time for 2nd treatment already

[rinaina]

Tomorrow is my second chemo treatment and I am hoping all goes as well as the first treatment. I am hoping not to have the same side effects I experienced two weeks after my first treatment but I guess if they are no worse I can handle them. I am more prepared this time and know what to expect so I will make sure I get enough rest and not over do and schedule myself accordingly. Wish me luck and guess what? After tomorrow, I will be halfway through treatment with A/C....hip hip hooray!

[chrisy]

Rinaina,

I tried sending a post to you last night and for some reason my link dropped. I hate when links, blood counts, hair, drop. My sister lives in your area (Glenview); you might welcome less hair in those hot summers!
Sorry to hear your first round gave you so much trouble. It is all so overwhelming - especially the not knowing what to expect. This will get better - you will get a sense of what to expect and can plan accordingly. Keep communication up with your onc and especially the oncology nurses about your side effects. There are many things they can recommend that will help.
This might sound a little strange, but you might try acupuncture/acupressure for relief of some symptoms. There is quite a bit of data that these complementary measures help with fatigue, nausea, and possibly blood counts. I didn't get A/C (only taxol/carboplatin/herceptin - which I guess seems like enough to hit the blood counts!). During treatment I did frequent acupressure and quigong (enery flow exercises) and my counts stayed pretty good through 6 cycles. Everyone is different, but I do believe in trying ANYTHING that might help and won't hurt!
One final word about hair...mine came back very crazy - straight on top, curly in the back, and lots of colors I didn't know I had. It was very fun going through the "spiky" period and although I swore I would NEVER cut it again, last weekend (a year later!) I finally did. Had the same vow about shaving my legs, but that only lasted about a week;).
Good luck on TX2. Hang in there - you can totally do this!
Take care
Chris

[rinaina]

Thank you Chrisy for your encouragement and suggestions. I am open to anything that can ease the side effects of treatment if needed. Glenview is right near me and yes our summers get pretty hot due to our tendency to have very high humidity so not sure how the wig thing is going to be but will give it a try and if too intolerable then I will wear hats and scarves and bandanas. I am not sure I can carry off a bald head in public. Just don't think I can handle that. I appreciate you writing me back.

[kimber]

Rinaina - You will find that EVERY single chemo is different. I did AC/T+Herceptin. After my hair fell out on day 14 I was a mess. VERY depressed. I had one hell of a pity party for a weekend, then, back in the game. I cycled every other Thursday. On Sunday after chemo I was always depressed that day. The drugs. It is the only thing I can think of. I am not normally a depressed person at all. By Monday, I would crawl out of the hole, head into work and rally back in time for the next poison session.

You will get through it. You really will. If you ever feel that you can't, well then you get in touch with me or another friend that can talk you through it! The more you arm yourself with knowledge the better you will feel about chemo and your future.

I Agree with ideas listed above. Exercise!! It helped me tremendously!!!! It will help you with the side effects of the chemo. Other than that, listen to YOUR body. Your own inner voice. Take good care of yourself and your spirit. I will be available to you whenever you need me. E-mail if you would like my number. Take care and good luck with #2!!!!! - kim in minneapolis

[rinaina]

Oh, I will say it again Kimber, the people on this forum are fabulous. Thank you for your support and encouragement. I truly feel I can make it through this and hearing it from those who have been there confirms this. I keep telling myself that I have to go through a little train wreck but will walk away from it when it is all done. I had what was remaining of my hair shaved off tonight by my wig guys and I have to say it was quite liberating. I felt like I looked so sick with what little hair I had left so seeing my head shaved was actually a relief. Now I just look bald and it really is an improvement. My wig came out great, looks just how I looked before I lost my hair. They did an amazing job. They use this theatrical lace under the hair so it looks like your natural scalp in the part and at the forehead it just looks like it is coming right out of your scalp. But I have to say, with full make up on, I truly didn't mind the bald look and that was a surprise to me. Thank you for the offer of your number and email and if I feel the need I will definitely let you know. Thanks for being there for me. I think I am, no, I know I am okay for now. I appreciate all your help.