Forum Discussion
Sentinel lymph nodes removed - Chemo & Radiation treatment
I have my first appointment with Oncologist next week and I'm writing down any questions that pop into my hear and seeking useful tips from others who can offer suggestions for what helped during day ...
Hi @4Coco there is lots of great advice here - I know some things that were said to me 2 years ago were so incredibly helpful.
Just a couple of things to add -
* fruit tingles are great for freshening up your mouth - it must be the bicarbonate soda in them. I munched my way through many packets.
* do whatever feels ok - strolls, having a smoothie at 2am, lying on the couch - just be kind to yourself.
* don’t wait to see if nausea passes - take the meds. I never was physically ill and I put that down to taking the meds and not letting any feelings of swirling in my stomach escalate.
* I gave over to the process. Like @Afraser I did a bit of counselling at the start - incredibly helpful and really got my head in the game.
* as @Cath62 said, I imagined the chemo as the liquid gold I needed to knock out anything rogue - it really changed my perception of what was happening. I then got on with the business of treatment. Thankfully there is chemotherapy and it is now individually targeted for the best results. Even in the 18 months since I finished treatment, things have changed.
* I bought a little bottle of Biotene spray (mouth moisturiser) and put it in my hand bag if my mouth was dry.
* Tell your treating team if you experience any side effects as they will definitely be able to help, but ‘they don’t know if they don’t know.’
Take care 🌸
Just a couple of things to add -
* fruit tingles are great for freshening up your mouth - it must be the bicarbonate soda in them. I munched my way through many packets.
* do whatever feels ok - strolls, having a smoothie at 2am, lying on the couch - just be kind to yourself.
* don’t wait to see if nausea passes - take the meds. I never was physically ill and I put that down to taking the meds and not letting any feelings of swirling in my stomach escalate.
* I gave over to the process. Like @Afraser I did a bit of counselling at the start - incredibly helpful and really got my head in the game.
* as @Cath62 said, I imagined the chemo as the liquid gold I needed to knock out anything rogue - it really changed my perception of what was happening. I then got on with the business of treatment. Thankfully there is chemotherapy and it is now individually targeted for the best results. Even in the 18 months since I finished treatment, things have changed.
* I bought a little bottle of Biotene spray (mouth moisturiser) and put it in my hand bag if my mouth was dry.
* Tell your treating team if you experience any side effects as they will definitely be able to help, but ‘they don’t know if they don’t know.’
Take care 🌸