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

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Comments

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

    Bumping for the May 2011 chemo starters.

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

    Bump

  • JeanH
    JeanH Member Posts: 132
    edited May 2011

    Bumping for the May starters!

    Shout out to Nico and Rock!

    Jean

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

    Back atcha, Jean!  it's ***SO GREAT*** that you bump these threads! THANKS!

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

    Bump

  • JeanH
    JeanH Member Posts: 132
    edited May 2011

    bump

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

    Hey rock, Hey JeanH,  It's so great to see these threads so active 'cuz there's so much good info here! :)

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

    Bump

  • Cyborg
    Cyborg Member Posts: 192
    edited May 2011

    Bump for mcrimmon324

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

    Cyborg ~ THANKS SO MUCH for the "Bumps"!

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

    Bumping!

  • Cyborg
    Cyborg Member Posts: 192
    edited May 2011

    Bump for txladysara

  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 734
    edited May 2011

    I am on TC 

    My arsonal:

    Decadron

    Prilosec

    Phazime

    clairiton

    zofran

    imodium

    Naproxyn 500

    biotene

    maylox

    atavan at night for sleep

    compazine on hand if needed

    senicot if needed

    eye drops for dry eyes

    lots of flavored water- drink!

    massage therapy

    counseling for the mental health

    coconut oil for moisture

    wax machine for dry hands and feet

    gold bond moistusrizing sanitizer for the purse

    Prep H if neeeded

    Desitin if needed

    I write down every thing I do because my brain goes to mush for a few days so I keep a little journal of how I am doing and what time I have taken meds.

    oh and one more thing- Fresh flowers Kiss good for the "I love you/me" feeling

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

    THANKS, Merilee for the excellent list!

  • neecee
    neecee Member Posts: 125
    edited May 2011

    Hi all!  I am starting my chemo in a couple of weeks.  Anyone out there a contact lense wearer?  I noticed that dry eyes is a SE, and wondered if I will have problems with my contacts. If so, I need to get my glasses prescription updated asap!  lol.

  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Member Posts: 1,477
    edited May 2011
    neecee I had 4 tx of TC and wore my contacts the whole time. I have dailys that you throw away every day. I did get very watery eyes a lot but still wore my contacts.
  • divinemrsm
    divinemrsm Member Posts: 6,582
    edited May 2011

    Good luck, neecee, on your start of chemo, and God bless. I wear contacts and have not had many issues with them during chemo.  I keep eye drops around in case eyes get too dry, seems like I used them a little more during the beginning of my treatment, not so much now (just finished #5 of 6).

    A few things I've learned since starting chemo in Feb: 

    *Phillips Milk of Magnesia Stool Softner gel tabs were much easier and more efffective on my system then the Senakot S I used when i first started chemo.  The Phillips stuff gave me much less gas and they were FAR more economical! I ate Actvia yogurt sometimes but it didn't always taste good, but I also ate fruit and veggies and whole grain bread to prevent constipation. That's one SE I deal with each time.  

    I never needed the flushable wipes, tho i did purchase some, and I never needed the spray bottle for burning urination......I think that has to do with possibly the types of chemotherapy medicines your body receives, so I think my chemo must not have produced the burning effect....glad about that! 

    There were many SEs listed on these tips I didn't encounter, tho I was happy to be prepared for anything, so I'm grateful for the list.  But I never had mouth sores, used Biotene toothpaste but never had to use the mouthwash, and changed out my super soft toothbrush about once a month.  

    I recently found using generic Pepcid was extrememly helpful eliminating sour stomach after chemo...Started taking it in the morning with my dr. perscribed nausea meds.  It took me weeks to learn to do that, I just put up with what i thought was nausea the pills weren't helping.

    Also, some of us take dr. perscribed steroids the day before, day of and day after chemo to prevent nausea.  Then experience a type of crashing effect for several days, and a lot of anxiety. I found using my dr. perscribed Ativan during that weekend helped.  Of course, I did mention it to my onc, who says it can be habit forming.  So I only use it to get thru that phase of the 'after-chemo'.

    Hope some of these tips can help any newbies...... 

  • neecee
    neecee Member Posts: 125
    edited May 2011

    Thank you ladies!  I hate wearing my glasses, and am glad to know I can probably keep wearing my contacts.

     This forum has been very helpful for me in my preparation for treatment!

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

    Bump

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

    Bumpity!

  • JeanH
    JeanH Member Posts: 132
    edited May 2011

    Bump bump

  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 734
    edited May 2011

    Could it be that the floods of woman needing this forum has slowed? If so my prayers have been answered!

  • lemonjake
    lemonjake Member Posts: 342
    edited May 2011

    Bump bump bump bump bump.

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

    Bumpin' in honor of rock!

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

    Bumping for the June '11 chemo starters.

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

    Bumping!

  • mccrimmon324
    mccrimmon324 Member Posts: 794
    edited June 2011

    Bump for gigix4

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

    Bumping for the June '11 chemo starters.

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

    Bump

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

    And a bump!