Cytoxan and Taxotere...who's had this?
Comments
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wigsSkeezie said:Hi Balentine,
I had a single mastecomy and no reconstruction and wear a breast protesis. So no info on that. But when it comes to wigs...I have a hand tied wig (not real hair) that has a linen top so you can see my scalp thru it, it weighs 2 oz and is very lite weight on my head. I got it at a specialty shop that deals in all things mastecomy. My BCBS paid $300 of the cost and I paid $135 and it is worth every penny. My husband and friends think it's beautiful. It's wash and wear. I don't wear anything under it. When I got it (way before my chemo) I took it to my hairdresser who trimed it to my hairstyle and thinned it.
I hated losing my hair, we all do but like everything else you will adjust. Mine started coming out on Day 13 of chemo. After a few days I had my hairdresser "buzz" it to 1/4 inch and some never did come out. I had my last chemo on 12-11 and my eyebrows and lashes came out 4 or 5 weeks after that. All is now growing back. Everytime I walk past a mirror I am still surprised to see I have no hair, just a five o'clock shadow.
I have a couple of head coverings I also wear. I am bare in the house except when someone comes over and then I put on a hat. I am hoping I wont' have to cover myhead in summer this year and that could be a problem for you too. For everyday, you mite want to use something cool and breezy. Wind blows thru my wig but I don't want to have to wear it in the summer unless I'm going someplace special etc. I think the selection at the TLC website is reasonable and cute. It's a Cancer Society site: www.tlcdirect.org I have ordered a couple of things from them and they come in sizes and are well made.
Good luck with your upcoming treatment. It seems we all have different reactions, just drink plenty of water, have soft things to eat like yogurt applesauce and pudding etc. Oh and Gatorade. Food tasted yucky to me except dill pickles and oranges & grapes...
Let us know what you decide about your wig etc. and how you are doing with your chemo.
Hugs, Judy :-)
Hi Judy,
Thank for responding. I already bought a wig. It cost $89 and is made from real hair. It was not a big wig shop but was the only one I found near where I live. I guess my thing is....I have nothing to compare it to since I know nothing about wigs. I see other women on this site saying they spent hundreds of dollars on theirs. Some real and some with the monofilament. I guess I will have to wait and see next month when I actually start wearing it how it feels. In the meantime I suppose I can look online for some that are in some major cities around here that are a little further away. I work at an elementary school so I did want a wig that looked similar to my hair to keep the kids from asking questions, etc. I don't really want to wear a scarf or hat at work. I know I wore the wig the first night after the salon trimmed it for me and thinned it out and she recommended I wear a mesh cap under it which I did and after about 3 hours of wearing it, it started to feel a little uncomfortable and I found myself having to readjust it a bit because it was moving some. So I am wondering how it will feel to be wearing it 8 hours a day. Lorrie0 -
Kids and WigsBalentine said:wigs
Hi Judy,
Thank for responding. I already bought a wig. It cost $89 and is made from real hair. It was not a big wig shop but was the only one I found near where I live. I guess my thing is....I have nothing to compare it to since I know nothing about wigs. I see other women on this site saying they spent hundreds of dollars on theirs. Some real and some with the monofilament. I guess I will have to wait and see next month when I actually start wearing it how it feels. In the meantime I suppose I can look online for some that are in some major cities around here that are a little further away. I work at an elementary school so I did want a wig that looked similar to my hair to keep the kids from asking questions, etc. I don't really want to wear a scarf or hat at work. I know I wore the wig the first night after the salon trimmed it for me and thinned it out and she recommended I wear a mesh cap under it which I did and after about 3 hours of wearing it, it started to feel a little uncomfortable and I found myself having to readjust it a bit because it was moving some. So I am wondering how it will feel to be wearing it 8 hours a day. Lorrie
Lorrie,
Your comment about your working with el ed kids made me think of a couple of things: One of the 6th graders at our church, prior to my beginning chemo, came up to me and told me she thought that my having to lose my hair was "rude" - that she liked my hair and didn't want me to lose it! I thought it was sweet of this little gal to feel for me as she did. I told her my wig looked a lot like her hairstyle and my real hair would grow back. After I began wearing the wig, a 2nd grader at church came up to me and said that she really liked my new hairstyle! I guess what I'm saying is that kids are so honest and great - and accepting. I wouldn't worry too much about keeping what you're going through away from the kids. They could be your biggest supporters! And it's good for them to watch you and learn from your courage and example. Beth0 -
kids reactionsBethInAz said:Kids and Wigs
Lorrie,
Your comment about your working with el ed kids made me think of a couple of things: One of the 6th graders at our church, prior to my beginning chemo, came up to me and told me she thought that my having to lose my hair was "rude" - that she liked my hair and didn't want me to lose it! I thought it was sweet of this little gal to feel for me as she did. I told her my wig looked a lot like her hairstyle and my real hair would grow back. After I began wearing the wig, a 2nd grader at church came up to me and said that she really liked my new hairstyle! I guess what I'm saying is that kids are so honest and great - and accepting. I wouldn't worry too much about keeping what you're going through away from the kids. They could be your biggest supporters! And it's good for them to watch you and learn from your courage and example. Beth
Yes....you are right. Kids are very innocent and honest and are a strength. I guess I did not want to put myself into a situation in front of a group of kids and have that one child who is a little too inquisitive and ask me something off the wall that I did not know how to answer on the sper-of-a-moment. I guess when you get cancer, you start thinking ahead...of every scenario...sometimes I think too far ahead instead of taking one day at a time like I know God wants me to. I just got a breast form finally today in the mail. I was tired of trying to find something to stuff my bra with everyday and nothing looked right. This feels so much more comfortable and looks so much better. Hopefully it will not irritate my scar. It is pretty much healed...the glue finally came off but still a bit tender and sore. Lorrie0 -
wigsteresa41 said:balentine
hi balentine the wigs are hot i have one and i wore it a few times that was it. i started chemo in june 2009 ended in sep 2009 i wore bandannas and now winter is here fleece hats.synthetic wigs are easier to take care of but if you have one dont wear it when you open the oven door! its a personall choice some cancer centers offer wig banks where you can get a free wig also you can call the american cancer society for a free wig. i got mine through them. i want to wish you the best of luck i was on the same chemo as you . i was diagnosed april 2009 IDC 2.2cm stage 2. best of luck to you. i had a lumpectomy so i cant help with reconstruction.
teresa
Teresa, I guess everyone likes something different. I am hoping it does not get too hot because I do have to do outside duty with the kids at the elementary school where I work. Have to start taking one day at a time. I may not do reconstruction either. They say that the tamoxifen may cause you to have to have a hysterectomy so I figure I may wait and do the reconstruction at that time...if I decide to do it. Did you have chemo or just radiation? Lorrie0 -
taxotere and cytozanBethInAz said:Chemo, wigs, etc.
Balentine,
Bless you! Your treatment sounds just like mine except I opted for bilateral mastectomy because my other breast, the doctors all thought, would likely fall prey to cancer at some time as well. My surgery was Oct 14 and I began my chemo on Dec 8. I just finished my last treatment (taxotere & cytoxan) this past Tuesday and will begin my Tamoxifen in about 3 weeks. On a scale of 1-10, I thought chemo would be an 8 and I found it to be about a 4 or 5 instead. I know everybody reacts differently with side affects; however, with the anti-nausea meds that they have now (they hung anti-nausea and steroid pre-meds on me prior to the taxotere and cytoxan infusions), I experienced no nausea at all. I have a whole bottle of Zofran that I've never used. I began losing my hair on day 14 of the first treatment. It was Christmas Eve and I had my daughters home for the holiday. I gave them a scissors and they cut my hair down to about 2 inches. A couple days later, they cut me to 1/2 inch. I've saved my hair to put out this spring for the birds to use for nest building. We made a real event out of the hair cutting, laughing, crying, hugging. When my son-in-law showed up in the room with my wig on, it made us all crack up! It all seems so overwhelming initially but as you walk the path, step by step, it becomes somewhat of a new normal. I've retained some wisps of hair - my husband calls me "Woodstock" after the Peanuts character... I did get a nice wig - didn't spare expense - got a monofilament wig that cost about $325. It's a Tony of Beverly wig - went to a shop in the Phoenix area that caters to those experiencing medical hair loss. I just wear the wig right on my head - no cap. It's been nice wearing it this winter - it helps keep my head warm.
I'm still giving thought to reconstruction. Am not going to do anything right away - but give myself time to recover from the chemo and get my life back to normal - a new normal!
Feel free to email me if you want to talk further.
Beth
Hi Beth, I hope I tolerate the chemo as well as you did. Reading posts like yours and others I read here give me alot of strength and hope that it will all go much better than I think. I guess it depends on the wig you get and how it is made whether to wear some type of cap under the wig or not. I also read somewhere today to just use cheesecloth under the wig. I will wait until next month and see how it goes. Maybe my hair won't fall out and I won't even need to wear it. You never know I guess. Someone told me their dad had to have chemo and everytime before he went to chemo, he wet his hair and never lost any of his hair. You hear all kinds of things and wonder what works and what doesn't. I guess it is different for everyone. I am not sure about reconstruction yet either. I figure if I need to get a hysterectomy from the tamoxifen then I may do it then. Lorrie0 -
Tolerating chemoBalentine said:taxotere and cytozan
Hi Beth, I hope I tolerate the chemo as well as you did. Reading posts like yours and others I read here give me alot of strength and hope that it will all go much better than I think. I guess it depends on the wig you get and how it is made whether to wear some type of cap under the wig or not. I also read somewhere today to just use cheesecloth under the wig. I will wait until next month and see how it goes. Maybe my hair won't fall out and I won't even need to wear it. You never know I guess. Someone told me their dad had to have chemo and everytime before he went to chemo, he wet his hair and never lost any of his hair. You hear all kinds of things and wonder what works and what doesn't. I guess it is different for everyone. I am not sure about reconstruction yet either. I figure if I need to get a hysterectomy from the tamoxifen then I may do it then. Lorrie
Lorrie,
I hope you do as well as I did with the chemo, too. I was told by my oncologist that gals in their 50s tend to tolerate the cocktail well. Since I was taking my chemo 190 miles away from my home, we would leave right after treatment and head home (3 1/2 hour drive). I always felt fine that day and the day after. By by the evening of the day after treatment, I would begin having heartburn. My oncologist said to take Prilosec OTC (I ended up with a generic version). I learned that it helped me to begin taking it 2 days before treatment and I had no heartburn after that! I also became constipated so I used Benefiber and ate a lot of flax and bran muffins and veggies/fruits. I never got nauseated which was a blessing. I've been fortunate in that I'm a Realtor and have been able to work from home - and do only what I feel like doing. I've pretty much pampered myself - but when I feel more energetic (usually within 6 days after treatment), I get to work!
I'm still thinking about the whole reconstruction thing, too. I don't feel like another surgery in the near future... Maybe when I really get to missing boobs I'll get more serious about it.
Blessings!
Beth0 -
balentineBalentine said:wigs
Teresa, I guess everyone likes something different. I am hoping it does not get too hot because I do have to do outside duty with the kids at the elementary school where I work. Have to start taking one day at a time. I may not do reconstruction either. They say that the tamoxifen may cause you to have to have a hysterectomy so I figure I may wait and do the reconstruction at that time...if I decide to do it. Did you have chemo or just radiation? Lorrie
i had 4 rounds of chemo 33 radiation treatments and im now taking tamoxifen.
teresa0 -
Preparing for chemo, breast forms, scar, etc.BethInAz said:Tolerating chemo
Lorrie,
I hope you do as well as I did with the chemo, too. I was told by my oncologist that gals in their 50s tend to tolerate the cocktail well. Since I was taking my chemo 190 miles away from my home, we would leave right after treatment and head home (3 1/2 hour drive). I always felt fine that day and the day after. By by the evening of the day after treatment, I would begin having heartburn. My oncologist said to take Prilosec OTC (I ended up with a generic version). I learned that it helped me to begin taking it 2 days before treatment and I had no heartburn after that! I also became constipated so I used Benefiber and ate a lot of flax and bran muffins and veggies/fruits. I never got nauseated which was a blessing. I've been fortunate in that I'm a Realtor and have been able to work from home - and do only what I feel like doing. I've pretty much pampered myself - but when I feel more energetic (usually within 6 days after treatment), I get to work!
I'm still thinking about the whole reconstruction thing, too. I don't feel like another surgery in the near future... Maybe when I really get to missing boobs I'll get more serious about it.
Blessings!
Beth
Hi Beth,
I hope I do well with the chemo also. I want to still be able to go to work everyday. I work at an elementary school in the computer lab. I am 49...so soon to be 50. Did you say you had the same cancer as me? Stage 1 IDC, 2.2cm lump? Did you have single or double mastectomy? When you lost your hair was it gradual or did you just shave it? Also, did you get a prosthesis or just buy one of those foam breast forms? I just recently purchased a foam breast form and it seems to work well under a camisole so I don't know if I really need to get the prosthesis. I was thinking of just getting a few more of these since you do need to wash them and let them dry. With the prosthesis you have to wear a special bra I guess...I have still not been able to wear a bra due to tenderness and soreness on my right side under my armpit. I had surgery 1/19. I am going to my first physical therapy appointment tomorrow and afterwards I am going to go see my surgeons nurse about whether my scar and everything is healing right and how long it will take for the tenderness and soreness to go away.
Lorrie Balentine0 -
PreparingBalentine said:Preparing for chemo, breast forms, scar, etc.
Hi Beth,
I hope I do well with the chemo also. I want to still be able to go to work everyday. I work at an elementary school in the computer lab. I am 49...so soon to be 50. Did you say you had the same cancer as me? Stage 1 IDC, 2.2cm lump? Did you have single or double mastectomy? When you lost your hair was it gradual or did you just shave it? Also, did you get a prosthesis or just buy one of those foam breast forms? I just recently purchased a foam breast form and it seems to work well under a camisole so I don't know if I really need to get the prosthesis. I was thinking of just getting a few more of these since you do need to wash them and let them dry. With the prosthesis you have to wear a special bra I guess...I have still not been able to wear a bra due to tenderness and soreness on my right side under my armpit. I had surgery 1/19. I am going to my first physical therapy appointment tomorrow and afterwards I am going to go see my surgeons nurse about whether my scar and everything is healing right and how long it will take for the tenderness and soreness to go away.
Lorrie Balentine
Lorrie,
My oncologist said I would be able to work everyday and I suppose it I had to, I could have. I just had the luxury of being able to work from home. My cancer was stage 2 IDC - 2.5 cm tumor, node negative, ER/PR positive, Her2/Neu negative. I'll be beginning Tamoxifen in a couple of weeks. I opted for the double mastectomy because my other breast looked as bad as far as cystic disease as the cancerous breast. In addition, my tumor never showed on any mammo or ultrasound so my fear was I'd always be waiting for the other shoe to drop in the other breast. I began with soft forms - they were less irritating to wear over the scars. When I healed further, I went to a prosthetic fitter and got the 2 prosthetics and mastectomy bras. My surgery was Oct 14 and it was probably 4-5 weeks before I felt comfortable wearing the prosthetics. If you're comfortable with the soft forms, I'd say go for it. The soft forms seemed to ride up on me - I often felt like my boobs were becoming way too perky!!
My hair began falling out on day 14 after 1st treatment. I waited to see if it was really going to fall out but it became obvious on day 14 when I shampooed my hair. It was gradual - not all at once but it became more annoying - I was like a shedding dog. There was hair everywhere. It was Christmas Eve when I asked my daughters to go for it - they cut it short and then a couple days later cut it to 1/2 inch. I never lost it all - but it's extremely thin. My wig is my friend!
Do you want me to add you to a friend list so we can email directly to each other? I'm going to be there for you, Lorrie!
Beth0 -
chemo upcomingBethInAz said:Preparing
Lorrie,
My oncologist said I would be able to work everyday and I suppose it I had to, I could have. I just had the luxury of being able to work from home. My cancer was stage 2 IDC - 2.5 cm tumor, node negative, ER/PR positive, Her2/Neu negative. I'll be beginning Tamoxifen in a couple of weeks. I opted for the double mastectomy because my other breast looked as bad as far as cystic disease as the cancerous breast. In addition, my tumor never showed on any mammo or ultrasound so my fear was I'd always be waiting for the other shoe to drop in the other breast. I began with soft forms - they were less irritating to wear over the scars. When I healed further, I went to a prosthetic fitter and got the 2 prosthetics and mastectomy bras. My surgery was Oct 14 and it was probably 4-5 weeks before I felt comfortable wearing the prosthetics. If you're comfortable with the soft forms, I'd say go for it. The soft forms seemed to ride up on me - I often felt like my boobs were becoming way too perky!!
My hair began falling out on day 14 after 1st treatment. I waited to see if it was really going to fall out but it became obvious on day 14 when I shampooed my hair. It was gradual - not all at once but it became more annoying - I was like a shedding dog. There was hair everywhere. It was Christmas Eve when I asked my daughters to go for it - they cut it short and then a couple days later cut it to 1/2 inch. I never lost it all - but it's extremely thin. My wig is my friend!
Do you want me to add you to a friend list so we can email directly to each other? I'm going to be there for you, Lorrie!
Beth
Hi Beth,
Thank you for your insight. Yes...you may add me to your friends list. How do you do that? Do you need my email? let me know. I got some info from my hairdresser today that I can go to the local cosmotology school here in my town and there is a woman there who has a foundation for cancer patients where she buys wigs and gives it to them. I went to see her today and after looking at several wigs and pictures of wigs and asking what I liked and seeing my own hair, she said she will got buy 2-3 wigs and call me to come in and try them on and style them to my liking and give to me. I could not believe it. So that was fun today and the wigs are very nice wigs. Nicer than the one I already bought.
I guess the hardest part of all of this is the waiting period. You know it is coming and you just want to stop thinking about it and get it over with...that goes for the hair loss and the chemo treatments. I went today also to a medical supply store to set up my appt for my prosthesis and bras. That will be 3/2/10. They would not fit me until 6 weeks after surgery.
Saw my surgeon's nurse today so she could look at my incision and also this pocket under my arm that is sore...I was worried that it might be fluid but she checked it and said it was not. she said it could take several months for the tenderness and soreness to go away. I miss sleeping on my right side and I am just in constant pain all the time whether I wear a bra or camisole...by the end of the day, I am ready to take a shower and just wear a night shirt and lay down.
I know I will probably do the same thing you did when my hair begins to fall out. the lady at the cosmo school said to just call her and she will have me come in after everyone is gone and shave my head for me. That will be a difficult evening but I am ready to get there and get it over with.
Lorrie0 -
Adding to friendsBalentine said:chemo upcoming
Hi Beth,
Thank you for your insight. Yes...you may add me to your friends list. How do you do that? Do you need my email? let me know. I got some info from my hairdresser today that I can go to the local cosmotology school here in my town and there is a woman there who has a foundation for cancer patients where she buys wigs and gives it to them. I went to see her today and after looking at several wigs and pictures of wigs and asking what I liked and seeing my own hair, she said she will got buy 2-3 wigs and call me to come in and try them on and style them to my liking and give to me. I could not believe it. So that was fun today and the wigs are very nice wigs. Nicer than the one I already bought.
I guess the hardest part of all of this is the waiting period. You know it is coming and you just want to stop thinking about it and get it over with...that goes for the hair loss and the chemo treatments. I went today also to a medical supply store to set up my appt for my prosthesis and bras. That will be 3/2/10. They would not fit me until 6 weeks after surgery.
Saw my surgeon's nurse today so she could look at my incision and also this pocket under my arm that is sore...I was worried that it might be fluid but she checked it and said it was not. she said it could take several months for the tenderness and soreness to go away. I miss sleeping on my right side and I am just in constant pain all the time whether I wear a bra or camisole...by the end of the day, I am ready to take a shower and just wear a night shirt and lay down.
I know I will probably do the same thing you did when my hair begins to fall out. the lady at the cosmo school said to just call her and she will have me come in after everyone is gone and shave my head for me. That will be a difficult evening but I am ready to get there and get it over with.
Lorrie
Lorrie,
I invited you to be a friend and got a reply from the site that you would be notified. Today I sent you a private message. I clicked on the link on the CSN menu on the left of the page (CSN Email) and sent you a message. Let's see if it works. It's the first time I've tried to do this, too! I didn't need your email - I just added you as a friend under your profile. So, your profile page at the bottom - perhaps there will be an invitation there - and then check for any email and perhaps you'll find me!
I've learned a lot of very practical helps during the process that I'm happy to share with you to make your life better!
Glad you were able to get a good wig and get some plans made in advance. It's good to remain in control of the situation - be proactive - and forge ahead. The biggest challenge is maintaining patience - I understand your wanting to get it over with! I felt the same way but the time does go more quickly once you're under way and before you know it, you're through!
Talk with you soon,
Beth0 -
Got your messageBethInAz said:Adding to friends
Lorrie,
I invited you to be a friend and got a reply from the site that you would be notified. Today I sent you a private message. I clicked on the link on the CSN menu on the left of the page (CSN Email) and sent you a message. Let's see if it works. It's the first time I've tried to do this, too! I didn't need your email - I just added you as a friend under your profile. So, your profile page at the bottom - perhaps there will be an invitation there - and then check for any email and perhaps you'll find me!
I've learned a lot of very practical helps during the process that I'm happy to share with you to make your life better!
Glad you were able to get a good wig and get some plans made in advance. It's good to remain in control of the situation - be proactive - and forge ahead. The biggest challenge is maintaining patience - I understand your wanting to get it over with! I felt the same way but the time does go more quickly once you're under way and before you know it, you're through!
Talk with you soon,
Beth
Hi Beth,
I received your message on the email and emailed you back. Yes...this surivivor network has so much information on it that you can spend hours on it. I want to sit down one day and do some research on what to do and not to do before and after my chemo treatments to try and ward off some of the harsh side effects. I have written some of them down already. I am just praying everyday that I don't get sick and cannot work or get those awful pains I keep hearing about from the shots you get to boost your WBC.
My son will be home from college for spring break the week I start my treatments so I am hoping I will still be able to have some quality time with him and not be sick while he is here. He is already not dealing with it too well as it is.
So how are you feeling now and what was your percentages after chemo?
Lorrie0 -
surgeries done-chemo next....Balentine said:Got your message
Hi Beth,
I received your message on the email and emailed you back. Yes...this surivivor network has so much information on it that you can spend hours on it. I want to sit down one day and do some research on what to do and not to do before and after my chemo treatments to try and ward off some of the harsh side effects. I have written some of them down already. I am just praying everyday that I don't get sick and cannot work or get those awful pains I keep hearing about from the shots you get to boost your WBC.
My son will be home from college for spring break the week I start my treatments so I am hoping I will still be able to have some quality time with him and not be sick while he is here. He is already not dealing with it too well as it is.
So how are you feeling now and what was your percentages after chemo?
Lorrie
Hello,
Short history: triple negative breast cancer 2002 w/left mastectomy: right mastectomy 12/09, complete hysterectomy 2/10/10- this last breast cancer on right side was 7mm, er+/pr+, her2neg, brca2+ for gene mutation, oncotype DX test score 32.
Starting cytoxan/taxotere 3/30/10 at our new cancer center (very nice). I'll be thinking of you.
Also need to have implants bilaterally but that will have to wait until after chemo.
Chris0 -
upcoming chemo3boysmomchris said:surgeries done-chemo next....
Hello,
Short history: triple negative breast cancer 2002 w/left mastectomy: right mastectomy 12/09, complete hysterectomy 2/10/10- this last breast cancer on right side was 7mm, er+/pr+, her2neg, brca2+ for gene mutation, oncotype DX test score 32.
Starting cytoxan/taxotere 3/30/10 at our new cancer center (very nice). I'll be thinking of you.
Also need to have implants bilaterally but that will have to wait until after chemo.
Chris
To 3boysmomchris,
just curious...how old are you? What does triple negative bc mean that you had in 2002? What type of percentages did they give you at that time that it might show up in your other breast later? I am concerned about that since I was just diag 12/09 with invasive ductal carcinoma 2.2cm lump, mastectomy and now getting ready to do chemo starting 3/15 for 4 treatments. I asked them what the liklihood was of me getting bc in my other breast and they said only about 7%. They said it was more likely that the cancer would come back in my brain or bones but I am just wondering if that is really true. I find myself always checking my other breast for lumps. I had a few fluid lumps in the other breast that they told me not to worry about...that they were just fibroids most likely and did not biopsy them. Well, they are still there....don't fibroids come and go within a few months? I will be asking the doctor these questions too when I see him on 3/12 but I am just wondering. I am still unsure of whether I will have reconstruction or not. I don't want to go through all the surgery but I also don't know if I want to live the rest of my life with one breast instead of 2. I will wait for the chemo to be over to decide though.
Lorrie Balentine0 -
Preparing for chemo, etc.Balentine said:Preparing for chemo, breast forms, scar, etc.
Hi Beth,
I hope I do well with the chemo also. I want to still be able to go to work everyday. I work at an elementary school in the computer lab. I am 49...so soon to be 50. Did you say you had the same cancer as me? Stage 1 IDC, 2.2cm lump? Did you have single or double mastectomy? When you lost your hair was it gradual or did you just shave it? Also, did you get a prosthesis or just buy one of those foam breast forms? I just recently purchased a foam breast form and it seems to work well under a camisole so I don't know if I really need to get the prosthesis. I was thinking of just getting a few more of these since you do need to wash them and let them dry. With the prosthesis you have to wear a special bra I guess...I have still not been able to wear a bra due to tenderness and soreness on my right side under my armpit. I had surgery 1/19. I am going to my first physical therapy appointment tomorrow and afterwards I am going to go see my surgeons nurse about whether my scar and everything is healing right and how long it will take for the tenderness and soreness to go away.
Lorrie Balentine
I was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer (rare and aggressive) in mid-December. Don't have any family around here, so I pretty much deal with everything on my own. Has the pet scan and met my oncologist on Wednesday, December 16 and had my first chemo on the next day!! I really didn't have any time to prepare myself for what was happening to me. I did okay with the first chemo - the Neulasta shot is what did me in. I also have rheumatoid arthritis and six soft tissue and muscle diseases, so I am already the queen of joint and muscle pain.
Surprisingly, the chemo is not as bad as I thought it would be (although I would not wish it on anyone!), I have pretty much been able to work through this. I do have some really bad days, and the fatigue is incredible, and it looks like I am going to lose several of my fingernails.
I will probably lose my left breast - have one more chemo treatment. I have to admit i am freaking out about it, but as with every other step along this journey, I deal with it fine once I get there.0 -
all aloneheidijez said:Preparing for chemo, etc.
I was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer (rare and aggressive) in mid-December. Don't have any family around here, so I pretty much deal with everything on my own. Has the pet scan and met my oncologist on Wednesday, December 16 and had my first chemo on the next day!! I really didn't have any time to prepare myself for what was happening to me. I did okay with the first chemo - the Neulasta shot is what did me in. I also have rheumatoid arthritis and six soft tissue and muscle diseases, so I am already the queen of joint and muscle pain.
Surprisingly, the chemo is not as bad as I thought it would be (although I would not wish it on anyone!), I have pretty much been able to work through this. I do have some really bad days, and the fatigue is incredible, and it looks like I am going to lose several of my fingernails.
I will probably lose my left breast - have one more chemo treatment. I have to admit i am freaking out about it, but as with every other step along this journey, I deal with it fine once I get there.
Hi Heidi,
I am so sorry to hear that you have no one there to help you get through this. You said you have no family members.....are there any friends there who you can depend on? How old are you and where do you live at? Are you working? So you have only been through one chemo treatment? I will be praying for you Heidi and hope that all goes well for you. My cousin also has inflamatory BC and she has been going through chemo since December and will be having a mastectomy next month. I know it is very aggresive and scary but you have to trust God that He will be there with you to carry you through this and heal your body. I pray that God will give you strength and hope and encourage your heart.
Hugs,
Lorrie0 -
Cytoxan & Taxotere
Hi - just had my first chemo treatment last Thursday and I guess I wasn't really prepared. I was diagnosed late March, IDC, lumpectomy, no margin or node involvement. Did a week of Brachytherapy with no real side effects. I was a 28 on the OncD test, so oncologist decided I should do 4 treatments of chemo, with a shot of Neulasta day after. Worse part was how it messed my system up, constipation, then diarrhea, then constipation again. Last night had terrible low back spasms, finally took Advil and got better, but still with me today. Doc's office thought it might be from Neulasta shot and I've read that could happen. Luckily no nausea, just tired. Have any of you experienced similar side affects you could share with me and things you did to make the next time easier? Thanks & God Bless0 -
Had the same coctail you hadTCGgal said:#3
was ok, came home & was very tired with heavy legs & dry eyes. Slept on & off through the night. Better but still very tired today-neulasta shot earlier today.I am ok with nausea due to emend, zofran & compazine, along with steroids.
Looking forward to getting this over with! One more treatment in just 20 days!YAY!
Oh, regrowth of hair is falling out already!
Had the same coctail you had . tried zolof for nausea but had migrain head aches from that . Seemed like each time the symptoms got worse. Last treatment was 10 days in bed and away from work . Still after 3rd week awfully tired and week . Neulasta symptoms didnt last too long but all the rest seemed to accumulate and progressively get worse. Like I said last treatment was 3 weeks ago . Thank God I am thru with that . Now just waiting on surgery for double mastectomy.0 -
Body hair and finger nailslady4law said:Cytoxan and Taxotere...who's had this?
I had Cytoxan and Taxotere, 5 treatments, each (except the last) followed with the Nuelasta shot.
I was given 3 Emend pills for nausea (think spelling is correct). I took one pill an hour before the infusion was started, then the second with my Nuelastia shot on day 2. I had to return to the hospital on day 3 so they could give me the third pill. The reason it was administered in this fashion was my insurance would not pay for the drug. The three pills were about $500. By having it administered at the hospital, they had to pay for the drug. It really worked and kept my head out of the toilet.
I did have an issue with regards to the Nuelastia. I don't recall how bad the reactions were regarding the first shot as I did not have the Emend for that treatment and had a very bad time. However with each treatment, the pain got worse. Within about 6-8 hours after the 4th shot, (4th treatment) the pain in my legs and back became so severe I had to be taken to the ER. My Oncologist said NO MORE. Thank God I only had one more treatment.
My hair fell out exactly 2 weeks after my first treatment. I have a friend that also went through the same treatment and her hair held out for about 19-20 days. I think it came out the day before her second treatment.
I did experience one thing, that few others have. My finger nails fell out - a number of times too. After each treatment a line would appear on my nails, then my nail would come off at that line. I did not lose my toenails, maybe because they are thicker?
I did lose all my body hair, ALL of it, including my eyelashes and eyebrows, legs underarms, and ....However the strange thing, it all grew back except for under my arms. Perhaps the only good thing that has come from the BC, I may never have to shave my underarms again.
Try and get a wig and some scarfs, this week before your hair starts coming out. You may not want to go looking for head coverings once your hair starts coming out.
Oh, one more thing. I tried to prepare some meals and freeze them before my chemo and surgeries. However after I tended to each what ever my son or husband brought me.
Good luck. The chemo is a pain, but it doesn't last long. Before you know it - it will be over and you'll be back on the road to health.
Jean
Hi Jean,
Im sorry to hear that you suffered through chemo treatment.
Im about to go on a similar regiment as yours. I will have 4 rounds of the same chemo cocktail that you had. I am curious about how you say you lost all body hair and your nails. If you don't mind me asking, what was your hair- and nailgrowth like before chemo? I have very thick and strong hair and nails that grow fast. I figure that this will make me more likely to lose my nails and all hair, just like you did. What was your experience?
Eva0 -
So glad I found this sight
I am starting my treatment with taxotere and cytoxan a week from 2moro and I have been very anxious about it all. I am so glad to find this sight so that I feel a little more empowered going into this whole thing. I work in the public my family owns a 3 funeral homes and I am the funeral director, embalmer and manager. I am from a small southern town and they are a hugging bunch and It scares me to death because of the decrease in white blood cell count. Any tips on tactful ways to avoid hand shakes and hugs?... I have learned so much already from the little bit of time I have been on this sight. Thank you all you strong strong women.0
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