Two weeks down, four to go

StruTanToot
StruTanToot Member Posts: 126 Member
in Anal Cancer #1
Dear friends...my second week of treatment ended today. I think about you everyday and cannot express my gratitude and appreciation for you standing by me and for all your words of advice, encouragement, and support.

I'm feeling good and side effects seem slight so far. My understanding though is that it's week three when things start getting rough. Because of you though, I am prepared mentally and emotionally if things go that direction.

I'm a bit scared though. I guess I'm wondering what actually happens in week three where it gets so bad...is it the burning/blistering? Fatigue? All the above?

Anyway...I'm kind of celebrating having two weeks behind me, so I wanted to share feeling good with all of you who have made it possible for me to feel good because of all the support I get from you.

I hope all have a nice weekend. You all are in my prayers, and when I count my blessings, you all are among them.

Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #2
    Congrats!
    You have made it a third of the way through and it sounds like you are doing quite well. Week 3 was still fairly easy for me, so perhaps that will be the case for you as well. I hope you have a restful weekend!
  • Marynb
    Marynb Member Posts: 1,118
    #3
    That is great new!
    Hi! I am so glad that you are doing well. Don't worry about the next few weeks. You can do this! If you have disomfort, just know that it will pass quickly. Seems like, so far, your body is handling it like a champ! Hang in there and stay strong! I am praying for you!
  • kirby77
    kirby77 Member Posts: 48
    #4
    Marynb said:

    That is great new!
    Hi! I am so glad that you are doing well. Don't worry about the next few weeks. You can do this! If you have disomfort, just know that it will pass quickly. Seems like, so far, your body is handling it like a champ! Hang in there and stay strong! I am praying for you!

    Way to go, stay well and strong.
    Stu,
    Wishing you the best as count down the days as I am. Hoping you remain free of side effects, you have a very grateful and gracious heart. Stay strong, thinking of all who went before and are now going through this treatable and curable disease.
  • Cheyenne
    Cheyenne Member Posts: 77
    #5
    Hair loss
    For me the end of week three brought falling hair. Most of it happened over a three day period starting on Thursday of week 3. It's terrible that this was the most devastating side effect for me since it seems like such a vain thing but that was it. I HATED losing so much hair. (I think go bald but you could definitely see scalp.)
  • StruTanToot
    StruTanToot Member Posts: 126 Member
    #6
    Cheyenne said:

    Hair loss
    For me the end of week three brought falling hair. Most of it happened over a three day period starting on Thursday of week 3. It's terrible that this was the most devastating side effect for me since it seems like such a vain thing but that was it. I HATED losing so much hair. (I think go bald but you could definitely see scalp.)

    I'm pretty sure my hair has
    I'm pretty sure my hair has started thinning. At the same time though, I think I tend to shed this time of year.

    I'm very aware that week three is the week where significant hair loss can manifest. I have been blessed with thick hair and I wear it long. It's just a wait-and-see thing, and I'm hoping for the best and trying to prepare for the worst.

    So...week three might bring hair loss, but it also brings the end closer and being cured closer.
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #7
    StruTanToot said:

    I'm pretty sure my hair has
    I'm pretty sure my hair has started thinning. At the same time though, I think I tend to shed this time of year.

    I'm very aware that week three is the week where significant hair loss can manifest. I have been blessed with thick hair and I wear it long. It's just a wait-and-see thing, and I'm hoping for the best and trying to prepare for the worst.

    So...week three might bring hair loss, but it also brings the end closer and being cured closer.

    Hair loss
    My hair began falling out on day 21. I will never forget when I first noticed it. I was lying on the floor with my hands behind my head. When I pulled my hands forward and looked at them, they were covered with hair. In total, I think I may have lost about half my hair, just in spots all over my scalp. It wasn't pretty, but it grew back in pretty fast. I never wore a wig, even though my husband puchased a halo wig for me. I just wore ballcaps because I'm that kind of a girl!
  • Cheyenne
    Cheyenne Member Posts: 77
    #8
    Cheyenne said:

    Hair loss
    For me the end of week three brought falling hair. Most of it happened over a three day period starting on Thursday of week 3. It's terrible that this was the most devastating side effect for me since it seems like such a vain thing but that was it. I HATED losing so much hair. (I think go bald but you could definitely see scalp.)

    I meant to say I DIDN'T go
    I meant to say I DIDN'T go bald but you could definitely see scalp. Now all those curls are gone. It was so thin and scraggly that I got it cut very, very short a week ago. Now I can't WAIT for it to grow back. I have never liked short hair on me. Others say, "But it's so cute!". Not to me. I hate it!
  • Marynb
    Marynb Member Posts: 1,118
    #9
    StruTanToot said:

    I'm pretty sure my hair has
    I'm pretty sure my hair has started thinning. At the same time though, I think I tend to shed this time of year.

    I'm very aware that week three is the week where significant hair loss can manifest. I have been blessed with thick hair and I wear it long. It's just a wait-and-see thing, and I'm hoping for the best and trying to prepare for the worst.

    So...week three might bring hair loss, but it also brings the end closer and being cured closer.

    Hair loss
    I have no idea why, but I had no hair loss at all. I have very thick hair to begin with and it seems that my hair actually got thicker. It felt more coarse and wavier. I ate lots of protein, used very wide tooth comb, baby shampoo, infusium 23 . I did not blow dry my hair and only combed it once a day. Also, I firmly believed that I would not lose any hair. Don't worry, all will be well.

    I wonder whether any studies have been done to determine what factors are involved in hair loss?
  • Cheyenne
    Cheyenne Member Posts: 77
    #10
    Marynb said:

    Hair loss
    I have no idea why, but I had no hair loss at all. I have very thick hair to begin with and it seems that my hair actually got thicker. It felt more coarse and wavier. I ate lots of protein, used very wide tooth comb, baby shampoo, infusium 23 . I did not blow dry my hair and only combed it once a day. Also, I firmly believed that I would not lose any hair. Don't worry, all will be well.

    I wonder whether any studies have been done to determine what factors are involved in hair loss?

    Not all experience all of
    Not all experience all of the possible side effects. But I can tell you from personal experience that believing I wouldn't lose my hair didn't keep it from happening. I also had very thick, curly hair. It will be that way again but I definitely lost over 50% of it.
  • StruTanToot
    StruTanToot Member Posts: 126 Member
    #11
    Marynb said:

    Hair loss
    I have no idea why, but I had no hair loss at all. I have very thick hair to begin with and it seems that my hair actually got thicker. It felt more coarse and wavier. I ate lots of protein, used very wide tooth comb, baby shampoo, infusium 23 . I did not blow dry my hair and only combed it once a day. Also, I firmly believed that I would not lose any hair. Don't worry, all will be well.

    I wonder whether any studies have been done to determine what factors are involved in hair loss?

    Thank you telling me about
    Thank you telling me about your experience and the products you used. I'm trying to be very gentle with my hair and am using baby shampoo and will get Infusium 23...can't hurt.

    Good question about factors involved in hair loss. I'll see if I can find out anything.
  • torrance
    torrance Member Posts: 118
    #12
    StruTanToot said:

    I'm pretty sure my hair has
    I'm pretty sure my hair has started thinning. At the same time though, I think I tend to shed this time of year.

    I'm very aware that week three is the week where significant hair loss can manifest. I have been blessed with thick hair and I wear it long. It's just a wait-and-see thing, and I'm hoping for the best and trying to prepare for the worst.

    So...week three might bring hair loss, but it also brings the end closer and being cured closer.

    for me...
    My hair didn't start falling out until treatment ended. I too have very thick hair and probably lost about 30%. It just wasn't a focus for me and figured whatever happened I'd deal with. I remember feeling so silly when I was getting frustrated about the annoying hair falling out and "tickling" my arm, considering what I had just been through.
  • shirlann54
    shirlann54 Member Posts: 162
    #13
    Congrats
    Get as much rest as you can. And eat what you can & drink alot of water,Any kind of fresh bread or rolls i could eat .It made my tummy feel better.A friend made them for me .I'll be praying for you.

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