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
Hi Tania
Isn't it lovely when some one just surprises you with a lovely gift. And champagne at that..... nice.
Great to have hit a milestone finally, and to have a little reward to celebrate.
Only have 4 more chemos to go... that light at the end of the tunnel is approaching. Then radiation.
It must have been scary to have had an anphilatcic reation. What did the nurses do? Atleast you are alright now.
Anyway enjoy that beautiful bottle of "bubbly" with some chocolate me thinks.... :)
Love Julie XX
I also have found strangers to be wonderful.
I walk around bald, indoors most of the time and I rarely get stared at, and have had cancer survivors come up to me to tell me it is OK, youcan get through it, they are ..... years cancer free.
I took cupcakes for everyone at chemo on my last day (even though I still go every 21 days for my Herceptin, my actual chemo was over) and I also took a container of mixed dried fruit and nuts for those who were watching there diets as some patients do (not everyone at our chemo clinic is on chemo, some come for blood transfusions etc as well, and there are those who like me have Herceptin and are over the actual chemo), I am not one of them :o) I eat whatever my body is interested in as my appetite is still poor.
A few people have thought I have shaved my head for the shave for a cure thingy and have asked me and I have just laughed and said no they shaved there heads for me :o), It is a chemo style :o)
What a lovely man to give you the champage, and you obviously put his mind at rest seeing you have your reaction to know that if it happened it could be dealt with and off you go. Were you able to continue with that drug after an anaphylactic reaction odid you have to go onto a different drug?
Tamoxifen is used to treat estrogen positive breast cancer (BC), there is another med that is used to treat progesterone positive BC.
Tamoxifen is a single tablet once a day and this slows or stops the bodies production of estrogen starving the tumour and helping to prevent any returning or the chance of mets/ secondaries.
I started on the Tamoxifen last night, I don't need the progesterone med becasue I am ER+ but PR- and am continuing on with my Herceptin (had my 1st solo herceptin on Monday) as I am also HER2 +.
- Wow what a nice old man, that's wonderful and it can really lift your spirits too. I'm having my next lot of FEC Monday. Was just starting to feel normal again, bald and fat but normal lol.
Is a hormone therapy drug that blocks the activity of oestrogen in the breast by binding to the cells to reduce the change of cancer returning.
I am absolutely blown away by strangers Vicki.
My girlfriend threw me a "Hair Raiser" fundraiser. One of my best mates pulled me aside to tell me she put $100 in the pink bucket from her brother in-law's Mother in-law. Hope that makes sense?? Anyway...I have never met her. Amazing
An ole fella I sat with when having chemo bought me a bottle of French Champagne "Verve Clique" on my last chemo. He wanted to wish me well as he had witnessed me having an anphilatcic reation to chemo on my second round and said it helped him. Showed him what would happen if he was allergic to chemo too.
I am sitting here recovering from more surgery trying to remember other random acts of kindness from strangers that I have experienced and for the life of me cant think of any. But there are many many more.
It gives me amazing amounts of hope and appreciation of life!
Hope you are travelling well
Tania xx
Tamoxifen is used for oestrogen receptive breast cancers. Arimidex and Femara are also used. They stop the oestrogen in your body in different ways, so cancer cells that have oestrogen receptors don't grow.
A simple and I hope accurate answer!!
Diane
- What is getting me through: Chewing gum for that horrible taste Genie bra's Elastic waisted pants Beautiful hats and scalves Hydrosol cream- to stop my scalp itching Positive friends that encourage me, listen and make me laugh. Getting rid of the one's that weren't really my friend- life is to short to waste my time on people that don't matter Needless to say - family, kids, husband And my trust doggy Henry. I swear he knows something is going on. Comfort food The kindness of strangers who tell me I look well or they like my hat or make me laugh..
- What is Tamoxofin used for? I read above what Herceptin is used for, that doesn't apply to me as I'm HER 2 negative but progesterone and estrogen positive. Please excuse me if I've spelt these wrong.....
Hey Shaz
Do you get side effects with the Herceptin like with chemo??
Worse thing for me so far with Tamoxofin in constant ongoing hot flushes and sweating.
You and your chemo crew will be best friends by the time you finish with them :-)
Are you going to the conference?
Take care, keep on trucking.
LOL
Mich xoxoxo
