Starting Chemo September 2015; join us!
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I asked my Oncologist that exact question... all my drugs were FDA approved in '84, '89 and '92... WHY - with all the "advances" we keep hearing about - hasn't anything new come out in 30 years??? Answer: Because the FDA is slow as mud and you need Metastatic disease before they're allowed to use the "experimental" stuff. Plus, like Aspirin, it still works best & is cheap; so we keep using it. /end rant
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southern bitch away. I think my eyebrows are thinning a bit. Or at least the right one. It just sucks cause they were my best feature besides the hair. At least I have my big brown eyes. Well I guess we get to find our beauty inside. I still have a lot of my buzz hair a week and a half out. I'm not sure what will be after my chemo tomorrow. I may be whipping out that lint roller to suck up all the stubbly bits. Do have a bald patch right in the back of my head where I sleep on my back. I do use a satin pillowcase which is supposed to help, but alas not working for the back of my noggin.
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SouthernC: Cute as a button indeed!!!! Ok, I already ordered something similar from another site but I am going to yours!!!! You rock this, thanks so much for the link!
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The second wig I ordered came yesterday. I like the hair a lot but the color is yuck. I called a local wig shop and told them what brand it is and they said they can dye it to close to my natural color so I'm taking it in on Saturday for color and a cut to shorten it a bit. Whew!
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I think I might order this one.....
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AnnieB: I know what you mean about the steroids and temporarily being pumped up! I am so there. It sounds like your doc and the staff are taking a cautious approach, and you know, given the reaction you had, that seems reasonable to me. Just keep the $*#)$(#*)( nurse who doesn't know what she is doing (or doesn't care) away from you!
tshire: So glad to see you back here! I had seen on another thread that you were heading to Alaska and was hoping that was why we hadn't heard from you in a bit. Alaska is amazing isn't it? Hold those memories close during tough times. And, I know it is scary but we are hear to support you or just to listen to you vent. I don't fall into the young kids category, but believe it or not, it is almost as tough with the grandkids! I know they are amazing kids (ages now 2.5 boy, 7 yr old girl) who are destined to go far, and dammit, I want to live to see them get there! You are and will be a beautiful bride. Wishing you all good luck on chemo number one.
HUGS to ALL of YOU!!!!!!
Octogirl
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I agree with you, I cut my hair to a shorter style to try to get use to having shorter hair, but after my first chemo and like 9 days later I found big chunks of hair on my pillow and then I took a shower and ha a hand full of hair, I just cried even though I knew it was coming. Shaved it all off that day and you are so right, it does making dressed much faster. Packed away my brush so I would not reach for it.
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Has anyone had a strange reaction from Benadryl? I went for my first chemo treatment started getting Benadryl and had a horrible reaction. My arms and legs went numb started yelling then had almost a seizure and was sent to er. So did not have chemo. I have a hx of epilepsy. Was wondering if anyone had any side effects of Benadryl Iv ? Thank you hope everyone is doing well prayers to all
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I am definitely ordering a wiglet, that is adorable.
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I've been pondering hacking my own halo. Southern, you have added fuel to my fire. Saturday, I should have gobs of real human hair exactly my color! The salon just called to ask if I would be willing to move my Saturday appointment to tomorrow. Um, no. Princess will NOT be coming in early this time.
I went to the doctor for blood work today. The bone scan was crystal clear! A tiny bit of arthritis in my hips, but less than she usually sees in a 47 year old. So, yay! I think they might finally be done diagnosing me.
My white blood cells were really low. Not go-to-the-hospital low, but 1.2 on Day 8 is enough to give me a prescription for some uber antibiotic to take if anything feels amiss. I'm supposed to be in a bubble for the next couple of days. Of course, when I pick up my 12 year old from school on the way home because she has a bad headache, I discover that she's now throwing up. A few minutes ago, she walked into the tiny master bath and decorated it profusely. I shut the door. My poor husband is on his way home to clean it up and take care of her. ARGHH!
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I bought 2 from China, and hey they look pretty good. Hope you get yours soon.
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Southern Charm
You look beautiful with and without the cap.
Rosieo
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Scotland- I'm so sorry! That has been one of my fears... What happens when the kids get sick? I have 3 toddlers, it's bound to happen. My MO said to barricade myself in my room and keep the kids out, but of course that's easier said than done.
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WASH YOUR HANDS LIKE CRAZY. Seriously. My son is in daycare. He got a bad cold and ear infection. My husband was hit hard by that same cold. I doubled down on hand washing and quit sharing my cup/food/utensils with either of them. I never got sick. Having my white cell count boosted on day 1 by that shot was probably a big help too. Also, resist the urge to touch your face (this part is HARD!). It works. And if you're feeling especially proactive and like herbal remedies, pick up some Astragalus to help boost your immune system.
Hospital Level Crazy Hand washing:
1, Turn on the water & rinse
2, Get soap & scrub (especially between fingers & up past wrists) while singing "Happy Birthday To You" twice (~2 min).
3, Rinse & grab a paper towel to wipe off your hands.
4, Use the paper towel to turn off the water & open the bathroom door. (Or use your foot/elbow/butt, whatever...)0 -
Cajunqueen: of course they're going to get sick. They're toddlers, and it's fall. You just have to make a plan. Right now, my sick one isn't allowed in our room/bathroom or the kitchen. We're going CDC bio-containment. She feels awful, and wants to snuggle with me.
Toddlers are much harder. My twelve year old is sad, but she gets it. Toddlers cry and scream for Mommy. I hope you get lucky this fall. I knew someone would get sick during this, but I wasn't expecting it to be the same hour I discovered i had no white blood cells. This too shall pass!0 -
I didn't quit snuggling with my baby EXCEPT when he running a temperature and for the next 24 hours afterwards (contagious period). Probably not even then. Doesn't matter if I could die, my baby needs me! Fortunately, my darling husband did step up during that period (bed/bath time) in order to insulate me from the worst of it as best he could. You're right, toddlers really don't understand Mommy being off limits. Mommy doesn't understand baby being off limits (STILL!). Distraction is your best friend (Oh look! A kitty!).
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we were posting about Southerncharm ' s wiglet, next thing I know I wake up face down drooling on the couch. 2 hour steroid crash!! Now I'm starving!
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OM Gosh Annie... you make me giggle
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Having trouble focusing at work. Back of my head feels funny, tingly. Getting a little acid reflux. And tomorrow is infusion #2.
Most important decision: Do I want Indian or Afghan food for dinner after the infusion? (Never really tried Afghan before.)0 -
DLCygnet, my instinct would be to do with Indian IF you already know what you like. If it's going to be a few days before you taste anything, eat what you love. On the other hand, if you're going with someone who knows Afghani food, do that! Looking at the countries around there, it must be fabulous. And I hear you on the hand washing. I work at the CDC, and they can be a wee bit paranoid about germs.
Annie, that's hysterical.
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Well I did my run, round three of chemo coming up on Friday and may attempt to do a 5k or 10k for wounded warriors if my body holds up and the rain holds off. I too am like you edwsmom and have not posted on my FB page. My running family on FB know , my family knows, and my friends, no neighbors. I have chemo every Friday for 3 months, so far no side effects...(well maybe a couple little ones) praying they all keep going well. Also praying you all do well too with your treatments. STAY STRONG
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Meeting with the surgeon went well. It isn't infected. Everyone yesterday just doesn't see many wounds so they got all overly excited. So back to the instructions he gave me yesterday of antibiotic ointment and keep a bandage on it. Listening to him yesterday would have saved me a bunch of hassle. But Mondays are his surgery days, so he couldn't actually look at it until today. And then double booked himself to see me.
So I can stop the oral antibiotics. And cancel the appointment on Friday. My surgeon said to come back in a few weeks. But let him know if it gets bigger or looks angry.
He also doesn't think the MO will be freaked out by it. So he thinks chemo should start tomorrow unless something else comes up.
He also peeked at the incisions for my port to check that out. It's healing up nicely.
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yay, Skittlegirl, good news from the surgeon! As I know from my own experience with a popped suture from Lx, sometimes these things take time. But I haven't had an issue with chemo and the wound. I am gladd he double booked to see you as I think he is the one who would know what he is looking at (as you point out). I think it was good to go in and have him take a look. Good luck and fingers crossed for tomorrow!
and yay chevygirl54 for the minimal side effects, you STAY STRONG also!!!
Hugs, Octogirl
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Yeah my surgeon is pretty awesome. I am so glad that I have him on my team.
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tshire- I think you made it out of Alaska in time. We are getting snow storms now, at least part of the state. Also I completely understand your fears. My Oncotype DX failed so I didn't that to direct me. Two different recommendations for chemo and no idea what was actually needed. I am afraid of all the lasting effects. I feel so happy that I could have one child but I will be pissed if this cancer robs me of another opportunity. Nobody has been able to tell me a risk for trying again and taking a break from Tamoxifen.
I haven't bought a wig yet. Do they all feel like doll hair? I hate to order one online and be stuck with it. Nothing seems like the answer for me. It will be cold soon here and I need something. I don't know why I am stalling. Maybe denial. My insurance will pay for 1 per lifetime.
I can relate to sick toddler. Dh came down with something on chemo infusion #1. I am on day 4 and now my toddler has a runny nose. We don't get sick in the house often but of course it all needs to happen now.Yesterday I ached all over and had a killer headache yesterday and today. That's my biggest complaint so far. Dh can't stay home at all the rest of the week so I hope I can pull it together.
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Ok, this is weird. Tonight I started feeling sores on my scalp under what's left of my hair...like blemishes, but more tender. What the heck?
My hair is thinning a lot. I'm wondering how long it will stick around....
Oh and my best friend just called to tell me that her husbands mother was diagnosed with breast cancer today.
she has her MRI on Thursday. She's the sweetest woman. I told my friend to have her call me. I've learned so much her and want to make sure she comes to this site. Maybe she and I can be buddies through all this? I hate bad news! 0 -
I also got pimple types sores on my head. I washed my head in tea tree shampoo and it cleared up. I'm nearly skin bald in some places now. I was told to keep using shampoo on your skin head because it's better for your skin. Regular soap will clog the pores on your head and cause infection. Aparently head skin isn't the same as body skin. Who knew?
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my wig came in today. And yes I know I wear the Hogwarts tshirt too much. Its my go to when I feel like crap. Lol!
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Yeah I am pretty sure you can't wear a Hogwarts shirt too much. I need to figure out where my Jurassic Park t-shirt went.
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Here's the difference. See how brave cancer is making me? I don't even have makeup on! 
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