First chemo + hair loss
I had my first chemo session on Friday 1/11/19. I thought it was fitting with so many 1's in the date. I have a very low pain threshold and was freaked out about my port being accessed. I'll write about the port in another post later.
So my first session was Abraxane + Carboplatin. I'm supposed to alternate every 10 days with this regime and then Abraxane only.
I was pleasantly surprised that putting on the emla cream 1 hour before your port is accessed really works! But you can't put it on sparingly. Need to put a big dollop and then saran wrap over it bc it evaporates over the hour.
In any case the chemo itself was very unremarkable. There were some pre-meds which took a while. Steroids (I hate- dekadrone), benadryl, Zofran, and pepcid. I felt tired afterwards, but that could have been from sitting and doing nothing for 4 hours.
I also took chocolate edibles which I feel really help.
The next evening and the evening after that, so t+1 and t+2, I felt mildly nauseous and very dehydrated, but it was very tolerable.
I flew out that next Monday and was fine. Just took it very easy.
Fast forward 10 days later to the Abraxane only. The Abraxane only infusion was super easy and short - maybe 2 hours total with pre-meds. I felt I would have been able to fly out the next day if not later in the same day.
For cycle 2 I had a different experience though. I got sick- I think I pushed myself a little too hard while in nyc. I went to meet friends and was constantly running around. Or was it the cigarette I took a few puffs of. Or was it that the side effects kicked in at about day 8-10. But either way, I really wasn't feeling good. I came back to CA for infusion 2 of cycle 2 and canceled my flight back to allow myself some time and room to just rest and sleep.
I never had the best habits before this diagnosis. I've been doing a lot of reading. So far it seems that sleep, exercise, and food from the ground and the sea are really good for you.
I'm trying to get off sugar as well and today had some baked butternut squash which was surprisingly delicious.
So my hair began coming out about day 16 after my first chemo infusion. I noticed it after I showered. I was brushing my hair and a ton came out. And just like the boards said, I had like a sensation in the back of my head. I think everyone is different on this one. Some people's scalps hurt. Mine had a sensation.
I had been hoping I'd be that slim percentage who wouldn't lose her hair...
Since then massive tufts would fall out. I'd wake up to hair all over my pillow, sheets, the ground. I bought a lint roller to help pick up the hair.
I also bought fast shampoo as it is sulfate and paraben free and supposed to help your hair grow back.
Another thing I've done is to try to limit showering /washing my hair.
It is sad to see I've lost about 70% of my hair, but at the same time some is better than none for me. I've read of many women who shaved their head as soon as it began falling out. That's not me. I'm going to hold out until the bitter end.
I think I have about 2-3 weeks left before I need to start using a wig.
I've read on some (cancer) boards that some women found losing their hair more traumatic than losing their breasts. For me my equivalent would be losing my ovaries and uterus. Quite frankly I am finding it all is traumatic...
Have to stay focused though. Just need to get through these next few months of treatment and get through it. The hair will grow back eventually, it's just temporary...have to push through this time in my life.
So my first session was Abraxane + Carboplatin. I'm supposed to alternate every 10 days with this regime and then Abraxane only.
I was pleasantly surprised that putting on the emla cream 1 hour before your port is accessed really works! But you can't put it on sparingly. Need to put a big dollop and then saran wrap over it bc it evaporates over the hour.
In any case the chemo itself was very unremarkable. There were some pre-meds which took a while. Steroids (I hate- dekadrone), benadryl, Zofran, and pepcid. I felt tired afterwards, but that could have been from sitting and doing nothing for 4 hours.
I also took chocolate edibles which I feel really help.
The next evening and the evening after that, so t+1 and t+2, I felt mildly nauseous and very dehydrated, but it was very tolerable.
I flew out that next Monday and was fine. Just took it very easy.
Fast forward 10 days later to the Abraxane only. The Abraxane only infusion was super easy and short - maybe 2 hours total with pre-meds. I felt I would have been able to fly out the next day if not later in the same day.
For cycle 2 I had a different experience though. I got sick- I think I pushed myself a little too hard while in nyc. I went to meet friends and was constantly running around. Or was it the cigarette I took a few puffs of. Or was it that the side effects kicked in at about day 8-10. But either way, I really wasn't feeling good. I came back to CA for infusion 2 of cycle 2 and canceled my flight back to allow myself some time and room to just rest and sleep.
I never had the best habits before this diagnosis. I've been doing a lot of reading. So far it seems that sleep, exercise, and food from the ground and the sea are really good for you.
I'm trying to get off sugar as well and today had some baked butternut squash which was surprisingly delicious.
So my hair began coming out about day 16 after my first chemo infusion. I noticed it after I showered. I was brushing my hair and a ton came out. And just like the boards said, I had like a sensation in the back of my head. I think everyone is different on this one. Some people's scalps hurt. Mine had a sensation.
I had been hoping I'd be that slim percentage who wouldn't lose her hair...
Since then massive tufts would fall out. I'd wake up to hair all over my pillow, sheets, the ground. I bought a lint roller to help pick up the hair.
I also bought fast shampoo as it is sulfate and paraben free and supposed to help your hair grow back.
Another thing I've done is to try to limit showering /washing my hair.
It is sad to see I've lost about 70% of my hair, but at the same time some is better than none for me. I've read of many women who shaved their head as soon as it began falling out. That's not me. I'm going to hold out until the bitter end.
I think I have about 2-3 weeks left before I need to start using a wig.
I've read on some (cancer) boards that some women found losing their hair more traumatic than losing their breasts. For me my equivalent would be losing my ovaries and uterus. Quite frankly I am finding it all is traumatic...
Have to stay focused though. Just need to get through these next few months of treatment and get through it. The hair will grow back eventually, it's just temporary...have to push through this time in my life.
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