Questions about Preparation

I'll try to help you out with at least some of the answers.

1. I agree about Aquaphor. I bought Udderly Smooth ( recommended someplace on this site) and it's better but honestly, I'm mostly still using anything I used before.

2. No idea what a toothbrush sanitizer is. I just bought a few new toothbrushes

3. I just use what I always used in hand cream and it is scented but hasn't bothered me yet.

4. Non toxic dish soap is a new one to me. I use what I always used.

5. Yes! Regular Claratin for Neulasta pain. I have no clue why precisely but I was told that Claratin has one ingredient in it that other allergy meds don't have which I am assuming is the ingredient that works. If for some reason, you're not having Neulasta, I don't think you need this.

6 no idea...no one has prescribed any supplements for me

7 umm...this is a new one to me too. My dr is pretty thorough and she never suggested this to me.

8 headcovers.com, tlcdirect.com but I don't use that either. Of course, I live in FL and my head hasn't gotten cold yet at night.

9 I don't know why you need a hair net. It might save your hair for a couple of extra days I suppose but no long term benefit that I know of.

10 yes, I believe your tennis shoes will be fine. I think the slippers are just for cushioning for neuropathy so any shoes that have a cushion will work.

11 you just need to read about cold caps and make your decision. As far as getting a short haircut, most seem to find it easier to manage until it starts coming out and it's less of a shock to you if you do this first. There is no real reason that you HAVE to get a short hair cut. It just seems like most do this for mental well being.

12 I haven't used any gloves. But then I rarely hand wash dishes. I also don't use them for cleaning house which I have seen recommended. I just take normal precautions.

13. Ulta may well have it. Amazon does and Sally Beauty Supply probably does. Look for OPI Nail Envy and OPI Avoplex cuticle cream.

14. Worst case scenario is that your nails darken but I don't THINK they will turn black. It depends on which chemo and I haven't started that chemo yet. I don't remember reading that you can't paint your nails. I only paint toenails anyway. My first choice of nail polish is OPI. They have a zillion colors and I assume any are fine except maybe the very lightest sheerest colors if your nails do darken.

There were a lot of things I've not heard of that you brought up. I'll be interested to see what others say.

Hi Hanging in There,

I was very anxious and concerned about taking chemo, in fact I gave my oncologist a really hard time but in the end I was very glad I listened to him and I actually did quite well. I had four treatments of what they call the red devil and Cytoxan, then 12 treatments of taxol. I did take the Neulasta shots with the first four treatments, they recommended that I take Claratin so that I didn't get the muscle aches but I could not tolerate it so I took Benadryl and it worked just as good. I also used a clear polish called Nail Replinish that I got at Sally's and it worked great. The best advise I can give is drink lots and lots of water, I drank at least eight glasses a day, it really makes a difference. I used the Aquafor, but like you I really didn't care for it. Aveno works well. Best of luck.

• 1)I need a brand of unscented moisturizer (other than aquaphor which is so greasy): I use Cetaphil.
• 2)What is a toothbrush sanitizer ?: Not necessary. Rinse your brush in a water/peroxide mix after use and air dry.
• 3)Unscented hand cream (what is the difference from #1 ) and need brands to look for: Cetaphil.
• 4)I need a brand of non-toxic dish soap and moisturizer (this is the third time they have mentioned moisturizer) How many products do I need?: Never heard of this.
• 5)Regular Claritin for Joint pain? I thought Claritin was for allergy: It decreases pain from chemo.
• 6)What doctor is supposed to prescribe supplements: Review your supplements & medications with your MO. They may want you to stop most during chemo.
• 7)Do I really need a blood pressure cuff?: I don't know why you would, unless you're hypertensive.
• 8)Where can I get a seam free soft hat for sleeping?: Amazon. But a satin pillowcase may be more comfortable.
• 9)Where do you buy a hair net? Are we talking made of hair or made of polyester?: Couldn't tell you. I buzzed my hair when I started chemo.
• 10)Why do I need slippers, can I wear my tennis shoes around the house? I have slippers but prefer my tennis shoes.: You can wear tennis shoes. Your toe joints may ache and your nails may get cruddy or lift from chemo.
• 11) Cold caps, I just looking into that today.. so haven't had time to read the material. Why do I need to get a short hair cut? Maybe it will be less stress on follicles when brushing?: I didn't use.
• 12) Are Playtex gloves allright? I read some account where non-latex gloves were recommended, but I'm not allergic to latex and I think the nitril gloves I bought are not high enough for doing dishes.: I'm sure they are.
• 13)What type of store would you buy the nail strengthener and cuticle cream at –There is Ulta near me is that the right place?: Amazon.
• 14) So I can't paint my nails after I start chemo? I'm a little confused here. I do not ever paint my nails but if they are going to turn black (not sure yet) then I would like to paint them so my nails don't scare people. Recommend a color or type of nail polish. Does it matter? I usually buy the cheapest, but I use nail polish to label camping equipment, not for my nails: Your MO may want to see your nails. However, some people use dark polish because they feel that it helps keep the nails intact. I didn't use polish and my nails didn't come off.

In my opinion, the bottom line of what you need (if you're not going to cold cap, with which I have no experience):

• Buy
  • A moisturizer you like (unscented may be best if you're nauseated from chemo)
  • A new toothbrush or two
  • Hydrogen peroxide 1% or 2%
  • Claritin
  • A forehead thermometer (your MO may be having you monitor your temp)
  • Rubber gloves for dishwashing (to avoid cuts that could get infected)
  • A box of disposable face masks in case you need to go out when you're immunosuppressed
  • Antibacterial hand and surface wipes
  • For my money, a tea tree-based anti-fungal nail treatment, which you can buy on Amazon
  • Hard candy or popsicles in case your nauseated or your mouth is sore

• Do
  • Get a haircut if you're not cold-capping--your scalp often hurts when your hair drops
  • Identify comfy shoes or slippers that don't press on your toenails
  • Talk to MO about supplements to start or stop during chemo
  • Look at threads about bland or non-nauseating foods (I had no nausea and ate Thai throughout, but others have different experiences)
  • Look at threads about mouth sores and perhaps ask your MO for a prescription for "magic mouthwash" so you have it on hand (I rinsed my mouth with salt water and baking soda, which was sufficient)
• During chemo
  • Exercise if you can--even a little walking is good
  • Take the anti-nausea meds and the Claritin
  • Don't eat your favorite foods if you're nauseated--you don't want to associate them with nausea
  • Take your temp if you feel hot, and do what your MO tells you to do if you hit a certain temperature
  • Stay away from sick people
  • Wash your hands and face with some frequency
  • Put a strainer in your shower/tub drain--you don't want to have it clog if you're losing a lot of hair
  • Stay very well hydrated. My MO had me drink 16 oz of Gatorade every day (sugar-free since I have diabetes and had no loss of appetite)
  • Eat plenty of protein so your body can recover--a cold protein shake can be a way to get protein, hydration, and calories if you're queasy
  If I think of anything else, I'll add it, but you can find all of these suggestions in the various chemo threads on BCO.
  

To add to ksusan's post, I got two prescriptions for anti nausea meds filled, zofran and compazine I think, but never used them. I also got Benadryl for having at home and Pepcid AC. I did use the Pepcid after round 5 of chemo but have since discovered that Tagamet may have been a better choice. Also used coconut oil everywhere, mouth, head, fingers and toes, vagina, butt, I mean everywhere. Took magnesium to stay regular in the poop department, but doctor also wrote prescription for stool softener. You don't want to get constipated cuz things down there can bleed and scare the bejesus out of you. Also got my primary care physician to write me a Valium prescription just in case I freaked out, but never used it either. Used the Claritin for a week surrounding Neulasta and never had bone pain. Had primary care physician write a prescription for a broad spectrum antibiotic (Keflex) which I had to use when I got stung by a bee during chemo. Easier to have it onhand than go sit in urgent care or emergency. Some women on our March 2015 chemo forum were given an antibiotic course with each chemo treatment, but I only took it when I had to.

Watch potassium level, chemo hammered mine and I had to take some horse pills. As for water, try to do the Gatorade thing or else something like smart water that has electrolytes.

Chemo was doable, not pleasant, but doable. Hang in there, and hoping for the best for you.

There are so many acronyms used in these forums, I recommend you take a look at the discussion board abbreviation key. Here is a link - https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/131/topics/773727?page=1#idx_1. Your list overwhelmed me...but I'm getting ready to start chemo on December 15, so will review the list and for sure buy some Claritin.