But I Don't Feel Sick!

Hi Tara

I completely get that feeling. When I found out I had to do chemo I was like no flippin' way. I'm not poisoning my body forget it. But you know what? Doing chemo actually gives me piece of mind now. Yep I hated losing my hair and having that port put in - really made me feel like a cancer patient. To my surprise I handled chemo very well. My onc said I breezed through it lol. I still managed to walk my two 75 lb labs twice a day. I was scared to death for my first chemo, but after that it was fine. My hair has grown back now and I feel great. No lasting side effects. Hang in there Tara you can do this!

Hugs

Nancy

As for your nails, I lost all of mine. Toes too. No puss, infection, anything. The worst part of that was trying to scratch an itch, or pick up something. They have grown back fine.

Some of the ladies say ice on the nails during chemo helps prevent loss. Same with cold capping for your hair I didn't know about these options, or would have tried. There are discussions here about cold capping.

And don't be surprised and freaked when you loose ALL your hair. Eyebrows, lashes, lady parts. No shaving legs and pits for a while.

If they have trouble with your iv placement the first treatment, insist on a port! A few days of surgical soreness is much better than worrying about an iv and especially about infiltration. You do hear about ladies that make it without a port. I love mine, but I'm on the "forever" regimen.

Good luck

Everyone is different. I found chemo was completely do-able, without the "movie chemo" scenarios of people puking nonstop. The drugs used today are so wonderfully effective. I never had one moment of nausea.

I had six "rounds" of TAC--the big guns. I always got my infusion on a Wednesday, and took Thursday and Friday off work. Thursday was just my reward for being a good girl and taking my medicine, because I felt completely fine. Friday I felt muddle-headed, like my brain had turned into wet cotton. A little like I had the flu, without the fever and cough. Saturday was better, Sunday was fine, and Monday morning I was back to work full time. And I rode my bicycle EVERY DAY. Even on "chemo-Fridays" I got out for a gentle ride. I think getting out and staying active helped tremendously.

The whole bald thing was an interesting experience. I sort of enjoyed it, although I know I would feel differently had I not known it would grow back after treatment. I wore a wig for a couple of weeks but it was hot and itchy, so I wore hats and caps, and occasionally just went commando. Lots of eye makeup and dangly earrings--a friend said "you look like a French model." My favorite thing was to come in from a chilly bike ride, fill the tub with hot water and just plunge in, wallow like a dolphin and not have to worry about my hair!

I didn't lose my nails at all. My big toenails looked like they had a darkish stain, but it was no big deal. I did lose every hair, everywhere. Another interesting experience! For the first time in my life I learned to put on eyeliner.

My doctor pretty much insisted on a port, and I'm glad she did. No digging around for veins, no worrying about the chemo leaking into the skin and causing mischief.

I totally get it with the "I feel fine!" weirdness. I'm going to endure months of intense treatments and surgery and drugs...wait, what? I'm not sick! But think of it like whacking a poisonous lizard with a baseball bat before it has a chance to turn into Godzillla.

NY30, please feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions I can answer for you. Good luck, and blessings.

Most of us do NOT feel 'sick' from BC. What we individually feel from Chemo is not the same at all for all of us.

For me - my 4 neoadjuvant DD A/C did not slow me down at all. I did obviously loose hair, we had a 'head shaving party' at the barn when I had just a few hairs left (think the picture of Dorian Gray at the end) when Son and my other 'sons' all used the horse clippers on heads (but not all - about 1/2 of lashes and brows stayed). I lost appetite (just never thought about eating so Hubby had to call be several times a day to remind me to eat something. Lost all sense of taste and smell (nothing tasted 'bad' - just no taste at all). Never had a problem with drinking enough water though - habit just took over. I'm a 'waterholic' and always have ice water close at hand. About the only difference with my 12 weekly adjuvant Taxol was that I was completely and utterly EXHAUSTED all the time. Never any nausea with either.

What did a great job with my nails was OPI Nail Envy. I have never had decent nails but with using Nail Envy throughout A/C and Taxol my nails were better than had ever been. I was given a sample of it at the 'Look Good - Feel Better' class. If you haven't done a 'Look Ggod - Feel Better' class check with you facility when they will have one or with your local ACS for their next one. It is a great class designed to teach about makeup, skin care, wigs/scarfs/hats/etc. and meet others in the same situation.

I feel the same way, and I'm halfway through four rounds of TC. I can't wrap my head around the toxins required to keep this from coming back. It's surreal and overwhelming. I went from having a simple daily routine to a complicated one. It's challenging to do it all and teach in between sessions. However, chemo is doable.

I've also learned I'm vain. If I look good, I feel good. So I've bought some new clothes and makeup to help. Massage therapy has been wonderful, and I have a counselor who does meditation with me. Even with all of that, I still have days when it's all just too damn much to process and I breakdown and sob. It's hard to come to terms with it. Be patient and go easy on yourself....that's what my doctor told me

Below are things that have been shared with me. I've found that having info has helped with the overwhelming potential side effects. These are just some ideas to help you navigate your journey since each one is very individual.

I ended up getting a port because my large and obvious veins would not cooperate resulting in needle anxiety, which I had never had. The port is a godsend for me. No pain, and my blood can be drawn from it, too.

Chemo causes emotions and that's ok.

Books: Anti Cancer,A New Way of Life and Cancer as aTurning Point. I've read half of the first and just got the second.

Exercise, which I'm not doing enough of. It's hard for me.

I've coated my nails with tea tree oil and vitamin e. I read on the Susan G Komen site to paint your nails with a dark water based polish, so that's what I have on my toes. So far, so good.

I'm using cold caps, CCC, for my hair and I still have hair albeit a lot less. I use Toppik for my bald spot, and Nioxin for shampoo as it is safe and promotes hair growth.

Lotions and shampoos without sulfates and parabens. There are products out there without chemicals that are excellent to use.

My dr. Suggested alpha lipoic acid for neuropathy. It has worked. Glutamine is another supplement people have used. Some people ice their fingers and toes during the infusion of the drug that causes it. I haven't done that, but I chew ice and drink cold drinks during the taxotere infusion to help alleviate metallic taste. Acupuncture and massage therapy with essential oils help. My cancer center even offers these.

Get your teeth cleaned. My dentist gave me a RX fluoride toothpaste and rinse to use.

Claritin and Advil for neulasta pain

Drink a gallon of water a day. That's 8 water bottles. I did the first round, but supplemented other fluids during the second round, and I didn't rebound as fast.

Lunesta or melatonin for sleep.

Systaneultra eye drops for dry eyes.

Someone had a bad experience with tampons because of vaginal dryness, so I switched to pads I'm not sure what other people have experienced. Use silicone based lubricant for...you know.

Biotene is good for dry mouth. Use it after every meal.

I've gone off caffeine and have limited alcohol, but it's hard. I never knew alcohol consumption was connected to breast cancer.

I have nausea after each round and use peppermint oil under my nose. GI issues can arise, so talk to your doctor immediately if they do. Constipation is the worst! Dulcolax is good as is Senokot. Eat light meals and be prepared to like something one day and hate it the next. I'll gag if someone brings me chicken noodle soup now. LOL

Lastly, love on that vizsla of yours. I wish my Sadie was still around because she had me laughing every day and was a great pal. I could use a little Velcro vizsla in my life right now.

We've got your back. Hang in there.