2nd round of A/C tomorrow--What to expect?

Rague said:

We're all different
For me, 2nd A/C was about the same as the first - definately not as bad as Taxol was. Son ran the horse clippers over head for me and then Son and 'Sons' did their heads. 3 days (or was it 4) after 2nd A/C, I drove my first Powder Puff Mud Bog. I had given my IH Scout II to Son for a Bogger and it hadn't been run in several years. Well I wound up getting second and got it further on the track than Son had in his runs. So depending on how your body handles chemo makes a big different. For me, A/C wasn't bad - Taxol was.

I had 2 wigs and one I wore a lot but I also made a lot of scarfs to go with my mood and colors I like. Hats - no. I live were it is quite cold in the winter and went through Chemos and Rads in winter so I always had something covering head even in house to stay warm.

Chemo wasnt great for me but
Chemo wasnt great for me but the second AC was better. After the first one you kind of know what your body will do. so far so good for you. My hair started on day 14 I believe once it started coming out (and the nether regions started first) then I had it buzzed. I never shaved it smooth. I wore mostly scarves and cotton sleep caps at night. O had a wig but rarely used it and people didnt really know me in it after being used to the scarves.

Angie, I am so glad your
Angie, I am so glad your first treatment went so well for you. As far as head covers and scarves, there is an old post that I will bump up for you titled "HELPFUL WEBSITES". It is loaded with sites where you can even get beautiful scarves. I hope it will help you.


Sue

naomib said:

bald is beautiful
hi- hope round two was ok. weighing in on the hairstyle bit- i shaved before chemo started- it gave me a sense of control- i didn't go down to zero until my hair (the little that was left) began to fall out. up till then i had short short short hair. it also gave me time to get used to it. since then (it fell out right before number 3 for me- and didn't all fall out- but got extremely skimpy) i wear a variety of scarves, hats, and bald. i like it all, and like the variety too. the wig i bought was too small and never comfortable. bald is really comfortable and easy. also saves on shampoo, conditioner, dyeing, and haircut. look at all the pluses. you also get alot of comments- for me all of them have been very positive. i bought a bunch of big earrings. that helps too. in any case- i liked feeling in control, so i vote for shaving before it falls out. also- less of a mess. good luck and let us know what you decided.

Your hair will definitely be falling out ...
for some us in clumps -- found on our pillows, or floor. If you have access to a stylist, please go and have her/him clip/buzz your hair. Otherwise, you can have a party -- a do it at home. Please use clippers, and not a razor --. A razor with result in nicks, and cuts which then can translate into an infection (ask me, been there).

I found that a cotton stocking sleeping cap, help keep me warm during the winter months. My sleeping cap also helps with the friction one sometimes gets when bald scalp moves against
your pillow case.

Personally, I found comfort and style using bandanas, hats and scarves.

Gentle hugs, and the best of luck in whatever avenue you pursue.

Strength, Courage and Hope.

Vicki Sam

The hair
My scalp started to get a tingling sensation about a week after 2nd A/C. Then hair was all over my pillow... then clumps over the shower drain. I had quite short hair, but I really found the hair loss very sad and at times distressing, despite my brave front. I started to wear scarves... really nice long scarves hat a would wrap, bow, twist etc. I got heaps of good ideas from You Tube "How to ie a scarf". I wish I was brave enogh to shave it all off. But no-body would do it for me. My sis ter in law helped out after A/C #3... this was heaps better. I felt so much mor comfortable knowing I was not leaving hair allover the furniture. I actually like my head bald... and it was much more comfortable in high summer. In hind sight I with I could have had my head shaved before it started to all fall out... by someone kind, a friend or daughter.... but a suffered in silence... until My SIL said " now we are going to have the ceremony in my salon"... it was at her kitchen table. Lots of hugs and massage and a lovely cup of tea. My family tne agreed it did look good.... much better than 'uncle fester from the addams family"!!!
I prefered scarves... I never bothered a wig... I got lot of comments from people about my scarf tyng... so it was good for my ego... I must admit some were very clever ideas and I really liked co-ordinating colours with different outfits.
When winter came I started getting a cold head... so wearing a soft knitted cotton cap to bed was so much more cosy. I cant beleive how much het escapes from out hesd! no wonder we put hats on babies. I bought some gorgeous berets for work. I always justified the cost as being cheaper that a hair cut!
Other A/C symtoms continued.. constipation was aweful... so I took Coloxyl. The bad taste in my mouth got worse.I used to get really depressed at meal time.
I got better at juggling what I could and could not do... So I could plan outings on good days and not get so frustated with the extreme fatigue.
I completely stopped driving after a ' near miss' car accident. Better safe than sorry. My brain was always a bit foggy.
Friends also got used to the new routine to... so I would be quiet without the phone ringing on the bad days.
I kept working on my good days, a few hours per days, sometimes whole days.... but I had A/C every 2 weeks. I was hit hard and fast!! so I did not have as many good days each cycle.
We are all very different... but I hope this helps,
Fiona

Phoenix chick said:

The hair
My scalp started to get a tingling sensation about a week after 2nd A/C. Then hair was all over my pillow... then clumps over the shower drain. I had quite short hair, but I really found the hair loss very sad and at times distressing, despite my brave front. I started to wear scarves... really nice long scarves hat a would wrap, bow, twist etc. I got heaps of good ideas from You Tube "How to ie a scarf". I wish I was brave enogh to shave it all off. But no-body would do it for me. My sis ter in law helped out after A/C #3... this was heaps better. I felt so much mor comfortable knowing I was not leaving hair allover the furniture. I actually like my head bald... and it was much more comfortable in high summer. In hind sight I with I could have had my head shaved before it started to all fall out... by someone kind, a friend or daughter.... but a suffered in silence... until My SIL said " now we are going to have the ceremony in my salon"... it was at her kitchen table. Lots of hugs and massage and a lovely cup of tea. My family tne agreed it did look good.... much better than 'uncle fester from the addams family"!!!
I prefered scarves... I never bothered a wig... I got lot of comments from people about my scarf tyng... so it was good for my ego... I must admit some were very clever ideas and I really liked co-ordinating colours with different outfits.
When winter came I started getting a cold head... so wearing a soft knitted cotton cap to bed was so much more cosy. I cant beleive how much het escapes from out hesd! no wonder we put hats on babies. I bought some gorgeous berets for work. I always justified the cost as being cheaper that a hair cut!
Other A/C symtoms continued.. constipation was aweful... so I took Coloxyl. The bad taste in my mouth got worse.I used to get really depressed at meal time.
I got better at juggling what I could and could not do... So I could plan outings on good days and not get so frustated with the extreme fatigue.
I completely stopped driving after a ' near miss' car accident. Better safe than sorry. My brain was always a bit foggy.
Friends also got used to the new routine to... so I would be quiet without the phone ringing on the bad days.
I kept working on my good days, a few hours per days, sometimes whole days.... but I had A/C every 2 weeks. I was hit hard and fast!! so I did not have as many good days each cycle.
We are all very different... but I hope this helps,
Fiona

Great news that your tumor
Great news that your tumor has shrunk already!


Good luck and sending hugs,

Diane