one down...three to go!

special123

I had my first treatment last Wednesday. I feel better now, because I know what to expect. Does that sound dumb? I have not had a lot of side effects (praise God)! I am having some muscle aches from the shot, I can't remember the name of it. It's that shot that boosts your blood cell production.

I do have "medicene head" . I am taking anti nausea meds, prilosec, an anti depressant, pain meds and something to help me sleep, ...which hasn't really helped.

How long till my hair starts to come out? I was going to go ahead and shave it , but now that loosing it is a reality, I want to keep it as long as I can. I know that sounds completely ridiculous and backwards.

Hope you all have a good weekend!

Hugs and Kisses,
Special123

jean b

Hi: What was you chemo? I
Hi: What was you chemo? I had my first of 6 treatments on Thurs. with Gemzar and Cisplatin. Had a couple rough days. I heard you may not loose your hair on Gemzar.
Glad you are doing well.
Jean

BonnieR

Hugs
Hi Special,

Glad to read an update and that you are not feeling too bad. I sure understand the now that I know what to expect feeling, as I am sure everyone here can relate too. So no does not sound dumb. :-) Medicine takes awhile to leave the body, drink lots of fluids.

Now the hair thing, if on taxol/carbo, it will start to fall in 3weeks. By your second treatment you will be bald ~ but if a different drug then you may not even lose it. I cut mine pretty short so I didn't have all the hair falling everywhere and then when it started going in handfulls ... I shaved it. Still do the same routine but maybe dont' wait for handfulls anymore.

Pray you have a blessed weekend and continue to feel better and better. Hugs ♥ Prayers Bonnie

saundra

One down!
I did shave mine the first time thru chemo but think I'll just cut it short this next time and see what happens. It is a mess all at once, I'm told. Just try it the way you want. That is one of the choices we get to make!!! I found bandanas the coolest in the summer for around the house. I also ordered 5 wigs from the internet...just google for about $34 each that looked a lot better than the one I got at Look Good Feel Good. Being bald sure saves on hair products and time getting dressed. So there is a bright side.

I slept like a baby with the pain meds and then switched to the anti depressant. Maybe you have too many fighting with each other? After the second chemo, I did not need the pain meds anymore. I didn't think they worked on that deep bone pain anyway.

Hugs, Saundra

LPack

hair
Special,

With carbo/taxol my hair started falling out the 14th day after my first chemo (already had a "chemo cut"). I did shave mine too after that. I had a wig already and several scarfs and such.

The first time around I did not have the neulasta shot but had one this time and it does give you aching bones and flu like symptoms! I felt worse after the shot on Tuesday last week then chemo last Monday. But I am drinking lots of fluid and keeping active.

Praying as we all go through this for the first time, second, third or more that it works!!

Teal hugs and love,
Libby ☺

lnyeholt

LPack said:

hair
Special,

With carbo/taxol my hair started falling out the 14th day after my first chemo (already had a "chemo cut"). I did shave mine too after that. I had a wig already and several scarfs and such.

The first time around I did not have the neulasta shot but had one this time and it does give you aching bones and flu like symptoms! I felt worse after the shot on Tuesday last week then chemo last Monday. But I am drinking lots of fluid and keeping active.

Praying as we all go through this for the first time, second, third or more that it works!!

Teal hugs and love,
Libby ☺

hair
Being an eternal optimist, I didn't do a pre-chemo haircut in hope that I would be one of the minority that doesn't lose their hair. My oncologist said it probably wouldn't start coming out until after the 2nd treatment but it started coming out within 2 weeks of the first treatment of carbo/taxol. Since the hair was falling out evenly (no bald patches) I had my hairdresser cut it down to about 4" in front and very short in back which allowed me to wear bangs under my scarves and have a little peaking out the back. I started chemo in early May so I had a reasonable amount of hair for almost two months of treatments. Two weeks ago, just before my 4th treatment, it became very thin and it was shortened to about 2". I still have a little hair left and am finding it more comfortable to have a little cushion of hair under my wig or other head coverings. Of course, I bear a close resemblance to Uncle Fester from the Aadams family when I'm running around the house au natural!

If you're reluctant to shave your head, you may want to wait and see what your hair does before you shave it off.