HI, Finally saw the oncologis. Chemo begins in 10 days.
Adriamycin and cyclophosphamide every 2 weeks x 4 treatments
Paclitaxel and Herceptin weekly x 12 weeks
Herceptin every 3 weeks for 1 year.
plus hormone tablets.
Question is do I shave my head the day before treament starts is what i think I would like to do or do I wait a week?
I'm rather worried about being hit with these drugs and how I will cope. I've always had a queesy stomach.
Any advice would be most welcome.
Within 2 weeks of finishing AC and starting on taxol my hair started to grow. Around this time I shaved off some fuzz, then it started to come through much thicker. I never lost my eyebrows/eyelashes completely but they stopped growing and only started again around a month after all my chemo was done - so that got sparse looking. I did loose my pubic hair on AC but it also started growing on taxol (quickly actually it came back first!).
Hi Oz. I did exactly your treatment plan and found taxol and herceptin MUCH, MUCH easier to deal with than AC. It's still tough and tiring but the nausea was not an issue and my energy was far better than when on AC as well. I am still on herceptin (half way through my year) and I am so well now that I am busy training for my first Olympic distance triathlon right now. I have never been fitter! Cheers, Yvette71
Hi Oz. I did exactly your treatment plan and found taxol and herceptin MUCH, MUCH easier to deal with than AC. It's still tough and tiring but the nausea was not an issue and my energy was far better than when on AC as well. I am still on herceptin (half way through my year) and I am so well now that I am busy training for my first Olympic distance triathlon right now. I have never been fitter! Cheers, Yvette71
Hi Oz. I too had exactly the same treatment plan as you. I now 3 months since finished chemo and have got 6 months to go of herceptin. I found the AC part pretty taxing, really chemically if that's a word! The taxol was MUCH easier to deal with, in fact I worked 4 days a week with no problem during that phase. Anyway to your question re the hair. It doesn't start falling out until around 10 days after the first treatment, so no need to shave it in advance. I did get a short haircut to gradually prepare rather than go straight from long to bald headed. I shaved my hair off on day 12 after first chemo. My hair was coming out quite steadily by then. I probably could have help off another week but I'd had enough by then. The good news is, a few weeks after starting taxol my hair started to grow, so I only ended up thoroughly bald for around 3 months! Good luck with it all. Yvette
hi oz, I had a mastectomy in november and just finished my chemo and radiation. i had exactly the same chemo regimen that you are about to have.concerning the nausea they give you a lot of anti nausea drugs in your drip before you start, and then give you a heap to take home. i seemed to keep on top of it and took the drugs frequently as directed. my main problem was ulcers with the AC chemo.i washed my mouth out with salt water every time i ate and made sure i drank heaps of water,especially after the first two days to flush out the chemo. The taxol was a lot easier to handle it didnt seem to make me so sick,just a bit achey but i took pain killers when it got to much.The oncology nurses are lovely and will keep an eye out for how you are going and will adjust your meds if necessary. My hair started to fall out by the time i had my second AC i shaved it when i had clumps starting to come out in my fingers.A very weird feeling having your head shaved. I hope i may have helped you a little bit and if you want to become my friend on here i will answer any questions or worries you may come across if you like. Good luck with it all i know its scarey but you will get through it..take care annie xx
Yes,you are right about that word"journey"- it's more like a drawn out saga. I had no sense of humour whatsoever during chemotherapy.You will have your ups and downs so just go with what ever emotion is prevailing at the time. It's hard losing a boob and then your hair -you lose your identity for awhile.But with loving family support,you get through it. I ordered a lot of head gear from an American website www.headcovers.org It was delivered to my door and quite cheap too.I was bald all through summer and the hot flushes nearly drove me nuts.I mostly wore soft cotton stuff on my head.I feel like I earned a degree in "head"management! You have to be so careful that you don't walk out the door looking like a pirate or a gypsy! I've had my 1 year mammogram and got the all clear but it will be awhile before I feel confident about my health.I accept that.The first time around it took me about 2yrs to feel that I might live afterall.Jump back on and talk if you start feeling "freaked"out(a normal reaction by the way).
Tonya xx
Thanks Tonya for your reply. I read your blog entries and had a good chuckle. It's interesting that I'm more worried about loosing my hair then having chemo. Nah, that's not true. I'm totally freaked out about all of it.
My husband is extremely supportive, but he is the quiet type and internalises everything. My three kids have been fantastic, especially my daughter, who dropped everything and came up to Sydney from the Country with her ten month old to visit me just after I had the masteconomy. Unfortunately, my grandson, who is teething would not sleep so we all agreed she should go home so that I could at least get some rest. I missed her terribly once she left and had a good cry. Very therapeutic.
I'm pleased to read that you are on the mend and good luck with the mammogram and the future.
I hope like you that I can keep a sense of humour about the whole 'journey'. Gee I hate that word!
Take care of yourself.
Sorry to hear that you have to have chemo.I was so anxious when I had my first chemo that they gave me a calm you down pill.It helped so ask for it if you feel anxious.I wasn't too nauseous,just lost my appetite and food tasted weird. I found I could tolerate lemon cordial,lemonade iceblocks,vegie soup and crackers- couldn't drink water,tea or coffee.As for losing your hair,it starts falling out about day 10 after your first chemo.It's up to you whether you shave it or not.I just gave myself a very short bob cut when it first started to fallout.I guess I wanted to hold onto it. I found being bald very distressing,especially when it took so long to grow back.I mostly wore bandanas and caps cos my wig was soooo irritating.Sorry I spent so much on it really.Good luck in the coming weeks and jump on this site whenever you need to talk.
Tonya xx
Sorry to hear that you have to have chemo.I was so anxious when I had my first chemo that they gave me a calm you down pill.It helped so ask for it if you feel anxious.I wasn't too nauseous,just lost my appetite and food tasted weird. I found I could tolerate lemon cordial,lemonade iceblocks,vegie soup and crackers- couldn't drink water,tea or coffee.As for losing your hair,it starts falling out about day 10 after your first chemo.It's up to you whether you shave it or not.I just gave myself a very short bob cut when it first started to fallout.I guess I wanted to hold onto it. I found being bald very distressing,especially when it took so long to grow back.I mostly wore bandanas and caps cos my wig was soooo irritating.Sorry I spent so much on it really.Good luck in the coming weeks and jump on this site whenever you need to talk.
Tonya xx
