January 2016 Chemo!

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  • fightergirl711
    fightergirl711 Member Posts: 300
    edited January 2016

    Paulinek - Your wig looks great! Don't be sick of it, you pull it off so well. I don't have clean margins either so I already need another surgery too. So there was that already. And I need lymph nodes removed. But my new docs say chemo first. I'll know more about what the surgery will be after this biopsy and in a few months. I still have 13 more infusions to go!

    Cathytoo - You're right, looking back thinking about "what ifs" just causes stress and will not help toward healing.

    Songbird72 - The only reason I have few side effects is because I'm only on Taxol, Herceptin and Perjeta for the first 12 weeks. I do get tired on the 3rd day, and I have been getting a weird rash. I know once the A+C starts it's going to get tough. So don't be jealous! For you it will get easier I'm sure. :)

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  • buttaflydiva
    buttaflydiva Member Posts: 88
    edited January 2016

    first round of chemo done!  I admit I was really scared going in today, but the whole experience was much better than I thought it would be.  when they first started injecting the Adriamycin, I got really really dizzy, but they slowed down the injection a bit and problem solved.  I had a great nurse who was fantastic.  For all of you haven't started yet, it really is not as bad as you think it will be.    I got the self injection neulasta stuck on me and ready to go, taking my Claritin, and drinking lots of water, and will keep the nausea meds going for a few days on the regular as well.  I'm so glad to get this started so I can get it behind me.  I hate having to do chemo, but really am glad I'm doing it just in case theres cancer lurking elsewhere, and especially because I have a few spots on my other breast that were watching. I hope and pray everyone is getting along well.

    #Fcancer

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  • Rockstarteach
    Rockstarteach Member Posts: 20
    edited January 2016

    I go for #2 Tuesday. Let the fun begin again! Here is my wig. Feels soooooo weird💁

    image

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  • LovesToFly
    LovesToFly Member Posts: 1,133
    edited January 2016

    gorgeous rockstar!


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  • MissBee123
    MissBee123 Member Posts: 186
    edited January 2016

    Welcome SusieM49, Krimson19, fitnessflagstaff, and Citrinetiff! Citrine, I brought a million things with me to chemo the first day and used…none. Wear comfy pants, get fluffy socks if you want, and bring a book and a phone charger. Some places will offer you food and some will not, so if you think you'll get hungry pack a small lunch. There's not much to do so boredom is the biggest enemy. Will you have company?

    LovesToFly: Your WW hat is adorable!

    onehumpedcamel: My doctor has given me no food restrictions and, in fact, probiotics are pretty commonly recommended for chemo. I just buy Activia or Kefir yogurt and have it with breakfast. What has your doctor said about probiotics?

    Delight55, sorry you had such a rough week! I hope this weekend is relaxing and easier for you.

    Shiningstars, I hope chemo went well today, let us know.

    MB12, thanks! We have a few pairs but our dog is not fond of them; he tries to "walk" out of them by picking up his feet as high as possible. It's cute but he hates them so we try to only put them on when there is salt on the sidewalks.

    Veronica, my skin has become less oily since chemo. I heard my skin would be clearer, though that hasn't been true. My skin hates chemo and I've broken out in a terrible acne-rash both times I've gone through it.

    Cathytoo I'm glad you're doing well so far. Hopefully it will keep up!

    fightergirl, I'm so sorry for all you're going through. It must be so frustrating. I had my double mastectomy (DIEP/PAP Flap) in November and I feel, truthfully, back to myself. I still go to PT twice a week, but it's really just to gain back a little strength and extra flexibility. I have normal range of motion already. If you do have a mastectomy ask your doctor to let you start PT as soon as possible; it was priceless for me.

    PaulineK, you look wonderful in that wig. Truly!

    Hang in there songbird72. Every day is one day closer to being done!

    My hair isn't falling out yet but it's definitely stopped growing! Haven't had to shave my arms or legs since Tuesday and they're still baby smooth. Finding my silver linings where I can! Anyone else going to get hit with this big northeast snowstorm? I'm prepped with hot chocolate and marshmallows.


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  • robyn31024
    robyn31024 Member Posts: 51
    edited January 2016

    delight sorry you had a rough day! hope it only gets better fro here!!!

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  • robyn31024
    robyn31024 Member Posts: 51
    edited January 2016

    rockstar-love the wig , it looks very natural. Mine was itchy all day at work but hoping it won't be after my buzzed hair is all gone!

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  • robyn31024
    robyn31024 Member Posts: 51
    edited January 2016

    JCS28- I feel your pain, i have had mouth and throat ulcers for over a week. I tried all those same things. It is weird but organic honey rubbed on the ulcers actually helped numb them up. I saw it online and tried. Sadly i can't reach the ones in throat so can't help those! Hope you feel better.

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  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 667
    edited January 2016

    Rockstarteach...you look fabulous.

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  • Veronica31
    Veronica31 Member Posts: 97
    edited January 2016

    I'm stuck in the snowstorm and loving every minute of it! I'm in Alexandria, VA, right outside of DC. I plan to relax with hot cocoa and maybe some mimosas : )

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  • LovesToFly
    LovesToFly Member Posts: 1,133
    edited January 2016

    wore my wig to the supermarket.


    image

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  • Paulinek
    Paulinek Member Posts: 117
    edited January 2016

    great wigs everyone! Mine just got itchy and was hurting my head in spots after 7 hours of wear. I'm hoping some of it has to do with the hair still falling out and it won't be so uncomfortable when it's all gone.

    I agree with dreading my next treatment...not because it was all that bad ( well not as bad as I had originally thought), but I'm feeling almost back to normal and have to start again. One more step towards the end of it though :)

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  • LovesToFly
    LovesToFly Member Posts: 1,133
    edited January 2016

    exactly how I feel Paulinek... It wasn't as bad as I anticipated, but I still felt pretty gross for a few days and am feeling almost myself now. But don't worry, we've all got this!

    You're right though, it's a step forward to being cancer free, hopefully forever!

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  • LoveMyVizsla
    LoveMyVizsla Member Posts: 813
    edited January 2016

    Had my first infusion of AC on the 15th. Felt fine the next three days, hiked with husband and dog, etc. constipation continued to build, man that was awful. All better now and will take steps to counteract that next time.

    I had pre-existing neutropenia, so I'm on day 7 /10 self-injected neupogen. Had labs drawn yesterday and got an immediate call from my onc nurse. WBC is .9, neutrophils are 180. Not good. I am to wash my hands often and call the instant I even feel a chill, let alone a fever. She said the doc might call in an antibiotic script, but she couldn't promise, meaning I might end up in the hospital on a drip.

    Canceled my Look Good Feel Better class on Monday. She said I can't afford to be in a closed room of people during cold and flu season. So, other than going for walks, or outside to do some photography, I'm stuck at home.

    I think it was fightergirl who said #serenitynow

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  • Mena4911
    Mena4911 Member Posts: 49
    edited January 2016

    I had first TCHP on Jan 19th. Nausea has stayed under control with medications. Finally able to sleep a bit this evening with steroids completed. i had pet scan yesterday and mri today. Apparently the drink water thing is very very important! I had bone and joint pain today that was really unpleasant/painful. Joints constantly crackling and popping, like dried out sockets, esp knee pain. But, when i got home and started drinking water that has calmed down. My mouth and throat started getting sore today. I tried the ACT lozenge and they are very soothing! Still have constipation hanging on but hoping to get that straightened out soon. Still trying to baby that hair but it is starting to fall and will have to buzz it soon. What is that dirt on my deodorant stick? It was armpit hairs, haha wont miss those! Hoping eveyone has a gentle weekend!

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  • Paulinek
    Paulinek Member Posts: 117
    edited January 2016

    mena4911 did you doc or nurse recommend Claritin? They told me to take it along with neulasta and 6 days after. That seemed to help considerably with bone and joint pain. Still some discomfort, but well controlled.

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  • Mena4911
    Mena4911 Member Posts: 49
    edited January 2016

    my insurance did not cover neulasta for this first round. I will be getting neupagen on Tuesday when I go for labs. They said after that the insurance will cover the Neulasta and I should get the new injector so I dont have to drive back the next day. I may go ahead and try the claritin anyway now as my bones are still hurting. But, the extra water I am drinking has helped. Coffee and dr pepper dont taste good anymore. Those are my favs. I guess the body knows when it needs water.

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  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 667
    edited January 2016

    Constipation!! Any suggestions? I tried a Senokot, Colace and three prunes last night. No relief

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  • MissBee123
    MissBee123 Member Posts: 186
    edited January 2016

    Cathytoo be careful! I thought it wasn't working for me and I just kept taking more....I got a horrible surprise about 24 hours later! Sometimes it can take a bit to work so give it a day or so before trying anything else.

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  • LovesToFly
    LovesToFly Member Posts: 1,133
    edited January 2016

    well ladies, I guess I am done rocking my buzz cut. Should I shave it? Or just let it fall out? (17 days post first chemo)


    image

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  • Paulinek
    Paulinek Member Posts: 117
    edited January 2016

    mena4911 I couldn't drink coffe for a week and half and switched to earl gray tea. I just started back in coffee 2 days ago.

    LovesToFly I am going to shave when it gets to that point...I don't want all the little hairs all over

    I agree about constipation meds. I was using stool softeners and then oops a few days later when I stopped zofran...other way

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  • LovesToFly
    LovesToFly Member Posts: 1,133
    edited January 2016

    I wish I had clippers so we could do it at home! My last two buzzes were at the hairdresser but this seems worse.

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  • Jinx27
    Jinx27 Member Posts: 238
    edited January 2016

    Hey Ladies,

    Anybody on the east coast like me? Hope you are staying warm and cozy with the snow we just got last night!

    This week was AC #2 for me, I administered Neulasta to myself with the help from my mom the following day. I was soo tired that I dont know if I did it the way the nurses taught me. I think I did though. My nausea was at a minimum, due to ginger tea, my steroids and these bands called Sea-Bands. Has anybody heard of them before ? A friend on here told me about them and I immediately bought them for 10 bucks at CVS. This is what they look like....


    image

    They work by applying pressure on the Nei Kuan acupressure point on each wrist by means of a plastic stud.

    How do I know it works? I wore them an hour before infusion and during. Once I got home, I removed them to get in the shower and my tummy was nauseous. As soon as I dried off from the shower I went and put them back on within a few minutes I was okay.

    I think they are worth a try.

    As for my hair, its shedding badly, I have patches now :( I can only hope it will grow back again.

    I also made a chicken bone broth from the "Cancer Fighting Kitchen" cookbook. My energy was wacky after my Neulasta shot and I felt like I had the flu. With the soup and some sleep I began to feel better. Supposedly bone broth is very good for you, guess Grandma's chicken soup was always what I needed huh?

    My mouth is super dry, I think I'll buy some biotene mouthwash or mouth spray.

    I hope everyone is feeling okay and if not I hope your in a place with people to help comfort you! Stay warm and I cant wait till this is over. We should all have one big party on the internet!! Lol.

    @Lovestofly I like your colorful wig, I also wish I had clippers at home too!






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  • Veronica31
    Veronica31 Member Posts: 97
    edited January 2016

    Lovestofly- I think your hair still looks great! If I weren't on this site, I wouldn't know it was thinning. I'm on day 15 and my hair just started to fall out today. I'm going to shave it when the thinning is noticeable.

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  • buttaflydiva
    buttaflydiva Member Posts: 88
    edited January 2016

    it is so good to be part of this group to know what to expect and get all these great tips. Nobody understands this journey who hasn't been through it. One of my best friends was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago. She had a mastectomy and didn't do chemo.she's been a huge source on inspiration and info but can't help out on this aspect. You guys all rock! Oh and your wigs look great. I'm still trying to find one. I have a big head and having trouble finding one that looks descent that fits lol

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  • LovesToFly
    LovesToFly Member Posts: 1,133
    edited January 2016

    thanks ladies!

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  • Char1110
    Char1110 Member Posts: 61
    edited January 2016

    Hey Ladies!

    Veronica31 I'm stuck in the snow storm too! Not too far away in Clarksburg,MD. I am happy to be stuck with the family watching movies and snacking all day. I am day 6 on TCH and so far the SE's have been mild. Yesterday was the worst of it. I had diarrhea that I think has finally subsided, but was no joke. I have had limited joint pain and have been able to exercise and drink plenty of water with the exception of yesterday. It just tasted weird!

    Welcome to all the new ladies! Glad you found us. I agree with buttaflydiva...that no one can understand the journey who hasn't been through it.

    I love the wigs. They really do look natural!! And Lovestofly the WW hat is awesome!

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  • jensgotthis
    jensgotthis Member Posts: 937
    edited January 2016

    buttaflydiva, I too have a big head apparently. There's a collection of 'large head' (lol) wigs on wigsalon.com under the More Wigs navigation. I bought the Raquel Welch Upstage (see the More Views link for how it actually comes to you - straight vs the curly picture they show) and it was so comfortable. And after trying a bunch of brands, I found the Jon Renau wigs run a little larger than other brands and had a little more stretch in the cap. Voguewigs.com has a good sale on through Monday.

    I was cracking up at the wig place when we figured out I had a big head...because, of course, this just can't be easy peasy. It's been making hat shopping a bit of a challenge too.

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  • MissBee123
    MissBee123 Member Posts: 186
    edited January 2016

    Me and my snow dog out in the blizzard today! That hair is my halo wig (no top, only sides to go under a hat). I love it and it's one of the most natural looking ones I own.

    image

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  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 1,324
    edited January 2016

    hello All

    Just home from a 6 day hospital stay after my first chemo 1/12. Day 3 I got to the point of no return. Feel so much better. My system fought the AC. They are tweaking my pre and after meds. Yes I hydrated, took my meds even when not nauseaus. Have round 2 1/25



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