Chemo in July 2015

Want2Bcamping - I have the same thing going on with regards to the scalp. Hurts, doesn't it? Mine started for getting bad on the weekend and I didn't want to call the MO on a Saturday because I had head zits, so I dug around and found some home remedies to try in the interim. It's largely resolved after about 5 days of washing my head 2x a day with baby shampoo and dabbing tea tree oil on the spots (which was pretty much my entire noggin; smelled like a forest gone wrong). Hopefully the meds work faster for you. Would you mind letting me know how that goes?

I LOVE how everyone looks with shaved/bald heads. Liberating, empowering...revealing new, undiscovered beauty and truth.

@inkster - seems to be starting to subside today. Haven't noticed any new spots on body and head is starting to dry up on the bumps. Itchiness isn't as bad so thankful it hopefully on the mend.

RuthElizabeth Although it's dissapointing, I am definitely going to have a good time. Mostly eating some good food since my tastebuds are almost normal! Hoping you have no more delays in your treatment from now on.

Gretagirl My WBC went really low after 1st round. Got a fever and ended up in the hospital on antibiotics. I got a Neulasta shot the day after that was supposed to help prevent that. I don't think it worked.

I'm wondering how many of you are getting the Neulasta by auto-injector, and if you've had any problems with it. They're going to let me keep on the same treatment plan, but only if I come in to the office for the injection. My onc's nurse practitioner said that of the patients that have problems with their blood counts dropping, most of them got the Nuelasta using the auto-injector, so she doesn't totally trust it. There was no indication that it didn't work, but I don't think I trust now it either.

Cheesequake Love the pics! You're fakin' it in an awesome way! Although there is something empowering in seeing all the hairless heads too.

And I agree... it's amazing how much my hair/scalp hurts! Maybe it gets better when all the hair falls out?

Notedoneyet and Flaime, yep, my scalp hurt after I buzzed it on Monday, which is why I didn't shave it all the way down. I figure I'll let the rest come out on its own, though now it feels totally fine.

If I walk out of my house without something on my head I feel like I just walked outside naked, so I'm doing hats and wigs as needed. I've tried going "naked" a couple times - driving in the car, etc - I expect it'll get easier as I get better at dealing with people's reactions.

ha, I somehow managed to change my language to Spanish on here for a few. No hablo Espanol.

Glad I fixed that.

Peabrain- I was awake (but loopy!) during my port procedure. They may knock you out, or not. I was pretty sore for a few days, and bruised up nicely. I kept activity to a minimum on that side, but other than that, recovery was smooth.

Suzanne- are you in RI? We had a bad storm Tuesday morning that knocked out power in my parts for a few days. If you are here, let me know where you're getting treated!

Thanks to all for the heartburn tips. I stuck with Zantac, and the heartburn is gone for now. It did get bad at the tail end of round 1 for me, so it may come back.

I met with my Radiation Onc today- was hoping I'd escape without it, but looks like it's in my future. Oh well. Anything to cure this and prevent reoccurrence is fine by me.

My latest 'do: my hair is stubborn, and is still holding on, so took it as far down as possible without shaving it. I kinda like it

Keep killin it ladies!

Loving the pictures of everyone! Great group we have here!

Hi! I'm also triple negative but stage 3A. Diagnosed the end of June and started with AC chemo July 1st. I will then have 12 weeks of the other weekly. After the chemo surgery will be discussed. I've been through 3 chemo sessions so far and the next one is schedule for the 12th of this month. You can do this, but I guess there's a reason why they call it "fighting cancer". It's been a roller coaster for me physically and emotionally. Steroids make me hungry but I have the strange nausea and fatigue. If you can take off work, do it and focus on healing. I am off work while I battle this. God, it is so good to read these posts and know we're not alone. I have an 11 year old daughter and I know that we all have so much to live for. About getting nails done.... Be careful because this chemo can bring your white blood cells down critically low and you won't want to risk infection. I've been getting my nails done for over 20 years and it was hard for me to stop. Yesterday I bought my first bottle of nail polish since high school.

To the sisterhood........ Keep fighting and

Day 14 after chemo I could literally pull my hair out in chunks. I got a short cut prior to that... Actually let my 11year old daughter cut my hair and shaved it off soon thereafter. Otherwise it's messy and traumatic. I'm going in on the 12th for my 4th treatment

Hugs and support to you, sister

@Batesburg, I am in Milwaukee. I have only had the carbo once and I didn't actually see my labs from Monday so I am not completely sure where I am with numbers - good enough to have gotten the taxol Monday but not sure what is what. My WBC was getting somewhat low last week, which sounds like the norm. I am not taking neupogen (at this point) but will be doing neulasta during phase 2 with the andriamycin. Phase 1 is 12 weeks carbo/taxol, then 8 weeks phase 2 then surgery and rads (a given in my case). Hope your numbers stay good (enough) and all continues as well as can be expected, you are right, we CAN (and will) do this.

Yes, great pictures. You are beautiful.

@Joy-Anna, yes, TN IBC. @Batesburg, I haven't had shortness of breath, is that something that you get immediately after the treatment? Does it get better after some number of days? I have had somewhat of a tightness across my chest like something is sitting on me while i am lying down, that may be related to what you are experiencing, but that feeling seems to last only a day or two then goes away. And YES, I am glad to have found this site too, there is so much gloom and doom out there. It is too easy to get sucked into the statistics and the scary stuff, we need some hope. Here it is!

Flaime I get Neulasta the day after chemo. I have to go in for the shot no auto inject

Peabrain my port surgery went well. My neck was sore for days but that was all

Suzanne1971 I love the picture!

Jbandkb1 I am 15 days out from first treatment and I still have all my hair. I have not had to shave my legs but maybe once a week compared to every night

Suzanne 1971 - I am on Long Island. This storm was so bad in our area. It was very short but winds recorded at top of our local hospital at 94 MPH! It ripped through a very small section of our community and created havoc. Unbeilable! But luckily have a generator. We have learned our lesson after Hurricane Irene and Super Storm Sandy. We were out for endless days. This was relatively "short". 3 days.

Today was a blah day. I felt blah. And now I can't sleep which seems to be my pattern. Last day for steroids so hoping that is the problem and then I will get a decent night's sleep. Sleep deprivation just adds to the "blahness". Tomorrow is a new day.

morning everyone. Not done yet, I had the double mastectomy first, doing AC, and must say the first few days after chemo, I feel like I have a belt wrapped around my chest. It's a really odd feeling.

Had chemo 2nd AC Monday, and surprisingly Wednesday was my only day down flat. I still have the shakes, but feel pretty good. I am walking every morning early. Didn't even do that before, but it is helping my bowels and pain from the neulasta shot. I'm trying for a mile every morning. Drinking gator aid and pedialyte. Trying to stay hydrated. Eating little bits too. I wake up every morning between 1 and 3, with queezy belly. Eat a few crackers and sometimes just take a composine, hoping to get more sleep. It usually helps. And for insomnia, I take two Benadryl. I almost feel guilty for feeling good this time. I hope it continues. I'm even going to try to work a little today.

We went to an auction last night. Was weary about being around so many people, but it felt so good to just get out. Wore a hat, had a few weird looks, but didn't care. I like the short hair, haha. But must say, I wish it would just all come out. The stuble hurts when I'm in bed. I keep trying to wash rag it out, haha.

Love all your beautiful faces, hats, hair or the ole naturel. It's the beauty we all have in common. Love and peace to all of you. Here's to a good day to everyone.

Oh, believe it or not, my husband has been pretty good. I think when I wind up sick, really sick, he panics and turns away. So, here's hoping he gets a grip. men, I just don't get it......

😘. Ruth