Starting Chemo in October 2015

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  • Andraxo
    Andraxo Member Posts: 410
    edited November 2015

    loving your buzz DurhamGirl -Beautiful you! You have so much hair too!

    I'm definitely more bald than buzz now

    So eager to get this second chemo out of the way. Still getting hives/itchy hands but might have that for months or forever

    Happy Sunday!

    X


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  • Andraxo
    Andraxo Member Posts: 410
    edited November 2015

    yes Kim!! Lint roller helps and it's kind of funny to use....makes me laugh when I use it.

    I found I get the most stubble out by washing it in the shower. Massage my head, then condition it too. Vigorous towel dry after. Amazed how bald I am even though I cold capped. I also put lotion on my head when I get out. Bald male friends rec a lot of lotion!

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  • MamaBexar
    MamaBexar Member Posts: 102
    edited November 2015

    I have been reluctant to post lately. I am doing so good that I was afraid every one would think I was bragging or something. In fact, I am now thinking you all will be happy for me. All most NO side effects. I am at day #24 from start of weekly taxol and I still have about 1/2 my hair, a WBC that is still in normal range (5.3) and no G.I. problems. Only neg. is renal function continues to slide and a anemia that goes with that is showing up. Thus the shortness of breath I have been having.

    I am still amazed at the incredible people I have met on this journey and the kindness of strangers. That includes all of you as well. Hugs.

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  • biscuits
    biscuits Member Posts: 3,304
    edited November 2015

    MamaBexar: this is a place to share everything...triumphs and defeats. Happiness and sadness. Good news and bad news. Through everything, we are comfort and support for each other. I read posts that make me smile and laugh, some that make my eyes leak and others that fill my head with new wisdoms. For all that, I say never hold back what's in your heart.

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  • homeschool4us
    homeschool4us Member Posts: 255
    edited November 2015

    Mamabear, that is great to hear you are doing so well and makes me hopeful for less side effects when I get to weekly taxol. Thanks for sharing!

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  • homeschool4us
    homeschool4us Member Posts: 255
    edited November 2015

    image

    I joined the buzz cut crew. I couldn't stand the handfuls of hair coming out anymore, and couldn't sleep last night due to steroids. So, I got up at 3am and cut and buzzed my hair. I feel like I look old. Gauze and tape is from my port placement on Thursday. I can take it off tomorrow.

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  • homeschool4us
    homeschool4us Member Posts: 255
    edited November 2015

    Andraxo, I hope you are able to get your second treatment this week. It defintely feels like it helps to keep pushing along. Praying those hives clear up for you!

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  • Jclc83
    Jclc83 Member Posts: 246
    edited November 2015

    not sure how old you are homeschool4us but you lookgreat and are definitely younger than me!

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  • homeschool4us
    homeschool4us Member Posts: 255
    edited November 2015

    Lol! Thanks, Jclc83. I'm 39 (will be 40 in 2 months). I had reall .long hair and cut it myself in a long bob a month ago and thought it made me look younger. Now, I've went the opposite.

    I just noticed we were diagnosed within days of each other and both with crappy stages. It really sucks. Getting through it so far through, right?

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  • Jclc83
    Jclc83 Member Posts: 246
    edited November 2015

    one day at a time

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  • Kimmer33
    Kimmer33 Member Posts: 386
    edited November 2015

    homeschool you are gorgeous! I definitely felt old when i went short, and feel i will always feel old until my hair is long again - i am 46, but maybe the fact that i am half gray makes me feel i look older with it short than i am.

    Biscuits, i agree, this is a place to share everything.

    Mamabear yay on the no side effects and keeping half your hair so far, wow! I am happy to report that other than a low day 4 & 5 after treatment, i feel fabulous. I dont have any side effects either. However, i am doing AC right now, you are on Taxol - looking forward to Taxol if zero sid effects is the outcome, yay!

    All the best to everyone with treatments this week, Andra hoping those hives go away!

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  • Petula
    Petula Member Posts: 33
    edited November 2015

    you are so brave to not only do the buzz cut but post it! I'm so impressed. Interestingly enough, I have worn my hair in a very short pixie for the last 2 decades. Last January I decided to try and grow it out and was diagnosed w/ BC Aug. 20th. I'm now at almost 11 mos. of awkward hair 'do's' and am finally getting some length only to lose is all in about 2 weeks. Never even got my hair to where I wanted it. Life is so unfair!!! Now, if I decide to grow it out after the Chemo, I'll be looking at 3 years just to get it to shoulder length. So sorry, having a pity party for one. Everyone tells me to shave it off but I just can't seem to do it. I somehow think, going bald wouldn't have bothered me so much if I never attempted to grow it out in the first place.

    We'll see what happens. First chemo in 2 days😁 Help!



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  • Andraxo
    Andraxo Member Posts: 410
    edited November 2015

    lovin the buzz homeschool! Beautiful you!!

    I've had hair at least half way down my back for 25+ years. So strange that the first time I have short hair, I'm actually bald. Bald!! Agree it does make me feel a little old, but I'm 'wearing' it as proudly as I can!

    Post all the good too MamaBexar! Hooray for every hour and every day that you, or any of us, don't feel sick or exhausted!! :) Yay!!

    Aside from the awful itchy histamine response (which is decreasing every day), I feel great too! Oddly reacting to things I inhale that are spicy, like cut up jalapeños (canned a dozen jars of homemade salsa yesterday).

    Just finished a 28 mile bike ride. Yesterday I ran 5 miles, tomorrow I hope to run at least 6 after my pre chemo lab/oncology appt. I'm a little short of breath these days and my legs don't have their usual push, but I keep at it anyway. Not a single day since chemo I didn't exercise, even on the days I thought Neulasta side effects were going to kill me. The exercise was the only time I felt human remotely on those days.

    Love you fabulous women!! You all inspire me and let me know I'm not alone in this fight!

    Xo


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  • Petula
    Petula Member Posts: 33
    edited November 2015

    Home school 4 you look beautiful😘 I hope I look as good as you when my time comes. I start Chemo on Tuesday

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  • BellaV
    BellaV Member Posts: 27
    edited November 2015

    I decided yesterday to finally get the buzz cut.  It had been falling out pretty bad and scalp was hurting, so I figured Halloween was a perfect day for the scary look.  My sweet husband cuts his hair at home, so he did it for me, too.  Now we have matching heads.  haha

    image

    I wore a wig for the first time when I went to church this morning.  No one even said a thing.  My head hurt though, so off it came when I got home.  haha 

    I am going to have to practice with my hats and wig and using different liners, etc.  to see what is the most comfortable.

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  • igay1ord
    igay1ord Member Posts: 193
    edited November 2015
    image


    Shaved mine today too! Got tired of the head/scalp pain.

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  • homeschool4us
    homeschool4us Member Posts: 255
    edited November 2015

    BellaV and igay1ord....fabulous! It's like we are all part of a really cool club. Lol! Really, it helps so much to see you all going through the same thing. This board is great.

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited November 2015

    I'm at day 12--so far, so good. I keep touching my hair, and it's shedding a little but not badly. I'm worried about this week, though. I'm a community health nurse and I do home visits. I hope I'll be able to get this hair sorted out without it being obvious to my clients.

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  • igay1ord
    igay1ord Member Posts: 193
    edited November 2015

    I have a question for everyone...today is the first day I've come to work with a beanie on to cover my buzz cut. I hate wearing this thing on my head! For the ladies who have shaved their heads or have already lost their hair, what did you do for work? I would love to go "natural" and not wear a head covering, but I believe it would make people in my office uncomfortable. And me being the good Southern girl that I was raised to be, lord knows it's bad manners for others to be uncomfortable instead of me!

    Thoughts?

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  • AmyBeader
    AmyBeader Member Posts: 90
    edited November 2015

    I got a couple really cute hats for when I don't want to wear my wig. Check out this one:

    http://www.tlcdirect.org/Rolled-Brim-Cloche-12377....

    I got it in black and have a several complements already

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  • Jclc83
    Jclc83 Member Posts: 246
    edited November 2015

    The fact is that we aren't making other people uncomfortable... Men are bald all the time. They make us uncomfortable. Personally I say go bald and wear it like a badge of honor. Be proud of what we are going through and after a hard fought fight we come out champs at the other end

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  • Autumn121
    Autumn121 Member Posts: 29
    edited November 2015

    Bravo!!! Well said, Jclc83!

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  • Andraxo
    Andraxo Member Posts: 410
    edited November 2015

    simply beautiful igay1ord and BellaV!!!

    Wish we could all take a photo together!

    igay1ord - I work full time in between chemo in a hospital and I'm in uniform (USPHS) and very visible. I'm wearing bald proudly and confidently at work! I'm open about everything and told people I was going to rock bald, and I am. This is cancer and I hope I am redefining what it looks like.

    I did put on a hat halfway through a meeting because I was simply getting cold - the conference room was freezing. It doesn't comply with uniform regulations but I doubt anyone will give me a hard time for it. I ordered a few "chemo beanies" that look a little more tailored for work when I get cold, but they have not arrived yet.

    Xoxo

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  • marylc
    marylc Member Posts: 13
    edited November 2015

    Hi Petula--

    I have finished 2 courses of TC. I was scared to death too. The first infusion was weird because I didn't know what to expect--took about 3 1/2 hours--1 hour of fluids, then each chemo medication infused separately. I didn't really have any side effects until day 4 and 5--bone pain from the Neulasta shot. Didn't have any nausea--kept on top of it with the Zoran (but had a headache). Began to fell semi-normal after about one week. Hair started to fall out about day 12--really shedding by day 15. Had my husband buzz my hair off. By then I was more than ready to get rid of it--was like dead hay. I thought the hair loss would be horrible--but now its like "whatever"--really easy to take care of. I have a wig but usually just wear a hat. The baldness/short hair is like a badge of courage now--and eventually it will grow back.

    The second infusion was much easier--much less anxiety, and no more worries about my hair. I used compazine to prevent the nausea the second time around--not quite as effective as the Zoran, but it worked and no headache. I started Claritin once a day for 5 days starting the day before the Neulasta shot this time--bone pain was better.

    Keep on top of the constipation--I started with Colace before the infusion and bumped it up with either Miralax or PeriColace (has a stimulant in it).

    Hang in there--soon all this will be a distant memory

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  • marylc
    marylc Member Posts: 13
    edited November 2015

    you look beautiful--I buzzed my hair too--what a relief and so easy to take care of. Good Job!

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  • HazelFrances
    HazelFrances Member Posts: 70
    edited November 2015

    asking for prayers, anyone who is reading, I am waiting for lab work, scheduled for chemo today, but I have scratchy throat and feel warm. I don't want to miss my chemo.

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  • marylc
    marylc Member Posts: 13
    edited November 2015

    couldn't agree more

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  • MamaBexar
    MamaBexar Member Posts: 102
    edited November 2015

    Five years ago I was dx with Rheumatoid Arthritis and was put on methotrexate, a chemo drug. My hair thinned considerable. My dermatologist told me to try men's Rogain. I was later put on different RA meds but I continued to use the Rogain because I loved what it did for my baby fine hair. My MO said I could continue using it during chemo. Not sure if that is what slowed my hair loss. I am posting a picture taken yesterday. I did have about 6 in. cut off when it started coming out.image

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  • igay1ord
    igay1ord Member Posts: 193
    edited November 2015

    HazelFrances...prayer has been said! Hopefully you'll be able to have your treatment today.

    Ladies, thank you! I guess maybe I am the uncomfortable one! I just have to realize it is what it is! Wear it loud and proud!

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  • MamaBexar
    MamaBexar Member Posts: 102
    edited November 2015

    Hazel France, I am hoping the scratchy throat is just that and nothing more. Good luck.

    After looking at my last post, I decided my remaining hair does look like straw. I am having more cut off today.

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