Starting Chemo in February 2016?
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chambo: good luck with the shave.... It's not so terrible a couple days out
MLP3: thank you for the encouragement. I am excited to read your link.
All of this just seems crazy! So unreal some days!
Elizabeth
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Imani You got this!!
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ok Folks, the deed is done.
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Myra you look beautiful!
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everyone looks great!!! I'm having a bit of an itchy head and trying not to scratch!! But this winter has not been kind to my skin so can't say it's the chemo.
I normally take aldactone for my adult acne but didn't want to take extra meds during my tx. So I started back again yesterday when the breakouts got worse. Ugh. Seriously my hormones have been messed up all my life. Only time I have clear skin is when I'm on birth control pills but post hysterectomy and hubby snipped no need. And I still break out.....so the aldactone.
I can do a little bit but feel dizzy if I get up too much. Kids are home from 10+ inches of snow today. Need to plan dinner. Tomorrow I take the dog to the vet for his initial check up post rescue! Hopefully school is back to normal. Of course they haven't plowed the roads yet so that will be interesting
I took my iPhone iPad and vitamin water to chemo, they provide a few drinks and crushed ice. I have a tv I can watch. It's only about 2 1/2-3 hrs for the tx. So not too long that I'm bored. I'm sure come the 12 weekly taxol I'll change my mind!! And I get up so often for potty breaks......last Friday 1st AC tx hubby got me the stand!
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here is the new doggie Felix0 -
Beautiful ladies!!!!
❤️❤️❤️
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Loving all of these beautiful bald heads! We will persevere!
Elizabeth
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HI Ladies, hope you are doing well today. love the pics So yesterday was the day for me. I was sitting at my desk for a 2 hour conference call and ran my fingers through my hair in boredom and YEP - there it was - all in my hand! WHAT . So I said to my 2 daughters when they got home from school - want to see a fun trick? they wanted to try to pull some out. - I told them - lets not take it all out in one day. LOL
I went today to the American Cancer Society to try on wigs and that was truly one of the worst experiences I have ever had. That may be my calling - to create a boutique for those in need because they had; No Mirrors there, no wigs set out. and no compassion. I could not get out of there fast enough. Rant over.
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Frances,
What a horror story re the wig place. If, at some time, you really want to work on this, see Hatsandscarvesandmore.com. The owner was a hairdresser who had bad ovarian cancer a long time ago, survived and set up a store in Washington state where she helps get wigs, but also sells really nice hats and scarves and more. Her story is on the site and is very moving. I suspect she might be willing to talk to you about this line of work. But now -- just get well.. I am Illinois too. Northern suburbs of Chicago.
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Frances so sorry you had that experience.
My 7 year old loved pulling my hair out! Creepy but whatever lol!
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You are all so marvelous and look so great without hair! I will look nothing like that so we'll see about posting pics.....
Just back a few hours from first AC and all I can say is....LOVE those steroids, Like, wow, I fell more energetic than I have in a very long time. This is a happy place. I know it won't last but I am enjoying it right now. Whooooo!
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Good luck Imani and reflect. Tomorrow will be my 3rd treatment.
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Praline, Could you describe how your tx has gone? When were you OK, when was the worst? (Hoping to keep working--of course I'm high on steroids right now, could do the work of ten--but know I'll crash in a day or two.)
PS Giant dramatic earrings will focus attention away from our bald heads and funny ears, I am sure of it.
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Frances, I think it's disgraceful that ACS was such a bad experience. For a positive site for bc surgery survivors, that www.knittedknockers.org site is great, funny and sweet. It's not for chemo help, but a nice example of how a good org works.
I'm sure you can find much better wig places.
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Ladies you are looking awesome!
Let's see, today is something like Day 9 or Day 10 for me. I worked all week and I am doing fine but the afternoons get a bit tiring and I am definitely ready to be the first one out the door at 5 pm instead of the last one out at 6 like I used to be.
I've discovered a new side effect as my taste buds are falling off - thrush! Tongue, roof of mouth, yuck! Called the MO and got an rx for Diflucan. Now let me tell you - in the past when I've had a yeast infection in the lady parts and gotten this rx, it's come as as a single pill in a blister pack and that one pill has taken care of the problem. This time? 10 days worth. These folks aren't messing around! Maybe it's harder to get rid of with a low WBC? Anyway, I just had no idea they even give you 10 of these pills...lol.
I have a MO appt tomorrow for routine labs...should be interesting to see what the numbers are now compared to the baseline ones they took just prior to my infusion 10 days ago. (The teacher in me just can't resist...lol).
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- Praline - good luck tomorrow with # 3!
- Reflect -I agree...a trip to Charming Charlie's for some fun, big earrings looks like it may be in the cards!
I started Taxol/Herceptin today, 1/12 under my belt...Yay! ..exhaustion is the only side effect I've had so far. It's been a long day.
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MLP3 - Thanks for the heads up about water right before chemo. Last week I forgot to bring my bottle of water so I picked up water at the little store by the front door of the cancer center. Guess what? This water has electrolytes. So I will stop there for water on the way in for my treatment tomorrow.
As for bling for my big ears (lol), I do not have pierced ears. I wish I did. I used to but they got infected and I let them close up. They sell some type of "converters" at Charming Charlie but I am not sure how they would work or how comfortable they are. I will have to check them out.
reflect - I have not had hardly any SE from the Taxol yet. The day of treatment, I am pretty useless, very lightheaded and shaky. The next day still pretty shaky. I think it is the steroids. Today my ankles are swollen and my throat is feeling weird. I have constant rumbling in my tummy. So far that is it. I have opted not to work. My BC, my MO, and the nurse navigator all thought it may be a good idea if I did not. I work as a Kindergarten assistant and the kids are always coughing, have runny nose, etc. The Nurse Navigator called it a germ factory.
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Hello and thank you for this thread.
I have started Chemo February 18. February 16 was supposed to be my second mastectomy but after MO and RO appointments after my left breast mastectomy things changed. The dx was so much more involved and scared us.
I am getting AC x 4 and then T x 4 bringing me until May 26 and then evaluation. I have had jaw pain and a few really bad days.
I am nervous about a few things and my further treatments. Some fear goes beyond chemo for me. This is a great starting point as I am new as well.
The Neopogen injections took some learning.
I'm also nervous thatside effects will increase with each treatment.
Blessings
Piper
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Hi everyone,
You all look so beautiful and positive! I love it.
I started treatment Tuesday. It was REALLY long day. I just came home and crashed. I did get up later to eat a bit and just stay upright. Yesterday dh gave me the shot and I'm way achy today. I took some ibuprofen, as the nurse said it was okay, but it doesn't seem to be touching it.
Today my stomach was all crazy- nauseous and gassy. 😜 It can't make up its mind. I'm eating okay, but some stuff just seems completely disgusting. Like I had falafel during treatment and the thought of it makes me want to heave. 😂
My chemo bag had water, a book, a towel so I could roll it up & use as pillow, hard candies, and lip balm. It seemed to work well. My husband and kids gifted me with it the night before.
Sending you all healthy, happy thoughts
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Good MorningI have to say I am in AWE of each and every one of you. Your beauty, candor, strength. I could write a letter to each of you! It means so much to come here.
My day 8 of first treatment is starting okay. It's my thinking time and that's when the still quiet has me emotional.
PICC line change today. My arm has been so sore.
My head is itchy. Is it soon for that? I'm not worried about being bald. So far, i've had a transitional hair cut.
Thinking of all of you!
Piper
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Piper - welcome! We are on about the same chemo trajectory (I started on the 16th). I love your transitional cut - pixie suits you. That means you will look super cute on the grow out too!
I know what you mean about the quiet times - that's when "triple negative" gets in my head and does a little dance. All the rest of the time I can totally handle this. It's also why when people ask how come I am not taking more time off work, I just say I need to stay as busy as I can when I feel good. It keeps me out of my own head.
So far my head feels okay...a tiny bit of shedding more than would normally happen when getting ready in the morning or whatever. But I really noticed a texture change...it's is flat, dull, lifeless. I anticipate things to begin ramping up here in the next day or so...so the "crew cut" (Transitional #2) is scheduled for Sunday. I'll just let it do what it is gonna do from that point. That will be Day 12 - and it seems like most on this board doing TC have the dramatic fall day around day 14-17. Since I am working all week, and running a bunch of HR interviews...I figured it was better to start the week with the same hairstyle I end the week on...lol.
White-coated tongue and thrush...seriously ladies, call your MO. Don't delay. I waited a day too long. I am so used to being Dr. Mom and not heading to the doctor's at the first sign of a boo boo, that I may be my own worst enemy in low WBC land. The Diflucan is working but the damage is already done...super tender tongue and no taste buds on the front 2/3rds - makes finding foods that aren't too tender-making interesting.
This too shall pass ;-)
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Hi Piper33. I LOVE your haircut! So cute. Hope everyone is doing well. I had Taxol #2 This past Tuesday. So far so good on no side effects!
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myra- beautiful!!! Love your smile😊
imani- so great to see a smiling face during chemo!
Piper- I started my chemo on the 16th too and started to feel soreness and warmth on my scalp indicating that the process has started.
Haus- looking good!
Praline- you deserve some bling! You've been a rockstar throughout this! I admire your strength.
Got the buzz yesterday and had my wig fitting. Wig needs some low lights and a trim ... Next week!
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ps piper... Adorable cut
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MLP3- you look gorgeous in both pix! Very natural looking wig
Piper-your haircut is adorable!
We had a little fun with the shearing if anybody wants to see the process:
http://myrawood.com/blog/post/view/11/no_hair__don...
It was a little itchy last night but I used some Benadryl cream and it feels fine now.
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Hello! Im had my 1st TC infusion yesterday. Can anyone tell me when I can expect to experience any SEs? So far I am a bit tired , lack of taste buds, and dry mouth. Im particularly concerned about the stomach issues.
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Hi Imami,
I had my first yesterday too. Last night I was very revved up because I had steroids. Needed a hot bath and Ativan to get to sleep but worked well.
Today I think I am headed toward constipation so am taking Senna S tonight (have more heavy duty later if needed). I took Ondansetron when I felt a teensy bit queasy around 1:00. I've been told to take rx at first sign to avoid it getting worse. Felt a bit queasy around 5:30 so took a compazine. I'm not sure I would have even noticed these feelings if I hadn't been paying attention.
I am also a bit tired now. Hope the steroids give me a little boost to hang with kids tonight.
Best of luck! Your smiling face was very inspiring to me as I was sitting down to get mine started!
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Hi all, just checking in on day 8 after my second FEC infusion. Had a couple of bad days - 6 and 7 seem to be the worst each time feeling just really really tired and zombie like. Not myself at all but now much better. Am ignoring all hair issues for the minute and keeping hat on at all times (when I take it off, a lot of hair seems to come off with the hat, help!) have found everyone's stories and pictures inspiring, especially Hanley, you look sweet and I'm going to follow your example really really soon, maybe in a few days.... reality Is I'll probably just chicken out and wait until it all comes off with the hat. Aargh! Imani you are great to be so smiley. I looked terrified in my picture. Don't want to scare all you brave ones so will keep that one to myself... Love and hugs. XX
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Hello Reflect,
We are in the same boat today. I took my zofran at the first site of nausea. I will see how I feel later. I do plan to take my Ativan tonight so I don't wake up every hour on the hour tonight. I also put a dose of miralax in one of my drinks today. Hopefully it gets moving tomorrow.
I made myself smile yesterday because during the tour the week before I was a nervous wreck. I wanted to make it thru yesterday without being weepy and I did. It really went smoother than I anticipated.
Kepp pushing and we will make it thru.
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