Anyone.Starting Chemo in October 2016?

Ruh Roh, I shaved my head yesterday so hope I don't develop folliculitis. I don't want to risk getting it my eyes, but may use Hibiclens on the back of my head when I shower today. The wig lady had recommended against shaving, but I like a bare head when it's warm and it looked horribly patchy.

Lyn

Everyone,

Thanks for the tips about head shaving. I'm going to get clipped this afternoon and I think I'll keep a little bit on, which if I lose it around the house won't be as bad as having big clumps fall out all over the place. I'm doing this a little early because I have two workshops coming up this weekend at my yoga studio and I can just envision getting hair all over the blankets and other props, and don't want to inflict that on others who will use them after me. So this gives me some time to get used to the feeling and to find something that will stay on my head when I do an inversion or even a standing forward fold--that will not be a wig, but something else.

I bought one of those fabric lint removers which I hope helps with the daily hair removal without being too tough on a sensitive scalp. My Look Good Feel Better class is on Monday and so I thought I might as well go in as bald as possible to get the maximum learning.

I like the Hibiclens idea too, just in general. I have a huge bottle of it so I may as well use it up.

Love to all,

Kate

Hi everyone.

I'm feeling fine, with only D to deal with (as a result of all of the antibiotics I have to take). The doctor gave me probiotics to take as well, so I'm waiting for them to work their magic.

Welcome to the newcomers. I'm looking forward to hearing about your experiences.

Alla - I'm glad you're getting some medical attention. Are you still taking Benadryl? I really hope that this clears up quickly for you.

Miles - Congrats on getting treatment #2 over with. Folliculitis?! We cannot seem to catch a break!!! I'm sorry that this happened, but grateful that you are sharing the info for the rest of us. Chin up, my friend, you will get through this one day at a time!

Lyn - Gracie's eyes are mesmerizing! That was really nice of your stylist to provide you with a gift bag! Acts of kindness and generosity are so appreciated. The other day I received a package in the mail ... it was a quilt from an organization called Victoria's Quilts. They make quilts for cancer patients, free of charge. My son ordered one for me ... it's lovely, and I was very touched.

Dee - I am sending positive thoughts your way, and hoping that you get relief from your SEs. Sennekot-S worked for me when C was an issue during the week following each chemo treatment.

Kate - I was thinking of you while I was in hospital, because I was going crazy from inactivity so I tried doing some yoga in my bed (a little tricky in a hospital gown!). It helped a lot, although people kept walking in on me and doing a double take at the bald lady doing God knows what! (I think they thought I was experiencing some sort of medical emergency ... very disruptive to my focus when I had to keep explaining that I was ok ... yes, I'm doing YOGA.)

Just read your last post ... I find that a cotton headwrap (tied like a turban) works great for yoga ... I've gone to several classes with headwraps, and have not had any problem during downward dog or forward fold positions.

I'm really interested in your experience with decreasing the dexamethasone ... it had the same stimulant effects on me, including a pounding heart and chest pains. I am definitely going to pursue this with my MO.

Connie - I've been reading your posts ... you always have such good advice! Don't feel bad about taking a sleeping pill while on steroids ... my doctor gave me a prescription for Ativan, and told me to take one at bedtime while on steroids because it would be difficult to sleep. I found the Ativan to work well for me ... I made sure to stop taking them once the steroids were done because I don't want to become dependant on them for sleep.

Hkuester - I also wear Tshirt turbans around the house ... they're so comfy. My head is also dry and itchy, but I have no solutions. I read some earlier posts, and advice ranges from coconut oil, almond oil, and olive oil, to baby shampoo or Tgel shampoo (Neutrogena). I've been using Head and Shoulders to wash my scalp ... I may add a very light moisturizer and see what happens.

Nfullblume - I am thrilled for you that nausea is not a problem! Keep on doing what you're doing!

Have a nice day.

Barb

Hkuester, what size T-shirt do you use four your head wraps. I just placed a big order at TLC for some hats, wig stands, liners for caps that are now to big, etc.

Ohmigosh, Alla, that eye looks horrible! I hope the drugs kick in pronto.

Barb, I suspect Katie is relying saying, "Look into my eyes...You will feed me fabulous treats." ;-)

Our Tom Thumb just starting offering home delivery and had $10 off plus free delivery so my groceries should come to me early tomorrow afternoon. Protects me from another Wicked Witch melting to the floot in the frozen aisle incident or using R rated language because I'm frustrated at how slow the electric cart is moving.

Lyn

Hi, had chemo #2 today! My daughter came in from out of state to stay with me for a week! So happy! Dreading the Neulasta shot tomorrow! That had the worst SE for me in the first round. I asked my dr about shaving my buzzed cut and she told me not to, said its not worth the chance of knicking my skin and risk the chance of getting an infection. Hugs and prayers for all.

Ella - Congrats on getting through #2! Maybe this Neulasta shot will go better ... I'm crossing fingers for you!

BevSue - Thanks for the welcome back. I'll be sending you positive thoughts tomorrow for your 2nd treatment.

Lyn - I made my own T-shirt turbans out of a few soft old T-shirts that I didn't wear anymore. Here is a link to the video I watched: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOGZqCLx2TI. My t-shirts are size medium, but it almost doesn't matter because you keep just twisting the loop of fabric until it fits around your head (this will make more sense after you watch the video). I love the turbans because the twisted fabric makes them look a little more decorative, and they feel more secure on my head.

Regarding the shaving the head topic, I used a #1 clipper to go as close as possible without shaving it to the skin. (My wig lady also told me not to shave my head as it can lead to problems). I find it's a good compromise.

Hope you all sleep well ... it's early bedtime for me tonight.

Barb

Whistlestop: I like the idea of walking around the infusion center a bit. And, the homeopathic goodies. Thanks for sharing those ideas!

I did learn the t-shirt headscarf made from an inexpensive medium size shirt during the Look better class. It is easy to do.

I mostly work from home, but went in to work today, so wore my hat...I have a wig and didn't feel ready for that. Hmmm.

Infusion #2 tomorrow.

Ella22: It always makes me feel better to have my daughter around!

Thinking of you all!

Hello everyone,

I had my head done yesterday; like so much related to this adventure so far it actually turned out to be much easier than I expected, I found out I don't have sticky-out ears, all the women in the salon surrounded me and said I looked awesome with my 1/4 inch hair, and I spent the evening running my hands over it in a kind of glee. I do have some warm caps and a couple of wigs (itchy, I'll save them for special occasions) and thank everyone so much for the videos on wraps and turbans. I hadn't heard of so buffs but one look was all it took to order a few.

Have any others of you signed up for the chemo angels program? I can't remember where I heard about it, but I have two women who send me actual notes, postcards, and small gifts each week. It's so unusual to get any real mail anymore, and the little gifts have been silly and practical both. All I'm expected to do is let the agency know once a month how it's going, so low maintenance for me, but I've been writing back which also feels good.

http://chemoangels.wixsite.com/chemo-angels-1

I stayed up way too late on election night, so yesterday was a little bit zombie-like, but I managed to stay awake until 9pm, watching the Nature program on the evolution of cats, which was, um, not riveting, unfortunately. Today is gloomy and cold here in Boston so I might take myself to an afternoon movie--after I scare my housemates with my new look and make a couple of T-shirt wraps.

I'm doing well with the lower dose of steroids on chemo round 2--I have a low-grade headache but it's manageable. This time the Neulasta pod stayed in (they taped it down) so I didn't have to go back to the hospital for the shot, which was great.

Love to all,

Kate

Hi all

Today is treatment 6 the 1/2 way point for the 12 Taxol treatments.

Hair the fall out has slowed down considerably but what is left of my pixie cut is pretty ragged looking what did not fall out is so damaged it looks terrible will buzz it this eek end and be done

Steroids I take 4 MG of dexosone (can't spell it)

I take 5 12 hours before chemo and another 5 6 hours before chemo. I am so amped up I feel like Superwoman but my entire body is vibrating till I crash and I crash hard I am going to speak to them today about lowering the dosage I am only 103 lbs and I think it s too much

I did not ice hands or feet

Other side effects are all manageable but adding up with each infusion basically some mild nausea , neuropathy in hands and feet, joint pain, dry itchy skin, chemo mouth for a few days, constipation and some fatigue is settling in and chemo brain .

Glad I am 1/2 way through and can say this has been a lot easier than my previous chemo experience.

Take care everyone and positive thoughts for all

Hi KLNiss,

Looks like you'll be on my same regime. I'm @ my half way point with AC 2 more to go. I haven't iced my hands or feet. Would also like to hear more info from our fearless warriors on taxol. I hear its less invasive than AC.

so glad to hear that everyone has been released from the hospital and that people are adjusting to the side effects well. Wish everyone well and keep up the good work

I had my 2nd chemo last week and the side effects were the same just a day earlier for everything the new medicine they gave to help with the diareahea after the first chemo still hasn't work. I have dropped another 15 pounds again and my heart rate was through the roof. Thank goodness that is coming down it even made my port ache.

I am going for the buzz cut today and I am thankful for all the advice that I have been reading. I haven't been posting much but I am keeping up and you all are an inspiration to me and I appreciate all the straight talk and community

Check in soon

Melind

Kathy

No I didn't have AC. I am on taxotere, carboplatin, herceptin and perjeta and have that cocktail every 21 days.

I have been placing my fingertips in ice when I am having taxotere to hopefully prevent neuropathy.

Good luck

Melind

Kathy, I am responding to your question about icing the hands and feet. According to my oncologist, it is highly recommended during taxol which I haven't started yet and not needed for AC which is where I'm at now.

So there's a post on here pretty much at the top of the chemo topics. I think it's titled something like Tiffany's top 21 tips for getting through chemo. She suggests some booties and mittens available on Amazon and gives a link for them. I specifically asked the oncologist about these and she highly recommended them. Now, due to the length of the chemo treatments, 2 pair of each would be required for me which amounted to about $400...really can't remember exactly. I will tell you that's they are 1 size fits all and I worry that they are just a bit over large for me as I just wear a size 7 shoe...and don't have larger hands either.

When I attended that Look Good Feel Better class, there was a woman there that was taking taxol for uterine cancer. I have no clue about the difference in dosages between breast cancer and uterine cancer. However, her dr never even mentioned icing and she hadn't used any. Now I didn't know her before and am just assuming she was being totally honest with me. She was probably about 60 and said she had zero problems with neuropathy prior to her treatments. She was still having treatment and I have no idea how many she'd had or how many remained. I will tell you that she could not unscrew the top off the mascara or anything else and she had to use a walker. It frankly scared me half to death. She said that her dr was going to send her to an acupuncturist to hopefully improve this. I have zero idea if this is a normal response for uterine cancer or not. She may be a huge exception to the norm. I hesitate to even post this because I don't KNOW the differences between the two cancer treatments and frankly we all have enough issues without this one. But one thing I am sure of because I really made sure to double check that, she said said it was taxol

Had my 3rd chemo treatment today (out of 6). Not looking forward to another round of SEs (though I hope I'm better equipped to handle them now), but glad to be at the halfway point.

I had my fourth chemo session on Wednesday. I am on taxol every week for 12 weeks, and perjeta and herceptin along with the taxol weeks 1,4,7 and 10. So I just had my second time of the three drugs. Yesterday, which was the day after chemo, I felt great. Accomplished a lot and was very up. Today, not so much. I know the steroids play a big part.

My main side effects include diarrhea, red cheeks at times, mood swings (like now). I just had a port put in 12 days ago. I was against doing that, but had no choice as IVs were getting harder and harder. I am very glad I did get the port now. However, yesterday and today the port area is much more tender and achy than it has been previously. I am wondering if that could be because I had the three drug cocktail on wednesday and the port was the conduit for all of that crappola. It doesn't look red or different. It just feels sad.

We had to put our beloved 15 year old dog to sleep on Monday, got my head shaved on Tuesday, and a 16 -hour-away-from-home-day on Wednesday for chemo. Just a little pity party going on here.