Just Beginning

Marynb

faith4me777 said:

Thank you Jcruz.  Oh my

Thank you Jcruz.  Oh my sounds like you really went through it.  I can tell the hydration thing is really important it has been repeated many times here.  I have added protein shake to my list of things to get.  My little list is beginning to look like a childs Christmas list so will be shopping this next weekend gathering everything I can to make this as easy as possible.  Preparing helps keep my mind occupied too.  Haven't started treatment yet and I already can't wait for the day I wake up and don't think Cancer!  Thank you again and have a blessed day!

Faith
I was diagnosed the night before Thanksgiving. I had 2 weeks before treatment started, so I got the things I needed and also did all my
Christmas shopping and decorating before I started treatment. I don't know if you celebrate Christmas, but if you do, that could keep your mind off things.

Marynb

faith4me777 said:

Thank you so much!!  Taking

Thank you so much!!  Taking benadry is new to hear is that because of the radiation burn itching?  I feel pretty much the same way as most I don't like pain pills but seem the general attitude is TAKE them   Is the silvadene that everyone keeps mentioning a prescription or over the counter?  The only thing Drs have said is to use Elta lotion and Aquaphor neither of which to me seem to soothing.  I too am afraid and scared but this too shall pass.  Praying your after treatment jouney turns to a distant memory and side effects disappear.  Thanks again and have a blessed day.

Pain pills
Faith, everyone is different and you need to do what works for you. Pain pills make me sick. I get nauseous and dizzy and I cannot function on them. I have a high threshold for pain. Because I was a divorced Mom, I had to function. I did not take pain any pain pills at all, and I did fine without them. It was painful the last few treatments and the week following treatment, but not too bad at all. I didn't want to add to my problems by taking pain pills. I used prayer when things got bad.

Do what works for you. Don't expect the worst, expect that you will do fine and be rid of this awful cancer. It was very doable!

Marynb

mxperry220 said:

Items I Used

I was treated for anal cancer at Baylor Plano in 2008-2009.  I used Aquaphor(over the counter).  I found this worked better than any of the other ointments (rescription or over the counter).  I drank Ensure for vitamin/mineral supplement.  I found toasted cheese sanwiches on white bread and dill pickles agreed with me.  I also ate chicken noodle soup, ice cream and Jello.  I also took a one a day vitamin as I have done for years.

You may want to have a waterproof pad to put under you at night.  I found this worked best as I did not have to change my bed if their was any leakage or accidents before I could get to the commode.  It was much easier to just wash to pad.

 I used Dove soap on my privates as it is a mild bath soap.  I found Advil worked best for me for pain.  The nacotic pain killers did nothing for me.  I did and still take Immodium.  Sam's has  their brand and it is cheaper and works just as well. 

Make certain to not have any ointment on when you have radiation treatments. 

Hope some of this helps.

Mike

Mike......Foods
Dill pickles......lol. That made me smile. Isn't it funny how we all have our own foods that give us comfort? Growning up, my Mom always gave us ginger ale and cinnamon toast when we were sick. My Mom died long ago, but I drank a lot of ginger ale and ate cinnamon toast during treatment. It reminded me of her and gave me comfort.

Lorikat

faith4me777 said:

Lorikat...I will go to Texas

Lorikat...I will go to Texas Oncology in Denton it is about 30 miles from where I live so hoping I can make it home each time.  Thanks again for all your information it certainly helps me prepare!

Faith..

Heading to your part of the world tomorrow.  My daughter lives in the Dallas area and  I will visit with her  on my way to Houston...

faith4me777

Marynb said:

Faith
I was diagnosed the night before Thanksgiving. I had 2 weeks before treatment started, so I got the things I needed and also did all my
Christmas shopping and decorating before I started treatment. I don't know if you celebrate Christmas, but if you do, that could keep your mind off things.

So sorry you had to start

So sorry you had to start your Thanksgiving with that kind of news.  I guess there really is no good time but the night before Thanksgiving well nothing good to say about that.  I have been doing just that getting supplies, cleaning running errands almost feel as though I am "nesting" .  The info on here has just been so awesome feel like I will actually be ready for this and prepared thanks to all who have gone before me.  Funny you mentioned that about Christmas -yes, I love and celebrate the birth of Christ-I have thought I would get some of the shopping done as well plus I do need some clothing for this.  Monday will be here before I know it but the sooner it does the sooner it is finished.

faith4me777

OMG 1012 said:

Silvadene is prescription, my

Silvadene is prescription, my pharmacist gave me the BIG jar, I too used the aquaphor in the beginning but found the Silvadene at the middle/end of treatment provided much more relief.  AND the Domboro was wonderful, I mixed 1 packet in a bottle of water and kept it in the fridge, I would pour some out into a bowl and put the washcloth piece in and apply the cold solution to my area.  The itching I am not so sure what caused it I am assuming the radiation, it was so intense that I dont know what I would have done with out the Benadryl.  You menitoned getting your port in --ya know, that is the one things that really bothered me the most about the whole treatment too, but it is worth it for ease of treatment.  (Mine has now been removed)  You are almost 1 year exactly from when I started my treatment, (Nov 19) I wish you well and want you to know it does get better, I am doing very well after completion of treatment 10 months ago.  I also wanted to add that my mouth started to hurt about 3 days after the 1st round of chemo. And the worse days of the whole treatment was 3 days after last round of chemo and that lasted about a week--we all are different, some things work for some and not others, I too found this board before I started and I don't know how I would have made it without all the wonderful people here and their support and recommendations--I wish you well!

Thank you so much makes me

Thank you so much makes me feel better about the port, I just really don't like needles but then most people don't.  At my age you wouldn't think they would still make me break a sweat but they do.  Wow amazing the similarities.  I am so thankful I found this site can't say thank you enough to everyone for the info and kindness and support they have shown.  It is helping me feel like I am gathering the right tools for this war and that everything will be ok.  The mouth sores don't sound very exciting either but then none of it is.  Glad you are doing well that is inspiration enough for me as I enter this journey.  Thanks for the well wishes!!

faith4me777

mp327 said:

Faith

I was prescribed the Silver Sulfadiazine and found it helped, but it was very hard to keep on, as I had serious diarrhea and was wiping it off with each trip to the bathroom.  It is a prescription.  One thing that is very important is that it must be completely removed from your skin prior to treatment, as it contains metal and can cause increased radiation burning.  At some point, it may be too painful to remove it completely, so definitely ask your doctors if there is something else you can use that does not need to be removed prior to treatment.  Some people have said they used aloe and were told it was okay to have on their skin during treatment, but please ask your doctor as I cannot confirm this.  Also, before using Benadryl for itching, run that by your doctor first too.  He/she needs to know everything you are using either by mouth or externally.  I used Aquaphor up until the time I needed the Silver Sulfadiazine, but can't say one way or the other if it really helped.  I wish you all the best and I know you will get through this!   

You are just so amazing with

You are just so amazing with all you info thank you so much.  The Dr said Aquaphor and Elta lotion but having a few backups of other products just in case will be good to.  I will always confirm with the Dr to make sure things are ok to use.  Don't want to mess anything up for sure.  I haven't heard to much about showers or baths does it hurt to take them or soothing.  Just figure that wiping the area may not get everything off and don't want to get burned more then I have too.  So much to remember for my little sometimer brain.  I have chemo class tomorrow so i guess they will give me a lot of information there too.  Thanks again so much for you kindness and support.

faith4me777

Marynb said:

Pain pills
Faith, everyone is different and you need to do what works for you. Pain pills make me sick. I get nauseous and dizzy and I cannot function on them. I have a high threshold for pain. Because I was a divorced Mom, I had to function. I did not take pain any pain pills at all, and I did fine without them. It was painful the last few treatments and the week following treatment, but not too bad at all. I didn't want to add to my problems by taking pain pills. I used prayer when things got bad.

Do what works for you. Don't expect the worst, expect that you will do fine and be rid of this awful cancer. It was very doable!

I understand I am a single

I understand I am a single grandmother raising two kids and I have to function.  I don't really have family here and haven't lived where I do long enough for many relationships but it will be ok, I can do this and the kids will help.  Don't really want pain med but if necessary will take them just have to be careful.  we just finished football and soccer so that is over and nothing should start until my treatment is over God's perfect timing. Kicking cancers butt that is my mission.  Thanks Mary

faith4me777

kihonkumite said:

Surgery coming soon

I was told that I have to have the surgery and get the colostomy bag. Of course, I'm devastated but trying to accept, because what else can I do? I've avoided reading about the bag until today. I can't say that I'm any less relieved by reading about it.

Just venting...

it.So sorry you are having to

it.So sorry you are having to go that route but if is going to make you well then I am all for it.  It could be any of us in this position but life is life and love is love so we go forward .   Onward Christian Soldiers help kihonkumite get through this surgery!!  I will you well and please vent any time. 

faith4me777

mxperry220 said:

Items I Used

I was treated for anal cancer at Baylor Plano in 2008-2009.  I used Aquaphor(over the counter).  I found this worked better than any of the other ointments (rescription or over the counter).  I drank Ensure for vitamin/mineral supplement.  I found toasted cheese sanwiches on white bread and dill pickles agreed with me.  I also ate chicken noodle soup, ice cream and Jello.  I also took a one a day vitamin as I have done for years.

You may want to have a waterproof pad to put under you at night.  I found this worked best as I did not have to change my bed if their was any leakage or accidents before I could get to the commode.  It was much easier to just wash to pad.

 I used Dove soap on my privates as it is a mild bath soap.  I found Advil worked best for me for pain.  The nacotic pain killers did nothing for me.  I did and still take Immodium.  Sam's has  their brand and it is cheaper and works just as well. 

Make certain to not have any ointment on when you have radiation treatments. 

Hope some of this helps.

Mike

Another good idea I had not

Another good idea I had not thought about...........waterproof pad will check into where to get those but that would be great.  yeah narcotics usually just make me sick and I don't need that happening,  blessings!

horsepad

I am a single grandmother

I am a single grandmother raising 2 grandchildren, ages 8 and 10.  My grandchildren were a blessing during treatment.  Gave me strength and helped by getting this or that for me.  I didn't have it bad during most of treatment but the 2 or 3 weeks after treatment finished were the worst. I needed help with kids at end of treatment because I couldn't sit so therefore couldn't drive to take kids to school etc.  Best of luck to you, sending prayers your way.

faith4me777

horsepad said:

I am a single grandmother

I am a single grandmother raising 2 grandchildren, ages 8 and 10.  My grandchildren were a blessing during treatment.  Gave me strength and helped by getting this or that for me.  I didn't have it bad during most of treatment but the 2 or 3 weeks after treatment finished were the worst. I needed help with kids at end of treatment because I couldn't sit so therefore couldn't drive to take kids to school etc.  Best of luck to you, sending prayers your way.

Many blessings to you.  Thank

Many blessings to you.  Thank you for your words, I have been really worried since I don't have family here and having not lived here long not too many friends.  I guess the good thing is that the end of my treatment I think will be around Christmas and they are out of school.  They are very self sufficient and I figure the worst will be preparing meals but sandwiches will get them through the day .  They are a blessing everyday and keep me going for sure nothing like doing it the second time around.  Thank you and blessings!

mxperry220

faith4me777 said:

Another good idea I had not

Another good idea I had not thought about...........waterproof pad will check into where to get those but that would be great.  yeah narcotics usually just make me sick and I don't need that happening,  blessings!

Pads

As crazy as this sounds Petsmart sells large waterproof pads. I bought two for my dog and wished I had known of them when I was under treatment.  The large are a good size.  Below is a link to the pads.  They are washable and the fabic is soft.  The website says they cannot be ordered online but may be purchased in the store.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=13026309&f=PAD%2FpsNotAvailInUS%2FNo

Mike

sephie

faith4me777 said:

Many blessings to you.  Thank

Many blessings to you.  Thank you for your words, I have been really worried since I don't have family here and having not lived here long not too many friends.  I guess the good thing is that the end of my treatment I think will be around Christmas and they are out of school.  They are very self sufficient and I figure the worst will be preparing meals but sandwiches will get them through the day .  They are a blessing everyday and keep me going for sure nothing like doing it the second time around.  Thank you and blessings!

am. cancer society, faith

faith,,,  i could not have driven myself back and forth at all in the last week especially... see if am. cancer society has someone who could drive you there if you need it..... good luck...sephie

horsepad

The American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society does have volunteer drivers that will take you to your doctor/treatment appts. all free of charge.  We use our own vehicles and gas.    I am a volunteer and have driven many survivors to their appts.  I have also ran some to the store etc  afterwards so they can get things they need.

OMG 1012

mp327 said:

Faith

I was prescribed the Silver Sulfadiazine and found it helped, but it was very hard to keep on, as I had serious diarrhea and was wiping it off with each trip to the bathroom.  It is a prescription.  One thing that is very important is that it must be completely removed from your skin prior to treatment, as it contains metal and can cause increased radiation burning.  At some point, it may be too painful to remove it completely, so definitely ask your doctors if there is something else you can use that does not need to be removed prior to treatment.  Some people have said they used aloe and were told it was okay to have on their skin during treatment, but please ask your doctor as I cannot confirm this.  Also, before using Benadryl for itching, run that by your doctor first too.  He/she needs to know everything you are using either by mouth or externally.  I used Aquaphor up until the time I needed the Silver Sulfadiazine, but can't say one way or the other if it really helped.  I wish you all the best and I know you will get through this!   

see this is my point exactly about different for everyone

I  got diarrhea in the very beginning of treatment and did not use anything--drank lots of Gatorade - I actually had to use stool softeners NOT LAXATIVES  near the end --1 in the am and 1 at bed time--I still do this to this day--to make sure all comes out easy- Just like Margaret said--make sure to ask your Dr -- wishing you well and as far as I can tell by your start date,  your worse time will be Christmas week, Just like for me.  Remember we are all here for you XO