Chemotherapy Tips

This is not a list of recommendations - just a few things which members of the group have found helpful to them

Macmillan produce a very useful booklet about chemotherapy - you can get a copy FREE by phoning them on 0808 808 0000.

Try to avoid people who tell you "horror stories" or make you feel bad.

Maintain a positive attitude - try positive affirmations. Coming to a support group can help.

If you've been warned that your hair is likely to fall out as a result of treatment, consider having your hair cut shorter before starting. Some members have found this easier to cope with. Try to organise your wig whilst you still have hair, to help with matching colour. Not everyone likes to wear a wig all the time, so you may want to seek out hats and scarves to wear as an alternative.

Try to arrange to have "bloods" taken the day before chemo is due, you can then phone next morning to check if OK - this saves waiting around only to be told that the blood result is not good enough for chemo to go ahead.

A number of things can help during the treatment itself - visualisation (also affirmations) particularly if you are afraid of the chemotherapy, take a walkman with your own choice of music or speaking tapes. A foot massage or reflexology is very relaxing and may help with any nausea. Arnica cream can help with bruising from needles but do not apply over broken skin.

There are several things you can try to help with nausea:

Aloe Vera juice (usually 1 tablespoon 3 times a day but check bottle).

Slippery Elm powder (1 teaspoon 3 times a day in liquid).

Sea Bands (acupressure wrist bands, usually used for travel sickness).

Eating crystallised ginger/drinking infusion of hot water and finely chopped ginger.

Cardamom infusion.

Peppermint tea.

If constipation is a problem, Lactulose may help. You can also try linseeds.

If you have poor veins it may help to ask to have a PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) line fitted.

Some found live yoghurt helpful for mouth ulcers and some found that pineapple chunks helped with a sore or dry mouth.

Women patients are eligible for a free "Look Good, Feel Better" make-over, which takes place once a month at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Ask for a separate leaflet which gives more details.