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

^I ate so much ice cream during chemo, especially FEC when my sweet cravings hit the roof.  I swear, if someone had an ice cream delivery service around that time they would have made a fortune off me. 

I also drank a lot of smoothies, and it took me a long time to be able to drink one again.  I still can't stomach the specific type of protein powder that I used during that time (it was rice based). 

bump

bumping for the March chemo starters

I was a newbie three years ago.  ((hugs))

GailAnn~I come back here all the time, because the tips are so great, and easy to follow.



My diagnosis is similar to yours. I just finished Adria/cytoxan on Feb. 8th, and I started 12 weekly Taxol this past Ffriday. Every treatment gets us one step closer to Slaying the Dragon!



Best wishes

Paula

Good luck tomorrow, GailAnn!  You will be there several hours and will get lots of fluids, so wear comfy pants that pull up & down easily to make bathroom breaks more manageable. 

Hello Everyone, just checking in. Had first chemo infusion yesterday and Neulasta shot today. So far so good. All the tips have helped a lot. I felt very well prepared. I know harder days are ahead but I'm enjoying the good ones while I can.

GailAnn~It's good to hear from you. I had my 2nd of 12 Taxol today. It's much easier than Adria/cytoxan.



I don't think Rock mentioned it in her list of tips, but has anyone told you to take Claritin for the bone pain caused by Neulasta? You start taking it the day before injection and continue for several days after. You can speak to your oncologist. All of them aren't aware of it. My onc's nurse/practioner told me, she recommends it, because she has seen the proof that it works.



You can go to the dollar stores and get the generic, Loratidine, that only $3 or $4. It works just as well.



Blessings

Paula

Gail & Paula, nice to hear from you, thanks for checking in.  Glad to hear so far so good.

Best wishes & good luck Thurs Lolalou.  Today marks the date of my first tx 9Mar2010.

BUMP FOR THE NEWBIES!!!!  WELCOME!!!!!

bump for the Ides of March 3/15

Bump for Saint Patrick's Day

Because I haven't mentioned it lately ~ the chemo mantra is FLUIDS! FLUIDS! FLUIDS!

Bump

I've found taking Miralax, or a store brand version of it, daily is the best thing I can do to prevent constipation. Although I normally prefer to get my fiber from foods, high fiber foods seem just too rough on my digestive system now and tend to cause awful stomach pain and intestinal cramps, even if they don't cause diarrhea. The Miralax seems consistenly gentle enough to keep me regular without bouts of diarrhea. And the comments about hemmorhoids are all too true. If you have any hemmorhoids at all, even if they've been dormant, it seems like the chemo will cause them to flare up and bleed from time to time, so be prepared with products to relieve them.

Dear ladies,

I know many of you that are reading this, are asking yourselves, when will my hair come back. How will the texture be? At least I thought this way. Not the most important thing to think about to some, but still all consuming, especially if you are on chemo number 2 or 3. From the info that I had gathered, this is different for everyone....that didn't ease my stress. Most people told me to expect 6 months.

I finished chemo (ACT) approximately two months ago. Currently, I am undergoing rads and hormone therapy. Not to fear, for those that are headed on this route. Just time consuming, but after chemo, this is like a vaca. Just be diligent on monitoring your SE and keeping LE (for those with node removal) in check. So far, I have signs & symptoms for LE, and pushing for an eval. From my experience and from stories from the other lovely ladies on this forum, LE is one of those associated conditions that is not really monitored or taking seriously in the beginning stages. Don't let it become a chronic condition. Do your research and your exercises, post op. Ounce of prevention...

Just to give you hope, as I celebrate...I have shaved my hair twice, since chemo ended. It started to grow in like Yoda hair (another's reference). Now it is in full stubble mode, without any visible bald patches, so I will grow it. Cross your fingers. I can't tell you about the texture yet, but been told it comes in more curly and coarse for most. Also, may I add, I have brows (will not shape until it looks like Brooke Shields, circa 1980's) and noticed I have lashes coming in, about two days ago. Yeah!!!! I don't look like an albino w/o makeup anymore. I have hair gowth in other areas as well. DH and I are celebrating my second puberty. Never thought that I would look forward to shaving again. Been advised, not to shave (at least with a razor) yet. Your skin and immune system are still weak, and you must avoid cuts and burns, bad for LE.

I hope this gave you a smile and some encouragement. Good luck to all and a speedy recovery...