Hi everyone 
This is my first post.
I'm due to have my first chemo session on Fri 14th and wonfering if anyone has tried an infrared sauna blanket during treatment. What are your thoughts or your experience of using one.
Or even if its not recommended?
Hi Choi
Welcome to the Womb group. I am sorry to hear of your endometrial cancer and I wish you well with your chemo.
I had chemo in 2022. Mine was carboplatin and paclitaxel.
I have not heard of anyone using a sauna blanket during chemo however I was encouraged to bring a familiar blanket from home. I used it for the first couple of sessions as I did scalp cooling and it was really cold, however for the next couple it was in the height of summer and the unit was really hot so it was a case of windows open and fans on.
Best thing to do is to give them a call and ask them or alternatively take it with you on the day and check then.
Good Luck for Friday.
Jane
I have a plug in blanket and don't see why it would be an issue.
Some hospitals seem to have different criteria with scalp cooling. Carboplatin tends to just cause thinning but paclitaxel does usually cause total loss. Even with scalp cooling there is still shedding. For me it started at around 14 days post first chemo. The first signs were itchy/tender scalp. Body hair went around the same time. Eye brows thinned a lot but didn't go completely. Eye lashes- I sort of didn't notice until they thinned- more aware of itchy eyes.
Hopefully having it cut shorter will help give some feeling of control. I had a wig on standby and plenty of pretty scarves and hats.
Good Luck for tomorrow. I found the first one was the worst as wasn't sure what to expect- after that it felt easier.
Jane
I was really scared the first time and went in in tears. However it was nothing as bad as I fearer. Once in and settled the nurses were superb. Everything was explained and everything was calm. The unit was arranged into bays with reclining chairs and it was bright and airy. They had volunteers that came round regularly with tea and biscuits and sandwiches at lunch.
I found that the piriton made me sleepy and spent a lot of time dozing on and off. It was a long day and tiring but it was ok. I think the first is the worst one because you don't know what to expect and how the medication will affect you.
You can get up and walk around if you want as the drips have wheels on. Comfy, loose clothes are good and layers so you can take them on and off as you want. Possibly cardigan rather than jumper as it is easier to put on and take off if you have a cannula in your hand. And trousers that are easy to pull down one handed when you go to the loo.
I found I was quite thirsty so took squash in- I found lemon more palatable- chemo can affect your taste. I also took in my phone, tablet, book etc- although most of the time I just used my phone. I didn't feel like doing much. Some people took in puzzle books etc but most people seemed to snooze on and off or just rest and relax. The chairs are good as you can recline them and put your feet up comfortably.
There were plenty of staff around- more than a normal ward and there was always someone to chat to if you felt like it.
My only knowledge of chemo before having it was from the movies/media etc. It wasn't like that at all. I found it helpful to think of the chemo as just a medicine- which it is in the basic view and that if it was making me feel unwell then it would be blasting any cancer cells. I did get side effects and most people do seem to get some- however I did not have half the ones they warn you about. The ones that I did have could be managed on the whole with medication.
Good Luck, I am sure you will feel better once the first one is done.
Jane
