What has helped you through your journey?

• A Dietician - (I have been having a bugg3r of a time getting an appointment to see one, and it seems that I had been classed wrong (was told there was a 3 month waiting list) as a low need patient when I am actually a high need patinet due to the chemo and the fact that I have no appetite and a lack of interest in food and have lost a little weight (only a kg or 2 in 7-8 weeks, but supposedly that is NOT a good thing, becasue you tend to lose muscle etc and not fat) I am hoping to hear back soon with a better time, so I can get some help with what to eat and when and supplements etc. ia mslo most likely anaemic. I was told to add High protein milk to my diet (this is normal full cream milk with milk powder added to it (600ml milk & 3/4 cup milk powder) this greatly increases the protein content of milk - I use it in coffee and in cooking and such - the recipe and other can be found in the Cancer counciles booklet "Food and Cancer").
• Listening to my body - OK I know this one sounds like common sense, But... :-) Anyway now when I am tired I sleep, when I am hungry I eat (I also eat when I am not hungry and make sure I eat 3 times a day no matter how much I do NOT want to), If I crave a certain food I eat it and so on and so forth.
• Flannel sheets - So nice and warm and snuggly. It is getting cold here in Canberra with temps down to 1 degree at night already on occasion.
• Disposable gloves - great when cleaning or handling certain things - like raw chicken, doing my doggy clean up duties etc etc
• Antisceptic skin wipes -I use these when EVER I caut a cut, or graze or ANY break in my skin (even a pimple that pops), to help prevent infection (I found great boxes of 20 wipes from my local discount store (1st Care - Antiseptic Cleansing Wipe) from the first aid section).
• Numbing Creams and Patches - I was given EMLA patches and LMX4 cream (and dressings) by my chemo clinic to apply to my port site 1/2 to 1 1/2 hrs before I go in for chemo (1/2 hr for the LMX4 and 1-1/2 hrs for the EMLA) this makes accessing my port totally painless.
• This website - it has helped me with answers and helped me emotionally, knowing that others are going through it or have been there and done that, really does help.
• My local Breast Cancer support groups (Bosom Buddies in Canberra) - they have a buddy program, where someone who was diagnosed around the same age as you, but who has finished treatment (usually at least 2 years ago) makes contact with you, they call, visit, visit you in hospital, helping with helping you get any assistance you might need, or just offering support (they are even police checked <LOL> they haveto be to be part of the hospital visitiing team).
• Meeting local women going through the same thing - especially women around my own age (I'm 41 yrs old). We are even going to meet up next week, for morning tea.
• Make-up - I was never much of a make-up person but after being shown how to use it properly a tthe look Good feel better workshop and since losing my hair, I like to wear a litle make-up when going out now (it also helsp to cover up, when I have a chemo rash on my face - touch cwood this cycle, it hasn't gone to my face).
• The Look Good... Feel Better Workshops - a GREAT morning out. Showing and teaching you how to look after your skin, wear make-up, and abotu wigs, hats and the like too. I truly recommend this to EVERY lady out there going through this journey.
• An eye mask - great for cutting out the light when having a nap during the day, or when sleepign early at night.
• Ear plugs - great for blocking out noise, when napping during the day or at night when partners, kids, or neighbours etc are keeping you awake with noise.

What have others found that have helped them, no matter how large or small or odd. Add them to help others with things that can help them.