Chemo and the sun

Kddbrad

Feelingalone74 said:

Ok thanks for the

Ok thanks for the replyJairoldi. I will definitely play it safe and avoid it as much as possible and cover up well when I have to be out. It's going to be so hard being it's summer but I definitely will do what is needed.

I'm so nervous about treatment starting in 1 week and how my body will react. It will be so hard to surrender myself to chemo treatment as right now I feel perfectly fine. But I know I have to find strength to get through it

Do u mind me asking what do they do if one gets bone pain? Does it last long?

 

Chemo

I did not find chemo to be as bad as a lot of folk.   I just listened to my body.  Rested when it said rest, drink plenty of liquids,  juice if you can, eat fruits and veggies and try to remain as stress free as possible.    Eat what your body craves not what you are used to eating, stay away from the spicy.   And remind yourself that this too shall pass!

Donna Faye

A new name

Feelingalone is now Nolongerfeelingalone! What a wonderful collection of information for someone facing chemo! I wish I had had 1/2 this 20 years ago when I did my first chemo. So, the only thing I will add is watch the steroids. No one warned me that after day 3, one could crash from no more steroids. 20 yrs. ago they did not add steroids, so this was the worst part for me. And, please try and do some walking or something every few hours EVERY DAY. My 2017 chemo made me tired and my sweet dog died right before I started, so I was very inactive. Got major blood clots and had to be on Lovenox for 6 mos. and now on Eliquis. But other than that, have survived chemo 3 times; major rads,3 times; and at 79 enjoying NED for past 18 months. Hang in there and you'll have it behind you before you know it. OH! Before I forget, there are now oncology estheticians who can work wonders for making you feel pretty.  If you can't find one, go to the Lancome counter and tell them to help with the brows, etc. Just some blush often gives you a glow. xoxo DF

Feelingalone74

BluebirdOne said:

My husband said the same thing.

He never wanted me to stop coloring my hair because he thought I would not look good with grey, white or salt and pepper. The hair fell out and he was amazed at how nicely shaped my head is, which is an odd compliment if you think about it. For a while my one year old granddaughter and I had the same look, nicely shaped heads, no hair! Who knew? Now not only does he love the short pixie, he loves the color. I had never seen the actual color of my hair because I always colored it so it was a pleasant surprise that it is actually a nice look. My brows thinned but never went away, now they are almost 100 white! Lashes were sparse before, now still sparse. I keep thinking I need to post a new photo of what I look like now. People who have not seen me in a year just stare, which is disconcerting, but it is certainly a dramatic change from my old dark haired straight bob. 

Denise 

Denise,  I bet u look

Denise,  I bet u look beautiful with your new hair style and color!

I'm worried about not looking myself and having people stare at me especially when I return to work! 

How cute that you and your granddaughter had matching heads and what a really sweet compliment from your husband!!!

I am worried about what color my brows and hair will come in seeing I'm only in my 40's. I guess as long as I have hair again it will be a blessing!

Warmly, Michelle 

Feelingalone74

Fridays Child said:

Around here they say they

Around here they say they want you to keep your port at least a year after your last treatment, but one of my friends got hers out as soon as she finished treatment - three different times! I think they're going to want me to keep mine because I still don't have clear scans. 

My eyebrows and eyelashes also hung on  - I think they departed after the fifth full dose treatment, but they did start to come back fairly soon.  And my husband, looking at me one day shortly after my hair went south for the summer, said, "You sure do have a pretty head."  It's funny how you do get used to it.  I did fairly well with the eyebrow pencil but that was in the hot part of the summer and they didn't last.  Should have tried a stencil - maybe I will if I have to do it again.

Fridayschild,  what a sweet

Fridayschild,  what a sweet husband u have!!!

I haven't lost my eyebrows yet after 3 treatments.  I have 3 more. Praying they hold on but only time will tell .

I bought eyebrow stencils not sure how that will work out but we'll see if need be.

I'm sorry your friend had to undergo treatment 3xs

I hope both she and u are well now!

Warmly, Michelle 

Feelingalone74

Donna Faye said:

A new name

Feelingalone is now Nolongerfeelingalone! What a wonderful collection of information for someone facing chemo! I wish I had had 1/2 this 20 years ago when I did my first chemo. So, the only thing I will add is watch the steroids. No one warned me that after day 3, one could crash from no more steroids. 20 yrs. ago they did not add steroids, so this was the worst part for me. And, please try and do some walking or something every few hours EVERY DAY. My 2017 chemo made me tired and my sweet dog died right before I started, so I was very inactive. Got major blood clots and had to be on Lovenox for 6 mos. and now on Eliquis. But other than that, have survived chemo 3 times; major rads,3 times; and at 79 enjoying NED for past 18 months. Hang in there and you'll have it behind you before you know it. OH! Before I forget, there are now oncology estheticians who can work wonders for making you feel pretty.  If you can't find one, go to the Lancome counter and tell them to help with the brows, etc. Just some blush often gives you a glow. xoxo DF

Donna Faye, yes I wish I

Donna Faye, yes I wish I could change my name on here as since having all the support and encouragement helps me to feel not so alone. 

I am sorry to hear you've had to go through treatment 3x's but I'm so glad to hear that u have been NED for 18 months. 

I have always been a Walker. I always went walking a few miles everyday after work no matter what the weather was. I'm still trying to get my daily walks in I just dont go as far. It has been hard since radiation started as I already feel tired and I still suffer from insomnia.  But I know walking is important so I force myself....about to as we speak. I am on Coumadin for a blood disorder so I know all about blood clots and Lovenox so dont want that to happen! Sorry you went through them! And so sorry about your dog!

Hanging in there honestly has been hard for me but I will take your encouragement for sure that it will be behind me before I know it. The days are long with everyone working but I try to say busy.

I will look into an oncology estheticians nearby me. That'd be a blessing!

Wishing u continued good health!

Warmly, Michelle