A few of my favourite things (for getting through chemotherapy)

No raindrops on roses nor whiskers on kittens

No bright copper kettles nor warm woollen mittens

Some might come in brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are a few of my favourite things

Chemotherapy is different for each person. Now I am past halfway through treatment I think I am qualified to talk about my side effects and the products that have helped - just in case it can help others.

Nausea, smell and taste

For me nausea is one of the more difficult side effects. I feel sick for about half the three week cycle (although round 3 was less, only 8 days). Coupled with the nausea is an enhanced sense of smell and an altered sense of taste.

The only flavours unaffected are sour (lemon and grapefruit), ginger, mint, aniseed/bitter almond/apricot kernel and salt.

I eat a lot of white foods and scrambled eggs when I am feeling sick. Toast, crackers, crumpets, potatoes, banana, stewed apple and porridge. I suck on mints. I chew gum to try and stem any excessive saliva. A special shout out to Nairn’s stem ginger oat cookies (salty and gingery), grapefruit and lemon Fru Jus (for when you can’t stomach food) and ginger marmalade on spicy fruit loaf (for a special treat I can actually taste). I can’t drink tea and coffee (because it tastes terrible) so I have started making myself Milos with zero lactose milk.

My amazing friend Nicola has been sending me various gourmet ginger biscuits…my favourite so far have been Molly Woppy’s Chewy Ginger Delights.

I have a secret stash of amaretti biscuits and peppermint chocolate for when the nausea stops.

Mouth and lips

The inside of my mouth feels weird and sensitive. I need to be careful with hard food. I brush with a sensitive toothbrush head, use a toothpaste that doesn’t foam (without SLS) and I use a non alcohol based mouth wash. My dentist (Dr Hisham) makes an excellent mouth wash that I highly recommend. Apparently mouth ulcers are a common side effect. You can also have real problems with your gums. I haven’t had those issues yet using this regime.

Your lips dry out so I use lip balm. My favourites are Burt’s Bees and Ashley & Co.

Skin

I usually follow a fairly intensive skin care regime with medical based products. Those products promote the shedding of the skin on my face and I also have peels. I have stopped all that during chemotherapy as my skin is dry and shedding all by itself. I cleanse using my usual Dr Aspect deep cleanse and moisturise my face using a Dr Aspect hydrating mask. I slather every inch of my body in Aveeno moisturiser. I moisturise my hands regularly.

Eyes

I have had a lot of problems with my eyes. They have been swollen, pink, watery and they twitch. I take an antihistamine daily and am using steroid eye drops and hylo-fresh eye drops. I wear sunglasses when I leave the house (and with my bobbed wig I like to pretend I am Anna Wintour).

Hair/scalp

If you are trying to prevent hair loss using the Paxman Hair Cooling system you will need a good shampoo free of all the nasty stuff. I experimented with about 6 different brands and most of them made my head itch like crazy. I recommend Original & Mineral Detox shampoo. You should also invest in silk pillowcases - I got mine from Wallace Cotton.

I have been grateful to woolly hats since my head shave. Cover your scalp up outside with either headwear or sunscreen.

Reflux

I do not tolerate the reflux medication. It upsets my already upset tummy. I therefore take Gaviscon when needed.

Sleep

I get extremely fatigued. During the day I fall asleep randomly around the house. However due to steroids, fluid retention and night sweats getting a good nights sleep can be elusive.

I had to go into self isolation in 2020 after sharing an aircraft with the second diagnosed case of COVID in NZ. I have set myself up in my COVID 19 self isolation room. I have the loo close by.

I have made my bed super comfy with a down mattress topper and duvet cover. I have a tri pillow to prop me up if necessary.

Nails

Brittle nails are a common side effect. Before I started chemo I got a gel manicure and pedicure to keep my nails in one piece for as long as possible. The gel manicure survived for 12 weeks. When I can tolerate the smell of nail polish I will paint them myself. The pedicure still looks good.

Massage

I have been seeing an oncology masseuse to help shift the excess fluid and promote the production of white blood cells in my long bones. A full body massage is also a lovely treat and something to look forward to post treatment. I will miss my massage this treatment cycle due to the latest pandemic lockdown.

Physio

I have been seeing my physio since I was two weeks post surgery. She has helped rehab my arm. I didn’t quite appreciate that having your lymph nodes taken from under your arm can cause loss of mobility in your arm and cording. The surgeon cuts a nerve that runs down the back of your arm and to your shoulder blade. My tricep is numb. The feeling is slowly coming back.

Fluid retention

I have a bit of a moon face and moon eyes but it plumps out my wrinkles. I have to watch out for lymphoedema in my arm where the lymph nodes were taken, as the lymph nodes help drain excess fluid. My left arm does look a bit swollen at times but probably only to me. If it swells too much I will need to wear a pressure sleeve.

Closing remarks

It is hard to believe we are locked down again. It is very daunting to know I am immune compromised. I am shielding at home. I might however be one of the few people that feels a bit more connected during lock down as I see more of my work mates by organising Zoom lunches, drinks and morning teas to connect my fabulous team. I have really enjoyed it.

Stay safe everyone. I have started writing about round 4 of treatment against a background of Shakespeare and the recurring theme of pestilence and plague in his plays. Bet you can’t wait for that!