January 2016 Chemo!

Veronica, that is adorable!

kiks 1 - remember that when they talk recurrence risk in the oncotype, I believe the numbers quote the "mild" form of chemo that people tend to get - not sure what your 4 rounds/2 months looks like but it is bound to be more aggressive than the quoted regime.

To the cold cappers - I hit day 17 today, and though I am losing body hair, the hair on my head is holding strong!! there was a painful patch last week that I was worried about, but nothing has happened to it yet. Had second chemo yesterday and it went so much better with the caps because i was not scared about getting frostbite any more and somehow it was more tolerable - I think DH was actually more efficient getting the new cap on my head at the 30 minute mark, and so my head was still really cold, so the change in cap was less noticeable.

Songbird - try some probiotic yogurt every day for the runnies - will likely help at least to some degree. I wouldvcautious with the "intense probiotics" without knowing where you counts are at. Activia is not meant to be as "good" as olympic - but really if it is a good brand and says probiotic its probably helpful.

Loves to fly - received my backup headwear today - lovely bamboo beanie from cardani/headcovers and a newsboy cap that rides low to cover the sides. now not quite so stressed if it comes out after all.

thanks. I still have my buzz (mostly) but went to a school meeting and was going to see people I haven't seen in a while, I hate when everybody sees it and says how good it looks, I guess I'm releived it looks good, but I miss my hair, and I just felt like covering it instead

3rd chemo scheduled in 6.5 hours, haven't been able to sleep. The second MRI is tomorrow and scared to death of what they'll find, I feel like I'm reliving the first month of diagnosis all over again. Emotionally I've been having a hard week and really can't get out of my own head thinking about the "what ifs." I think of my kids and just go down that rabbit hole of terrible outcomes. The Perjeta rash is also spreading to my face and back, so not feeling that wonderful when I look in the mirror, despite very few other side effects. But there's such a long road ahead.

I think I'll probably be starting in Feb instead of Jan. since today's visit for an ultrasound and morebiopsies didn't show what they needed. Scheduled for the 29th for MRI assist. I'd really like to hold off on the chemo and port installation until after the MRI. The dr. said he could do it after the port is put in, but laying on that just sounds painful.

I hope your second Chemo goes well, then you will be free whatever you want.

ladies I forgot to mention that I started taking a probiotic and that seemed to lessen bathroom trips quite a bit.

I am day 13 after first treatment and tons of hair shedding. I think I will be going to the salon tomorrow for shave and wig fitting. I admire your bravery with shaving LovesToFly. I am so nervous

Hi Ladies.. this is my first post.. but I am grateful for all that I have been reading - thank you! Everyone's contribution is hugely helpful. My first infusion is on Monday the 25th at 11.30. Thanks to a few lists of goodies I have found on this site, I will be going shopping so that my home is chemo-ready. I think the only thing on my mind is my doggie and the degree to which she can impact my health with her doggie germs.. She is my baby and I treat her as such. Anyone have any thoughts?

hi zinny thanks for all the suggestions but unfortunately have tried them all. But is interesting that a video online an onc made suggested rubbing organic honey over ulcers you can reach and actually made them feel better for an hour or so!!! Is awesome but wish i had known sooner. But my throat still painful to swallow. My onc just called in viscous lidocaine so hopefully that will help throat. I actually asked my onc if could wait on neulasta since some have such aches and fatigue from it.

veronica and lovestofly looking good!!! I wore my wig to work today, a little itchy but prob just the hair trying to come out.

Cathy I forget if you have a partner/dog loving support? If you do, you might want to keep your dog at home. I found having my cat with me wonderful my first week after chemo, I was at home and relaxing and loved the companionship. Also if you're really worried about germs, then the white blood cells get lower later on in your cycle.

That said, if you don't have someone else to help walk the dog and take care of him, then boarding him might be a help, because he will find you get tired pretty easily, and can't always predict when you were both will be up to going for a walk, etc.

Obviously, you know best, and it might be a good idea to at least do it for the first cycle, and see how you respond. I just know that I couldn't get imagined being home alone for a few days recovering from chemo without my pet.

Hello Ladies!

Got my first round today, all is well so far. A bit of nausea, but I took some prochlorazine and it seems to help somewhat. Really tired though.

Is this some specifically teaching related disease? I am a teacher as well, and there's quite a few of us here.

MissBee & Paulinek: you got probiotics? I was told not to eat anything probiotic foodwise. If they prescribe then I guess they know what it is you're getting and there's no worries.

LovesToFly (or is it LovesToBreakHerBackDoingYoga did you get Magic Mouthwash? That's what they call it here in Montreal, a mix of kids' Benadryl, prednisone, and nystatin, whatever that is. Not even sure if the pharmacy made it right, the pharmacist at the hospital gave a recipe but my pharmacy seems to have thrown it out even though I asked to get it back. It seemed different to me but what do I know.

Do you guys get Claritin prescribed with Neulasta? I am getting Neupogen (almost same as Neulasta) and I have to inject it myself for 5 days after treatment. No one said anything about Claritin. What's it supposed to do?

Veronica: you look so much like my step daughter, who is also a teacher! She even has the exact same hair as you do. Very thoughtful thing to do, donating your hair!

I think it's about bedtime now...

I've got 5 wigs and 2 on the way!!! (Only 2 "good" ones, the rest are fun ones from Amazon or EBay)

Sorry you had a rough day delight. I hope that Subway sandwich stays inside you, and you have a better one tomorrow !

I read all posts. Welcome to the new posters. Sorry for so many here having problems with such nasty chemo side effects. Keep fighting all you strong women! Looking great with your new hats, hairdos, and wigs.

Have a BCO resource for those of us with constipation problems from chemo - in "Forum: Help Get Me Through Treatment" see the thread, "Constipation - A Problem With So Many Of Our Drugs". For those of us with dry mouth - my hygenist recommended Biotene mouthwash (there's Biotene toothpaste, mouth spray and gel, too) and got a prescription toothpaste called "Colgate Prevident Dry Mouth" that was available at dentist's office - told to spread a pea-sized amount on teeth at bedtime after brushing with Biotene toothpaste and rinsing with Biotene mouthwash. Don't rinse Prevident. Leave on overnight to help prevent cavities caused by dry mouth. And for same purpose, got a fluoride treatment just before chemo started. For really dry eyes, I use a small dab of Refresh eye ointment at bedtime as needed on inside of bottom lid of each eye. Going to try my Ayr saline gel for dry nose. Mucous membranes drying up. Cold, windy winter weather doesn't help. Keeping well hydrated - told to drink total of 96 oz. of fluid (1 and 1/2 liters) daily for first 3 days after each infusion and to drink lots of water daily thereafter - 64 to 96 oz. total. Hope this info helps some of us.