Starting Chemo May 2008

This will be quick, because I promised myself (and my long distance boyfriend, who's here for the next week) that I was going to shut this computer off soon and curl up with the (physical) paper.

First off, more birthday wishes to Rock and Nancy.

Second, on stepping out bald - I think it's a great idea, for all the stated reasons.  Even though I'm not there yet.  I've been thinking about it, but I dunno . . . I can manage for brief periods or special circumstances (like yesterday's run, when I had no choice after my damn cap blew off), but I find myself reaching for caps, hats and scarves when I go out in public.  I do think there's a kind of desensitization process involved.  A quick errand, as for Rock, or maybe a short run on an especially nice day - wind caressing my scalp, etc. - for me, and it starts to feel just a little less weird.

We're all kind of new at this, so who knows what solutions we'll find as the summer goes on.

Finally, Eddie - sounds like we've got ourselves a Thursday date at the beach!  It'll be my farewell dose of AC before I move on to Taxol.

Linda

I started chemo May 19. I have been on the TC board but glad I checked this one today. I am waiting for my hair to start going. My scalp is sore. I wish I had the guts to go out bald but I don't think I do or will. I have bought a bunch of caps and I will get my wig on Wed. Hope my hair lasts till then.



I have felt fine since about day 9. Metallic taste gone. Drinking coffee again. Burping (I had it too) stopped. BTW I chewed Rolaids a lot and they really helped. My next tx is on June 9. If the whole thing is like the first one, it won't be so bad. At least now I know what to expect.

I started chemo May 19. I have been on the TC board but glad I checked this one today. I am waiting for my hair to start going. My scalp is sore. I wish I had the guts to go out bald but I don't think I do or will. I have bought a bunch of caps and I will get my wig on Wed. Hope my hair lasts till then.



I have felt fine since about day 9. Metallic taste gone. Drinking coffee again. Burping (I had it too) stopped. BTW I chewed Rolaids a lot and they really helped. My next tx is on June 9. If the whole thing is like the first one, it won't be so bad. At least now I know what to expect.

hi everyone

Susan Welcome - I am new here also. I am a few days behind you - started on the 22nd so I am curious to hear how your hair week goes. I have my wig and plan to go to the place I bought it from when the shedding starts.  They will shave my head and fit the wig. Only my two bosses at work know I am having chemo so until I am ready to share with my coworkers a wig is a must.  Maybe they will figure it out with my new hair.  I always wanted highlights but have been too cheap to pay for them so I got a wig with highlights.  The hair shade is a bit off too but they know I vary with that anyways to cover the gray.  I actually love the color of the wig so when my hair grows back I plan to match the color.

As far as counting days my oncologist says chemo day is day 1.

Thanks everyone! I guess I'll count tx day as Day #1!

Sharon

I stepped away from the computer for the weekend and finally caught up!

Additional birthday wishes to Rock and Nancy!

Linda:  Congratulations on an amazing run!  7 minute miles are VERY impressive!  That is too cool that you came in 2nd in the survivor race.  I ran a 5 mile run yesterday, but you have inspired me to "pick up the pace".  I have been running slower than normal (although I feel good), worried I will burn up too much energy. 

Eddie:  I think that I am on the same schedule as you.  I go to the pool for A/C tx #2 this Wednesday (bi-weekly).  My first tx knocked me on my butt.  Fatigue was incredible!  I am hoping that this goes better. 

All of the tips on the board have been incredibly helpful - thanks to all.  I too am on the verge of losing my hair and howled at the many stories, easing my anxiety about it. 

Jean

Hi everyone!

Otter - congrats on #4!

Rock the bald - same to you on going "bald bald".  Maybe that's what I want to try when my hair comes out.  I keep feeling like a bought a wig for a lot of other people, but not necessarily because I wanted me.  Let us know how it goes and any reactions you get.

Robink - I'm definitely feeling better today.  I think I got in such  panic when I didn't feel well that I overdid all of the meds.  I'm trying to stay hydrated - not something that I do well when not undergoing chemo.  I just can't stand water.  We did buy some of the Special K protein water and it isn't too bad.  I had all of the anti-nausea meds and called and got more once I was at home.  Now I'm just going with a less is more approach and only taking what I really need.

To all the newbies - keep asking the questions because we all learn something with each new question asked.

Thanks,

Julie

Very nice Lenny...thank you for sharing.  I found the following:

IT WON'T RAIN ALWAYS
(Gloria Gaither / Bill Gaither / Aaron Wilburn)

Bill & Gloria Gaither

I hope you had a great time at the lake!  I hope you're feeling better after a rough weekend.

Way to go to you all for embracing your bald selves...lol...

Had a little chat with my 5 yo ds and he and I have made a pact that next week we both give each other a Mohawk...he is so excited hehad to tell the other sibs who look at us as if we are crazy....

i plan on rocking the bald as well since it gets so hot here in the summer,just plannng on a hat for church and being out side with the 12 yo dd....

Debbie - Sorry I can't answer your question, but I hope that it's nothing to worry about.  Sending good thoughts your way...

If I'm catching all the posts, it looks like we have Adrienne, Rock, Lee, Jean and Eddie all on deck for Wednesday (by the second palm tree, no less).  I know there's a Thursday group, but not sure who. 

Every day has been a little better (except for the constipation...which is taking it's time, hahaha).  I had bloodwork today and the numbers were very close to pre-tx.  I get them checked again on Friday.  So I was telling my dh about that and mentioned that I will have to figure out what to do with my hair appointment on Friday, and what am I thinking?!?  We don't need no stinkin' hair cuts!  Duh.

I have a question for you all - has anyone had a yeast infection right after chemo?  I can't recall that being a side effect, but now I never know.  However, I mentioned it to the doc's office today and his PA called in a prescription for Diflucan, so maybe?  Just curious if this is just me and if I have to be concerned after every tx...

Christine and all:  VERY IMPORTANT

hope I'm typing right because i don't have my glasses on, but I think you asked about yeast?

While on TAC I developed a Candida esophgitis (accompanied by yeasitness everywhere) that was truly nasty.  The only way I even knew I had it was because my husband, who has Crohn's, mentioned it to his gastroenterologist, who ended up having me 'scoped.  The most awful symptoms were feeling of fullness, inability to eat/swallow/etc., constipation (dreadful)...i can't even remember now but I know I used mineral enemas, fleets, etc, and nearly killed myself before the endoscopy.

it took THREE rounds of 21 days of diflucan (fluconozole???) to finally get rid of this scourge.

the onc would've only prescribed (and did) 7 days of the above, at half the strength.

I keep thinking I'll post s/e s from TAC and then from Cisplatin/Gemzar but I don't habe the strength!!

Also, Cristine & anyone else w/ bloating and GI distress...I got ok to take 4 Phazyme/day, and I was aleady on Prilosec for Barrett's Esophagus, AND now have a presc. for bowel spasm now that the Cisp./Gem has taken its toll.  I highly recommend the Phazyme.   I didn't use it for TAC & wish I had...  I can't believe these peeps really think bloating/fullness/balloon feeling isn't a common s/e??

I know I'm rambling and this wasn't the coherent post I'd intended...sorry.

dana

Rock:  my family is totally dysfunctional when it comes to breast cancer(grandmother, aunt, cousin, mother, sister) and my BRCA 1 and 2 came back negative. We were all shocked.  My onco said my family definitely had problems regardless of the result of the genetic study.

IF you come back positive would you do anything different?  I don't remember what surgery you had.

Robin

Hey gang,

I am on for Thursday, not Wednesday, but I look to the Wednesday women to lead the way. My day was so utterly normal. Even my metalmouth calmed down. I was fighting against a yeast infection (had strept throat at first chemo they thought) and stuffed yogurt in the morning and frozen yogurt in the evening. My eleven year old son is dripping wet just back from his shower so I must go as he is aching to show me something cool on the computer. I wish each of you a restful night. I pretend to think I am ready for bald. My book club is gearing up with scarves, hats and eyebrow pencils...I still have up to a week. Debbie and Lee, I am sorry...Just remember, all of this will beat anything left hanging around in your body back. Sadly, it is beating a few other things as well. I was BRCA negative, but all three of my cousins had breat or colon cancer and one died from colon cancer so same game. Ciao 

Cristine, I think there probably is both a daily and a longer-term cycle for fatigue.  I'm sure it's an individual thing.  In my case, I find myself crashing in the early/mid-afternoon -- I'm so glad we have a nice, quiet break area (aka "the nap room") at work!  I also have "high energy" periods that are fairly (though not entirely) predictable. 

I've had three AC treatments at this point, and I do find that both the duration and the extent of my sleepiness have increased after each one.

Linda