Starting Chemo in JAN 2007
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Joni, I am sure you can wear a wig for a passport photo. People change their hair all the time, and many people chose to wear wigs even if they have hair. I guess if it looks like you, it's fine.
I was at rads today and the waiting room was full. There were several ladies there who finished with chemo at the end of Feb. They both had enough hair to go topless. It was short and grey but I actually asked one of them if she'd had chemo because her hair looked so deliberate. One was still wearing a wig. She had almost as much hair as the other, but it looked more like hair that was growing in, not a style. I cannot wait! -
I had the biweekly Taxol too. Today is two weeks post-chemo! I still have some numbness in my toes but it comes and goes. I have the white fuzz but no signs of hair! It really got to me today. My wig was itching so bad and I'm sick of wearing it. The hospital called about prescreening for my surgery on 5/1. When I asked about the lymphatic mapping and if I would be awake, the nurse said yes, you better take a Xanax that morning. How comforting! My surgeon hasn't called me back yet so I can tell her about my PS that I don't like. I am starting to get nervous about the next step. What if I get sick? I don't want to put this off any longer. I have lived with knowing about this bc since 11/25. I want it out! Those of you who had the surgery first are lucky in that regard. However I think I was stronger for the chemo and able to work and exercise because I had it before the surgery. When I look at breast reconstruction web page here I get so confused -- some say get the ps at the same time and expand because radiated skin won't expand well. Others say wait and you'll have a better result.
BTW, I believe you do not need a passport if you are driving in/out of Canada,just flying or by boat. That changes on 1/1/08 and you will then need a passport. I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure that's right as I live just across the border from Windsor.
I'll keep all of you still in chemo and traveling in my prayers. -
Hey Skye,
Since the arm is only sensitive, but not swollen, I will keep an eye on it and will mention it to my onc next Tuesday. The problem is that I had polio in my left arm when I was two, which means it has limited use. So, I have to use the right arm, because it's my only "good" arm.
Yes, I have the chemo every other week. My next one is on Tuesday, and on Wednesday I take 1 capsule of Aleve in the morning and at night. Thursday the pain starts and that's when I use two Aleve in the morning and two at night. The same on Friday. Saturday I used one in the morning and two at night, because the pain got worse. However, this second chemo was much easier than the first one, because of the double dose. Just make sure you take it after a meal, so it doesn't upset your stomach. -
I have white lines going acoss each of my fingernails, one after each treatment, so I believe that I have cut off Chemo #1 & 2 already.
This week, my big toenail has turned purple...anybody else have that? I have heard of this on Taxol but not FEC. Oh, well just goes to show that s/e can happen on any of them.
I wish we could buy Aleve in Canada, but you can only get it by prescription here.
We are currently having a blizzard, so I didn't go into town to get my passport papers and stuff, but thanks for all your tips. Amera, I think you are probably right about the wigs....but I know that they say they like you to remove your glasses and not to smile nowadays.
Does anybody that lost their eyebrows & eyelashes have any growth back, and if so, how long has it been since your last chemo. I find the eyebrows really hard to not have.
Sit on it triple chin Humpty...and live with it!! HA HA
Hugs to all...
Joni -
Joni, it's been 4 weeks since my last chemo. I still have about 6 eyebrows left over. The new ones are coming back in very light but I can see new dark growth just barely starting. I agree. I hate having no eyebrows. Makes me look like an alien. My eyelashes seem to be taking a lot longer. One of the women at rads today with the most hair still didn't have lashes 2 months out. I guess those take a lot longer. I still go to put on mascara and then realize there's nothing there to put it on.
I cannot imagine the hair on my head will look like these ladies' did in another month. I still have very short, almost clear stubble. You can hardly see it. There are a few dark hairs here and there but much of my head is still smooth. -
Joni - my eyelashes are practically gone and my eyebrows are very, very thin. But the eyebrows started growing back after my last tx. I guess they will fall out again since I'm not done yet. This is the first time I've noticed new growth and don't know why it would happen now. The really strange part is that there are lots of tiny short new eyebrow hairs on my right side, but very few on the left.
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This is the first time I've noticed new growth and don't know why it would happen now.
Jan, this happened to me too. I noticed new growth between treatments 3 and 4, but not the others. The nurse said it would fall out 2 weeks after #4 but would grow for good after that. I don't think it ever fell out but doesn't seem to have grown any since then. Maybe it did fall out and I just didn't notice. I doubt it though as I've been paying really close attention since I first noticed.
I also had to shave the hair on my legs a couple of weeks ago but it hasn't really grown back since. Very strange. -
With my thin light eyebrows and the few lashes I really remind myself of Lord Voldemort from the first Harry Potter movie. Makeup still makes a difference - then Lord Voldemort disappears, but not all the way. However, I keep reminding myself that it's only temporary.
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It is probably not too late to get a port. You have herceptin for a year and they would probably approve you getting one, if you want it. It does make it so much easier- even when they are taking your blood.
VIDDIE, I'M SUCH A WIMP. I CAN'T STAND THE THOUGHT OF IV'S FOR A YEAR....OR A PORT.. OR EVEN A SIMPLE BLOOD TEST. I ABOUT JUMPED FOR JOY THE OTHER DAY AT MY DR. OFFICE WHEN THEY DIDN'T DRAW ANY BLOOD. -
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I ABOUT JUMPED FOR JOY THE OTHER DAY AT MY DR. OFFICE WHEN THEY DIDN'T DRAW ANY BLOOD.
Me too! I nearly passed out when the radiation folks told me they needed a blood draw. Luckily the nurse used a "baby butterfly needle." I think it's the one they use on children. Apparently there are many folks there with veins shot from chemo...and the elderly. I swear I'm the youngest person there by 20 years at least. -
I did tell you guys that my onco. said my new "color" was here to stay, right? I hate to be the bearer of bad news...
I got my Tamoxifen rx in the mail today. So when should I begin... hmmm.. I think it's weird that he left it up to me. I also got an appt. card for June 19. I can't believe I'm going that long appointmentless. New word! This is strange new territory here in Cancer World. Jan, I do feel like I've relocated there....that blog really summed it up.
My brother is still not in. I imagine he'll get here about 10:30-11:00. Such a long ride from Boston. I hate to do it in the summer, but I like having my car. -
PS---This is the first time anyone from my family or friends will see me since before my dx. It's going to be a "PIA" to keep up this scarf thing all weekend. I'll def. feel way too awkward going topless or even nearly topless.... when my mother came here in Dec. she couldn't look at my head. It freaked her out.
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Baby butterfly needle... hmmmm.. I may have to inquire about that when I go for Herceptin on Wed. I feel like I was sprung from jail only to be dragged back in three weeks later! I am beginning to dread the every 3 week Herceptin only because it's an IV. The s/e's don't bother me a bit.
Amera, I am def. one of the younger ones too, but I have seen quite a few my age and even younger. One poor girl is prob. 30, tops, and on chemo for life. That smartened me up quick from asking questions like how many tx's are you doing? I felt terrible. She had a great attitude, though.... -
Jan, was it you who said you and the other "scarved" woman smiled at each other?
I had a similar moment at a BC conference a month ago. This woman, about my age, and I had the same wig. We both could tell, too, so easily... We looked like doubles...it was hysterical. -
TPPJ - yup, that was me. I love the same wig story!!!! I was with a friend of mine at a conference years ago when the same thing happened to her. She was wearing a wig just for fun (looked great on her) when another woman walked into the room with the same wig. Hilarious.
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What does that mean?
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pain in the ....
I had to google it to figure it out -
Joni - you are right. I think nail discoloration can come with all the chemos. Tae has been obsessed with her darkened nailbeds, peeling cuticles and fingers. I read that nail polish may not be a good idea during chemo, but her onc said go ahead - just make sure they take care with the cuticles - no cuts or scratches. Now she has bright red toenails.
Tae will switch over to taxotere from taxol tomorrow morning. 2 more treatments and done. Onc said the s/e will probably be milder than taxol. Is anyone experiencing cold sweats? Can't figure this one out. An onc nurse said it is the steroids, then the onc said it is a taxol s/e. Another nurse said it is low red cell count. JEEZ Who wants to be a millionaire? Whats the final answer? No fever anymore, but still cold sweats.
No blizzard here. Beautiful 71 degrees in Alabama.
Terry 4 Tae -
Got it.
T4T I have the cold sweats too. I have hot flashes, then cold sweats, but my blood counts have always been good..so I would say it's just a side effect of the chemo.
I keep using a warm or cool face cloth when I have either. Also, when my cold sweats get bad I take a warm bath, otherwise I get the shakes.
I'm jealous of your warm weather Terry & Tae. Suppose to warm up by Sunday here.
I might try the red toenail polish, better than one purple toe.
Hugs...
Joni -
"The hospital called about prescreening for my surgery on 5/1. When I asked about the lymphatic mapping and if I would be awake, the nurse said yes, you better take a Xanax that morning. How comforting!"
You can put it on before you go the hospital, all around and on the nipple area. (Use a QTip or gloves, it will numb your fingers) Or request that it be applied once you get there prior to the injections. Xanax will not help the pain from the injections.
I can't believe that don't offer that and just suggest Xanax.
You deserve better.
Cindy -
I get cold sweats all the time my back constantly feels cold and clammy . I have no clue what its from but sure do hope it goes away after chemo . I am always cold unless i am in bed under my blankets only then does the feeling go away . Funny thing though I do not actually "sweat" dry as a bone have not used deo since starting chemo but i feel a bit like a clam .
Today I spent most of the day outside in the backyard and at my neighbours . We had homemade soup and grilled cheese for lunch sat on the deck and enjoyed the sun . Looks like spring is here yipee .......
If travelling by land or sea we do not need a passport to get across the border yet only by air , but I am going to apply anyway . this is posted on the canadian website
For Canadians travelling from Canada to the United States: Since January 23, 2007, a new American law requires everyone entering the United States BY AIR to have a valid passport. Canadians can continue to use such documents as their birth certificates and drivers' licence to cross the Canada-U.S. border BY LAND AND SEA for at least another year.
Tomorrow and the weekend are supposed to be great here just what I need to get the cobwebs out of my brain .
Its already April 19th pretty soon we will all be done this dope -
Thanks, Jan, for the My Cancer Blog address again. A good one today on the Virginia Tech horror. - Skye
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Hi Robertin,
Well, at least I don't feel like the Lone Ranger on the biweekly schedule. Thanks for sharing your Aleve schedule, I'm going to get some when I pick up my Emend on Saturday. Double dose, whatever it takes. Thanks for that! And you don't look at all like He Who Must Not be Named, LOL.
Amera has it been 4 weeks already since your last? You should be going topless in no time.
TPPJ, getting the port is no big deal, you will not know a thing and it heals quickly. I'm a total needlephobe and cannot imagine getting a year's worth of Herceptin by IV. They had a terrible time just getting a vein for that last MUGA scan...I had three of them in there working on it, butterfly and all.
Tae and Terry, so glad you still had time to switch to a milder one. Hope that works better for you. I've been afraid to use polish since my dx because I'm always examining my nails for the discoloration or lines, and so far I only have one faint white line over the moon on my left thumb. T4T, Joni and Shorti I also get the cold sweats, especially on the back of my neck. I associate it with Taxol but heck, could be one of any 40 substances I ingest or get injected with these days. How can we even tell which thing is doing what? I was reminding my dh the other day of our early married days when the only medicine we ever had in the house was a bottle of aspirins, and it would last us for years! - Skye -
Hi all,
I had my first taxol/herceptin today. It was 3 1/2 hours. I slept through it because they gave me benedryl and 3 pills of zofran. Luckily I had no allergic reactions. Hopefully I will have a good weekend before bone pain kicks in.
Tae and Terry,
I hope Tae reacts better to taxotere. Does she go every week or every 2 weeks? It is almost over.
I am always cold. My DH was not happy when I had the heat on 73 today and I was still cold. He was wearing his tee shirt and sweat was dripping off him. And then in the middle of night when the heat is on 60, I am sweating. Go Figure.
I gotta get some sleep.
Good night all,
Viddie -
Put what on? What is the name of "it"? Some kind of Creme? Sorry I know see it's EMLA Creme. Do you need a prescription?
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Sorry - I just saw the header == EMLA creme. Thanks.
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Mary...take the Xanax if they give it to you also! When I had mine done they gave me some kind of numbing injection before they did the dye. It was unpleasant, but not agonizing and as soon as the injection part was over it was fine. Of course they did mine right before surgery and I was so upset that they had to trank me . I think that the combo of the numbing shot and the valium helped.
I wish that nobody would ever have to undergo this....I am thinking of you, consider yourself hugged. -
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Is anyone experiencing cold sweats?
Me, me (jumping up and down and fanning myself)! I asked the nurse about this yesterday and she said it was because of the "hit" your ovaries take from chemo. Made sense to me. The other women at rads were having them too. Some pre-menopause, some post, some not sure yet.
Funny how we get such conflicting info. -
YECK
Not sure if I am having cold sweats but I am definately running on extremes...COLD (brrrrrrrrrr many sweaters and fuzzy socks) HOT HOT HOT (fan me and strip!). The hot flashes have been much worse at night, but they are creeping up into the afternoon now. All I have to say is that I am glad I got two sleep hats, because one of them is always in the wash because of sweatyness.
Gorgous here today! The sun has returned, and there is a glorious blue sky. Supposed to be in the mid 70's tomorrow. I plan to bask like a lizard -
Hey girls,
Well, I'm down to one last Taxotere to go on May 10th, then my onc.wants me to have a 4 week break, do a MUGA scan before my loading dose of Herceptin on June 7th.
I had a great meeting with him yesterday. We went through my entire case, looked over all the pathology reports, treatment I am getting etc.
In a nutshell, based on my specific tumour characteristics, ( ER+90%, PR+ 50%, 1.7 cm & 1.0 cm. tumours, stage 1, grade 2, mucinious - also known as colloid - this is a rare form of BC that is slow growing, low grade, node negative - so these are what he calls the good prognastic factors - coupled with my Her2 neu +++ - this is a poorer prognastic factor - however he explained to me that there are 2 types of factors he uses to predict outcome -
1. prognostic factors - i.e. - what God gave you
2. predictive factors - what you can do to change what God gave you ( i.e. treatment factors) - for me, he said giving an anthracyline chemo (I had epirubicin - the E in the FEC), along with the Taxane drug Taxotere - cancels the 20% bad effect of the Her 2 neu +. I will also be getting Tamoxifen and/or an AI. He also said that while being Her 2 neu+ is a poorer prognastic factor, in the predictive factor category, again - how you treat it,we can take excellent advantge of Herceptin, to improve survival, again in my case by another 40%. So in a nutshell, he indicated that for me, he predicts "well over a 90% cure rate" - yes he used that word cure - I questioned him on this and he reconfirmed it. Ladies, of course we were thrilled - he is a cautious onc., and I have to tell you when we originally saw him in early Nov. 2006, he was less optimistic because of the Her2 amplification - but with the recently released hugely successful trials on early Her2 neu + stagers, the stats and I suppose prognosis have improved - all I can say is thank heaven for Herceptin.
So although we are all in different situations, I wanted to share this good news with you, my BC sisters, to continue to have hope. This will be of particular interest to Skye, Viddie, Tina and I believe RobbinJaye who are also Her 2 neu +. Again, no one's "mix" of prognastic factors are exactly alike, but hopefully everyone will have great success with their treatments.
Speaking of which, my Taxotere infusion was uneventful yesterday, had an hour nap in the late afternoon, ate dinner, which I could barely taste, did some computer work. I thought I would sleep better because of the rocking news, but I think my friends the steriods affected my sleep - so I only got in about 6 hours. And yes, those night sweats keep coming. On with the sleep cap, off with sleep cap.. Oy!!
They are calling for wonderful weather her this weekend - 4 solid days of low - mid 70 degrees, sunny with no sign of rain. I clearly see enjoying my deck ( with major sunscreen on) for the first time this season... that will be nice.
Will try to check in on the posts I missed yesterday, I just wanted to get out this "good news" one ASAP.
hugs,
Caya
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