Starting chemo August 2017 - would love some moral support!

R - glad things went well! I actually just got fitted for a wig. Truth is, I never style my hair - people will think I look nicer with a wig! But if I can look as great as these other ladies without hair, I'll be very happy!

Willow , thanks for sharing the tips... feel really weak today. But hope D symptom is relieving as I suspected ..

Hi Willow22,

I really like this thread, you all got so close in just few weeks. Even though I wish no one of us ever gotto know each other under these circumstances but it helps a lot to be able to talk to people who are going through the same thing.

I live in Stockholm, Sweden, I am treated in one of our largest clinics that also performs a lot of research. We have public health care similar to one they have in Canada, the treatments are the same you get in US the downside with the system is probably savings, nothing is performed until absolutely necessary but the overall standard is high. My chemo treatment will be Taxol x 12 weekly plus Herception and today I met the nurse to discuss the side effects and a piccline installation.

This clinic is not doing cold caps, my oncologist told me that they decided it was not necessary and did not had any value add. Well, one can discuss it for sure, because the county subsides up to approx 650 USD for the wig and artificial eyebrows and eyelashes plus repair cost. If I knew I could save my hair I would have not ordered a wig that I do not even know if I will be going to use, felt a little odd when I tried them.

They do have ice-socks and mittens but I was told that they were used for those who are doing more toxic treatments. When I asked him does it mean that my nails will not be damaged by Taxol he said yes they might but still they cannot guarantee those for me.

For nausea I will be getting Zofrax and Primperan and they say that salt licorice candy usually help but I hate those, one can use ginger candy as well. Imodium for diarrehea, salt and baking soda for mouth sores alt a mouth spray with sunflower oil one can buy at the farmacy.

Resorb rehydration solution to replace electrolytes.

If I will experience neuropathy I have to contact my nurse.

They do not want to give me any cortisone in advance the first two times, they want to see how I will react to Taxol, instead they will be giving me Betapred (crotisone) and Loratadin (antihystamine?)30 min before the infusion and then a nurse will sit besides me and observe. In case I will have any reaction like feeling itchy, redness in my face, having hard to breathe then they will stop and give me more Betapred, wait and continue. This is the protocol for the first two infusions, later they will give me the med the day before. Do not ask me why, I do not know.

That is all,

Cherry

Hello everyone - I just want to wish everyone a good weekend - I really enjoy the posted pics and I think everyone looks great. I bought a Jon Renau wig as well but I suspect I will be wearing baseball caps most of the time. Feeling ok after my second AC treatment yesterday but not much appetite - waiting for Senekot to work. Also a little hyped up on steroids. All in all not bad though - fingers crossed

Tmoultrup Welcome!! Are you going to do taxol next round or you don't need to do anymore??

Clearpath you did the right thing last infusion I waited too long it was a lesson I learned. Now everyone told me just wait one day next day you need to proactive. Good luck to both of us

Hi tmoultrup - congrats on finishing AC! Are you moving on to Taxol next? Please share as much of your experience as possible with us - it really does help

VL22 - infusion 2&3 are getting better because you know exactly what to get. On my infusion 2 my appetite changed a little and I have started to use ensure to keep up my energy. This time on infusion 3 the first day was fine. I'm trying not to nap much during the day so I can have better sleep. I able to sleep five hours.

Makeup - good luck to your Monday infusion, enjoy your weekend and eat your heart out

Good morning all: I hope that you all get to rest up this weekend if that's the plan.

I had a question for those of you who have taken Lomotil. Were you able to function (work, stay awake, etc)?

Thank you Paulette,

About your Magic Mouthwash, depending upon the ingredients, I've seen that the costs could be over $100. also based on quantity of the compounds. I hope that they pay for yours once your claim goes through.

Good morning ladies,

Hope everyone have a good Saturday! Let's talk a little about hair not on our heads, my nasal hair disappeared 😱 And other area ..... I just hope I can keep some of my eyebrows. 😓😓

Sweetp - I am hoping my insurance will pay, I have PPO you know we call the insurance almost weekly to clear up our medical bills. It is an on going battle.

Hi Tmoultrup, welcome, I am also new here, I am starting Taxol x 12 on Monday.

Cherry

Paulette - my nose hair was gone a week after my first AC treatment! Such a strange feeling. And I am religiously rinsing my mouth with the salt/baking soda combo and even though I have no sores or pain, I noticed today that my tongue is white.

My teenage boys find humor in everything, thankfully,so we do a lot of joking about these SEs.

All, I'm on Day 3 of #1 infusion of AC. Day 1 and 2 were unremarkable. A little tummy rumbling a teensy tired. Today I feel very very tired and a little naseous. If SE's are cumulative not sure how I will get out of bes by #4. Maybe some Ensure will give me an energy boost?

Rebekah

SummerRain - I had the same diagnosis and identical treatment that you had. I was actually diagnosed 09/28/2016, and you were diagnosed on 09/20/2016. You described my exact experience, especially the Taxol. I think my fingers are getting better, too. Apparently, up to 6 months after chemo you can get expect improvement. Fingers crossed (if you can feel them), we're both neuropathy-free in a few months.