March 2011 chemo-lounge
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Hi Kay,
I had AC on friday and was tired that day and now today. I have no nausea, but can't get rid of this fuzziness in my head. I'm in NYC so not too far from you. I was considering getting chemo in Philly to be near family but thought I was going to be able to work through this, we will see tomorrow. Luckily my mom is here to help or I wouldn't know what I would do.
HUSK: I hope you are able to find a regimen that works
I'm wondering if there's any way to combat the fuzzy brainLadies, thanks for all the encouragement!! I hope to feel close to normal soon (whatever that is now)
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Jen - wonderful inspiring story - its great to hear from someone who tells us that anything is possible.
Hi Kay - good luck, you'll feel better very soon
Trying to prepare for TAC #2 on Friday, lots of exercise and veggies. Thank goodness I don't have to cook - Hubbie does that for me while I am the breadwinner.
I am trying to get used to the bald head but I get a shock every time I see myself in the mirror. I wore a black cap, black trackies and teeshirt to my trainer yesterday and he warned me not to walk the streets like that as I look distinctly dodgy. Went walking this morning early and wore my F*ck Cancer cap - made me feel better. (Can you do that in the U.S? - I suspect Aussies are more tolerant with swearing)
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Had my first chemo this morning. Feel like I've been run over a little bit and have thrown up twice. Have taken Zofran and just took a companzine after that last throwing up, hoping I'll have a window of time before the next throwing up...or the Zofran will start working. If I throw up again, I'll call the doctor. I know this is just temporary....but this still sucks!
Jen (djls)
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Hang in there, Jen. This does suck... I think the compazine will help but you're right to check in with the onc if it keeps up. Sending a virtual hug.
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Am finally starting to feel, well not normal, but better this evening. Took a walk around a longer block! That's about as much as I can handle, but seems to help with some of the leg pain. Onc nurse called today so am glad they are following up. I think I'll be able to work tomorrow, which will help keep me focused. Diz, I am still a bit foggy but think tonight it is from tackling taxes. Told my husband it was risky having me work on this, but pretty sure my fog will beat his understanding of Quicken! Luckily it's just making sure all the checks are entered and categorized properly. No big decisions to be made.
Jen, sorry you are throwing up. I am glad to have avoided that that. Seems no matter what, we're all dealing with something. Got any ginger ale or 7-up? seems to work better if its flat, so microwave a cup for 10-15 seconds. Feel better!
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welcome Kay and timerdog( i think timerdog is new yes? chemo brain already). Glad you found us to share in this journey. It is a difficult one for sure but it helps to have somewhere to come where people just get it. I too have been in denial about my hair had it cut last night not shaved but short and am feeling very sad dont know how to style short hair I think I look like a freak but I need to get my head around this as I have about 9 days left with it. I wonder when we get it shaved does that little bit stay or do we go completly bald like shiny bald???
Ok well not too chatty but wanted to say hi, sorry your still feeling the hangover husk and supersally, I didnt go to work today either, maybe tomorrow we shall see Hugs girls
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Welcome Kay! Glad you found us. I added you and your fuzzy navel on the roll call! I hope you feel ok in the coming days.
Kymn: I am sorry about the anticipation of the hair...that is going to be hard. I keep waiting for mine to fall out eventhough I am doing cold caps. I am still nervous.....
Penny: So funny about your hat! OMG! I have never seen that one but in the states people would probably freak if someone wore it.
Husker: I am betting the leg pain will be gone by tomorrow...hoping and praying! Hugs!
Dizzy: I hope you feel less fuzzy in the coming days.
Djls: Glad you got through number one. I hope the meds start working. Let us know. Cal lthe dr if not! Don't wait!
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Ok, here I come. Starting Taxol weeklyx12 tomorrow morning. Favorite drink...mojito. Yum!
I am having chemo because I am her2 positive and it goes best with the herceptin. Had a bilateral mastectomy 3 weeks ago. Having been doing great, although after the last drain came out last Tuesday, I have some fluid around the expandr area. Had it drained today. OUCH! The one time I don't take a pain pill and it hurt like crazy! I will know beter next time as he said he will probablyhave to do it again until the fills take up the empty area.
Have packed my bag and am ready to go and get it over with.
Wish me luck!
Jill
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Good Luck Jill! I am triple positive too. You will do great....drink it all in and let is so its magic!
Annie
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Ouch my hair hurts. Shaved it down to 1/4 inch buzz on Friday, but now that it's coming out, it feels like it's all pointing the wrong way. Grrrr....never thought anything could come between me and the joy of having my head on a big fluffy pillow!
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Morning Y'all!
Today I go for round 2 of TAC. My hair started shedding on day 13 following my first treatment, a little hair coming out each day. But last night in the shower, it came out in gobs. I now have a few spots on my head that are totally bald. Glad I have all my wigs/scarves lined up. Oh, and by the way, if you live in the Southeast, Burke's and Bealls outlets are a great resource for cheap, cute hats and head coverings.
Wish me luck. My onc. agreed to let my cut my steroid dosage in half because they were really bothering me...more than the chemo..Hope it doesn't backfire on me.
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Fluffqueen01: Welcome to the lounge. Pull up a barstool....you drink is on the way! Good luck with your first round. I hope you have no "hangover" after. If so, I will be with you girl...I am drinking my cocktail (#2) on Wed this week and had a hangover on days 3-6 post chemo last time. I hope you do really well!
BikeNYC and Jules: Sorry about the hair... hugs!!!!
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Yikes ladies, is this the hangover??? So headache, nausea, stomach cramps, weakness and vertigo???!! I sure hope this passes quickly.
I hope everyone is well today, and good luck to everyone getting an infusion.
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Dizzy: Yes, you have had too much to drink in the lounge. You have a hangover and are cut off for a few weeks.....hang in there girl! I hope you get better soon! You will be cutting me off in a few days...I have round 2 of the cocktails tomorrow. Be well!
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Fuzzy head has been the worst SE, in my opinion. I started feeling clearer on day 6, and after day 7, I felt normal again. Someone mentioned it (sorry, chemo brain), but you feel SO much better because you felt so awful!
I am sorry so many of us are feeling crappy. How do you all count the days? Is chemo day, day 1? Or is the first day after day 1? I am inclined to say chemo is day 1, which puts me at day 14 today? Oh no! Hair is leaving soon!
Kymn, I have been wondering the same about the bald. Fuzzy? Or Telly Savales bald? Will find out soon enough.
Love the hat, pennycookson. I do think you'd get a lot more grief wearing that in the US, but my DH says it to me all the time.
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What a cool group of lounge lizards to hang out with. My fuzzy head is a little better this morning, hoping the neulasta doesn't reverse that. I guess I'll find out. Sorry there are so many hangovers around here, but I guess that just means we go a little over the top when we go to the lounge. I also love the hat. Was thinking of getting a cancer sucks hat. Everyone in the onc office wears a Cancer Sucks button. Also saw a no hair day hat that I thought about as well. I love your hat Penny, but haven't seen that one in the US. I'd wear it though. Stay strong everyone. Good luck to all having treatments today.
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Hope you don't mind I keep hanging in the March lounge, everyone in Jan is so quiet this week and I am home and very hung over. I really wish someone would have cut me off sooner on the drinks, never felt this bad in college. With regards to the hair, I still have stubble and some white fuzz (new), this post TAC x 4, some spots around temples are completely gone. I actually had to shave a bit from legs before going to get a massage last week. No complaints, maybe that means my hair will come back sooner when this is over, a girl can dream.
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Christine - I am a January who is hanging here too. I am home and hungover too. I keep saying that I have my rehab room booked for June. I may just need to move it up to May.
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I wore my F*ck Cancer shirt to the hospital on the day of my mastectomy and also to my first chemo. I was worried about the man next to me who told us he was 90 years old being offended, but he didn't mind. It made me feel better wearing it!
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morning loungettes, well home and hungover one more day. was hoping to go to work this morning set the alarm got up got in the shower was so dizzy and nausea's just couldnt do it. so climbed back into bed and here I am. Still nausea's and tired its day 6 including chemo day so I know it has to let up. I should get some food in my belly . My head is already tingling so I know what that means not much longer sigh.
All you January girls welcome come hang whenever we are all united in this doesnt matter when we started drinking our cocktails
. Are you girls finding it gets harder or easier or the same as you continue down this road?bikenyc I have heard that your head hurts I am thinking when i shave it off, very soon, I will then take a razor to it so i dont have any stubby's bugging me. I was wondering if you get bald bald and from the sounds of things mostly you do. i dont want a few patches I think that would make me cry daily if i had to see that. who am I kidding I cry daily as is lol
dizzy sorry your hangover is so crappy right now, it will lighten up mine is lighter even though i have the same symtoms they are lighter.
good luck tomorrow mdg I hope you get few SE this go around and you can get over your hangover quicker.
Husk how are you doing today? did you go to work?
ok going to go eat something as my tummy is doing flip flops then off for a nap. I sound like an 80 year old woman lol
have a good morning girls will most likely be back today when i get up from my nap lol
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well, girls I am typing you from work! I went to the BS this am and she took out the one stitch for the port. DH had an appointment, so it wasn't an option for him to take me. My office is right by BS, so here I sit.
I'm still dizzy and mentally fuzzy feeling. Talking about actual work is really weird, like an out of body experience. I just decided to come in anyway. I want to get off of disability before the next COBRA insurance payment is due in April
Hoping I can stick it for a few hours today. Still eating bland. Maria, I'm going to try your orzo recipe. That sounds much healthier than the mashed potatoes I've been able to eat. That and grilled cheese are the only things that sound good. Everything tastes blah now, taste buds on vacation. My sense of smell overcompensating though. I got in the elevator at the doc's and some woman had overdone it on the perfume, I thought I'd suffocate!
Mother-in-law is bringing over dinner tonight. She is bringing pork chops?!? I will be eating orzo made the way Maria does.
Regarding hair, my onc told me it comes out about day 20, but most people on here say sooner, day 14 or so. I'm getting mine cut at day 7 (counting day after chemo day as day 1 because day 21 is my next chemo) even shorter. It's above my shoulders now, but going to pixie I think. Kymn, I think it's totally good that you went to a short cut first instead of shaving. I'm thinking of having her dye mine some crazy color, too. I won't even be sorry if it doesn't fall out and it's carrot-top red! Anyway, that will give you some time to adjust more to the fact that it will be gone and you will feel better about it being short as it grows in later, too. I'm going to buzz mine down to fuzz, then I've heard to use a fabric lent roller or something to take off the peach fuzz. My scalp is itchy as I'm typing - is that mental or physical I wonder?
Good luck those of you going this week and hope those of you who are hungover feel better soon. Hang in there girls, as Scarlett O'Hara says "Tomorrow is another day"
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Hi everyone,
I hope the hangovers are subsiding for those sisters who've been recovering. I'm not looking forward to my round #2 on Thursday. I start the decadron again tomorrow, ugh.
I'm at day 19 post-first chemo and my newly cut pixie 'do began shedding big time on Monday (yesterday). Washing in the shower, I pulled my hands away to have them covered in hair. More stuck to the front of me, the water just washes it loose. Even so, I have no real bald spots yet - but it looks thin in places. I'm wearing a knit hat with a cute little brim on the front (and it matches my outfit) because I don't want to leave a trail of hair everywhere I go. I may get the electric clippers out and buzz the rest off tonight, or have DH do it. He seems reluctant and sad to do it, I asked him to last night and he said let's wait. Don't know if he has the b@lls to do it. I may end up doing it myself as he watches. I've got b@lls, invisible ones. LOL! In fact, I think we're all earning our honorary degrees in testicular fortitude, just enduring this crap.
Something that may be helpful to others (sorry if too much info): more than a week after chemo I got my regularly scheduled period. Since chemo can cause menopause, I was kind of glad to see it. That was March 9th.
As of yesterday I still had my period, which is very unusual for me since I have had the Mirena IUD since 2008 and my periods with it normally last 2 to 3 days. I called my onc about this last Friday. She told me to have the IUD removed because the chemo messes with your hormones and the device may be irritating the lining of my uterus. I went this morning to have it removed - a simple, painless thing that seems like sneezing compared to cancer treatment.
Funny side note: My ob-gyn nurse practitioner said I should be sure to use birth control even if I don't get a period because missing periods doesn't mean you're infertile/in menopause.
I said good to know, but that sex is kind of low on my list of priorities right now considering I feel like crap, have intermittent anxiety, feel tired most of the time and am now actively becoming bald. Not feelin' real sexy right now, thanks very much.
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Michelle67,
Had my last period after 1st round of chemo, and none since, this was a long and heavy period. Gotta laugh about the birth control, so sexy with my coconut boobs, no hair and flannel pjs. Maybe someday, my poor husband. Used to be he might be lucky after a couple of cocktails!
Hint for girls loosing hair, I used a dark color wash cloth in the shower to gently rub off the the stubles, still have some and they look like they are staying. Lint roller works well too. Must say the hair still makes me cry the most. I still reach for the shampoo every time I get in the shower.
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Hi girls-I have been laying low for a few days so I will do some reading and get caught up..I did find out they saw some things in my lungs and a large growth on the liver during the CT/ Went for the PET today and they had run out of isotopes???? So I get to drive all the way back to the city tomorrow at 7am for that test-2 1/2hrs-then go sit in the chemo chair for 4 hrs. I had my port put in yesterday and had a reaction to the anesthesia. Puked for 24hrs-after they tried 4 different nausea meds, Hope that doesn't mean they won't work for chemo.I am worried because I was going to take the advice to water up good before going for chemo.
I will be back later tonight after I read what everone is up to.
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Back from round two of chemo. Michelle and Christine, I too, had my period after my first chemo. It is dragging on and on. I think it will never end. I'm 51, and I'm wondering if this will be my last hurrah, so to speak.
As for my hair, my onc. nurse asked me today if my scalp was sore, and I said yes. She suggested that I clip it as short as possible, (it's already very short) just not close enough to make my scalp bleed. For some reason, she said that would make my scalp less sore as it comes out. My DH has been dying to take the clippers to me, so I guess I let him give it a go. Isn't it funny he wants to clip it all off, and Michelle's husband doesn't want to clip hers off?
Anyway, not fretting about the hair at this point. Whatever it take to get me well.
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lilylady - you are doing it tough, I hate it when they mess you around like that, how can they run out!
Have a bottle of water/gaterade next to you in bed and drink a bit every time you stir, It will be better if you can get your fluids up. Nausea from the anethaesia is probably different though - fingers crossed it will be ok for the cocktail.Hang in their Kymn - nearly done this one. I meant to work day 6 (I include chemo day) but made it on day 7.
Mum is back to her usual tactful self - She had to cut short a phone conversation with me yeserday as someone arrived, I got an email later saying.
"Sorry for cutting you off, but I wouldn't do it if I though you were going to die."My stubble really irritates me in bed - keep sticking to the pillow. On the plus side I have found it easier driving in town with the headscarf on. People let you in when you are traffic queues!
Hi the Jan people, welcome, hey we're happy to share a cocktail with anyone
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Lilylady, so sorry you have to go through all of this running around and on top of that not feeling well.
Maria, I know you have your next round tomorrow, just wanted you to know I was thinking of you. Today is day 5 post chemo and I did go to the gym for an hour. Still not feeling well, maybe this is my new normal for now.
hugs to everyone,
min
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Good evening ladies,
Lily lady sending you positive warm comforting thoughts. I pray they find something to fight that nausea its so tough to go through. Hugs .
Penny omg your mom sounds like mine, trying to be tactfull but really they just arent. I am going to go in to work tomorrow that will be day 7 for me too. Do you have a sleep cap you could wear so the stubble doesnt rub?
Maria good luck tomorrow hope all goes smoothly for you.
Mig I dont think this will be your new normal I am on day 6 and feeling considerable better even just from this morning. dont push yourself and take time to rest.
Jules hope your SE arent gentle on you this round.
Have a good night all
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Well, I hope I can be considered in the March group. I start chemo on the 30th. I am just glad it was not on my birthday which is the 29th. That would have really been bad!!! I see all of you writing different things about your diagnosis. Perhaps I have been that bird with her head in the sand. This is what I understand I will be doing. Chemo every week, the first two weeks will be Herceptin, then on the third week I will be receiving Herceptin, Carboplatin, and Taxotere. Then it all starts again. I will be doing the Herceptin for a year and the other two for only six months. That is as of right now. Reading all of the posts on this website have helped me get a handle on some things that were bothering. My husband drives truck and is home every four to six weeks so you can imagine being home alone in the evening alot has caused my mind to go to areas that just scared the grap out of me and depressed me. I went looking on the internet to try to get some useful information. The lumpectomy was a breeze for me, going in a second time to clean up the area more and to check my nodes was more painful but still it was something I could handle. This is harder because it affects so many people but in such different ways, so it is hard to know what to expect. My nodes were okay so that was a bright spot of this. I thought I would only be doing chemo for only six months but that was changed. Anyway, again I hope I can be considered in the March group. Thanks,
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Ladies...so many people in the lounge I don't know where to begin. I have chemo tomorrow and I was soooo busy all day this is the first time I have sat down since breakfast - other than dinner. I am on steroids and feel exhausted tonight! I had to solve a computer problem this morning, hit the gym, poultry store, come home and shower, go to physical therapy, grocery store, pharmacy (I need senakot for tomorrow big time after the last round...ick!), pick up my son at school, come home and make dinner for tonight and tomorrow. I also had to pack my whole chemo bag (I have a lot to pack because since I am doing cold caps to save hair I am there all day) and food for all 3 of us for the day tomorrow. Then I had to get my son bathed and to bed. I am pooped and trying to catch my breath and chug more water! At least I did drink a lot of water today. The steroids make me thirsty.
Maxine: I hate the fuzzy feeling too. It's almost like I am a bit confused and concentration is difficult. I have not had it since a few days after chemo so hang in there.
Kay: Love the name "lounge lizards" LOL! THis is a one cool group of chicks to hang with. Glad you are here! I hope a bit less fuzzy too!
Chistine47; You can hang with us any time! Glad you are here! Sorry about the hangover...the cocktails are strong in this bar!
Colodisneylover; LOL at the shirt and the old man. Hilarious!
Kymn: Thanks for the good wishes...maybe I should drink less and I won't have a hangover next time. Just like drinking in college - you never learn. How many times did I swear I would never touch alcohol again? Countless.... Did I touch alcohol again? Absolutely. Some chicks never learn hu?
Supersally: I am picturing with neon pink hair like Lady Ga Ga right now! Let me know if you do something drastic...you should put that as your photo on here for all of us to check out! Sorry you are still fuzzy...it lasted a few days for me and has been gone since. Too bad you had to go to work, but best if you can get off COBRA (Ka-ching!!!). Let me know if you try the orzo. I usually like to make it with regular pastina (made with regular flour) but I have given up refined foods so the only small pasta I could find was orzo in organic whole wheat. If you are not eating only whole wheat pasta, get pastina (it's usually labelled as "ancini di bepe" I believe...my Italian is rusty). It's the best......I miss it! My mom use to make it for my as a child when I was sick....If you get daring...throw in some fresh basil chopped fine but if you need bland, leave it out.
Michelle: You may feel better when it's buzzed....I guess we forget to that some parts of this are hard for our hubbies too. Mine is working feverishly to help me keep my hair...you should see him put the caps on my head. He's an engineer...pays attention to detail. If I have hair at the end of this it's due to my hubby. As far as the sex thing...be careful ladies! I was on birth control before but since BC had to go off. I can't have hormones so my only option for BC now is condoms. Be careful...we had one break last week (first time in my life this happened!). I had to page the oncologist on call and she had to page my gyno. Oh what fun and stress. If you have NO period it DOES NOT mean you are not ovulating. You must use some protection if you can muster up energy to do the deed! (sorry if this is TMI...I feel like we talk about everything after a few "cocktails" in the bar).
Lilylady: I can't believe what is going on with you! I want to HUG you right now. I am so sorry you have had suck bad stuff and stress. It's not right! I hope things look up soon. Good luck tomorrow and keep us posted, please!!!!
Jules: You have such a great attitude about the hair. I admire that...I could not bear to lose mine so I am working hard to keep it.
Penny: OMG on your mom! Don't you just love moms sometimes? We had my mom and sister over for dinner a few weeks ago and my mom was talking about her cousins and telling me how they all "died" recently. She went on and on "she died of cancer then her husband died of cancer" after she mentioned 4 people dying from cancer I got short and stood up from the table and said "I can't listen to this! You are going to need to talk about something else" and left the dining room. Gotta love them.....simply oblivious.
Min: thanks I will keep you posted on the pending hangover. HOw are you? Great that you made it to the gym! Good job! Listen to your body though...take it slow and do only what your body allows. Drink extra water too! I hope you feel better soon!
I am off to chemo tomorrow. I just want it over with! Tomorrow I will be half way done. I am staying focused on that.....I hope all of you have a good night's rest. I will update you while I am drinking tomorrow...bringing my laptop since I have to be there for 7 hours.
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