I was diagnosed in the end of November 2007; had mastectomy (left) on Dec. 5 2007; first chemo treatment on Jan. 14th. So far so good. Tolerating it well - blood counts are good. Appetite is more than good (ugh) seem to be hungry more often than not! Hair I think is starting to come out - few at a time. Is a tingly scalp a precursor to hair loss??
My scalp wasn't tingly, it was sore. Hair loss started two weeks and one day after my first treatment. While I was handling the chemo okay,,, and yes, EATING everything in sight, I didn't like the process of fall-out. Everywhere I turned I was leaving hair. I felt like I was molting and it was a constant reminder that I had cancer, was on chemo, etc. etc. I didn't feel bad and didn't want the constant reminder.
So, I went and had my head shaved and moved on to scarves and caps. It's been a cold winter here in the midwest and I wear the caps more often than not.
BTW - Heavenlyhats will send you a few free hats if you apply. Also, you might want to research chemo angels. They just send little notes of encouragement that brighten your day every now and then.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Yeah - my scalp hurts as well. When I touch my hair it hurts. More hair is in my brush so I think this weekend we will shave the head or at least cut it short. we'll see! It will be 3 weeks this coming Monday (the 4th) from my first treatment - so I guess the fall out is on schedule!
Thanks for the tip regarding the head covers - take care.
PS Other than the hair loss and increased appetite, you doing okay??
Hi Lolo, and welcome. So glad you're doing well with the chemo! Every step you take - every day that passes - you're that much closer to being done. Seems like a long journey when you're just starting out, but soon you'll be looking back and saying, "Remember when..."
One thing I noticed about being bald - my neck got VERY cold. Who knew, even with short hair, that your hair keeps your neck so warm?! If you're somewhere it's cold, be sure you have some warm scarves handy. And that's good advice, having your hair cut. I cut mine short, then finally shaved it when i started looking like a raggedy old half-bald tomcat!
About eating - if I were you, I'd stay away from my very favorite foods, just for a little while. Because, just in case you end up having negative associations with chemo (in the future), you don't want to have those negative associations with your favorite foods!
Best of luck, Lolo - stay in touch. We're with you- PJH
Hey PJ - thanks so much for the info! The hair is coming out heavier now so I must skip the short hair and go right to the shaving!
I live in South Texas - pretty warm. I have heard from a couple of friends who are survivors that their bodies tended to run cooler from loss of heat through your head. Since I have what I call "tropical heat waves" (hot flashes) it might help me keep cool!
I'm trying to eat more protein and less carbs - that should help my appetite settle down - I hope.
What's your story?
Hi Lolo:
I felt so consumed by my diagnosis and having no control over anything that I took control of my hair. I had longer hair and didn't think I could emotionally deal with the loss of it while it was long. So, I went to my beloved friend and sylist, Jo, and had her shave it off a few hours after I received my 2nd chemo on a Thursday. On the following Tuesday morning, I got in the shower with a 1/4 inch buzz and came out completely bald. Even that was difficult for me.
My hair became extremely dry and brittle about 24 hours after the first chemo, so I knew my time was limited. It didn't begin coming out until 10 days later and so I made the appointment to get my head shaved.
I didn't experience any tingling head issues, but, as I say, my hair became extremely dry, just like straw.
Now, after my last chemo on 12/27, I am happy to say I'm sprouting lots and lots and LOTS of baby fine grey hair interdisbursed with lots and lots and LOTS of my natural brown hair; it's about 1/2 inch long now. I'm figuring on wearing a Pixie hair style this summer. 
I too decided to cut my hair as it was coming out by the handful. My husband shaved it to a no. 3 and then the next day or so we went down to a buzz - the no. 3 hairs were all over the shower and my pillow. now I still have dark stubble if you will and spots of bareness. At least it stopped itching and tingling. I really don't mind the hair being gone.
I wear bandanas and when I have to the wig. I prefer the bandanas but I need to wear the wig to work - I will gradually work in the bandanas! I am glad to hear that the hair comes back somewhat quickly - is it the same texture, etc that it was?
I just had my 2nd chemo this past Monday (2/4) so I have a while to go and then on to radiation. Are you through with treatments???
Hi Lolo:
Good for you and how sweet that your husband helped you take control of your new look!!! My first chemo was on Sept 13 and my last on Dec 27. I was dose dense and had chemo every other Thursday. I just finished radiation treatment #17 this morning and have 16 more to go! So, I'm 3/4 into treatment. I figure the last treatment is having my breast reconstructed sometime this fall and taking Tamoxifen for the next several years.
Yes, my hair is coming back very quickly. I have always eaten well, so maybe that has something to do with it. Plus, prior to cancer my hair grew VERY fast. I needed trims every 4 weeks; it grew a full inch every four weeks. My stylist said there are vitamins in conditioners so I do rub conditioner on my scalp (plus it helps my scalp not to be too dry and tight) in the shower, and maybe that encourages hair growth. My leg hair hasn't come back and I'm certainly not worried about that! IT is still very short and so difficult for me to tell if it is coming back a different texture. Some people tell me their hair came back curly at first, then reverted back to its original texture. I just look at it as new cancer fun!!!
Chemo is NOT fun and you need to just get lots of rest and attempt to eat. I am divorced and so my sons were a huge help to me. Plus friends would make soups and casseroles, freeze them and bring them over for us. If I didn't feel like eating, my 15 year old certainly did...all the time! My older some would come on weekends and clean the apartment, grocery shop, etc. Good men. Plus I find dogs incredibly theraputical. My ex-husband "kidnapped" our dog, and so my friends would come get me and bring me back to their places just so I could relax on their sofas with their puppies. What an incredible comforting joy that was. And their antics always made me laugh - another great therapy.
Great to hear from you Lola and never hesitate to reach out if you have questions, concerns, fears or tears.
Kaye
Lolo:
Lymphedema can be a serious condition for breast cancer survivors (and others). I had a complete dissection (removal) of the right axillary (armpit). I had one positive node from which my surgeon did a biopsy prior to surgery and in our surgery planning session, I agreed that once he was in there, he should do as he deemed necessary. Even though only two nodes were positive (out of 24), he removed the entire system. Which was fine with me. I have had no swelling in my arm. Discuss any swelling with your surgeon. You might need and I would suggest physical therapy. I'm told that physical therapists massage the arm thereby moving the fluid out of the arm.
It is very important though that you discuss this with your surgeon. He or she would be the one best able to determine how to address any symptoms of lymphedema.
I've begun to gently work my arm using just 2 pounds weights. I enjoy kayaking and canoeing in the summer and I want to make sure my arm is in good shape. This however; is with the knowledge and encouragement of my surgeon and oncologists. Everyone should check with their team before attempting anything since every surgery is different.
Hang in there Lolo!!! Keep asking - knowledge is power!
Kaye
PS - remember, no blood pressure, blood taken, injections, etc on the arm from which you had the lymph nodes removed! You might want to look into getting the American Cancer Society's health alert bracelet to that effect. It's important. I'm sure other places sell the bracelets too, I just like the American Cancer Society's.
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Welcome! Lolo, we share a timeline - I was diagnosed Nov 5, had a lumpectomy and a lymph node disection on Dec 5! I am half way through radiation, no chemo. How long will you be getting chemo? sounds like so far its not too intense an experience. Will you share your feelings about your diagnosis and mastectomy?
I hope you find this forum and community as supportive as I have found it!
Cheers!
Maureen
well I had my second chemo treatment on 2/3 - didn't feel too good until this afternoon. Smells are starting to affect me negatively. I had some breakfast and then I wasn't able to eat the rest of the day yesterday - had a bite or two at dinner then back to bed. Stayed home from work today - in bed - starting to feel better.
I've also started having some swelling in my left arm lympodema - not sure what to do for it except keep my arm elevated - I'll call my doctor tomorrow.
When I was diagnosed of course I was in a state of shock. It was like a dream - I didn't know what to do - who to tell. I was at the office - I told my dear friend who I work with (she took the call from the doc) and then I told my sister in law who is also my boss and another friend who was in her office with her who is dealing with prostaste cancer - we all had a cry and then I bolted out of there. I called my husband and had him come to the office and then I told him. He was as shocked if not more so. I found myself comforting him. I didn't tell my other co workers right away - I wanted to see the doctor and have more infomation and have a plan before I told them. That was the
Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Had a whole house of company for the holiday - wasn't planning on telling them - didn't want to put a damper on the day - wound up my husband told his brother and aunt and nephew over the course of the weekend. I called my sister and she was going to fly down for the surgery the following week. Kind of a whirlwind week!!
The surgery was fine - recoup went well. Did not have reconstruction - not sure I will. Did you have reconstruction??? Will you share your experience?? Thanks for listening