January 2016 Chemo!

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

    oh yes I watched lots of videos, etc. I love them too, but still, I just have a hard time believing that if there is nothing there, I'm going to be able to make my eyebrows look on point

    Have a nice brows is important to me too, I get them groomed every two weeks like clockwork. I feel like what I am bald with them, and the rest of my make up, looking perfect seems to matter even more

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  • MissBee123
    MissBee123 Member Posts: 186
    edited February 2016

    Hello ladies!

    Sorry for the absence. Hubby and I were in Colorado from Weds-Monday and then I spent all day Tuesday out, and yesterday was Chemo #3. I had a really weird round because I started to get nauseous during my pre-meds for nausea! I have to wonder if it was psychological, but nonetheless it lasted through the evening. I got a good night's sleep, though, and am starting to feel better this morning.

    I've noticed when I get my Cytoxan infusion I get a raging headache in the hospital. Does anyone else have this? They have me a pretty hefty does of tylenol for it there and said next time I can bring my own since it's a pattern.

    I'll read through the comments today and check to see if anyone new has joined or has any updates. Missed you all!

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  • Planet
    Planet Member Posts: 42
    edited February 2016

    just popping in to say thanks for all the lovely things you guys have to say about "Johanna" or "Jo Jo" (I named my wig after my godmother who passed from cancer 25 years ago.) She is human hair, DFWFLYGIRL, and I choose it for how normal it made me feel-dark roots and all! I love yours! It looks natural.

    So I found this great cap yesterday at Walgreens. I never saw the movie Frozen but I think this says it all:

    image

    Laughed so hard when I saw it

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  • DFWFLYGIRL
    DFWFLYGIRL Member Posts: 146
    edited February 2016

    Planet....love the wig and the pink "Let It Go" cap!!!

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  • Delight55
    Delight55 Member Posts: 20
    edited February 2016

    Planet it looks like we are on the same treatment regimen, and triple positive too. I had my second chemo last week 2/03 and the remaining fuzz is really coming out quickly now, although not as quickly as I'd like. To combat the prickly feeling of the buzzed hairs I had my husband use his mustache trimmer on my head last night. Quite a bit came off and it helped but I did cry afterwards. I usually wear a cap or nothing around the house and most of the time my appearance doesn't bother me. Last night I looked in the mirror and thought where is me? I don't know this woman.

    Loving all the pics of the wigs and I'm thinking of taking the plunge. I had thin hair before the chemo and after all this angst about my hair it would be nice not to have that when my hair comes back, however thick or thin.

    We stopped for lunch after my herceptin treatment yesterday and I noticed a lot of people staring at me. That was unpleasant.

    MO said to try Benedryl for sleep and last night was the best sleep I've had in a long while. What a blessing!

    Welcome back MissBee! Hope you had a good trip. You were missed

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  • Planet
    Planet Member Posts: 42
    edited February 2016
    Delight55: I understand that "who is that woman in the mirror" feeling. At home I go bald or wear a cap-can't be glamour girl all the time and I have to give JoJo her nightly comb out and styling so she's good to go in the morning. My only mirror is in the bathroom so it's a shock every time. I look like my bald brothers and dad except I'm so chubby. My scalp got folliculitis from being clipped too close, but another prescription antibiotic lotion is clearing that and my chemo acne. 52 and full blown acne-EF you cancer!

    Delight, do you get Herceptin every week or just with your chemo? I'm just getting it every 3 weeks with chemo and need to ask why cause it seems like it should be every week with TC. Not that I'm complaining-As nice as NW/Prentice Woman's hospital is, I'm happy for the 3 week respite!

    Well, the L train is pulling into the airport tunnel, so it's back to work for me.

    Have a great day, ladies!
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  • JCS28
    JCS28 Member Posts: 153
    edited February 2016

    I love hearing everyone's different experiences and seeing so many happy posts! We all need that right now.

    Lumpie -- same here. I have had THP for 2 rounds (Day 29 now) and still haven't lost any body hair. I am doing Penguin Cold Caps, so I am just anxious to know that it's working. I asked my doctor last week and she said AC loses hair at Day 14, but TC can be 4 or 5 weeks. Who knows?

    LoveMyVizsla -- I have had terrible reflux. I am taking both Prilosec and Pepcid every night and chewing Tums like there is no tomorrow. I noticed a big difference after starting the Prilosec so I'm taking that proactively for a couple of days before each round. I am trying to be very careful about what I eat. Rich things at night make it worse like heavy, creamy things or spicy, tomato things. I just bought a wedge pillow too to try in the bed but I haven't tried it yet. This week is better than last week (treatment week). I'm not terribly surprised. I had awful reflux during pregnancy and have had short spells from anxiety as well.

    LovesToFly -- Right now we're just using condoms. I had not heard that about 2 forms of birth control. My MO told me go off the pill, but I haven't gotten to see my OB/GYN since diagnosis. I am fine with condoms, honestly. I just turned 40, so I have no idea what to expect about my period. Same as you, I thought mine was gone, but then it came right after my first treatment. We'll see about the next one! But my MO said she expects it to go away during treatment and may or may not come back. I don't like the idea of menopause at 40, but we were completely sure we were done have kids (2 perfect ones!), so it wouldn't be the end of the world for me. My mom had a hysterectomy at 42 so it's somewhat similar.

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  • zinny
    zinny Member Posts: 281
    edited February 2016

    You ladies are all so beautiful inside and out, wigs, hats, scarves and bald heads alike!

    Lovestofly, double protection with condoms would be spermicidal jelly and condoms, I believe:) I am waiting to see if my period comes back - given my backwards treatment plan, I was on hormonal suppression and an aromatase inhibitor to block estrogen til Jan, when I started chemo, and I have had some of those belly cramps that feel like my period is coming, and then it hasn't. Funny where your brain goes when you know it feels just like a period cramp but you think it could be met related. Just like every headache. Totally get the not wanting to look orthodox when you are not thing with the scarves, not weird at all. As much as no one wants a label, it is better to have one that is true!

    Reflux oh reflux. On Zantac 150 twice a day and that holds it - 75 wasn't. JCS28/Lovemyvisla, TUMS can make you make more acid due to the calcium content - try the quick acting Maalox or Gaviscon - they were my close friends in pregnancy!

    MissBee - do you premed wth steroids? Dex on an empty stomach could do it ( had the same trouble myself yesterday.)


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  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 667
    edited February 2016

    Planet...I'm on TC...every three weeks. I think that's standard.

    Miss Bee...I was worried about you. Glad you're back!!!

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  • Frill
    Frill Member Posts: 311
    edited February 2016

    Hi! Waiting for physical therapy, just had taxol #3. I'm getting tons of Dexsteroidblahblah so I'm way jittery. Other than that, nothing. We shaved my head last night and sang Let it Go, and left it in the back yard for the birds to build nests with. It wasn't as bad as pulling out that first clump of hair, and I don't feel like I look like a cone head or anything. Pulled wigs out and they felt weird and fake and not me - regardless of whether they were nice Jon Reneau or cheapy eBay. So, I went with the scarf and feel really happy. I *would post a pic but I'm on my phone and it's not cooperating. Hugs to all

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  • Wendiwithani
    Wendiwithani Member Posts: 108
    edited February 2016

    ((((hugs)))) Frill, that's the way my wig feels on me, too. Everyone says it looks great, but I feel self-conscious in it, so.....

    Loving my scarves for now.

    We should start up a wig swap group, lol! ;)

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  • Delight55
    Delight55 Member Posts: 20
    edited February 2016

    Planet I do get Herceptin every week and the Taxotere and Carboplatin every third week. When I finish the TC I will get Herceptin every three weeks. The Herceptin is for a year. Then on to the oral meds

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  • Sheri64
    Sheri64 Member Posts: 113
    edited February 2016

    Today I was home with a cold and just feeling sad. I hate when I get down like this I just start crying at nothing. But on a good note day 17 from first treatment and still haven't lost m hair yet. I know it's coming but I don't have wig fitting at ACS unitil 22nd hoping it holds on till then. Does anyone know it they will postpone next treatment on Tuesday if I still have this cold, I go for blood work tomorrow? I don't have a fever

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  • FLBuckeye93
    FLBuckeye93 Member Posts: 87
    edited February 2016

    Planet, your wig looks amazing! Love the new looks on everyone!

    MissBee, I've had nausea a lot with my chemo even during pre meds. I keep crackers and always have something in my stomach and I put peppermint oil under my nose. Learned that trick from a friend during round two.

    I also get acid reflux, gas, and constipation. It's so icky. I use tums, gas x, and Senokot.

    I had round three of TC today. No nause and hopefully got ahead of the constipation this time. Finally got my IV iron infusion. Praying I get some energy back.

    Wendiwithani, love the scarf. Reminds my of my two dear friends and colleagues. We all got cheetah print panties and wear them on important days during my chemo. One friend was uncomfortable getting them and now she's totally into it! Love cheetah panty day because no one knows but us. :)


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  • FLBuckeye93
    FLBuckeye93 Member Posts: 87
    edited February 2016

    I forgot, I also get headaches after cytoxan. Round two was bad and they were made worse by intense dreams. Someone who went through this suggested having the cytoxan Iv run slower.

    I alternate between Advil and Tylenol to help. But the dreams were so weird. Both got better after a week.

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  • zinny
    zinny Member Posts: 281
    edited February 2016

    Buckeye, I love cheetah print panty day! Awesome. My friend got me a chemo shirt with a side zip on my port side - really just and exercise shirt from under armour, but it works great! And socks that say "F this SHIT" but i prefer to wear my happy knee length stripey socks ( under my jeans and boots)

    Frill, that is such a great idea to leave your hair for the birds. They told me my Taxol was suspended in alcohol, so i would be impaired after they gave it. I guess there are two kinds, one that is and one that isn't. It sounds like you didn't get the "drunk" kind, then. I just wondered how drunk? Between that and the steroids and benadryl bomb, it sounds like quite a cocktail:)

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  • LoveMyVizsla
    LoveMyVizsla Member Posts: 813
    edited February 2016

    My new favorite wig arrived today! It's Uptown by Christie Brinkley. It is a heat friendly synthetic. You can use up to 300* on it, but I don't plan on doing that.

    image

    It's not too much hair like both of my other ones seem to be. And it was on sale!

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  • buttaflydiva
    buttaflydiva Member Posts: 88
    edited February 2016

    Well, I finally got the buzzed my head.  I really thought id be sad by it, but it actually felt great to finally do it.  I felt kinda bad for my baby boy, he had tears in his eyes when he saw it.  He has been really emotional through this and it makes me sad.  anyway I highly advise taking a little length off your hair at a time and kind of ease into the whole no hair thing, to me it seemed to take less of an emotional toll that way.  I had fun trying new styles at least.

    image

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  • zinny
    zinny Member Posts: 281
    edited February 2016

    Go Buttafly! Wow, your eyes are beautiful and really stand out with your buzz!

    Lovemyvisla, your newest wig is gorgeous.


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  • sarah_sunflower
    sarah_sunflower Member Posts: 47
    edited February 2016

    Wendi Planet DFWFLYGIRL you girls look fabulous!

    I tried going bald on the streets few days back, it was kind of liberating then tried a halo wig for the first time and cried so hard, i think it finally hit me i'm bald only then! weird emotions...

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  • Geeper
    Geeper Member Posts: 164
    edited February 2016

    Thank you ladies for the compliments on my bald head. I have to echo Zinny, "You ladies are all so beautiful inside and out, wigs, hats, scarves and bald heads alike!"

    Frill- I cannot believe you are 47, you look like you are in your young 20's. You can have my eyebrows. My daughter is waiting for them to fall off. She told me, "once your eyebrows fall off, I can make them look on fleek."

    jensgotthis- My head hurt when my hair was shedding and felt kinda raw. I left like an inch of hair, but my stubble is falling off and it feels irritated. I have little bumps on the back of my head. I have been using a cloth and wiping it down with witch hazel. I used coconut oil the first day I shaved it and I had a chemical reaction from using coconut oil. My head smelled kinda like baby puke. It was so hard to get that smell off.   

    Cathytoo- They have eyebrow tattoos on sale for $4 a pair. Please check out the following website.

    http://www.happychemo.com/partners/beauti-full-brows-temporary-eyebrow-tattoos/

    Happy Chemo offers a lot of discount on pretty much everything you need during chemo. 

    Sheri64 -  I am sorry you have a cold and are feeling blue. I wish I could address your question about whether or not they will postpone your chemo since you have a cold. I think it all depends on your blood count.   

    buttaflydiva - I love the transition. I too cut my hair shorter before buzzing it off. My son got pretty upset seeing me bald but my husband told him, "Your mom looks bad ass, like Ripley (Segourney Weaver's character in Alien) and Furiosa (CharlizeTheron character from Mad Max)." He's gotten use to it and said it looks cool.

    Hugs to all of you! Sending you all virtual hugs.  

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

    those eyebrow tattoos look awesome. Gotta look for them in Canada

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  • fightergirl711
    fightergirl711 Member Posts: 300
    edited February 2016

    You all look so great! I have been dragging my feet over getting a wig, my hair is now buzzed (about a half inch?) and I definitely have more than half gone. It's cold in the Northeast so I just wear hats, but you are all inspiring me to step it up a bit. :) I work from home, and I'm not traveling until at least the chemo phase is over. So I just put on a hat.

    BTW, I'm 6/12 Taxol in, 2/4 Hereceptin & Perjeta combo, and have been tolerating it really well. Get the Immodium, get an antacid. So for those who are on the AC now, fingers crossed that the Taxol is a bit easier for you! I still have the 4 rounds of AC after, so all of your updates have been really helpful. I'm thinking about going every three weeks, rather than every other week, but still have time to think about it.

    BTW, new awesome shaved-head character from Deadpool: Negasonic Teenage Warhead!

    image


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  • Char1110
    Char1110 Member Posts: 61
    edited February 2016

    I'm loving the wigs ladies!!! Lovestofly, I'm still playing around with my eyebrows too. I haven't lost any hair there yet, but getting ready just in case they start to thin. I must admit I'm not very good at it.

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  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 667
    edited February 2016

    Geeper...thanks so much for the eyebrow tattoo link. They look fabulous and I just ordered them

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  • MB12
    MB12 Member Posts: 79
    edited February 2016

    Hi Ladies!

    Popping back in for a question. My ct scan showed 3 lymph nodes in my abdomen enlarged and sketchy. They are not huge, but enough to be picked up. So, I requested a pet scan or biopsy before treatment starts and my doctor has agreed.

    Has anybody had positive lymph nodes show up outside of immediate axillary and breast area?

    I researched met threads and didn't see anything.

    Happy Friday

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  • EstelaLorca
    EstelaLorca Member Posts: 98
    edited February 2016

    Hey ladies,

    I've been following you girls for a bit now. I started chemo in January as well....but I tend to read more than post. Anyways, I thought this was cool.

    http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2015/oct/02/the...

    I'm a stylist, and I love the way fashion is evolving these days. I just wanted to share that. xoxo

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  • Paulinek
    Paulinek Member Posts: 117
    edited February 2016

    ugh...I just bailed on a girls night out after getting fully dressed and made up because I am just too tired. I am two weeks out from second TC infusion and definititely more fatigued this time. I guess I need to schedule some girl's days out since I can't seem to stay awake past 7:30pm

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  • Paulinek
    Paulinek Member Posts: 117
    edited February 2016

    EstelaLorca, I am completely bald now, but I was thinking platinum blonde once I get some hair back. Thanks for sharing :)

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  • jensgotthis
    jensgotthis Member Posts: 937
    edited February 2016

    Paulinek, I'm just two days ahead of you in terms of treatment dates (and also on second round of TC) and I spent 4 hours laying in bed today rather than enjoying the spectacular weather we have in LA today and getting things done before round 3 next week. I kind of can't believe it. I do feel a little more tired overall this round, but I've been pushing some exercise. I think I overdid it a little yesterday...I tried two Tracy Anderson method beginner DVDs for the first time. That's a tough workout even though it's only about 50 minutes long lol.

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