Starting Chemo June 2014
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Bow1965,
I truly understand about eating the hamburger and steak..At a friend's birthday party last week, I ate pulled pork and chicken all in one sitting because I was feeling so weak!
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I started losing my hair day 14 after first treatment I buzzed it 4days later and 5days later it's almost all gone! It is liberating in a weird way. It's because it doesn't define me! I am still ME!
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HoweFun and Agent99 - you are beautiful and inspiring! Am guessing I'm a week behind you. I have a ton of hair so I think it will be a few more days before it becomes noticeable. Between you and Radical, I'm almost looking forward to seeing how I look! Thanks ladies.
btw Agent99, Get Smart was one of my favorite shows when I was a kid. I wanted my hair cut like her when I was in 5th grade. Unfortunately I couldn't quite pull it off.....
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I was one Howe. Posted a funny pic for you of my shaving experience!
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You know what ladies? It seems we're all doing a pretty back-up job of rocking this look! Not that I'm glad for doing chemo, but I am glad it's summer!
We're some pretty tough chicks! Lol
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Agent99, you look fantastic!! I'm 24 days past my first AC treatment and my hair has thinned a lot. I'll probably shave it tomorrow or Sunday. It's scary but seeing and hearing you ladies talk about it is starting to make me feel better.
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grace...me too! I thought barbara Feldman was beautiful!
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honestly...however this turns out. I just keep thanking god that's it's me and not one of my kids! I will get through this and I am determined to not let it turn me into a scared unhappy woman!
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Agent99,
You commented on it being you and not one of your kids... I am not a mother but my own mother is falling apart over me having bc. Sometimes I forget it is easier to deal with your own issues than watch a loved one suffer...
Thank you for reminding me to cut her some slack!
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radical, thanks for pointing that out, I have to keep reminding myself that this is very hard on my mom. She is 81 and is trying to be helpful, but she can't help in the areas I need her help, so she gets me all annoyed by trying to insert herself in areas I don't need her in. I keep reminding myself that she loves me and wants to feel useful.
I can't imagine how hard this is on our moms. I think about when my girls have a bad cold and I wish it were me instead of them.
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i have a question.. I had my 2nd treatment this past Thursday and I have been waiting for the god awful side effects from my first treatment to start but...they haven't I know they gave me emend this time because I was so sick last time. Has anyone else had their 2nd treatment be so different from the first? This go round I'm exhausted and my heart kinda palpitates,, not bad just noticeable every now and then. I'm doing TCH every 3 weeks and neulasta shot the next day
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First of all I would like to say to the ladies who have shaved their heads and posted, you ladies are beautiful, truly. I hope that I will look as good as you do when I shave my head.
I will have my second AC this coming Friday so I will post my SE's. I'm starting to shed again (day 16)...waiting for the clumps to fall before I shave,
Hope everyone feels good today. XOXO
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thanks for all the responses! Unfortunately, the days just got worse. I ended up with a fever Tuesday night and admitted and was just released from the hospital yesterday. I think bone pain was the only side effect I didn't get. I also found out you can get both immediate nausea in addition to delayed nausea. Also got thrush
. Sad thing is I had the neulasta shot the day of chemo but didn't seem to work so well. As of Friday though my counts were back up to 2800. Doctor said neutropenia fever could be a one time thing but because I had it after first treatment I am at a higher risk factor for it to happen again. I will have to talk to my onc and see if it is any chemo treatment or just the ac part of treatment. I also got a nasty bout of acne. I was hoping since I had every side effect I would be relieved of my period but I was lucky enough to have that visit also during my hospital stay. I am happy to say that one day made a HUGE difference and I feel pretty close to great today. I also picked up my wig, but haven't noticed any hair loss.I really love that I have this board to learn as much as I can from others experiences.
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Jenvan,
I'm sick for you. It just makes me so angry that you have to experience all that just because you are doing what you need to do to fight cancer. Then on top of everything, your period! I'm reading your post and thinking...Just cut this gal a break already!
With regard to the Neulasta shot...you got yours the same day? I was told by my onc that it should be 24 hours from the infusion to be effective and I feel like most people on here go the next day. I doubt that had much do do with your misery, but I do wonder if it effected your white counts differently.
Anyhow, I'm really glad you're feeling better! Our doctors are good people. They will not make you suffer through the same fiasco again. I imagine, there will be some changes the next time you go for treatment!
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jenvan yuck I'm sorry you are having such a hard time. My first treatment made me sick as a dog for a week. But this second treatment they changed some meds and I haven't been quite as sick soo maybe they will be able to make some adjustments. Hang tough this isnt for sissies but you will find you are tougher than you would believe! And the hair thing. If it goes and mine has it isn't nearly as bad as I thought! It isn't the hair on your head, it's the smile on your face and the light in your eyes that matters!
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and I was also told 24hrs before my neulasta shot. I go back the next day for it
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Jenvan, I am so sorry you are experiencing all these SE's. Please talk to your dr about all of them, they can make adjustments to the treatment. Glad you are feeling better.
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I buzzed my hair off yesterday. But, it wasn't just me! 4 of my friends did too! A salon buzzed all of our heads and dozens of friends were there to support us. My friends also collected pledges for shaving their heads and gave it to me to cover travel costs! Love my friends! That's me in the middle.
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Islandmama you have the most awesome friends in the world! I have tears in my eyes and you all look beautiful!
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Island Mama - that is awesome! I am so in awe of women that do this for others. I don't know that I could do the same, if the tables were turned.
My little sister shaved hers for me, too. I had no idea, that she was getting hers done in a salon in VA the same time I was getting mine buzzed off in FL. I cried as much seeing these pics, as I did getting my hair buzzed. For those of you wondering about the sign that says Buzz off Bertha... I named my tumor. Big Bertha, the Boob Tumor. Bertha, for short.
I have no idea why, I just needed an ugly/funny name for it other than calling it the cancer in my boob.
And here is my new temporary buzzed look. I knew I had a lot of gray under the color, but holy hell, I had no idea that I was honest to goodness salt & pepper under all that color. What a shock! Especially at 36. This is what it looked like that night. Just touching it at this point, leaves a handful of little hairs behind.
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ISlandmama- What an awesome group of friends and you all look beautiful! I thought about doing a little get together when I have my hairdresser come over and shave it. I know my emotions will be high, especially if it is just me and my husband. With the addition of friends I feel with every one there I can smile and then I am taking control of the situation instead of letting the cancer control me.
KimmyD- Your sister sounds like a real sweetheart! What a thoughtful thing to do, especially to be doing it at the same time as you were.
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I love that you named your tumor! What an amazing sister you have! My goodness, we are all so lucky and so loved to have these people in our lives!
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wow, islandmama and kimmyd, I just cried...that is true love what your sister and friends did for you. I will be shaving my head in the next couple of days..woke up in a bunch of hair this am. Sigh, I don't know why bit the hair part is really hard for me. My hubby shaved his head for me already...now it's my turn.
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it is remarkable that it sometimes takes a crummy experience like cancer to truly see the deep amount of love our friends and family have for us! You all are wonderful I have she'd tears over all these photos! Good tears!
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KimmyD78 - great pic! I had to laugh - I started greying when I was 18 (elvira streaks) and dyed it until I got pregnant at 33. I let it go to its own colors then and really liked it! I shaved it 5 days after my first treatment - if it's going to go, it will be on my terms. Strangely, my stubble is growing - I haven't started losing hair yet - I'm on day 13. Thank you to everyone for the skin care ideas! I'll see if I can do a pic of what it looks like before and after!
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Hey Canuck...he's a hottie and supportive to boot! Nice!
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Jenvan, so sorry you've had such a tough time. Glad you had the one good day. And I really hope they can successfully make some adjustments for you. Regarding the thrush, a lot of women have posted that Greek yogurt helps. It has worked wonders for me, so if you can add that to the diet it may help you too.
Thanks for all the posts and sharing pics about hair. Very timely for me....You all look beautiful. IslandMama - your friends rock! And so does your husband, Canuck! My younger boys left for camp, so I will be shaving it off sometime this week...it's becoming quite apparent that it isn't just going to simply thin out. I am strangely obsessed about it, but not upset. Chemo #2 tomorrow.
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My sister and best friend offered to shave their heads with me and told them they had better not or I'd be pissed. Lol. The pics are great. Make me smile.
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I'm sorry you are having such a difficult time jenvan....hope it gets better 4 u.
Well, my hair really started falling out in clumps so the deed is done....
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canuckmom! - you look amazing!
If you don't have a lint roller at home you might want to grab one! It works great to get those pesky little hairs. I roll my head twice a day! LOL
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