[Unregistered]

I have a family member about to undergo chemotherapy, radiation and surgery were I guess unsuccessful and the cancer spread and is now back in her lymph nodes. I'll save the dramatics.

I just know there has to be many folks that have first hand experience with this, just looking for some info.

*EDIT*

Also can we please not do the "Wow that's terrible, best wishes, hope she gets better, it will all be good" yada yada bullshit as to not clutter the thread? Thanks.

Not me, but I have somone very close to me who had Chemo. here's what I can recall:

She had to go to dentist for a thorough check up and cleaning because you want to check/take care of your teeth before you begin.

get a Pap if due for one because Chemo can make a false positive while under chemo

can cause hair loss-so expiriment with wigs scarves hats etc in case of possible hair loss.

prepare for dry lips with very rich emollient lip balm, no menthol or anything that will irritate dry deeply cracked skin. chapstick/vaseline won't cut it here.

prepare for help around the house for the person if they need it because they will be tired and maybe can't keep up with chores while under/recovering from chemo.

there are many support groups out there (even on the net) for different kinds of cancer and she'll be bound to find people who have gone through similar treatment, or are going thru it- that can help alot.

Nutrition is an important factor but I can't advise, you need to ask your dr. or research yourself. the right diet can make a diffference

***Plese note that everyone is very very different of course, and my person had advanced colon cancer so the chemo was extremely drasticly strong, the most anyone can take, so hopefully your family member doesn't get it as mine did, with the chemo bladder surgically sewn in her and the chemo was injected into that and it was designed to leak out in to her body, then a few days later they injected more, etc etc. (she made it though)

I really agree...

[420max]

Originally Posted by Zoolicious

I really agree...

Sorry to Hijack this, but I just got diagnosed with Hairy Cell Lymphoma ....anyone know anything about it? All i know is from what I've seen online no first hand experience. I have to begin treatment soon its something low level Chemo where I won't lose my hair I guess but still fuckin nauseous. Anyone have any advice???

Originally Posted by 420max

Sorry to Hijack this, but I just got diagnosed with Hairy Cell Lymphoma ....anyone know anything about it? All i know is from what I've seen online no first hand experience. I have to begin treatment soon its something low level Chemo where I won't lose my hair I guess but still fuckin nauseous. Anyone have any advice???

Tincture or liquid edibles...

I'm truly sad to see you post this, chemotherapy, at whatever level, is just awful. It's like treating the disease with poison. Kills the disease, but could kill you too.

Anyway - my father had chemo when he was diagnosed with Terminal Lung Cancer in 1987. I was 16 at the time, and I watched him go every time and get bombarded with the junk. In the end it didn't prolong his life, he died less than 6 months after being diagnosed.

As for his health - it continued to decline during that time, and even MJ didn't help. This was almost 20 years ago, so medical technology could have gotten better in the interium.

Keep strong.

[R_anon]

A few things about Chemo -

My partner underwent treatment in 2002 - she is cancer free now.

Chemo Brain - Years later she has lots of memory loss issues. This can stick around for a few years.

Favorite foods. Try not to bombard patients with all their favorite foods. What can happen is what was once favorite now has bad association, so save some of the favs for after treatment.

Make sure you get IV hydration at home on days after your treatments. This improved overall feeling dramatically.

Make sure you know about the things that rebuild the red and white blood cells. I have heard of some docs not mentioning this until Red cell count was super low. Not good.

[Bean Guru]

I went through 6 chemo last year, my final on 4/20/06, so tomorrow is a anniversary...

For hair loss, use a tape lint roller on the head to remove the hair that continues to fall out...

My periods stopped, which is great! But the hot flashes and night sweats are the trade off on that...

Take the anti-nausea meds as directed, smoking mmj does help immensly and it helps with the loss of appetite due to the taste of metal in your mouth.

Avoid children with chicken pox (same virus as shingles), use a face mask in crowds or office if flu/cold season.

Chemo sucks, but it's worth it!

I know the thread says "Ladies". I don't qualify there but I have had a cancer Dx twice... for me it's about eating and sleeping right (NO GLUTEN!) and low stress. The way I look at chemo is you got to do what you have to if you want to survive! This time it's radiation (finished that part) and infusions and 6 months of pills. However the duration of treatment will be determined by my progress. I just hate being soooooo tired all the time.

[amcg]

My mom used medical marijuana through her treatments and it really helped to ease her anxiety..