Starting Chemo February 2015

2nd treatment was Thursday, the nausea isn't as bad this time, but still feeling quite yucky.

I'm thankful that the neulasta is going easy on me, just some body aches.

Anyone else tired of hearing "one day at a time" yet? Lol.

I just wanna fast forward to summer 2016 and be done with this crap!!

vr423 - you mean we have to just "be grateful it was caught early" or "put all your faith in god" or "so and so did chemo 30 years ago and was hospitalized the whole time, it can't be that bad". I'm tired of one day at a time as well.

Yes, I am grateful the doctors believe it was caught early but I'll need another scan in about 3.5 months to make sure my spine issues are degenerative and not mets.

momof32015  - I still have some hair on the very top of my head, but the rest is pretty bald. I've cut it as short as I can with a pair of scissors so there isn't much left at any rate. My eyebrows seem to be hanging in for the time being. I'm halfway through my AC. The lady at the wig store told me the eyebrows are the last to go and the first to come back. I'm really hoping my brows stay intact.

Did anyone here use cold caps to try and keep your hair? At last chemo I was talking to a woman who tried it. She said her hair still thinned a lot but she didn't go bald, however the cold on her head was really brutal. She also had a lot longer time at treatment to keep the cap on. The nurse told me that that they used to offer it for free at the practice I use, but the caps are a pain to manage and when a couple of them started to leak coolant they had to start charging for the upkeep/replacements.

Darumama, I just had my second TC treatment this past Thursday. I am using the cold caps, and yes, they are brutal. There has only been three people ahead of me at my Cancer Center that have used the cold caps. I understand two were successful. They do not promote them but they were willing to let me try cold capping. They schedule me early because it is a bit of a distraction. Honestly, cold capping is tougher than the chemo. But after 8 hours I'm done with the cold capping until my next treatment but the chemo SEs remain. I'm day 28 and did some substantial shedding after washing my hair today. No one would notice but me, at this point. I have wondered if it was the right decision on several ocassions. Only time will tell, but so far so good and I still have my hair. Let me know if I can answer any questions. My best wishes to all, as we go through this journey together. Cindy

okay I just needed to share (RANT) how much I'm hating this chemo mess. I just hate it. I have infusion #3 next week and I'm already pissy about it. I want my hair back. I want my taste buds back. I'm sick of these other strange oddities that come with it. Sick of it >:-

hi duramoma. Just had ct#3 of a/c. Then one more of these fun infusions. not! Then taxol. Same dose dense schedule every two weeks with neulasta. An 8 week phase. I asked the nurse about side effects with taxol and she said could have bone pain. So all the ladies with taxol and neulasta it could be the combo of the two. I forgot to tell you guys I had a full blown period last week. So 6 weeks after my last one and after ct#2. Lasted 7 days. Longest ever had. Dr said it isn't unusual but they think it will stop as chemo goes on. Just added to all the fun. They did say the dry skin will go away after last chemo. My face is so dry. Never had to use face creams before.

I will have #9 Taxol on Friday. I finally heard back from the breast navigator in my hometown and she said that it was possible to get the Nuelasta shot at the hospital where she works! She asked before and they said no but she asked a different person this time. I'll give my MO the info when I see her in a week or so. I figure that since she spent so much time on getting the information for me then I ought to go ahead and do the dense dose and get it over with.

Beachbum, did your big toenails actually come off?

hi everyone, Although my SE seem minimal, the taste buds are gone, haveindigestion, and I was wondering the same thing about my hair, whether all the stubble would fall out. And the hot flashes are starting to come with more regularity. But, I'm still able to walk everyday and I went to work today and lasted the full day, but it's 8:00 and I'm ready for bed.

Sweet dreams everyone, here's hoping we all start the day feeling great

Hi Hope, I am so happy for you! Start dancing the happy dance, AC finish deserves a dance party. Before you go to the eye Doctor, make sure you tell them you are going through chemo. I bought new glasses and lens right before chemo and I have issues with blurry vision. Some of it is from side effects, and some of it is from my meds I have now. Just check before you spend the money going into Taxol. You may want to wait a little while longer, but ask your MO.

The American Cancer Society sponsors Look Good Feel Better and it is a nice program to help with eyebrows and eyelashes, make up, wigs, and scarves. They give a really nice free make kit to take home. I had fun and met some very nice ladies. But may be helpful to you as well.

Thank you so much, I appreciate your kind words. I hope your switch to Taxol goes well for you! Cheryl

Hope In The Stars - Congrats on #4 AC!!!! Now, you should schedule your Taxol on Thursdays in Stockton so we can meet and hang out

Bekah

My vision seems blurrier too...but I'm on Taxol. I've noticed that my mouth is always dry (which is good in a way because I will drink more...like take sips all day long.)

good morning all, I've been up for hours, the body aches are waking me up. I didn't have any SE with the first neulasta shot, but seems to be giving me problems this time around. I used duct tape on my scalp last night 😊. My DH was looking at me funny, I just laughed,but it took a lot of the stubble out. If the hair is going to be gone , I just want it all to be gone. I haven't experienced experienced drippy nose--yet, im sure Its coming, but I am stuffed up, a lot. Mostly at night and that too causes me to wake up a lot. Still strugggling to find things to eat that taste good, but I can get behind the ice cream and hot fudge, beachbum😄

6am, guess I can get up now and start the day. Hope everyone has a great da

Hi rleepac, I had AC/T, but I didn't get the blister feeling. I had numb fingers, and numb toes. My left foot was painful, and they X-rayed it because they thought I had a stress fracture given the level of pain. But it was degenerating joints where the toe bones hit the the foot bones. I wore a boot for 3 weeks and it helped a lot. I was given B6 but had to stop it because my levels spiked.

My tongue, lips, and my chin all felt numb. But it has been much better, I still have issues with numb feet. I use Sally's Foot Therapy, a mineral soak in warm water for relief. I also rub Vick's into my feet/toes and cover them with soft socks. That helps me as well. Are you dose dense AC? Rough combo for me. I hope you feel better.