Starting Chemo March 2015

Shaz - I'm so glad your migraines have slowed down a bit and you were able to get out and enjoy yourself. I hope the migraines behave and quit messing with you!

Lynn - I wish you the best with your surgery on Friday and am glad that you already have a good idea of your plan. The scariest part of surgery was the uncertainty of everything so you are ahead of the game on that one.

Katy - My vote is also for #3. I like how the hair in the back goes up in gentle curls. Did you ever see that sketch on SNL with Billy Crystal - "You look maavalous! It is better to look good than to feel good, dahling."

Maryellen - I am with you on not being able to do the bald look - at least not just yet. I have little red dots all over my head! - a breakout from something or just irritation since I have sensitive skin. Itchy as hell.

Diane - I am off to pack my chemo bag as well. I'll smash up some ice in the morning since that was such a great release for the pre-chemo anxiety last time. I, too, am anxious again even though at least now I have some idea of what I am getting into. I guess that is the problem - lol!

My sister treated me to a massage today. My second one ever. It was glorious! The lady I went to also does lymph drainage massage so I think I'll book her again for when I am just starting to feel better after this next round. We also went out to eat tonight so I am feeling so very pampered. Too bad I'll be back to eating the "shit sandwich" tomorrow, as you put it Katy - Lol!

Have a good night all. I'll post from the chair tomorrow if I can manage it on my iPod. I still have a flip phone but plan on remedying that very soon.

Ok - so I started with a deep, rattling cough about an hour ago. No fever that I know of, but I've been drinking hit tea. Haven't had a cough before so hopefully this will just pass

Will keep you all updated...

Bekah

Good to know Theresa! I'll bring it up tomorrow before I hop in the spa chair. Thanks for the advice!

Bekah - Please do keep us updated. I hope it disappears by tomorrow. I'm so glad your church family took such good care of you the other day. All of these SEs can go from 0 to 60 in no time!

Katy,

I'm so glad that you were able to get away for a day of glamour! I love the pics. I'm looking forward to mani/pedi when chemo is over - assuming I still have good nails.

Diane

Yes! Follow away. It looks like this isn't your first time at the rodeo too, so we can hold hands through this. I have a Caringbridge page that I update often. If you think that'd be helpful, I'll post the link.

I'm one week out from my first chemo, and I'm still struggling with nausea. I can't take phenergan or reglan due to allergies, so I'm stuck with sublingual Zofran. It helps, but it's not managing it as well as I'd like. I'm going to try ginger ale and see if that gives me any relief, but I sure hope this fades soon. Nausea is the one side effect that I find to be insufferable

Diane and Amy ! Woke up early thinking of you two in the chair today. Let the incantations begin!

Big (but gentle) hugs to you both.

Indygal- I fear nausea over any other SE also. So sorry you are suffering and that your options are limited in terms of anti-nausea meds. Ginger is supposed to help. I read an article by an MD who said the trifecta of hydrating, eating small bits throughout the day and exercise.....even if it is to the mailbox and back a couple of times, are the things most likely to minimize SEs. All three are very difficult when you already have nausea. But if the clouds part for even five minutes, try a bite of a cracker and checks your mail. Thinking of you

Eheinrich; I was thinking exactly the same thing. The mohawk was the evidence!

My hair just started coming out yesterday. That would be day 14. I could tell it was going to. I had it in a ponytail and when I pulled it out my scalp hurt. I knew that was it.

Round 2 this am.

I shaved my head a week ago and have found that I much prefer to just be bald than wear a wig. I feel like I'm in costume when I'm wearing a wig! I tried it yesterday and it just seems too conspicuous. Everyone assures me it looks real but I'm not sure I believe them.

My port is FINALLY settling down after a week. I don't have too much pain at the site of insertion but my throat has felt like there was something stuck in it for days, I guess because of swelling from where they ran the line into my vein. I asked my doctor and he didn't seem concerned and sure enough, it is finally starting to go away. So freaky to think about that tube in my vein so close to my heart, though.

Getting Herceptin while waiting for my blood work results.

Trvler and BB- I didn't realize you two were also in the chair today. Wishing you a smooth, uneventful day.

BB- what a very lovely picture of you getting "infused". You look beautiful and peaceful. And almost halfway done. So very, very proud of you and happy for that milestone

Buzzcut question.

How do men deal with these haircuts? It's driving me up the wall. I was not shaved down completely to the scalp. She got very close though. I have that fine layer of "nubs". They pop out of wraps and when I go to sleep bald I can feel them on my pillow. It takes me a few minutes to find the "right" way to sleep. Am I the only dealing with this? They are like teeny-tiny pins popping out of my head. When she shaved my head I just assumed the nubs would be gone in a few days. Nope.

Ninjamary, the little nubs are very annoying. I used a lint roller and duck tape, really I did and it's ok to laugh! But a silky pillowcase or super soft throw over the pillow helps.

Trvler - I do have a satin pillowcase. Thanks.

Beachbum - I do have a lint roller and duct tape! (what house doesn't?) Guess what I'm doing tonight.....rolling and duct taping my head. I'll try anything and laugh while I'm doing it!!

My MO found my inflamed wrist "weird", but said taht premed steroids should help. Sure enough, few hours after the infusion the swelling, the redness and most of the pain are gone.

I also complained again about my almost constant nausea. MO says that Taxol normally doesn't cause so much nausea and since Zofran is not helping me much the conclusion is that it is stress related or caused by stomach acid. So now I'm supposed to take Pepcid AC every day

regarding the nubbieness and Velcro feeling on the pillow. I have a couple of very thin skullcaps that I sleep with. It helps a lot and helps keep my body temp regulated since you lose 50% or so of your body heat through your head. I don't feel the prickly sensation as much with the scullcaps on. Any stocking cap would probably do, but I like to sleep in a thin cap. If it's one that has seams, I turn It inside out.

I also get re-buzzed every ten days or so. My hairdresser only charges me $5. My hair hadn't fallen out yet when I buzzed mine the first time. I just wanted to stop worrying about it. But I do notice it more when it is not cut very close, or if bits start to grow back in patches.

My favorite scullcap is one handmade of New Zealand merino and silk. It is soft as a baby's bottom and I always feel very pampered when I wear it. I got it from an artisan on Etsy.

Notice the blotchy chemo skin without all the LGFB make-up on. Back to the real me

Beautiful, Amy. Love to see your pretty smile!