Starting TC Chemo Tomorrow Any Tips?

Hi Jo Thanks for asking. 2 cycles down feeling pretty good. Hair is all gone and went to the Look Good Feel Good program today and really enjoyed it. Would be interested at looking at the chemo caps. My email address is kirrilly.barton@bigpond.com if you can send me some info. Cheers Kir ;)

Hi Kirrilly,

I'm Jo and I've riden on the TC train.  How you going?  How's the hair?  If you look up Kaye's Comfy Caps on Facebook, it is a store that I sell chemo caps my Mum Kaye makes.  They are $10 and half goes towards Young Pink Sisters.  Of course, if $10 is too much, I can send you one for free.

You must be in your third week by now, so 2nd dose coming up?

Cheers,

Jo

Hi Kirrilly,

I'm Jo and I've riden on the TC train.  How you going?  How's the hair?  If you look up Kaye's Comfy Caps on Facebook, it is a store that I sell chemo caps my Mum Kaye makes.  They are $10 and half goes towards Young Pink Sisters.  Of course, if $10 is too much, I can send you one for free.

You must be in your third week by now, so 2nd dose coming up?

Cheers,

Jo

What can I say, is the pits but tomorrow is my last one and done 16 cycle hey I think, dont fighted if you are tired rest, if cycle can be different and have a different side effect so no point on trying to map it. some of us have no side effect and can keep going well with no problem and some have a few of the side effect from chemo.

I have a wig but I have used once, can't keep on my head is hot and uncomfortable to me, other ladies do everything with the wig so just see how you feel, I have a summer hat and winter for the cold days, at the beggining I was worry about it, but now I dont care all I want to do is finish my chemo and continue with the journey hope all goes well and that you dont get nausea that is really hard to deal with best of luck

Good luck for tomorrow... I’m sure everything will go well. It’s the unknown that is scary. I was diagnosed exactly 12mths today so have finished chemo (TC), radiation and have just completed  6mths on Arimidex. Like many of the ladies on here I searched the  BCN site for any hints to assist me - I found the 'What helped you through your journey' blog which was sooooo helpful.

 

 I was one of the blessed one who didn’t suffer from fatigue at all. For me days 3 to 5 were the worst and even with taking Maxalon I felt nauseous for quite awhile and of course my mouth was revolting.  My Oncologist advised me to take Krill Oil and Magnesium to assist with joint and muscle aches - not sure if it was the tablets or I was lucky but didn’t suffer any aches and pains. I also took Mega Vit B and probiotics .

 Because I was worried about getting mouth ulcers:

 

·         I used Biotene toothpaste & mouthwash (gargled at least four times a day) - I tried the bicarb and salt mixed together in warmwater but found it dried my mouth out too much.

 

·         I bought a packet of kids soft toothbrushes using new toothbrush for each chemo cycle.

 

·         I didn’t floss while having chemo because I didn’t want to cut my gums as I could get an infection

I took my temperature every morning on waking and wrote all detail in my diary.  My temperature did fluctuate and I did manage to get an infection in my Breast (after 1^st Chemo session)  and then again when having radiation.  Seeing I was worried about suffering from Neutropenia I kept a small emergency bag packed in case I had to go to hospital (as I read many ladies ended up with high temp and put in hospital) With all the goodies I might need.

 

 I wore disposable gloves for cleaning or when preparing dinner cutting up raw meat, chicken etc.  And was very careful when out shopping, in supermarket I always wiped the trolley handle (with antiseptic wipes)before using.

Found I ate any food that I felt like even if it was unhealthy because much of my normal diet I couldn’t eat as it tasted awful. I really enjoyed the ‘Mini Calypso’ ice blocks suggested in the blog.

 As soon as I noticed my hair falling out - I got my partner to shave my head was much better than having clumps of hair falling out.  I bought a synthetic wig – looked good but only ended up wearing it a couple of times... it annoyed me.  The rest of the time I wore bandanas, scarves and for around the house/neighbourhood I found a cap I liked to wear.

Make sure you book into ‘The Look Good... Feel Better Workshop’ as it is a great morning out. I don’t wear a lot of makeup but they showed me some good make-up tips and of course show you all about scarves, wigs, hats etc. I also got to talk with ladies who were undergoing treatment and it put my mind at rest.

Any way Kirrillyb my list could go on and on - if you have any specific questions give me a yell and I’ll answer them if I can.

 

Best Wishes Greta

 

Ditto to the above -everything Leonie said! I had TC and found by day 3 it really hit me.I felt like roadkill for about 3 days and could hardly get out of bed.Go with the flow and eat and drink whatever you can.Personally,I lived off lemon cordial,lemonaide iceblocks and vegie soup n crackers. I bought an expensive human hair wig but hardly wore it cos it was so itchy and hot,especially in summer.When you wash human hair wigs,the style falls out and you have to restyle it again.They look good but are more high maintenance than a synthetic wig(which keeps its style).I mostly wore caps/hats n scarves which I ordered from www.headcovers.com -cheap and delivered to your door.They also have cheap wigs. My motto is prepare for the worst but hope for the best.         Tonya xx

 

Hi Kir,

I just wanted to add to Janet's comments and give you the links to the blog post she was directing you to 'What helped you through your journey' blog post - http://www.bcna.org.au/user/9176/blog/28978

Also, you might find the Online Local Services Directory of use. You can search for support and services in your area - http://www.bcna.org.au/sharing-support/find-services-your-area

Good luck with with your upcoming treatment -- Daina

Hi Kirrilly and Sista. There is a blog/post on this site called What has helped you though your journey? Just type it into the search box and you should find it. It contains heaps and heaps of tips to help you get through chemo. It was started by Shazinoz but lots of other women have added to it. I found it very helpful when I did my chemo last year.

Keep in mind though that everyone has slightly different reactions so you probably wont suffer from every side effect you read about.  My best tip is to be gentle on yourself, rest when you need to, put yourself first at this time and accept all offers of help from family and friends. You should probably be prepared for the worst but hope for the best. It's a drag but you do come out the other side and life gets back to normal.

As for the wigs, I had a synthetic one myself which was quite nice, especially when it was brand new (cost me about $390). I understand the wigs with real human hair are even more expensive but perhaps more durable. Mine got a bit ratty looking in the last few months that I was wearing it. Good luck ladies. Hope it goes as smoothly as possible for you both. Janet.

Hi Sista,

Good luck to you too!  Hopefully we will have very little side effects.

Kirrillyb

Hi Sista,

Good luck to you too!  Hopefully we will have very little side effects.

Kirrillyb