April 2015 Chemo Crew... Starting in April? Please join us!

littleblueflowers · May 2015

I don't need to look good, just human lol

KBeee · May 2015

Princess, I wore mine to some windy cross country meets last time and it never blew off! I was surprised!

Littleblue, Loss of hair has nothing to do with AC working. One of my friends did adriamycin as part of treatment for lymphoma. It was 5 months into 6 months of chemo before she lost her hair. The chemo nurses used to "pull on her hair and try to peek for a wig because they couldn't believe it!!!

Lynn, the wig is cute!!! I like it!

Andrea, Glad you're feeling good. Hope the mouth sores go away!

Well I've had a good day. I had to wait 75 minutes for the PA today (that was not good) but luckily I brought stuff with me to do, so it was a productive wait. My counts were all good!!! My neutrophils were even higher than last time. I was very worried they would continue to freefall. I was very glad!!! Then from the appointment I went to DD's school to distribute yearbooks. I put together the school's elementary yearbooks, so the kids all know me very well. When I walked into a 3rd grade classroom, one of the boys yelled, "Hey, you got your haircut (actually the wig is a little longer than when I started chemo)". I replied, my hair is a bit different now. He yelled, "I LOVE it!". That kid totally made my day. Since kids are notoriously honest, I left with a huge smile on my face knowing that at least to kids, I look okay! After DH's work picnic 2 weeks ago, he had several students ask why I had not lost my hair yet. My wig (in my profile pix) does not look too real to me, but to others it apparently passes the test. My only goal for the wig is to do things at work and do things like go to the store or to the kids' school and be able to just blend in. Most people who know me know I wear a wig. That's fine. I do like knowing I can just blend in though. Now to head out for my walk before DD get home.

lovlilynne · May 2015

Jen, definitely no heat! At the store, they told me the number 1 way women ruin their wigs is by opening the oven door with it on.

What if you try wetting them down and then styling/brushing with them on? Also, they may need to be cut.

Lynne

thsizit7 · May 2015

Hope everyone had a great Mothers Day! Mine was fabulous!

Beachbum Thanks for the idea of the seat belt puppy for the port! I still have all the "pound puppies and kitties" from when my girls were little, I went and pulled out a pound kitty that looks like my cat "MR Kitty" and it works purrfectly (sorry : ))) ) I have had no issues with my power port at all so far, put in a week ago today, it's healing nicely and hasn't interfered with my sleep.

This is day 13 post 1/6, I still have had no side effects at all. I feel great, perfectly normal, my energy level is still up, I feel great! I thank the lord for every day that I feel good, because I don't know if this will last. God never promised that life would be easy, just that he would be with us and help us through when it's not. I did keep ice chips in my mouth throughout the chemo, except when I had the reaction to Taxotere of course. One day I did have a sore on my tounge like what we always called a "lie bump" when I was a kid, but it was gone the next day. Don't know if it was related to chemo or just random. My oncologist put me on Valacyclovir daily because I have a place that breaks out on my hip (a type of herpes) when I am stressed. She said I didn't need to have to deal with it possibly breaking out while taking chemo, this could be helping keep away any mouth sores??? She also gave me Temazepam to take at night because she said a good nights sleep would be very important. I am a person who doesn't take anything unless it's absolutely necessary and I didn't want to take the sleeping pill... but it works, so I do, I sleep like a baby every night and wake up feeling great! She also did not start me out with the Neulasta shot, she wanted to wait and see if I would need it.

My wig is in, I have an appt Thursday to get it cut into the style I want and the first fitting. The wig chick said until my hair was completly gone it would't fit right, that she would need to wait and do the final fitting around my ears then. My hair is not falling out, but more hair than usual comes out when I comb through it every day. Can't even imagine what I will look like bald!!! It won't be a pretty site...but I might enjoy not having to wash and dry my hair every day, once I get used to it! I have always envied men who look good bald, low maintenance! LOL Thank God I am already a hat girl, I have tons of hats, so no one will think anything about seeing me wearing one, it's already the norm. I have already ordered halos, and bangs, and I have lots of scarves, so I am ready.

Beachbum, my theme from the very beginning of this ordeal is... "I can see the light at the end of the tunnel"

DizzParkMom · May 2015

Getting chemo A/C #2 as I type. MO reassured me that just because my low wbc count sent me to the hospital once doesn't mean it will happen again. I trust my MO 1000% so I'm choosing to believe that it was a one time thing that I got out of the way. I am hoping that all my round 1 experiences will help round 2 be more comfortable....or even just less painful. After this it's 2 more A/C then 4 taxotere/carboplatin.

We had to fly from Phoenix to Chicago on mother's day. This time we left my son at home with his grandma. It was hard. I cried on the plane. STUPID CANCER! Even though I am missing him, I am physically feeling good. So it's a good day. I get neulasta tomorrow morning and then get to fly home. I should he home before the pain gets started and any SE get going. And hopefully there will be less turbulence in the air. Nex

I hope those of you having bad days get some relief soon and to those of you having good days, I wish you many more.

slv58 · May 2015

Lynne you look great- very very natural which is probably why no one has said anything!

I remember how selfconscious I felt the first few times but then realized I was the only one thinking it looked like a wig. You will get use to it quickly and then enjoy not having to style your hair!

slv58 · May 2015

ThePrincess, yours looks great also!

ThePrincess · May 2015

Thank you!!

sheshe3 · May 2015

Hope everyone was able to enjoy Mothers Day. Mine was very nice, except my daughter had a cold and was afraid to be around me, so I didn't get to see her or my grandchildren or SIL. Aside from that, my step daughter came and took me out for a girls only breakfast. Very nice, and when we came home dh had his camera gear out ready to take photos. My step daughter took one of the photos and posted to instagram. What her comments were brought me to tears. here it is:

sheshe3 · May 2015

What a sweet thing for a teenager! I love her dearly and we are very close! Also, my husband cooked a very tastey shrimp dinner for me. All in all, a wonderful day and I still have a visit from my daughter and fam on Tuesday evening. Lucky me! I feel so blessed!

sheshe3 · May 2015

Littleblue, I love the song list. I've been playing them throughout the day! About your hair piece (sorry can't think what it's called ) Spritz it with water and see if you can re-style. Also there are mousse and hair spray products made especially for wigs. That woud surely help. And the other thing would be to take it to your hair dresser and she can trim it to fit your face better....

Ksusan, very cute kittes!

Mich24, welcome! Glad to have you in the group.

Stephmoen, so glad you're feeling better today. You must be to be considering a relay for life!

Fran, what a cool story about the cardinal! I loved it! I hope he visits often!

Lemonade, glad you're getting some relief. Hope you get back fully very soon.

Lynne, love your wig! It looks so natural and suits your face perfectly! I think I will be adding Prilosec to my arsenal. I get such bad heartburn for about the first week to week and half after chemo.

Kbeee, glad your Dr visit went well and your numbers were good.

Here's to a week low on SEs and BIG on cancer killing! Thinking good thoughts for all at the chemo bar today and the rest of the week.

BTW, in the photo above, I'm wearing my wig.

fmmbw · May 2015

Thanks everyone. Doing better after fluids, will go rest of week. Had good cry with MO, So back to square 1, treat the severe diarrhea, stop worrying so much about eating, just stay hydrated and possibly not doing chemo in the future, or cut back on the dosage. Have to pick up prescription of super duper oral meds.

One of my daughters drove in after her last final (3hours) and I was able to bake a ham, baked beans, potato salad and would love to eat it all, but it didn't effect me at all.

Then my school did a conference call (I'm an elementary principal) and they all yelled how much they missed me and Happy Mother's Day! Tears.....

littleblueflowers · May 2015

I never realized I was vain before....giant sobbing pity party about how I'm bald and my boobs will never grow back. Definitely not feeling it today....

Fran2014 · May 2015

I'm loving all the pictures!! You women look amazing! (and I'm not just saying that-you all look terrific).

So glad to hear that many of you are getting some good blood counts & hanging tough!

littleblueflowers...here's a BIG HUG coming thru the computer right to you!! Sometimes days are just plain tough but know that we are hear to listen. Wishing you better days ahead!

Fran

littleblueflowers · May 2015

Thanks Fran! I needed that (((hug))) ☺

ksusan · May 2015

Littleblue, I have moments of big gulping sobs about "Wait a minute! I have no breasts!" Fortunately I don't seem to mind being mostly bald. Wearing big earrings and buying paperbacks is how I'm coping. Whatever happens with our bodies, we're doing it so we can stick around for a long time, and we are still ourselves--we are not just our hair, and not just our breasts. I hope you have an easy night and a good day tomorrow.

Karen30 · May 2015

hello ladies- sorry to see some of you are still having a hard time - but happy to see some are doing better- I'm getting through it one day at a time. AC3 for me this Friday- I have a question- does anyone else have tender bruised feeling eyes? It feels like the inner corners of my eyes are bruised - I'm trying salt solution thinking maybe it's dry eye- open to suggestions though. Off to work hope you all have a wonderful day !

gkodad · May 2015

Hair beginning to shed today...feeling a little sad.

ThePrincess · May 2015

littleBlue - I hope today finds you feeling better!

gkodad - trust me, you'll feel so much better once it's gone and that part of the SEs is OVER. the waiting and dreading is the worst part!

Good luck to all getting meds today, I hope those that got them yesterday are waking up feeling good today!

Fran2014 · May 2015

Karen30- YEP! Last week I posted that I had awoken with an "eye infection" (and I went out and spent a ridiculous amount of $ on OTC products to treat it). Turns out after speaking to the MO nurse, it is an SE reaction (from the drug interacting with any sun exposure-which was ridiculous b/c I was hardly outside) & it's not "in" the eye but rather the skin "around" the eye. After all the products I bought (that didn't work), the nurse said the best thing to do was put on cold compresses several times a day to relieve the irritation and discomfort and to let it run it's course-5 days later it's much better with only the skin on the inside of my eye (by the bridge of my nose) still bothersome. YEP...add this to the long list of annoying SE's. With all that said, if it continues, please ask your MO b/c each of us seems to be quite different and I don't want to inadvertently mislead you if it is something more serious.

lovlilynne · May 2015

KB - good news on your "babies" - thinking of you in the chair today - last AC - YEAH!!!

Marla, glad to hear that you are doing a bit better. How wonderful about your students!

Jen, virtual hugs to you. The physical and mental scars this disease leaves are brutal.

gkodad, sorry about the hair. What are you going to do? Buzz? Shave? Wait?

Today my left eye started to water before I left for work. It's not unusual that my eyes sometime water, I actually think that they are not a fan of my moisturizer or makeup, and sometimes I get too close to my eye. But, as I drove to work, it got worse and worse, and I couldn't even keep my eye open. I'm on a highway, and there was no place good to pull over, but that's how bad it was, and then the right eye started too. Then I started uncontrollably blinking rapidly, it was like my eyes were in spasm. I'm still looking for the right place to pull over or just to exit highway, but there are so many exits within a few mile stretch, that the options were limited (I'm thinking - sure, I'll pull over to deal with my eyes, and get plowed into by a tractor-trailer truck). The blinking finally stopped, and I was able to get off at my work exit, but it was scary! I know I have read that tearing/light sensitivity can be a side effect of chemo. It's not even sunny out today - total cloud cover.

So, I think everyone at work knew I had a wig on - it might have looked ok, but probably didn't want to comment on it because it's too awkward. Just one co-worker asked - he's bald himself, and he is one of my coworkers who I have shared my diagnosis. He said it looked good and he wants one :-) It made me smile.

At home, my son had not seen it on me, and he said it looked just like my hair. DH had not seen it either, and - this is DH - he didn't even notice at first. Finally, it dawned on him, "oh yeah, she's bald - why does she have hair?" So that was good. My niece, who I haven't seen in a couple weeks, stopped by. I could see her looking at my hair. Finally, she asked me, "did you color your hair?". She said she totally did not think it was a wig :-)

I dreamed of a former best friend last night. She and I were very close. She was at the birth of my son - she was my coach, and then something happened, and she just stopped communicating with me. I dream about her like I dream about my late father. I don't hold a lot of meaning in dreams, but when it's so vivid, it stays with me. I want to believe it was a message of caring from her.

Lynne

Alibeths · May 2015

Good luck today all! I go Friday! : (

ERNurse21 · May 2015

Shave party!!

After (wearing wig)!

wow thanks for posting pics & sharing your wig fears! You all look incredible!! Love it!!! I wore mine to work for the first time two weeks ago. Most everyone I work with knows my dx so they knew it was a wig but I consistently received comments from my patients about my "beautiful hair!" That made me feel good & a little more confident under my wig.

So sorry to hear of those that had to have hospital stays. You are in my thoughts & prayers for speedy & full recoveries!

Had TC#2 yesterday & it was rough. Extremely emotional during chemo due to outside circumstances. Slept off & on after I got home until about 7pm then was up & down all through the night til it was time to take the kiddos to school. I think it's just everything from cancer to treatments to life circumstances that is just crashing down hard on me. "It is what it is" and "One step at a time" seem to be my mottos lately.

I was offered to on body injector for Neulasta this time. So far no problems. Just felt a quick pinch during catheter insertion but that was all. Scheduled to administer drug around 4:30 this afternoon so we'll see how it goes. I'm liking the idea of not having the extra appointment tho!

I have a power port on my left side just about an inch and a half below my clavicle. I had a BMX with no reconstruction so it sticks out some but really isn't bothersome. Wal-mart sells Velcro seat belt pads that I use in my car & that had been very comfortable while driving.

Best wishes to all & KEEP KICKIN CANCER'S A$$!!

georgie61 · May 2015

Karen....I also have my 3rd AC treatment this Friday and like you my eyes have suddenly become more sensitive. i was wondering if it's because my lashes are thinning?? Have noticed a runny nose which supposedly is from losing the hair inside the nostrils. I have to say, i love not having to shave my legs or under my arms though , so a few positives!

thsizit7 · May 2015

ERNurse21 - WOW you look great! Your wig looks very natural and the style suits your face. Love the pic with your girls, they are precious. I hope my wig will look that good on me! I go Thursday for my first fitting, can't wait!

Praying that everyone has a wonderful low SE day!

ksusan · May 2015

ERNurse21--looking great!

Karen30--I don't quite have that, but do have sore eyelids and dry eyes. Blink Gel Tears have worked best of the 4 products I've tried, though Systane Ultra (single-dose applicators) was okay and I'll use those as needed during my nadir. Fortunately we're on our second drizzly day, which is clearing the pollen out of the air.

Up all night with aches and pains just bad enough to wake me--toenails, scalp, arms. Plus the port sticks out and even having a sheet touch it is still uncomfortable (BMX, no reconstruction). I have plenty of work to do today, but I can do it at home and take it slow. I have summer classes to prepare, with syllabi due soon, so there's a certain amount of reading I can't avoid or put off. Depending how my eyes feel, I may need to switch all the way over to audiobooks for pleasure reading for the duration.

gkodad · May 2015

lovlilynne - on the hair. I cut it really short before chemo started, and I'll see what it looks like after my shower tomorrow. It's so short already I'll probably just wait. Today, I wore a headscarf to class...I didn't want hair falling on everyone, and I've got a cute wig ready to go. Round 2 DD A/C on Thursday - maybe that will finish off the hair.

lovlilynne · May 2015

gkodad - I did the same - short cut, but it was still a pita when it started falling out, I thought it would not be as much of a nusiance because it was short, but it gets all over your hands and in your mouth, and it still filled up the shower. I can't imagine what it's like when it's long. I also wore a hat last Friday, but by Saturday I couldn't stand it anymore and buzzed it. It's still falling out, but more like fuzz.

Lynne

KBeee · May 2015

gkodad, hope round 2 treats you well with few side effects. (((hugs))) on the hair.

ksusan, I am glad you can do some work from home. I hope you are able to sleep better tonight.

georgie61, My nose runs and my eyes water constantly. I always have tissues in my pocket...... hope round 3 goes well!

ERNurse, I love the wig. You look fabulous! I hope you are feeling a little better today and can get some rest this week.

Alibeths, I hope all goes well on Friday.

Lynne, Love the comment from your coworker...and the comments from friends and family who do not realize it's a wig...totally makes you more confident going to places like the store, etc knowing that you look like everyone else. My eyes have been tearing constantly through AC. I need to wear sunglasses more because of the light sensitivity. I keep forgetting. MO has reminded me. I think I will put them by my keys. Thanks for the reminder (I am horrible about wearing them).

Fran, Glad your eye cleared up.

Karen, Hope AC goes well on Friday. My eyes have been watery, but are not tender. Keep an eye on them and call MO if something does not seem right. Don't mess with your eyes. My MO checks my eyes at each visit, though his PA did not.

((((Little blue))))) I hope today is better.

fmmbw, Are you feeling better with the new meds?????

Sheshe, I did not know that photo was of you in the wig. I have to say, we all have the most awesome wigs. Everyone looks so great. There are so many wigs that look really "wiggy" and everyone's looks completely real. We just really know how to rock the wigs, ...and scarves, hats, and commando. Love, love, love the comments on the picture!!!

Dizzyparkmom, I hope your counts stay good and fevers stay away this time.

thisizit, Thrilled that you are doing so well. I had someone trim up my wig too, which I know really helps. It is much quicker in the shower these days...the wig is simple.

My day so far: AC.....check.

Awards luncheon with daughter (which took a village to get her there and me there...and creative chemo scheduling) ... check.

4 mile walk ... check.

Vegging on the couch icing my feet (which I do after every walk to prevent hand foot syndrome)... in progress. I

will post a picture of DD and I from the awards. it was windy, so my "hair" is a little messed up. Happy to move on to the next phase in 2 weeks.

AndreaC · May 2015

ERnurse: your wig looks terrific! I am impressed that you are still working. I am an ICU nurse and haven't worked since late Feb. My MO tells me to stay off work till at least next Feb. (radiation to follow after chemo is done). He also cautioned me to not go back before I'm really ready because my job is so physically demanding. I have no problem with that! I do miss my co workers though.

Side effect update: my mouth sores are clearing up and I feel great but now my hair is starting to fall out (12 days post TC #1). My wigs won't arrive for a couple of weeks. So it will be scarves and hats till then. Guess I should get my head shaved pretty quick. *sigh* If it's not one thing it's another!

Andrea

April 2015 Chemo Crew... Starting in April? Please join us!

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