Starting Chemo in July 2017
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good luck paulette, i still wore a hat to gym this morning, but i did go to the gym
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Thanks, everyone! It's nice to have a spot to vent with people who understand what this process is like.
The good news... the prednisone started helping within hours. We are not going to move forward with chemo until this thing is manageable and considered under control (so definitely nothing next week). I still have hives popping up, but the swelling is almost gone, yay! Now, if we can just keep it at bay, that will be great! I'm just telling myself that this is going to be the end of them... hopefully my body agrees! :-)
Paulette and Leatherette: I had a friend come over yesterday as the prednisone was helping things, and she shaved my head to about half and inch! I must say, with the cold capping not working, and having some hair, but lots of bald spots, it actually felt good to have it shaved. In fact, I think doing that was almost as helpful as the prednisone, because I felt the 'hair stress' actually leave me as she shaved it and the pieces fell to the floor! I now have my scarves and wig ready (I mostly wear scarves right now, will be taking my wig to my hairdresser in a week or so to have it personalized).
I hope you both are doing well after the hair loss. Sending many good thoughts your way!
This entire chemo process is definitely a mental game as much (or more!) as it is a physical one. All of us are going to be on the other side and see how strong and amazing we are!
Happy Friday to everyone!
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LoJo100 glad to hear the hives are resolving. So trying.
I'm getting used to my almost bald head and am having fun with baseball caps and a faux halo ponytail. I'm adjusting much better than I thought I would since I was originally adamant about not losing my hair. But I'm relieved not to be dealing with the fuss of the cold caps anymore. They make me nauseous just thinking about then.
Hugs to all.
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I agreed this treatment is mental and physical tortures. After I shaved my head scalp is kind of sensitive wish I know what kind of lotion or oil should I use?
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hi everyone! Been awhile since last update. Just curious....how are you doing with the verbal filter? I've nearly lost mine and things just fly out of my mouth. I'm having a hard time keeping it in check and my control issues are flared up.
Otherwise feeling great
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Paulettek- I have been using coconut oil on my bald head. I am not home at the moment so can't tell you what kind. I bought it off Amazon. Unfractionated coconut oil. I also use it on my very dry lips (Taxol seems to really dry my sinuses and skin)
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She1212 - you aren't the only lost your mind, I think many of us are. For some strange reason I forget many words and glad I'm not working now,
DodgersGirl - I don't have coconut oil at home, I thought coconut oil is for cooking. I got almond oil for skin maybe I give it a try later on the day.
I solved my constipation problem finally, I need to keep up don't let my system takes any break. Did you gals find we became sticky Fart? OMG it really smells badly
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There's this:
But also,this:
As expected, lost a ton of hair in the shower last night, but yesterday afternoon I got a wig that is much better than my previous options were.
Paulette- Actually finding that, just as I always thought, my farts don't stink!😉 And my sense of smell is very heightened right now-weird.
I lose my train of thought pretty easily now, and some more word-finding issues than usual-may be fatigue
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Leatherette- you got more hair than me 😂😂😂😂 we will get our hair back soon. Meanwhile we just enjoy our scarves. Also I found that I need a cap underneath my scarf it helps so much.
Beautiful flowers you got there ~~~~
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PFC 7 wks. I have full eyebrows and even enough peach fuzz coming back. Currently fuzz is about half an inch. No cold capping. No conditioner yet. Very excited.
Mimi
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Mimi - how's your scalp? Does it get sensitive at all??
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I'm day 5 out from 2nd chemo and I'm wondering what everyone is eating. I'm starting to feel bad because the only things that sound good to me are carbs but I feel like I should be more healthy. This first week after chemo though, I just want bread and crackers. Nuelasta pain is a bit worse this time but I didn't take Claritin for a few days before chemo like Idid last time. Other SE seem the same as first time.
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i was so excited about hair. Actually it is only half a centimeter. Yes i had scap pain. But compare to the feeling which was as if someone pulling my hair out w great force, this time pain was something of pinching.
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Leatherette: Love your pictures! I found a wig and my hairdresser is going to style it a bit for me. Looking forward to this. I do find that I actually enjoy wearing various scarves. They are comfortable and fun.
Also, tip for a product that helps keep scarves and wigs from slipping that I'm in LOVE with since I received it: GEX New Style Beauty Flexible Velvet Wig Grip (I found mine on Amazon after looking at numerous sites about wearing a wig). If you just put that into the search bar, you'll find it. It is worth every penny. I'm never worried that my scarf will fall off now (which happened a couple times before I got this!).
Rebamacfan: Thanks for posting pictures and an update! Seven weeks PFC sounds good to me! You look great!
On my side of things, the prednisone, Zyrtec, Benadryl combo appears to be working. This, combined with my serious turn of attitude on Thursday (back on the upswing from my funk) seems to be having an effect. The first round of hives never got this under control, so I'm hopeful. Thursday morning I just let myself be pissed off. Then I texted my friend to come over and shave my head, and it was AWESOME. I did not expect this, but it felt great, and almost like freedom. At the same time, my DH shipped back the penguin cold caps, which I was not sorry to see go. It was way too much stress for me, and I felt like a huge weight came off my shoulder by Thursday night (between accepting the hair, shipping the cold caps, starting a new round of prednisone and coming out of my over a week funk... I think I lost 50 lbs! ;-)
I've been seeing friends, cooking (which I love to do!) and taking my daily walks with joy. I'm hopeful that this is the beginning of the next phase of this chemo. If this continues, I should know my new plan by Tuesday or so.
I hope all of you are doing well and enjoying your weekends!
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Emily - I have been eating prunes between meals, and I usually have yogurt and egg for breakfast, lunch I have soup and crackers, between I have fruits. I ran out of yogurt only have Greek yogurt which I hated so I will have problems tomorrow breakfast. Dinner I just had curry chicken and sometime pork chops. I eat anything my hubby cooks and I might not eat much but I try to eat.
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emily, during that time around day 5, I was able to eat some zucchini parmesan one night, but it was mainly saltines and ice cream for me. Hummus has been decent tasting. I make it at home because my daughter is allergic to sesame seeds. Chickpeas, olive oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, salt, cumin and garlic. But TCH is a bitch on the mouth/taste buds IMO.
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Hello All. I feel like I know many of you already as I have been reading for some time. I actually started chemo in July as well and had my 2nd treatment last Thursday. My SEs have been horrible. Though this time around was better than last so I am grateful for that. 6 days in bed. I am amazed at those of you who are managing to get out everyday and hoping I will get there at some point. My body is just reacting differently. I am reading so much about constipation yet I had uncontrollable diarrhea last treatment. Sorry to be so graphic with strangers but I guess this is the forum to do it in. My MO says it's from the perjeta. She finally gave me limotal (not sure of spelling) after what I think was way too many days. And unrelenting migraines as well. Anyone else having these issues?
Thanks for listening
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Babas - I have different infusion so I have different SE. I have constipation for days after I took laxative then I got gas in my stomach. Overall I have to say chemo drugs did their numbers in my stomach. Hope you feel better after day 7 because it does take 6 days for me to recover from th infusion.
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Babasmom,
I don't want to speak for everyone, but I don't think any aspect of bowel functioning (or non-functioning) is inappropriate in this or any other thread at BCO. I haven't thought about elimination this much since my kids were babies. Our treatments are similar, and I had very loose stools the first week (controllable, did not take meds for it) but have been doing everything possible to not be constipated since then. Colace, prunes, prune juice, tons of water, split pea soup, lentil soup, hummus, and I am going, but it's like pellets, like a deer or elk. Miralax is next. I want to get it normal before the next infusion on Wed.
I have had three day headaches, but they are just dull, not migraine level. Sorry your side effects have been so bad. I am not out and about every day, but when I am, I share it here bc I am excited about it.
So, welcome, sorry you are here, share your poop without reservation,and be well.
Leatherette
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Leatherette- I'm trying to do better on my constipation from now on. I have to agree the treatment totally messed up our stomach. Now it seems to work when I have my fiber power in the morning, drink a lot of water and prunes.
I'm on day 11 finally I feel like a normal person, will have my third infusion this coming Friday. So I'm trying to do as much as I can in the next few days.
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Lojo: so glad to hear things are going well for you. Hopefully the new regimen they put you on will be more tolerable. I still haven't gotten the courage to get a buzz cut but that will be coming soon. I have been more comfortable going out in scarves and my wig. I like having my bangs peek through the scarf since it balances out my big round face. Lol I will definitely be purchasing the wig grip you recommended. I have been using a nylon wig cap but my head gets hot especially when I get hot flashes, which has been happening more and more. Ugh!
I just had my 2nd infusion on Thursday and side effects have been manageable. However, even though I started taking Claritin 2 days prior to Neulasta, the bone pain reared its ugly head yesterday. It doesn't seem to be as painful as the first time so maybe the early Claritin doses helped?, but I am feeling pain not only on my legs and back, but now my arms as well. My temperature has been fluctuating from 97-99° so I've been watching it since it got up to 100.4 during my first cycle.
I really admire those of you who are out there walking and getting your exercise. I haven't done it consistently myself, and your posts are encouraging me. Now I just gotta get myself moving!
Have a great week, everyone!
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Tesse, where did you go? I think it's been a week since we heard from you. I hope you are just out having a lot of fun with your daughter.
I had a nice weekend visiting my mother with my grown daughter and my husband. I know my mom needed to see me so she could tell that I'm doing just fine. She isn't able to come visit me due to her husband's health issues. I have my second TC chemo infusion on Wednesday. I'm starting to regret shaving my hair. It had started falling out in handfuls, seemingly endlessly last week, so I just went for it and got it shaved at the hair salon when I got my free wig. But, my hair stopped falling out a few days later. I don't have any bald spots, just a head covered in 1/2 inch long silver spikes. I suppose round two will take the rest of it, but I guess I could have delayed until after I saw my mom.
I didn't have any digestive issues with the first round, so I don't have any suggestions except the usual stuff. I hope all those suffering with those issues will feel better very soon!
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I forget which board I read this on but someone suggested cutting dairy helped manage diarrhea- and it seems to be working for me. After my first round, I ate a lot of yogurt and had lots of D problems, I've cut out a lotof dairy this time and haven't had as much of an issue. Could be coincidence but thought I'd share.
Also, I hated getting my hair buzzed and thought I'd never take my wig off- well, I'm actually getting used to it. It's def not pretty but I just stopped caring as much. I mean, I def have my weepy days but I find myself walking around the house with no hat. Not in front of my kids yet. Baby steps....
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Yep, I did the total shave today. The little hairs were driving me nuts, And the showers were not relaxing with all that hair all over me. It actually feels really good. I thought it would make my scalp more tender, but it didn't. It feels better. It feels better with the wig, and it looks better than the " mangy look " I was rocking. m I happy to have cancer and be bald? No, but taking control of this hair loss thing is better than prolonging the process to me. My husband and my daughter have seen it (well, my husband helped me do it)
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For those who are feeling hot in wigs this summer, I found something perfect to wear under a hat - it's made by Cardani and you can get it on Amazon. Are we allowed to post links?
Anyway - it's a ponytail halo and you can stick any hat over it. I wear mine with a straw hat or baseball caps and no one knows the difference. It's saved me this summer b/c my wig is just too hot in this humidity and I'm just not comfortable, personally, with the scarf or do-rag look. It's just not "me" for whatever reason.
I was never a baseball cap person before so I ordered a bunch of cute ones including one that says, "Bad Hair Day." Which cracks me up.
Hope this helps someone!
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I have been using my scarves wrapped my head and it feels good. I love hat and scarves more than my wig.
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Wig is tolerable, but def. like my cap more. Bought another one today. Under both I wear a bamboo wig cap, which is great for keeping my stubble comfy. I walked 4 miles today, because I feel like my normal self and I started the steroids for my second infusion tomorrow. That, I wore a cap for, as the wig would have been way too hot and itched when I sweat.
The ponytail sounds great, but my sideburn hairline is really low, and is dark stubble right now, which would blow the ponytail's cover. I may try it when my hair is 100% gone.
I hope everyone is ok- this thread is getting a little less active. I think people may be posting more on the August start thread. Or maybe everyone is feeling great and living their lives with minimal side effects!
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I bought a cap and two beanies today. So soft and pretty. I don't think I'll be wearing my wig very often.
Like Leatherette, my second round of chemo is tomorrow. No steroids, which is what I wanted, but hope that won't lead to any problems during the infusion. I assume my MO wouldn't OK'd me skipping them if she thought it was going to be a problem. I hope everything goes well tomorrow Leatherette
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leatherette and dmjmom - mine third infusion is on Friday right behind you. I hope I won't be too tired, I was out for three to four days on my second one infusion. I worried if I don't have steroids I will be more tired (the first four days) and totally without appetite.
I have been posting August and July's threads.
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My MO isn't letting me reduce/eliminate the steroids. Well, he isn't recommending it, so I'll see how this round goes before pressing the issue.
Paulette and dmjmom, wishing you both uneventful rounds. Take care.
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