Chemo looming

Hello Cis

I juice every morning. Keep in mind that it is only beneficial if you juice then drink it straight away. If you make a whole lot of juice and drink it over a few days, you won't get its full nutritional value.

I have beetroot, carrot, green apples, ginger, kale and turmeric.

Fresh turmeric is hard to come by, well in Melbourne it seems to be. I managed to find a large Asian grocer who has a steady supply.

Turmeric, like beetroot, stains everything so best to use disposable gloves when handling it.

Lisa xx

Donna

Anybody has any tHought /aadvice on juicing raw vege and fruits?

Cis

I love reading your blog with all the tips. Thanks.

Cis

Deanne has given you wonderful advice. I would have written something very similar. I've got a detailed explanation of all the things I did during chemo on my blog. You might find some of it useful http://positive3neg.wordpress.com

If you are having chemo every 21 days, the middle week is the week where your white blood cells ( that fight infection) are at their lowest, so crowded places are risky. I even check that anyone who wants to visit me are not coughing or sneezing. Fruit and vege from the shops are ok, just wash everything thoroughly. It doesn't hurt to be a bit paranoid, an infection while having chemo usually requires a hospital stay. Can't help with advice on hair regrowth as I'm as still without, actually, I still have stubble but fully expect it all to be gone soon. From what I have read on here, it can be inconsistent when it does start growing. Some grow fast, some slow, some unevenly. Luck of the draw it seems. Hope your mind has eased somewhat, all the best, 

Hazel xx

Thankss again.

Sometimes I sit here and say to myself "I can deal with the needles" and it seems to help. It is not that I have never have any needles, with all the scans and blood test, but each time it is a drama. My last blood test took 3 gos, my PET scan was done with a valium etc.....but I still think I can do this.

I am now leaning away from the cool caps as there seems to be some contradictory studies about risk of reducing chemo treatment to the scalp incase some unwanted lurking there. My oncologist says the study shows risk is small with study sample size being small?? I read somewhere else that the risk (small) is the same for those who use and those who dont. I have already have my hair cut short. My hair is already thin and fine but they can grow back, can't they? I dont know...I keep on swinging between the decisions. Anyway...... Anybody have any problems with hair regrowth?

I have been walking about 2.5km each day and sometimes twice a day. Started the walk as soon as diagnosis late november. I like to think it help with my good recovery of my bilateral mastectomy which was about 3 weeks after diagnosis. So I hope to continue and able to walk during chemo.

I am also trying to eat healthily and cutting down on salt and sugar, not that I eat that much of it anyway. My normal diet is already pretty ok I think.

Any experience with going out? For example food shopping in supermarkets etc. I mean precautions about crowds. Also, what about buying food from supermarket open trays eg. Fruits and vegetable. Anybody have any problems with that? Perhaps I am getting paraniod.

It is good to hear all your experiences through chemo. At least I can be a little prepared but do realise it is individual experience.

Thanks so much.......

Cis 

Hi there,

Welcome to this wonderful forum.  I am having the same treatment as you and I am at day 13 post 1st round of FEC.  The anticipation is far worse than the actual chemo treatment.  Once I got started I found it to be a non event.  The needle hardly hurt at all and the nurses really do look after you.  Basically you just sit there waiting for it to be finished.  I found the first three days were fine and then through to day 9 I was very fatigued and quite sad etc. That is the only side effect I have had.  I have walked every day for 45 mins but reduced to half an hour on the worste days.  I also find if I have hospital appointments etc  I don't walk as far - I budget my energy.  My appetite has stayed exactly the same and I still eat the same meals as the rest of the family.

It is really hard not to be scared but I can honestly say ou will find it to be anticlimactic.  I too had a little breakdown on first day.  I had a rather long wait to be seen and I worked myself into a very anxious state.  I also was there by myself which wasn't such a good idea.  My husband is self employed and I would have found his fidgetting and boredom stressful so I opted to go it alone. 

Great news that your pancreas is clear.  I wish you all the very best with your 1st round and look forward to hearing how it all goes.

Big hugs 

Joy xx

Hi.

I am not a fan of needles but you will get used to them.

After my first chemo session, I felt terrible for about a week. But because I had the neulasta injections after the 2nd and 3rd chemo sessions, I pulled up so much better. The only side effect I had with one of the neulasta injections was an extremely sore back one night. I just took panadol and neurofen together and put a heat pack on my back and I got instant relief and it never returned.

My husband gives me the neulasta injections and we have had no problems.

Be strong and good luck xxx

Hi.

I am not a fan of needles but you will get used to them.

After my first chemo session, I felt terrible for about a week. But because I had the neulasta injections after the 2nd and 3rd chemo sessions, I pulled up so much better. The only side effect I had with one of the neulasta injections was an extremely sore back one night. I just took panadol and neurofen together and put a heat pack on my back and I got instant relief and it never returned.

My husband gives me the neulasta injections and we have had no problems.

Be strong and good luck xxx