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jd48's avatar
jd48
Member
10 years ago

AC Chemo - Day 3

Happy to say day 3 went by very well with no surprising side effects.

Well, I did learn that bacteria overgrowth is happening already and that I was being slack with mouth hygiene so that is now a priority.

I did wake up with a bit of a sore throat and some mucus but I wrote it off to maybe having an allergic reaction as that is one of the way my allergies present. I am allergic to toothpaste and brush my teeth with bicarb soda and I thought myself not needing to rinse my mouth with salt... well I was wrong.

Luckily I did get get my backside out of the bed at that sore throat feeling and decided to rinse my mouth and gargle with salty water - just in case...

Happy to say pain gone and did not return and mucus subsided. I am both shocked and amazed that the bacteria work that fast - less than 48 Hours post being administered chemo they made themselves very very visible...

Learned my lesson well and resolved that now will brush plus gargle with salty water both when I get up and before going to bed plus after every meal. I am hoping this keeps that mouth / throat bacteria at bay...

I did find that somehow I am still needing to work a bit harder to concentrate as far as my vision goes and to kind of think twice about everything - almost as if I am not believing what I initially perceive to have seen or heard and am probably dozing off a bit too easily if I plonk myself on the sofa but I reckon it may be just my brain releasing from that fear of the unknown that it was dealing with in the past few weeks without me even realising it was happening...

Also does not help I have to hide for the rest of this week so not to run into mum (who we are keeping my BC a secret from until she gets back from an o'seas holiday she departs on Sunday for). She lives 1 suburb away so I always fear should I venture outside I may run into her - and she thinks I am at work... I am hoping that after she goes I will be able to get out more and walk in the daylight as being indoors is making me snooze way to much...

I should mention that I went to the 'look good feel better' workshop and it was a pleasant experience. I would very highly recommend it as apart from meeting some gorgeous women (both facilitators and attendees) I definitely learned more both about things to be aware off in terms of personal hygiene and caring for my skin and scalp as Chemo starts to take its toll. Interestingly learned that it is not a good idea to take to my hair with an electric clipper thing as I planned to do as apparently we need to lease some hair to help protect the scalp. And here was me planning to shave it all off myself as soon as mum left the country as I truly do not want to wait for it to fall out....

So instead went to the hairdresser and booked myself for a shearing session for Tuesday morning. Figuring he will do a better job since I need to leave some 'fluff' on the scull and make me look less ridiculous that I would do myself.

Oh yes, and the workshop definitely reinforced my decision that I am not going to be getting a wig. I mean I guess I should never say 'never' but somehow in spite of how realistic they looked and how the idea of appearing to look 'normal' appealed I cannot get past the feeling that I hate caring for my hair now (I am the wash shake and do not bother to brush girl now when it comes to my hair) and the amount of care that goes into those wigs sounded like the worst chore to me... I cannot imagine trying to stay on top of taking care for myself as Chemo progresses and at the same time caring for a mop of pretend hair more than I would care for my own...

I should mention that I am starting to get a very itchy scalp so guessing that is part of Chemo and maybe a sign that my hair will be going fast so again an idea of some pretend hair sitting over my scalp making me even more itchy and uncomfortable is not appealing in the least.

So, all in all, I think I have been having it easy compared to many other women as both the steroids and anti-nausea medication have been working for me.

Yes I do have a need to snooze more but there is no major tummy sickness about and I am grateful for it. Yes still burping (still amazed I manage to burp muchless to burp at just drinking water) but there has been no nausea.

Also Movicol has been working well for me and day 3 visit to the loo was very uneventful (and I was so grateful to have avoided the pain and distress of day 2 attempts...) so sticking to Movicol twice daily as per doctor's orders.

All in all I am doing a lot better than I expected to and am so immensely grateful for it. I know there is a lot ahead and it will be getting bad at times but for now planning to enjoy this peace as much as possible plus to try and create some sort of 'self care' routine for myself before things do get worse as i am thinking that I need a routine of both maintaining the more strict hygiene now that I am prone to bacteria plus need to be more organised with meds...

So much for me and my day 3 - happy to keep it univentfull :)

Jel.

 

chemotherapy

16 Replies

  • jd48's avatar
    jd48
    Member
    10 years ago

    Thank you for that info Kath...

    I am having my blood test tomorrow so hopefully that is OK or gives them enough info.

    I mean I have been having a bit of of all of that already in very small ways (eyes feel terrible and sticky at night but kind of sort themselves out come morming, some feeling of trush but nothing full blown and sorts itself out, bruising a bit more easily, feeling like I do have a fever and getting the shakes every now and then, and frankly this increasing chest irritation had me most worried) which is probably why I was getting all panicky about food poisoning the other day but then nothing was alarming enough for me to say 'lets call a Dr'. Then again, they said should not be worrying about it for a few days yet so I was trying not to jump the gun.

    All I was really told to watch out for was the temp of 38deg... 

    At least I guess I am doing the blood test tomorrow so hoping they get the results the same day as might just have to annoy the breast care nurse to see what the results say.

    It is a relief to hear not all cases result in a full blown hospitalisation. Somehow in my head I understood it is 'all or nothing' and you either are OK or end up in a hospital on a drip... good to know it does not have to be that way ?

    Jel.

  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Jel...I had to have a blood test day 12 to see if I was nutropenia. ..which I was and very low. ..so for the next 3 cycles had neulasta. I've  never got sick enough yo need Hospital...they should have given you some info on that...mines on the fridge. So things like fever.   Feeling really sick like flu even without the very high temp...infections like thrush both ends, conjunctivitis,  bleeding from any orifice in an alarming way... I've  had conjunctivitis but just treated by GP. Hope that helps.

  • jd48's avatar
    jd48
    Member
    10 years ago

    Thank you Kristy

    I am absolutely terrified of getting it. Do you mind if I ask what symptoms you had? I mean how does one know they have it? Short of running a fever I mean...

    I only had the 1st chemo on Monday so just day short of a week ago but since yesterday been getting all mucusy every now and then throughout today felt a need to cough so obviously I am quietly panicking ??. I am telling myself it is way to early for anything like that but my brain is finding.it hard to pay attention to reason.

    Jel.

  • KristyE's avatar
    KristyE
    Member
    10 years ago

    Laser actually hurts much less than waxing. Probably a good choice for you not going to work. I ended up with febrile neutropenia after the first round (4 days in hosp on antibiotics), so now I get Neulasta. I guess that makes me feel a little protected. Feeling yuck right now after round 4 on Friday though.

    Keep strong!!!

  • jd48's avatar
    jd48
    Member
    10 years ago

    Now the laser thing would have been good had I not been a chicken all my life to do it... Man wish I did it as it would be oh so lovely for the leg hair to be GONE .....

    I guess one of these days I will just have to venture to the shops and get an electric shaver and get the leg hair over and done with... Yes it is winter and it is well hidden but it is think and long enough on one of my legs I could just about tie ribbons into it or pleat it so something has got to give....

    Thank you for sharing the wig info. I had made a decision not to work during chemo to keep infections to a mmonimu as alergic to just about every antibiotic so it makes sense for me not to be that concerned with avoiding cancer questions... I also kept it quiet in the workplace and had I stayed I reckon wig would make sense and keep questions at bay but this way makes sense to stay a baldie and when cold cover myself with caps and scarves ?

    Jel

  • KristyE's avatar
    KristyE
    Member
    10 years ago

    I ended up getting a wig, which isn't the most comfortable of things, but I only wear it at work. I decided that I didn't want to keep explaining things to my new patients. I don't mind if my regulars know what's going on though. They certainly noticed when I went from blonde to short red pixie cut after diagnosis in Feb. Now I'm back to blonde with the wig. Another interesting thing was that anywhere I've had Laser treatment for hair reduction in the past is pretty much hair free. That goes for my legs (yay!) and the hairs on my chinny, chin chin! The chin had only had a few sessions, obviously not enough to be permanent, but it's working now. Small blessings!

  • jd48's avatar
    jd48
    Member
    10 years ago

    I LOVE that approach :)

    I always said if I was to get a wig it would have to be blue or green or something that made me.look different - and I do mean DIFFERENT...

    But then I am the nut who (more than once) took to her own hair with scissors or weird looking hair dyes when she could not sleep at 2am ??????... I figure it grows back eventually so cannot bugger it up to the point it is not fixable

    Once I knew hair would go I just fogured I can play with scarfs and caps or hats... I have always bought them but offcourse never worn them so about bloody time I put the stuff I do have (and have not given away) to good use...

    I have been perusing some YouTube ideas for headwear and love the TShirt 'trick' so even got a few that I liked the colours off and cut them up.

    I am hoping it works out for me with head wear and if not will be following your advice for finding appropriate 'rug' options (as long as I can get some crazy coloured ones along the way) ??????

    Jel.

     

  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    10 years ago

    Check out hathouse and hatshow on line. Lots of light weight options.

  • MIrvine's avatar
    MIrvine
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hey Jel

    I agree people don t seem to be overly positive about the old rug department. I looked at it abot differently. Hope this helps...

    First i thought well feck this plastic sick lady hair i ll be having none of that nonsense, and i don t want t o look like bert newton on crack.

    I found that the places that were referred to in brochures in the hospitals were definitely not my style. I have red curly long hair.

    Next step work out who rocks wigs? Answer hot african American ladies that s who!! Think Beyonce Rhianna. Let s face it there s no way their hair grows that quick or wo u ld survive so many style change ooh and surprisingly Christina Aguilera. 

    Step3.USA. trolled lots of US sites and then started looking up wig tutes online.

    Step4.found local afro salon which specializes in extensions and weaves and wigs. Completely amazing.nothing like what you see advertised in your local friendly cancer shop.  They were also amazingly lovely.have tonnes of different options.

    Step 5.pick a rug. So i opted for processed human hair.its a bit cheaper than virgin It just has had products through it. Lace cap weave. There s lots of different options . Have a wee go and don t get put off.Try and apply. Hope it helps !!