Starting chemo February 2018
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colleen - thanks! Yep, I'm doing exactly the same - taking it easy and taking a nausea pill when i get a weird feeling in my stomach. Glad to hear round 2 is easier for you than round 1 so far! I hope it stays that way. Yesterday I asked my MO about the cumulative aspect of chemo in my system and if I should expect SEs to get worse or if new SEs will show up. She said no new side effects but it is possible I'll feel more fatigued. Hey if that's all I'll take it.
Hope everyone is having a relaxing weekend!
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Jlove1821
sorry to welcome you and at such a young age but all the same welcome. I'm indahood or you can call me Laurie. sounds like you are having a real go with the side effects, sorry about that too. I am on 4 rounds of TC. I'm not sure if you are on different drugs but my side effects (SE) have not been too bad. I take a drug called naproxen for pain from the neulasta shot. I works well maybe ask your oncologist to get you that, it's stronger than claritin and specifically for inflammation and pain, but I don't know it's cost. I'm in Canada and health care here is free so I don't pay for it. I get my lab test done 2 days before chemo. I think that only once a month is standard and they try to do it as close to your next chemo as possible.
good luck and a strong welcome from me.
Laurie
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Hey Butterfly! I got pretty much the same wig. Mine is not a cap though it velcros into my hats which is fine here up in -20 degree winter Canada
I'll get a picture soon
Laurie
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jlove - are you taking any pain meds for the bone pain? I don't think I can do it on claritin or zantsc alone. I take Advil. If it's bad you should ask your doctor for something to help. You shouldn't have to soldier on thru it. We're already juggling enough as it is.
Laurie (indahood) - I'm getting more excited about the wig but haven't properly put it on yet. I still have my hair though. My sister is coming today to help me get the bangs lay flat on my face rather than stay pointing up which makes me look like Cameron Diaz in that movie 😁
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Hey Butterfly! I got pretty much the same wig. Mine is not a full wig though it velcros into my hats which is fine here up in -20 degree winter Canada. I used a leave in conditioner to tame the frizzies that the synthetic seems to get easily, but thankfully no Something about Mary hair. haha
I'll get a picture soon,
Laurie
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Laurie - that's a great idea about the leave in conditioner. I'll try that. I read about the ends getting entangled. And I also feel it can use a little conditioner. That's the name of the movie! I forgot. Lol😁
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I wish you luck, LoveCanada. My second one is on 3/1, and I am hoping it's even remotely like the first. I have read that some people have as many problems on TC as they do on adriamycin (the really nasty stuff), so I think it's really a very individual thing. Age was a big factor in my onco's recommendation, so I feel you there. Let us know how it goes!
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Hi, Colleen,
I had my first one on 2/8 as well...yesterday was shave day for me. It was starting to come out in clumps, and the shaved head has some patches. I cut 16" off earlier in the week, and for whatever reason that was the hardest part for me. I feel a lot better now that it's gone because I don't have to sweat it anymore. Good luck through all of this. You are beautiful with short hair, so maybe you will look awesome 'after'!
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Thank you TheMinna! That is so kind. I am so glad I cut mine short a few weeks ago to help taper the feelings of losing it all. I am kinda anxious to see what my noggin looks like bald! Haha! I hope I dont look like a potato!
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TheMinna, Colleen - you guys give me strength. Hair loss is in the house and I'm a day behind you. So maybe it's buzz day tomorrow. Right now it's just a lot of shedding. I know you will both look beautiful with a lot, little or no hair at all (even if it's just for a short period of time 😉 ) Hugs!
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Hello ladies! Yesterday I received my first dose of TC. I'm on a four round regimen. I am icing during my hand and toe nails during Taxotere in hopes of preventing neuropathy and funky nail damage. My Neulasta patch is ticking as we speak and I'm hopeful the daily Claritin will help stave off the fatigue.
I read somewhere about baking soda and salt rinse. What are the ratios and is it done after every meal?
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butterfly/indahood- I did use ibuprofen the whole time and acetaminophen but it d idnt touch it. Indahood we have naproxen here over the counter ( called alleve).. I'm gonna try that next time. I'm hoping it won't be as bad. I'm feeling good now..so enjoying my downtime.
I risked the neutropenic time and went on a date night with hubby last night to movies. I was crazy lady who brought wipes to sanitize everything i touch/sit on and I purell alot. The theaters are so huge now and I'm so far away from everyone else I figured it was a low risk to be coughed on!
I was also curious if anyone's 2nd time has brought on my symptoms or more time to recover, I know everyone's so different tho!
Thinking of everyone having their 14 day hair loss , you are all beautiful. I'm doing the cold capping but I swear someone the stress of the care of the hair makes me even question if it's worth doing!
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Jlove1821- I understand about the cold capping. I was going to try it (Artic) but after I really thought it about, it's a lot. I live alone and the hassle of getting 50 lbs of dry ice (my center doesn't have a freezer), storing the cooler in a well ventilated area for about 12 hrs before infusion, rolling it into the center, and then changing the caps every 20 minutes for 45 minutes before infusion, every 20 minutes during infusion and every 20 minutes for another 4 hours after chemo was daunting. I live 40 minutes from my center and that means I'd have to do about 2 changes in the car, My helper was willing to assist me at treatment but at home I'd be doing it all alone. And then dry ice needs to evaporate outdoors or in a well ventilated area. I don't have a patio or balcony on my apt for that and I didn't feel comfortable airing it out in a closed bedroom by a window.
For me (especially living alone) it was unnecessary stress. But if you can do it, I say rock on my sister! Hopefully you have the support to make it work. I just wish I knew all the itty bitty details before I got the kit. I should have asked for the video before I paid my money. IThe phone consult makes it seem easy but once you get the packet, it's a lot more to consider. I got the kit Wednesday and returned it unused today. It weighed 36 lbs (that includes the cooler it comes with. Imagine lifting that thing in your car once it has ice in it!) I know I'll get my deposit back but I may have to eat that first month payment ($379). Oh well, at least now I know and I can give others considering cold capping something to think about.
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hi , I'm done with two cycles of chemo and 6 more to go. So I think some form of physical activity helps me recover from the aftermath of chemo. I usually go back to work in the 4th day and it's a two week cycle for me. I had my head shaved right after second chemo and wear a wig and bandana.All the best to you all strong ladies out there
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faithwalker22-for a mouth rinse I used 1tsp salt and 1tsp baking soda to a quart of water. I filled a quart tupperware bottle and left it by the sink in the bathroom. I swished with it every time I ate some food. I also gently brushed my teeth about 4 times/day. After about 5 days when I was confident my mouth was fine I just made sure to brush my teeth a few times a day. I also iced during taxotere. And I coldcapped. It is a lot of work. Will find out soon enough it is worth it. Hope you have minimal side effects
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Thanks Rockcity!
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jlovez - my MO said there are no additional side effects showing up with subsequent chemo rounds. But possibly more fatigue. I'm in day 2 of 2nd AC round as so far no diff from round 1. Except of course the hair loss which seems to be creeping in. But I have a pretty wig at the ready!
FaithWalker- I considered the Arctic Cold caps too. However, after much thought, decided it was too daunting and labor intensive considering what I had to put up with already. And I have a lot of hair!
FaithWalker- also, for mouth sores I use Biotene mouth rinse morning and nite. So far haven't had any. And I drink a lot of water and on occasion put honey in it.
Hugs to all
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Hello everyone and welcome to the new ladies!
I got an echo cardiogram last week before starting chemo. The woman who was performing the echo told me I would have other echo along the way but not as extensive. However, my MO has said nothing about it. I'll have blood test 1 to 2 days before the chemo because the chemo substance is not mixed where I will do my infusion.
And here is the recipe for the water, soda, and salt mix: 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt, 1 quart water. I have to say that this is one of the 2 SE that I am fearing the most. The other one is neuropathy.
I was thinking about buying a wig but when I tried some on, it really felt weird and uncomfortable. For now, I will try scarf and hat and see how it goes. I was told that a wig is quite hot and Virginia weather is getting warmer already.
Have a good weekend as much free as possible of SE!
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Butterfly, thank you!
Lolotte, I’ve also chosen not to do a wig and just do scarves and caps. I certainly understand those who choose to use them but just don’t think it’s for me. I’ve always been very low-maintenance and figure it’s not worth the hassle for me personally. They have come so far with them tho-I’m sure ladies choosing to use them will look amazing!
I want to tell you ladies worried about round two that I’ve actually felt better this time than last-I hope that gives you hope! Listen to your body and make yourself a priority!! It’s hard for us women, but if there’s ever a time to put yourself first, it’s now. <
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Howdie,
I partially joined your club Friday.
4 founds of Taxotere and cysplatin - hoping to be re-challenged next week
Tracy
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Colleen- I've been following your advice and taking it easy. I'm back in bed now watching tv. And other than some mild nausea and mild bone pain round 2 hasn't been too bad here either. I do also second the thought about the scarves and hats. I will wear the wig at work only.
Hope everyone is having a restful day! ❤
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Rockcity I am icing during Taxotere as well. I got nervous that my thumbs weren’t in far enough. We’ll see.... I’ll try better next time.
I appreciate all the tips!! From the capping, non capping, wigs, scarves, mouth rinses and just words of encouragement—- we can do this!!
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im on my 17th day my hair is falling in lumps so my daughter cut them for me till my shoulder ..i dint shave it yet ..but by tomorrow or day after im pretty sure ill be bald..
I dint do my wig fitting so ill soon go for my wig fitting
hope to find something natural looking0 -
Day 10 and I am finally having a better day. The nausea is gone and so is the big D. I am still very tired. One of my brothers stopped by and brought my son some of the jr. burgers from braums as a treat. My son loves the little hamburgers the ones you get in the bag of five burgers for around $6.00. They smelled really good so he insisted I have one and it actually even tasted good the best of anything in the last week so I ate two. Hope I don't pay for it later but it is the most I have been able to eat in the last four days. My daughter and the grandbabies went back home for a couple weeks. Miss the babies already. On the plus side my oldest daughter and two of my granddaughters will be here this weekend! The girls are 13 and 15 we will veg out and watch chick flicks all weekend Drew Barrymoore in Ever After is on the must watch list. Guess you can tell my kiddos are making sure that I am also kept busy even if mainly staying at home
Collen, Rockcity, Butterfly, Indahood and all the other ladies on round two it does give me hope that your SEs seem more manageable this time around. As the first three days this last time I was on prescription pain killers because of getting my port I worry that some of the SEs where masked. My round two will be Friday see my MO on Wednesday, labs on Thursday, and unless labs are off, round 2 on Friday meaning half way with the AC.
Worried me you are all still in my thoughts and hope we hear from you soon. To the new ladies welcome.
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i'm in hospital with febrile neutropenia since 2pm friday
wifi really spotty & I've lost posts already so keeping it super short
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moth- what happened? The last time you posted you were going to a movie. I am so sorry.
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Moth- oh no! Hope you are okay and back home soon
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Moth get well ASAP so sorry this is happening to you. Sending positive energy to you!
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hi, yeah I was feeling really good Thurs & went to Black Panther. Friday by noon my temp was climbing and at 38C I went to emerg. It continued to climb even after 1 bag of IV abs. I think 39.1 was highest? I was pretty out of it, just a shivering mess. They haven't found the source of infection but I have sepsis. Doc thinks probably leaky gut let bacteria into blood stream.
The abx are working now and fever is gone but my neutrophils were essentially 0 and still are low. I think my chemo (sched for Thurs) is almost sure to be delayed.
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Moth-Thinking of you! Hope it's a quick stay!❤
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