Calling all TNs
Comments
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ditto to what Doreen and Maggie have said. Can't tell you enough to drink lots of fluids, but don't over do it. I remember someone in my chemo month drank too much water and threw her electrolytes off. I wasn't able to stomach water, but soda water seemed much more agreeable and helped settle my queezieness. Be kind to yourself and listen to your body when it needs a rest. If you can manage, a 10 minute walk is good for the body and spirit! Buy yourself some new makeup and have fun with your changing look! I never wore eyeliner in my life as I always had thick eyelashes, so in preparation, I went eye makeup shopping and picked up a gorgeous eyeliner and a good eyebrow pencil. Then some new lipstick!
Will be thinking positive thoughts for you!
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Thank you for advise! Alright! I will hydrate myself during Chemo, but not "too much".
Did you ladies kept hat or turban when you sleep? I am curious because it may be easy when I lose hair and don't have to clean up much.
slv58, did you use normal make up or changed to natural product? Does make up hurt skin during Chemo? I don't wear make up a lot in my normal life so it won't be problem if I better stay away from make up. But, since you mention about new make up, I am curious.
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hi candy..i have begun chemo from november and i am midway
expect your hair to start falling from the 18th day after the first chemo.
get a buzz cut done beforehand and suddenly on the 18th day you will find your hair coming off in chunks. i remember , one such chunk falling off and getting stuck in my eyes! and then i shaved it off completely. I would advise you to just shave it off..since its very inconvinient..
regarding turban use..yes..the hair all fallen off is inside the turban and not on your pillow, but its a big job cleaning off the mess from your turban. so better shave it off..it doesnt fall few at a time, its like big chunks..u can almost pull a bunch out with your hands
now that my days are moving from one chemo to the next, i find myself quite comfortable without hair...i am more busy handling the other side effects of chemo and eating lots of protein etc and drinking fluids...around 3 to 3.5 litres daily.
all the best for your chemo..which kind of chemo drugs have been prescribed for you?
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I had 4 inches cut off of my hair a few weeks ago and it is shoulder length now. will it be a waste of money to get a cut at this point? I had first chemo last Thursday. I was thinking maybe I should just get the scissors and just give it a go. I have had an awful head ache ever since is there anything that can help with that?
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candy candy,
I switched to Bare Minerals, using only their powder products and moisturized with Neutrogenia cream. I felt as if the makeup wasn't penetrating my skin (I was phobic about chemicals after BC dx). Don't know if it is true but it was fun treating myself to a new "look" --I really love how the last step, Mineral Veil, made my skin so smooth. The brushes are expensive but I didn't care--I needed some retail therapy!
In any case, it's good to get rid of any makeup you have had for more than a couple of months and buy new (no matter what the brand), as germs can build up quickly in old makeup and you don't want to risk anything that could negatively effect your immune system.
Hugs,
Peggy
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candy, I didn't change brands as I really like my powder foundation. I did have to get eyebrow makeup as my brows fell out after last taxotere, but had thinned considerably prior to that. Unfortunately they did not return to their former glory, but small price to pay!
I had my friend shave my hair down to about an inch prior to the great shed-and like others my scalp began to ache-as if each follicle was screaming-before I started to loose handfuls of hair. Don't laugh, but I decided to vacuum my head! Hehe. Worked like a charm and I think it was about 2-3 days before I was 90% bald with a bit of peach fuzz that I kept through my whole tx. I did wear a night cap as I found my head was always cold!
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I chose to buzz cut my hair before it fell out. My son cut it, and I invited a girlfriend over. She showed up with a camera and we had fun with it, shaving it in stages. Below is the Mohawk stage before we completely buzzed it. It was a huge hit with my son's friends when he posted it on Facebook.
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Check out the "Look Good Feel Better" sessions at your nearest American Cancer Society. They're very good.
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Hi All,
I did neoadjuvant taxol (x12) first and am doing AC now. I just have one more infusion to go on Jan. 14th. My hair thinned considerably on taxol, but I was always able to "pass" as someone who just had fine hair. With my 3rd AC, I have very little hair left. It never came out in clumps....just some every day. I wear a cap indoors and out because it's chilly here. The AC is wearing me down.....I think because I was tired from the Taxol before I started AC. I take a lot of anti-nausea meds, Emend IV, zophran, phenergan, scopaline patch, ativan.....I still have frequent feelling of nausea. I only threw up once on day5 post AC #1 when the Emend wore off.
I just feel very weak and tired right now. I'm just glad it's the middle of the winter while I'm going through this. I don't feel like I'm missing so much by not being able to go outside like I normally do.
I was 60 when I was diagnosed with TNBC. That was the exact cut-off for my insurance covering the cost of the BRCA test for women with TNBC. I just got the results back New Years Eve. I'm negative.
I meet with the breast surgeon on Jan. 15th (the day after my last AC infusion). I believe I will be having a lumpectomy and lymph node disection. If I don't get a pCR, my oncologist may give me a platium-based chemo after surgery. My tumor has shrunk a lot with AC so it's possible I might get a pCR. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
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Simplelife4real ~ I had the A/C first. It was worse for me than the taxol. My hair fell out during A/C and started growing back during the 3 months of taxol. My tumor also shrunk during the A/C completely. I also slept a lot during the A/C and was very thankful when it ended.
My daughter was 25 so I had the BRCA test and it was negative. We were both thankful.
What does pCR mean? path?
gwen
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I am only into my first week of AC and I am so tired and achy. I am pretty sure I do not have a piece of my body that doesn't ache. I am so blessed to have my family and friends.
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pcr is pathological complete response. No evidence of tumor.
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Not sure if you ladies are new to this thread, and I don't post often, but I noticed that some of you were saying today how the AC was making you achy! Well, for me, I was never sure if it was the AC or the Neulasta shot I received afterwards, but I read here that Claritin helps with that ache! As for me, I have taken claritin for several years now and maybe that's why my pain level never got above a dull ache!
Just a thought that you may ask you MO about! If it will not conflict with any other meds, it's worth a try! I took the AC first, basically had very little down time each treatment (took treatment on Thursday and my only downtime was extra sleep on the Saturday following!! I had no trouble at all with the taxol, I took 12 weekly infusions! I never even missed any work during all of my treatments except for the appointments(doctors, chemo). I also had no issues during my 33 radiation treatments, no skin issues at all, but jow that I'm 2 months out, I'm having some pain in the rib to back area of the radiated side. Nothing severe, but very nerve racking as I'm not convinced that it's not mets, although my MO and surgeon said I have no cause for concern at this time!
Anyway, I wish you ladies the best!
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Going to begin Taxol on 9th.
My onco says taxol is like a breeze when you compare it with AC. Really???
AC was terrible for me.. Lots of nausea ... The first Ac even took me to the hospital becos i got dehydrated..was throwing up all the time, including water and anti nausea medicines too. From the second Ac, i used to take anti nausea medications as injections.
Little scared for taxol..have had enough trauma with AC, cant handle anymore.
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Welcome to all of our newbies. The ladies on here have given such good advice that it's hard for me to add very much else.
Fighter - hope everything is ok with you. Keeping you in my prayers.
Gramof2 boys - I would also recommend the BRAC gene test if only for peace of mind and to try and protect your daughter in the future. I had mine done and it came back inconclusive so goodness knows what that really means. My BS has advised that I have it done again and I think I will although my two girls are already having mammo's because of my BC.
Candycandy - everything you have been told on here so far is what you will need. I can only add take your nausea meds whether you need them or not. Drink plenty of water and other fluids. I was encouraged to drink 2 litres per day of water and I was never a water drinker, just adore my coffee's, but I made it and now can't do without it although not 2 litres. I probably drink half of that now. Eat what you can when you can. Nibble on crackers if you feel a bit queasy but I found the dexamethasone gave me a ferocious appetite. Not sure if you will get the Dexa as I am in NZ but I think you may get something like it. Make sure you have something for constipation and then again something for the diarrhoea. I had the constipation and it was a real bummer (pardon the pun). Rest as much as you can but do get some daily exercise. Thinking of you going through this and sending big hugs.
BanR - no I am out of chemo and radiation now but I will never forget how I felt during it and I understand the fear and anxiety that all you newbies are going through. The ladies on here at the time were the ones who got me through my treatment and I couldn't have done it without them. To me they were angels from Heaven.
Tifj - way to go girl. Nearly four years out woohoo.
Zenful - neat hair cut. My hair was red and wavy but is now dark with silver tips (emphasizing my age) and its as straight as. I do miss my waves but it doesn't look like they are going to come back.
Bak - where are those pics of your beautiful Romi.
Kathy and Titan just where do you think you are hiding lately. Bout time you came back on here.
Well it was back to work for me today after nearly two weeks off and boy do I feel it. Even the weather cheered up now its back to work. Thinking of all you newbies and also our regulars. Big hugs to you all. Annie
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Zenful, OMG! You look hard-rock!!
I did my hair cut to short from my very long hair before my first surgery. Now, I am waiting another week or so to make it more shorter. slv58, LOL! sorry I have to laugh! But that's really make sense!!!
Do you recommend to shave before or after Chemo start (my chemo start this Thursday). I wanna play with my hair too!! It's kinda unique opportunity
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Candycandy,
You'll have 1 1/2 - 2 weeks from your first chemo before you lose your hair, so I would say play with it for the next week or so. There's no rush to cut it off until it starts to fall out. Have fun with it!
Good Luck!
Doreen
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Tekwriter, my MO told me to take Claritin (the 24 hour kind) twice a day for a week beginning with the day of my AC infusion to combate bone pain from the neulasta shot. It has helped a lot. I feel a little achy in my legs and hips, but nothing terrible.
I am finding AC much more fatiguing than Taxol, but it might be because I did the 12 weeks of taxol first. I also really have to stay on top of my anti-nausea meds with AC too. I think I'm just one of those people prone to nausea. I get car sick etc. I also take Miralax every day that I am taking Zofran round the clock. It keeps the constipation from becoming a problem.
I feel like I look like a ghost when I look in the mirror...almost no eyebrows or eyelashes. Here's what I look like this morning without make up.
I'm soooooo ready to be done with AC...as much as I love what it has done to my tumor. Today, I can't feel it at all.
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I am taking the claritin but I have had a head ache for the entire time and awful achy weak feeling with this stuff. I guess we are all different. The nausea has not been bad but I have kept up with the pills and only eat what I want. I am very careful. I will be glad not to feel mine.
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you Ladies are all awesome! Those doing chemo - you can do it! Annie is so right about taking your nausea meds on time whether you need them or not. I didn't once because I felt fine, well within 10 minutes after eating dinner a wave of nausea hit me and I wished I had taken my meds. From then on I would take the anti nausea meds starting after infusion and for about 5 days and then gradually wean off till next tx. If I even had a hint of nausea, I took a pill.
Simple life-you look gorgeous! Your beautiful smile radiates and I can see an inner happiness shining through your eyes-you got this beat!
Trek writer, can you call your MO and see if you can get something for your headache?
Candy, I cut my hair 4 days after my first tx because I wanted to be in control. I was going to loose my hair because I wanted to-cancer wasnt going to take it from me! My friend came over with a bottle of champagne in one hand and clippers in the other! I had previously cleared having 2 glasses of bubbly with my MO who said "go for it!"
Wishing all a very good day with minimal SE
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Simple, you are beautiful. I know what you mean about feeling Ike a ghost. I thought I looked like the actor in Powder. Then, another time, I looked in the mirror at my bald head, round face and lack of anything feminine looking, and thought I looked just like Bruce Willis. I began to wonder if I would ever really look like myself again, but I assure you, your real face will reappear soon. We sure go through a lot, but wow, we are so much stronger for it!
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hello to all,
Just found this trial on web.
http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/adult/breast/clin...
It looks promising. Let's pray for continued good results for the participants in this trial.
It is very hard to find a trial for us TNBC's
It is all done in New York at Sloan Kettering. But maybe once on trial it can be administered locally. That I am not sure about. Hope this link works.
Best to all,
Marsha
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Hey all..I am here..been busy with Christmas and New Years! My hubby got me an ipod for Christmas which I have been trying out while jogging...it certainly makes jogging easier and more fun..I'm not faster but the time goes faster...
Welcome to our new tn's....yes..sorry you are here..it does stink..but this group is a lot of fun and loving and have a lot to offer you as far as info and just listening....we are here for each other....
sounds like your chemo tips are in line.....chemo sucks but following everyone's tips are a must...take your nausea meds, drink liquids...eat what you want..and tastes good...if you crave mashed potatoes and kentucky fried chicken...eat it...you can do the healthy thing later....what is important is getting through it..I did try to walk some...the fresh air and exercise did me good..cleared the head....took the claritin for the neulasta pain...and well..just tried to live well between treatments...didn't want the chemo to rule my life...didn't want BC to rule my life.....
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Fighter- Just thinking about you and hoping all is well.
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Hi all,
Haven't posted in ages, and so saddened to hear of Karen's passing, the last time I was on we had recently lost 2 other lovely ladies, may they all be at peace.
I'm about 11 weeks post chemo and have been experiencing allot of joint pain - my fingers are always aching and whenever I get up in the morning instead of being 37 I'm more like 107, I had a bit initially after the Taxol and then I came right and now it's back worse than it was previously.
Thanks and much love to all xox
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I'm really enjoying this time since my treatment finished. I look at things so differently now. I look at my gorgeous grandchildren's faces to see what they might look like when they grow up (hope I'm around to see if I was right). I look at my wonderful daughters and I see the tiredness that comes from running their home, doing their jobs and caring so remarkably for their families without complaint. I admire and adore them so much as women and I couldn't ask for better daughters. I look at my old feller and feel so grateful he is still with me and I still love him with all my heart. I look at my job differently and I'm not so tired of it now and I look at all my work mates whom I love to bits and wish they never have to go through these troubles. I am more chilled out and really don't sweat the small things anymore. I have never been afraid to speak my mind but now I think more before I do it. I look at the stars and the sunsets and I don't even really mind the rain and I look at my gardening which sort of went by the board when I was diagnosed and didn't feel like doing. Now I have a great deal more respect for it. And every time I find a weed I think of cancer and pull the bastards out with a vengeance.
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so very well said cocker_spaniel!!
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hi all
one issue bothering me.
I began ACs with my Wbc at 7000 and Haemoglobin 12.2
after every cycle of Ac i was given neulasta shots, yet after every cycle my wbc and hb kept dropping . My fourth ac was postponed by a week and dosage reduced by 10 percent, since my wbc went down to 1400 inspite of getting the neulasta shots and now after my fourth and last AC, the number stands here, wbc= 3900 and Hb=9.2
I have 4 dose dense taxols lined up. If this is the pattern after 4 DD Acs then i am worried thinking where will my counts drop down to once taxols begin? Onco says taxol doesnt hit Wbcs and Rbcs too much.
Would be happy if any of you could share your experiances.
Thanks!
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Don't get alarmed BanR - same exact thing I went through with the A/C - even ended up one round of it in the hospital with Febrile Neutropenia and a blood transfusion. Had my next A/C put off to three weeks too. I never again had that trouble with the Taxotere ( I had 1 Taxol, but instant neuropathy so was switched by onc) to the extent I needed to postpone a round. You will be fine - I promise! Best wishes to you.
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BanR, I was scheduled for 12 weekly taxol treatments following my AC, but my white count dropped after the first one, so they switched me to every two weeks so they could give me a Neulasta shot after each treatment (can't give Neulasta weekly). My MO Sid it was very unusual for white counts to drop on Taxol, but he had seen it happen a few times. You will probably do just fine.
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