Moo goo cream for radiation.
Received a big bottle of Moo goo cream for Christmas and when I started chemo received a gift from the chemo company which included a tube of the same cream. I was given Sorbelene by the radiotherapy nurse but I found the thick consistency of it unpleasant to smear over my breast. So I used up all my moo goo which had the ok from radiology. By chance I found the makers of Moo Goo do an oncology care pack for $40. It arrived within 5 days. It had my cream, milk shower wash for the shower, socks, and samples of tinted moisteriser. It was definitely value for money. They also do it as a gift package if you want to send it to someone.
Cardiomyopathy and chemo ...... a serious condition to be aware of
I do NOT want to scare anyone - but this is a very real condition that may affect some who've been thru chemo - and is something to be aware of, particularly if you start getting a dry hacking cough or chest pain. It usually affects 'older' people .... but everyone just needs to be aware. My friend couldn't recall what chemo regime she'd been on .... so it may NOT relate to all chemo regimes - and it took some years before she was aware she had a problem. I had my hair cut yesterday - no big deal - my hair dresser (who was diagnosed with BC over 5 years ago and was running the Look good, feel better program) was really surprised when I told her earlier in the year that I had 'Joined the Club' .....she said 'Golf Club?' So she was gobsmacked when I said, 'No, the Breast Cancer Club'. Since then, we'd chat every time I went in for a cut ...... Yesterday, she stunned me when she said that she had had a heart attack & been in ICU for a number of days & in hospital for another week or more - and that it was the BC chemo that had caused it! She has about 20% of the 'pumping side' of her heart that has basically died (pushing her blood out of her heart - so a very reduced flow) - and there is no cure - just a heart transplant if it gets 'bad enough'. She had a massive amount of fluid in her lungs that needed to be drained - which caused pain with every breath. She has to weigh herself regularly now - as increased weight can indicate the fluid buildup in her lungs again. She also developed a really dry hacking cough. She was incredibly uncomfortable sleeping at night - even sleeping sitting up supported by pillows didn't help ... and was having strong chest pains. She presented to Emergency at Taree Hospital & after a couple of days there was sent to John Hunter Hospital at Newcastle, where further tests confirmed 'Non Systemic Cardiomyopathy'. She is coping 'ok' at the moment ... and I just hope that things don't deteriorate :( Take care - and just be aware! xx
Discoloured Nails
Hi all, Just after some advice regarding discoloured nails due to the effects of Chemo. I have heard that either painting your nails with a dark colour can help, especially protecting them from the sunlight or just painting them with a clear moisturising varnish. Not sure which path to go down, any advice is much appreciated. Thanks x
Shaving head to bald - do I go to a barber?
Hi ladies, Just diagnosed with BC early May and have done 3 out of 4 chemo sessions. I have a tiny bit of grey hair left all over but wanted to maybe shave it all off completely by going to a barber (so having a shiny completely bald head). Anyone else done this? Would love to hear from you. Thanks Kerrie x
Immunity Boosters
@Flaneuse @viking1 @arpie I thought this topic deserved its own thread! A discussion on another thread has got me thinking about my immune system as well as the characters above. I've been concentrating on my gut as research is increasingly showing that gut health rules the health of so many other areas of the body, including the brain. And boy does my brain need help after the last few years! I might add some immunity boosters into the mix to bolster my post-chemo system as we start winter. Probably all the drugs I had with the BMX & recon haven't helped either. I eat really healthily, but what would you warrior womyn suggest?! What has worked for you?Flu shot
I have just been to visit my G.P. for my X-geva injection. She wants me to check with my oncologist whether I should have a flu injection or not. I am on Capecitabine. I don't usually have a flu injection, even though I used to work in a large public hospital, because one of my co-workers nearly died from respiratory failure after a flu injection. What do others think?
Dental work while having Chemo treatment
In February I was diagnosed with Early Stages Her 2 + Estrogen + cancer. I have 6 months of chemo, radiation, Hercepton and Hormone therapy ahead of me. I have already had my first 2 three weekly cycles of chemo and have a tooth that is cracked and needs to come out but the dental surgeon said he needs to cut into my jaw :( My oncologist has said he would really like me to baby it through till after my chemo finishes but it is starting to bother me. I was wondering if anyone else on here has has dental issues.
stomach always upset
Hi, I was recently diagosed with a triple neg stage 3 cancer. Successfully removed with clear margins, but pathology showed, particularly aggressive. Just had first 2 chemo treatments of doxyrubicin/cyclophosphamide, having 4 fortnightly sessions, followed by 12 weekly sessions of paclitaxel. Then 3 months of radiation therapy. Finding that I have a multitude of side effects, but the one that is causing me the most trouble is my stomach. I take a daily pantoproprazole tab for reflux, and often an anti nausea tab as well. I find that I either have no appetite because my stomach just feels gross all the time, or I am then starving, and feel like my stomach is eating itself. I try to eat small amounts frequently, but the symptoms never let up. I've tried various foods, but wondering if anyone has found anything in particular to ease that "unwell" feeling. I have read so much contradicting information about what to eat and what to avoid, that my head is in a spin.
