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

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Comments

  • moderators
    moderators Posts: 8,741
    edited March 2021

    Hi ladies! Just to clarify, besides being pinned to the top of the forum, if anybody bumps a thread with a new post, it shows up in the "Active Topics" again for 24 hours. That makes it more visible for everybody.

    Hope this helps!

    The Mods

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,397
    edited March 2021

    Thanks Mods. I've noticed that many new people only know how to look in the active threads when they start.

  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,152
    edited March 2021

    Bumping for Linda . . .

  • heavenschild
    heavenschild Member Posts: 42
    edited April 2021

    That list is simply amazing! I have a friend who is going to go through chemo, what was the best gift you got (or wish) you had gotten? thanks!

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,397
    edited April 2021

    A gate keeper. One person to let everyone else know how she is doing & give regular updates so she won't have to make or receive 10+ calls. Someone to coordinate all the visitors & people who want to bring stuff. No need to have 3 people bring dinner the same night. And she likely won't feel like visitors every day. Wishing your friend the best.

  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,152
    edited April 2021

    Bumping for Georgia . . .

  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,152
    edited May 2021

    Bumping for Carrie . . .

  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,152
    edited June 2021

    Bumping for Pam . . .

  • NWArtLady
    NWArtLady Member Posts: 239
    edited June 2021

    bumping on my 10 year cancer anniversary. Much love to all!

  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,152
    edited June 2021

    Bumping for Erika . . .

  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,152
    edited July 2021

    Bumping for Tracey . . .

  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,152
    edited August 2021

    Bumping for Amanda. . .

  • Gonetruckin
    Gonetruckin Member Posts: 9
    edited August 2021

    Hey a friend just shared this with me. Unfortunately they didn’t have anyone in my area but maybe someone else will have more luck. They clean your house twice (once a month) while you’re in chemo.http://www.cleaningforareason.org/

  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,152
    edited August 2021

    Bumping for Phyllis . . .

  • Cinderella57
    Cinderella57 Member Posts: 6
    edited August 2021

    Thank you for this. I'm starting chemo very soon. I've had cancer before but never chemo so this is all new to me and scary. People trying to tell me what to do. One says cut my hair now (it's long) but my husband says wait until it starts to fall out. Maybe it won't he says even though oncologist seems pretty sure. I think I'd rather go short now rather than wait but what if it DOESN'T fall out. I never thought about changing the shower liner or having multiple toothbrushes on hand so I can change often. There is a chemo class that I guess I'm going to go to before chemo so maybe they cover all this stuff. Don't know. What I do know is that i'm going to need this group of survivors to help me through.

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,397
    edited August 2021

    Cinderella - Welcome - but sorry you have to be here., I'd recommend joining one of the chemo threads where all the people are going though it together - like Chemo Summer 2021 or Chemo September 21. I read the one I started for ideas and then joined a contemporaneous one.

    As for the hair, I had mine cut in a cute really short style before I started. Then when it began falling out, my hair dresser gave me a marine buzz cut. Someone recommended to me not to shave your head because of the 'spike' comfort.

    Wishing you few side effects!!!

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,397
    edited August 2021

    Cinderella - here's an example. I see that the mods now have a 'chat' forum too.

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topics/880797

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,397
    edited September 2021

    Looking fore the surgery thread and found this first.

    Bumping for anyone who is just starting.

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,397
    edited September 2021

    Bumping again. Nico - are you doing OK?

  • kotchaj
    kotchaj Member Posts: 216
    edited September 2021

    This was so helpful and I still find myself going back to it for tips as things occur. Thanks!

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,397
    edited September 2021

    Thanks for checking in Kotch. Good luck with your continuing treatment.

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,397
    edited September 2021

    Bumping for Sarah

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,397
    edited October 2021

    Bumping because it's been almost a month. LOTS of good tips.

  • rebeccacceber
    rebeccacceber Member Posts: 2
    edited November 2021

    A lot of these tips have been so helpful.

    thanks to you all for sharing them.

    My tip is soft microfiber wash cloths.

    I had to post soon after using them, I highly recommend.

    I had a stack of rough exfoliating type wash cloths. I knew I would need something a little softer.

    So I tried Kyapoo Baby Washcloths (any brand may work just as well).

    Wow, it's like a cloud on my skin and my skin isn't even feeling overly sensitive, yet. Cleansed very well but I could barely feel the cloth.

    Plus....

    I'm 9 days in after my first treatment and I need to repeat what's been said, a lot. Now I know why. Hydrate

    I kept up, I thought. Part of me thought it may be a while til my skin even thought to dry out, it's very oily. I was so wrong. Cancer dried my skin and dried me out so quickly, amazingly fast, amazingly dry. When I touched my face and noticed It was dry, no oil? Yeah, it must be bad.

    I thought that "not feeling so good" was the shock to my body, all the new chemicals. It might have been part of it but I'm thinking dehydration was a good chunk of that too.

    Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

    (This was brought to you by one of those people who wasn't a fan of drinking water, never really felt thirst. Chemo has changed my mind)

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,397
    edited November 2021

    rebecca - thanks for the post. Glad things are OK so far. I am not a fan of water either, but you are right. I still struggle to drink water.

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,397
    edited November 2021

    bumping for a2mm

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,397
    edited November 2021

    bumping for J Bryant

  • Mallow912
    Mallow912 Member Posts: 3
    edited November 2021

    so how do we bump? Great idea. I. So happy o found this site! Thanks for sharing everyone

  • Mallow912
    Mallow912 Member Posts: 3
    edited November 2021

    minus two, what are 410 gummies?

  • moderators
    moderators Posts: 8,741
    edited November 2021

    bumping is by posting!

    Smile

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