rickster

Thanks, Otter and Bluedasher! 
I also spoke with my hair stylist today (who has worked with many cancer patients) and she assured me the same (no need to shave).  I will see her Friday just in case there is any need to clean anything up before I start my (much anticipated!!) new growth.

All the very best to you courageous women fighting this incredible battle, Rickster

I had round #4 last Thursday and am going thru my 'usual' SE's, but one new one has popped up  -  my right eye has been twitching like crazy all day!  This comes on the heels of some really bad tearing at the end of the last cycle, so don't know if they are related.  If anyone has any ideas on a fix or remedy, please let me know . . .I have a day full of meetings tomorrow and would love to get this resolved or find some relief! 

As always, thanks a ton and stay strong!  Rickster

HELP NEEDED FOR HEARTBURN / HIVELIKE SKIN ITCHING & TAXOTERE REACTION:

I had a fairly decent first round and the second didn't seem to be much worse  . . . until lately!!  I am due for #3 on Thursday, but am struggling a lot with SEVERE heartburn and itching (sometimes bordering on hives) on my arms, legs, hands and feet.  I have tried several OTC's (Tums, prylosec, etc for the heartburn without much relief . . .maybe a little relief with Zantac), but am curious if this heartburn is something that can be treated up front.

My other biggest complaint is that I will go for 3 - 4 days without sleep after getting my TC infusion.  Not sure as to what I am getting in my cocktail, but do know that I am taking two pills for the next two days following infusion (2 x  4mg of dexamethasone)... Any ideas as to what I might ask them to adjust?  Just for the record, my blood counts have been good; tested on day 9 of round 1 and all was well, and the day of tx for round #2 I was told that I looked 'totally normal' and that I did not need to come in for an interim test before round #3.

Add'l info: really bad allergic reactions to Taxatore during both infusions resulting in the need of 25 - 50 mg's of benadryl to offset. Otherwise, did okay.

 Will appreciate any info or insights that you can share and wish you ALL the VERY Best!!

xoxox, Rickster

My hair started coming out on day 12. After two days of hand fulls of fine thin shoulder length hair and more than a couple of meltdowns, I decided 'it was time'.  Tonight, day 14, I invited my hairdresser to my sister's home for dinner and drinks and she took me down to about 1/4 - 1/2 inch all the way around (with a few slightly longer bangs)- - -  a great transition to the actual buzz, which I may have to do next week.  My ddp sent me a surprise phone msg / photo today, wherein he had gone and gotten a buzz cut himself!  Such a surprise and kind act as we had not even discussed him doing such a thing.  Tracy's post on a different thread also gave me a lot of courage and confidence with regard to this whole 'hair thing'  . . .  All the best to you and the other courageous women out there dealing with all of the bc related issues!! Rickster

My hair started coming out on day 12. After two days of hand fulls of fine thin shoulder lenght hair and more than a couple of meltdowns, I decided 'it was time'.  Tonight, day 14, I invited my hairdresser to my sister's home for dinner and drinks and she took me down to about 1/4 - 1/2 inch all the way around (with a few slightly longer bangs)- - -  a great transition to the actual buzz, which I may have to do next week.  My ddp sent me a surprise phone msg / photo today, wherein he had gone and gotten a buzz cut himself!  Such a surprise and kind act as we had not even discussed him doing such a thing.  Tracy's post on a different thread gave me a lot of courage and confidence with regard to this whole 'hair thing' (she is also known as ktone, if you want to search and find it).

 All the best to you!! Rickster

The losing hair issue has hit home!!  I am on day 14 of my first T/C regimen.  After my shower this AM, I was combing out my hair, and although it didn't come in 'clumps' it was coming out a'plenty . . . loose handfuls and huge amounts on the comb!!  I am trying to schedule my hairdresser for a 'buzz cut' tomorrow night, but I am just curious, if I can't get with her tomorrow (Thurs night) am I going to make it until Monday (next opportunity)?

Also, as much as I have tried to prepare for this mentally, I have had several teary breakdowns today . . . welcoming any advice for overcoming this emotional / physical / vanity ridden hurdle.

 Thanks in advance, mi amigas and all the best to you!!  Rickster

Note:  Also posted on starting chemo in Sept 2008 . . . .

I am new to this thread, having started my first T/C cycle on 9/4.   Greetings from the ocean - I was feeling well enough Friday to get away from Seattle for a relaxing weekend at the shores!

I am now on day 10 and found that days 4 thru 8 were the hardest for me (so far) with a mixed bag of S/E's from 'the Mac Truck' aches and pains, ongoing bloody nose / mucous, constriction /  pain in chest, very achey thighs and hips, some soreness in my mouth, headaches, burning / itching membranes (you can guess where!), etc. Thanks to all the tips from this site, I was able to combat most of them and went into work for some long full days on days 6,7,& 8 (working at home on the other days). Had my first blood check Friday (day #9), and although my white cells were down (as expected), they were not so low as to be of concern.

So, all that said, I think I am doing pretty well for my first cycle; the one ongoing complaint is inability to sleep; my onc gave me a RX, but I keep trying to avoid it but often end up getting up in the wee hours out of frustration to take one . . . does this component ever die out?  Also, I was prone to bloody noses under dry and stressful conditions, but am having difficulty getting rid of this sympton . . .any ideas?  My onc recommended 'Ocean' saline nasal mist, but that doesn't seem to have done the trick.  Lastly, looking for any remedies for burning eyes (I already take Alrex, steroid laced drops for environmental allergies) and have not discussed this with my eye doctor, but will be calling him tomorrow.

I felt good enough after dinner last night to propose a brisk walk down to the beach, so I am hoping the worst of this cycle is definitely in the rear-view mirror!

Wishing you all a restful, sunny and S/E free Sunday!!!   For those of us in the Puget Sound, we are basking in a much awaited 'Indian Summer'!   Rickster

Welcome, Randi - best of luck with your upcoming procedures!

Good Luck tomorrow Tracy on reaching #4 . . I am a little jealous, having just one under my belt!  I am working today in the office, but just taking it one day at a time.

Good Health to you, Amigas - don't be afraid to take the time you need or show the strength you are made of.

 All the best!!!  Rickster

Thanks for the reminder to walk, Dottie.  BTW, I am an occasional golfer, too, and have not played all summer, but might enjoy a (non-competivite) round somewhere near Maple Valley before the weather turns.  Dottie - Have you ever played at Ocean Shores - your profile sounds very similar to someone my ddp and I played with there several years ago.

 Yes, I had my first T/C cocktail at the chemo lounge at Overlake on Thursday (no problems besides a reaction when they first started the taxotere that was quickly fixed with an injection of benedryl). . . . so far, so good (and, my dear sister was kind enough to let me beat her at a game of Scrabble as we waited!!.  Walked about a mile last night, and hope to get out for another walk this afternoon (will be at the Whidbey on the water for another day, so hope that 'three in a row' will establish a 'habit' that I will find hard to break as I move toward more difficult times).

Tracy and Katirob - I just called the number for 'Feeling Better' and left a message to reserve a spot (also asked to save one for 'my friend, Tracy' so please let me know if you already got in).

 Hope you are all enjoying a bit of the sunny afternoon in the beautiful Northwest.  Rickster

Hi all! 

Ms Tkone found me on another thread and invited me to join the Seattle area group.  I was recently dx (7/8/2008), had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy (clear margins and no node involvement) on 8/4 and was scheduled to start radiation this week (8/25) UNTIL my oncodx score came in late last Friday at a high 32 (needless to say, that was the equivalent shock of learning of my cancer the first time around!).  Radiation was put on the back burner until I met with my onco on Monday and I now find myself having climbed the hurdle to accepting the fact that I need to / would likely benefit from chemo, which I will start next Thursday (9/4 at Overlake in Bellevue).  I will be doing T/C (taxotere  & cytoxan) every three weeks for four cycles. 

I am interested in learning about other's experience / coping skills with this regimen and also finding someone to join me for walks (south Seattle, Renton or Eastside locations) and / or mild aerobic workouts in the interim (I belong to LA Fitness, so could join you there) - - - I REALLY need a schedule or commitment for a time to exercise to keep me on track during this difficult time. 

Please share your experiences, or let me know if you are up and willing for a little aerobic workout (nothing on the scale of major training!). I am USUALLY gone on the weekends, but that could certainly change over the next couple of months.

Thanks and great health and many hugs to you all!!  Rick