Please give advice!!!Thanks a lot!!!

johnpvc81 · New User Joined: 11 Oct 2005 Posts: 1

Few months back, We found that my lovely mum she has a third stage uterine cancer and she has to go for operation, radiation and chemotherapy. After operation and radiation, she will start the chemotherapy soon. I understand that there are side effects of doing this therapy e.g hair loss, discomfort, lose of appetite. Im just wondering is there any types of food or medicines or ways to alleviate those side effects? cause my mum is old....all your advices are greatly appreciated!!!Thank you!!!

Guest

Hello!
I finished treatment for endometrial cancer at the end of October and had surgery, then chemo, then radiotherapy, as your mum is going to have.
As far as surgery goes, I found there is a silicon gel that works quite well in helping to make the scar heal + less noticable (though I am a vain 29 year old and perhaps your mum is not so bothered), I also found that it messed my whole digestive system up for a while and that easily digestible foods like soup and ice cream were the best way round this. Also, eating little and often helped, as I couldn't face big meals and couldn't finish them even when I tried. I got alot of terrible wind (gas in US?) after surgery, which was awful and I found peppermint (capsules, tea or just in hot water) helped with that. Also, as soon as I could walk again, even though I didn't want to move much, I did find walking a little/ sitting up helped shift the wind. It might sound funny but it's a terrible thing when you can't burp and fart properly!
As for chemo, again, eating little and often seems to be the best way. I just ate what I felt like - there were some foods I hated the idea of and others I didn't mind. There is a herb you can get in capsules called schisandra, which I took to help clear out the toxins whilst getting chemo, which worked for me and is worth a try. You can also get bracelets to help with sickness, which I didn't try but others said were good.
Whilst getting radiotherapy I took some aloe vera juice every day, which seemed to sooth my digestive system, as pelvic radiotherapy does seem to mess around with it a bit. I also took slippery elm tablets for that, which don't taste great but again, seem to work.
Whilst getting chemo, I also wore an ice cap to stop my hair falling out. It works but It's not all that pleasant, so it depends how bothered your mum is about her hair.
Finally psychologically, you need to make sure your mum is kept as well as she can be. Let her talk about her fears rather than just brushing them away, be there for her (as it sounds like you are) and make sure she does something nice every day. Even the smallest thing helps to give a little positivity. Nice cream to help her skin, massage, her favourite fruit, aromatherapy oils/smells she enjoys (also good to put on a hankerchief and take to chemo, so she can smell something nice through treatment)
When she's finished treatment, make sure she gets a little fresh air and exercise every day - good for the mind and energy levels and give her lots of hugs. I'm still trying to get my energy back and just walk a little ever afternoon.
Treatment's not the best way of spending a few months but she'll get through it and she deserves as many hugs as you can give her and a big round of applause when it's finished! ....and how old is old? There are women who live way, way past 100 nowadays!
I'll be thinking of her!
Dawn.

Olly

Chemo
I agree about taking a nice smelling hanky to chemo as some people develop nausea just going through the door to the clinic as they associate the place or the smell with being sick. I also took a CD player and played my favourite music while having my treatment rather than talk to other people there. I'm not normally anti social but I didn't want to swap notes with other cancer patients and get dragged down with the sadness of it all. Chemo gives you a horrible tase in your mouth (it's been described as metallic) and I went very dry in the mouth and eyes. I ended up having to put cream in my eyes. Drink lots of fluids - water preferably but keep ice blocks and other flavoured drinks handy too. The doctor will probably prescribe anti nausea tablets and they do work. Not all chemo drugs make you lose your hair, but if she's having those type of drugs her hair will start to fall singularly after the 1st hit and in clumps by the 2nd hit so be prepared for the shave and with beanies, wigs, scarves etc. Make sure there's someone around to help her with cooking, shopping and other household chores as she'll just feel generally crap and not up to doing much but laying around some days.

How old is your Mum and do you know what type of tumour/cancer she has? If it's the same as the one I have (MMMT), it's quite rare and I can recommend an internet group for her to join.

All the best and well done on reaching out and asking for help for your Mum.

Cheers
Olly

Olly

Just remembered that chemo causes constipation so get something from the chemist and get her to take it following the chemo hit. We have over the counter stuff here in Australia - I'm sure you do too wherever you are - and it does work.

Believe me the constipation is awful and is to be avoided at all costs so be prepared and deal with it.

Eat lots of fruit and vegies, soups and anything else she enjoys, and take her for nice walks for exercise if she's up to it.

Best wishes
Olly
_________________
Keep on keeping on.

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