More Tips (and a Shopping List) for Getting Through Chemo

LW422

-2, if you select the Chemotherapy Section, this thread is "pinned" so it stays near the top.

Moderators

Hi ladies! Just to clarify, besides being pinned to the top of the forum, if anybody bumps a thread with a new post, it shows up in the "Active Topics" again for 24 hours. That makes it more visible for everybody.

Hope this helps!

The Mods

MinusTwo

Thanks Mods. I've noticed that many new people only know how to look in the active threads when they start.

Nico1012

Bumping for Linda . . .

heavenschild

That list is simply amazing! I have a friend who is going to go through chemo, what was the best gift you got (or wish) you had gotten? thanks!

MinusTwo

A gate keeper. One person to let everyone else know how she is doing & give regular updates so she won't have to make or receive 10+ calls. Someone to coordinate all the visitors & people who want to bring stuff. No need to have 3 people bring dinner the same night. And she likely won't feel like visitors every day. Wishing your friend the best.

Nico1012

Bumping for Georgia . . .

Nico1012

Bumping for Carrie . . .

Nico1012

Bumping for Pam . . .

NWArtLady

bumping on my 10 year cancer anniversary. Much love to all!

Nico1012

Bumping for Erika . . .

Nico1012

Bumping for Tracey . . .

Nico1012

Bumping for Amanda. . .

Gonetruckin

Hey a friend just shared this with me. Unfortunately they didn’t have anyone in my area but maybe someone else will have more luck. They clean your house twice (once a month) while you’re in chemo.http://www.cleaningforareason.org/

Nico1012

Bumping for Phyllis . . .

Cinderella57

Thank you for this. I'm starting chemo very soon. I've had cancer before but never chemo so this is all new to me and scary. People trying to tell me what to do. One says cut my hair now (it's long) but my husband says wait until it starts to fall out. Maybe it won't he says even though oncologist seems pretty sure. I think I'd rather go short now rather than wait but what if it DOESN'T fall out. I never thought about changing the shower liner or having multiple toothbrushes on hand so I can change often. There is a chemo class that I guess I'm going to go to before chemo so maybe they cover all this stuff. Don't know. What I do know is that i'm going to need this group of survivors to help me through.

MinusTwo

Cinderella - Welcome - but sorry you have to be here., I'd recommend joining one of the chemo threads where all the people are going though it together - like Chemo Summer 2021 or Chemo September 21. I read the one I started for ideas and then joined a contemporaneous one.

As for the hair, I had mine cut in a cute really short style before I started. Then when it began falling out, my hair dresser gave me a marine buzz cut. Someone recommended to me not to shave your head because of the 'spike' comfort.

Wishing you few side effects!!!

MinusTwo

Cinderella - here's an example. I see that the mods now have a 'chat' forum too.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topics/880797

MinusTwo

Looking fore the surgery thread and found this first.

Bumping for anyone who is just starting.

MinusTwo

Bumping again. Nico - are you doing OK?

KotchAJ

This was so helpful and I still find myself going back to it for tips as things occur. Thanks!

MinusTwo

Thanks for checking in Kotch. Good luck with your continuing treatment.

MinusTwo

Bumping for Sarah

MinusTwo

Bumping because it's been almost a month. LOTS of good tips.

rebeccacceber

A lot of these tips have been so helpful.

thanks to you all for sharing them.

My tip is soft microfiber wash cloths.

I had to post soon after using them, I highly recommend.

I had a stack of rough exfoliating type wash cloths. I knew I would need something a little softer.

So I tried Kyapoo Baby Washcloths (any brand may work just as well).

Wow, it's like a cloud on my skin and my skin isn't even feeling overly sensitive, yet. Cleansed very well but I could barely feel the cloth.

Plus....

I'm 9 days in after my first treatment and I need to repeat what's been said, a lot. Now I know why. Hydrate

I kept up, I thought. Part of me thought it may be a while til my skin even thought to dry out, it's very oily. I was so wrong. Cancer dried my skin and dried me out so quickly, amazingly fast, amazingly dry. When I touched my face and noticed It was dry, no oil? Yeah, it must be bad.

I thought that "not feeling so good" was the shock to my body, all the new chemicals. It might have been part of it but I'm thinking dehydration was a good chunk of that too.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

(This was brought to you by one of those people who wasn't a fan of drinking water, never really felt thirst. Chemo has changed my mind)

MinusTwo

rebecca - thanks for the post. Glad things are OK so far. I am not a fan of water either, but you are right. I still struggle to drink water.

MinusTwo

bumping for a2mm

MinusTwo

bumping for J Bryant

Mallow912

so how do we bump? Great idea. I. So happy o found this site! Thanks for sharing everyone

Mallow912

minus two, what are 410 gummies?