Chemo here I go!

I think there is a woman at my rehab place who has a port up on her shoulder - can't remember why she said it was there.

@primek  Kath, I have never heard about ports in the upper arm either. Wonder if they are offered in Australia. Not enjoying my keloid scar that has formed since my port removal op. Should have known that would happen as it was the third incision on the same site. Think I'll start to resemble a patchwork quilt if I ever need a port again, so good to know I can ask about a P.A.S if there is ever a next time with fingers crossed there isn't.

Thanks @"Patti J" - I'm laughing at the thought of you looking like a lamington! Thanks for the wishes - I'm going by the mantra 'this too shall pass' as someone very wise, recently said on this forum. 

@kmakm - as much as I am keen to wear some weird and wonderful wigs, the ones that suited me best were the ones that were the most similar colour to my own hair - funny that! I tried on some hilarious ones though! I think I'll buy a 'normal' one first then order a couple of fun ones online. I think you mentioned a good website on another thread a few days ago but I can't find it - please can you mention it again. 

xxxx

@Eastmum What a hoot Yvette! Can't wait to see them. I'm loving how you're managing to find the laughs along the way <3 K xox

Eastmum, I remember the first time I  had chemo, 15 years ago, I  looked like Gollum from Lord of the Rings! Now I look like a lamington: dark underneath and white on top. 
Good luck with your chemo. As bad as it might get, it is what is keeping many of us alive

Midday @kmakm :)
Just went wig shopping with my friend - we had a lot of fun!

@Eastmum I didn't have anyone with me during chemo. The first two I did the cold cap and so it took over six hours. It's such a time soak, there's no way I'd let anyone sit with me for that length of time.

I had an allergic reaction to the Docetaxel so each time I was dosed up to the eyeballs with Phenergan (on top of Ativan) and then slept. Totes boring for anyone if they'd been with me!

You get to be crumbly round the edges darl. Especially the first time (I was an utter mess, and my sister literally ran away from the chair, ripping out the canula and bolting). But you know what? You get used to it, and those edges crisp up nicely in this particular oven. Ovaries of steel my darling, ovaries of steel. Tears are cathartic, acknowledging your feelings is healthy and letting your husband know how you're feeling is good. No use hiding this stuff.

What time is your appointment on Tuesday?  K xox

I am still going to pull my hair over my ears when I turn off the light and arrange myself for sleep! Especially on these cool nights. Haven't been able to do it for real since early February!

Thanks @Zoffiel - yes I've heard from others that winter can be a bit kinder on the head-wear front - I was already freezing last night with a full head of hair! About to go online and order one of Carrie's Beanies for Brain Cancer I think! 

@jennyss - a chemo diary is a fantastic idea and I think I'll do just that. I'm already regretting that I haven't documented the journey so far (especially because I write for a living!) so I think I'll find some time to back track a bit - might even start a blog......

wow @primek - that would be a great option - I'll see how I go with the first chemo and what they say about my veins and I'll definitely ask my oncologist about this.

@Sannahkate - YES, this helps so much - I can totally relate to the 'just took my hair out of a ponytail' feeling so I will absolutely keep my antennas honed for that. Thanks also for making it all sound so 'real' - I'm also feeling pretty 'badass' about all of this at the moment but am crumbling a tiny bit at the edges. Just had a chat to hubby about my treatment and was absolutely fine until I got to the sentence 'of course I'll take the recommended Chemo regime, I have too much to live for' and got very teary! He's coming with my on Tuesday for the first round but I've already told him I'm sending him back to work after half an hour otherwise he'll just get totally bored and start annoying me LOL - I'll be iPad-ready and will uber/taxi home. Thanks for the list of useful products, I'll definitely check them out! 

xxxx

Hi @Eastmum

I’m on the same regime pretty much (AC fortnighly x 4, Taxol weekly x 12). Monday is my infusion day.

AC: I suffered more than most on this. Tried all of the nausea meds and only sort of got it under control by the final infusion. I was in bed for a week and even getting up to pee made me feel sick. Had a window of about 2 hours each evening feeling normal. I got febrile neutropenia (despite being given neulasta) and ended up in hospital - my immune system has never been great though. Other girls I know were pretty much fine though!
My hair went after 2-3 weeks and I got the tell tale “feeling like you’ve just taken your hair out of a pony tail” the day before so I shaved it to a #2
Would advise getting someone to come with you for driving but also because the first session can be confronting. I considered myself a badass coming into this whole thing, and had to accept some serious tears at chemo #1. 
Speaking of tears, I got a day of overwhelming emotion each Thursday the week after chemo. Only thing for it was a sad movie marathon and comfort food. I felt amazing after crying it all out. 

Taxol: I’ve had 5 weekly treatments now and have got some mild to moderate bone/joint pain and experience slightly blurry vision but otherwise feeling good. I’m still really fatigued but it’s more manageable than on AC. This can still of course all change with 7 to go!

Re useful products, I’ve found body crystal deodorant, “organic care” shower gel and organic vegan baby lotion (I’m not even vegetarian so don’t ask) are all I’ve needed for skin and body care. Got all of them from Coles so no specialist vendor required. Gentle, good for the environment and natural ingredients (no carcinogens).

Hope this helps you!