Anyone starting chemo in June 08

HunkyDory - THere is a women here who specializes in wigs for us BC girls.  I wear mine to special occasions - friends bithday parties, lunches stuff like that - there should be a taba at the back to adjust the width becuase you shouldn't be getting lines.  My problem is that I as never good at doing my own hair - I have had so many compliments on this wig (some not realizing it is a wig) that I now feel compeeled to learn how to do hair for when I get mine back!  

Well I went in to the clininc again becasue my hand and arm still swollen from last treatment - the nurse there figured I should see the onc as no one else knew what to do. 

Finally got to see onc and he kept saying that this very rare - not sure what hapened and gave me anto biotics. Picture him as 4ft11" and seems absent minded or very distracted - I was having problem getting him to focus on what I was asking as he kept talking about me having a couple blood clots in my upper arm - they aren't what caused my arm to swell.  He seems to think that arm will be good in a weeks time to get my next treatment - better be as I am going to BC a week after my treatment!

Just had #3 chemo July 1 and Neulasta July 3. Was okay for July 4, had some energy but today I will probably be around the house giving myself a chance to get recharged. It takes a few days to bounce back but I am giving in to it and am trying to focus on nutrition and long term goals and positive thoughts. Hope you can feel the vube!!!!W7

Well it sure sounds like everyone is handling the hairloss.......divinely.......sure hope I will be as brave and graceful as all of you who have gone before me.......there's a thread where you can post pics of yourselves and your family.....really fun to see what everyone looks like.....I just posted pics there and would love if you all would go over and do the same......so we can all "see" who we're talking to.

Karen......just reread the last couple of pages......just realized you mentioned a party......I almost missed it.......count me in.....I'm always up for a party......and since I speak to you all more than my real life friends......sure would like to meet as many of you as I can!

Cheers

Jax

Thanks Rock........I still have hair for the big day.....hooray......yes July 6.......turning 37......before this all started.....I always said I feel 10 years younger.......here's hoping that continues when this is all done!

Cheers

Jax

Kathy, I'm on Day 7 of third T/C treatment.  For each chemo session I have developed the sore neck, jawline and aching teeth as well as sort of a numb face.  I don't know if it's from the chemo or the Neulasta I get on Day 2.  I have to stay ahead of it with Tylenol or I get a headache that won't quit.  It seems to be worse at night.  So you are not alone......

Hope your sore jaw goes away.  I would take some tylenol or ibuprofen.  I know nothing about it but would bet it is another S/E.  HunkyD

Hi,

Had a great weekend at my Mom's. Started to lose my hair on day 14 after first treatment. I went to a hairdresser who specailizes in hair loss and wigs. Will have my wig on Tuesday, going to shave as I have fine hair to begin with and I'm losing handfuls all day long. I have bald spots and my head is tender to the touch.  My second treatment is Thursday July 10 so my hair went fast. I haven't lost eyebrows or lashes but have lost pubic hair. It is so weird to see my hair everywhere.

I also don't like the taste of water, salty. I drink pop, tea and juice but the best is cool-aid or capri suns. I haven't had too much problem with food except I want everything that is junk food.

My neck has been stiff, thought is was because I slept wrong but now I think it is my treatment. Good thing we have Tylenol.

Happy Birthday JAX

Good morning all - I started chemo July 2nd - TAC is my 'cocktail' - Neulasta was given the following day - Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were not good days - I think the nausea along with the anti-nausea medicine is the culprit. Today has not been awful. I drink a lot of water but the taste has not been pleasant. I have put in lemon or lime slices, but still not tasting all that good. I found that Classic Coke tasted good and made me feel a little better. Did not have SEs from the Neulasta but took Tylenol before I left home to get the shot.

Did any one else have cravings for strange things? I had cravings for food I seldom eat (chili with lots of sour cream, onions, chips) (grilled cheese and onion sandwich) I did not give into the cravings, ate a lot of home made chicken soup with noodles, saltine crackers, pretzels, did have egg and toast and yesterday did give in to a craving for french toast.

Hope this is as bad as it gets. I have forced myself to walk in the evening and do feel better.

Enjoy your day.

Jo-Anne

Hello Ladies. May I join your group? My first chemo was June 25 - TAC. 3 sleepy days early on, horrendous constipation along with it. Now I am dealing with blistery itchy hands. Prednisone should take care of that.

Lately I feel great, just waiting for my hair to fall out! My 10 year old cut it short and it looks ok. Very modern. Come shave day, my spouse will join me in the baldy club.

Hey Junies........still have hair.......unless I touch it........definately barely hanging on.......I'm at day 12........lots of bits coming out..........went to a water park with the kids today........but was sure to not get it wet......had visions of it all falling out in the middle of the pool.........I was very nervous to wash it this evening......but managed to do it gently and only lost a few handfulls......I know the hairloss is imminent.....it's just that I really don't want to buzz it tomorrow........and my hairdresser is off on Wednesdays.........so that means I have to make it till Thursday.......fingers crossed........next treatment Wednesday......also have fingers crossed for less of a wait at the clinic.......good luck tomorrow to Westie......and anyone else on a treatment day!

Cheers

Jax

Hunky -

I was just catching up on some of the posts and read your comment about strangers making you cry.  I still have my hair for another day or so and knew once it came off I would then look like the "cancer patient".  I didn't even think about the general public sympathy comments.  I am so-o-o emotional these days, it doesn't take a lot to make me cry.  Rovergirl the cop (my current profession) is hard as nails on the outside and soft in the middle.  Rovergirl, the cancer patient is soft and mushy.  Not looking forward to the added attention my bald head is going to bring.

Rovergirl

Hi all!  I'm new here and wondered if I might join this group?  I had my first treatment (AC) on 6/16 and my second was yeterday (7/7).  I'm doing AC x 4 and then Taxol w/ Herceptin weekly x 4.  Mine is neoadjuvant, so I haven't had surgery yet...hoping it shrinks!  First treatment had me wiped out for a few days with an awful headache and some nausea.  So far, no headache with this one so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Hair loss has to be the worst part though.  It started coming out last Monday (day 14) and seemed to be more and more each day.  By Friday I couldn't take and and had my husband shave it off (on July 4th...Independence Day!)  It actually feels so much better not to obsess over it coming out.  I tried out the wig yesterday for the first time and it is pretty comfortable and I like the way it looks.  I'll definitely wear it for work and times when I just don't want to deal with looks or comments!

This group is great.  I'm looking forward to beign part of it!

Carolyn

Sarah,

I'm so glad you posted that question as I have been wondering the same thing about the stage.  I am having neoadjuvant chemo as well.  My oncologist said she can only estimate the stage now clinically because lymph node is really unknown at this point.  But since that can all change between now and surgery she said we just wait and determine stage after the surgery.  I'm curios what others have to offer on that subject too because I sort of feel in limbo without a stage.

I do know the grade as that was part of the pathology report from the biopsy.  It comes from how the cells are differentiated.  Grade 1 - well differentiated, Grade 2 - moderately differentiated and Grade 3 - poorly differentiated.

I agree...so much to learn!