CMF Question
Comments
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golfergrandma,
Hi. I didn't get CMF, but I am an honorary member. I thought I was going to get it, but my onc. vetoed the idea. Rita took me under her wing, so I still come back here from time to time.
I just wanted to let you know that I did research, and I think during your chemo, you may not want to color your hair, but six months after your last tx, you are GOOD TO GO! This is what I read, from my research. I asked my onc. at one of my follow up appts. if it was ok to color my hair, and told him that I read I should wait six months. He said: Hasn't it been SIX months?
So that was my signal to go ahead and color my hair! I did, and have never looked back!
It has been over 3 years since I finished chemo, so it seems to be all ok.
Good luck!
Harley
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golfergrandma: I think anniealso and ritajean colored their hair all through treatment. I didn't color my hair until recently so I have not paid that much attention, but you might message them and ask what they did.
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ritajean - one of the ladies told me you colored your hair during chemo. How did that work?
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golfergrandma- If Ritajean doesn't show up (though she just about always does), you can PM her. PM stands for "personal message". Just put your mouse over anybody's name (in blue) then click. You will then find the option to "send a personal message to this member". Though I still come to my favorite threads often, sometimes I like having long, drawn out conversations too. If someone PMs you, you will see a little pink number on the "private messages" tab. Click on it and read and respond if you wish. Those conversations are not public to everyone. I'm going to send you a little PM right now so you know how it works!
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Hey everyone,
I'm back from my 2nd appt today with my new onc and I've decided to go ahead with her recommendation to do the Taxotere-Cytoxan x 4. First tx will be Tues the15th. She has really listened to my concerns, explained stuff, and taken a lot of time to make me feel like I'm not just another number. She also didn't dismiss CMF but felt the 4 cycles of TC would be comparable to the 6 of CMF and I'd be finished sooner. The amount of C each time is the same, so its just trading the T for the MF. (and the hair...probably going to be the hardest part for me) I'm willing to give it a try and hope for the best as far as the SE's go.
I just want to say--- You have all been so supportive and have truly helped me get to this point so that I'm able to make this choice and go forward feeling I'm doing something instead of just stressing about what ifs, what to do and when.
I know I'm going to be doing a different chemo, but I'm in for the rads too so I' d like to be able to check in here with you all for more of your sage advice in the upcoming weeks!
Hugs, Lee
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lee- Best of luck as you start your chemo. There is a thread that has been running a long time called "Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?". I'm sure they can help you with specific things. Also, I would definitely find your chemo thread. It will probably be something like "starting chemo February 2011". I became such close friends with my June girls. It's a bond that is unmatched. Let us know how you do.
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I colored my hair all the way through the treatments with no problems. I did not lose much hair. I think it thinned a little but only my beautician and I noticed it. Usually I noticed a little loss in the shower when I washed it but it wasn't much more than I usually have. I think Mandy gave you good advice. Perhaps you might want to look for a style of wig that you like but not buy it yet. I know only a few women who have worn a wig during or after CMF. I also purchased and used the Nioxin hair products (shampoo and conditioner) while doing the treatments. I think that helped my hair quite a bit. They are a little cashy but they last a long time.
Yes, there is a cumulative affect to the treatments. Most feel much more fatigued toward the end of their journey, but a few have breezed through with not problems at all. Everyone is different and I think the important thing is to figure out what you have to do, eat, take, etc. for you to handle the treatments. There are so many different products that can be prescribed for side effects if they happen so there's no reason to suffer.
All in all........it's really quite doable.............just something we'd prefer not to do and prefer never to repeat!
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Hi Lee: I'm sure you're very relieved that you've finally made a decision. Now that you likely have a start date, you can put your four treatment dates on the calendar and start to plan ahead. I did AC*4 followed by CMF*4. Will you be doing dose-dense (every two weeks) or standard (every three weeks)?
I found the starting chemo threads great while I was going through chemo. I see there is one for those starting this month—February 2011 chemo pals. Even if the others on the thread are doing different treatments, you will find a shared sense of camaraderie.
Good luck.
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Hi lee - I was interested to read your post and glad you sound good about your treatment plan. TC x 4 and TC x 6 were two of the plans I had discussed with my doctors before CMF was offered, so I was all prepared to lose my hair. I wouldn't worry about the hair part of it because it does grow back and the main thing is to wipe out any cancer cells that might be there. I was never too sure about whether I'd lose my hair or not, so I got several wigs, hats, etc lined up for just in case. One day I wore one of my wigs over to my neighbor's house and they didn't even notice! Then when I pointed it out we all laughed. Come to find out, my neighbor's hair thinned naturally with age and she had a whole closet full of wigs... it was so fun to watch her pull them all out and show them off, so many styles and colors. I wish you the very best!
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Hi Lee - I just had an appt. this am to try on a variety of wigs and it was fun! Had a wig 10 years ago and wore it all the time. Women would come up to me at the mall and ask where I had my hair styled. It's hard to lose your hair, but harder to have a recurrence! Keep the faith!
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Golfergrandma.....So did you buy a wig?????
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Lee7;
My one positive node was micro, very small. I have been to 3 oncologists now in NY and they all recommend I do TC x4 instead of the CMF. I didn't want to hear that cause I know I will probably have a more difficult time on this regimen, but I've decided to go ahead with it. They say I am young for BC, 50, so I should do the more aggressive one. My Onco score was 19. Let me know what you decide, I'm starting on 2/28/11 and am also on the "Feb Chemo Start Date" thread. Good luck with your decision, I know its not easy, but I do feel better now that I have a set plan.
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Lee7;
I just noticed in your last post you did decide on TC x 4. When is your start date? Maybe I'll see you over on the "Feb Chemo Start" thread! Good luck!
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Ritajean - No, I didn't buy a wig, just choosing one in case. Still haven't lost any hair, and I so hope I don't lose much! Would really like to continue coloring it, but am kinda afraid? In a waiting mode....
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Everyone, thanks for the well wishes! I have to look at the Feb 2011 chemo thread. I'll be starting Feb 16th. (I have to be there 7am....bright and early) With TC you have to take premedicate with steroids the day before so I doubt I'll be getting much sleep That night.
Thanks DesignerMom, that was a good thread- I saw the thread 'Taxotere is a nightmare' thread too and hope I haven't scared myself too much reading those SE's. I'm trying to keep telling myself that everyone is different and I'm likely to do OK rather than get every single SE possible.
MaryNY, I didn't know they would do TC as a dose dense. My onc does do the AC as dose dense, and thats her 1st choice but I said no to that one upfront because of my nervousness about heart damage possibility for me. I think I finally leaned toward the TC because with 4 txs it will be finished sooner and then I will have to do the rads. I've already taken a long time deciding and though I don't believe its hurt my chances of doing well, the stress associated with putting off the decision was definately getting to me.
Beanius, that's the thing with TC, I'm most likely losing all my hair. I've got my first wig so it almost matches my current hair (which is just past my shoulders). I didn't realize till I wore it around for a few hours how heavy it feels though. I think I'm going to see about getting it trimmed shorter or maybe even getting one of those hats with bangs attached.
Ritajean ...wow, you even could color your hair during tx. I think its great because it goes to show that not everyone has the same SE's and you were able to keep most of yours.
So golfergrandma...I'd wait to see first how your hair goes before giving up on it. You may keep it all too!
M1nn1e, See you over in the FEB chemo thread!
Lee
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Lee: I think you're right about TC not being given dose dense. I suppose I just assumed it could since I had dose-dense AC and dose-dense CMF. I think you've made a good choice. I would have opted for TC too if I didn't have an underlying medical condition that made it a risky choice for me. So if you start on Wednesday, you'll be finished in nine weeks (end of April).
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Lee and Minnie...........Good luck with your TC treatments. Be sure to come back often and keep in touch with us here as we'll be waiting to hear how it goes for you! Hugs to both of you!
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Lee and Minnie - Hope your TC tx will go well for you. I don't know anything about thitreatment,but will keep you in my thoughts. You'll be finished a long time before me! Take care.
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My Florida vacation is winding down. This is the last week and I leave for home on Saturday. The sun has done wonders for my attitude and spirits and the heat from it has helped with the sore joints. It's been a nice get-a-way from the Illinois winter wonderland, but it will be nice to get back home and into a regular schedule again.
I hope everyone is having a nice day. We're off in about an hour to golf.
Rita
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ritajean- It is about 20 degrees today, but they say it will be in the 60s this weekend. You must be bringing the warmth home with you! Safe trip!
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DesignerMom....I sure hope the warmer temps trail back with us this weekend. Today was gorgeous here. We played golf with a couple from New York. They were really nice people and we had a very enjoyable round with them.
You are overdue for some decent weather there! If it arrives this weekend, be sure to get out and enjoy it!
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ritajean and d Mom - it's in the 50's here today and supposed to be 75 on Friday when I'm playing golf. Tried to play 18 last week, but was too tired after 9. Began walking today -- must get back in shape! Haven't done much since my surgery in December. Next tx is next Wed. No hair loss yet....hoping. Have visited other chemo sites (Jan & Feb), but all of the women seem to be having much more intense tx, plus neulasta which has its own se's. Feel badly letting them know I'm doing okay. BWC was a little off the other day, but still above 1500. Some of the women had 0 blood counts. I am grateful that am getting CMF.0
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golfergrandma...........Wow! Your Friday golf game should be nice with those temps!
I did have to have the neulasta shots toward the end. I got them the day after I had a treatment to build up my counts. I had worried and worried about them because I'd heard such horrible things about them, but I had no problems at all with them......and they perked me up quite a bit very quickly.
Enjoy your golf game!
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ritajean - Think the weather in IL is improving too! Incidentally, I'm from Aurora and lived in Chicago before marriage. It rocked! This group of women is so cool, and you all did so well during chemo -- it's inspiring. My bc's will probably plummet over time too, but nice to know the neulasta helps. Hope you'll be able to golf in IL soon. How long were you in FL? Later....
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Lee and Minnie, wishing both of you the very best on your treatments. Please come back and let us know how you're doing.....until then you'll both be in my prayers. Good luck
!Rita, happy to hear that you had so much fun on your trip. We're actually thinking about buying a home in FL for retirement but can't agree on a location.
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Hi My CMF Sisters,
Wanted to share that I had my first med oncology follow-up this week and alls well, including blood work. I got pretty nervous about going back for a check-up and was told this is pretty normal - there's an adjustment period after all this. Anyway, I'm 1.5 months post treatment and today is the one year anniversary of when I found the lump. So much has happened in the past year and now I can look back and say, whew! So things are looking good and I'm feeling really good. One book that was recommended is called Dancing in Limbo...I have it ordered, but haven't read yet. I'm still so grateful to all of you here who have helped me get from A to B. Hope you are all doing well!! ~ Silly Me, Beans
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Hey Beans, you're not being silly! I have my bloodwork done next week and my check with the onc the first week in March and I'm already getting nervous. It's really funny. For a long time I wondered if I'd ever get to the point where I didn't think and worry about breast cancer every day. It took me a long time to get to that point, but I do still worry when the check-ups roll around. It's like a cloud that just hangs over you and I never take the check-ups lightly. I am interested in hearing about the book that you ordered. Let us know if it helps with the post anxiety, which is so real for almost all of us Congrats on the one year cancerversary! Don't just disappear now that you're through with everything. We need to hear from you every so often, Beans! :-)
Golfergrandma....I'm a little farther downstate from the Chicago area......in the east central area. I think it will be some time before we get to golf in Illinois but Dave and I are going to Biloxi the second week in March for a golfing/casino get-away with some very dear friends. We have always talked about doing this and never managed to get it done. Then I got my bc problems and last year my friend's husband had a brain anuerism (I don't think I spelled that correctly) and nearly died so we decided that we were just going to do it while we were still able to go. So, I'll be home a couple a weeks and then leave again for a week. I'm really getting spoiled this winter. We leave for home on Saturday and have spent 3 wonderful weeks here in the sunshine.
Cabmom........there are lots of good home deals in FL right now and lots of foreclosures all over the state. I think it would be the perfect place to retire!
I hope everyone is having a good week and enjoying the heat wave that's moving across the country! Hugs to all of you!
Rita
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Beanius- Your great attitude will get you through! I constantly try to redirect my "stinking thinking" about BC. I have a feeling I will never forget about it completely. Of course with followup appointments I will become more anxious. Next month I have my first mammo and US. They have focused so much on my BC breast, I can't even remember if the "good" one was looked at! Right now I am nervous I may have a little lymphedema cropping up. I spent most of the day trying to get an appointment for evaluation. I am also getting a second opinion with a new Onc. My present Onc actually suggested I should as I am declining her hormone therapy and she says that is all she has to offer. Maybe it is time to find someone who is willing to monitor me even if I don't take AIs. I'll keep you guys posted.
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DMom...........Yep, it sounds like you need a different onc. Your oncologist should be willing to work with you and monitor you, regardless of the treatment (or lack of treatment) that you select. I'm glad you're getting an evaluation for the lymphedema. That's something that needs to be addressed as soon as possible before it runs rampant. Do keep us informed!
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My onco just recommended CMF in response to my oncoDX of 14. I have read that there is hair "thining" but could someone be honest on how much it thins? Also, like many my age I color my hair - does anyone have experience with that and if so any comments on how to make it less damaging? Thanks
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