Pre Step 5

K.J you have a beautiful attitude and I like reading your posts. Good luck with your first chemo. Not to scare you and yes everyone is different but unfortunately for me my first chemo landed me in emergency and hospitalised for severe nausea and vomiting. I could not keep anything inside my body (both ends) and literally felt like dying. My oncologist recons I am 'special' lol and that it did hit me harder than most. I remember the next day in hospital waking up swollen beyond recognition (think it was fluid retention from the night in emergency when they pumped me full of it to replace what I've lost) the nausea was worse than morning sickness (and I had that with both pregnancies and hospitalised for that as well) I cried to my best friend and dreaded the months to follow because I dreaded feeling sick permanently and for so long. I was hospitalised for all my chemo sessions from there on in but they were much better tolerated although the nausea still was horrible. The nausea and vomiting for me was the worst and the overall yucky feeling in my body, but in hindsight, the yukky days are only a few (for me like 4 days after each treatment) then I started feeling better and by week 3 post chemo I felt pretty good and was ready for the next one. It did feel like the whole 2015 revolved around treatment and yes, it does feel like you loose that whole year but every treatment done is one step closer to the end of it, so don't fight it, listen to your body, tell your oncology team of any side effects that bug you so they can get on top of it. With regards to wigs, I bought one and ended up not wearing it really. Preferred pretty looking scarfs and even rocked the baldie at times which is fine. Looooooved not having hair (anywhere) and I was lucky that my brows stayed longest (only lost them by 2nd last chemo session). Im almost 1 year post cancer diagnosis and initial surgery.  Currently recovering from a hysterectomy (5 weeks ago) (I tested positive for the breast cancer gene mutation BRCA2 last October)  and consequently I have to have another mastectomy  this coming March and then hopefully reconstruction towards winter which will have pushed my treatment since diagnosis to almost a year and a half.  Does feel never ending but pushing upwards and onwards and really relying on family and friends to support us does help us get through.  Please keep us posted on how you go with chemo.  Sending you a big virtual hug xxx

Hi KJ,

Well were do I start my friend...firstly never ever feel like you are having a winge that is what we are here for to help each other through this so called journey. As far as your chemo goes everyone is different with side affects etc, keep in touch with your oncologist team if you have any problems and the  nurses in the chemo unit are Gold and only a phone call away...be kind to yourself and dont over do it!! Keep active but be aware you won't yourself, keep hydrated also. I cut my hair off (no.1after 1st round of chemo) it isn't as daunting and who wants hair falling out everywhere. I have some very pretty scarves and bandannas and make an effort to make fun of it and be colorful, makes me feel better and people always say how nice they are. Stay positive if you can it is good medicine, remember we are always here for you.  All the very best to you KJ.

Cheers Jen ?? ?? x 

Good idea to take some time off first!

As everyone will tell you, experiences differ, even on the same chemo cocktail. You don't automatically get nausea or fatigue ( I didn't have either), if your oncologist says you will lose your hair, you will. About 14 days after first infusion is normal. I really disliked the feel of mine after week one, so losing it wasn't so bad. I didn't fancy shaving my head, so just got the number 3 clippers! Losing short hair is much less dramatic than longer hair. It will grow back, possibly while you are still having chemo. Try to take things one week, one new thing at a time, if you can. Very best wishes.

Yes your hair will probably fall out around day 20, KJ, but it does grow back. Luckily the treatment is more targeted these days (11+ years for me), so we all hope you fly through it. You will feel tired, you may get mouth ulcers, but do talk to your team when you experience anyhting- that is what they are there for.

The medicos have seen it all before.

My big tip is REST... let that "jungle juice" (chemo drugs) work its magic. I worked at times but rested most- went mad on eating tomatoes, hated coffee, chocolate :-( and meat.

My journey is not your journey- we are all the same but different, but I am well and enjoying every day thanks to support from family, friends, work colleagures and most importantly my Pink Sisters- BCNA! Chin up, Mandy

Hi

Everyone is so different as you have heard. I finished chemo on 9/12 and will have mastectomy (both) in a few days then 5wks radiation

My hair started coming out day 14, so I shaved the lot and documented it on fb, not because I like the attention (I actually hate it) but because it might help someone else who has to go through this crap.

Every chemo cycle I complained to my hubby they were poisoning me but by day 5 after, was back at work. I continued 8 days a fortnight working right through chemo. It kept me sane and active.

Neutropenia got me too but the injections of Neulasta after that were great for me.

You will get through this !!!

Hey there,

this neutropenia thing seems to be a common thread in first cycle- urgh..... Hope you are feeling better now!

I told my husband last night that my hair loss would be TOTAL and his poor little brain almost imploded ??

Good luck on Wednesday, I'll be thinking of you ??

Hi Nadine, 

thanks for the advice. I'm seriously looking forward to losing armpit/leg hair. It's the single shining light for me!

 I'm also not bothered by baldness. I'm a little creeped out by wigs so I've found a fabulous way of twisting tee shirt cut offs into head covers which is easy and so inexpensive. I've also bought some fabulous head bands with enormous flowers and sparkles for when I feel fancy??

I had no idea about neutropenia until I started reading some posts last night (one of yours I believe) and it sounds hideous. I hope you're feeling better and don't have to go through that again.

I'm waiting out my first cycle before I plan my return to work. I only work 4 days and my employer is incredibly flexible so I can pretty  much come and go as I please which is amazing. I have young kids too do I will enjoy the rest of  holidays with them before they go back at the end of January. 

So good luck with your next cycle, hope to hear you are staying well ??

OMG it's almost worth ordering a mirkin just to see my post mans face when he reads the label ??????

I don't think l'll wear a wig. Not too bothered by having no hair, in fact I've bought some over the top head bands with huge flowers and diamentes to decorate my baldy noggin.

At this point it feels like this will NEVER end. Looking down the barrel of 18 weeks chemo, 5 weeks radiation and then another mastectomy. It feels very much like I'm losing a whole year. I suppose I should be grateful that  I have a future beyond this year though when so many others don't have that privilege.

I hope you are well and enjoying your Xmas/new year ??

Hi Tracey,

the break has been a double edged sword. You are right - I will be physically much  stronger starting treatment which has to be a good thing. But the time has been messing with my brain.. I am increasingly angry about this massive disaster. I habitually suppress my emotions anyway (yes,I know....) so having this big stuff broiling around inside is fairly toxic. I'm working up the courage to let it all out!

I'm very excited about my leg hair falling out - yay, I hate shaving!!! I have thick, dark hair and sensitive skin so I'm the person who shaves in the morning and has stubble by dinner, usually accompanied by a shaving rash ???? Finally something good comes from all this...??

KJ, "carnival ride" it is...... I felt fine with 1st chemo but I also ended up in hospital with 0 neutrophils and temperature and infection.... but all good now and waiting for 2nd chemo on 6/1/16.

Have started loosing my hair now and lot of it so ready to chop it off!  The best part is the brazilian you get with no pain love it....??

Keep a journal of everything and ask as many ????'s as you can! 

Good luck I guess we are all on the same rollercoaster!!!