TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP
Comments
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bjquilter. I buzzed my hair 4 weeks after starting chemo because my hair was just falling out by the handful when I showered. My thought was this: It was the only thing I had control over during my treatment for BC (when to do it, who would do it, alone or with family, how short to go etc) and I didn't want to wait to do it until I looked mangy so, as it fell out.... I buzzed it off!
I ate anything that I was hungry for during chemo, usually a tablespoon of this and a 1/4 cup of that. If it tasted okay I added it to my list of things to eat while it tasted good. I added Boost (chocolate) to help when I wasn't able to eat healthy. Baked Bean Soup-----OMGoodness it was my go to meal!
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bjquilter, time between 4-6th Taxol is the hardest emotionally, I started with anti-depressive around my 4th Taxol. It is exactly as you describe it with cravings and gaining weight, just hang in there, listen to your body, take one day at a time, you will eat healthy later. And try to get out for a walk, it makes such a difference as far as fatigue is concerned Cherry
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Hap, awhile back, on the Femara forum you said that you knew three women who had died from causes directly related to BC treatment. What were the treatments?
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Cherry,
I don't even know what Swedish Blood Pudding is! I have the combined issue of food not tasting good as well as the texture feeling rough on my tongue. Everything tastes metallic.
I still don't think I would have tried the cold cap, but losing my hair was very emotional. I didn't even like my hair.
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Hap, awhile back, on the Femara forum you said that you knew three women who had died from causes directly related to BC treatment. Which treatments
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Hi bjquilter,
My acne (face and chest) started after my 4th Taxol/Herceptin as well, and my PA prescribed Doxycycline for it.
My hair started shedding after my 3rd. I had already cut it short, but once it started shedding, I went ahead and let the salon at the hospital give me a buzz cut and fix up my wig. I didn't have big clumps missing, but the hair everywhere was annoying. Now after my 5th treatment, the rest of the fuzz is starting to come out, along with the rest of the hair on my body. My head does feel a little itchy, but nothing bothers me as much as my taste buds and stomach right now.
I've had diarrhea off and on since my first treatment and am constantly battling dehydration. Last night I threw up for the first time. Tonight after dinner, I started to feel sick again and took an anti-nausea pill, which fixed it immediately.
All my symptoms are getting gradually worse, but so far nothing is intolerable. I'm just tired of feeling below par constantly...
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Moodyblues,
My cravings have been very specific too: chicken broth, peanut butter, cookies, etc.
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Cherry,
My PA said I wasn't her first patient who was shocked to gain weight during chemo. She said it was common to crave carbs and you should eat whatever tastes good. I shouldn't joke about it, but I was almost hoping at least chemo would make me lose weight.
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SpecialK,
Thanks for the helpful info. What agrees and doesn’t agree seems to change daily.
Another unrelated symptom is body pain at night. I woke up in the middle of the night, rubbing my legs. My knees were throbbing. I took Tylenol and Ativan.
Finally, every time I blow my nose, it bleeds.
No single thing is horrible, but combined..
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Hi Dannajae!
As you can see. I did not take the same chemo as you are taking, but I did experience the dreaded metallic taste. It tended to get worse as the treatment wore on. I have two suggestions for you:
1. If you are using metal utensils to eat, switch to plastic. It helps.
2.My dear friend who had been through chemo 12 years before me sent me a book called, "The Cancer Fighting Kitchen". For metallic tastes the book recommends, "Add a little sweetener, like maple syrup or agave nectar and a squeeze of lemon. You could also try adding fat, such as a nut cream or butter."
I suffered from Big D and nausea for 16 of the 21 days that each round lasted. (I lost a LOT of weight.) On the days that I was able to eat, I craved Sweet and Sour Chicken – which makes sense in light of the books recommendation for combating a metallic taste. Another friend of mine only wanted bacon during chemo. (The thought of bacon made me shudder!) I hope this helps!
Tess111
PS I kept Peppermint Drops on me at all times because they were the one thing that would stop the nausea that would spring up out of nowhere. Some people say Ginger or Lemon Drops did the same thing for them, but for me Peppermint worked the best. Hang in there, Dannajae!
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Dannajae, of course you do not know what Swedish blodpudding ls, I live in Sweden and even though it is quite popular I have not been eating it eithe before the chemo. It contains pig blood and is good for hemoglobin. Most people gain weight on chemo. Body pain is common for Taxol according to my nurse, and my sinuses get so dry that I blow crusts and blood. I started using nose oil and it got better, still crusts but less bloody Hang in there, focus on each treatment, you can do it Cherry
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bj quilter, I had planned to shave when my hair began to fall out and then pop my wig straight on. Unfortunately I spent 6 days in hospital with feb neutropenia during my shedding time and due to infection risk I couldn't shave. So every time I touched my head or moved my turban or scarf my head hurt. It wasn't unbearable but I would have shaved if I could have. When most had come out I snipped the longer bits off ( looked like a mad woman with the wispy bits).
DanaJae, I found I didn't like my usual favourite foods and drinks. So I had a much bigger range of foods at home to choose from. Put less on the plate and ate 6 small meals. Also tried a salt water mouthrinse to stimulate taste buds. Anti nausea tabs 1/2 before eating if needed. Just managed as I could. After hospital my immune was still very low so I had healthy tv dinners which I really enjoyed. When things improved I eat healthy, ready for next chemo round!
Dry nose seems very common, I used nose oil at night made big difference and nose salt spray during the day.
Welcome to our group of supportive breast buddies, it's a wonderful haven , so good getting support and ideas from those in the same boat, just a shame that there's new people all the time.
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I've decided today is the day to shave my head. I know I'm going to feel naked but I want to go out and start gaining confidence with this new look. Thanks everyone for the input.
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I lost almost 30 pounds on chemo, to the point where my MO had me working with a nutritionist to try to keep weight on. I had a little weight to lose but not that much and not that fast. I had so many food aversions and a lot of things that didn't agree with my system, plus extreme diarrhea (I blame that on the Perjeta) and ton of muscle loss because I had some issues with exercise (back to the diarrhea) and lots of acid reflux PLus my chemo was almost six months. I slowly gained most of that weight back once I resumed a normal diet after chemo (but also started putting muscle mass on again with exercise.) So I agree with the advice of just eat what you can to try to get through it. Weight gain/loss during those treatments aren't a great indicator of any long-term effects. I oddly liked chinese food more during treatment (egg drop soup, lo mein, fried rice), I think because it was both bland and a little salty. I survived on chicken noodle soup and bone broth, applesauce, canned peaches, ramen, breadsticks or baguette with butter (warm bread was more palatable to me than cold for some reason.) Then every now and then I would get a crazy craving for something, like a BLT and have to have one. These are mostly not things I normally eat, chemo palate is crazy, I always compared it to pregnancy, you never knew what would be good from one day to the next.
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bjquilter As you shave/buzz your head, I will be thinking of you. For me it wasn't difficult to do the actual task but, I only recently (last two or three weeks) have been going out without a head covering. I went out the first time 'bare' in honor of a friend who was ringing the bell....she always bore that beautiful bald head of hers. Each day it gets easier. At this point, I feel it signifies to others that I have been through the battle and I am still walking- thanks be to the Father! My poor eyebrows though are an embarrassment....they are a HOT MESS!
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Wig
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The rest of the fuzz is coming off now, but not brave enough to go out in public without at least a head covering. Losing my hair was not devastating because of vanity. It was devastating because it made cancer real.
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dannajae - that is a really great wig - you look fantastic! Your hair in the pic above that is very close to what mine looked like too initially.
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dannajae, this is a great wig, it looks so real.
moodyblues, I am impressed by your courage, I wear a hat everywhere, even at home sometimes, I hot this thin cotton hat to wear in the early fall and to sleep in, but it is totally impossible to have it on while sleeping, it is moving in opposite direction when I am moving and so on.
HapB, I really hope your issues will resolve soon.
SpecialK, any news about your hearing return? I hope it is on its way to get better.
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Way to go BJ Quilter - you will really feel better, you have put yourself in control
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Dannajae - you look freaking awesome! Your top picture is exactly what my hair looks like now. Waiting for it to disappear completely. Your wig looks great!!
HapB - still sending you hugs and praying for you!!!
Special - yes, any positive advances on your hearing?
I'm sporting a straight hair copper wig and everyone, and I mean everyone, likes it way better than my natural hair. Guess I looked like poop most of my life
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Mooodyblue, it didn't bother me at all. I went out right after with no head covering and felt great. Then I made a mistake going into a dressing room with horrible lighting. I went looking for a hat right away. Still think i'll go without head covering occasionally.
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bjquilter. I am glad it went so well!
Cherry, not so courageous, getting there though. I am sick and tired of covering my head! Freedom, it feels like freedom! I wore a covering on my head at night for a short period of time because my hair/scalp was sensitive but, like you, it kept moving around too much.
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Thanks, everyone! My head is itching like crazy, and I now look like a crazy old man with patches of white hair sticking out. No going anywhere without a wig or scarf right now
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Danna, your wig is so natural looking...you look great with wig or without. I too just decided to get it over with and shave it off. It was torture feeling clumps come out constantly. I agree that it made it feel very real. Here is me before...1st chemo. I will post how it progressed and how it grew back. Why not lol
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The dreaded cuttin
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Newl bald. I was still in shock.
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Just starting to come back....
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I will delete all these later lol...and more recently, here it's coming back. Have to wear tubes as it's an Afro otherwise.
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