Starting Chemo in Nov. 2011...anyone else?
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To all the new buddies posting on this thread a great BIG WELCOME! I can not believe how much I have learned from the women here and how supportive everyone is. Sorry you had to join us, but at least we have a safe place to share and ask questions from people who are knowledgeable and more than willing to help out.
GrandmaV ~ So glad your second chemo has been tolerable so far. Mine is on Tuesday and not looking forward to it, but like you, I will be more aggressive with treating the big D and trying to avoid SE's or at least try to make them more tolerable. I am so afraid I may have a reaction like you mentioned so I told my husband to make sure he is keeping an eye on me and to yell right away if I make any strange motions to him.
Kim, Andimom, Sandlake ~ I totally understand your dread about the hair loss and I am glad you have support for when you decide to lose your hair. I was nervous to see myself bald, but while I hate the whole idea of having to go through this thing bald, I can honestly say it hasn't been nearly as hard as I imagined. My husband literally held my hands when my head was being shaved and that made it so much easier. Not that I am by any stretch of the imagination a pretty bald headed woman, but I really don't look as bad I thought I would. Like Lory said, the support of those who love and care about you make it more comfortable. My DH told me last night how proud he is of how I have handled the whole thing. That really made me feel happy. I guess it's easier to be brave if you don't have a choice...LOL! I went to high tea with 8 good friends today (our annual Christmas outing) and they were so sweet and truly amazed at how real my hair halo looked with my "tea hat" It made the dayt even more fun, and I wish you all the same happy experience as you deal with this unwanted change in your look.
Take care and have a great Saturday evening. Linda
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Sandlake,
Yes, I was so afraid of hugging the bowl all night long that I kind of overdosed myself with anti-nausea meds, but it still made me sick around 1 AM, so ended up getting another med which i only took once cause i just couldn't fall asleep. I think i'm gonna try to wing it without the meds unless i really need it, cause the side effects from the meds i feel made me feel worse, i had an all day of being dazed, anxious, and short of breath, not fun. I guess we just have to see what works...
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My first treatment the nurse had a hard time finding a good vein, so this coming Mon I'm getting a port? put in on my arm, is it called a port there too? Anywho, after leaving me with a very badly bruised arm and 5 puncture holes, she asked my doctor to order it. Hopefully it'll be easier this time around.
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Sandlake,
About the hair shaving thing, my onc actually advised me to shave it prior to starting chemo, so I braved it and did it, it hasn't fallen out yet, but everyday my girls remind me that it's growing out little by little, at least til it falls out. I was pleasantly surprised by how good I look bald, never realized i had such a round and sexy head, my hubby actually loves it, but when i mentioned after treatment that maybe i'll keep it like this, he said let's grow it out just a little, heee hee. I was more afraid of my girls' reactions, but they took it really well, now 8yr old and just turned 6 yr old. It's just hair and u know what it's gonna grow back, although my dad is bald, soo.... j/k
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Thank you Lory...I have a friend who will come to my house, I will be ok!
I talked to our esthetician at our salon, she recommended using a good moisturizer on our head and face.
Cyndi
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Thanks Naan,
My husband is bald and very handsome. He is very supportive of my new look, I will feel much better when it's all done.
I shaved the hair of a close friend of mine last summer, it was the hardest hair cut I've ever done. She looked so beautiful, and now that her hair is growing in again her style looks better now than before!!!
Thank you for your support!
Cyndi
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Naan,
I had a lumpectomy on my left breast, had my port installed in my right breast. It was sore for about a week after. Only one poke on Tx day seems worth it to me
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Linda,
Thank you for your kind words!!
Cyndi
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sandlake, I agree the less pokes the better. I'm kind of getting tired of being poked at whenever I'm at the dr's office
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Lori48 - I shaved my head last night and I actually still used my infusium shampoo and conditioner for fear of drying out my scalp with anything else. I don't have sensitive skin but do have red hair so I want to keep it moisturized up there. Not sure what others are doing but once I have a shine on top I will probably use my facial cleansers and moisturizers.
I did my hair with my husband and kids and so happy WE did it. We each took part in some way, my daughter (16) cut my hair into various styles and then my husband shaved it. We then shaved his head (already balding but the thought matters). My son (5) was a bit upset at times but said he loves me with and without hair :O) I never thought I would make it throught that experience but I proved stronger than imaginable. And besides, it was was better than watching it fall everywhere!!!
Best of luck to everyone.
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Lori48 - I shaved my head last night and I actually still used my infusium shampoo and conditioner for fear of drying out my scalp with anything else. I don't have sensitive skin but do have red hair so I want to keep it moisturized up there. Not sure what others are doing but once I have a shine on top I will probably use my facial cleansers and moisturizers.
I did my hair with my husband and kids and so happy WE did it. We each took part in some way, my daughter (16) cut my hair into various styles and then my husband shaved it. We then shaved his head (already balding but the thought matters). My son (5) was a bit upset at times but said he loves me with and without hair :O) I never thought I would make it throught that experience but I proved stronger than imaginable. And besides, it was was better than watching it fall everywhere!!!
Best of luck to everyone.
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lory, i use burt's bees shampoo and have been since i shaved my head. it's natural with no paraben and it doesn't have a strong scent. during chemo any strong smell would make me feel queasy.0
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Season's Greetings to Everyone,
Tomorrow is my 3rd round of chemo and I feel the trepidation creeping in today. I try to hydrate myself big time the day before as I was told it is easier to get the needle in the vein that way. I am feeling well physically; mentally I am feeling down. Just in the last couple of days I have an aunt who was told that her gallbladder cancer is back and there is not more to be done. Then a friend from my early years passed away with lung cancer. Needless to say, hearing this news is sad and brings me down just before I am to have another treatment. But.......I will perservere and get through it.
I have had a bald head now for nearly two weeks and have found that it is actually growing back a bit. When I put a silk scarf on it feels like velcro! My partner says he can see it growing back quite evenly. I have not gotten a wig, nor do I intend to. I am not out in the public much and I have had several people tell me now that they have tired of them quickly and just whipped them off to let their baldness show. That would be me I think.
I like the idea of Burt's Bees Shampoo and will look for some tomorrow. My scalp has been very dry and I keep having to put moisturizer on it.
Onto Chemo #3. I am wondering at what point in this process they will run pet scans, etc., etc., So far, they have done a routine physical, tapping here, tapping there and basically determining I have a pulse. No big workups which I dread but, at the same time, would like to have that done.
So thankful I have all of you to talk with.
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Help! Any good tips for constipation? The Senekot S isn't doing its job and every time I "go" I feel like I'm giving birth.
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mardibra - My MO recommended 3 Senecot S tablets after each meal, followed by 5 oz of prune juice. Oh and fluids, fluids, fluids! This is more than the dose recommended on the box, but it's working for me as long as I don't miss a dose. I also try to get 28 grams of fiber a day but some days I have trouble getting that down.
I'm not sure if my constipation was from the Taxol or from the Zofran for nausea but it sounds like yours! Good Luck!
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mardibra, the only thing I would add to phgraham's post might be Milk of Magnesia. It might be worth a try.0
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hi group
I started chemotherapy Nov. 22 AC x 8 T x4 then, lump , then rad ,then a few more chemos for icing on the cake.
I am grade 3, ER pos ,5 cm, I will get more info try to put it at bottom of posts
I have 2 children 7 & 9 years old, a dh, and a lovable yellow lab who will be babysitting me and begging to walk everyday. I have been reading posts for a week and what a great support group we have here. have to run to soccer tournament, my 2nd chemotherapy is Tuesday so I,m trying to get everything I can done these next 2 days. cyn0 -
Oh the constipation, tried everything for 4 days ,them it turned the other way to immodiums side... I,m going to try proactive approach this chemotherapy and take laxative and softner b4 treatment
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Hi Ladies- hope y'all are having a minimal SE day.
Shampoo- although I have not shaved my head yet since my hair has only been falling out the last 3 days, I bought a shampoo & moisturizer for the occasion. Onesta Hydrating shampoo (no parabens, sulfates, glycol, DEA, TEA, colors or dyes. I bought it at "Image Recovery Center" at John's Hopkins Baltimore. I beleive there are several satillite shops throughout the country.
Moisturizer for our bald & beautiful look- Recommended by a BC cancer survivor- Jason Age Renewal Vitamin E 25,000 i.u. moisturizing cream. She recommended blending it with liquid foundation, to give your scalp the same color as your face. She looked absoutlutely fabulous!
The Big C- appreciate all the posts with recommendations for relieving consitpation. I have been battling it since my 1st treatment. I tried to be proactive for the 2nd treatment & it does not seem to be working--- I am still constipated on day 5 after the treatment. I have been taking ducolax, colace & metamucil. I think next tx I'm going to start the "cure" before tx instead of waiting till the next day.
{{{HUGS}}} to all
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Good evening ladies
Nine days past my second treatment. I felt tireder this week than after the first. Maybe because I worked all week. Most nights I was in bed by 9. Normally its 12. Nothing I eat tastes right. I just eat because I have to. Off to the Dr tomorrow for my mid treatment bloodwork. I presume my count will be down since my husband gave me his cold! I work in a high school with 2300 students and get a cold from one man. Talk about typhoid Mary. Lol.
Hope everyone has a great week with little to no SE.
Denise0 -
naan- If its in your arm its called a PICC LINE I had one and it rocked, No pain, its just a glorified IV Mine was just taken out at my last treatment Nov 17th had it for 18 weeks...... Im kinda freaked now going for surgery again In a week or so for a mastectomy, had lumpectomy June 22nd rad onc wants the breast GONE........ Im so scared, still have some SE'S yucky mouth and hand and foot syndrome Grrrrr
WILL THIS EVER BE DONE................. 0 -
Hey everyone. naan 1004, my first treatment is the same day as your second, so I'll be thinking of you. So much to learn. I'll probably get the hang of it all by the last tx! I hear so many varied reactions...just have to wait and see. GrandmaV, I will be thinking of you on these cold winter days. Here, it is nice but chilly. I'm personally tired of sleeping in a chair. I tried to sleep on my side for a nap today and just laid there and cried for a bit. Couldn't get comfortable between new port put in and expanders - no matter how many pillows! Oh well. There are a lot of things to be thankful for...I just keep trying to find them every day.
phgraham, sounds like your family is like mine. I have a list of people who want to drive and stay with me through my treatments. Family, friends who have been there - it's a gift. I haven't been to a doctor's visit alone yet. They take notes for me! I can't remember everything they say!
Blessings to all of you. It is nice to hear so many thoughts that I've been thinking and such helpful support. By the way, for the head soap? I would think body wash would work...I'll ask!
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Terry71, my double mastectomy was first, and they found the tumor larger than they expected...wonder if they'd known the size, if they would have done chemo first. Don't be scared...we will all be here for you. One thing that helped me trememdously is a camisole made to hold the drain bulbs you will probably go home with. Am I allowed to say a company on here? I got one locally, but also one was recommended from an online company called 'gentletouch'. If you google it and search for mastectomy products you should find it. They were so helpful and kind, a small homebased business and the cami is my favorite...soft cotton with pockets built in, not velcro. Insurance may even cover it or part of it for you. The drains were a pain, but the cami helped.
Hope this encourages you! I am 4 weeks post a double - still tender but okay. Some days I feel pretty normal - a faster recovery all in all compared to my hysterectomy 2 years ago.
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linniehopp-I haven't worn my wig yet. It is ready to go, but I have never even put it on, except for when the wig shop lady put it on me. I am on day 10, so I am expecting my hair to start coming out sometime this week, and I am hoping to get through the work week before I buzz my head next weekend. I decided that I could wear my wig whatever day this week it becomes necessary, but I am wondering how hard it will be to get on and brush. The wig lady said to brush it down several times and showed me how. I feel like I need to be practicing before I have to do it in a rush to get to work some morning, but I can't really bring myself to do that before I have to. I enjoyed my daughter's baby shower to day with my own hair. I thought about just wearing the wig because I think my own hair is already affected, not thinner, it just feels different somehow to me already. I don't know if that is real, or if I just think of it that way, knowing its days are numbered.
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Bahamamom ~ I didn't wear my wig until I had my head shaved. I was going to wear it when I went to the doctor last Thursday, but couldn't get it to look how I wanted. So I ended up going with just a hat, but then came home and put on the hair halo and went Christmas shopping for a couple of hours. That felt a lot better to me than just the hat, but when I go for my 2nd treatment on Tuesday, I think I will just be really comfie and wear a hat only. It isn't like anyone else getting treatment won't have a clue that the hair is gone! I did wear my wig to work on Friday and got lots of (genuine I hope) compliments. I was at the store today and met two casual friends who knew I had BC but didn't know that I had started chemo. They both swore they thought it was my hair. I finally saw my MIL (she's 87) with my wig on for the first time and she never said a word tonight. So all in all, I feel pretty good about it, but would definitely have preferred to skip the bald thing! My wig stylist said to just hold one strand in the front when brushing my wig and that seemed to work pretty well. It does take awhile to get used to putting it on, but I have to say today was much faster and easier. It's a good thing since I am definitely not a morning person and don't want to have to get up any earlier than normal to get ready!
Knebel ~ I know what you mean about eating and this is my third week. I dread trying to find something I can tolerate after my next treatment on Tuesday. Hate, hate, hate the metallic taste and everything just tastes "off" to me.
To everyone else ~ Hope you have a good evening (what's left of it). Glad to hear that we are all blessed with the support of family, friends and co-workers and especially the support of our November Chemo group...sure makes life easier to deal with most days. Take care...Linda
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Maggie, hang in there, we're all gonna get through this together. When it's time for some, they will leave before others, but I believe we are here to stay so we can spread the word about the importance of early detection, at age 39 and having breast fed my 2 girls I never imagined I would be the one worrying about cancer. Well, here we are fighting this disease and we will persevere!! Hang in there baby!!! 0
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I've been drinking organic yogurt with probiotics and taking a natural probiotic cleanser called Pro EM1 by Dr Higa, check online u might be able to find it, these two things are doing me wonders, as well as lots of veges and fruit.
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FL islander, we're chemo buddies, i also started on the 22nd. Good luck on your upcoming chemo, my next one is 12/13, i have a week to go.
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Terry, thanks i know they told me the name, but didn't write it down. Yeah, i think i could do without any more holes in my arm and I'm a major bruiser, my first chemo was on 11/22 and my bruisers are still there from the 5-6 holes they poked in me. eek
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Linnyhop, We are chemo buddies.. I go Tuesday as well for #2.. Good luck to you tomorrow
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