October 2013 Chemotherapy

naiviv,

Thanks so much for that information. I will definitely ask my oncologist about juicing. I have an appt with a nutritionist tmrw and will also see what she says, but I know that my oncologist has the final say. Great advice on cleaning -etc. I Wil definitely try that combo to clean fruits/veggies.

naiviv - yes, your TE ports do contain "metal" - it may be more like magnets.  It's needed so the PS staff can locate the ports because they can move around in there.  You might notice, if you've had no expansions yet, that they use this gun-like tool that finds that "metal" on the port so they know where to inject the saline.

Regarding juicing or fresh vegetables and fruit - I know there is a lot of differing opinions by doctors on this.  Just want to pass along what my MO told me.  I was told - "there are some cancers that we do not want patients eating raw vegetables or raw fruit; but breast cancer is NOT one of them".  She told me to just make sure I wash them well, like I always do, and I'll be just fine.  As always, please check with YOUR MO to find out what they feel is best for YOU (do not rely on what others say either at this thread or at home or work - everyone needs to ask these questions to their doctors).  Just a reminder that we are all different and what one MO says to one patient does not mean it is what is right for you.

Anyone who might be anemic - I just want to pass along a supplement that has helped me greatly.  I cannot take OTC iron supplements because they cause too much stomach pain; so my PCP did some research and reached out to our Complimentary Care staff and it was suggested for me to try Blood Builder.  It is an all natural product where the iron is derived from vegetables and no stomach upset.  Sounds too good to be true?  Well, it works!  Every time I'm told "you're anemic again" I reach for the Blood Builder and take it for 6 weeks.  They then do another blood draw, test it and sure enough...I'm out of that anemic range.  It works great for me and it is a Godsend because I refuse to take any supplement that hurts my stomach so much I'm nearly bound to my bed, I just won't do it.  Yet it's not good to be anemic for any length of time either so Blood Builder has been in my cupboard for years because it works!  Again, check with your MO first!  Mine asked that I bring the bottle in for her to read and she was specifically looking to make certain there were not too many antioxidants in it as that apparently can interfere w/chemo.  Once she read the bottle, she said "that's perfectly fine" and she now has an alternative to offer other anemic patients who are "difficult" and will not take the OTC iron supplements.  You can find it online; it's made by MegaFood.

Lili,

That is good info. Checking it now and taking notes for my MO appointment tomorrow.

furfriend, why is citrus fruit and mushroom a no during chemo? I thought they both improve your immune system. Thanks!

Thanks lo Furfriend2, guess you are going to have yours second soon, I can't do mine, because my blood works shows my liver under stress which caused by the first chemo, I am not sure what I should do, will call my MO again tomorrow. good luck for the rest treatment, hope you have easy one.

I had been told no grape fruit juice during the chemo by my MO.

Denise,

I wish you well on your treatments and no SE!

Hi FurFriend2

My MO told me today I could take a small amount of Advil (ibu) if I really needed it for the aches etc on my bad SE days. I mentioned Aleve (naproxen sodium) but she didn't address that.

Thanks

Furfriend, thank you for explaining the reason to me. I am learning so much from people here.

Take care!

hi Jianchi, I did ask nutritionists and my oncologist about reishi mushroom. As they have very good reputation for health up keeping and cancer patients. My oncologist was open and okay for it. Just not during chemo. I have not decided on a good brand that I trust yet. So I guess we will leave that for now......Jen

@lgkgde13- my wbcs one week post 1st treatment were 5.9 without neupogen but the next week before tx#2 they were 2.9 and they told me I flunked and couldn't have my treatment. I did Neupogen over the weekend and my count was OK for chemo this Friday. I will have another CBC before my treatment again, ugh!! I also have to do a complete metabolic panel before each treatment, if your not anemic they sure try to make you anemic with all the blood draws.

Good luck everyone who is doing treatments this week, hope we all stay strong and get through one more week!

I washed my hair this morning before work and OMG lots of hair in my hands! Maybe one or two more days then it will be gone, wig time. Also they have these sisters who have a website called chemo beanies. They are so cute, they sell them at quite a few stores. I think it's chemobeanies.biz or Google Chemo beanies.

I should be starting chemo next week, but if I don't I'm not leaving! So there! :-)

Good luck to the "Wednesday girls" heading into treatment tomorrow -- may the SEs be minimal!

My head started to tingle and hair started to fall today -- no chunks yet, but shedding slightly and constantly...... Sigh......

J- you are so right, we want those cancer cells gone!!!!!

Thanks J! Gram, looks like we are twins once again with the hair falling! With work, I won't have time to go for a buzz until Saturday morning! and at this rate. Am wondering if there will be anything left to buzz. Have my wig and hats and scarves ready to go.....I think I am ready... Maybe.....

Quick update on my low WBC -- One shot of Neupogen Friday (day 8 of my 1st round) and a 7 day course of antibiotics started the same day. My "diaper rash" is almost cleared up and blood levels yesterday were on the way up (WBC up to 3 -- was 1 on Friday). The rash, I decided on Saturday, was not a yeast infection. I had given the prescription cream from the GYN coupled with Vagisil 5 days to work and things were about the same. So I switched (as suggested by someone on this board or on the TC board) to Desitin. Improvement has been steady. I stopped in the supermarket baby aisle today to stock up, and will use that constantly for round 2 to see if I can prevent the itching and pain. People in the MO office were looking at me like I was nuts when I suggested that maybe my behind was just burnt from the exiting of these chemicals. Once again, practical advice from these boards to my rescue! Just thought I would share, in case anyone else is dealing with that particular pain in the behind!

Have restful nights, Oct. sisters!