First chemo done

[MarciaB]

I couldn't seem to post on the old thread, so I'll start over here. Thanks to all the posts and support. It means a lot to me.

The chemo effects are a little like having the flu, tired and achy. And I had a bad headache, maybe the chemo drugs, or the nausea drugs, or no coffee cold turkey? I was a little nauseous, but the drugs and keeping a little something in my stomach helped. It was really only bad for one day and I only missed a couple of days of work. I also picked up my husband's cold, but feel pretty normal now.

I have a new cardiologist. When he walked in the room, all I could think was SCORE! He's really gorgeous in a czech, Luka from ER, but much better kind of way. I'm sure he's a good doctor, also. Hmm . . . my thrills are few these days.

My oncologist seems a little lost on the coumadin stuff. I'm sure I'm the only patient he's had who home tests and is involved in it. It's been something of a rollercoaster, way up after chemo then dropping too low later. But, it feels like we are working on it together and he RETURNS MY PHONE CALLS!

I'm having a good time taking my new boobs shopping. Everything fits! My friend is coming over tomorrow for head shaving and margaritas (not in that order). It hasn't started to come out yet (tingles, though) but I don't want to wait until the following weekend when I feel like crap and have it falling out in hunks. I had a meeting with a new client yesterday and wore my wig because it's longer than my real hair is now. I figured even a guy would realize that hair doesn't grow 5 inches in a couple of weeks. He took a big double take on me when he came in the room. Either he had a "spot the toupee" moment or he was just surprised that I was so hot. I'm going with "hot".

Marcia
MVR 2003

 

[Phyllis]

Marcia,
Glad that you are taking well to the Chemo and I admire your attitude- keep up the good work and we send you best wishes for a successful and complete recovery. Enjoy the Margaritas and the new cardio!

 

[Karlynn]

Marcia - keep that incredible humor going!!!!!!! Laughter is a good healer. I truly wasn't expecting to be cracking up through a post labled "First chemo done". Taking your new boobs shopping - you're hilarious.

The very least you deserve is a really hot doctor - so enjoy the eye candy!

 

[Superbob]

Marcia,

I'm sure his reaction was, "Wow, she's hot!" That's what causes a stunned reaction in us guys 99.99 percent of the time.

Best of luck to you in your further treatments. If you have a doctor who also serves as eye candy, good for you. When I moved out here, I was assigned a young lady doc not long out of med school -- and she's definitely easy on the eyes. Thought I had died and somehow gone to Heaven!

Cheers,

 

[pipersmith]

I love your attitude!!!!!

I love your attitude!!!!!

Marcia,
Glad that you are taking well to the Chemo and I admire your attitude- keep up the good work and we send you best wishes for a successful and complete recovery. Enjoy the Margaritas and the new cardio!

Maybe you should enjoy the Margaritas with the new cardio ;0)

Great attitude Good luck

 

[bvdr]

Marcia, good for you! The doctor that did the plastic repair/resection on my lip immediately following surgery was like that too. And with him working on my upper lip I had a real close-up view. It helps to be a little distracted that way.

How often are your treatments going to be? That is interesting about your INR roller coastering. Do you have plenty of supplies to test more frequently than normal?

 

[Mary]

Marcia,
Let's see . . . great looking cardio, new boobs, looks so hot they make grown men stop in speechless admiration . . . other than the chemo, I think you got it ALL going on!
I hope all your reports are this good or better.

 

[Marguerite53]

I am not really up to speed on what is going on with you cancer-wise, but after reading your thread starter -- who needs to know. I'm sure not going to worry about someone who has it put together so well. My gosh, girl....you are AMAZING!!! I think you will be your own best medicine....do not lose sight of that self you've put in control. You are so gonna make this thing happen right!! True!!

So I'm going to keep this very strong and beautiful image of you in my mind as we continue to hear updates from you.

Stay with it. Good luck!

Best wishes!!!!! Marguerite

 

[geebee]

Great post, great attitude and a great doctor to boot. You have it all including a terrific sense of humor. We should all be so lucky.

Don't drink too much before you start shaving - remember the coumadin horror stories.

Take care and keep smiling.

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Marcia,
I am glad to hear that things are going OK for you and if you ever need anyone to go shopping with you just call, I am just down the road.

 

[aussiemember]

Marcia,

So good to hear from you and that things are going reasonably well. I'm impressed that your cardio is so hot You are in my thoughts and prayers - Jeanne

 

[RandyL]

Hey Marcia you sound like you are handleing everything in stride. My wife had breast cancer this year and was going to her chemo and rad treatments while I was recovering from my AVR. My wifes hair did fall out but I know a couple of other people that their hair didn't fall out. If I were you I would wait and see before I started shaving my head, you never know. Keep up the good work it gets tough on you later.

 

[marky]

Marcia.. your attitude is the best
My sister and several of my dear friends have tread on those same waters..and they will all tell you That positive attitude will take you far

So this cute cardio huh??
You know my oldest kids had a pretty cute pediatric cardiologist..and one day I boldly asked him if he was married to which he responded NO.. ( I was divorced and single )So I said.. Hey would you like to have dinner sometime?? (edited to say this was BEFORE I met my current dh and got remarried)
and he said Yes.. and we started a fun dating relationship for awhile.. And I didn't even Have nice new boobs

So ... maybe he does like marguaritas??

Hey keep us posted and you are in my prayers!

 

[dj/utvolsfan]

Hey Marcia,
So completely enjoyed your post! Sure wish we lived close to each other so we could be cancer soul sisters through this. I just finished my second round of chemo for lymphoma and lost my hair a couple of weeks ago. The molting bird look didn't do a thing for me so I shaved the rest of it and instantly embraced my new G.I. Deb look. I figure I could always mix it up a bit....my eyeslashes and eyebrows are still hanging tight....so I thought, how about a rocker chick! It's just an eyebrow piercing or two, kids! Chill out! I'm sure my onco would have a cow if I walked in that way though! You'd be so much fun to shop with .....those new boobies and all. Only thing new on my chest i s a zipper! Oh, yes, and a button! Did you get a chemo port?
Happy to hear you have a hunky doctor! My onco is a hunky hunk and so very sweet. Told me he had me figured out after the second appointment. I congratulated him as being the first to achieve such a feat! Haven't noticed a wedding ring. He's a doll in all ways. Sure makes a difference!
Well, Marcia, I hope all is well in Margueritaville! My best to you!
Hugs,
Debbi

 

[Karlynn]

To quote Ross "I WANT PICTURES" If you girls are going to talk about your good looking doctors, I wanna see photos!

 

[maka]

Marcia

I had chemo treatments over 25 years ago (Thanks God I can say that). I also felt like you, like having the flu. However, I never lost all my hair. I starting to loose some so I cut it short, like Twiggi (sp?) style and no one ever noticed it or knew I was under treatment. So, rather that shaving it, whey don?t you cut it short first? Enjoy the margaritas..

 

[Anne-Marie]

Congrats on getting that first treatment over and done with! Like Maka, it's been well over 25 years since I had chemo (28 actually)! No doubt the drugs are different, but I didn't lose my hair. I used to wear a band around my head that was similar to a blood pressure cuff, only a long thin one. It would be pumped up around my head and kept on for thirty minutes after the medication had gone through. Years later when I took nursing, we were told the bands didn't really work, that they had a psychological effect, which I think is nonsense. How can you psychologically keep your hair from falling out? If that were possible, my husband would look like Brian May.

When I first started my treatments, I used to be sick for a full day, throwing up every twenty minutes or so. The doctors tried everything to alleviate the nausea and vomiting. Anti-emetics didn't work, so they would try sedating me for the entire day. Eventually, I just put up with the daylong epsiodes. I always felt better the next day if I just suffered through it rather than being knocked out for a full 24-hours!

To this day, there are smells and tastes I can't tolerate because I associate them with the chemo, you'll learn quickly what you've developed an aversion to.

Laughter is good medicine, but checking out the hot doctors is even better medicine. I was fortunate enough to have a whole troop of third year med students to amuse me ( I was a teenager at the time, so that's ok, right?).

Good luck Marcia, you have a great attitude and that will be your greatest asset!

Anne-Marie

 

[Wise]

Sorry you have to go through this, but I have to commend you on your AWESOME attitude. You are certainly an inspiration to other ladies who may also go down this unchosen road. My mom was a rock when she went through this and you are appear to be a strong lady as well. God be with you during your treatment and recovery.

 

[MarciaB]

Embracing the new look!

Embracing the new look!

I talked the one of the oncology nurses yesterday, and he confirmed that yes, I only had another week of hair with the drugs I'm taking. So, we did it! I screamed when I saw myself in the mirror. Now, everyone wants to rub my head (it feels like sand paper) and my husband wants to know which look I'm going for when . . . well, you know. Here's to no more bad hair days

It's amazing to hear from all of you who have also had (or have) cancer. Geez, what a club to belong to. And Debbi - you are recovering from open heart AND doing chemo - good god girl!

My 22 year old daughter discovered yesterday that her identity has been stolen. We've had so much bad luck this year, that we all just get hysterical when the next thing happens. We are going to have the absolutely BEST Christmas letter this year!

Marcia

 

[Nancy]

Losing ALL of one's hair is one of the most difficult things for people going through chemo. Keep your sense of humor throughout this difficult time.

When my hair grew back in it was very cute and very curly. I got lots of compliments on it. The color did come back in an unexpected way, but hair dye corrected that.

Unfortunately, all my cute curls went away, and straight hair came back.

Not having to deal with hairdos was one advantage. It was so easy in and out of the shower in a few minutes.

Glad your chemo is going well.