Starting Chemo in May 07

Cindy, I got mine at Enids! I got another one too. I will upload that picture so you can see what it looks like. I bought it without bangs but went in yesterday to have bangs cut. I don't usually wear bangs but with the wig I think it looks more natural.

Pat, I hope you heal quickly from your fall!

Hope everyone is doing well. I'm on day 3 and I feel better than I did on day 2 so I'm going to go try to run a few miles.

Liz,,,,,,,,,,,ok girl,,,,so far I have seen 3 different styles on you here,,,,,lol The first one is you with your own hair, I am assuming? And todays is different that yesterdays,,,,,,,,,,,are these two your wigs? Cause if so,,,,,,,,they are absolutely adorable. I only got one wig,,,,I was hoping to wear some scarves,,,,,but I dont think scarves look good on me,,,,,,,lol There was a gal in the drs office today that had a really cute scarf on and she said she got it at Claires,,,,its an accessory shop in the mall,,,,,,who would have thought. So I might go over there and check them out. It has like elastic in the back and you dont have to tie them and it kinda poufs out so it doesnt fit so snug on your head.........worth a shot. Have a great weekend all,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Cindy

Cindy, I go to Dr. Fong. He practices in Mission Viejo and Laguna Hills. Aren't you going to someone in Irvine? That's really close to me. We should have lunch sometime.

Is that a wig in your picture? It looks really nice. Enid has a lot of really cute wigs. You're right, those last two pics are my wigs and I'm very happy. But I'm collecting scarves and turbans. Oh and I got this great underhair that I can wear with a hat and put into a ponytail for the gym. It's so cute and the cheapest thing I've bought so far. It was around $50 I think. Just nice silky long straight hair. It looks really nice just under a straw hat or a ball cap or even a scarf--I like those scarves that have ties in the back and a flap, then you don't have to have any tying skills.

I hope everyone is feeling good and too busy to post because it's been pretty quiet here for a few days.

Hi LeAnne! Loved your pic from the young survivors group! I had DD A/C Thursday as well, #4! This time is slower though, but the insurance co. took away my kytril (arrgh) and zofran just isn't as effective for me...so I'm slow. Even with the steroids! But just think, the A/C is over.....and then on to something completely different: taxol.

Happy Friday night to all too!

Cindy, The underhair looks nice under all kinds of hats. I saw it on this website if you want to look at it: http://www.headcovers.com/moreinfo.php?id=948 It looks very cute under a straw hat that I have, and I have one of those headwraps from Nordstrom's that LeeAnne mentioned and it does look very cute under that. I'll get my husband to take a picture -- it's probably my favorite look so far.

I quit my job a few years ago to go back and finish my B.A. in English and Literary Journalism at UCI. I am graduating on Sunday. So I probably will continue working on my writing and take writing workshops for the next few months. I may apply to grad school in the fall, but probably won't go back to work for a while.

You look so young to be a stay at home grandma! But it sounds like you're enjoying it. That's great.

Kim,,,,,,,,,,congrats on your daughters graduation.
Liz..............congrats on your upcoming graduation.
Its that time of year huh for graduations. Thanx for the compliment on looking young,,,,,,but yeah,,,I am old enough to be a grandma,,,,,,,lol And of course these days feel like I could be a great grandma,,,,,,,,,lol
Enjoy your weekend all,,,,,,,,,,,,it's gonna be nice here in Cali...........just about beach weather......cant wait. Gonna have to go find a cute hat for the beach though this summer,,,,,,,dont think I want to wear a wig to the beach.
Cindy

And again thanx girls,,,,,,,,,,,,,but yeah I am old enough to be a grandma,,,,,,,,,,drummmmmmmm rollllllllllllllll,,,,,,,,,,I am 55. OMG did I just tell my age? Shame shame on me,,,,,,,lol
I am coming up on my 3rd treatment in a week......but tell me gals,,,,,,do you think every treatment gets worse? Or do things pretty much stay the same? Just wondering if this is how I will be for the next 4. Went back to the dr yesterday,,,,,,my platelets are still low. Have to go back on Monday again for another CBC. So we will see. She said she may have to cut down the dose of carboplatin on this next dose. I forgot to ask her,,,,,,but shoot,,,,,,I hope that doesnt mean I have more than 4 more to go,,,,,,,I hope it doesnt extend the treatments. Yikesssssssssssss,,,,,,,dont like that thought. Will keep ya posted.
Enjoy your day,,,,,,,,and Happy Fathers Day to all of your dads, husbands, sons,,,,,,,,,anyone who is a father that you know.
Cindy

Hey girls,

Just checking in. My husband is in Brazil for work--he left last Sunday and comes back this Thursday (12 days total). I stayed at a friend's for the last week, and have a friend visiting this weekend, so I've been pretty busy. I still feel pretty good--more tired than my usual self, but I'll take it! Plenty of appetite, too. Everything tastes fine, no aftertaste, and I feel optimistic. I'm starting to dread next treatment, but hopefully it will go OK. I'm going to stock up on DVD's for when I'm down--I'll probably be out of commission for a week again, and just laying in bed. I'm trying to expect it, so maybe it won't seem so looooong!

Congrats, all you graduates!! Liz, what kind of writing do you do? What would your dream job be? I'm a violinist, so I'm always interested in all those "creative" professions.

I don't have much else to tell right now. Chemo is on Thursday, and my sister comes on Tuesday--can't wait for her to come.

Amy

Hi All,

I’m Suzanne—new on the site. I feel like I already know you because I’ve read your messages on the “starting chemo in May” boards—and we have a common bond. I’ve never posted to a board before, but I’ll try my best to catch up on the lingo.

Started chemo 5/25 with Cytoxan and Taxotere and took Compazine, as needed, for nausea. I thought things were going well, until I ended up with a photosensitivity rash on 6/8 that my dermatologist and oncologist think was a reaction to the Taxotere. The rash was quite bad and they both said I couldn’t afford to have another reaction like that. I did a little research on Compazine and the rash could have been from that. Either way, I was due for my second round on 6/15 and my onc postponed it until tomorrow—6/18—because I was still taking drugs to get rid of the rash.

My new regime will be Cytoxan and Adriamycin. I’m worried about the Adriamycin because I know that’s the one that is hard on the heart. The good news: I’ll finish my treatments sooner because the onc said I can go every two weeks now, rather than every three—I’m only in for four total.

My hair started coming out in clumps in the shower last Monday, so I asked my husband to give me a buzz cut. My head is a lot cuter than I expected! My wig is red, cute, and kinda fun. I didn’t expect the hair loss to happen so soon, but I’m trying to just take everything as it comes.

Thanks for being here. I have a good support system outside this site, but it’s always good to have more support. I found the boards on Friday, now it’s Sunday—and I’ve thought of you all often. Hope you’re having a good day and I’ll let you know how things go tomorrow.

Suzanne

Welcome, Suzanne! I'm having FEC, 6X, every 3 weeks, so the E is similar to the A--I can understand your concern. I was originally going to have Cytoxan and Taxotere, just like you, but because I'm a professional violinist they didn't want to risk giving me long-term neuropathy. Anyway, really glad you're here. I'm having my 3rd tx on Thursday, three days after you. Here's hoping you breeze through yours this week,

Amy

I did it--graduated before I went bald! I came straight home and cut it off. What a relief.

Yeah Liz! Welcome to the minimalist hair club... glad you made it through today as I know it was important to you. Looks like you had a fair amount of hair still under that mortar board!

Sundays (3 days post chemo) always seem to be my napping day. I made breakfast for my dad and felt a little light-headed so spent the rest of the day laying around watching movies and dozing through a marathon of Man vs. Wild. I expect to be able to work a little tomorrow but I'll take it easy in the morning and probably only put in 3 hours at the office. I'll try to sleep without compazine/benedryl tonight (just Ativan) and that will certainly make me SHARPER tomorrow.

Doc recommended taking both Prilosec and Zantac together to fight the sore feeling I often have in my stomach. He said it was too much acid, and thought this would help. So far so good, but the test will be later this week and into next. I'm really amazed when I line up all the pills - even if it isn't the heavy post-chemo drugs I still have Sennekot and Ativan and L-Lysine and Prilosec and Zantac and sometimes Gavison or Tums or Tylenol as well. GEEEEEZ!

Pat, how's your bum?

Sheree, how are you feeling?

Amanda, 3 days from DD A/C and how are you?

Amy, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that your 3rd is easier!

Suzanne, Welcome!

Mandy, you runners amaze me! I'm just happy to get out for a walk.

Hugs to all,
LeeAnne

welcome to Suzanne....and to answer Lee Anne's ?, AC #4 is a grind...more nausea than I've had to date, finally got the Kytril from the pharmacy this morning (insurance had denied it, even though Zofran didn't work), hot flashes hitting like crazy (no fever though!), fell into tears in the hall...thank god for good neighbors....took zantac, ativan, ate some toast, drank some water....tomorrow's got to be a better day, right?

Ok, positives:
abc.com rocks, able to watch episodes of shows I missed
my neighbor was nice
my best friend fr college cooked for me and cleaned my house, and brought me the biggest bouquet of flowers
I could go on and on about all the good things, but they make me cry too...

so, cutting my losses, off to bed, but this nausea SUCKS BIG TIME

whine, whine, whine.....

hope you all are doing better than I tonight! Hugs to all....

Let's hope taxane is better than this....

Amanda, I hope I'm not headed for the same thing! I barely slept last night (not taking compazine = stupid) and the hot flashes are killing me. Every time I moved my stomach would have to jump up and say hello. YUCKO! Or maybe it is just that the Sennekot S is kicking in after days of nothing...

LOL - my body is SO not my own right now!

Hugs to all,
LeeAnne

Oh Amya, I feel for you!! It is so yuck to feel that way. And I'm always more prone to tears when I'm like that, too. Just try to be patient with yourself and let it take however long it's going to for you to feel better. It WILL turn around, and your body will just take its time, whatever that is, to do it. In the meantime, be gentle with yourself. Enjoy, if you can, the right to lay and watch a DVD, or just take a nap.

Tx #3 for me on Thursday. I'll be coming home with the pump, and taking Marinol (marijuana) so this should be interesting! I'm a little scared, but what can you do? I'm going to take the portable DVD player with me this time, and watch a DVD while I get my chemo. I've tried having somebody with me, and I've tried bringing magazines, and both times I sat there jittery and bored. So maybe this will be better. After this treatment and recovery, I'll be halfway done!

Amy