Best skin repair products for chemo and radiotherapy
A friend of mine bought me some Rich Glen Olive balm as part of a lovely Chemo care pack. My hands and nails held up so well during AC does dense and 12 rounds of taxol chemotherapy. I also used this undergoing radiotherapy to both breasts along with Moo Goo Soothing cream and my care team were amazed even with double dose of radio I had no burns no blisters and minimal redness. Links below if you want to add them to your kit... https://moogoo.com.au/collections/moisturise/products/soothing-msm-moisturiser https://richglenoliveoil.com/collections/body/products/rough-hand-balm-100gm
Scalp cooling - should I stop, done 11 chemos and 5 to go
Hi BCNA community, Thanks for all the helpful advice re scalp cooling. It helped me decide to start and perserve with it this year. I've done 11 chemos (4 x AC and 7 x Taxol) with 5 Taxols to go. At my last chemo the nurse sat me down for a quiet chat and said they were reluctant to continue with scalp cooling as I've lost over 50 percent of my hair (their advice is not to continue after this much loss as I could burn my scalp). Thanks to advice on here, I've been using gauze over any spots that are thin so I haven't burned my scalp (they did warn me about the burning about 6 chemos ago but I've been fine with gauze). It looks like I'm getting some regrowth now too, a few mms in some areas and mostly grey. My questions are: 1. Should I persist with scalp cooling if I'm getting regrowth during Taxol, is it regrowing only because I'm doing scalp cooling? 2. Has anyone actually had experience with scalp burning while using gauze for any thin areas? How bad is the burning? 3. If I am getting some regrowth surely I have more coverage to enable me to continue with scalp cooling? I do feel the nurses find it a bit of a hassle (not many people seem to use it at my day treatment unit) but at the end of the day they are willing to support my choice as long as I understand the risks. Also, I've kept enough hair that I generally wear hats out and about as I have enough wispy hair that makes me feel more confident. However I do pop on a wig if I am on a work call or going out in the evenings. Thanks!
Onycholysis - lifting of my fingernails from the nail bed
Hello everyone, After congratulating myself for making it through 3 months of AC then all 12 doses of Taxol over another 3 months, I thought I was done with chemo side effects. However, Taxol seems to be the gift that keeps giving. In the days following my last dose (which hit me harder than the others), my fingernails started to lift off the nail bed, and now a week later, they have lifted three-quarters of the way down each one. My fingers are sore and throbbing. I can feel my heart beating in my fingertips! It is painful to straighten my fingers, or when I brush against anything with the backs of my fingers. It is even sore to gently type with the pads of my fingers. My nails are cut as short as they can be, but it doesn't help. Has anyone else experience this, and what did you do for the pain and to prevent infection? How long did it take for your nails to heal? I would welcome all tips!
Exercise and Taxol
Hey Ladies. I've finished the dreaded AC and starting taxol today. I've been walking a lot during the whole process with some light workouts but want to get back to my usual fitness stuff. Maybe not so heavy but definitely hiking. How has everyone else coped with working out or whatever was manageable?
TNBC Response concern
Hi Ladies, I have been diagnosed with tnbc and commenced treatment back in august. I am almost half way through taxol and saw my oncologist today. She is a bit concerned about the tumor size (it is still palpable, and today she even thought it got slightly bigger) she is not sure though if it is tumor or just scar tissue... I feel that size of it changes all the time and there are days when I hardly can feel it... I am so so terrified... I am desperate for some good news.
Going flat with pride
When diagnosed with early HER2+ DCIS in August (right breast), my decision was immediate. Bilateral mastectomy for me. No reconstruction. Why? I'm 61 years old, have been married twice and have had another 15 year relationship. I'm not looking for a man and furthermore, I don't care whether a man would find my flat chest attractive or not! :) Another factor was the many stories I've read here and elsewhere regarding multiple surgeries and failed reconstructions. Not for me. I also didn't want to throw radiation into the mix of treatments. On the 18th August I underwent the surgery, with no problems. Testing of the removed breasts found another tumour in the left breast, which made my bilateral decision a good one. Four weeks later I began chemotherapy through a port in the chest (Taxol, Herceptin) and finished the Taxol yesterday (YAY for me!). :) I've stuck to my exercise regime throughout and have been able to keep working. To date I have only missed two days of work (touch-wood) which were post surgery, but only because I could do so from home. Brain fog has been probably the biggest issue, due to the level of concentration needed for work. Modafinil has helped with that. I purchased the Medicare-funded prosthesis, but haven't worn them so far. My go-to breasts for everyday are seamless, padded crop tops that you can get in any department store for around $15.00. They are light and comfortable, but I wish they came in natural fibres. In the future I will need to navigate the whole anti-estrogen hormone thing. Hmm. I have a long red scar across my chest, but I don't feel like it's unsightly. I'm bald, but that's temporary. I feel like I'm in a good place. :)
Peripheral neuropathy - getting worse despite ending Taxel after 6 treatments
Hello I am new to online discussion so not quite sure what to do. despite ending Taxel after only 6 out of 12 treatments, and the last two reduced dosage, the peripheral neuropathy is getting worse. I am now 4 weeks post-Taxel and one week into AC. For those of you who got PN, what have you found has helped reduce advancement?
Paclitaxel Delayed
I was supposed to have my 9th paclitaxel this morning but was cancelled because I have had significant increase in numbness in my hands and some pain in my thumb over the past week,(even after onc reduced last weeks dose by 10%) My feet seem fine at the moment. My regular onc was on leave so the one on duty made that decision and said that they will see how I am next week and decide what is next. I am quite disappointed as I was getting towards the end of the chemo and want to get it over and done with. On the other hand I didn’t want to say everything was ok as I had read on a few threads here of the lasting damage PN can do. Has anyone had a similar experience?Effects of taxol.
I am 79 years old with triple negative. I had a mastectomy and have completed the 12 AC treatment. I am now on week 7 of taxol and have a few issues. Apart from the diarrhoea, beginnings of neuropathy, skin rash, loss of taste I find I have just about lost my voice. Very hoarse and croaky. Is this a normal effect? Has anyone else had this and what can you do.
