I never had a port, just had an IV started each time. I'm not sure what criteria they use for ports but it wasn't even offered to me

Thanks moth,

It sounds lots of stuff to do for chemo preparation. I did lots of shopping for surgery, then found most of them are useless, I can spend through very easily. Hopefully, this time, my preparation is also useless, but still must prepare.

Another question, ladies in Vancouver, where I can find wig, I want to try on myself, thanks. Have candidate, once decision is made, go and buy it.

HI Marianelizabeth,

Thanks for the info. You only wear wigs five times? But your ACT lasted at least four months. Mine is always short cut, very simple black hair, hard to find such style in wigs store, all are too fashion. I just don't want others feel strongly that it is a wig.

Thanks moth!

I did a flu shot yesterday, this is my second time in my life. My daughter always get cold in school, but it is impossible to let her also get shot, they just don't want to do.

I am hiring someone to do cleaning after my surgery, my husband and my daughter always made home dirty. Someone also told me to stay away from public place during chemo, but I want to back to my fitness club, I renewed the annual membership the same month I got highly suspicion report.

I will go through this list again, so good, will start do shopping once I decide to go.

Moth, who will prescribe me all medication? Medical Oncologist? If so, I shall prepare a list next time I see him.

Cathy,

Your port surgery would be covered by BC medical, just ask one of your Dr's. I did not have my port for chemo but got it when I became stage 4 because of monthly infusions. I love my bard power port. I make them use it for everything.

If you don't have extended medical you should sign up for Fair Pharmacare. I had a lot of my prescriptions mainly covered.

I suspect that I was quite different from others but I found chemo to be not too bad at all. I painted the entire exterior of our 2 storey house, built a rock wall and a garden. I would crash for about an hour nap every afternoon but found the steriods gave me increased energy. I did take lots of cleaning precautions at first but found that as time went on I needed to get out of the house & feel somewhat "normal"

I got 2 really nice free wigs from Canadian cancer society. They have a professional hairdresser who restores the wigs & helps you pick out ones that look best on you. Most of them have been donated by other cancer patients. Call your closest society office. I only wore them when I went out, I live in a very small place & didn't want to be known as the cancer patient.

good luck, you've got this, sounds like you've got lots of help here.

cheers, dee

For counselling try BCCA Psychosocial folks as a start. They are a team of social workers that can refer you to psychologists and also will see your partner. Also maybe ask your GP for a prescription for anxiety/sleep meds.

The oncology team will give you the prescriptions related to your treatments but you have to ask things like the mouthwash or ointments for rashes that are related to your symptoms.

One of the things I found helpful was getting a plan in place for meals. Often I felt ok to cook and even felt a sense of accomplishment for making a good meal to feed my family but for the days when you can’t, have a plan. Some friends brought suppers, we went to Costco and a local catering company for good quality premade dinners. There was no guessing as to what was for dinner. Also have a stash of soups, crackers, smoothie fixings on hand for you when nothing tastes good but you need to eat.

I think the standard for early stage chemo is a PICC line unless you have bad veins or are getting something weekly. I had one then for about 18 weeks which made showering a challenge but not impossible.

Keep exercising just wipe down the equipment before you start!

I bought a wig thinking I wanted to look “normal” during treatment. I only wore it a few times because it was uncomfortable and hot. I didn’t like how I looked in it, it felt fake. And then I stopped wearing it, graduated to soft hats and I guess I came to terms with trying to hide that I was getting chemo. Some of my cancer buddies back then (2013) refused to wear wigs at all, two wore nothing but wigs the whole time ...it’s really up to you to see how you feel.

Be well,

Marianelizabeth,

Good to hear you went through with chemo today, and best wishes for your test tomorrow.

I am waiting hospital's call for CT-Scan that my MO ordered last week.

I never wore a wig and like Marian liked scarves or hats.

Marian you are the energizer bunny. I am so glad you are doing better and that chemo is going ok.

I get all of my psychological comfort from the team at Callanish. They actually changed my life. I go for meditation once a week and have been involved in several twice yearly 8 week writing classes that I love. They also have counsellors who work on a sliding scale and have support groups for support people. Anyway, I think I have raved about Callanish before so I will stop now. :-)

I am always keeping you women in my thoughts.

Hi Marianelizabeth,

Where you bought that wig? I noticed you are in Victoria, but I am in Richmond. I have almost exactly same hair style after 20s, so it is worth to prepare the one that I can use for long.

Thanks.

Hi moth,

Thanks for so so valuable info! Next step is to find a wig, I want to have it not for chemo but for my future life.

Anybody knows wig store in Vancouver area, let me know, I plan to use this treatment break for shopping, spending time with my 14 years girl, and back to fitness zumba class.

I think your doctors will make the port or no port decision based on your health and veins etc. I didn't have a port & it never even came up in our discussions while prepping for chemo. Do you already have your chemo dates? Have you had your "chemo teach" session (it's like a group session run by an RN explaining the whole process and people can ask questions. Family members were encouraged to attend ours as well)

My understanding is if you have poor veins that are difficult to access then a Port or Picc line may be advised. It will be covered if recommended. I had my first port put in at VGH Vancouver by an anesthetist and my second one here in Victoria by a radiologist. The Picc line is a bit more hassle for showers and location.

Ann I appreciate all your cooking/meal Tips. Even now I struggle and eating has been hard to do since my hospice/hospitalization.

So for the good news~~I got my PET/CT results yesterday and "there is not a lot of activity." I don't have the report in hand but it sounds good. The plan is to continue chemo (Gemcitabine) until the end of December, do a scan in January and start Tamoxifen. There was nothing to tell us why the pain ramped up so it is anybody's guess, possibly radiation scar tissue messing with the nerves. So I have little pain with my pain pump embedded and the idea of "just tamoxifen" sounds appealing. I do not mean to diminish tamoxifen for those who take it premenstrually but to off chemo for anytime at all makes me happy.

Marian

Vancouver ladies,

Sorry another question, how to get Counselling support for patients? Preferable a phone number so I know they got my request.

Even without this, I am already kinda of depressed every year when this season comes, but I've never tried medication. These few days, I always feel life is so meaningless for me, I know my friends are forever there to help, but just cannot help thinking .. ...

Hello Everyone!

It's been a while since I've been on here and it seems I only pop in when I'm back on the front lines battling with this disease.

Hello Marian!! It's good to see you are still on here like a house mother offering up your great advice and support!

Cathy67 I had a PICC line and it worked really well for me. I have terrible veins and this saved me a lot of pain from "attempts".

It made the chemo infusions so easy. My very first chemo did not go well and I ended up having a reaction to the "red devil" that left my arm scarred.

It's a bit of a hassle for maintenance (flushing) and not getting it wet - I found a vacuum sleeve online that worked well for showering and even swimming. I think it's used for casts as well.

When chemo was over they just pulled out the PICC line and put a bandaid on the insertion site. Just a tiny dot of a scar!

Mind you I had chemo this time of year so long sleeves covered the PICC line nicely.

I imagine it would be more obvious and a bit of a hassle for chemo in short sleeve weather because it is a tube sticking out of your arm that needs covering up when not in use - like dressings or a mesh sock to cover.

Marie

Sorry my computer is acting up much like my cancer!