Starting Chemo in October 2015

I finish up around the end of January, but have surgery before radiation. So maybe April I will start???

My last chemo should be the end of March, if I stay on schedule.

Homeschool, you won't be alone!

We should start a new board for our radiation after our October chemo start to help and encourage each other through that next phase when it comes.

Today is day 15. So far only a few strands of hair out. Next infusion is on the 12th. Probably hair gone by then!

You will not be alone! I will still post

well, the hair went today. I got up and my hair was shedding all over my face ,my clothes, and my breakfast. I when to Great Clips and she buzzed it all off for free (I tipped her well--she was so sweet.) It's been drizzly and gray all day, so it's been a bit emotional for me. I went and had my wig shaped up this afternoon. I'm going to take a deep breath and meet some friends for dinner at church. I'm sure they will know immediately that it's a wig, but hopefully they will be gracious (and silent~)about it.

Kimmer, I had the same thought...last night. My hair has been gradually shedding for several days, but not too bad as long as I babied my hair. Then this morning it started shedding like a Saint Bernard! I mean I was leaving fur everywhere! All I had to do was barely touch my hair and gobs of it came out. Even if not all of it was gonna come out, I'm pretty sure I would have looked like some sort of mutant. At least now it's all the same length. I'm not comfortable enough with it to walk around head-nekkid. Only my hubby and the wig lady have seen me hairless. So I have a small collection of beanies and scarves for wearing around the house.

yah, no one outside the walls of my home has seen me with my bald stubble. Not going there probably EVER!

Mamabexar my eyelashes/brows havent fallen out yet, but i heard they come out a bit later than everything else.

What do rads have to do with age - how old are you?

Homeschool4us, I am on your schedule also. Should finish chemo in March and then start rads at some point. We will move forward together!

Smurfette, I am pretty much alone going through this, too. I do have family, but they live pretty far away. They come when they can. I get a lot of comfort and support from this group. Don't know how I would manage without all of you!!

I, too, buzzed my hair and still seem to have quite a bit hanging on. But what I had left looked awful, so I'm still glad I buzzed it. We'll see if the rest falls out. It is way easier to manage. I'm not quite comfortable with going out bald, so I wear a cap if I am just running to the store or going through the pharmacy drive through. I wear my wig if I will be around others. My wig fits well and looks like me, so I am happy with it..

I'm having such a hard time with my white count. It absolutely plummets after my chemo. I feel better the days after treatment than I do on my off weeks. My off week is spent on the couch and in bed because I am too tired to do anything else. Maddening. I was hoping that I would feel like doing something on the off weeks. But, everyday forward is a day closer to being done with this!

I've been out and about rocking the bald/buzz head in public for over a week now. And because I failed cold capping, my bald/uber short buzz is quite patchy. It is very obvious that it's not just a trendy short hairdo. Last night was some shopping, then in a Thai restaurant. I think I may have freaked out a couple of young women in a clothes store, but no one else seems phased by my head. I'm very friendly with a big smile so that must go a long way! I'm owning it!

I do miss my long hair though. The warmth factor alone - It's cold outside! Brrrrrr

Oh and the hair that remains is growing. I've used my own clippers on it twice to try to keep it as short as possible and blend with the truly bald patches as best it can. I seriously have a circle of bald like a giant donut around my head. Quite comical I'm sure!

Lashes and brows are a little thinned but still hanging on. Yay!

Ran 6 miles this morning despite the nausea. Trying to avoid meds.

Wondering how I will feel next week since I didn't get Neulasta this round. Anyone else not getting Neulasta or neupogen? How is week 2?

If all goes well I'm hopeful to travel by plane the night of my next chemo for a thanksgiving trip that was planned before cancer Dx. Is that crazy? Not going to cancel my flights yet.

Happy Friday everyone! Big love and hugs to you all!! Xoxo

Since my diagnose I pretty much stick to fruits, veggies and salmon for protein. During chemo day I treat my self but so far it hasn't been fun. I notice anything I eat the day of chemo I hate and can not eat again. Last chemo treatment I had cheese pizza and churros. The following day I tried to enjoy the pizza again and was hit with the worst nausea. I can no longer tolerate hummus, bagel, snicker bars, and fries. All food I ate the day of chemo. (different days not all at once)

Hi Kimmer,

I am not sure what the thought process was, but the guide line for rads, particularly if tumor is small, is that it is not necessary after age 70. I am 77. Funny thing though, some of the MOs involved in my care were afraid I would be too fragile for chemo. Not so. I am doing really good. Still almost no SEs.

I almost ( I said almost) wish my taste buds would find a few things that didn't taste good. I am craving sweets and just about every thing else.

On the topic of hair. Unfortunately, because of my round face and large ears, I look worse in a scarf, cap or hat than I do without.I went to the grocery store yesterday with my cranium bare. To my surprise it didn't bother me a bit. I shopped quite bit today bald and proud.

Homeschool, I really loved the your look with the halo and cap.

Hi--

here is a bright light on the horizon. I did radiation before my chemo. Have to say that radiation was like champagne and cupcakes compared to chemo. Once you get the the rhythm of it, you go to radiation, change into a johnnie, lie down for 5-7 minutes of radiation while music plays (plus a warm blanket if you want it), change out of the johnnie, apply some Aquaphor (vaseline basically) and go on your way. Try to exercise as much as you can (I did a sprint triathlon 3 weeks after finishing radiation). I did have some skin changes, but now everything is basically back to normal (except doing chemo now--ugh).

Petula, I'm sorry you are feeling so awful, but it sounds like your awful days are right on schedule with what everyone experiences. You will probably feel bad tomorrow also and then start getting much better by day 6 or 7. Sometimes the steroids and iv meds make you feel pretty good the first 2 days. How often do you have chemo?

Hi Ladies!

Marylc, that is a bright light on the horizon! I start rads mid-February so very excited that it seems to be a walk in the park compared to chemo. All the best as you start!

Petula, hang in there, yes, these are the worst days. My worst days are days 4 & 5 (counting chemo day as day #1). Days 1-3 you are feeling good all because of the drugs (I take Emend, Dexamethosone & Ondansatron) during those days and when day 4 hits, drugs are finished and you get the full effect of the chemo hitting your system, with no drugs to make you feel good. My mouth usually gets thick and pasty by day 3, I swish salt water for 30 seconds, then use Biotene rinse for 30 seconds. Keeps bacteria under control and helps with dry mouth. Your hair probably won't start falling out until after chemo #2, at least that's when mine did. I had chemo #3 yesterday, and my stubble still hasn't come out. Hair on legs also hasn't come out, which is a drag, because I stopped shaving weeks ago expecting it to fall out. So uncomfortable!!! I agree with Biscuits, you will feel sooooo good when the fog lifts, it's the best!

I am taking 1 hour long warm epsom salt baths, which relaxes muscles and helps clear out toxins in the body, namely chemo. Maybe try it? Drink lots, my nurses have told me it doesn't matter what you drink, a gallon of gingerale if that's what you can get down, doesn't matter. Also, lots of protein, which will help your body rebuild all it needs to.

Homeschool, hope you feel better!

Hang in there ladies! We can do this!

Kim

Hope you are feeling better Homeschool!

My food tastes are so weird now too. I was pretty much off sugar before chemo, but now I can't drink plain water, it has to be sweetened with cranberry juice or ginger ale! I am eating better this round, though dealing with terrible constipation this time. Ugh.

And yes, the fatigue is terrible, along with the bone pain. I saw someone post this on Facebook- change "drink" to "chemo" for me, lol! (I do love Amazon Prime...)

igay1ord, yes, the fatigue is awful. I can sleep great during the day, but at night I just can't. Part of it for me is the emotions and fears all come rushing in at night. I took a nap today and still feel soooo tired. Like I have the flu tired. When I get like that, I fnd myself thinking, what is wrong with me?? Then I chuckle a little at that. Oh, yeah, I have cancer and all that goes with it.