and so it begins

So sorry that you have to be going through this over Christmas. I had finished Chemo last Xmas but still had no hair to speak of. Spent the day wearing a Santa hat! The best way to try and avoid the mouth ulcers and oral thrush is to be very vigilant with the mouth rinsing. Using Biotene mouthwash helps to prevent your mouth from drying out which is what causes the thrush. You need to use it at least 4 times a day but I used to rinse any time I ate something. People come out with some amazing things. My sister told me that it was just as well that I was the one who got BC because I would be able to cope better and do what was necessary to get through it because she is no good at self-discipline! I think this was a bit of a backhanded compliment or meant to show that she admired how I was handling things. I truly hope that she never has to go through this but I hope she is not relying on the law of averages that she will not. While there is no family history for us I don't think this means she is given any sort of special immunity just because BC won't strike twice in the same family. Wishing you all the best for chemo. Just ask as you go along if there are any issues with side effects. I hope you are one of the more fortunate people who does not get too many problems. Just remember to drink plenty of water to flush it through as fast as possible. Take care. Deanne xxx