Preparing for chemo treatment -

I thought I would share what I did before and a little of during, at the start of my chemo treatment for breast cancer. 

Just before my lumpectomy my breast cancer nurse put me in touch with a family counselor. I was having a hard time dealing with the cancer, and my counselor helped me so much. I also asked if my mom and teenage son could get some counseling. Yes, they could. My mom became my primary carer. It's not easy watching your daughter suffer, and her counseling sessions have helped her immensely. My son is my supporter and cheering me on, but there were and still are times he gets angry, a takes it out on the wrong people and holds it in. He has also been helped though counseling. The arguments been grandma and grandson have defiantly diminished. Ask for help, the support groups are amazing. If you don't ask the answer will always be no. I also told my family that my cancer and chemo is not a family secret. They needed to talk to anybody who could answer their questions, because half the time I did not know the answer and for once I was not in the right head space to help them. 

If you have mouth issues, go to your dentist before your chemo starts. I suffer from gum disease and regret not going. No teeth cleaning for me during chemo, and my gums are a wreck.  I suffered from Chemo mouth really badly. Ulcers and bleeding gums. Your cancer nurse will recommend a good mouth wash. This helped me tremendously. 

Before I started chemo treatment, I cut my hair short. I had long, thick hair. So, my hairdresser did four thick plates and snipped them off. We bagged them and they were taken to Hair to Ware and donated to the Littel Princess Trust. When did my hair start shedding like a Corgi? For me it was 13 days after my first chemo, as my son's rugby game. I was expecting it but to be honest, when I saw it coming out in handfuls I cried. My brother, son and I clipped our hair to a number 2.  Number one seemed a little drastic. The following day my hair was still falling out, I looked like I had mange. So, I popped into a barber and met the sweetest barber who then shaved my head. We bonded as his mom is a breast cancer survivor. 

Is there good news when suffering from hair loss? I am going to say yes. I have saved a fortune in hairdressers, hair care products, waxing and razors. My chin hairs (Those three random hairs) gone, no moustache, underarm hair be gone. Yes, even the pubic and leg hair gone. My eyebrows took more time, as did my eye lashes, which I don't think is fits into the good news, sorry. 

My head care go to, a warm sponge. I gave my scalp a good rub while bathing, and then used aloe vera gel. It's not expensive and you don't need much.

I cleared my use of Vitamin C and B with my oncologist before I started my chemo. Thankfully I could use them. 

I also got some slouch beanies. I love the cotton softness and they do not itch my head; I also look like Dopey, and this makes me smile. I bought them on Amazon. I did look on the cancer shops, but nothing appealed to me, and I found them a little pricey. I decided not to go for a wig. I also get hot flushes (love a little late menopause) To regulate my hot flush, I whip off my beanie. There is a reaction from strangers around me (tough takkie for them), but I think if I whipped of my wig, I would scare the children and dogs.  

I went on to Etsby (I think this is right) and bought some cotton picc sleeves. I went for 2 Unicorns and 2 Smiley faces. The sleeves offered at the Chemo center made me itchy. I bought some happy socks, bright colors, with bright pictures, my sister-in-law got me an octopus happy hat. Why because chemo is not easy, and we all need a little happy. 

I also got some Ginger tea and ginger beer (Belvoir farm) for the nausea. Some good creamy body cream, for the dry skin. I got some body wipes, for those days when fatigue hits and showering or bathing is too hard. 

I have a routine before Chemo. I change my bed linen, make sure both sets of comfy pjs are clean. I get my safety blanket kitchen bucket and put it next to my bed, just in case. Lucky this has not been used, but it does offer me comfort.

The nurses administering your chemo, trust them. If you have problem, they have the solution. 

I know we all have our own personal journey, but I hope this information helps somebody. 

I shall not wish to you luck. I will wish you strength, courage and love. You may not think it now, but you have got this. You are stronger than you know.