patches, he took it down to about 1/8 of an inch. Even after my 3rd Chemo last Friday, I still have a small amount hair left and it's actually growing, lol. I've heard that leaving a small length of hair is less likely to irritate the follicles than going totally smooth, but I don't know if this is true or not.

MidLifeCrisis, I hope the folliculitis is clearing up. I developed a rash on my head, as well. But it cleared up with some witch hazel and hydrocortizone cream. My MO had mentioned putting me on antibiotics if it got worse. Wishing a clear head for you soon!

Seagirl, You look great, and that list was precious!

Starting to feel a bit more normal 1 week out from Chemo 3. Lots of heartburn and indigestion, but new medications I'm on have made it a bit more manageable. Looking forward to feeling better by Christmas next week. I'm really behind on getting ready though!

I was just wondering.... I am 10 days out from A/C #2, and i feel my age (39)? By that, I mean that I am not totally exhausted, I have been sleeping a normal amount of hours (and wake up feeling refreshed), almost all of my aches and pains are gone, and I actually want to interact with people again. My path report said my tumor was 90%ER/PR+. Could the tumor have been taking all my hormones, leaving the rest of my body deficient? I only wonder this because all of the problems I was having before seem to be the same as the side effects of estrogen inhibitors. Or am I just plain crazy (always a possibility )

Wheely. I still had the side effects, day 5 I started feeling better, just since day 7 or 8 I have been feeling normal to great.

Amylsp ... thank you. It has gotten much better now that I'm on the antibiotics. Wish I had tried the witch hazel thing when it first started. Maybe it wouldn't have gone so bad! Not fun, but very glad it's under control.

Wheelygirl ... It looks like we are on the same chemo (TC). I'm not sure how many rounds you've had, but it seemed my 2 nd round was not as bad as the first. I'm very hopeful the same holds true for the remaining 2. My two "worst days" may have been a little worse as far as just being tired and "flu-like" feeling, but that was it. I hope the same for you as well ... minimal SE's make this that much more tolerable. As far as hair... my husband shaved my head around day 17 post first treatment. I did not go totally smooth, but still had the irritation. It was quite short 1/4" at most ... probably 1/8". I don't inow what size clipper he used.

the cool thing is that my hardhat fits perfectly over a nice black cap. Great when its cold out too.

wishing everyone a Merry Christmas