1 week post first chemo

Eleanor1
Eleanor1 Member Posts: 68
in Breast Cancer #1
Its been a week and I feel good! I think I psyched myself up last night because today is our 27th wedding anniversary and I told myself I better feel good. Woke up early to go to church, had a brunch with family and just enjoyed the day. I hope that this recovery period will be uneventful so I will be so ready for the next treatment.The worst time I can remember was the 5th day , when early morning I woke up with the intense back and thigh pains, had to take some pain medicine, another sleeping pill and that put me back to sleep. When I woke up again, the pain was gone....right now, just some bloating, itching especially my scalp and mild aches /pains....just concern with my itchy scalp, I wonder if this is a sign of the hair falling off soon....but, I will not think of that now...I will take one treatment at a time...first one wasn't that bad, I hope and pray the second one won't be either! Thank you all my friends out there for thinking of me!

Comments

  • PatFried
    PatFried Member Posts: 45
    #2
    Hi
    Happy 27th Anniversary. I was so glad to see your post. I've been thinking about you. It sounds like the side effects from your first treatment haven't been too bad. I hope I am as fortunate as you. My first one is Monday. Please keep us updated on how you are doing. When is your second treatment?

    Pat
  • salls41
    salls41 Member Posts: 340
    #3
    Happy Anniversary!
    Enjoy your anniversary!! As to your itchy scalp, unfortunately yes that is a sign that you will BEGIN hair loss soon. You may not lose alot right away. Mine unfortunately came out in handfuls everytime I touched my head around day 14. The good part is I kept my eyebrows and eyelashes up until about treatment 5. I miss them more than hair!
    Good luck to you and keep you positive attitude.. it will help you through this in ways you can not imagine!
    (((Hugs)))
    Sandy
  • TexasCharlie
    TexasCharlie Member Posts: 76
    #4
    Happy Anniversay, I wish and
    Happy Anniversay, I wish and pray for many more for you guys.

    I just had my 3rd. The itchy scalp is a sure sign the hair is going. Mine itched on about the 5th day 1st time but waited until the 3rd week after my 2nd chemo. Being a man, it was a lttle easier to just buzz my head and hats are easy too. Pain seems to vary from person to person. Mine is in my legs and my feet feel like I'm walking on rocks. not today though.
    Keep up the positive attitude. I will say a prayer for you that it keeps going as easy as it has.
  • dianehelen
    dianehelen Member Posts: 131
    #5
    Happy Anniversary Eleanor!
    Happy Anniversary Eleanor! 27 years a great milestone. I got my diagnosis on our 34th anniversary, not the best one, but hopefully better ones to come.

    Sounds like you made it thru the treatment pretty well, I hope Im as fortunate. Sad they cant target the damn poison to not mess with our hair and brows and lashes huh? Ughh, something that really upsets me.

    How many treatments do you have to go thru? and when is your next?

    Hope you keep feeling decent, and get thru this with the best possible results and least possible bad effects.

    I'll probably start right after the new years, so NOT looking forward to it.

    Be WELL!!
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    #6
    PatFried said:

    Hi
    Happy 27th Anniversary. I was so glad to see your post. I've been thinking about you. It sounds like the side effects from your first treatment haven't been too bad. I hope I am as fortunate as you. My first one is Monday. Please keep us updated on how you are doing. When is your second treatment?

    Pat

    Happy Anniversary Eleanor!
    Happy Anniversary Eleanor! Thanks for updating us on how you are doing. We're all thinking of you and praying for you.


    Hugs, Leeza
  • Eleanor1
    Eleanor1 Member Posts: 68
    #7
    Next treatment will be the
    Next treatment will be the 19th....a total of 4 treatments every 21 days....if everything falls on sched, my last will be Jan 30th., then I will have some period to recover and then start my Rads in March for 6weeks....I try not to dwell on the sched because it looks so full and unattainable but i tell myself, its only 4 tx....a lot of people had more and they made it, i know i can do this too! And having done one already just gives me the courage to go through with an open mind. The first one I think is the hardest, scariest one because it's more of fear of the unknown..but I do my best to put God in everything that is happening, even when I am crying, complaining or in pain I give it up to Him, then it seems like after a moment I could get up feeling better and stronger again!
  • dianehelen
    dianehelen Member Posts: 131
    #8
    Eleanor1 said:

    Next treatment will be the
    Next treatment will be the 19th....a total of 4 treatments every 21 days....if everything falls on sched, my last will be Jan 30th., then I will have some period to recover and then start my Rads in March for 6weeks....I try not to dwell on the sched because it looks so full and unattainable but i tell myself, its only 4 tx....a lot of people had more and they made it, i know i can do this too! And having done one already just gives me the courage to go through with an open mind. The first one I think is the hardest, scariest one because it's more of fear of the unknown..but I do my best to put God in everything that is happening, even when I am crying, complaining or in pain I give it up to Him, then it seems like after a moment I could get up feeling better and stronger again!

    Oh eleanor, your attitude is
    Oh eleanor, your attitude is so good. I can only hope to deal as well as you are. I'm not a god/religion person so cant draw strength from that pool. I just hope to draw on love from my husband, family and friends.

    Enjoy your regroup time between, all the best to you
  • PatFried
    PatFried Member Posts: 45
    #9
    Eleanor1 said:

    Next treatment will be the
    Next treatment will be the 19th....a total of 4 treatments every 21 days....if everything falls on sched, my last will be Jan 30th., then I will have some period to recover and then start my Rads in March for 6weeks....I try not to dwell on the sched because it looks so full and unattainable but i tell myself, its only 4 tx....a lot of people had more and they made it, i know i can do this too! And having done one already just gives me the courage to go through with an open mind. The first one I think is the hardest, scariest one because it's more of fear of the unknown..but I do my best to put God in everything that is happening, even when I am crying, complaining or in pain I give it up to Him, then it seems like after a moment I could get up feeling better and stronger again!

    I know what you mean
    I know what you mean about not dwelling on the schedule because it looks so full. I have a list of steps that I will have to follow. MRI, bone scan, lumpectomy, port, chemo treatment one, etc. I take great pleasure in scribbling out what I have finished. That helps me.
    I am so glad you are posting in here. It encourages me. You will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. I too put God in everything and some days I feel like I pray all day.

    Pat
  • Sdawells
    Sdawells Member Posts: 23 Member
    #10
    First, let me say I hope
    First, let me say I hope your anniversary was wonderful!
    I am also one week post first chemo. We seem to be having almost identical side effects. My bones and joints ached so bad around day 4 that I didn't want to move. Of course they hurt just as bad not moving as they did when I was still. It's been 8 days now and I still ache a bit, but it is certainly better. My scalp started itching a couple days ago and I have had a slight headache to go with it. I.ve read that this is a sign of my hair getting ready to fall out. I have an appointment to get a wig tomorrow and I think I will shave it alloff in a coupke of days rather than watch it slowly fall out on it's own. How are you going to handle the hair loss? Even though this has been far from fun I am thankful that I haven't been physically ill. I can handle the aches as long as I have my trusty pain pills and know that this won't last forever.
    Keep up the faith, and I will be watching to see if we continue to mirror eachothers effects. Best to you.
    Susan
  • Eleanor1
    Eleanor1 Member Posts: 68
    #11
    Sdawells said:

    First, let me say I hope
    First, let me say I hope your anniversary was wonderful!
    I am also one week post first chemo. We seem to be having almost identical side effects. My bones and joints ached so bad around day 4 that I didn't want to move. Of course they hurt just as bad not moving as they did when I was still. It's been 8 days now and I still ache a bit, but it is certainly better. My scalp started itching a couple days ago and I have had a slight headache to go with it. I.ve read that this is a sign of my hair getting ready to fall out. I have an appointment to get a wig tomorrow and I think I will shave it alloff in a coupke of days rather than watch it slowly fall out on it's own. How are you going to handle the hair loss? Even though this has been far from fun I am thankful that I haven't been physically ill. I can handle the aches as long as I have my trusty pain pills and know that this won't last forever.
    Keep up the faith, and I will be watching to see if we continue to mirror eachothers effects. Best to you.
    Susan

    2 weeks before my chemo, I
    2 weeks before my chemo, I cut my hair, 9 inches off. My hair is my crowning glory, wavy, thick, shinny black hair. I figured that if I could do this I will have the strength to see my hair fall off. I then went to fit and order a wig thinking this will make me ready for it more. But seriously, this is what I dreaded the most and when the time comes, I really don't know if I will be able to take it. I know for some it may seems to be the least to think about but that's me. I still cry when I look at the mirror and see my hair so short. But you know what, I see a lot of beautiful women with short hair and carry themselves so lovely and that is what I am trying to do. I know I can feel beautiful as well with or with out hair..i know it has to start within me so this a work in progress. I don't want to hope so much that it this won't happen, that I will be one of the lucky ones but I guess I still do.
  • dianehelen
    dianehelen Member Posts: 131
    #12
    Eleanor1 said:

    2 weeks before my chemo, I
    2 weeks before my chemo, I cut my hair, 9 inches off. My hair is my crowning glory, wavy, thick, shinny black hair. I figured that if I could do this I will have the strength to see my hair fall off. I then went to fit and order a wig thinking this will make me ready for it more. But seriously, this is what I dreaded the most and when the time comes, I really don't know if I will be able to take it. I know for some it may seems to be the least to think about but that's me. I still cry when I look at the mirror and see my hair so short. But you know what, I see a lot of beautiful women with short hair and carry themselves so lovely and that is what I am trying to do. I know I can feel beautiful as well with or with out hair..i know it has to start within me so this a work in progress. I don't want to hope so much that it this won't happen, that I will be one of the lucky ones but I guess I still do.

    Oh Eleanor, this post really
    Oh Eleanor, this post really hit home with me as well. I know the side effects, the aches , the pains, the possible nausea are all things that are not appealing, but things that if I just hide in my house and my bed, no one else really sees. I also have near panic attacks about the hair loss. I am 62 years old and still have thick, curly medium length brown hair, no grey, no thinning. I have always been amazed that at this age I dont color my hair. When it comes to losing it, and also losing brows and lashes, I also dont know how Im gonna handle that, and Im not really handling the rest of it as well as you are either. Why oh why cant they make some chemo drugs that leaves our damn hair alone. Ughhhh. I wish you strength in dealing with this, then maybe you can share some of it with me.
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #13
    dianehelen said:

    Oh Eleanor, this post really
    Oh Eleanor, this post really hit home with me as well. I know the side effects, the aches , the pains, the possible nausea are all things that are not appealing, but things that if I just hide in my house and my bed, no one else really sees. I also have near panic attacks about the hair loss. I am 62 years old and still have thick, curly medium length brown hair, no grey, no thinning. I have always been amazed that at this age I dont color my hair. When it comes to losing it, and also losing brows and lashes, I also dont know how Im gonna handle that, and Im not really handling the rest of it as well as you are either. Why oh why cant they make some chemo drugs that leaves our damn hair alone. Ughhhh. I wish you strength in dealing with this, then maybe you can share some of it with me.

    Eleanor ... I am so very sorry for all the pain,
    and suffering you are enduring because of chemo infusion therapy. How we handle chemo and its side effort === depends on the person. I suffered, and suffered so my heart and
    soul goes to you.

    Please write down your side efforts, call your Oncologist office and ask them for
    scripts, or suggestions. Continue to call if what has been given to you, does
    not do the trick.

    Itchy scalp -- you may want to try Neutrogena T-Gel shampoo, not a pleasant smelling
    product, but it did worked wonders for me. Also, many Sisters in Pink used baby
    shampoo - and that worked as well. Remember to condition your scalp. My hair started
    falling out around day 14 to 17 -- I took to running my fingers thru my hair, and releasing
    the fallen hair out in my back yard, as the wind blew. Thus, a new chapter in my life,
    and in my journey with breast cancer. Emotional, yes. It did take me a few weeks
    to really come to terms with my hair loss. Lots of tears, and fears.

    Cyber hugs .. dear Sister.

    Vicki Sam
  • Eleanor1
    Eleanor1 Member Posts: 68
    #14
    Update on hair loss
    Day 12 and my hair starting to fall...I am getting depressed about it, I couldn't sleep last night .No matter what i do, i dont think i will be ready for this. It just scares me so much more than my my incoming second chemo next week. My husband told me to just let go of the hair because it's gonna bound to happen and he love no matter what, hair or with out hair....I am trying to be strong but it's very hard...
  • dianehelen
    dianehelen Member Posts: 131
    #15
    Eleanor1 said:

    Update on hair loss
    Day 12 and my hair starting to fall...I am getting depressed about it, I couldn't sleep last night .No matter what i do, i dont think i will be ready for this. It just scares me so much more than my my incoming second chemo next week. My husband told me to just let go of the hair because it's gonna bound to happen and he love no matter what, hair or with out hair....I am trying to be strong but it's very hard...

    OH HUGS and more HUGS to you
    OH HUGS and more HUGS to you Eleanor. I really have no words of wisdowm to offer, and I know I am not far behind you from feeling thse very same and very horrific feelings. I know you have begun this with a far better attitude and strength than I have, and seeing you now really struggling, all I can say is I really hope, in time you find something down deep in strength to be able to deal with this. My heart is with you, my friend..
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    #16
    Eleanor1 said:

    Update on hair loss
    Day 12 and my hair starting to fall...I am getting depressed about it, I couldn't sleep last night .No matter what i do, i dont think i will be ready for this. It just scares me so much more than my my incoming second chemo next week. My husband told me to just let go of the hair because it's gonna bound to happen and he love no matter what, hair or with out hair....I am trying to be strong but it's very hard...

    I am so sorry Eleanor.
    I am so sorry Eleanor. Sending lots of big hugs!


    Leeza
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    #17
    Eleanor1 said:

    Update on hair loss
    Day 12 and my hair starting to fall...I am getting depressed about it, I couldn't sleep last night .No matter what i do, i dont think i will be ready for this. It just scares me so much more than my my incoming second chemo next week. My husband told me to just let go of the hair because it's gonna bound to happen and he love no matter what, hair or with out hair....I am trying to be strong but it's very hard...

    I am so sorry Eleanor.
    I am so sorry Eleanor. Sending lots of big hugs!


    Leeza
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #18
    Eleanor1 said:

    Update on hair loss
    Day 12 and my hair starting to fall...I am getting depressed about it, I couldn't sleep last night .No matter what i do, i dont think i will be ready for this. It just scares me so much more than my my incoming second chemo next week. My husband told me to just let go of the hair because it's gonna bound to happen and he love no matter what, hair or with out hair....I am trying to be strong but it's very hard...

    So very sorry Eleanor about
    So very sorry Eleanor about your hair loss. Ofcourse your husband loves you no matter what. When is your next chemo? I will be praying for you.


    Hugs, Jan

Discussion Boards