What has helped you through your journey?

Grocery shopping on line. They deliver it to your kitchen. The only thing you need is energy to put it away

• A terry towelling dressing gown - when I have my shower now, instead of drying myself with a towel, I simply put my dressing gown on (dry my feet & legs to the knee & wipe my "hair" with a towel) and then get on with other things - It is GREAT when fatigued eetc and also makes sure you aren't too rough onyour skin or anything. it works AMAZINGLY well. I wouldn't do it ANY other way now.
• And if you can't dry your feet (or are having troubles etc) then try this trick that I was taught after my2nd knee reconstruction - grab a hair dryer and put the setting on Low and use this to dry your feet and legs etc - Being VERY careful NOT to burn yourself - especially if you have numbness, tingles, lack of sensation or anythign like that in your feet.
• Sorbolene & Glycerine moisutriser - I slather my body with this after my shower, to keep my skin soft and supple and prevent dryness etc and it helps my chemo rash too (I seem to get ared a red spotty rash after chemo - sort of look like little red pimples of something).
• A beanie/ Sleep cap - it is getting cold here now in Canberra and with my lack of hair (not totally bald yet, but close) I get a cold head at night sometimes. I got a free sleep cap from the LOVELY people at Heads Up @ Calvary (well 2 actually a thin cotton one and a thicker one, I wear the thicker one ALL the time - day and night, at home and out, it is VERY comfortable and warm. I also wear polar fleece beanies when out - Nice and toasty warm.

*My fantastic, beautiful family. Husband is being funny and so supportive. He makes me laugh when I am a "bumbling mess". And my two courageous boys helping out with washing, cleaning (ever seen an 11 year old try and vaccuum... so cute),cooking (12 year old thinks he belongs on Master Chef), and other chores. Love them to death..XX

* My mum, who is coming to stay with us for a while from Adelaide. We live in Brisbane. She will be such a joy to have here.

* The fantastic ladies on this website, for the encouraging and courageous blogs they write. I truly love you all XX

Dont fill the kettle with too much water, it makes it too heavy and is dangerous

hi all well l would have to say putting things kitchen wise down to were l could reach them as only 5foot 1inche the cupboards on the best of days are high so after op on right side for breast cancer this was a big help .

making sure that someone undid lids or the milk for me when l first started getting use to my left hand three ltre milk full is very hard to lift in the early days and being pigheaded (me)  l spilt the milk many times  even now if my right side is sore or weak l tend to drop spill things.

also having plenty of ice in the freezer nice and refreshing,  and a bucket for my feet in the hot flush s cold water and ice fantastic cant get enough of it

• "Finding" and connecting with other like minded beautiful people who are on the same journey
• having wonderful support organisations like BCNA to empower me to be ME and allow me to be FREE

XLeonie