Hi all, I am due to start chemo on Thursday 19th May - and thought I might start a new thread, where we can share tips and tricks about stay looking good and perhaps also share recipes of foods, which are easy to cook and eat, whilst we are going through this. Having looked around the various threads - there is a thread Top Tips to get you through chemo, where we share each others experiences and how we cope with specific challenges. It would be great, if this thread could also become a reference, especially to people like me, who had to research for such a long time, to find relevant and suitable answers for titbits, excuse the pun, which are more important for some, than perhaps for others. Hair, eyebrows, lashes, nails, make up, skincare AND food and drinks which keep us company on our appointment days and afterwards. I hope, that over time this thread will be of help to newcomers, especially once others than me, also post their tips and recipes. Here is to looking good and feeling better than we thought we could - - -
And here is one of my first tips. I know I shall be losing my eyebrows, when I start treatment. Needing to work as long, as possible or even all the way through I found a number of routes to deal with this specific subject. It would be great to hear back, which one you have tried and what your experience is. Option 1: semi permanent tattoo - not for everyone, because of cost, ability to have tattoo because of treatment Option 2: Eye brow wig - Yes, they do exist! I have ordered one and will let you know my thoughts - currently seems the most ‘natural’ looking alternative. And it may not necessarily be an expensive option. Option 3: Eye brow stencil - fill in with eye shadow or brow shadow to match your natural colour. Or on the other hand, for a more natural look - use an eyebrow pencil to draw on your eyebrows with little strokes to mimic real hair using the stencil. This will take time and practice - again I shall try this and report back. HOWEVER - I have already come across hurdle number 1. I bought some eye brow stencils and they are all far too large for my face - and far larger than my actual brows. If I would have just used them, when my brows are gone - I would have looked simply looked horrible. It is possible to make your own eye brow stencil! And I shall be doing that. - here is a link to how to do it - makeupfiles.com/2009/10/02/how-to-make-your-own-eyebrow-stencil/
Recipe:
Date & Maple Syrup Flapjacks
Makes quite a soft flapjack so no sharp edges. Vary dried fruit or add seeds (pumpkin, sesame or sunflower) to taste. Ideal snack for extra energy and dietry fibre. Adding seeds is an excellent way to add Vitamin E
Makes 24 small squares
200g unsalted butter
200g Maple Syrup or honey
200g pitted dates
450g porridge oats
50g desiccated coconut
Preheat oven to 180c/gas 4. Line a baking tin (about 20 x 30cm) with baking parchment.
Put the butter in a saucepan with the maple syrup/honey and dates. Melt together, smashing the dates into the butter & syrup/honey with the back of a wooden spoon. Stir in the porridge oats & coconut.
Pile the mixture into the tine and press down firmly. Bake in the oven for 20-25mins. Remove from the oven and after a few mins, cut into squares. Leave to cool in tin until firm then transfer to cooling rack. Store in an airtight container.
Can be frozen.
Taken from The Royal Marsden Cancer Cookbook. I’ve made this and it’s really tasty. Planning to put some in my freezer for quick bites when I fancy them.
Hi ladies here is a great tip courtesy of LynnW - to help with constipation - without tablets! 21-05-2016 08:14 AM Chemo & side effects go hand in hand & I had 1st chemo on Monday 16th & have bn feeling a tad bunged up & as I’m always banging on about juicing I have to share this with you all its a MIRACLE !!! It’s aptly called the UNBLOCKER. Here’s the recipe - 2 golden delicious apples 1 pear conference 1" lemon rind on 3 prunes ready to use pitted are ok 6 ice cubes You will need juicer & blender juice Apple, pear & lemon meanwhile pop prunes & ice in blender & pour in juice & blend until prunes are mixed get can be hard to blend but bits is fine (I just used a spoon) & drink. I did this last night b4 bed & hey presto this morning utter relief no pain all perfectly natural. Far better than using tablets which encourage yr body to be lazy & reliant at least this way it’s our own bodies doing the work !! Sorry for banging on but honestly juicing is the way tesco are selling a Phillips juicer £110 for £39 it’s fab here is a link for some immune boosting juice recipes healthline.com/health-slideshow/juice-immune-system-boost#6 Every little helps 
Lots of love xxxx
Got it not sure how I add a new tip or. Just tag it onto one already there … Such a techno phobe !! ? Xxx
Hi again, so here is a quick and easy way to get a tasty dish done - and it should be good - as it has much of what we need - It can - of course be completely made from scratch - but you may sometimes not feel up to it. If cooking from scratch can easily be adjusted for specific dietary needs - i.e. make cheese sauce with rice milk and rennet/lactose free cheese, gluten free pasta, etc Broccoli Pasta cheese bake You need- 1 packet Batchelors Super Pasta ‘n’ Sauce Cheese and Broccoli (serves 1 or 2 as a main meal depending on appetite) 1 head of fresh broccoli - or bag of broccoli heads - enough to consider whether for 1 or 2 persons Milk Butter - optional grated cheese egg/s Cook the Batchelors pack to instruction - I personally use more milk and less water - and add unsalted butter to make it a little richer. Bring pan of water - with 1/2 teaspoon sea salt to boil, pop in your broccoli heads - bring back to boil - when boiling turn down to simmer for 5 minutes, then drain. By this time your pasta should be ready - Mix the two together, mashing the broccoli heads - then put into a baking dish - sprinkle liberally with your chosen grated cheese and pop into oven preheated at 180 degrees for about 15 mins to melt and crisp the cheese. Serve up on plated and pop poached or fried egg on top. Hey presto! If you don’t feel like making in into a back - just pop the broccoli cheese mixture onto your plate and top with egg.
Sue I’m blind I can see up new topics & 11 replies which one do I click on … Sorry sound like a right numpty xxx
That’s it I’m on my phone so keep it simple I’ll just reply lol thanks xxxx
Hi again,
and here is another bit - particularly for those , who wish to figure out what is safe or not safe to use with respect to cosmetics and skin care. There is so much out there of what is right or wrong - so here is a link - which will be of help and also covers Parabens. I would suggest to read and explore - and make your own decisions.
cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/cancer-controversies/cosmetics-and-toiletries There is a thought about that dark nail polish may stop you from losing your nails - losing your nails is very rare - and the colour does not make a difference at all. However, using a dark polish will hide any discolouration you may experience.
I went and had Shellac in a dark brown shimmer put on. This will last for at least 2-3 weeks without chipping, and will save me much time and trouble to keep my nails looking good. I guess it might even last longer - as nails won’t grow so rapidly now. But will need to check re formaldehyde in their formulation - Clinique nail varnish is free of this, but yes, you might have to paint them more often, lol.
As all rapid growing cells, will be stopped for a while, affecting not only all of our body hair, but also our skin and nails - this is what I am doing to keep myself feeling good and my skin in as gooder condition as possible. I currently use a lot of Palmers products, as reported paraben free (although not too concerned about this) but very much value for money - and great results.
Therapy Skin Body Oil every day all over, Sinks in easily and does not leave you being an oil slick, lol. Oodles of Body lotion after the weekly therapheutical bath soak. They als do an eye cream and facial oil, which I find invaluable. And of course their hand cream - a must on a daily basis to keep the cuticles healthy, too.
So here is to looking great - and looking after ourselves!
Morning Sue … Here here I heard that too bout dark nail polish I just used ordinary, my mum is a beautician & does shellac but I was wary re getting it off as it needs acetone do u think it wld b ok ? If so that wld be great for me ? I got all my creams from Holland & Barrett organic paraben free u get shower gel, body lotion, nail oil, eye cream etc & they had deals on so I saved £24 so if anyone needs anything it’s worth a look ? I have got up today with 2 spots !!! One in each side of my nose … Thought at 50 I’d be over that but no doubt to do with treatment … sending love & hugs to all XXXX
OOOPS!
Right - some research done - not a good idea after all - sorry!!!
breastcancer.org/tips/hair_skin_nails/nails
Should tell you all you might wish to know on the subject of nails - and again a bit on lymphoedema, which I did not think of either…
So I shall be trotting off to Clinique - not necessarily the lowest cost alternative, but at least they have the right stuff and support Breast Cancer Care as one of their causes.
xxx
Hi Sue I DO EXACT SAME nothing more therapeutic than pulling off shellac !! That was my concern cos when u pull it off I don’t think u do yr nails much good but pre chemo nails coped fine just not sure if they cope so well … Can u imagine pulling shellac off & part of nail comes too !! Not sure that wld be so therapeutic lol I’m thinking the spots maybe all my toxins coming out now that I’m juicing etc ? 1 week after 1st chemo feeling ok today bn up with the lark have unloaded dishwasher, made tea peeled tatties, had my carrot, Apple, pear & ginger juice lots of green tea & a slice of toast & made sons rolls for his work … Quite tired but ok ? Just a thought ladies (and I HAVE NEVER bn one for this at all) … Investing in a journal I decided to get one (Amazon £8, believe in Yrself lovely quotes on some pages) I am going to write in it everyday every good/bad thought sometimes it’s good to write things down get them out of yr head if nothing else & once this ‘blip’ is over it’s something to look back on & remember how strong we were … Just a thought, as I said if anyone has mentioned ‘journal’ to me pre ‘blip’ I would have thought them a tad odd & that my life was far too ‘busy’ for such a ‘flowery’ thing but never say never XXXX
Hi sue so best to stick to ordinary dark polish with acetone free remover ? Oh well never mind give us something to do, had a lovely movie night with my daughter last night she is 13 in June she wanted to make me look nice & ‘do my make up’ I eventually relented … Bless her I looked liked coco the clown with dodgy eye liner flicks … Did make us laugh … At my expense but hey who cares XXXX
Holland & Barrett organic nail oil very good ? Xx
Hi B how u today ? As I said not usually my thing but thought I’d give it a go nothing ventured & all that ? Have had a productive morning making tea for tonight, juicing, chores & now just painted my nails, my 51st birthday tomorrow so getting taken to town for a pressie not gonna be my finest b’day but never mind I will enjoy the day so away to try & make my chemo hair actually resemble hair b4 I venture out in public love & hugs to all Xxxx
Thanks as I say not the best b’day ? Is ye 1st chemo 9th June ? My 2nd is 6th June, hopefully be fine keep juicing & get those vitamins in ? Xxx
Thanks both 
I have tonnes I want to know from the chemo chat but a lot of it is dotting i’s and crossing t’s.
Thanks for your kind words about my blog - it’s been such a help to me, and if it helps others, brilliant. Your projects sounds exciting! Can’t wait to hear more.
Back on the subject of this thread, are you all sorted with suncream? You know we’re meant to use factor 50 to avoid sunburn? Trying to find an effective suncream that doesn’t include the hormone disruptors we’re meant to avoid isn’t easy. This article explains a bit more about it: breastcancer.org/risk/factors/sunscreen
Anyway, Neals Yard Organics (uk.nyrorganic.com/shop/debrajames/area/shop-online/category/sun-care/)) don’t use any nasties and their suncream (while pricey, but isn’t all this stuff!!) has just been listed as one of the best by The Independent: independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/fashion-beauty/best-body-sunscreen-marks-and-spencer-lancome-nivea-boots-a7012831.html I’ve found it really good.
Hope that helps,
B x
Is 3 are just wee hives of information lol I am away to town bn in shower & attempted to make my candy floss oh sorry hair look like hair … Mmmm it’ll have to do ? Looking forward to yr hearing about yr project sue ? Have a lovely afternoon Xxxxx
What we can/should eat or not?!
Meat - meat derived products
At a guess we are all hoping to get advice from our care teams - unfortunately they cannot always give us the advice we are looking for, as they might become liable, if they were to recommend something, which later might cause us an issue. Hence I am doing some research to help us and make reasonably informed decisions - but, as always - to be taken with care. We are all individual, as our cancers are, too. This is NOT about fads, latest do’s and don’ts, but about common sense.
As always - a little of what we like - ALWAYS does us good - it is just a matter of amount.
In general our cancers are receptive to specific hormones. Hormones are in some way or another nearly found in everything, they occur naturally - so do not panic. We need to look out for foods, and especially meats from animals, which are not overloaded with hormones and antibiotics - and thankfully there are guidelines on this.
So, if you can afford it - go organic for your meat or at least free range AND buy UK origin - as the kinds of hormone additions given, to keep animals healthy or possibly promote their growth are strickly limited. Actually - giving growth hormones to animals have been outlawed in the UK!
Ready made meals, stock cubes, etc. to make up stock quickly - can be nearly a complete chemical cocktail - again look out for organic ones, so that you can be as sure, as you want to be, that they are as low in hormone and antibiotic additions as possible. And of course - what we need to know on this - is never on the ingredients list!
So here a few alternatives to stock cubes
kallo.com/things-we-make/stocks-gravies/organic-chicken/
Kallo has other stock cubes, too and can at least be found in most supermarkets
Of course you can still eat ready meals and low cost meat, which are not organic or free range - just keep it in moderation, that is all.
And turning vegetarian or Vegan also has its challenges, but I come to that another time.
Hope it helps to answer some questions for those, who are concerned or unsure…
xxx
Morning Sue many thanks for that it’s very useful but as you say it’s good not to get too ‘caught up’ & worried about everything that goes into our bodies or we’d go nuts !! Last few days I have had bother with heartburn/indigestion any tips ? Have tried gaviscon tabs drinking enough water to make my back teeth float but still here this morning ? Noticing my mouth & gums dry too … Oh the joys Xxxx