Chemo starting June 2018
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I'm curious if I'm the only one who didn't buzz their head? I almost did but now glad I didn't. My hair is super thin, but I still have enough that it hangs out from under the ever-present ball cap, and the back is enough for a tiny pony tail. Went to dinner with my daughter last night and she was stunned, asked "is that all yours?" I said yeah, but look, and took off the cap. We both laughed. She said that with the cap you can't even tell. This makes me happy.
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out_and_ about my doctor told me to take Benedryl at night. I'm itching in patches on my head, neck, underarms and down below. She said it's a reaction to the Taxotere. If I don't take the Benedryl my sleep is disrupted which makes the SEs worst during the day for me.
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Kat22 - I haven't shaved my head either. Letting it fall out on it's own. I wanted a bit of hair to hang out of a baseball cap. It looks pretty bad without a hat but whatever. It is what it is. I also have a cheap wig that I bought off of Amazon. It looks fake on it's own but paired with a baseball cap you can't tell its a wig...at least not to me. I use it if I need to go places like the store, etc.
I look soooo old with the thinning hair....and I look like a man. An old man.
My symptoms were the same as Cycle 1. Basically 6-7 days of feeling like crap. Dr. gave me dexa for an extra 4 days (1/2 dose last 2 days). It helped get me through those first first days. Hate the sour taste in my mouth. It makes eating healthy difficult. Everything tastes yucky.
i can't wait to be done with the AC.
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My #2 TC infusion will be on Monday, 7/16. Yesterday, on 7/13, I had surgery to put in a portacath. Arm veins were not managing infusion and blood draws well, so this became necessary. My surgical oncologist (who did my mastectomies in May) did this surgery.
It was not a terrible experience at all. The surgery went as planned, and the port sticks out a bit, but not all that much, and it won't show with a V-neck or higher neck top. They used "twilight sedation," and I woke up easily, no nausea, and could eat and walk around quite soon. I went home less than an hour after waking up, had a fairly normal evening, just went to bed a bit early. Could eat (gentle food, nothing crazy), and the slight dizziness was gone after about 2-3 hours.
This is the easiest Day Surgery I've ever had. :-) Today, the two incisions and also my shoulder muscles are all sore, but 2 Tylenol manage the pain quite well. No Big Deal. I've had struggles in the past with hours of vomiting after general anesthesia, so I was so happy to have this be a lighter anesthesia and a comfortable recovery. The incision is too new for me to be allowed (numbing) Emla cream over the port this first time, on Monday, alas. However, a few seconds of discomfort as they put the needle in is not really worrying me. My chemo infusion nurse explained that subsequent accessing of the port becomes more and more comfortable in future weeks, because of scar tissue. Seems weird to be grateful for scar tissue, but that's what she said!
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I had the really bad scalp rash with my first chemo. Onco didn’t think it was chemo rash so just gave me an antibiotic and 5 day steroids. That helped. I used baby shampoo and bio oil on my head because it was very dry and flaky and I had no problem with rash on my second infusion.0
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hey all! It's a good thing we have each other to compare notes with😀
I didn't have stomach trouble with the 1st TC treatment, but now I'm having constipation. Is there anything over the counter that doesn't cause cramping? Looking for something more natural if possible.
Thanks for your help.
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Senakot s works for me, although I think it did cause cramping with someone else on this thread? If I don’t go for a day or two, I take 2 at bed time and 2 in the morning and I usually go in the afternoon.0
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LibbyLouWho18 - I had terrible constipation after my first TC - I probably let it go to far before taking something (5 days) - I took Senekot and it did do the trick - since then I’ve been having bran buds in my yogurt every morning and I’m mostly back to normal again - we will see what happens Monday after infusion #2
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I was the one who had cramps from Senokot S but I took maximum dose after three or four days of constipation after my first round. I think its fine for maintenance. Milk of magnesia and Miralax are both much milder and what my onco nurse suggested. Second round I used Miralax starting the night before and the days I used Zofran. I also take psyllium seed husks in capsules every day.
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I use Colace and am very happy with it. I also make sure to eat raw veggies, prunes, yogurt and beets whenever I can.
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LibbyLouWho18, I take Metamucil with good results, no cramping. I also add chia seeds to my morning yogurt. And Colace helps me too
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Have been absent lately due to terrible torso rash that seems unstoppable-today is day 8 of it and nothing seems to lessen the welts, itching, and flaming redness.. Fran thighs to chest. Miserable to wear anything! Other than the rash, round 2 od AC went okay. I am supposed to have round three in 2days, but wonder if rash will delay that. Sorry to whine today. When I talk to doctors or consulting nurse, they all say it is probably hives but low WBC has compromised immune system. Dang.
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Thank you all for the suggestions. The senekot helped to get things moving along. I also added prunes and will start eating yogurt more often too.
Washington- I hope they can find a remedy for your hives and hope you feel better soon. I can't imagine that aggravating itch!
Blood count tomorrow, which I expect will show low WBC. Struggling to do anything this week.
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Hi Ladies
So I was supposed to have round #2 today (already postponed last week cuz my neutrophils were low 0.8) and get a call this morning they are still low - same as last week so I’m postponed again - so disappointed and upset - I did the filgrastin shots for 7 days afternoon the first round & I do feel fine. Nurse said she would talk to the doc about possibly decreasing chemo dose - or figure out what to do - has this happened to anyone else twice in a row like this? Now I’m worried this will happen every time and drag on forever - ugh
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third ddac was Thursday. I am not recovering as fast this time and have a cold. I have hardly been able to drink anything due to the nausea being so bad. Have messaged doctor and he has messaged me back with questions. Waiting to hear from doctor now for what I should do
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anyone else experience heart rate of 110 to 120 while just sitting down? kinda worried. going to the dr for fluids and blood test today
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I also experience rapid heart rate while just sitting but it seemed to come and go and the last 2 weeks have been fine. My onocologist said it can be a se of the neulasta shot. Talk to your doc and let us know what they say. Stay strong!
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After receiving IV fluids I feel alot better. heart rate went down to 90.
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TCHP round 3 Wednesday. I've felt really good the last couple weeks and I really really don't want to go down the black hole again. I'm super happy with the results thus far, but I'm dreading this.
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Kat22--you'll get through it, and this will be one more behind you. I get that this whole thing gets wearing, but try to remember that it's temporary. You'll get through tx and out the other side.
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LibbyLouWho18 ~ this message is probably too late; and I am sorry you felt that way! After my first infusion I had the worst constipation, and it almost sent me to the ER. 4 days passed, and I did not have any movements. It was the worst side effect I experienced, and I promised myself never again!
My doctor recommended taking "Cascara Sagrada"; you can get it at whole foods, or any vitamin shop. I started the day before, and have been taking one every day. I am happy to report, that I haven't had any issues, and no cramping, at all! It has helped me tremendously. Picture below..
I have a question; I am 45 and still get periods. For some reason, I thought they would stop by now. Nope.. I've had two infusions now. And one period yesterday
And yes, I am going to complain.. I get really really bad cramps, and muscle ache. Like if I need more. Cramps have been very strong, and it has been one heavy period.. BOOOO hollywood1968 ~ have you tired taking sparkling water and saltines? that's the only thing that does it for me. And I am trying to stay away from meds..
My very best to everyone.. hope the side effects wouldn't exist..
HUGS!!
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Bobby, I feel you! I am 48 and I have fibroids so my periods were long and heavy. So I too was looking forward to not having periods but I’ve had it for over a month now! My onc thinks it’s pushing me into menopause and Isjust waiting and see.
My third chemo today. Almost didn’t get it because My hemoglobin was low but barely met the borderline requirement. They are giving me the iron injector today too. I hope this round is better than my last one! 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Good luck to you too Kat22! We are halfway done!
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yay for halfway! Still in the chair, half way through the taxotere and still have to do the carbo. Being thoroughly entertained by the guy in the next chair and his best friend who flew in from Phoenix to see him (I'm in ohio).
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bobby & timetobebrave - got my period yesterday and it’s nothing like it ever was. Little blood mixed with mucus and who knows how long I’m going to deal with it. Yuck!
I am the most fatigued that I’ve been so far. I have one more AC to go before 4 rounds of Taxol. Hope I get some kind of energy back before 7/26.
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This may have been addressed already but for those of you that shaved your head, do you continue to shave it? I chose to buzz it just before round 2 because I was losing it in large clumps. It just felt a little like I was taking back control to decide to buzz the whole thing. I have weird "crop circle" spots though and so some of it starts to grow into a stubble and some of it doesn't. It was weird looking so I shaved my head completely so it would all be consistent. I am chronically in hats or beanies because I just don't get it with the scarves no matter how many YouTube's I watch. It's stinking hot here in Southern Oregon and so I have decided to forgo wigs. I'm really struggling with making myself even leave the house and I won't without a beanie or hat. I don't know whether to keep shaving my head to keep it all the same length through chemo or to just start letting it grow back as it will. I have round 3 of 4 T/C on Friday. I'd really appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.
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emac877, I shaved my head once on day 14, and now I have a light peach fuzz in places. Did you know you can buy pre-tied scarves? Look up Headcovers Unlimited on Amazon. They have a number of very light pre-tied chemo scarves I love.
Speaking of periods, I had what I thought was my last one right after the first AC. Was very surprised to have started spotting today, after my fourth AC. Let’s hope it won’t last long.
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emac877: I think we are on a similar schedule. I finally went to a barber shop and had a straight razor shave right after my 2nd treatment of TC 12 days ago and thought I was done with it but I'm growing a stubble that I wasn't expecting. I have two more to go and I'm glad you wrote this cause I thought I was crazy. It's hot here in California and I haven't been able to get through a day with my wig. I'm down to one favorite straw fedora. I'm just having to let my freak flag fly way beyond where I ever have before. The look is NOT me but I've surrendered: Straw fedora, eye liner and hoop earrings. I will so appreciate even when my hair has grown in a half inch. This is such a test of what it is to be a woman. My identity has definitely been confusing lately with no hair and deformed expander breasts. What gets me through is knowing there have been so many points in life where I've wondered why something is happening and have ended up better for it. I don't know why this should be any different.
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"What gets me through is knowing there have been so many points in life where I've wondered why something is happening and have ended up better for it. I don't know why this should be any different."
LOVE LOVE LOVE this sentence! So very true.
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emac—I buzzed my head with the 1/8” attachment and haven’t needed to since. I still have maybe 1/3 of my hair and wear baseball caps when I go out—even to a fairly big meeting at work.
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Hey ladies, FYI GoodWishesScarves.Org will send you a free head scarf for free. I just received mine today and they even included a nice little card with handwritten messages. It was so nice and empowering!
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