Starting Chemo in September?? where are you ladies

Urgghh.. got my second chemo today ( AC) and hair started falling out in chunks. Emend + Aloxi+Compazine  is not working and I am really feeling nauseaus and seems like I will get sick again tonight.

I just do not have the heart to accept  my hubbies offer to shave it off.. being sick to my stomach  and bald on the same day..

Did I just whine again ?

Sorry gals..

Well, got diarrhea again like clockwork, every friday after tx.  At least I go to eat some good food this past week.  Jello and soup now. 

Tri: sorry to hear you're so sick.  It doesn't sound you're on that many antinauseants.  Perhaps you should get more.  I chose the steroids after the first tx was bad and Kytril, too, and I've felt pretty good all week (had tx mon).  But I seem to get diarrhea friday and then feel fatigued/really sick (not nauseaus though) for several days so I'm not looking forward to that.  And yes, your hair falling out at the same time is tough, especially when you're sick and you see yourself in the mirror all bald.  But my hair turned brittle and gross so it felt good to shave it off. 

It sad to hear everybody's kid stories.  What a scary thing for a child and then for you as the parent.  I am going through enough just with myself although I've known some people who stay stronger because they feel they have to for the family.  I'd probably cave and become a basket case so its best I'm not in that situation.  Though one never knows I suppose. 

Karyll: glad your man is sticking around.  What a thing to add during such a time.  I've been with my bf for 1 1/2 years so wasn't sure how he'd react to going through this.  I gave him the option to go if he just didn't feel he could do it.  He said he wasn't going anywhere and he hasn't.  I don't know what I'd do without him. 

Well, guess thats my morning ramble.  Take care!!

Hi all,

Tri you sounded a little better in that last post, I'm so glad...good that you could sleep. I felt comatose my last tx.

Urbie I was sorry to hear about your daughter, good that she is doing better. I think my son is feeling a little better, but I'm not convinced that he believes me yet. I spoke to his teacher and she says his behavior at school is fine, he is focused...so that's good, but on playdates and at home he has been more sensitive and emotional. He knows there are 6 treatments, so I'm hoping when the last one is done we can just celebrate and he will get some closure from it all. I've decided not to talk about radiation with him...or the fact that I will still be on Herceptin, I'm going to let him think it's over.

Hey Paxton, sorry to hear "it's" back...you poor thing. Your BF sounds like such a sweetie...

That's my ramble. Off to pick my little man up from school.

Marietta

p.s. Karyll, I go every 3 weeks as well and have my next tx on the 17th (day b4 my hubby's bday, bummer) 

Hey Methusala

I am getting FEC x 4 3 weeks apart and then I go to Taxotere x4 3 weeks apart.

I get zofran and dexamethasone for first few days, then rely on maxeran, gravol and ativan for the next few. I felt "normal" by day 7 with a little chemical help of maxeran and tylenol.....and oh yeah, zantac and or pepcid... lol

Karyll

I'm feeling pretty sick today, seems how its gone the past tx's now.  It usually last a few days so I'm hoping its not so bad this time.  And at least my bf isn't off on a long hunting trip this time.  That got to be long for me when I wasn't feeling good. 

I increased the immodium so thanx for the tip.  Wasn't sure how much of that I could take, but I did talk to onc last week about it.

It looks like such a nice day out here, too, but I haven't made it outside. 

Well it has been a wonderful weekend and the Packers pulled it off and beat the Redskins, ugly... but a win none the less.  I have been so "OK" about my the idea of my hair falling out that I almost thought that maybe it wouldn't, just because of murphy's law and all.  I was wrong.  It officially started coming out in much more than normal amounts in a brush today.  I made a big pile on the counter.  I guess that I will have to make the head shaving appointment for early this week.  I am ready and I am really a "bring it on" kind of girl so let's get on with it. 

At least my taste buds are back in check and I was able to enjoy the wine tasting yesterday at the Wine & Garlic Festival.  I bought a T-shirt that says....  "Wine is a constant reminder that God loves us and loves us to be happy".  I usually never buy things like this for myself, but I buy them for others.  Not this time, it is for me.  

Paxton, I hope you are feeling better. 

Its been a rough few days.  You'd think this sickness would hit the first week closer to my tx, but it starts Friday night.  My onc says she doesn't really know what it is even; thinks maybe its from the neulasta.  But I'm not nauseaus anymore and I don't have bone pain.  Its fatigue to the point where I can barely lift my head and a feeling of being poisoned (which sounds like the chemo drugs to me).  All I know is I have one AC tx left and I'm hoping the Taxol is more tolerable cuz this SUX!!

Its taken everything I have to wash up and sit here in the recliner. 

Haven't heard from mary jo in awhile.  Hope ur doing good. 

Well, take care everybody and hopefully I'll feel human again.   

Sorry Paxton, hang in there girl....

MJ

Also thanks to everyone that replied to my meds question. I still don't know what I'm going to do but I don't think I will stay with zofran. The insurance case worker was going to call onc. office and suggest we try aloxi (sp?) in premeds. I just don't want to be sick but it sounds as though I'm not as sick as some of you. I've had a few loose stools but nothing severe. I feel for those of you that are suffering. Just hang in there and keep fighting. I just keep telling myself that this too shall pass! Thank God all of these se are not permanent!!

Take care ladies!

Cheryll

OK - I need head shaving advise...  I called my hair dresser and she cannot see me until Friday to get rid of the rapidly shedding hair.  I don't know if I can make it until Friday without having hair all over the house so I am wondering if my husband can do it for me (with my kids help).  How do you do it?  Is there a special thing that I can get so I won't get cut?  Any advice will be appreciated .  I just think that this needs to get done tomorrow.  Thanks!

Hi Janice! good to see you back on. I have my 3rd tx today and am feeling pretty ready for it. If it goes like my last tx I will be happy with that. The steriods have me so bulky right now. I'm not used to my face being so puffy.

I've been reading this really good book, The Glass Castle, and have misplaced it! Chemo brain!!! so I'm bummed because I was going to take it with me today. Anybody reading any good books? I can recommend some, I love to read.

Urbie I hope you find a way to shave your head today, I remember when I realized it was time. I just wanted it off, I couldn't even shampoo it because it was coming out so fast and my scalp hurt so much. Once you do get it buzzed you may want to find someone to take shaving cream and a bic razor to it...

It is strange, my hair is already starting to grow back, it is baby fine and white! I asked my onc nurse about it yesterday when I went in for my blood draw and she said that is not unusual and it may stop for a while after this tx or even fall out again. My eyelashes have started to give up...:(

Well, I'm rambling.  Have a great day everyone. Paxton I hope you're having a better day.

Marietta (One of the MJ's, where is MaryJo?)

Hi Gals,

2 out of 4 AC's done, now I am trying to get myself out of Taxol. Also posted a new thread under the Chemo group. Feeling really nauseus ( even after a weekafter chemo) slight GI problems and dropping energy levels, so I guess everything is normal lol.

Anyone talked to their oncologists about skipping taxol since it was not proven to help HER- gals ?

I just have a hard time taking the answer ' oh just do it, taxol is a breeze after AC' . If not needed why stress the body further ?

Thoughts ? Comments from my september chemo sisters ?

Hey everyone,
I just wanted to pop in right quick and say I'm fine!  Just been very busy the last few days-- had my third tx on Monday and still feel great, but I think I am pushing myself a little too much and need to rest a bit more.  Today I drove six hours round trip to a job-related workshop and had a blast!  The other folks in the class (mostly ladies) come from all over the state of NC and we have known each other a long time, and it was like a mini-reunion.  They had not seen me since I lost my hair, but they all knew about my bc and were so encouraging and supportive.  After class, we all went shopping and out to lunch and it was so great to get away, out of the house, away from the office, and not be at a medical center for a change.  I needed that mini-getaway, but now I need some sleep.  I'll check in again tomorrow!

I truly hope everyone is doing well and best wishes to all!

Mary Jo (the other MJ)

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