Starting chemo August 2017 - would love some moral support!

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  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited September 2017

    rdeeside - I still have some hair on my head, but most of my eyebrows are gone. So glad to see you.

    K - I found taxol is more fatigued the first night usually don't sleep well due to steroid the rest of the time I'm more tiring.

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  • Kritti
    Kritti Member Posts: 23
    edited September 2017

    Thsnks for all the kind words i was pretty apprehensive about it. But sometimes you just have to put your trust in someone else and wish for the best. And I realized I didn't even post my favorite picture! I think this one shows how fierce Rose is. She's been my biggest cheerleader.

    I, also, still have some buzzed hair left along with thinned lashes and brows. I had tons of clogged pores at firsy, but I exfoliated with Epsom salt every shower and it seemed to help clear everything out. I've still got a couple spots, but it's not too bad. I also learned how to apply and wear false lashes for my pictures. Daily it doesn't really bother me.

    I have 1 more TX. Next Wednesday will be my final!! I scheduled my reconstruction today for the week after thanksgiving. I hope things continue as planned. And I hope y'all continue on your own path to wellness.

    image

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  • Kimberbir
    Kimberbir Member Posts: 65
    edited September 2017

    Kritti your pictures are beautiful!

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  • Cherry-sw
    Cherry-sw Member Posts: 997
    edited September 2017

    DodgersGirl, that is great news, I have not lost my eyelashes yet, but I have six rounds to go and my eyebrows start thinning now.

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited September 2017

    Cherry-sw, thanks! It is an amazing site to see a complete set of "baby" eyelashes coming in! Curious to see how long it takes them to reach full length.

    I definitely feel more normal each day now that chemo is behind me.

    Wish you minimal SEs on your journey

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited September 2017

    Kritti- those photos were breathtaking.

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  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited September 2017

    http://foodforbreastcancer.com/articles/breast-cancer-diet-during-taxol-%28paclitaxel%29-chemotherapy


    Here is the website for taxol food suggestions

    Have a great weekend ladies

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  • SusanGA
    SusanGA Member Posts: 147
    edited September 2017

    Paulette I have been having kidney issues. The Gfr that indicates the filtration efficiency has been up and down so I actually think my swelling is kidney related. However, being on my feet doesn’t help either.I have very low blood pressure and Onc thinks they must filter better when I am laying down and more blood flows through them. officially he calls it low perfusion. I do number three taxotere and Cytoxan next week and then only one more. Still have eyebrows and eyelashes and about 20% of my hair. I love your idea and I can’t wait until we are all sharing really good stuff.

    Heather, in my heart

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  • Cherry-sw
    Cherry-sw Member Posts: 997
    edited September 2017

    rdeesides, I have not grown any hair on Taxol, I lost almost 80% of it though. I used to pick my eyebrows and now I do not anymore, they stopped growing. I have been told that the hair usually starts growing 6 weeks after the last chemo.

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  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited September 2017

    Susan you will be done with chemo dry soon, so you will see the end of the rainbow!!! I still have 9 more weeks to go then I will see the rainbow with you. So wait for me by the rainbow okay!

    Cherry I lost 90% hair and eyebrows........ can't wait to see my hair return

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited October 2017

    paulettek- my hair is growing back and my eyelashes are starting to grow out. No eyebrows ye

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  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited September 2017

    DodgersGirl- wow your hair grow fast !!! Next time you need to show off your hair ! 😀😀

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  • Leatherette
    Leatherette Member Posts: 448
    edited October 2017

    OMG, Kritti!

    Those pix were so beautiful that I cried when I was looking at them. Right there in the infusion room yesterday.



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  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited October 2017

    hey willow

    Haven't seen you for awhile, how are you doing? Have you completed your chemo?

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  • SimplySammi11
    SimplySammi11 Member Posts: 70
    edited October 2017

    imageHi all,

    Sorry I haven't been on or updated in a while. I actually did spend time typing out an update in detail only to hit submit and it was lost somehow. Oh well.

    Heather was released from the hospital on Tuesday. The spot on her head that got so infected was lanced and as soon as it was the swelling went away quickly. Heather looked like a Lion. She'd said her sight was being affected but we thought it was because of the swelling in her face around her eyes and the bridge of her nose. But the doctor that opened up the wound (my youngest daughter's best friend from high school's dad) said it was probably from the swelling inside pressing on her optic nerves. I was amazed that went away immediately.

    She's still on antibiotics but the wound is healing quickly. She'd been without a fever for almost 2 days before they released her so when her temp went to 99.3 I kinda freaked out but Tylenol brought it down to her normal 97.6 temp. This has happened before her hospitalization and I didn't worry then, but after this experience last week, I get totally freaked out. I can't believe she'd ran a temperature of 103.6 the first day they admitted her. Her blood pressure seems to be ok although our machine at home isn't the most reliable.

    She actually went to church this morning then over to visit my mom for a little while. She's been really good emotionally and physically better every day. I guess her body needed a break.

    She goes for labs tomorrow and I am assuming as long as everything is good she'll begin her Taxol treatments. I have to say this frightens her a bit and me as well.

    We still don't feel the lump is getting smaller. I know feeling it can be deceiving and I don't do it daily actually have only felt it a few times over the past month now.

    She really just wants it out, now as opposed to later but she's going to do whatever the doctors feel is best.

    I've not gotten caught up on all the posts I've missed but did catch Kritti's beautiful pics with her daughter. Those are so beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

    I'm seriously considering shaving my head since Heather is in for 12 weeks of Taxol ending just before Christmas. I want her to feel supported more. It seems as if my family is too busy to get involved or even check on her. I'm feeling a bit abandoned.

    My mom had just had her last 3 day round of chemo treatment just before Heather was hospitalized so she couldn't come up there. I wouldn't let her.

    Fortunately, my husband is a Saint and our rock. He's done so much for both of us during all of this and before, so I really can't asked or expect more. I'm just grateful for what we do have at this point.

    I will take time to catch up soon to everyone that's been posting. Wishing you all so much strength and sending so much love to all you Warriors!

    Sammi

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  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited October 2017

    So happy to know Heather is doing good, we all worried about her. God will always be with her and we all prayers for her

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  • Walkingintheclouds
    Walkingintheclouds Member Posts: 52
    edited October 2017

    Kritti - marvelous pictures! Beautiful mom and daughter!

    Sammi- Glad to know that Heather is doing well! Praying for her. You might not be able to follow the replies to previous threads -- just want to let you know that I'm also at my thirties and I'm petite in size as well (98 lbs prior to chemo, which might associate with tougher SE) The SE did hit me in a tough way, my weight went down to to 91 lbs after first chemo due to horrible diarrhea. But I tried hard to eat my

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  • KByTheLake
    KByTheLake Member Posts: 52
    edited October 2017

    sammi--I'm so happy to hear that Heather is home and doing better! I don't know how you are coping with both your mom and daughter going through chemo at the same time

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  • Kimberbir
    Kimberbir Member Posts: 65
    edited October 2017

    Sammi - so happy that Heather is doing better!!

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  • KByTheLake
    KByTheLake Member Posts: 52
    edited October 2017

    The blue wig

    image

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  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited October 2017

    I like it!! K .... I should do something like this for this winter. I doubt I will have hair this winter anyway.

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  • Cherry-sw
    Cherry-sw Member Posts: 997
    edited October 2017

    First of all, we are watching CNN non.stop since my husband got home and told me about Las-Vegas shooting, we are all in shock, our thoughts are with you.

    Sammi, I am glad Heather is doing better, it must be hard for you to see her so vulnerable and frail.

    KByTheLake, this wig looks good on you, it is like 10 years off. Remember Julia Roberts in Notting Hill when Hugh Grant is watching one of her moives and she had this wig, was it like platinum blonde, the episode with Matthew Nowak I belive. It reminded me of that. And your nickname reminds me of The Lake House, another great movie.

    Paulette, I start losing my eyebrows, I 10-20% of my hair left and look awful, have not shaved it yet but will probably do it this week. I still did not make any soup with reda dates because I cannot find any info on the web whether one can eat red dates (jujube) during Taxol treatment.

    Kritti, Rose is beautiful, you both are.

    I had my 7th infusion today together with Herceptin, the latter is rather painful because we get it subcutaneous in Europe, my leg is sore. I am so tired of all this treatment and I have five treatments left. I have like joint pain in my hands, I am not sure it is neuropathy, it is aching, slightly burning sensations, not numbness, knock on wood.

    Hope everybody is doing fine in their treatments.

    Cherry

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  • SusanGA
    SusanGA Member Posts: 147
    edited October 2017

    Sammi, I am so relieved and happy that Heather has recovered. Let’s hope for smooth sailing from now on.

    K, great wig. I love the fun theme and it really looks pretty

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  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited October 2017

    Cherry when I prepare the red date soup I do not eat the red dates. I can’t keep watching the TV, it will get me depressed. How can this man do this!!! Hugs hope your pains will go away soon.

    Hope everyone are doing good not much SE. hope we can stay in touch even we completed our chemo.

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  • Cherry-sw
    Cherry-sw Member Posts: 997
    edited October 2017

    PauletteK, I red on the web that it is anti-inflammatory and is used to treat bc in China but I wonder whether it affects the efficacy of Taxol. When you cook it, it still gets into the soup, I wonder whether I will save this recipe for later.

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  • rdeesides
    rdeesides Member Posts: 459
    edited October 2017

    Sammi, glad to hear Heather is feeling better!

    K, I like this wig even more than the first one! Very cute. I need to find something similar.

    Cherry, sorry to hear about the leg pain. You are getting near the end. Hang in there! You can do it!

    I am done with AC #4. Yay! It hit me kind of hard and I caught a cold. I went to hospital yesterday for IV fluids and steroids and feel so much better today! Just need to take cold meds. On to Taxol!



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  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited October 2017

    Cherry - I lost 90% of my eyebrows and my nose is getting dry so I have nosebleed from time to time. Hang in there girl I think you are closer to the end of the treatment isn't it

    I think everyone are doing good, i have tried to get back to my normal life not even sure how to put it back together yet. I still have 9 more taxol to do them radiation I wonder how's everyone doing? Are you back to your normal life?

    Rdeeside- sorry that you caught a cold, with the weather changed I worry also. AC #4 is a tough one now you got it in your bag. Taxol will be much easier. Hope you feel better soon

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  • SimplySammi11
    SimplySammi11 Member Posts: 70
    edited October 2017

    Thanks everyone for the good wishes. Heather’s ready to go for her first Taxol treatment tomorrow.

    K- I love the blue wig!! It’s really cute on you.

    Everyone: I had bought some cosmetics for myself awhile back online. I purchased a waterproof eyebrow pencil for myself and have really loved it. It stays on very well and goes on great.

    The company is called Thrive Causmetics and some of the proceeds go toward different things that support women’s health and wellbeing.

    For those losing your eyebrows and wanted a good brow liner I recommend this one highly. I actually ordered one for my mom and one for Heather and just got them in the mail today.

    Here’s the link:

    https://thrivecausemetics.com/products/infinity-wa...

    It’s 23.00,but I believe worth it. Doesn’t take a lot and lasts a long time. Smudge proof too.

    That’s all for now. Take care of yourselves. Thinking of you all daily.

    Sammi

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  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited October 2017

    Sammi - hope Heather has a uneventful infusion tomorrow.

    Yes, I’m thinking everyone also

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  • Willow22
    Willow22 Member Posts: 220
    edited October 2017

    Hi everyone! I've been a bit down in the dumps lately - so I've been reading posts but not getting online myself... chemo fatigue plus really sad not to road trip with my youngest back to college for her last quarter of school.

    I was so worried about Heather so it absolutely made my day to hear she was out of the CCU and home! Keeping her in my prayers for an easy treatment day tomorrow!

    Kritti - I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your photos with your daughter - you are both stunning! Thank you for sharing :)

    Kbythelake - love your wig!

    Rdeesides - woohoo on finishing AC!

    Paulette - thanks for checking on me :) I had my last TC on 9/29, but then had a fever to 100.6 again on day 2 and 3. Not sure what is up with that, but made me really tired and had to work extra hard to get fluids and some food in. Really looking forward to getting my sense of taste back :D. I start 5 weeks of daily radiation on 10/23, but was able to schedule a trip to see my youngest in SoCal before that starts... I'm so excited!!! I haven't had the nerve to get on any of the radiation threads yet because I'm worried that my RO is being very low key about side effects (mostly fatigue and skin issues), and I honestly just don't want to face that yet.

    Cherrysw - I have had mild bone pains after treatments. From reading online, I think it is from the taxotere. It's a little hard to describe, but a mild prickling/stinging feeling in the bone of my hands, forearms and occasionally the bones of my lower legs. It starts day 2 or so of treatment, but isn't bad enough to take Tylenol for unless it's keeping me awake. I get neupogan injection on day 6, and that pain is different - more like an ache.

    Take care everyone!
    Willow





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