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

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Comments

  • divinemrsm
    divinemrsm Member Posts: 6,621
    edited January 2011

    rock:

    thank you for your original post on this subject.  I have learned today that I may be starting chemo prior to surgery and am starting to research the whole chemo thing on this forum.  I've only read the first and several of the last pages, but will read more as I have time.  I had wondered about getting my hair cut shorter.....it is not long, but between chin & shoulder length.  I appreciate you candor and explaining even the more delicate issues in relationship to chemo.  

    I was diagnosed on Jan 6 of this year, and am so amazed at how giving a community there is on this forum.  Yes....amazed.... 

  • lemonjake
    lemonjake Member Posts: 342
    edited January 2011

    Why thank you, The Divine Mrs M! 

    Hair-wise... You know, the thing of it is, you really can't go too wrong. One way or the other, for most people on chemo, the hair will come out.  (See a link to how it went for me below). I had a little warning.  Two days after my second AC chemo, my scalp started to tingle. By that evening, it was easy to pull it out in tufts (like when you pull grass out of a lawn and it makes that soft pfffth sound). But I don't recommend you do that necessarily, because if you have your head shaved, it may be a day or two before the roots fall out (like magnet shavings on Mr Magneto) and you'll have truly bald spots on your scalp where you pulled it.

     I digress.You could get it cut shorter. Or you could just wait and then have it shaved when you feel that super-tingly and the roots loosen. Or you could do your own thing.  

     For me, cutting my hair short was a way of preparing myself, an intermediary stage to something completely different.  But I had pretty long hair.  In retrospect, what I wish I had spent more time doing was running my hands through it and paying attention to how it swung against my face, and how the air blows it... because I didn't get to have those experiences for about two years after my hair fell out.

    My advice (for you to take or leave): Just enjoy it.  Feel it. If you have a partner, and you like him or her touching it, playing with it, stroking your head then do that... do lots of that!  It is now three years since I was diagnosed and I still don't look anything like I looked before I was diagnosed. That's not bad. It's just the truth. Every now and then, I look a little like my old self, hair- and face-wise.


    For what it's worth, I still think almost every day about women who are starting chemo.  I'm rooting for you, Divine! I'm rooting for all of you! For all of us!  (love to Nico, my bump-girl)

     http://rockthebald.blogspot.com/2008/05/upon-which-i-describe-how-bald-is.html

  • mtri111
    mtri111 Member Posts: 67
    edited February 2011

    Dear all,

    As a researcher, former cancer patient, and a participant at bc.org boards, I have become interested in learning more about patients' reactions to the  information they receive as they are diagnosed and presented with treatment plans that involve chemotherapy.

    This interest has led to the development of a survey that asks about experiences with patient education materials provided at oncology centers across the nation.  This is a formal study, and the research protocol has been approved by the Institutional Review Board at Brown University, where I am on the faculty of the Division of Biology and Medicine.

    The survey is anonymous and brief.  It will take you about 15 minutes to complete the survey.
    To participate in this research, here is the link:

    http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PatientEducationMaterial

    Your participation will add to the body of information on this topic and is intended to contribute valuable data regarding patient education materials for oncology patients.

    Above all, I hope you are well.

    Warmest regards,

    Marjorie

  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,152
    edited February 2011

    Bumping for the Feb 2011 chemo sistah's.

  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,152
    edited February 2011

    Bump

  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,152
    edited February 2011

    Bumping!

  • EmilyInOntario
    EmilyInOntario Member Posts: 288
    edited February 2011

    For those of you who love your coffee but after chemo are now finding coffee and it's after taste are beyond disgusting, I have found Folgers Hazelnut Coffee ( Walmart) does NOT leave that " cow patty in the mouth " experience after a few sips.. I love my coffee and this has helped me considerably. Cream and sugar neutralizes it so it's not harsh on the sensitive chemo mouth. Hot chocolate made with milk seems to be palatable as well. Hope this idea helps someone.

  • thefuzzylemon
    thefuzzylemon Member Posts: 631
    edited February 2011

    Yep, I've added this to my favorites as well!!  Thank you all for the information ,,, I haven't figured out the "Bump" thing yet, but it's cute as can be!

  • JeanH
    JeanH Member Posts: 132
    edited February 2011

    Hey the fuzzylemom

    Bumping confused me too....it is a way of making a thread active and easy to find on the active threads lists when you want someone to find it, quicker than a full post....



    Jean

  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,152
    edited February 2011

    Bump again.

  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,152
    edited February 2011

    And bump again!

  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,152
    edited February 2011

    Bumping in honor of JeanH, who helps with the bump!

  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,152
    edited February 2011

    Bumped!

  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,152
    edited February 2011

    Bumping again!

  • lemonjake
    lemonjake Member Posts: 342
    edited February 2011

    Nico

    Bico

    Buco

    Bumo

    Bump  Hump  Hums  Hugs

  • thefuzzylemon
    thefuzzylemon Member Posts: 631
    edited February 2011

    BUMP!!   LOL!!  LOVE IT!!  Thank you for the information!!  I learn a little more every day!

    I just really want to thank you all ... I have used several of the suggestions from this list and I haven't even started Chemo yet (next Friday!  WHOOOOOOOO)  The baby wipes and Imodium have reaaallllllyyyy helped me with a few tests I've gone through :)

    Sending all of my love and thousands of hugs!

  • JeanH
    JeanH Member Posts: 132
    edited February 2011

    bumptity bump and {{{HUGS}}} to all who need the list.



    thanks Nico

    this list helped me so much I want everyone who is starting to be able to find it!



    Jean

  • thefuzzylemon
    thefuzzylemon Member Posts: 631
    edited February 2011

    Bumping :)

  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,152
    edited February 2011

    Thanks for the  *bump* ladies! And massive thanks to Rock who authored the list!

  • thefuzzylemon
    thefuzzylemon Member Posts: 631
    edited February 2011

    BUMPING Again!  Just heard from my good buddy R-Dizzle that A&W Rootbeer helped her keep the mouth sores away thru Chemo!  Take before, during and after!!  Love ya R-Dizzle!

    Hugs to all!!

  • JeanH
    JeanH Member Posts: 132
    edited February 2011

    Thanks Rock and Melisaga.



    These lists took so much time to put together and have helped so many of us.



    Nico you rock for keeping these lists active,

    Thanks

  • thefuzzylemon
    thefuzzylemon Member Posts: 631
    edited February 2011

    Bumping....I did my shopping today as treatment begins tomorrow morning!!

    Thank you thank you thank you!!!

    hugs and a smile!

  • JeanH
    JeanH Member Posts: 132
    edited February 2011

    good luck tomorrow fuzzylemon.



    Just finished round 2 yesterday!

    My nurse suggested adding AYR saline gel to the arsenal if your nose gets really dry, she said it help to put it on in the evening before bed and less smell than other gels. will try tonight if DH was successful on finding it...did not check the bag yet.



    Bump for the rest of the feb girls.



    Jean

  • JeanH
    JeanH Member Posts: 132
    edited February 2011

    bump

  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,152
    edited February 2011

    JeanH and Fuzzleymon ~ YOU'RE THE BEST BUMPERS ON THE BOARDS!!

    THANK YOU!

  • JeanH
    JeanH Member Posts: 132
    edited February 2011

    bumping,

    easy to bump when you are going through the process and know how great these 2 threads are!

    Thanks to Nico and Rock for keeping these going~

    Jean

  • thefuzzylemon
    thefuzzylemon Member Posts: 631
    edited February 2011

    Bumping and sending hugs and smiles

  • thefuzzylemon
    thefuzzylemon Member Posts: 631
    edited February 2011

    Bumped for the newbies!!  I hope you find this as helpful as I have ... it's an incredible list.

  • JeanH
    JeanH Member Posts: 132
    edited March 2011

    Fuzzy,

    so glad you are feeling better and back to bumping :)

    Jean

  • thefuzzylemon
    thefuzzylemon Member Posts: 631
    edited March 2011

    Thanks soooo much Jean!! Round two is Friday...got my Milk of Mag from the list of course!

    Hugs and happy thoughts....and another bump!!!

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