Starting Chemo in May 07

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  • cinrae123
    cinrae123 Member Posts: 419
    edited May 2007
    o yeah,,,,,,,,,i just had it spread out between every week instead of every three weeks, The reason I chose that was because there was a lady in the office that was halfway thru and hadn't lost any hair yet,,,,,so I figured I would give it a shot. Am going on Tues for my Herceptin,,,and am going to change to the every 3 week thing. Losing hair anyways so no sense in doing it every week now.
    I also have a sore tongue,,,,,,,,what do you gals do for that?
    Cindy
  • louloubell
    louloubell Member Posts: 14
    edited May 2007
    Hi everyone,

    I hope that you are all doing okay. I am at day four from TAC (or I am day five? Is the actual day of treatment considered day 1 or 0?). I am feeling tired and off colour - like I have a huge hangover without the headache. I didn't go to work today but will try and go in tomorrow.

    I too have a funny feeling in my mouth. It feels like just before you get the flu or something. I have been making sure I keep up with the Biotene etc so hopefully that works.

    I am starting to really panic about my hair falling out. Although I have a wig already to go, it is really starting to hit me now. I have always had really long hair, so I cannot get used to the fact that I will be bald - but I know it is another hurdle that I am going to have to face!

    Take care of yourselves!

    Louise
  • NeoPat
    NeoPat Member Posts: 102
    edited May 2007
    I count treatment day was Day 1, but I don't know if there is an accepted idea on that.

    Day 5 (yesterday), I woke up feeling really bad...sick and achey. I had company in the afternoon that took my mind off it, but then had a bad time sleeping last night.

    Today I woke up feeling pretty good. Eating is still a challenge, but better. I put on one of my old bras to hold up the remaining breast. Maybe not wearing a bra for so many days is causing some of my pain. Then I did some dusting to get mild exercise. I don't think that sitting so much is doing me any good.

    I'm finding boredom to be an enemy. I can't read for long and sitting to watch TV is getting old.

    Do any of you know when the bone pain from the Neulasta shot hits if it does? If this is from that, I am in good shape. But I wonder if that is still in my future.

    Pat
  • PDXLeeAnne
    PDXLeeAnne Member Posts: 119
    edited May 2007
    Hi all,

    It sounds as if most of us are doing pretty well. I'm deep into trying to get my mind around the upcoming head shaving this week and have been wearing bandanas and buffs all weekend on a sort of test drive. My kids have been wearing them too; we're all trying to get used to it.

    I found a website with a link to a video that I found inspiring:

    http://www.crowningglory.org/

    I only hope to be so brave.

    Otherwise, I continue to feel pretty good. Stomach and mouth are just about normal, just in time for tx #2 on Thursday. I've had a ton of energy to get things done around the house and yard this weekend. Like more than I've had in years. Maybe because I know next weekend I'll be in a chemo daze? Maybe it's just a newly heightened sense of the importance of enjoying every minute... whatever the reason I'll take it.

    Hope all the Americans are enjoying their long weekend!

    Hugs to all,
    LeeAnne
  • lizzzy
    lizzzy Member Posts: 285
    edited May 2007
    Hi Everyone,

    I just found this bulletin board and this is my first post. I am having an echocardiogram on Tuesday and am scheduled to start dose dense A/C on Wednesday. Is there anyone here doing the every-two-week treatments? Anyone doing neo-adjuvant chemo?

    Looking forward to getting to know you all!

    Cheers!
    Liz
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2007
    Hi everyone (welcome Liz)

    How is everyone doing?
    For those of you about to lose your hair - be prepared for it to feel very cold! I am shocked at how cold my head still feels! This hair loss thing is a real emoitonal roller coaster! Some moments I feel really strong and okay with it and then at other times, I feel almost confrontational when people look at me (I almost want to say "WHAT ARE YOU LOOKIN' AT?) Of course, I don't - I just smile and feel better for not being a total cow! I certainly don't get any looks when I wear my wig, so if I need a break from feeling different (not in a good way), I can always wear that- but it's not my first choice that's for sure.

    I am 7 days out of tx #2 (I was told to count the day of tx as day #1). I had kind of a krappy weekend (which I was sort of expecting this time). I don't feel quite as sick as I did last time but last time I also got a cold. I still feel a little yucky today though. It's so much easier to stay positive and upbeat when you're not feeling lousy! I am doing better today though. I think I stayed up too late on Sat. nite entertaining and paid for it on Sunday.

    Not much here to report: still hanging in with SE's - which are thankfully not too bad, still bald!

    Hope you're all doing well. Good luck to those with tx's this week. I'm good now until mid June!

    Take care,
    Mandy
  • Bernadine
    Bernadine Member Posts: 49
    edited May 2007
    Hi all,
    I'm too at day 7 after my second FEC counting the chemoday as day 1 as they told me.
    I'm feeling crappy too, seasick and drowsy but not as nauseated as the first one, I crave salt big time. My stomach is all over the place and even hurting when I eat.
    Water taste like medecin and I used to drank 8-10 glass a day and I can barely drink 4cups.
    Lost the hair that's another thing driving me nuts!!!!
    Like you said Mandy "What are you looking at" but holding my lips.Had a lousy weekend feeling wousy all the time...can't sleep either
    Hope the rest of you girls going this week going to feel good afterward because we are kicking some cancer BUTT here!!!! Keep the faith....
    Nadine
  • NeoPat
    NeoPat Member Posts: 102
    edited May 2007
    Welcome, Liz. Hi, everyone.

    Liz, I am doing dd A/C, but only a week ahead of you. Day 4 and 5 were the worst for me, but mainly because of the achiness from the Neulasta shot.

    I could eat the whole time, but sometimes I had to eat a spoonful, rest, eat a spoonful, etc. to control the nausea.

    I am not looking forward to losing my hair. Maybe it will be like everything else for me and be easier once it happens. Waiting and anticipating is the worst.

    Have a great day.

    Pat
  • jenjen68
    jenjen68 Member Posts: 21
    edited May 2007
    Hi there

    Just checking in.
    This is day 7 after the 1. chemo (FEC). I have no physical side effects...but emotional Iam a wreck. Thought about quitting. First I have an appt with the pyschiatrist (sp?) tomorrow.

    @Sherry How are ya?

    Jen
  • katymom
    katymom Member Posts: 141
    edited May 2007

    Thanks for that info.....I am losing my hair more and more each day...it is getting thinner and thinner (unlike me!)...probably will be shaving it off pretty soon. I thought it wouldn't bother me, but now that it is almost time, I am somewhat apprehensive. The wigs just don't look like me! And who knows if I'll be apply to get the scarves to look right! Oh well, just another part of the process.....it too will pass! Hang in there. I get treatment #2 on Thursday and am hoping for a similar experience as the first one!

  • chemo072
    chemo072 Member Posts: 682
    edited May 2007
    re: crowning glory - thank you for that video! Wow. Last night my dad was asking me for the metaphor of what this feels like, and apart from "dying inside" or imagining little chemo sharks going after those bastard cancer cells, I didn't have an image. Now I do - immolation. And the best part? After that, regeneration. There's a 2nd part to this journey, and though this first part sucks worse than anything I've ever felt in my life the regeneration and renewal part is a golden carrot, something to look forward to. See http://imaginebrightfutures.wordpress.com/2007/05/29/crowning-glory/
    for more.

    Jen - I wanted to quit too, and frankly I do every day. But then I think of how much, and how fiercely I want to live, and how much chemo increases my chances, and how I only have two more rounds of A/C to go (the A = your E), and how I couldn't live with myself having given up that chance. Even though my quality of life today, and this summer, is greatly decreased.

    re: being bald, one small secret: the shower feels SOOO good on my head...Makes me jealous to think that no one told me how good that feels before, feel like I've been missing out. I had really thick hair before, this is the first time I've felt the shower water pulsing on my scalp...it feels amazing. Sorry for TMI, but my take is to take comforts where you can as they're few and far between these days.

    I had this flash of insight the other day: I have to go through this whole experience whether I'm grumpy and cranky and hating it (which I think is entirely justified and normal) OR if I find a way to "love what is" (http://www.amazon.com/Loving-What-Four-Questions-Change/dp/1400045371/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-9251031-3476829?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180447941&sr=8-1) and roll with it.

    BTW, how do you make a link in a post?

    Liz, welcome.

    On to A/C #3 on Thursday May 31....who else is "up at the bar" this week?
  • sherry35
    sherry35 Member Posts: 409
    edited May 2007
    Hi everyone,
    Boy, it sure sounds like out experiences are all over the board. Physically I haven't been that bad. I do get really frustrated that going downstairs to do a load of laundry and coming back up again wears me out. And that I can't sleep for more than 2 or 2 1/2 hours at a time.
    I had a bad mental health day yesterday, I was teary and just couldn't find anything about this that didn't suck. I know that great things will come out of it in the end, but on a bad mental health day it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnle.

    Jen, hang in there, I know it's easier said than done, but I think there are times when we all want to quit this crap. None of us chose to do this, but we are here, and when you think of the alternative we have to do this. I'm glad you are going to see someone to talk about what you are going through. I'm no psychiatrist, but I do know that talking about it made it real and it helps to get stuff off of your chest. Medication may also be necessary for depression. I know, another medication is not what anyone wants, but it may help. You see, I have anxiety panic disorder, have for about 12 years, and I take an anti depressant and an anti anxiety drug everyday for it. I think that has been what has helped me hold it together as well as I have so far. Of course I have my days, I don't think we'd be human if we didn't.
    Just know that we are all here with you and you are not alone.
    Blessings,
    Sherry
  • PDXLeeAnne
    PDXLeeAnne Member Posts: 119
    edited May 2007
    I'm up to the bar this week too. A/C #2 on Thursday. I need a massage... thinking about it has me tense already!

    LeeAnne
  • louloubell
    louloubell Member Posts: 14
    edited May 2007
    Hi everyone,

    Well, I am up to day 7 from my first TAC, and quite frankly I am feeling really good. I still have a slight hung-over feeling (that is the only way that I can describe it), but compared to the weekend - I am feeling great! I even had my first full nights sleep last night. Marc was threatening to make me sleep on the couch if I woke him up one more time .

    Last night I had really bad heartburn which I have never suffered from before, but at the time it felt like I was having a heart attack!

    I had my first day back at work yesterday which was nice. I think that it did me good just doing my "normal" thing. I had periods during the day where I felt horrible, but all in all - it went really well.

    It is so great to hear from you all, and find out what everyone else is experiencing - and to know that what I am feeling is normal (especially water tasting disgusting, sore mouth etc)!

    So sorry to hear that some of you are feeling so terrible. Just take good care of yourselves, and remember that time is the greatest healer.

    Take care,

    Lou
  • chumfry
    chumfry Member Posts: 642
    edited May 2007
    I get my second weekly taxol/carboplatin on Friday, but I've bounced pretty good from my first infusion on May 25, so I think I'm going to try to go back to work part-time next week. With the weekly treatments, the dosage is less so the side effects aren't as horrible. (At least so far!)

    I was a little queasy, tired and weak for a few days but I'm feeling fine now. I hope that's the pattern for the rest of the treatments! Fingers crossed!
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2007
    Glad to hear you're doing well Lou!

    I am feeling a little miserable today - not too bad - I really shouldn't even complain but I am anyways.

    I've been feeling a little down the past couple of days and voiced my feelings to a friend today. It is so much easier to stay up and positive when you're feeling well physically! And, I have been so UP and POSITIVE! In fact, people can't believe what a "wonderful attitude I have", "how do I do it" they ask? They "certainly couldn't" - they tell me. So, yes, I've been feeling confident that this will all work out well and I'll live a long and healthy life yet...but let's face it, we're all human and there are times when you think "I hope this isn't for nothing" Do I feel that all the time? Of course not, not even very often - it's just been a bad couple of days. I've been a little nauseaus, major heartburn, tired, feeling generally krappy and bald! So, I expressed this to my friend today and she said "Oh you don't want to think that - you invite all kinds of s**t into your life if you think like that" I got kind of angry with her. I said I am entitled to feel a little sorry for myself and not feel like I am somehow contributing to illness and inviting all this bad stuff by having weak moments - and they ARE only moments!

    It's true - I can only control how I react to this whole journey and if I say so myself - I have been doing an awesome job...but to imply that I am going to make myself ill or even die because I have a weak moment where I am simply venting, really irks me! I DO believe in positive energy and good thoughts - I really do, but I also think anyone would feel a little down with all this cell death taking place in their bodies - not to mention probably hormonal action by now.

    Have any of you found this to be true? People either expect you to be bedridden wrecks or happy, bubbly people who seem unaffected by the whole thing. Truth is sometimes it's both!

    Anyways, that's my rant for the day - sorry to be a complainer - this is the only place where I can say this and assume that at least one other person knows EXACTLY how I feel. I'm going to force myself outside for a slow run - get soem exercise, blow some stink off myself and enjoy the rest of our beautiful Alberta evening - mosquitos and all!

    Hope you are all doing well.
    Mandy
  • chumfry
    chumfry Member Posts: 642
    edited May 2007
    Mandy, that happens all the time with me, too. We are all doing our best but there's no getting around the fact that this situation seriously SUCKS!!! It sucks that cancer even exists, much less that we all have it.

    But like you said, most of the time, I'm dealing pretty well with things. What I've found though is that it's really hard to talk about this sort of thing with people who have never been through it. People who haven't been touched by cancer range from "You're so amazing!" to "What did you do to make the cancer happen?"

    I think the latter are just trying to find some safety for themselves. "I'm not like her, so I won't get BC." Whereas the truth is that everyone's at risk. Isn't it 85% of us who have no family history for BC?

    I've gotten a little cynical with the people who gush about how brave I am and how they're sure they couldn't manage nearly as well. My response is: "Well, I don't know about that. You know, we're *all* hard-wired to survive. I'm sure you'd do just fine."
  • chemo072
    chemo072 Member Posts: 682
    edited May 2007
    Hey Mandy -
    See http://imaginebrightfutures.wordpress.com/2007/05/08/a-bad-attitude-excellent/

    I fully claim my right to be snarky and complain! ....I have a musician friend who has a song "I feel so bad" that goes on for quite a while, and after a while it gets silly, because he's got it out of his system with all his complaining that he's finally able to get up on an even keel... They way my artist friends explained it to me is that feeling bad - complaining, singing the blues, or listening to screaming metal, or whatever it is you do when you feel bad is absolutely necessary to feeling better....that you can't get back up without acknowledging what it is to be down. That's their theory at least. But these days, when I feel bad I tell it like it is. So complain away!
  • louloubell
    louloubell Member Posts: 14
    edited May 2007
    Hi Mandy,

    I just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you. This is such a horrible thing to go through, and when you are not feeling yourself things seem a million times worse than if you were feeling fine.

    I know that there is nothing I can do to make you feel any better, but I just wanted you to know that we are all here for you, and any time you want to vent - we will be here to listen.

    Take care of yourself (I am off to a doctors appointment as I have come out in a rash all over my back....just what I need at the moment)!

    I hope that everyone else is okay...

    Lou
  • ocinny414
    ocinny414 Member Posts: 123
    edited May 2007
    Day 1 of tx2 and I feel good. I had cytoxin/taxotere this time. I felt good when I left the oncs office and even worked 3 hours tonight. We will see how I feel tomorrow. I'm laying in bed with my laptop sitting on my lap. Not sure if it is the computer or what but I'm really hot. HMMM maybe its hot flashes. NAA I hope not. Not ready for those yet. I haven't posted for a few days but I've been feeling really good. I felt like I was back to my old self again, hopefully tx2 will be the same as tx1 and I will feel awsome in a few days. The first time the Nuelasta shot didn't even bother me. I had a lower back ache the next day but that went away.
    I'm thinking about everyone who is having problems and side effects. I just remember on my bad days that it will get better.
    Have a great week and good luck to all those who are up this week.
    I don't have to go back for 3 weeks cause my onc is out of the office for the week I'm supose to go in again so they gave me a week off. woohooo.
    Talk to you all later,
    CindyKS
  • PDXLeeAnne
    PDXLeeAnne Member Posts: 119
    edited May 2007
    Mandy wrote: "Have any of you found this to be true? People either expect you to be bedridden wrecks or happy, bubbly people who seem unaffected by the whole thing. Truth is sometimes it's both!"

    Oh my yes. I wrote an entire blog entry about it last night: The Road Bump: Defying Expectations

    People call and are shocked that I'm up and about and productive. What am I going to do? Go to bed for 6 months? I think that's what they expect. And the whole "I don't know HOW you do it" speech. It was bad enough when I was just a single mom, working full time. Add bc to that and I'm really freaking people out.

    None of us asked to be poster children for bc. None of us wanted to have this life experience. And yeah, we can choose how we think about it and most of the time I, too, am positive and see that I am learning great things because of it. But other times (like right now) when I have a headache and heartburn and tonight is the last night of hair for who knows how many months, I feel like it's a nightmare I can't wake up from. I don't know how to think about anything else, or talk about much else. I am entitled to bitch and moan and cry and scream when I need to. We all are. That's why we're here, right?

    LeeAnne
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2007
    CindyKS, Amy, Lou and Lee Anne - thanks so much for your posts regarding my little whinefest!

    Cindy, I agree that people are hard wired to survive and that it's out strongest instinct. I don't think I'm super woman or anything - I just have managed to not have a complete breakdown (yet, anyways!) and for that I am kind of proud of myself. I do appreciate positive feedback from people (I've always been a "gold star" kind of person) but lately these comments seem almost condescending...maybe I'm just really sensitive! And if I have one more person say 'Oh it's only hair"- which I KNOW and BELIEVE intellectually, I'll scream because if it's 'only hair' then how come only one person has offered to shave their heads in a show of support for me? (Of course, I would NEVER ask anyone to do that but I was certainly touched by the gesture!)

    Amy - your blog is so bang on. I too, feel "out of my body" sometimes. To go through this (chemo)4 more times seems overwhelming sometimes. There is a lot to this whole journey and so far the only things that have been positive is the TRUE appreciation I have for my life and the love I have been shown...the rest sucks big time! Your blog is so honest - I love it - you're an excellent writer!

    Lou - thanks for the encouragement, I hope you continue to feel well!

    LeeAnne - Your blog is also great! By the way, I LOVE your scarf/buff look! It really suits you - gives you an edge! I agree that sometimes I, too seem obsessed with cancer tratments and am in constant assessment of my physical state. I need to get away for a weekend and just try to forget about this whole bc thang!

    Anyways, thanks for listening and understanding ladies - it really does mean so much!
    Mandy
  • DebbieK
    DebbieK Member Posts: 116
    edited May 2007
    I just had to weigh in here. I am part of the June 07 group, but started with you guys because I was originally starting chemo in May.

    Anyway, I also have been amazed by the comments. Most of them are well intentioned, but sometimes you just want to ask them how we can deal with this any differently. All of us are just going day by day and trying to live our lives around this darn disease. This has been such a learning experience for me; maybe you have to walk this trail to really understand.

    As far as hair loss, the only people who will shave their heads for me are my husband and my son. My best friend just couldn't do it much as she wanted to to support me. I don't blame her really. But if someone tells me, "it's just hair", I will hand them the clippers and see how they feel!

    After three surgeries, I barely feel like my body is my own; certainly doesn't look or feel the way it used to. Guess I will get used to it.

    I hope all of you May gals are doing well on your chemo trip. Take care, Debbie
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2007
    Things I've learned on this journey so far:

    My head isn't as big as I thought it was and is in fact, quite lumpy.

    Being delivered with forceps, gives you a lumpy head!

    Haivng no hair is really cold and a really strange sensation but feels good in the shower!

    Exercising without hair means that my sweat runs straight into my ears and hence my ipod earphones because there is no hair to catch it!

    I would take my absolute worst hair day over a no hair day!

    I am willing to give up my hair for a few months in order to have a better chance at a long and healthy life!

    Pizza and Jalapeno poppers are a REALLY stupid meal to eat when you are just getting over a few days of major heartburn.

    While I have no underarm, pubic or head hair, my hair on my legs continues to grow at a very slow rate but still means I have to shave every 3 or 4 days!

    I am thankful to still have my eyebrows and eyelashes.

    Some of the people in my life are amused at my bald headed appearance...sometimes this pisses me off! Other times, I laugh along with them.


    I don't have the courage to go commando in public or even in my own yard - which is good because the mosquitos would have a field day!

    I wonder if mosquitos who drink my chemo blood lose their hair, suffer heartburn or other SE'S?

    This board is a wonderful way for me to get support without submerging myself in breast cancer by joining all the support groups offered in my city - I think they're great but I don't want to swim in this!

    Although I wish none of us had to come here, it is reassuring to know I can come here to celebrate, to vent, to complain, to ask questions, to get hope and support. Thanks to all of you for this!

    I'm an amazing woman (we all are!) and I have an amazing life and for that I am so GRATEFUL!

    Have a great day everybody.
    Mandy
  • ocinny414
    ocinny414 Member Posts: 123
    edited May 2007
    Day 2 DX 2
    Went well today. I had cytoxin/Taxotere yesterday and I'm felling ok. Have not had any nausea or anything like that. Just a little heartburn and I've been really tired. I slept most of the day and did not go into work tonight. I go for the Nuelasta shot tomorrow and hopefully it will not affect me again this time. I just has a backache for a few hours last time. I'm glad I'm feeling well.
    I talked to my daughter and she is planning on visiting me in July for 3 weeks or so. That will be fun but she wants to go visit friends in towns where she lived. Not sure where I'm gonna come up with the money for all the travel but I guess we will manage. Guess we could take the tents and camp out. That would be alot of fun, not sure how she would feel about it. She lives with her dad who is a doctor so he makes good money. I'm not worried she's my daughter and alot like me.
    Anyway just wanted to give an update on how I'm feeling.

    Mandy: thanks for the list of things you've learned. I can relate to most of them. I wondered about mosquitos as well. I got a bite right after I got home from my first treatment.
    Hope everyone is feeling well,
    CindyKS
  • kf67
    kf67 Member Posts: 1
    edited May 2007

    This discussion board is such an encouragement to me.

  • lizzzy
    lizzzy Member Posts: 285
    edited May 2007
    Just wanted to post a quick note to say hi and I survived treatment #1 day 1. Feel pretty ok but a little weird but not in a really bad way.

    Still catching up with old posts to try and get to know all of you.
  • cinrae123
    cinrae123 Member Posts: 419
    edited May 2007
    Hello girls,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Ok,,,,,,,,I did it,,,,,,,,I had my daughter and hubby shave my head last night. I was losing so much hair,,,,,,,,,I just couldnt take it anymore. So I said,,,,,,,thats it family,,,,,,off it goes. Now I gotta admit,,,,,,,we had a group hug and cried,,,,,,,,,but honestly,,,,I was just so tired of finding hair every where,,,when they shaved it,,,,,,,,I was totally ok with it. They say I have a nice shaped head,,,,,,but its very small,,,,,so on this body at the moment I look like a freak. But its ok,,,,,,,,,I'm just gonna have to deal with it. Its not so bad after all actually. I wont let anyone else see me bald,,,,,just my hubby, daughter and son. I went to the store tonight for the first time with my wig,,,,,,,,it may have been my imagination but I felt like people were looking at me. I really dont think they were,,,,,,,,I just havent gotten to that feel good confidence level thing yet. But I will.
    I also switched over to the every 3 week thing. No sense in doing it every week,,,as the only reason I was was to possibly save the great follicular fallout,,,,,but not the case. And also I will finish with this all earlier and hopefully I will have more better days than bad days. Doing it weekly I was feeling like crap for 3 or 4 days a week,,,,,,,,,I start on the every 3rd week thing on this Monday,,,,,,so should be interesting to see how my body will react to it all at once. Will keep you posted.
    And I agree with you ladies,,,,,,,we are all entitled to be grumpy,,,,,,feel sorry for ourselves on occassion,,,,and complain and bitch. I know for me,,,on my bad days,,,,,,,,,,omg my poor family, I feel bad for them. This week has been such a good week for me. I feel like myself again. Now check in on me next week on my bad days,,,,and that will be a total different story. But shoot,,,we are entitled, I think.
    Hope you are all good,,,,,,,,,take care,,,,,,,,
    Cindy
  • louloubell
    louloubell Member Posts: 14
    edited May 2007
    Hi everyone,

    I just love this discussion board!! I can check in at any time of the day and hear the thoughts of other people going through exactly what I am. Somethings I read in sympathy, others have me laughing hysterically...either way - it is great therapy for me.

    I went to the doctors yesterday about the rash on my back (I have about 30 little red spots), and have been diagnosed with folliculitis (imflammation of the hair follicles)! Apparently it is a common infection with chemo as your immune system is so low. I am back on antibiotics so that it does not spread, and have to monitor my temperature as my neutrophils (white blood cells) have dropped to 0.2 (which apparently is pretty low).

    In myself I am feeling great - totally back to normal. I am back at work and have 13 more days until TAC number 2!

    Still absolutely dreading the hair loss. I am so inspired and comforted by those of you who have shaved it off. I am scared that I wont even be able to look at myself in the mirror (I sound vain...but really I'm not) - I just cannot imagine having no hair ! From my calculations I have about another 6 days or so of "hair" days, so I am not going to think about it until then.

    Well, take care and I will be thinking of you all!

    Lou
  • kimvidito
    kimvidito Member Posts: 105
    edited May 2007
    Hi everyone
    I am on day 8 post chemo. Cindy you are brave, my hair is thinning and it looks awful. I may shave it this weekend. Ever stupid what scares us and not the tx but loosing our hair. It's a girl thing. I was watching Oprah this week and she had this mother daughter contract on loving yourself as who you are. My daughter said to me " see mom, you have to love yourself even if you're going to loose your hair. You are so strong going through all of this." I guess as a mother I have to show her that I love myself even if all these physical changes are occuring. So everyone remember to be strong and fight!! Love all of yourself.
    I saw positive girls club is not aroung anymore so I'm posting something positive. I felt alright after chemo. About 24hrs of nausea. I wish my cough and allergies were better but they will go away. We are going on a little trip to Toronto next week. My son got his wish through the starlight foundation. He is getting his book published and the publisher is meeting him. Guess What? We are also going to meet Stephen King. He is my son's favorite and Mr. King wanted to meet him and talk to him about his book. My son is sooooo excited. This should be a lot of fun!!!!!
    Take care out there everyone
    Stay positive and keep posting. I love reading all of your journeys
    Kim

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