Starting Chemotherapy March 2018
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Loki hope your feeling better. I had chemo AC 4 days ago and just feeling better this evening. to be honest i’m Wondering what the 2nd round of Chemo is going to be like. the doctors office did change out my nausea medications, so hopefully I will not be so D, and pale white with nausea. All weekend it I had fatigue and lite eating due to nausea. Today I felt like I had the flu came home after work rested and feeling a lot more like myself. Scared to ask how long it will last. But I will take this just to get thru all the chemo
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ladies all the information is amazing and usefully. How we all feel different and side effects. Thanks for sharing. I started chemo AC on April 5th and four days of nausea with D and fatigue was a weekend of movies. Then Monday was a day of feeling like the flu hit, came home to a nap and right now I finially feel like me. Scared what round two will be with chemo, the office did change my medications so I’m hoping for the best..
I was reading that for some of u the hair began to fall out around day 14. Did u notice it on the pillows, or when you showered. Just curious.
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persnickety—glad you're doing much better this round! You give a lot of us hope with that info! I hope you keep feeling well.
Urdrago—yesterday was the first day I noticed increased shedding. I didn't have to wash my hair yesterday but when I was brushing my hair over the sink I pretty much couldn't see the bottom of the sink anymore when I was done because so much had fallen out. This morning there were quite a few hair strands on my pillow which isn't the norm. My scalp is also a little sore
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Hi urdrago, my oncologist said day 17 your scalp will get sore and the next day your hair will start to fall. We joked cause my hairdresser said they are usually spot on and the onc was then worried he'd be wrong
. In anticipation of balding I had my hair cut shortish. I was getting quite use to it and hope to have more fun when it grows back. Anyway day 14 I could gently pull small tufts. I had a wedding to go to day 18 and by then I lots just came out if I combed it or put any pressure on it. So my hair dresser gave me a "do" and out tons of spray on it and said to drive with windows up. Then the next day she buzzed it to zero. Interestingly, the shedding had slowed so even with zero I looked like a balding kiwi fruit. The hair still came out easily but had stopped falling. I now wonder what would have stayed, what would it have looked like. But it can only ever have been a wonder because I could not stand the hair everywhere. Bald is so much better many ways. My head isn't sore anymore either . Helen.
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I am 14 days post first AC tx. My 2nd dose is today. My scalp got sore 2 days ago and then yesterday and today a lot of hair has been coming out when brushing and especially after washing. This is pretty much exactly what they said would happen and so I will probably have to Buzz it in the next day or two. It is a little above shoulder length now and is still kind of manageable with the shedding. I haven’t noticed much on my pillow, it’s just seems the more I brush after I wash it, the more comes out. Have been washing like every day because I seem to sweat at night and wake up with greasy hair. Also I just enjoyed 4 days of feeling totally normal and was even exercising same as before chemo
.Wishing everyone well
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Hi! I'm doing CMF as well. I started 3/8 and so far have had two treatments. Mine are spread out every three week so it'll take 6 months. I'm getting close to completing treatment 3. So far, it's been pretty uneventful. I've experienced a little fatigue and some heart burn but other than that I've been fine. How's it going for you?
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I'm at day 14 post first treatment. My scalp was itchy and sore from the very beginning, then last week it felt better. Over the weekend, it started feeling really sore again, like it was bruised. This morning, I lost lots of hair as I ran my fingers through it and I've been losing more throughout the day. I have really curly hair, so I don't usually brush it, but I think I will tonight to try to get rid of any loose hair, before washing it. If it continues to fall out at the same pace, I probably have a several days, but I think the shedding might get heavier over the next day or so. When I get a bald or super thin spot, I'll have my husband shave it.
Other SE, I'm still feeling more tired than usual, with a little bit of D, but overall, I almost feel normal. My next infusion is a week from today.
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My hair is hanging on for dear life.
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Bec-Ky, I like your signature note, I was also diagnosed on my first ever mammogram (age 41) and boy was that a shock!
Round 2 of 8 CMF treatments is on Friday. The only SE I've had that I haven't seen on this board yet (full of lovely and inspiring women, thank you!) is that I had a lot of dizziness in my first week. It started intermittently on Sunday (day 2?) and then on Tuesday as I was dragging myself stupidly around the subway to go to physical therapy and then work I was super woozy and thought I might fall over. Cancer center sent me to my primary care doc, no infections or other issues, just unexplained. Went away after about 5-6 days. Hoping I don't get it again this time around!
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Hi.
I started TCHP on the 28th of March. Days 1-2 were fine. Got really tired on day 3. Achy on days 4 and 5 and had slightly blurry vision. Normally I can read a street sign from halfway down the block, but those days I could only see maybe 2-3 houses away. Had two days of slight nausea that dissipated with compazine the two days after that. Also had some very slight neuropathy on my right ring and pinky fingers, which lasted only half a day then went away. I'm cold capping and shedding a bit, but nothing too alarming yet. I got involuntary spasms in my diaphragm one night which scared the crap out of me. I called the 24-hour number and the on-call doctor told me that was a side effect of coming off the steriods, which I had only been on for three days, and there was nothing I could do about it so I spent one night just walking in circles around my living room until it stopped. I also had a serious skin reaction, but I think it was to the surgical tape placed after my port surgery (which was on the 27th, so hard to completely separate it from the chemo but it was in the shape of the port covering). I'm surprised at how hard this has been on my skin - my hands are already in rough shape and my face isn't looking too hot either. This is going to be a really crappy summer of trying to stay out of the sun, as I am an avid hiker and runner, and I used to do hour long runs in the mornings before work. Oh, and the taste thing and the mouth sores have been the longest running side effects, but I was never an avid eater so they don't bother me much.
Are anybody else's tumors sore?
Looking forward to my next round on the 18th. Seriouisly. Because I want to get this over with already.
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Bec. I am day 14 after first TCH treatment and my hair is hanging on for dear life too. We are going for a nice long drive tomorrow, maybe to the beach for a good walk, spend the night and drive back. Week from tomorrow have 2nd chemo. Hope I can keep the D and constipation under control this round..... i find reading all your stories helps tremendously. We can do this together
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Hapa - which cold capping are you using? I started TC x 4 on March 26, I’m using Paxman, noticed thinning...
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Went for 4th weekly Taxol/Carboplatin infusion today and asked the nurse how long it usually took to finish shedding. She said it would probably be over after round 7. I seem to be on a different regimen than everyone else in this thread, so maybe the nurse's estimate doesn't apply to you.
Mine started coming out gradually when I brushed around day 14. Each day a bit more came out until by day 17, it began coming out in clumps when I washed it. My hair is unsightly enough now that I'm wearing scarves and turbans even around the house so I don't freak myself out when I pass a mirror. They also contain the fallout.
I must say, I feel like I'm walking around a Salvador Dali landscape of melted clocks these days.
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Well tonight’s the night ladies...bye bye hair! Thought we’d have a little fun with it first...my chemo mohawk
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Finished!
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Steph! Looks great! I love the Mohawk do before the shave!
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Steph! love it! you look like a total badass!!
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Awww thanks ladies...I was soooo nervous my heart was pounding! But I actually feel a sense of relief now that it’s done. In hindsight I probably should have draped a towel around me though...lol
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Steph74, you look beautiful !! And I have to agree with Persnickety, total badass...I believe we have to be to get thru theses treatment plans.
Helenlouise- that means I’ve got about 9 more days til I begin to see a change. Good information.. I got two new cotton beanies coming this week. Been browsing the clearance racks for scarfs and have two multi colored. Next it will be me learning how to wrap a nice scarf. I really like the idea of using a hair tie/rubber band and making the remaining scarf wrap up in a bun type ball.
Silly old rabbit- how have you been feeling with the taxol/carboplatin? That is the 2nd phase of my chemo treatment. Reading ur treatment look so like I’m following you. So your hair didn’t fall out during the AC treatment?
Interesting fact if u end up with constipation - hot apple juice.. lol I feel like a toddler again...
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Thanks for sharing Hapa.
Regarding the tape I’ve had redness just for adhesive sensitive. Not sure if that’s what you had also.
But tumor soreness I experience again now that’s it’s the 5th day after chemo. Kind of a pulling or achiness which was present prior to chemo as well. Maybe if u explain more other can comment If they have had anything similar.
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urdrago71, I haven't had the AC yet (or surgery) and am not sure what my MO's rationale is for the order. It may have something to do with the aggressiveness of my tumor, which is the dreaded triple negative with a KI67 score of 94%. I think she just wanted to try to stop the thing in its tracks before it was too late. It's really weird, but after 4 treatments, I can't find my tumor. These super aggressive ones are supposed to be the most susceptible to chemo, so hoping, hoping...
I haven't felt anywhere near as bad as I imagined I would. Yet. Days 3-5 are rough. Low energy, abdominal discomfort, no appetite, low grade nausea that Zofran keeps under control. After that, I start feeling almost normal. However, all hell may start breaking lose this week if it starts to wreak havoc with my blood cells. No significant signs of neuropathy yet. I'm icing hands and feet during infusions.
How did you feel during AC?
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steph, you are rocking that look!
My shedding multiplied this morning so I wore a headscarf for the first time. These are the ones I got on Amazon that are the most soft and comfy.I had to send some itchy ones back. I can't add links so using names instead.
Hat city bamboo fashion hat
Sandoval slouch hat beanie
Chemo head turban sold by focusCare- these come in many color combos and are very soft with flowing scarf attached that can be worn different ways. I got 4!
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Downdoggie... I tried looking up the hats/scarves with those names and never found an exact match. I'll try later 😊 I did already purchase a few from the place that I got my wig from, but I definitely need a larger selection, rather than just a few.
And like steph... I'll post my head shave pics too! I'm excited.!!
Still nothing coming out. Every morning I wake up and pull on my hair... 😂
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Bec-Ky,
Maybe the Taxol will be different, but, I think for now I will be grateful that food is ok. :-)
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Steph74 - I have had a glass of wine with dinner on day 8 after both cycles. Just a small glass of really good wine and it was AWESOME! My oncologist has no problem with it as long as I am feeling well enough :+). I think part of this process is trying to stay stress-free and as normal as possible. Having that little glass of wine with dinner just makes everything feel a little better. I was initially worried I would get a headache and who wants to indice that right now. I kept the glass small and took a very long time to drink it and was fine and happy!!
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Hey girls! Started chemo March 19, and started losing my hair last week during the kids spring break. I haven't cut it yet. As weird as this may sound, it isn't very upsetting watching it fall out. Ha ha. Anyways, second chemo was this past Monday. This time I am trying very hard to stay ahead of the symptoms. Plus I asked for stronger pain meds and something specifically for my headaches. So far I am just super tired. Coming down off the steroids is something else. Like seriously I was awake for like days straight. All night long, lol. Glad everyone is faring right along with treatment. Keep pushing sisters.
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May07 - I'm doing dignicap. It's the thing where you wear a cap that's hooked up to a machine. I hate it, but apparently the hair loss can be permanent and I'm not taking that chance so I'll continue to suck it up unless my hair falls out anyway.
urdrago71 - I'm not sure what to say about the tumor soreness other than they feel sore. Especially the lymph node in my armpit. Just kind of a low achiness, I guess? As for the tape sensitivity, it turned red, then kind of purple and in some places started bleeding and scabbed over. It was mild (just a little red) until I stopped taking the steroids, and that's when the bleeding started. I had a consult with the the plastic surgeon when it was at it's peak and he recommended putting aquaphor on it which I did and it's a lot better now. No more scabs and the purple has faded to kind of a greyish brown which is slowly peeling off. The plastic surgeon told his nurse to note it in my chart so they don't use the same tape again, but I'm a little apprehensive about my next infusion in case it was some sore of hybrid reaction to the tape + chemo (since it didn't show up right away after surgery).
One SE I forgot to mention - every time I blow my nose, blood clots come out. I guess my sinuses are in rough shape too. Aside from the cancer I am the picture of perfect health, so I thought I'd breeze through with few side effects.
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Hi ladies!
Steph74 - you look Fabulous! Rock it.
Hapa - I had a tape reaction to Tegaderm - not sure if that's what they are using but the cream and care cleared it up. I also got the nose bleeding and clots - thought it was a sinus infection. Try the Neosporin and maybe (sorry if this is gross for folks) sniffing warm water up your nose in the shower and then blowing it out. I did it for about 5 days and it helped clear my sinuses and soothe them. LOL, kind of like a guy (it's something my husband does, don't ask...).
Yesterday saw my hairdresser to get the front of my wig trimmed a bit - and when he saw my old man head fuzz (the unrelenting strands, now 6 weeks hanging on and standing up) he offered to really bald-buzz me. I went for it. Who knew the scalp was so shiny? If I feel up to it after putting makeup today on will post a pic.
Today is pre-day of #3 of my 4 TC treatments. Already hopped up on my steroids and over-hydrating. I go for bloodwork and onco visit this afternoon. Anxious to hit the 3/4 mark, although not looking forward to the next few days!
Cheers!
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Hapa - I also am getting the little blood clots and minor nose bleeds, seems to be worst In the mornings, my onc nurse recommends saline nasal spray it helps a little. If you are cold capping and your hair falls out...keep going with it, don't stop. I was told the hair grows back faster and the follicles are protected...
Tlow990 - I broke the other day...went out with a girlfriend and had 1 and a half glasses of wine...I just needed to feel back to normal...was fine the be next day....that will be it for a while for me....but it was a nice reward for round 1
Steph74 - you look great!!!
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hello Sillyoldrabbit- well to start my experience with zofran was headaches so I didn't take any longer..
After first infusion I had headache, super dizzy. Nausea and all over blah with a pale white expressions when family would check on me. oh yeah and freezing cold....until midnight than I got a second wind. Got sleep went to work Friday. Switched from Zofran to Kytril.
Over the weekend days 2 & 3 dizzy, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite and sadness set in as I just didn't feel like my self. Still ups and downs with my body being cold...Of corses reminding my self “drink, drink plenty of water ..keep flushing .."
Day 4, felt good when I got up & off nausea pills. Through the morning I slowly had achiness in upper back, stiffness in neck.. felt like I had the flu..no fever . Used Tylenol and heating pad which help relieve discomfort. Had a difficult time focusing on work., and still dizzy. I notice the most when I'm walking. By the end of my 8 hrs day I went home and straight to bed, I was exhausted..no appetite and still drinking plenty water.
Day 5, constipation and I am still dizzy. Got an appetite for cold subs..as soon as I get home for work I take a nap.waiting for blood results,
Day 6, stayed home to rest.
That's good news that u cannot feel the tumor??
I haven't had any issues with bloody nose. Staying positive no havoc occurs...
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