ROUND 2 CHEMO TOMORROW -- hair going???

survivorbc09 said:

I am so sorry Kimmy.
I am so sorry Kimmy. I didn't have chemo, so, I can't really address your question. I am sure others will. It is fine to keep up a good front, but, allow yourself to also just plain feel whatever, whether it is up or down. Wishing you good luck!

I feltthe same way. I had a
I feltthe same way. I had a really hard time with the hair loss though I knew I should be grateful that my cancer seemed to be caught early. My Onco/DX test indicated I should have 4 rounds of T/C. I tried so hard to be one of the rare few who don't lose all the hair, but it came out just before treatment 2. Finally shaved my head, but do have a nice wig. It'll be okay. But if you feel bad, I am able to identify with that. I look every day for some sign that it's coming back and I'm not even donw with treatment. The ladies on this site have been so wonderful and will make you feel so much better. I have one more treatment and just know I'm going to impatiently wait for hair. Take care.

Hang in there Kimmy,
I've
Hang in there Kimmy,
I've had 2 cycles of AC so far and days 3 & 4 are the pits. After that I seem to start feeling better. Once my hair started coming out in handfulls, I had my husband shave it short. My nurse told me not to shave it, but leave it 1/8" long. I wish I either shaved it closer or let it fall out long because the "stubble" catches on everything and hurts sometimes. I have the advantage that my girls are older (17 & 20), so they are able to handle the hair loss and my being sick for a few days. I'll add you and your family to my prayers. On the "up" side, I'm half way through the AC portion and I'm trying not to think about the Taxol portion yet.

Make sure you get plenty of rest. I seemed to be much more tired after round 2 than 1. Do you have someone who can help with the 4 year old when you're wiped out?

Good luck this week!
Hugs,
Marcy

Christine Louise said:

KIds
Sometimes I've been surprised when my 16-year-old daughter is helpful and loving one minute and completely "not there for me" the next. Then, I try to remember that she's a kid, she has her own life and drama to deal with. She doesn't always show it, but she's scared about my health. While I expect certain good behaviors and help, I shouldn't be reliant on her for emotional support. Luckily, I have adult family and friends for that.

I'm glad you're satisfied with the wig!

My 16 year old is sweet and
My 16 year old is sweet and helpful, but also in her own world. she gets ticked off sometimes when we cant pick her up from school on time. I figure if thats all, its pretty good, as her sister is a college so the younger one takes the brunt. Its hard for her and my Husband particularly seeing me sick (I had a tough time) and I figure if shes a little self absorbed then that is normal behavior.

mwallace1325 said:

You will feel normal again
You'll do what you need to do to get through it, and that's all you can do. Be sure you tell drs and nurses what you're feeling. There are so many adjustments they can make to meds that may help you feel better. Also, I had granddaughters living with me during treatment (14 and 17) and just told them what I knew when I knew it and let them help with what they could deal with. You may want to consider if her cutting her hair may help her feel closer to you right now (just a thought). I finished 4 rnds of a/c and 12 weekly rounds to taxol, followed by 35 rounds of radiation. Finished the last of that Jan 15, 10 and except for getting tired quickly yet, all the side effects I felt are a distant memory. You will get through this. You're in my prayers. Hang in there it will get better.

My hair started to fall out on day 21...
and never really completely disappeared. I kept the few strands and before they fell out the new hair started coming back in, so I only had to wear a wig for a few weeks. It really seems not so bad when you're on the other end looking back.
As far as chemo goes, I had it pretty bad, but I think having your kids will keep you distracted and maybe force you out of the glum feeling I had all the time. Maybe. If not, then just let yourself go with it. and tell yourself it WILL END~!!!! Each chemo had a slightly different effect on me and the best one was the one where I had acupuncture, the last one. Shoulda tried that sooner.
Good luck and God bless.
Lorraine

Taina said:

it will grow back...
hello kimmy...
i have 2 daughters myself...
both of them shave my hair when it was time....
the oldest had very long hair and her sister cut it
to donate for children with cancer....
you need to let them deal with this too....
they are part of the family, they want to help
mom and give you comfort...
i even took my girls to meet my doctors.....
they went to one of my chemo treatments......
they check on me and they still do....
you can make something not so good(cancer)
a very good learning experience for the kids..
they are books out there for the younger child....
let there teacher's know what's happening at home too...
your hair will grow back and if your daughter wants to cut it let her....
i'm not sure about feeling normal ever....
i think stronger, see life in a different way, appreciate every minute more and more....
be strong...you can do it and we are here to help...
big hug your way...

chemo and hair loss
Hi Kimmie. I started my chemo Aug 12, 2009 and 12 days in the first clump of hair fell out.

We had already decided when it happened, the grandkids (ages 3 thr 18) would come out and shave Grammy's head. We were going to make a party of it. As it turned out, they were sick and my WBC was bottomed out so Grandpa did it and we took pictures.

The three older kids were fine but it was hard for the 3 yr old to accept that Grammy was bald. It would have been much easier if he had been here for the event, but now that it is coming back, he enjoys rubbing my head.

I haven't found anything about breast cancer that is "fun" but the hair loss was way less tramatic than I expected. There is a certain freedom in getting out of the shower, drying your head with a towel and your done. If you want hair, grab a wig, if not, so natural or plunk on a hat.

It's not as bad as I anticipated it would be.

I'm so sorry that you are going thru this, but we survived it and you can too. Keep you chin up and remember, it will pass. And it's better than having zits as a teenager. Remember how awful THAT was!!

Sharon_D said:

chemo and hair loss
Hi Kimmie. I started my chemo Aug 12, 2009 and 12 days in the first clump of hair fell out.

We had already decided when it happened, the grandkids (ages 3 thr 18) would come out and shave Grammy's head. We were going to make a party of it. As it turned out, they were sick and my WBC was bottomed out so Grandpa did it and we took pictures.

The three older kids were fine but it was hard for the 3 yr old to accept that Grammy was bald. It would have been much easier if he had been here for the event, but now that it is coming back, he enjoys rubbing my head.

I haven't found anything about breast cancer that is "fun" but the hair loss was way less tramatic than I expected. There is a certain freedom in getting out of the shower, drying your head with a towel and your done. If you want hair, grab a wig, if not, so natural or plunk on a hat.

It's not as bad as I anticipated it would be.

I'm so sorry that you are going thru this, but we survived it and you can too. Keep you chin up and remember, it will pass. And it's better than having zits as a teenager. Remember how awful THAT was!!

You make me feel better
Love your post, Sharon D. I probably will lose my hair next week. Your upbeat attitude makes me feel less apprehensive about it! Thanks!

Round Two Too
I wanted to keep up a good front too, for my kids, grandkids, two live with me and three stay the weekends (16, 15, 9, 8, 7). The teens live with me and have really pitched in to help, even try to be sensitive (not sarcastic wow). I explained to the little ones that I was sick but would get better but for a while I'd be tired. My grandson said, oh yeah, you have cancer huh? So I had to explain cancer but they seem to understand. I had my head shaved today. I wore my wig home and they liked it, I explained what my head looked like and said they didn't have to see it, but they wanted to, so they looked and they rubbed it and they said it was okay, I was still their Meme .... wow.

It'll be okay ... let them have their feelings too and be honest with them. If they can be a part of you getting better it's good for all of you. Someone told me, don't be a hero, be a frail human, ask for help, rest when you need to, there is no such thing as normal, you will feel better again and your relationships will be the best part of your life!

Taina said:

it will grow back...
hello kimmy...
i have 2 daughters myself...
both of them shave my hair when it was time....
the oldest had very long hair and her sister cut it
to donate for children with cancer....
you need to let them deal with this too....
they are part of the family, they want to help
mom and give you comfort...
i even took my girls to meet my doctors.....
they went to one of my chemo treatments......
they check on me and they still do....
you can make something not so good(cancer)
a very good learning experience for the kids..
they are books out there for the younger child....
let there teacher's know what's happening at home too...
your hair will grow back and if your daughter wants to cut it let her....
i'm not sure about feeling normal ever....
i think stronger, see life in a different way, appreciate every minute more and more....
be strong...you can do it and we are here to help...
big hug your way...

Hang in there Kimmy!
Hang in there Kimmy! Sending you strength!