Forum Discussion
What has helped you through your journey?
I thought I would start a post to see what has helped people through their journey, so that maybe something might help others.
I will start with:
- Ahh Bra Type tops - I found these great post op and still now, they are comfortable, and great.
- Calypo Icy poles (the mini ones) - I have found these great for my VERY sore tongue.
- Mini spray perfume - I got one of these for my Mum who was VERY self conscious after her chemo made going to the toilet smelly, She used it as a toilet spray when out. As was recommened on another post - (DO NOT use your favourite perfume smell, just buy a cheap one you can stand the smell of. If needed).
- Waterless Hand Sanitiser - I use this all the time when out. I try to keep my hands as clean as possible.
- Vitamin E liquid capsules - I use these on my scars, simply pierce one capsule and rub the contents on yuor scars (once they have healed of course), it works great, and is VERY low allergy.
So there is my first couple of contributions, I hope one or more helps somebody else, and I hope other will add too.
107 Replies
Thanx everyone...
Herceptin is because my tumour was HER2 positive, this is a "gene" that makes the cancer more aggressive, the Herceptin turns it off. It is given IV every 21 days for a year, so I have another 9 months of going to the chemo clinic every 3 weeks still but only for the Herceptin, so doesn't take so long (This is why I got a port-a-cath put in).
I start Tamoxifen this week.
Not having radiotherapy as for me with my family and personal medical history the risks outweigh the benefits and I am in a grey zone anyway (they do radiotherapy if you have a 20% calculated risk of it coming back, my risk is 15% - this is what the radiation oncologist told me), I see the radiation oncologist again on 16th August just to make sure this is the way we are going.
I had been wondering about the Genie bras also and now I think I will be getting me some. I like the idea of the pockets for my prothesis which the Ahh Bra and the Target bras don't have. Thankyou for your insight and comment it has been appreciated.
ElayneHi Shaz, Chemo over is the best thing we are told. Well done. I had been warned that the effects of chemo were cumulative but I still didn't believe it. I was wrong. It seems to take a bit longer to get over the last chemo for some reason, even reminding ourselves that is is finished and we don't have to go through any more doesn't seem to stop some depression and feeling foul, but I firmly believe that it will get better (at least I keep telling myself that)
I also finished my chemo a week ago so am going through the foul taste and sore tongue, but I keep telling myself that next week I will start to feel human again. I just hope that I'm not lying to myself.
I wish you well with your Herceptin, which is something that I don't need and couldn't have anyway because I already have a heart condition to deal with. My next is hormone therapy but I am being given a 6 week rest before discussing that.
I hope that all goes well for you in the future.
Elayne
Glad to hear some of you have finished chemo or chemo & radio or like me Chemo, radio & 1 year of Herceptin. The chemo symptoms disappear gradually. My oncologist said double or was it treble your treatment time as a guide to when you'll be over the symptoms like chemo brain.
Just not having to have 3 weekly or daily treatments and scans etc is such a relief. 6 years on I still dread the annual checkups. Booked my bone Density test today( Arimidex side effect) and found have to wait till October to see the Oncologist not next week as previously.
All the best for the future grandmas - I have to wait a while as my married son has a wife who is studying then she'll work while he goes back to study.
Carol
Glad to hear some of you have finished chemo or chemo & radio or like me Chemo, radio & 1 year of Herceptin. The chemo symptoms disappear gradually. My oncologist said double or was it treble your treatment time as a guide to when you'll be over the symptoms like chemo brain.
Just not having to have 3 weekly or daily treatments and scans etc is such a relief. 6 years on I still dread the annual checkups. Booked my bone Density test today( Arimidex side effect) and found have to wait till October to see the Oncologist not next week as previously.
All the best for the future grandmas - I have to wait a while as my married son has a wife who is studying then she'll work while he goes back to study.
Carol
- Hey there , just bought a pack of 3 genie type bras from target today $25 with 20% off. Very comfortable. Big sale on. Donna xx
- Totally agree with Louise! I bought the genie bras because they have pockets for inserts. You can carefully cut the pocket seams at the side of the bra with scissors, to make the opening longer. Then you can slip your prosthesis in through that opening easily and you will have the most comfortable mastectomy bra ever!
- Totally agree with Louise! I bought the genie bras because they have pockets for inserts. You can carefully cut the pocket seams at the side of the bra with scissors, to make the opening longer. Then you can slip your prosthesis in through that opening easily and you will have the most comfortable mastectomy bra ever!
- For anyone out there having a lumectomy, you can't go past the Ahh Bra, 3 for $20 online. Good to wear a few at a time for support, even in the shower. Easy to wash and quick to dry. Cheers Louie
- For anyone out there having a lumectomy, you can't go past the Ahh Bra, 3 for $20 online. Good to wear a few at a time for support, even in the shower. Easy to wash and quick to dry. Cheers Louie
