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
Removing sugar from my diet stopped Thrush.
Using panty liners to protect my op site under my arm! The pillow, I used after my 3 FEC Chemo hits that flaired up the op site and the porta.
Breville Juicer and Smoothies.
Chewing food slowly, small meal portions.
Bi Carb soda, change toothbrush, Biotene mouth rinse.
No red meat, natural diet, fresh fruits and veg galour.
A husband that loves me and did step up as my nurse after all. Shame is isnt is great with the housework, but hes still great!
I had oral thrush first round and the Nilstate 4 xs a day tastes like bad bananas. By the time I got rid of the thrush, I was gagging. I was determined not to have it again. I also had any bacterial eye infection. I totally removed sugar treats or anything I didnt prepare myself and stuck to fruit, veg etc, no honey, no sugar, fish, chicken, eggs, rice etc Guess what - NO THRUSH. Drinking water non stop is vital especially the day you have Chemo. Reading the all the My Journey info, keeping Diaries, learning about food and nutrition again, stretches, using the Pilates DVD, walks. Basically turning into an angel - and biggest one "No wine". (I remind myself its not forever). The BCNA Website, my new friends Ive made via BCNA. My Breast Care Nurse and regional nurse and any-one Ive cried to over the phone, ( only once!). Biotene mouth wash, new toothbrushes, bi-carb, Inner Health Plus twice a day = Immune Booster, Oh, and yes, Coloxy and Senna, how about the Constipation and Im behaving!!!!!! Books and DVD's. Did I mention my sense of humour when it comes back on Day 10?
I must admit I didn't hate it, I just never wanted to wear it. I too was/am a blue person, so now when I make us a new quilt it does have some pink and purple in it, but still is predominantly blue. Pink now has a special meaning. Cheers, Elayne
How many others of us out there.. that hated or disliked Pink before getting BC.... now it's 'my colour'.... I use to hate it... considered mself a 'blue' person... now I'm all Pink..
pink sigh....
Trina
How many others of us out there.. that hated or disliked Pink before getting BC.... now it's 'my colour'.... I use to hate it... considered mself a 'blue' person... now I'm all Pink..
pink sigh....
Trina
This sure is a great thread.
One of the things that helped me during my chemo was to keep a diary/journal. All the emotions were poured onto the pages. Each day of how I was feeling, physically and mentally. It was good to look back a few times to see how I was feeling at the same time in the previous month. It helped me when I thought I should be feeling better than I did, only to find that I had felt the same way at the same time last month. My memory got a bit muddled at times. We called it Chemo Brain.
It can be a bit overwhelming to see all of the possible side effects, but as someone else said, we don't get all of them, just some of them.
I had a choice of whether or not to have chemo. As far as the Drs thought, they had got everything. The chemo was just an insurance policy. It took me 2 weeks to decide to go ahead with it. At least this way I know that I have done everything to kill off any hidden suckers that hadn't shown their faces yet.
The most exciting thing for me (apart from being able to really taste food again) was noticing two months after the final treatment a shadow appear on my head, on closer inspection, lo and behold, it was hair.
Keep us informed of your progress and if we can help you on your journey we will be here for you.
I also haven't been a great fan of pink, however I too wear it now and get complemented on good I look in pink. Hmmmm oh well maybe it isn't so bad after all.
Happy 2013 to all.
Elayne
