Starting Chemo in JAN 2007
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Hello Tae & T4T, I hope the fever thing was just a scare and you got through last night OK. Fevers seems to be a big issue around here. Did Tae get her Neulasta shot?
Lynn...I imagine the loss of your hair could be a really big thing for your 15 year old daughter. I read somewhere else on this site about a woman with a 5 or 6 year old daughter who lost her hair to chemo. When she started wearing scarves, her daughter did too, just to give her some team support!!!
Today is a new day and it's very cold outside; I made my self a wonderful very fluffy soft turban out of some very thick fleecy fabric and my head feels safe, warm, and comfortable.
Amera..I am wondering about you; it seems like the AC is hitting you hard and we are wondering how you are feeling. When was your last infusion?
RobbinJaye, Aladora we haven't heard from you for a while. How ARE you? Are you feeling better...Aladora, you just showed us your cute little hat & disappeared. What happened?!
Another day, and a day closer to being done!!!!
MizzySissy -
Hi ladies! It's a new week!
Melia...let us know how your onc appointment goes tomorrow and good luck with your chemo treatment on Wednesday.
Ilene....Your second treatment on Wednesday will go fine! Most people tell me that the first one is the worst, just because we don't know what to expect. I don't have my second treatment for a couple of weeks, so I'm holding them to that statement! I'll be sending good thoughts your way this week.
Amera and Carolin. Good luck on Thursday. Why not do something special for yourself the first of the week?
Mer1957...I'm jealous. You'll be finished with AC after your treatment on Thursday, won't you???? YEAHHHHHHHHHH Then on to the next step. :-)
Terry....I'll send you good vibes on Thursday. I was so nervous when I went for my first chemo treatment but quickly discovered that the actual treatment wasn't bad at all. You will do fine. Be sure to let us know and post often.
Anybody else out there who's facing chemo this week? Good thoughts from friends always help!!!
If you're in the north or midwest, bundle up today. It's frigid here in central Illinois.
Hang in there gals. We'll just keep marking off these treatments until there are no more to mark off!!!! Then I think you're right. We should get together and celebrate!!!
Have a good day.
Rita -
Thanks for asking about me Mizssissy. The AC hasn't been too bad really. I go again on Thurs. I hope I can get through it as relatively easily as last time.
It's the hair loss that's really getting to me. I still have a ton left but it's coming out in clumps now. I am just not ready to buzz it. Wearing lots of hats lately. I read somewhere that once it starts, it's about 48 hours but mine started on Friday and it's still here. Very thin, but here.
Sounds like you are feeling better--that's great!
Amera -
Good Morning Ladies,
Wow, it's really cold out and I have to go to Maine on a business trip, brrrrr. Leaving mid morning and will be back home tomorrow night. I'm driving up there with a colleague from work as dh won't let me drive the 250 miles alone. Since this is week three, I'm feeling pretty good and don't have my chemo#2 until Friday. I told them early this week is the 'only' time I could go, they accomodated me.
Good luck to anyone who's doing chemo early this week, although I think most of us going this week are Wed - Fri.
t4t, hope Tae feels better!
I'm sure there will be a lot of messages when I get back, always looks forward to hearing from everyone!
{{{hugs to all}}}
Lynn -
Try to stay warm Lynn.........I'll be thinking about you on Friday as you go through #2. You are just one week ahead of me. In the meantime, enjoy this "really feel good week" and think super positive about #2. I can't help but believe it will be easier!
Have a good week.
Rita -
Welp, yesterday was my last shot of Neupogen . Today we'll draw my blood and see if my white count is safe.
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Hi all,
Sorry to hear that Tae was running a fever. It is good she got the antibiotic and sounds like she is on the road to recovery.
Anyone having severe aches from neulasta longer than a few days. I had mine last Tuesday and yesterday it felt like my hips were broken and the pain was a pulsing pain. Any input on how long we should expereience the pain would be appreciated. I was reduced to tears from the pain.
Cheers for now... -
Robbin.....I have my fingers crossed that your blood work comes out A-O.K. Also wanted to tell you that I visited your site. How very, very neat! You are so photogenic!
Hope you are feeling better today and that tomorrow just keeps getting better.
Rita -
Are any of you folks drinking (wine, beer, liquor) while your doing chemo? I made a hard and fast rule ahead of time that I would not drink at all during the entire time in order to give my liver a break, trying to get rid of all those chemo toxins. However, I've heard that red wine can even be a red cell booster.
So here's a poll. Are you drinking (at all) on chemo? -
Hi Terry,
I had my 2nd. infusion of TCH last Thurs. I honestly couldn't have gone to work on Friday,(I'm semi-retired, not by choice), had the Nuelasta shot on Friday, on Sat. nite, started to become nauseous, took a compazine, didn't help much, wanted to pick up the Sunday paper Sunday am, couldn't leave the house, vomited, took a Kytril, that helped. Not feeling that great today. My onc. gave my info. on Carboplatin, I'll pass it along to you, some side effects: nausea, vomiting, anemia,bruising,loss of appetite, fatigue, sore mouth & taste changes and yes, definite hair loss. My hair began falling out on the 15th. day after my 1st. chemo, more the next day, so my fiance buzzed me bald. I can accept this much better than losing it gradually. My chemo is every 3 weeks, it sounds like yours is of course, more dose dense. You will be ok sweetie, just remember we are here for you, just come back to these boards, you can cry, vent, scream, yell, anything that gets you thru this. Honey, take a deep breath and I will be thinking of you on 2/8, when I get my Herceptin trtmt. I'm sending you (((GENTLE HUGS))) and kind thoughts from my house to yours.
Love,
Sandra -
Question for those who've buzzed their hair: what did you use to buzz it? Clippers? We don't have those. I assumed my husband's electric shaver would work but he doesn't think so. Never occured to me that you'd need a special aparatus to do the deed.
So much for my plan to hang onto it. After my kids found even more hair in their dinners, I am waiving the white flag. Sigh...
Amera -
Amera,
My friend buzzed me today. She used a clipper that they use at the barber shop. She has two boys that she is always buzzing their hair. Maybe a friend would let you borrow theirs. My head hurt so bad this morning that I really couldn't take it anymore. I really feel better now that hair isn't everywhere. Don't worry it will grow back!! ilene -
Amera,
Your hair's going to hurt until it's off, so you might as well get it off and be done with it. Make sure you have something to go on afterward, like a scarf, comfy knit hat, so you don't have to look at it. Also, your head will feel naked and cold, especially in THIS weather. Turbans are great. You might have to borrow some clippers. You can use scissors and cut close.
Just think of this way: the quicker it comes off, the quicker it will grow back!!!!
INSTRUCTIONS for making a quick TURBAN: get some stretchy fabric, preferably comfy, thick, and fleecy and cut and 11.5 x 11.5 square on a fold (a 11.5 x 23 inch rectangle) with the stretchy part going lengthwise. Fold in half so it's square, and sew the two loose sides, leaving a 1.5 inch opening between the fold and seam on one side. Using a needle and thread, gather each end into 5 pleats along the seams, and sew and knot tightly, leaving the opening at one end (that will be the front of the turban). Cut a 5 x 2 inch piece for a band in to hold the pleats in front. Fold in half lengthwise, sew with a 1/4 inch seam. Turn inside out, and loop through the hole in the front, catching the pleats. Try on, adjust, decide where to sew the loop and sew it, cuting off seam ends. Pull seams ends to inside.
When you wear it, just pull the edges in (or hem them if you want). It works! It's comfy!
Love,
Mizsissy -
Thanks guys. I guess I will have to borrow some. On a brighter note, I found these gorgeous scarves. The are silky but have a non-slip backing so they stay put. They are a little pricey but I went ahead and ordered myself one. I might try Mizsissy's turban too.
A little shopping always helps
http://www.4women.com/
Amera -
hi Carolin, I've been down and out since I last posted. I am not kidding, I cannot move for 3 days after that Nuelasta. I even tried to take a percoset Friday night when I first felt it coming on. That barely helped, just put me to sleep for a bit which did help get away from the pain.
As for my hair, I lost almost all my hair after my sister shaved it down for me. Strange though, not all of it fell out. I have a soft little covering that is lighter than my natural hair. I figured they were just stubborn and round 3 would get them eventually!
I haven't lost it everywhere, like my arms, but my legs are pretty smooth and under my arms. Luckily I haven't lost my eyebrows but if I do, well, I suppose they will grow back too!
My family and friends had a hat party for me last weekend and I ended up with a ton of hats, scarfs, turbans...I am all set to get me through. I hope all goes well with you. We'll get there.
I am absolutely exhausted from this last round. People I know that have been through it have told me to brace myself for #3. I get it now. But I'll get there.
I hope everyone else here is hanging in there and feels as good as they possibly can!! -
Hi Rita,
It is good to read your posts. You are so upbeat and positive, you lift us up too! I grew up in Beardstown and my Mom lives in Springfield. Tae and I used to live in St Joseph next to U of I. I know it can get cold there!!! Stay cheerfull.
Terry 4 Tae. -
Amera
We got our clippers at Target. They had some for $10-15. Nothing fancy. We had a hair cutting ceremony. I used the sissors first and cut it short, then buzzed her with the clippers. Finally I used my electric shaver to finish off. It was supposed to be a quick and easy job, but it got emotional real quick. What the hey, then we went to Olive Garden. That was 11 days ago, seems like ancient times. Does this roller coaster take a break??? Hang it there.
Terry 4 Tae. -
Last Saturday was day 8 for Tae and she had the bone pain in her arms, legs, and large joints. Combine that with the fever and she was ready to toss in the towel. That was probably the worst day cause the nausea was nothing compared to the pain. Session 2 on Friday and this time we will go back on saturday for the neulasta shot. They gave Tae the neulasta right after the Adriamycin at the first session and everything I have read sez wait a day. I wonder if that contributed to the extremely low wbc count that really kicked her butt. Hope you are feeling better now. Tae has improved much since the weekend. Cheerio.
Terry 4 Tae -
Quote:
Aladora we haven't heard from you for a while. How ARE you? Are you feeling better...Aladora, you just showed us your cute little hat & disappeared. What happened?!
Another day, and a day closer to being done!!!!
MizzySissy
I'm here! I've just been super busy with life and my little guy! I promise to update tomorrow when I've got some time but I have read through all 200+ posts since my last visit to this thread and boy, can I ever relate to many of them. Especially the hair loss ones! I'm on day 14 today and have to admit that my hair is actually falling out. I guess I should set up a time to get it shaved off soon.
Promise, I'll be back tomorrow with more news and also an update on Ugly Hat Tour 2007! -
Terry,
My goodness I can not beleive that they did that to her! I read the packet information when I got my shot and it very clearly says that you MUST wait 24 hours to avoid a serious complication! That is so awful, I feel bad for Tae. Hopefully next time will be better.
Rebecca
(new chemo girl on the January block) -
T4t,
I am really shocked too...you should change doctors!!! I can't believe what they did to Tae!!!
Mizsissy -
Wow, it sound as if people are getting as wiped out by the Neulasta as the chemo. I hope it means everyone will be able to stay on schedule, but wow.
Hope you all are feeling some better today.
Amera -
That neulasta is nasty business. I laid on the couch and cried the day after I got my first shot. I hurt so bad that the pressure of the couch on the bottom of my legs was almost unbearable. Couldn't stand, couldn't sit....it was dreadful. I felt better the next day, though. I also hope that it is worth it. I am not looking forward to getting another one (this Thursday, UGH)
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Hi Terry and Tae.....Beardstown! You were a river rat, too! I grew up on the Rock River but went to WIU and stayed in Macomb for 33 years. I taught school in Lewistown during that time and drove back and forth from Macomb. Now I'm in Bloomington. You guys were smart...going for that warm weather. It's snowing like crazy here today and 5 degrees. BURR!!!
Tae....you hang in there. This journey isn't too fun but the end results will be worth it. I saw a card that I liked in the card shop yesterday. It said......When the journey is hard, the mountain is high, and the climb is all uphill, think what the view will be when you get to the top!!! :-)
Thinking of all you gals who have treatments tomorrow. Hang in there everyone. We can do it!
Rita -
Thanks, Amera, for stopping by our Feb site and for the words of encouragement. I periodically stop in on the Jan site for a "preview" of what is ahead for us. Today is my first day of chemo (A/C) and I thought I was ok but I'm getting more and more nervous. Just got to do it! I thank God everyday for these forums. They've been a lifesaver for all of us.
Take care,
Linnie (from the Feb chemo cruisers) -
Hi everyone,
I hope everyone has a good day today. Day 13 and my hair is still strong. I am "doing it" on Thursday, regardless. That is the only time my bf, who lives 1 1/2 hours away, can hold my hand. She cannot visit the following week, and I feel I will need her by my side. The place I bought my wig will cut my hair and also trim and cut the wig, and my friend can guide them as to the best cut for the wig. Besides, that way I can get to the next step.
I had a very bad day, mentally, on Sunday. I kept thinking "recurrence." I have been so positive until Sunday: probably thinking of my hair loss, and the reality of everything.
I am done "whining", and back on track. Chemo is added insurance and we all are much bigger than "it." We can and will beat this. My bf is a 29 year ovarian cancer survivor and she gave me a great positive pep talk. We are going through this chemo crap to beat the crap out of this, and our hair loss is a reminder that we are winning. It is great to be able to come to this board for feedback as well as encouragement. I hope everyone feels great today. Good luck with the 2nd or 3rd round of chemo some of you will be doing this week.
Viddie -
Hi gals,
Checkin in..had a very emotional evening and morning. I have a friend who's really tired, really down, a single mom who's been on and off chemo for about 4 years, has no husband, no support. She's usually a lot of fun, but now I am very worried about her and I don't know what to do. Anybody know of an agency that helps women like this? She's too far away for me to visit easily. I wish there was something I could do.
Day 6 after 2nd chemo and I've had a headache now for about two days and I'm still pretty tired. Not bouncing back as quickly as last time. OK, I had two (2) glasses of red wine last night. Tasted like mold but I felt good for a little while. Probably wasn't a good idea.
This turban is strange, I keep on getting the feeling that I have curlers on and I need to comb my hair out.
How are you other TC gals doing?
Mizsissy -
Well, my nurse called me last night and said that my white blood count was up to 36,000. YES.... Thirty six thousand. From .04 to 36,000 after three shots in a row of Nupagen did all that.
Was it worth it? I am not at risk of infection now, but, what are the long term side effects of this? Will I have bone problems when I'm an old lady? Will this effect the chemo since my white cells or in overdrive now? Will this take away from the chemo fighting the cancer cells? Is having too many white blood cells bad too?
Well, I fell okay. Only 9 more days until my next round of AC. They said they would lower my dose this time.
Bottom line of my first AC Chemo experience is: IT KILLED ALL MY WHITE BLOOD CELLS making me at a dangerous risk of getting a deadly infection from my own body...
No other side effects other than this so far.
Ritajean, thank you for your comment about my site. -
Hi ladies,
Nice to hear all your updates each day. I look forward to reading them. It keeps me going. It's good that we have such a good positive group here:)
Tae, glad to see you are doing well again. RobinJaye, that is great news your WBC is so high now!
Day 8 after first TC. Bone pains have been gradually fading. I did run a fever last night of 101, but tylenol brought it right down. So far so good today.
Had a visit with the Onc nurse today for blood count. Like you Mizsissy, my WBC is high. So that's good news. They plan to reduce the amount of Neulasta they will give me at round 2 to help lower the aches and pains next time.
The nurse mentioned that I seem to be experiencing symptoms later than others, but I mentioned that I have an underactive Thyroid and maybe this might be the cause. Anyone else with similar?
Cheers for now...... -
Hi...well I don't know about my blood count because I am feeling so overwhelmingly tired, it's been an emotionally exhausting day. Onc nurse told me to go to the emergency room so husband is on the way home to get me. I hope this is a false alarm.
Found out that I was supposed to be getting neupogen shots this week and the nurse at my infusion was wrong when she told me not to come in!!
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