Chemo this week

Sounds like you have some good behaviour strategies in place Amanda. I love the idea of the pandora bracelet & what a great memento of your journey. it will give you something to look forward to after each chemo treatment.

Loretta xx

Thank you for the tips - they are all helpful.  

The difficult thing with the children is we have all of our family interstate, so my Mum is coming to stay with us for a week - 10 days with each treatment to help out as my husband works quite long hours and while his work is flexible, I thinkit is important for him to maintain as much of that as he can too. Usually he travels a lot also which has been pretty much halted for the time being.  

I have lists for the kids and routines that we are trying to follow.  The girls are 6 and 9 and pretty good usually - they are more emotive about what we are going through whereas my 4 year old son has become quite obsessional about his food preparation in particular but also who helps him with things like getting dressed, bathing etc...  He is very unhappy with my Mum being around so much and helping with school pickups and the like while my mum just wants to help - its all a little soul destroying at times.  

We have put a chart together for each of them to reward positive behaviour so hopefully that will help somewhat too.  

I bought a wig today and put in on for the kids this afternoon and it took them a few moments to notice so I guess that is a good sign.  I don't expect to wear it too much and I also bought a headband that should cover my whole head and keep it warm as it cools down here.  Mum  bought me a range of scarves from the site you mentioned Tonya and they are beautiful - I just need a little more movement in my arm to get to tie them up at the back.  

I bought myself a few of the supplies you mentioned today - I love Ginger beer - wonder if that will be any good?  I think am nearly ready to get going with this thing and get started - Mum bought me a Pandora bracelet the other day - i had the idea that I would mark off each treatment milestone with a charm.  I started with a peridot for my birthstone, a pink stone as I'm a "girl", a bought the pink ribbon charm to symbolise my diagnosis and a tree of life charm for my surgery as this will save my life.  Already it means a lot to wear it. 

I think we will talk through the routine thing a little more with the family and hopefully the house will run a little smoother. 

Thank you. :-)

Thank you for the tips - they are all helpful.  

The difficult thing with the children is we have all of our family interstate, so my Mum is coming to stay with us for a week - 10 days with each treatment to help out as my husband works quite long hours and while his work is flexible, I thinkit is important for him to maintain as much of that as he can too. Usually he travels a lot also which has been pretty much halted for the time being.  

I have lists for the kids and routines that we are trying to follow.  The girls are 6 and 9 and pretty good usually - they are more emotive about what we are going through whereas my 4 year old son has become quite obsessional about his food preparation in particular but also who helps him with things like getting dressed, bathing etc...  He is very unhappy with my Mum being around so much and helping with school pickups and the like while my mum just wants to help - its all a little soul destroying at times.  

We have put a chart together for each of them to reward positive behaviour so hopefully that will help somewhat too.  

I bought a wig today and put in on for the kids this afternoon and it took them a few moments to notice so I guess that is a good sign.  I don't expect to wear it too much and I also bought a headband that should cover my whole head and keep it warm as it cools down here.  Mum  bought me a range of scarves from the site you mentioned Tonya and they are beautiful - I just need a little more movement in my arm to get to tie them up at the back.  

I bought myself a few of the supplies you mentioned today - I love Ginger beer - wonder if that will be any good?  I think am nearly ready to get going with this thing and get started - Mum bought me a Pandora bracelet the other day - i had the idea that I would mark off each treatment milestone with a charm.  I started with a peridot for my birthstone, a pink stone as I'm a "girl", a bought the pink ribbon charm to symbolise my diagnosis and a tree of life charm for my surgery as this will save my life.  Already it means a lot to wear it. 

I think we will talk through the routine thing a little more with the family and hopefully the house will run a little smoother. 

Thank you. :-)

Hi Amanda, I have used a lot of the things that Tonya mentioned. You just don't know what your going to feel like eating & yes your tastes sure do change! I also found Ginger ale was good & something different to water. I put a slice of lemon in with my water to change the taste. I am back to my normal eating habits except that I don't crave chocolate anymore! I have purchased some nice headcovers from the site Tonya metioned & a wig from the wig place at my cancer centre. I am now just waiting for my hair to start falling out, not sure how I will react to that happening! As a childcare worker I would say to try and keep to the same routine you have in place for behaviour issues. This may be hard but in the long run it will be better for all of you.

Wishing you all the best.

Loretta xx

Amanda,you don't have to be too brave.If you are anxious when you get to hospital ask for something to calm you done.If it's one thing I've learnt about  this journey is that your emotions can be unpredictable.I would surprise myself sometimes and be so strong and then blubber about a small thing. I would say stock your kitchen with tins of vegie soup,lemon cordial,lemonaide iceblocks, crackers,panadol,nulax or senakot.That's about all I felt like eating.I went off tea,coffee and chocolate,my favourites.There is a great american website that you can order all sorts of head gear and wigs.It's cheap and they deliver to your door-  www.headcovers.org I spent alot on a wig and I hardly wore it-too hot ,too fake etc.I mostly got around in soft cotton bandanas,scarves and caps/hats. I had about 3 looks -washerwoman,gypsy girl,sailor girl! I'm sure you'll find what's comfortable for you.

With kids I find it best to try and keep their routines in place and the usual rules.They feel safer that way.But I also think you should make yourself priority and let hubby deal with the kids.You will need lots of rest when the chemo  truck flattens you for a few days .(4 or 5)?.You'll need to slacken off with housework etc.Having takeaway,not bathing,wearing grubby clothes won't really bother your kids.Try and let it go abit.

Best wishes for an easy time of it-you can but only hope.

                                                    luv Tonya xx

Amanda,you don't have to be too brave.If you are anxious when you get to hospital ask for something to calm you done.If it's one thing I've learnt about  this journey is that your emotions can be unpredictable.I would surprise myself sometimes and be so strong and then blubber about a small thing. I would say stock your kitchen with tins of vegie soup,lemon cordial,lemonaide iceblocks, crackers,panadol,nulax or senakot.That's about all I felt like eating.I went off tea,coffee and chocolate,my favourites.There is a great american website that you can order all sorts of head gear and wigs.It's cheap and they deliver to your door-  www.headcovers.org I spent alot on a wig and I hardly wore it-too hot ,too fake etc.I mostly got around in soft cotton bandanas,scarves and caps/hats. I had about 3 looks -washerwoman,gypsy girl,sailor girl! I'm sure you'll find what's comfortable for you.

With kids I find it best to try and keep their routines in place and the usual rules.They feel safer that way.But I also think you should make yourself priority and let hubby deal with the kids.You will need lots of rest when the chemo  truck flattens you for a few days .(4 or 5)?.You'll need to slacken off with housework etc.Having takeaway,not bathing,wearing grubby clothes won't really bother your kids.Try and let it go abit.

Best wishes for an easy time of it-you can but only hope.

                                                    luv Tonya xx