What has helped you through your journey?

Audio books - when you cant read or watch the television audio books are wonderful.  I downloaded some georgette heyer romance novels and listened to them pre/post surgery and post chemo.  Just the softness of someone reading to you as you drift off, and if you miss it you can always go back.  Have some stronger audio books for when I am knitting etc, just to keep me company when the radio is not capturing my attention.  Again just the pleasure of someone reading to me is relaxing.

Meditation/relaxation cd's - I have found some that really work for me.  Took a few goes but there is a definant difference when I use them.  One is a "boost your immune system" and I feel it is helping me.  I am not sure if it is anicdotal but my bloods are always good when I use the meditation.  Mind over matter perhaps.   Also help me to relax when I am waiting for stuff to happen.  Just when I am alone and feel I need to zone out abit from the cancer worry world.

Looking for a form of massage that will help me later.  Not sure what will be too harsh and what is good?    Also looking for resolution to the early menopause symptoms that just barrel on in. Any thoughts?

Audio books - when you cant read or watch the television audio books are wonderful.  I downloaded some georgette heyer romance novels and listened to them pre/post surgery and post chemo.  Just the softness of someone reading to you as you drift off, and if you miss it you can always go back.  Have some stronger audio books for when I am knitting etc, just to keep me company when the radio is not capturing my attention.  Again just the pleasure of someone reading to me is relaxing.

Meditation/relaxation cd's - I have found some that really work for me.  Took a few goes but there is a definant difference when I use them.  One is a "boost your immune system" and I feel it is helping me.  I am not sure if it is anicdotal but my bloods are always good when I use the meditation.  Mind over matter perhaps.   Also help me to relax when I am waiting for stuff to happen.  Just when I am alone and feel I need to zone out abit from the cancer worry world.

Looking for a form of massage that will help me later.  Not sure what will be too harsh and what is good?    Also looking for resolution to the early menopause symptoms that just barrel on in. Any thoughts?

These are ALL Great ideas...

Anyone got any other things that have helped them through their journey - from diagnosis, waiting, surgery, waiting, scans, waiting, reslutls, waiting, chemotherapy, radiations, hormone therapy, complementary therapies, ANYTHING to do with ANYTHING that has help you and might help someone else (EVEN one person) to make their journey even a Teeny Tiny bit easier.

That is just not fair that the weed killer can do that to us.  BUT if it kills all the bad cells I guess that is all that matters.  Frustrating though when we do everything in our power to save us from getting neutropenia and then you get sick anyway.  I hope you are well now Shaz and definitely on the improve.  I have been lucky so far and I like to think the Neulasta has helped.

Take care sweety

Mich xo

Just the luck of the draw Mich.

There was no specific cause found for my neutropenic septecemia, so there was nighting I could have done to prevent it, it is just waht can happen when you immune system tanks and your neutrophils drop to zero adn all your other white cells drop low too, any germ then can be bad, something your breath or soemthing that has been in your blood or urine etc for year, could just flare up as your system can't hold it in check anylonger.

 

Hi Shaz

It is amazing when you think how particular you are about cleanliness/infections etc. and you still get carted off to hospital you poor thing.  That isn't fair really is it?

Mich xo

Family and friends

My  2 dogs who have become my shadows when I am not well, I can tell when I am getting better as they no longer velcro themselves to me.

My sense of humour

My journal, diary and computer

My juicer - if I cant eat I can drink the juice of all the veges.

Apple cider vinegar, honey, green tea, ginger, coconut rice, fruit and anything stir fry.

Organic home delivery - works out to be no more expensive than the supermarket and delivers to my door weekly.

PJ's - I now live in them.  Have lots of bright colours and multiple sets (10 I think) they are just so comfy when I am at home.

Slippers and slipper sox ( I wear the sox at chemo when my feet get cold)

Caps, night caps, skull caps, beanies etc etc - all colours and styles. The more the merrier.

Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash,  Baby toothbrush, Sorbolene and glycerine cream. Cetaphyl soap

My medical support team at HOCA Mater in Brisbane - super ladies and men

BCNA and all the wonderful people who are expressing their thoughts.

Oh and dare I say, all inane computer games that keep the chemo fog in check, whilst driving me crazy.

 

I have been lucky (touch wood), that I haven't had any mouth ulcers and apart from an issue with my tongue at the first cycle, my mouth has been good.

But I do work on it, I have found to try to keep things under control, and my mouth as safe as possible I do the following:

• I change my toothbrush EVERY cycle of chemo, so every 21 days - I throw my old one out the night before chemo (when i finish brusshing my teeth);
• I use soft manual toothbrushes only (I bought a 6 pack of colgate toothbrushes for $10 at Big W);
• I rinse my toothbrush in hot water before and after use (before use, it helps to soften the brush (and maybe kill off any germs) and after use to rnse and kill off anything from my mouth (hopefully);
• I rinse my mouth everynight after brushing with a solution of 1/2 tsp salt and 1-2 tsp bicarb in HOT tap water, until it dissolves, and then add cold water before using, to make it palatable). I Rinse my mouth, 4-5 times, thoroughly and gargle to kill any upper throat germs 1-2 times, then rinse in cold tap water;
• I do not floss (Dentist said that with chemo and mouth germs you can cause issues, by cutting the gums and letting germies in);
• I also have some tooth moouse that I am supposed to use, whcih helps your teeth re-calcify etc while you sleep (chemo can remove calcium etc from your teeth - according to my dentist anyway). It is VERy easy to use (mine is called GC Tooth Mousse Plus and is Strawberry flavoured (came in lots of flavours), my dentists gave it to me(you brush your teeth like normal, apply a small amount to your teeth, with your finger, leave alone for 3 mins, use your tongue to spread around your whole mouth, leaving it for as long as you can (min 1-2 mins), then you spit out what is left and don't eat or drink or rinse for at least 30 mins DONE) - It says on the pack it contains bio-available calcium, phosphate and fluoride, provides protection for teeth, neutralises bacteria and acid.

* I found a cheapie Ahh bra, so if it gets wrecked or stained or whatever it won't matter - so comfy !

* Telling people what's happening has helped me, then they know what to say (or not as the case may be)

* Asking for help when I have needed it

I'm bound to come back and add more as I travel along ! Thanks.

Keitha

Hi Sam, I haven't seen the ahhhh bra's that do up at the front, where do you buy them from? Love Vicki