Starting Chemo September 2015; join us!
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This is how I feel today. I wish I could say that the nausea has passed but it rages on. I took the dog out for a walk just to get us out of the house. I have too much to do. I need to rent a carpet cleaner and drag it up to the top of my house. Cancer does not happen when you have everything in order. Southern Charm- I wish I could give you a hug and get a hug from you because we both seem to be having a bad day.
I found a wig that people say looks good on me but I don't want to think of losing my hair. This next week I am going to have to find money to save my house- forget about paying for food or a wig. I am in so much trouble. I am just depressed because Cancer sucks! I need to find a permanent job during chemo- is that too much to ask for?
Artista - hang in there! I am praying for you.
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Annie..I saw the fake eyebrows..looks alot like caterpillars. Might be a bit too weird for me
Octogirl..Jays were flat last night. Understandable after their last game and the emotional toll it must have taken on them. Today is another day. We've seen how they can rebound.
I've never been a hat person so people seeing me wearing hats will find it unusual. I guess eventually they'll get used to it. The colder weather is upon us very soon so I'm going to look like everyone else
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Yep, .windy day here yesterday. Wore the halo with a baseball cap to the grocry store. Better believe I had my hand on it while I was outside. I kept envisioning it flying off in the store parking lot, only to reveal my half bald head and the look on peoples faces. I was laughing while walking through to the store entrance.
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I still have a thin covering of the 1/4 inch fuzz left from the buzz cut; I expected to be bald by now. My scalp feels too hot and often sweats when I keep even a thin chemo cap on all the time. It occurred to me today that when my sons each got their buzz cuts just before leaving for the army, they went around without hats. So I told husband that since I am suffering enough with the lymphedema especially (hurts), I don't feel any obligation to suffer hiding my bare head. When my younger son comes for a visit next weekend, I'll wear something so he's not shocked, but otherwise I deserve to choose comfort at least at home.
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Took your advice to heart. Stopped off at McD's and had a small fry and filet o'fish. It was hard keeping it from coming back up, and it is fighting an upstream current but I feel a little better. My face has broken out in pimples and I feel chills. But at least I got out of bed and out of the house.
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grey-somebody mentioned a couple pages ago about Lollylocks which provides cancer patients with a wig when going through cancer. You have to provide your diagnosis and proof that you can't financially afford it.
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tessu I know it is only my story, but I iced my hands and feet during taxotere and had no nail issues. I made a basin of iced cold water and put hands and feet in and out of it during chemo treatment. An emergency room nurse told me they find ice water more effective for burns, and since taxotere is like a chemical burn, I figured it was worth a try.
Grey, day 4 was my worst day after infusion, so fingers crossed you feel a little better tomorrow. But don't hesitate to go get more fluid, it would probably be a great help.
TFoxy20 my lashes and brows fell out two months after chemo. I had enough light eye brows to draw them in with a product called brow power by IT that I found at The Ulta salon, but I think it is also available on Amazon. As for lashes, I used a liner in the brown family so I didn't look like a raccoon. I think mine is by Stila and I used Damsel and Lionfish I think. Colors in that family were more natural looking and people at work couldn't tell I lost my eyelashes
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grey, I have four wigs, three long ones that are dark brown, and a shorter one that is a dark auburn. I am totally happy to send you one or all of them. Just pm me if you want with your address and I will send any of them to you. I can send you pictures too. One is a Raquel Welch, another is a Jon Reneau, and one from TLC and another is just a long pretty wig, can't remember who made it. If they are too long for you, they can be cut, etc. I think you have African American hair if I remember correctly but I have a friend in New York going through this crap who got a non-African hair wig and she loves it.
Fingers crossed the fries stay down! Big hugs to you!
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Just realized that Thanksgiving is out this year. My favorite holiday and I won't be able to enjoy it. It had to be two days after chemo! My family will be very upset because I bring the ham, cheesecake and the prime rib!
It is nice not to feel so alone. Thanks for all your love and hugs.
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Grey, you might be okay two days after chemo. If I am calculating correctly, that will be after infusion 3, so maybe it won't be one with bad side effects. My third one, believe it or not, was the least problematic for me. Fingers crossed you get to enjoy the holiday. And now I want your cheesecake, love cheesecake!
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Southern charm - i love the wig on you! Hope you wear it:)
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Southern that looks really natural! you're gorgeous no matter what you wear
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I experienced pain in my scalp right before my hair started falling out. Don't know if that is what you mean. After 4 days of hair everywhere I had my head shaved. Hope you can find relief.
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Been out of touch for a few days. Still feeling the effects of the staph infection from the seroma. Had follow up doctor appointment. Healing but slow process. Chemo is on hold until infection and wound are healed. I may need to join the November Chemo group. Had first treatment at end of September.
So, my hair fell out this week. I got a wig on Friday and had my head shaved today. It was emotional but at least I am not dealing with hair EVERYWHERE!
Tip from person I got the wig from Use a product called NIOXIN available at Alta. Ask someone for help as there are different kits depending on your hair... It's pricey $50 for three product kit and I figured I was worth it. Suppose to help regenerate hair follicles and make the new hair grow in better.
Also I was instructed to wash my wig in a capful of Murphy's Oil and pat dry with towels. I'm also using a vase upside down to hold wig...
I've also got several style hats on order. I'm trying everything.
I'm hoping to attend a Wellness Day at the hospital I had my surgeries done tomorrow. Hope I am up to the day. They tell you about complementary treatments such as yoga, massage, acupuncture etc.
On Monday I signed up for Look Good, Feel Better an American Cancer Society sponsored program. I hope I can do both of these. Don't know how my stamina will be.
Thank you all for your posts. I learn so much and am grateful not to feel so alone.
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You gals try hard to be up and funny during this. I appreciate reading how everyone is doing. I am on treatment 4 of the 6 TCH cycles every three weeks. They are starting to wear me down. I have more depression this week and my reconstruction area just aches like crazy. Actually having a lot of aches everywhere.
I wanted to post a few things I had found out about.
I had some very serious anxiety during my first Chemo delay. The Cancer Society here has a social worker/Counselor who you can go and talk with and she was so helpful. She has helped me find ways to cope and also it has been comforting to have someone to unburden myself to beside my husband. I know he gets she gave me some very good counsel and I always felt better after talking with her. Maybe if you feel you need it check into the local area to see if its available.
Also the American Cancer society has wonderful wigs. I was able to get a halo, Wig, Scarfs and hats from them for free.
Also they can help with housing and financial assistance, free hotels if you get caught far away for treatments. Rides to the hospital. I had a friend who was in treatment and they were able to help her with some financial assistance.
Also I was put in touch with a recovered breast cancer patient through reach for recovery. she has been a tremendous help to talk to. She has listened and helped me get advice when I needed it most.
I hope there are some resources in your areas to help. Its a long hard journey and it helps to have support and not go through this alone.
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Scotland - thanks for the link for the boho bandeau - they are so adorable! I bought a buff from Rei but I like the colors and patterns of the boho bandeau much better. It's so easy to wear and I don't worry about it falling off. Finally something I am comfortable in! Here's the link again for anyone who wants to look
https://www.naturallife.com/accessories/all-boho-bandeaus.html
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mom2 boo how are you supposed to close the top on those boho bandeaus? The pic shows it can be like a cap but I can't see it in my minds eye.
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I watched the video on the buff website and made it like a bandana or a beanie
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Awesome sauce! Thanks!
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Southerncharm wig looks great on you! Hope you wear it too!!
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what are these halos you are talking about? Some hair to show with a scarf? My wig is not that comfortable. I am thinking of ordering a Henry Margu page boy. It's like a headband with hair behind it and reviews say it's more comfortable than a wig. Does anyone know anything about that?
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What are some good sites to order a wig from? I checked out wigs.com any other ones?
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Has anyone ever stopped chemo after the first session? I don't think I can do this. I am so sick to my stomach and dizzy. I can't keep anything down. I am just a wimp compared to you guys.
Southern Charm- you are quite the model! You look good in your wigs!
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Grey, I know it is tough but you can do this! Talk to your docs about the dizziness and let them know that you need relief to continue!
xoxo
Octogirl
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Hazelfrance...is this what you mean. It is very comfortable.
Annie. I can't be sure but it looks like the band is wide enough to pull some of the fabric from the front and tuck it over the scalp and into the back fold.
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Southern..its a wide band and does stay on very secure without giving me a headache. It just doesn't move! This is my go to wig for when I need to have something on for a long time. I find halos with hats and full wigs may be too hot or constricting for lengthy periods.
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Grey - My first round was tough. I had serious nausea almost immediately. I was up at midnight (less than 12 hours after chemo), retching and shaking. Compazine didn't work.
Your case is unique to you, but my physician's assistant (aka WIZARD) tweaked my dosages and added oral steroids. Second chemo was much better than round one: only one minor nausea episode which the compazine + steroids knocked out. Hang in there: it can get better.
All - For everyone's general amusement, here's my creation for 3rd chemo next week: a T-Shirt with a porthole! (Port. Hole. Port-hole. Okay, I'll see my silly, punning self out.)
(You can just see the incision. The port is below it.) If this works well Tuesday, I may sew on a cover flap for the trip home to shield other clothing from leftover EMLA cream.
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Southern..so sexy. Love it!
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It looks like it has the same wide band as mine. It is super comfortable ...and yes, you will rock it girl!
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Southerncharm - if the cap is showing through, maybe you can try coloring/filling it in. You may want to check out you tube...
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