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Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013

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Comments

  • Lyra10
    Lyra10 Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2015

    I love the blonde too! You look super cute

  • Smurfette26
    Smurfette26 Member Posts: 269
    edited December 2015

    They all look gorgeous Smile

    I like the longer one but is it going to be the most comfortable.

    I chose the closest style, length and colour to my own hair. I wasn't adventurous at all.

  • Sloan15
    Sloan15 Member Posts: 845
    edited December 2015

    They look great! I like the blonde one and the long one. Pick one that makes you feel amazing. I watched the Amer Cancer Society video about makeup and wigs, and I saw how the women looked more confident and positive when they wore something that made then feel amazing, verses average. Since doctors say our attitude has a lot to do with recovery, yep, pick one that makes you feel amazing!

  • Nebraska917
    Nebraska917 Member Posts: 16
    edited December 2015

    I had my first TC treatment today. I'm doing okay. Kind of tired and unable to focus on much. I get the neulasta shot tomorrow and am taking Clariton and will take some pain meds. I bought a 75 Oz water jug and keep telling myself to drink up.

  • Sloan15
    Sloan15 Member Posts: 845
    edited December 2015

    Nebraska - drinking water really REALLY helps! Exercise when you can, sleep when you need to. You're 1/4 of the way finished!

    We have similar stats. Did you have an oncotest? I just finished radiation last week, and I start Tamoxifen at the end of the month.

  • Nebraska917
    Nebraska917 Member Posts: 16
    edited December 2015

    my oncotype was a 23 I believe. So right in the middle. I will start tamoxifen after as well. Im 29 so I went thru egg harvesting last week. I don't have to have radiation though. Had a bilateral masetcomy end of October.

    I wish it wasn't winter so I could go on some walks. But can hopefully go use a treadmill to get up and about.

  • Sloan15
    Sloan15 Member Posts: 845
    edited December 2015

    Good luck to you. Just keep saying, "I got this!" Next time you'll be 50% DONE. Yep, you got this!

  • gakristi
    gakristi Member Posts: 21
    edited December 2015

    Good luck Nebraska917. In the week since I've found them, these ladies have been a huge source of help and information and support!

  • gakristi
    gakristi Member Posts: 21
    edited December 2015

    Hey guys - well, 1 week post treatment 1. I went in for my blood work today and my white blood cell counts were low. They told me to start taking my Cipro tonight and come back in on Monday. We didn't do the shot with the 1st treatment. He said he wanted to hold off and see if I would need it due to the cost (sometimes insurance doesn't like to pay for it) and the side effects. Unfortunately, this means that treatments 2-4, I will be getting the shot, so I'll have to deal with the side effects. :(

    Otherwise, things haven't been too too bad. Some minor aches / pains in my muscles / joints that seems to move north about every 2 days. Saturday and Sunday it was mostly in my lower legs, feet, and ankles. Monday and Tuesday, it was more in my face (jaw and teeth) and I had really bad heartburn. Today, I've had a bit of a headache. So far, Tylenol takes the edge off. I have a rash that has developed on my neck and chest (especially between my breasts) and down around my "girl parts". And my mouth has that fuzzy feeling like I've burned it by eating / drinking something hot.

    Luckily, I'm able to work from home. I went into the office on Monday, but wound up leaving early because I felt pretty bad.

    I haven't made any decisions yet regarding wigs / head coverings. I'm leaning against the longer wig because I just don't think I'll wear it. It doesn't feel like "me" to me. After reading through some of the previous posts here, it sounds like for several days after it starts falling out, I may have a very tender scalp and won't feel like wearing anything, so I'm trying to keep that in mind.

    There was a lady (Milo5) that was posting in the first several pages that had a halo wig and hat in her photo that looked great on her. I saw where someone asked her where she got it, but if she replied, I haven't gotten that far yet. If anyone has any insight, I'd appreciate it. :)

    Kristi

  • Jclc83
    Jclc83 Member Posts: 167
    edited December 2015

    Try TLC Kristi, it's part of the American Cancer Society. They have lots of stuff



  • brithael
    brithael Member Posts: 150
    edited December 2015

    Got my first chemo date for Dec. 28th - good news- it's after Christmas! Bad news - port placement is Christmas Eve Eve when my family is visiting from Texas. Can't win 'em all. Read through lots of this thread today and jotted down info for going to chemo. Also sent my MO an email for an EMLA prescription for my port. They haven't scheduled me for Neulasta or given me an anti-anxiety script since they say they'll see how I'll do first. I've been OK on the anxiety part since this rodeo began in September, but quite frankly, chemo scares the S**t out of me!

    I already have a couple of wigs (non-human hair,) since I've been an actor since I was quite young. I once did a show where I wore four different wigs and my real hair, so I have no problem wearing them. They gave me a script for a "cranial prothesis" and my insurance covers it, so I may check that out as well.

    Thanks to all who have been giving such good advice and tips.

  • gakristi
    gakristi Member Posts: 21
    edited December 2015

    Hi Brithael! I'll be getting my 2nd TX that same week, so we'll do it together! For me, my approach is to take it one day at a time. If I try to spend any time thinking about how I'm going to feel over the next few months, it's overwhelming. I draw comfort and strength from the ladies here who walked this path in front of me and shared their experience. All of it, the anger, humor, pain, and triumph, give me the courage that we have this, together!

    Btw, I didn't know you could get a prescription for a wig! That's interesting to know!

    Kristi

  • Jclc83
    Jclc83 Member Posts: 167
    edited December 2015

    It doesn't hurt when they access my port other than a little pinch. It's used for drawing blood and chemo infusions.

    I'm glad I have it. It's a lot less painful than a needle stick.

  • octogirl
    octogirl Member Posts: 2,434
    edited December 2015

    gakristi: There is a woman on the September 2015 chemo board, Southern Charm, who had some great looking halos. You could PM her to ask where she got them, or go through that thread. She's a sweetheart. I have to say, however, that I did't like my halo and never used it more than for quick walks around the neighborhood: it itched!!! I am not sure it has any advantage over a wig, and the wigs are more versatile. Just my opinion, however...

    Hugs,

    Octogirl


  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 607
    edited December 2015

    Wishing peace and calm who travel this way and many thanks for giving support to others on this adventure.

  • gakristi
    gakristi Member Posts: 21
    edited December 2015

    Things are going well as I wrap up the last few days of the first 3 weeks (only 3 more treatments to go!!). My WBC has finally begun to rebound nicely and will be back in good shape in time for treatment 2 next week (Wednesday)! I did choose a wig and have now shaved my head as well. The hair started coming out in large quantities exactly 14 days after treatment 1. I am glad I had already cut it short just the weekend before. It made it MUCH less traumatic! So - here is the wig I went with:

    image

  • thinkingpositive
    thinkingpositive Member Posts: 564
    edited December 2015

    Gakristi....you look great! Glad to hear you did well after your first treatment and hopefully the next three will be the same! My hair fell out two weeks after my first treatment. I finished my treatment in feb 2015.. Had my hair back in July. Good luck to you with the rest of your treatments.

  • CatsRus
    CatsRus Member Posts: 98
    edited December 2015

    you look great gakristi, love the wig and you look so comfortable in it, which is a good thing. Great smile!! 😀

    Take care and be well.

  • brithael
    brithael Member Posts: 150
    edited December 2015

    First chemo tomorrow. Packing my bag today - any words of advice on what to take to chemo? I am scared #*%^less! Here's hoping for few and mild SE's!

  • Sloan15
    Sloan15 Member Posts: 845
    edited December 2015

    You'll be amazed at how uneventful it will be. (Yay). I was scared, too. They'll start the benedryl and saline on a slow drip for an hour before treatment, and they will tell you when you start the chemo drugs. I'm telling you this because I was all worried about SE, and my nurse finally said, "We haven't started your meds yet." Haha. Drink LOTS of cold water when the Taxotere infusion starts. I had fewer SE when I drank more water. They probably told you to drink a gallon a day, and it really DOES help. My nurse said that you know you're doing well if you drink so much that you're using the restroom every hour during treatment. Good luck! I start my Tamoxifen tomorrow.

  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 461
    edited December 2015

    Best of luck! Yes, drink a lot of water, and just let the nurse know right away if you feel at all nauseated, flushed, or weird. For many people chemo is uneventful.

  • Jclc83
    Jclc83 Member Posts: 167
    edited December 2015

    I usually take my computer, my iPhone and/or a book or magazines. There's a tv for distraction. I bring snacks, sometimes a sandwich, fruit and water and juice. Oh and wear something loose, so they can access your port.

    My first time, I expected to have SE's during infusion. It's really uneventful. Did your dr. Prescribe steroids? I start mine the day before. Don't expect to sleep through the night the first few days. If you get Neulasta take a Claritin the day before, the day of and the day after. My SE's didn't really hit until 3 days later.

    Of course, everyone is different.Good luck!

  • thinkingpositive
    thinkingpositive Member Posts: 564
    edited December 2015

    brithael...hoping your treatments go well for you. Try not to worry and get yourself all worked up before. I know it's easier said than done but I made it through all four treatments with minimal side effects. Drink lots of water and ice chips during the treatment and afterwards. Good luck to you!

  • gakristi
    gakristi Member Posts: 21
    edited December 2015

    I hope today goes very smoothly for you Brithael. Just like these ladies have said, my first treatment was very uneventful. I didn't even feel anything as the IV started or later when we switched from the saline / benadryl to the chemo. To keep me occupied, I carried my laptop and a movie, which I watched using my headphones the entire time. Remember, your doctor and nurses are pro's at this. They do it all the time and they monitor you very closely. The first time usually takes a bit longer because they go slower to make sure you aren't going to have any reactions. I did take some snacks to munch on when I got hungry, things like chewy granola bars, little bags of mini Nilla wafers, Cheezit's, etc., as well as some hard candy.

    Good luck!!

    I go in this Wednesday for treatment 2. We are going to do the Neulasta this time. When I asked him about the bone / body aches, he said that is usually caused by the production of WBC running out of room in the bone (?) and with the way my count dropped so low without the Neulasta, it may not affect me that badly? Advice? Should I still take the Claritin?

  • Sloan15
    Sloan15 Member Posts: 845
    edited December 2015

    Gakristi - My WBC counts dropped really low, too, and I didn't have any pain with Neulasta. I remember one time I started to feel like I might be achy. The doc said to take Tylenol, and that worked for me. I know others swear by Claritin, but I never needed it.

  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 1,248
    edited December 2015

    Last day of chemo today. Im so tired. Glad im only doing 4 rounds! It hasn't been awful, despite I had to go to the ER twice for fever (one time I was septic--that was no fun).

    I'll be having a BMX sometime late-Jan and an oopherectomy some time after our cruise in May. And i reslly need a knee replacement. This is my year of surgey.

  • octogirl
    octogirl Member Posts: 2,434
    edited December 2015

    MLP, I really need a knee replacement too, although I am going to put it off as long as possible.Yay for the last day of chemo!

    gakristi, my advice would be to take the Claritin. I didn't have significant pain, but I figured the Claritin didn't hurt and most likely helped in that regard.

    Hugs to all,

    Octogirl

  • Sloan15
    Sloan15 Member Posts: 845
    edited December 2015

    Britheal - How was it?

  • Smurfette26
    Smurfette26 Member Posts: 269
    edited December 2015

    I've had Neulasta twice and no bone pain but my Neutrophils bottomed out at 0.0.

  • gakristi
    gakristi Member Posts: 21
    edited December 2015

    Mine bottomed out as well Smurfette. I didn't get a copy of the report from the blood work on day 7 (which is when he told me to start taking my Cipro and wearing the mask if I went out), but on day 12, my neutrophils were 100. By day 15 (Christmas Eve), they were back up to 1200 (Yay!).

    Kristi

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