Can anyone help me support my friend who has breast cancer, not sure what to do.

[CheckpointCharlie]

I have a close friend who has recently found out she has a serious type of breast cancer.
She has it in both breasts and is due to start chemo next week as the tumour in one of her breasts is too big to operate on.
She is having wig fittings and bra insert fittings as she will have a double mastectomy.

I am just not sure how to best support her, I am trying to carry on as normal but wondered if anyone had any advice.

[malteserzz]

For oral thrush she needs to go to her doctor, I had something you swished round in your mouth a few times a day, got rid if it in a couple of days. She should also have mouthwashes from the chemo unit which will help. Fresh pineapple can cut through the horrid taste and is meant to help too.
Hope that helps

[Spero]

I was given a whole stack of mouthwash (which I never used), pills for constipation, pills in case I had diarrhoea, some of that medicine to prevent reflux and my anti sickness pills. The only ones I used were the anti sickness pills and the reflux medicine as my nurse said there was a risk that chemo could cause permanent damage to digestive process. Glad to say there is no sign of that.

First couple of goes will probably be trial and error about what works for you - but the thing that made me feel really bad was constipation so I was glad to get that sorted.

[TheOneWithTheNicestSmile]

Good to hear about the benign cyst, Charlie - glad you are there for venting & stuff

I was never actually sick with my chemo - presumably due to the anti-nausea med that went in the line along with the it - also I had a selection of pills to bring home each time, which were taken over the next 2 or 3 days, but I've no idea now what they were all for.

Not all my hair fell out either though it got very thin.

My worst thing, iirc, was horrendous mouth ulcers. I had some disgusting mouthwash (which I never used either, Spero!) & a tiny tube of special paste - Orabase? - which helped treat them & also formed a protective layer on top.

I think the nasty taste just has to be waited out. I know I could tell it was going when I started wanting wine again

I wonder if probiotics might help with the constipation? My DD has IBS & has had to use Senokot a lot over the last few years, but recently started with \link{http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acidophilus-Bifidobacteria-Probiotics-Supplement-Intolerance/dp/B0096BW8YK/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1389549269&sr=8-6&keywords=probiotics%5Cthese&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21 tablets} which have made an almost magical difference. I know chemo isn't the same but it might help.

[kitkat1967]

Charlie - the only thing I wanted to drink was lemonade with lime in it (so like Sprite but in my case tesco own) and I sucked on sherbert lemons and chocolate limes so obviously had a citric thing going on.
Like others have said there's a lot of trial and error and I often would fancy something to eat until I actually tasted it.

[CheckpointCharlie]

Thanks all, I will mention the mouthwashes. And YY she has ulcers so might mention the Orabase, thanks! I bought her a lime and soda the other day but it was still foul but thanks for the tip.

She has 'come out' tonight on fb and has shaved her hair off and posted a pic, I am so proud of her I want to cry. She isn't really like that though and would probably slap me!!!!

[Wren48]

Hi there. I'm another one with breast cancer. Meals for the freezer are really great, but more than anything I am grateful to friends and family being kind and loving to my children, making them feel part of a supportive network. I'm really grateful when parents of my children's friends make sure they are included in outings/ invited over.

And I so agree about the battle analogy, Spero. And positive thinking is another unhelpful one!

[Wren48]

Oops. Yet again I've posted only ever having read page one and not realising there's lots more talk. So my comments sound completely beside the point. Sorry!

[Spero]

Good idea to shave the head - I had my hair cut short before first chemo. I remember reading one really sad blog post of a woman whose hair started falling out in her salad one day as she couldn't bear to cut it. I would have found that much more traumatic.

I don't think a 'positive attitude' can beat cancer but it does make the whole experience less grim if you can at least pretend you still have your sense of humour...

[malteserzz]

Well done to her for posting the pic on Facebook, she is braver than me only close family have seen me without my wig !

Does she know about look good feel better ? It's a session for any cancer patients, they teach you how to put makeup on and you get a big bag of makeup free, it's a lovely session and a real boost, all free. You could look into it for her and see where her local one is held.

[Spero]

I didn't go down the makeup route as what i found very distressing was that I lost 2/3rds of my eyebrows and eyelashes. It wasn't until they grew back that I realised what difference they make to your face!

If she does want to try that, I would recommend no later than mid way in the chemo cycle so she still has some eyebrows!

Hopefully she will be lucky and they won't fall out - it is different for everyone. Just warning you however.

[malteserzz]

Mine all fell out spero, lashes and brows but lashes have just grown back and brows are on their way. I've found that worse than the hair in a way as you can't hide it so easily

[Spero]

The focus is often on the hair on your head and you just don't appreciate how much useful hair you have elsewhere.

I think it was Zombie who told me that ALL my hair was at risk and mentioned my nose, which I had never even thought about!

So stacks of tissues can be useful as you may end up sniffling more.

One of the only times I cried was when I realised my eyebrows had grown back and how odd I had looked before.

Its often the little things that trip you up.

[CheckpointCharlie]

Hello, thanks wren and I hope you get better ASAP.

I popped over today and the dreaded hair loss is in full flow but obv the hairs are just teeny weeny, but she is still a bit upset about it.

We had that very chat about eyelashes and eyebrows. Her DS has got her an eyebrow stencil kit so she is prepared in a way.

Thanks malteeserzz for the tip about the make up sessions! I will find out about it and get on it pronto!

[CheckpointCharlie]

And thanks spero too!

[BettyMacdonald]

Hi Charlie if your friend's still has the horrid taste in her mouth then pure, cold pineapple juice may help. A lot of people having chemo can find that their mouth also gets very dry - sipping pineapple juice can really help. One of my closest friends has BC and has had chemo, radio and a mastectomy. Happily she's doing brilliantly . All the best to all of you affected by cancer in anyway

[CheckpointCharlie]

Thanks betty that is a good tip. She's going in again this week for her second so if she gets it again I will grab her some.
Am v pleased for your friend!