Sentinel lymph nodes removed - Chemo & Radiation treatment

Hi @4Coco

I didn’t do much that was special. I did gargle regularly with salt water to avoid mouth ulcers. My chemo
nurse said it was better to do it twice daily always, than try for four times a day and fail. So twice daily it was and no ulcers. 

I didn’t have nausea and stopped taking any anti-nausea medication after my first four A/C infusions. Promised my oncologist I wouldn’t blame him if I was sick and I wasn’t! But suffering unnecessarily is mad - if you need it, take it.

I didn’t shave my head but had my hair cut very, very short when I started chemo and wore a cotton cap in bed. The cap was soothing on my head, which felt like it was sunburned for a week or two, and also caught lots of small hairs that I could empty out next morning! Most people find losing hanks of hair distressing, so best avoided. 

I did go to a counsellor - not for long but it was immensely useful. I wasn’t depressed about cancer or my treatment, but with a few possibly lifelong side effects, I wasn’t sure - should I continue as I was (I worked full time through treatment), should I be ‘taking things easy’ or what? She guided me through my ‘normal’ life - cancer is an almost perfect time to consider how much of your normal life you want to rush back to! Most of mine I did, but there was room for improvement and I’ve been improving things ever since. Stayed working, took on a new challenge, studied more. 

Everyone finds their own pace for treatment (didn’t have radiation so can’t comment on that) and finding what’s right for you is the not very secret secret! Best wishes. 

Hi @4Coco,

Chemo tips from me include:
# drink lots of water a couple days before and after
# some exercise even on treatment day
# juice of beetroot, celery, carrot, apple and ginger which is helpful for the liver (chemo drugs are hard on the liver). Have this a couple days either side of treatment 
# try meditation or mindfulness 
# ask for help at home 
# accept help if it is offered
# take any anti nausea tablets if needed
# eat healthy but if things taste funny eat what works for you
# if not using a cold cap shave your head before day 17 after the first chemo as it is distressing to watch it all fall out
# look after your skin as chemo is drying. I used moogoo which is no chemicals 
# really take care of your oral hygiene to avoid mouth ulcers. I used floss after every meal and my breast care nurse recommended mouth gargle with salty water after every meal. I religiously did this and never got a mouth ulcers
# try thinking that chemo is a golden light that only treats the cancer cells and doesn't impact anything else.
# speak up to your oncologist or breast care nurse about any adverse reactions 
# bring a mobile or book or something to occupy you during chemo sessions 
# seek counselling if needed
# be kind to yourself, rest as you need and don't even try to be superwoman 

For radium 
# drink lots water and eat good healthy food 
# exercise and meditation or mindfulness 
# have soft fabric even a boob tube or a camisole if you can't wear a bra
#use recommended moisturiser tge breast care nurse suggests 
# ask for mepilex. It is like a second skin on the radiated area and seriously helps reduce redness 
# speak up to your medical team if issues
#rest
#let others help you at home if they offer 

These things really helped me. We are all different so there may be others who have advice too. Best wishes to you x