Cancer Support and Caregivers Who Are Trail Blazers!

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by claybaby

morning Heavenleahangel......I know all of this is so overwhelming for you, and for Jacob! He can "sense" your stress and "feel" it also! So yes, he does know something is up. All you can do is to continue with his routines as close to the same as possible. Spend quality time with him, reassure him, and be as positive as possible with all of this...a lot to try to do, yes, BUT it will help allay his fears, too!
The website WebMd has the best and most correct information on this drug! It even has reviews from people who actually took it. It is so easy to want to read all one can and that can get confusing and frightening in itself. Just try to think as positive as possible and keep yourself in a state of calmness..and think in terms of this is going to make me so much better...yes there are "possible" side effects but that doesn't mean they will all mainfest. The most folks get with chemo side effects is flu like symptoms and bone pain. They usually give Zometa to help with that...the main and most important thing to remember is that your immune system will be compromised. YOU need to stay as healthy as possible...people will, SHOULD understand! It is of UTMOST importance that you keep visitors to a bare minimum, keep everyone with any kind of sniffles and cold symptoms away from you! Set up lots of bottles of hand sanitizers all over the space you will be in....you should keep yourself to a confined space as much as possible...durting the treatments...to protect YOU from germs and colds. HANDWASHING is of the single most importance..as well as keeping you hydrated and well stocked in Vitamin D and Calcium!!!Please know I am offering all of this advice having gone thru this with my deceased wife...and as a Nurse!
Positive and upbeat outlook
No visitors during treatment (anyone who has to be around you should have a flu shot as well!!!)
Quality time with Jacob & reassure him...
Vitamin D & Calcium
Hand Sanitizers by the Gallons
Hand soap and LOTS Handwashing!
Smile...deep breathe...we are all here for you, my friend!!!
Read WebMd and reviews...
I am here for you at any given time!!
Big hugs lady..Clay

Clay,

With all due respect, the above is not true for everyone. Many people have a hell of a lot more than flu like symptoms and many people do not have bone pain. It depends on the chemo drug and it depends on the person.

Additionally, please be careful making suggestions as to which vitamins or supplements a person should take. I went over a list of supplements with my oncologist and she picked and chose which ones were ok to take while I was on chemotherapy. For example, green tea is an excellent antioxidant, and I take it in large doses...NOW. It would have resulted in toxicity if I had taken it while I was doing my chemotherapy. The drugs used in chemotherapy are different depending upon the type of cancer and depending upon the person. Vitamins and supplements are drugs. Just like any other drug, we need to make sure that our drugs work in harmony.

I am not trying to bust your chops here, I just want to point out that we really need to be hesitant giving out medical advice to people, especially when it comes to medications people can get over the counter.

[JustJo]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Clay,

With all due respect, the above is not true for everyone. Many people have a hell of a lot more than flu like symptoms and many people do not have bone pain. It depends on the chemo drug and it depends on the person.

Additionally, please be careful making suggestions as to which vitamins or supplements a person should take. I went over a list of supplements with my oncologist and she picked and chose which ones were ok to take while I was on chemotherapy. For example, green tea is an excellent antioxidant, and I take it in large doses...NOW. It would have resulted in toxicity if I had taken it while I was doing my chemotherapy. The drugs used in chemotherapy are different depending upon the type of cancer and depending upon the person. Vitamins and supplements are drugs. Just like any other drug, we need to make sure that our drugs work in harmony.

I am not trying to bust your chops here, I just want to point out that we really need to be hesitant giving out medical advice to people, especially when it comes to medications people can get over the counter.

I have to step in and agree with Dapper. I know your advice is coming from good intentions Clay, but many people did that with my mother....and she was spending a fortune on supplements that were actually hurting her.

Yes, we have made changes in her care...but every single step was okayed by her doctor...even something as mild as adding Pedialyte to battle her dehydration.

Drugs, chemo, over the counter medications, supplements, even food....can have negative interactions....and no two people are alike. I'm a huge advocate of researching and learning all you can...online and from people who have/are living it....but ultimately I am a bigger advocate of checking EVERYTHING with your doctor first.

Also, I'm not a huge fan of WebMD and have found some downright incorrect information on that site. Personally, I prefer the American Cancer Society or The Mayo Clinic sites.