Page 21 | Cancer support thread 91 - don’t borrow tomorrow’s worries

Tilllly · 26/11/2023 21:57

Bastard cancer @SewingBees
I'm sorry you find yourself back

TwigTheWonderKid · 27/11/2023 20:03

Dear all, today we had the very sad news that Mowly died last week.

She was at home with her little girl, cats and her family from the USA.

We're all rather upset on the Stage 4 thread. Despite everything she was going through Mowly kept us all going with her dark wit. She will be very much missed.

TopOfTheCliff · 27/11/2023 20:24

I think maybe we could have a Mowly award for posters who channel her spirit with dark humour. Like the BOOP awards on the Archers thread. “Ooh that comment is a bit Mowly!”

Tilllly · 28/11/2023 04:49

TopOfTheCliff · 27/11/2023 20:24

I think maybe we could have a Mowly award for posters who channel her spirit with dark humour. Like the BOOP awards on the Archers thread. “Ooh that comment is a bit Mowly!”

Love this ❤️

Tilllly · 28/11/2023 04:50

I start chemo on Wednesday

And have no idea what to expect
Am taking book, water and blanket

nappybrained · 28/11/2023 06:21

@Tilllly sounds about right. Although I be bought a blanket/ large wool shawl each time and not used #4 I feel if I don't carry I'll need it! So it comforts my bag, and stops water bottle from rolling around annoyingly!
Snacks.. Lip balm, hand or anything moisturiser. Something to read/ listen/. Watch. I also have an eye mask! ( Never used there but I see it's value jic) Have enjoyed chatting to others instead.
I found a cover for my chemo diary as mine looks very tatty, I blame that blanket! "Everyone" hands in, it Seems a pristine one.. as I fill it in waiting! Organised chaos just about sums it up, so I'm sure someone else will have more ideas. Wish you all best

SierraSapphire · 28/11/2023 06:39

@Tilllly elasticated waist trousers to go to the loo with one hand if the other is attached to the IV! Are you having cold capping in the end, as there's a whole load of paraphernalia, you have to take for that. I took herbal teabags. I would've taken headphones if I wasn't cold capping.

TwigTheWonderKid · 28/11/2023 07:42

@Tilllly I take a small pot of Branston pickle as the sandwiches my unit provides for lunch are very bland!

Tilllly · 28/11/2023 08:26

Thanks for the advice, I shall take it all

And the laugh about Branston pickle

Diary?? What's that all about then?

No, I am not cold capping @SierraSapphire the oncologist, said there wasn't any point with this type of chemo that they've moved me onto. I was going to try it when I was having the chemo and radio but it's not offered for this chemo type and immuno combination

Tilllly · 28/11/2023 08:31

I've got a dental appointment the morning after, am I definitely not going to be well enough for it?

nappybrained · 28/11/2023 08:39

@SierraSapphire another vote for pull up trousers, I hadn't realised I was doing naturally! I also have chemo top which has loose shorter sleeves... No access issues!

SierraSapphire · 28/11/2023 09:05

That's what I was told about cold capping @Tilllly but when I researched it, and looked at the Facebook Paxman group, there were plenty of women who were having the cold cap for my treatment, and it was included in the scalp cooling calculator scalpcoolingstudies.com/efficacy-calculator/. I lost hair at the front where I think the cap wasn't put on tightly enough the first time, and quite a bit from my crown, but I kept plenty to show under a hat or a buff if I didn't want to wear my wig over the winter. They had to call the Paxman company to make sure that it was okay to use with me, although it said very clearly on the website that it was, and they said I was the first person to have the cold cap for the treatment I was getting. It may be true that you can't have it, but I discovered throughout the whole process that a lot of what I was told was definitely not supported by research.

Tilllly · 28/11/2023 09:37

I'll ask

TopOfTheCliff · 28/11/2023 10:39

@Tilllly good luck! You sound well prepared. With the dentist it’s not so much that you won’t feel well enough it’s more whether they are comfortable treating you. I had to postpone my appointment till after I finished at their request. Maybe ring and ask?

TwigTheWonderKid · 28/11/2023 10:58

I thought you weren't supposed to have any dental treatment during chemo?

tam23 · 28/11/2023 11:32

Hi, I’m starting radiotherapy this week. Has anyone got any tips?

Tilllly · 28/11/2023 12:51

TwigTheWonderKid · 28/11/2023 10:58

I thought you weren't supposed to have any dental treatment during chemo?

It's just a check up on my Invisalign

Tilllly · 28/11/2023 12:52

tam23 · 28/11/2023 11:32

Hi, I’m starting radiotherapy this week. Has anyone got any tips?

Take something to read, they often run late

Something that's easy to undress from

Tilllly · 28/11/2023 15:33

SierraSapphire · 28/11/2023 09:05

That's what I was told about cold capping @Tilllly but when I researched it, and looked at the Facebook Paxman group, there were plenty of women who were having the cold cap for my treatment, and it was included in the scalp cooling calculator scalpcoolingstudies.com/efficacy-calculator/. I lost hair at the front where I think the cap wasn't put on tightly enough the first time, and quite a bit from my crown, but I kept plenty to show under a hat or a buff if I didn't want to wear my wig over the winter. They had to call the Paxman company to make sure that it was okay to use with me, although it said very clearly on the website that it was, and they said I was the first person to have the cold cap for the treatment I was getting. It may be true that you can't have it, but I discovered throughout the whole process that a lot of what I was told was definitely not supported by research.

It's pemetrexed and carboplatin

SierraSapphire · 28/11/2023 16:35

I don't think that combination causes total hair loss @Tilllly - maybe some thinning.

Tilllly · 28/11/2023 16:46

That might be why they're not bothering with the cold cap then

dotty2 · 28/11/2023 17:26

@tam23 Yes, mine were very hit and miss on timing. Some were early or bang on schedule but there were long delays other days. I had radio for BC and ended up covered in pen every time (I had 4 areas being treated so yours might not be so bad). The pen didn’t come off in the shower but did stain my bras and favourite pjs. So be cautious about what you wear…good luck

tam23 · 28/11/2023 18:03

@Tilllly and @dotty2
Thank you for the advice and best wishes. I was cold in the CT planning scan, so I’m going to wear warmer clothes on my bottom half! (BC too @dotty2 )

Octopus45 · 28/11/2023 19:44

@tam23 I'll be thinking about you tomorrow

tam23 · 28/11/2023 19:47

@Octopus45 Thank you. Start at midday on Thursday. Hope you’re recovering well from surgery.