Things you wish you had know!
Hi, I am Shelli,
For those that don't know me I am 39, stage 4 bi-lateral breast cancer with mets to the bones. Fun hey! Not really. I have just been though 6 rounds of Dotax, Herceptin and Perjeta...
Forum Discussion
Wish I'd read all this before chemo. And yes the Claratine...
More info on the dexies and emend before you get the side effects is the big one!!! 1st chemo(AC) most of my probs were from these - 2nd chemo thought Doc said I could cut dexies, so I did - in big trouble next chemo, no no take them just reduced dose!!! Side effects HEADACHES, sudden big ones, sleeplessness, HUNGER, miseries.
Constipation - For me I think caused by the dryness. Cutting out my porridge and amping up the water and fruit and lots of dates (yum) helped me.
Don't overdo the mouth hygene, for me 2 mouth washes with bicarb in morn and 2 salt washes in avo helped, anymore seemed to make it worse. Biotene toothpaste and gum were great though.
If the dry eyes and nose (ie they constantly run, yes like a tap) steam (over the pot of boiling water with a towel) relieved me, for a little while. Wash your face often (the salty moisture dries and becomes crusty) paw paw cream to stop chaffing, stuff the tissues put a roll of toilet paper in your bag it doesn;t cause as many rashes and those little bags of tissues didn't last one day!!
Listen to your body, I didn't realise for ages that the sore mouth was partly from the foods I was eating (toast, crackers, bread) Soft foods eased it a lot. And its not just your mouth, its your throat. I couldn't eat anything pepperminty (just about blew my head off). But I ate lots of salt!!!
The AC chemo I really breazed through (looking back) minimal nausea, tiredness etc. 2nd and 3rd week back close to normal. Then came the dox/hercepton. Oh my god ! Loved those dexies, would of taken more if doc had let me. Have painkillers on hand - strong ones.
Complain a bit more to doc if your feeling really bad. Chemo 7 & 8, I was bombed, no recovery time. So tired (slept 15 - 18 hrs daily) and so cold. Ended up I had thyroid probs (new), count should of been 4-5, mine was 97.... Could of saved a lot of heartache.
As we've all read there is a funny side to all this, you'll see it its coming.
Pam
PS Good points no hairdresser, waxing, shaving, bad hair days. Most people are really nice to you, xtra attention in shops restuarants. And pretty colored lights to watch at night when you can't sleep!!!