To just back Sam up with the magic cocoa powder. My neuts were very low and both times that I consciously included cocoa powder they were raised. This last infusion I added a heaped teaspoon of cocoa powder to 1/2 of my daily coffees religiously everyday and my neauts went from 1.4 to 4.6!
I dont really know how much power we have with our bodies during this but the cocoa powder was really easy to add so why not. That and lots of good fruits which I fond easy to eat anytime, berries/kiwi/pineapple/papaya.
Hello alpacagirl, I have been making sure I eat **anti-inflammatory foods **They support your immune system, help repair damaged cells, and significantly reduce treatment side effects like fatigue, bowel issues, and body aches. Big hugs xxx
@sam1204@foxgem@lil56 Thank you all so much for your replies. 100% cocoa now on shopping list! Iāll look at the Cancer Made me Eat thread too and research anti-inflammatory food. The nurse said there is nothing I can do, its just ābiologicalā but certainly worth a try. Iām all for anything which gives me some control over this situation. Exercise is tricky at the moment. I used to do an hourās Nordic walking every day but my energy levels just wonāt allow it now. Short walks round the garden are my limit. But better than nothing I guess. Hope you all have a good weekend when it comes x
Absolutely something is better than nothing. Some days just hoovering the house is a win for me. I think the key is if you are active for 10 minutes and feel better then carry on. If that feels too much, then rest and try again another time. Slow and steady.
This treatment can really be effected by our mindsets so if you find something you think helps, do it. I had 3 rounds of EC, the usual side effects and struggles but I managed. On my 4th round my father-in-law passed away and the recovery that time was so hard. Not just because of the cumulative effects. We were grieving and it just derailed me mentally. I definitely noticed the difference. So where possible keep your head in the game. The doctors and nurses have their job, and our job is to do everything we can to help
Thanks @foxgem Iām learning to listen to my body and stop before I feel too tired. Youāre so right about mental health - its equally import. Before I got the news about another chemo delay I had visited my mum in her care home (which is always stressful as she has dementia) and received some other disappointing news. I think the combination floored me. Iām usually quite resilient. The death of your father-in-law whilst undergoing treatment must have been especially difficult. My sympathies. Iāve got a weekly relaxation class run by Maggies on Zoom later. Looking forward to that.
@alpacagirl the medics will always say thereās nothing you can do to boost neutrophils but they havenāt done the in-depth research and read the articles about clinical trials that I have! Go with the cocoa (it can be any brand, doesnāt have to be fancy) and stick it as much food as you can. Fingers crossed for you
Hi @puglover56 , iām exactly the same stage as you with my hair and know what you mean. I think you can either shave it properly or just wait for it to go, which it will but itās quite uncomfortable. I went through this once already 25 years ago and I remember itās a very upsetting time and actually, the one lesson I learned, is that this time I got myself a wig. I went to a specialist shop and they were absolutely great and itās actually quite fun and not at all distressing. Iām very impressed that youāve put a picture of yourself and it looks great, but I just got fed up with all the wrapping scarves and finding new hats that this time I took the plunge. I find my scalp feels less itchy if I wash it with my usual dandruff two in one shampoo a couple of times a week and coconut oil seems great.
I also have the wig lady visiting next week which I am quite excited about . Initially didnāt think I would be getting one but totally changed my tune and quite keen xx
Hello pullover, more hair shredded yesterday than before, I received a message for a nhs referral for a wig yesterday. I cried first time holding in hands scrounced up, I think reality has kicked in with this bit. from combing hair shredding to oh shit !.
Hi all sorry I was having a bit of trouble with this photo , i have chemo rash all over me and not sure what may have caused it , the sun was very hot yesterday and may not have helped , a few days ago i had a contrast dye for a scan and im wondering if it was this or the taxol that caused it either way it is terribly itchy and red i have been taking antihistamines to help , what do other people do if they have been in this situation ?
What antihistamine are you taking? I had an allergic skin reaction to paclitaxel and was out on 180mg fexofanadine which did a great job. Along with steroid cream which obviously use sparingly but should help calm it down. Iād call your hotline if you havenāt already and ask for these two.
@sam1204 thats the one im taking but he didnt give me a steroid cream , im supposed to be having chemo next friday i realy wont feel upto it with all this going on , feeling really run down with it , its the dense dose pac they have already reduced the dose due to neuropathy, but its so hard i feel such a fraud because u all manage treatment so well I am just terrified that something was going to catch up on me and now its getting to the end it gets hard
@cazgib10 tbh l would give the 24/7 hospital helpline a call. I have always had a tendency to eczema flares but the one Chemotheraphy set off was a whole other ball game. Take as many good pics as you can to show your oncologist. It will help them to help you.
I did that and now have daily antihistimines, a five day course of predisalone after dexamethasone ends and soap substitutes and emollients as well as the usual post Chemotheraphy drugs. If you do have a skin condition such as eczema that hates dried out skin chemo can ramp it up. Happy to share eczema management tips if you have that on top.
Since the extras l have not had anything other than the nab-pacitaxel none itchy face rash which fades in four to five days. Hope it settles down for you soon.
@wibbles the chemo unit are just rubbish u cant get hold of them sadly and when i did i just got prescribed antihistamines , i have no idea how u send stuff to the oncologist either but i will ask them if i can monday
You could try calling your oncologists secretary, explain what has happened and ask for an appointment before your next chemo is due. Remember Ćt is only your oncologist who can change your drugs etc and authorise less familiar to the nurses ones to manage side effects beyond those that are normally expected.
When my skin went nuts l took daily pictures to show the oncologist. TBH l think they may have been expecting issues as l have a history of drug allergies and reactions. If itās unpleasant itchy as heck and keeps you awake then stuff Ćt- call for medical help. Skin in poor condition can easily become infected with the normal bacteria etc that live on our skin. That in turn is not a lot of fun as it could delay chemo and it can take weeks to heal up.
@wibbles yes i have dry skin sensitive skin so chemo definately ramped it up for sure , any tips are welcome i even have the rash all over my feet and the soles of my feet, it is definately an allergic reaction to the chemo
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