Hi all,
Im new to this group, I live near Exeter and had my pre op assessment yesterday, Friday get the magnetic guide inserted, my op lumpectomy in on 18th next month. I have grade 3 ER negative DCIS
I have been told I will need Chemo followed by Radiotherapy after the op.
I am going to make a basket of goodies for looking after myself while having treatment. Are there any things you wish you had before or couldn’t without during your treatments.
Will make a nibbles basket too but don’t want to fill it with chocolate etc, so healthy nibble ideas too.
Thank you all. X
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Hi,
Sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. But it’s great you have a treatment plan and are about to start. I found things a lot easier once I was on that treatment journey.
Re goodie basket, great idea. It is hard to know what you will fancy eating because chemo does crazy things to taste buds, appetite and the rest. And everyone is different. I’d recommend eating what you fancy. Fruity ice lollies were a saviour for me for just giving me some energy. Have lots of bottles of water to hand… in the end, I got so sick of water I bought some nice elderflower cordial and had loads of that.
Obviously anti-bac hand gel, hand cream, anti-sickness, pain killers etc plus steroids and all your other pre meds in a handy place with a medication organiser.
Distraction would be my number 1 tip, find nice ways to pass the time. I found I couldn’t read fiction but there are two books that got me through it - Wintering by Katherine May and Phosphoresence by Julia Baird. Download some podcasts you are interested in before you feel bad and have no energy - making decisions can be tricky!
Also watching some good tv - Stanley Tucci travelling around Italy eating everything was my go to!
Ginger biscuits, plain crackers etc are good but again it’s really hard to know what you’ll be up to or feel like.
Just go with it and listen to your body.
All the best 
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Hi @alison211
Welcome to the forum. It is full of kind, helpful people like @yeatesl83 and I hope you find the support you are looking for. A basket of goodies sounds like a great idea.
Please know that our nurses are here for you any time, here on the forum on the Ask our Nurses your questions or over the phone 0808 800 6000.
Sending our love,
Lucy
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Hi Alison. I’m in Devon too and off to the consultant tomorrow for my treatment plan and hopefully a surgery date for 41mm invasive lobular. Wishing you luck with the surgery next week - I love the idea of a goodies basket xx
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I loved Wintering too. Perhaps I’ll try phosphorescence around my treatment! xx
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