Tips while on chemo

I thought I might put in my blog things I have found out while having my chemo. It might not work for others and there may be better tips you could add for me.

Get used to a belly that feels sometimes like someone punched you. Its not quite like a period pain but its uncomfortable. I found pacing around and rubbing kind of helps.

Today I ate a jelly tip chocolate ice cream. My belly said no way! Also bad was my tongue is so sensitive the corner of the chocolate rasped on my tongue. Solution- a honey sandwich. I have no idea why this worked.

Be extremely careful chewing on nuts. Bit my cheek and thought I must have done damage but I was lucky. I think no nuts for a little while.

Numb mouth, metal taste and no taste buds only lasts a few days. It does pass eventually. Discovered Lifesaver fruit tingles helps and Rennies do too.

Do not suck strepsils antibacterial lozenge, the alcohol in it will burn the inside of your mouth, although it did get rid of my nagging sore throat and it did not return. Strepsils are good for visitors to suck so they don't infect you.

Tooth paste will also burn. I read the fine print, yep alcohol in that too. I will just have to stick to salty bicarb for brushing and gargling. I did find an anti coffee/tea stain toothpaste was good and did not burn.

Every orifice gets touchy. The membrane in my nostrils got really sore and sorbolene burned a bit. Remedy, zinc and castor oil crème, although all I could smell all afternoon was castor oil, it did do the trick and my nose is all better now. Downstairs below belly button, Caneston cream, even if you don't have a fungal problem and its just a silly abrasion in the wrong spot works wonders and doesn't sting. I did end up with a rather nasty pimple down there and my GP gave me some antibiotic cream for it. I also had conjunctivitis in one eye for weeks and he gave me drops which cleared it up in one day. Don't suffer it, get some meds.

Custard and milk if not allergic to it is heaven on a stomach. The occasional refrigerated Yakult probiotic is good too. Water ice blocks are lovely and cooling too.

No bug will touch you for the first few days after chemo although it doesn't last. Use aeroguard if sitting outside.

Wear dark sunglasses outside and even inside when your eyes go through the sensitive day or two.

Do not let sunlight touch your toenails or fingernails. I wear shoes and gloves. I got white cotton ones from chemist warehouse cheap. Don't do too much with your hands as I found the pressure did make my nails quite sore.

Don't eat fried onions. Heartburn for ages after. Actually the heartburn ended up being something called Gerd. I now have some pills for that although it doesn't completely help its better than nothing.

When every ache hits you at once, get up and pace and massage. It took nearly an hour but it did settle.

Take your own temperature often. Get an idea of what your normal temp is. If its starts rising, keep a close eye on it. 38C and its zoom in to emergency. You have one hour to get an iv antibiotic in to you.

There are cheap dental masks on ebay if you only want a couple of them that aren't fanciful stick out like a sore thumb colours. Look for the moulded nose strip, they are more comfortable. Once I was on the Neulasta injections I no longer needed the mask thing. I just suck an anti bactial strepsils before I go anywhere, that is providing its not in the sore mouth period.

I got a box of disposable surgical gloves from the chemist for handling things like raw chicken when cooking. Can never be too careful.

For those like me who have never encountered constipation in their lives. Movicol is a natural laxative which is safe to use during chemo if required. I asked.

Add to the list. Robertson's Eczema skin repair ointment is great for skin on face and hands as lotions and creams and even chap stik just weren't cutting it. Its a natural product and stays on. Very cooling and you can use it heaps is Fruit of the Earths 100%  aloe vera gel. Don't panic, the skin does recover.

Chemo is very acidic and the stomach doesn't like it so rather than low pH rainwater I drank lots of higher pH town water. It seems to help. I also, once my belly was a bit better had natural cravings for Almonds, Asparagus, Avocado, beetroot and broccoli. As it turns out those are high alkaline foods which my body needs.

Note- keep an eye on your arm for lypmhodema when you take the steroids. I ended up needing a sleeve and hand gauntlet as it would swell as soon as I took the pills. It does go down with massage and exercise though. Not permanent.  Updated after 4th and final chemo.