Help making a survival kit.

Jhas2babies

My mom is starting chemo July 30th. I'm  trying to help her be more prepared by making a survival kit. She will have the treatment plan of Tc and the shot the day after. What are some handy things that would make this a little easier for her.?

kcat2013

Hi, sorry your mom will be starting chemo soon, but that's great that you are wanting to help her.  I found this thread

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/...   to be very helpful.  If the link doesn't work, the topic is called More tips and a shopping list for getting through chemo.  So you can do a search for it.

Having some basics from that list for the first round is a good idea and then once she's had a treatment she'll know better what side effects she'll be dealing with and thus what things will be most helpful.  

Kendra

ladyboss1997

That was the exact same chemo cocktail I did 3 years ago starting 7/11/11. Here are some good things to do:

take the nausea pill reguarly for the first 24-48 hours after chemo. Don't wait to get nauseous. The first 24 hours worked for me. I never got nauseous

drink 10 - 8 oz glasses of water each day for at least 7 days after chemo. I just started doing it every day, and still do

if prone to constipation, drink one glass of metamucil or similar fiber drink each day for 7 days after chemo

for 72 hours after chemo - rest. Let your body do what it needs to do. Sleep when you want to sleep. Be awake when you want to be awake.

take short walks every day or do some type of light exercise daily

eat/drink high protein foods. My favorite go-to was muscle milk, scrambled eggs, and peanut butter sandwiches

the tast buds going wacky was the worst side effect for me. The only thing that tasted good was sweets, and you have to be careful with those. I kept a bag of low calorie mints with me at all times. And I drank flavored water because regular water was yuk.  

keep Benadryl and itch cream on hand in case you get hives. I only got them once.

use Nail Tek daily on finger and toe nails

Take Biotin and a probiotic daily

get a night cap for your bald head, if you tend to get cold easy.

Get a nice wig before she loses her hair. It will make her feel prepared. I bought my wig to match my hair color and style almost exactly. No one whould have known I had lost my hair if I did not tell them.   

I cut my hair very short before I began chemo, then shaved it when it started coming out in droves. She can expect to lose her hair 10-14 days after her first chemo. It might help to have her favorite hardresser on standby to do the shaving. Throw her hair a goodbye party. 

When I finished chemo I began using Ovation Hair Advanced Cell Treatment on my head. My hair has come back prettier and thicker than ever. I still use it 3 years later.    

hook up with a group on this board who is going through chemo at the same time, with the same chemo cocktail. You will learn from each other as you go throught he process.

  

   

 

mdg

Some things I used during chemo:

laxatives, alieve, Claritin, lotion (dry skin), graham crackers (good for snacks), a good blanket to wrap up in, and book with positive quotes, calming music CD's.  

I used cold caps to keep my hair, but if she loses her hair scarves, baseball hats, cute hats and a wig would be good I am sure.  There are some make up kits out there for loss of eyebrows.  I didn't use one but other ladies here have mentioned them before. 

Kicks

All I can think of right now is OPI Nail Envy.  I was given a sample ( which lasted for months) at my Look Good Feel Better class.  It was fantastic.  Still buy it today. (I do not work for the company or anyone who sells it.)  Spend time in front of the mirror practicing the feel of where to feel using brow pencils.

In my case, when it was time to clip my head, we had a 'shaving party' at the barn.  Son and my other 'Sons' all took the horse clippers to their heads after me being done.

We are each so unique.

sewingnut

I used  Clariton (generic Loratidine) for the pain that comes with the Neulasta shot. I took it the day before and continued for 3 days. You can get it really reasonably priced at the Dollar General store. I had both Emend and Aloxi IV premed that worked well for any nausea and had Phenergan and Zopran for break thru nausea. Didn't need it. Good luck.  

Kicks

sewingnut - Neulasta is not nasty/painful for all of us though it is for some.  The only SE I had with Neulasta was going to sleep almost  to the minute for 2 hrs after injections for 2 hrs - never had any pain from it.  We can tell others what we experienced, but can niot state what they will experienced based on what we did.

We are each unique.  There is no one who can state what anyone elese will experience.  Stating our individual experiences is great but does not mean anyone else will experience the same.  I know some do have pain and other issues from Neulaata, BUT not everyone does.

bonnied

ladyboss1997, I loved reading your note above and you have no doubt finished your chemo by now. I will start mine soon. I find your suggestions and attitude to be most positive to approaching chemo. I am in the pre chemo prep mode now making bone broths for the freezer and putting a chemo bag together so that hopefully the side effects will be minimal or not debilitating. You sound like a strong woman. Thank you for your inspiration. Bonnie

ladyboss1997

I am so glad I could be encouraging. I finished my chemo in September 2011. I have not once regretted my decision to do chemo. My onco score was at the high end of medium risk. I figured 6 months out of my life for chemo and rads was just a bump in the road. I am healthier now than I have ever been. If my cancer comes back I will know that I did everything I could to keep that from happening. If you want to chat for support during your chemo, you can private message me. These boards are a big support as well.

Diana