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Having recently undergone a unilateral mastectomy, I found that handling the drains while taking a shower was a problem. My husband had a brilliant idea -
we had a strap from a camera case that had a clamp on either side.
Using this, expanding the loop of the strap to fit over my head, I was able to hook each drain bulb on the strap, leaving both hands free to wash.
Nicole, June 4, 2005
Buy yourself a couple of small " travel" pillows (the ones that look like infant pillows)
...tuck one between your arm and the side of your body....(on the side that you had surgery on)
....it actually feels better as your arm and chest are sore from surgery. It will also help you
NOT to turn over on THAT side while you are asleep. When you are able to turn and sleep on the
side that you did NOT have surgery on...take one or two of the small travel pillows and tuck
them over your stomach and chest...makes you much more comfortable while" turning over" and while
sleeping on your side. If you have Lymphedema and even if you do not, you still have to be
careful with your arm on the side you had surgery on....using one of the travel pillows is
perfect to extend your arm out on for good lymph node drainage.Take these pillows with you once
you are out of bed...perfect for the car, sofa, TV Chair....they will make you comfortable as
you are healing from your surgery.
These pillows are inexpensive and just the right size ...regular bed pillows are much too big.
Sheryl, September 9, 2002
I found that rubbing the scar and around the drainage tubes with Neosporin Plus
Pain Reliever REALLY helps and also helps to head off any infection.
Sheryl, September 6, 2002
After a recent mastectomy the pain wasn't bad, but the irritations in the
incision line where there are so many nerve endings really bothered me.
This was after the drains and staples had been removed and the wound healed.
I was looking for something topical in my medicine when I found the Anbesol. It really soothed the irritation!
Jeanie, August 10, 2002
I was 18 years old when diagnosed, and aside from emotional pain, physical
pain after my surgery was overwhelming when lying down. I found that placing
a supportive pillow between my breasts helped to take the pressure off, and
raised my (so-called) comfort level.
Julie W., June 4, 2002
This may sound odd, but my Oncology nurse told me at my
preliminary hospital visit to have my armpits professionally
waxed a few days before my surgery. It is hard enough to
deal with the pain and itching from the healing surgical scars.
It sure worked for me!!
Donna, May 23, 2002
Survivor and Dragonboat Racer with Sistership Dragonhearts in Calgary.
If you have reconstructive surgery (free tram flap),
please don't let anyone do a mammogram on your reconstructed breast.
This can cause lymphedema of the breast because it damages the
delicate lymph system that is left after the nodes are removed.
Brenda, March, 2001
If you have removal of lymph nodes, do not have blood pressure or blood
tests taken from that arm in future, if possible. Do not need the
pressure of the tourniquet on that circulation. Do not wear anything on
the arm that may restrict the normal circulation.
Lynne, January 14, 2001
In the beginning as far as visiting your doctor.....
a small hand held tape recorder may be more helpful......
Mitzi, May 29, 2000
Lymphedema is a life time occurrence. The Edema clinic
helped me. Over the period of 4 yrs. my wrist was as large as my elbow.
I saw some in worse shape than I.
They give you an exercise tape and they'll help you a week or two wrapping
your arm. In two weeks my arm was back to normal. BUT... You continue their
instructions to keep the swelling down.
Grannie Jane, May 26, 2000
I had a mastectomy left with lymph glands also removed fortunately all
negative and was wondering how long the oedema will last under my arm. I
know its because lymph glands gone but find it uncomfortable and itchy. I am
using Vit E cream which seems to help a little.
Lesley, December 8, 1999
I knew that I would have drain tubes after the surgery, but with all of
the bandaging, was not exactly sure of where they exited the skin.
Because of the discomfort after surgery, I kept a pillow under my arm to
cushion my arm from the surgical wound. I rested on my right side
(surgery was on left) and always had that pillow there to support.
However, after several days of doing this, I learned that I had been
applying pressure and friction against where the tubes exited and they
got very sore and irritated. I hope that other patients receive an
explanation of where those tubes are and to be mindful of the contact
with them in order to avoid the additional discomfort that I
experienced.
Jane, October 13, 1999
Hi, I am a breast cancer survivor and found that http://www.cuprident.com/oncol.php
was very helpful in helping me with mouth sores during the second round of chemo.
If I would have known about this at the beginning of treatment I would have used the toothpaste preventatively
and perhaps would not have needed the mouthwash.
Cyndi, February 23, 2005
Blanched Almonds & ginger snaps help the nausea.
Andi, September 29, 2004
When you have an idea when your hair will start falling out it is best to have your hair cut short if you have long hair, that way you will get used to your short hair in the meantime
and also the people around you will think that you changed your hairstyle and might not know that you have a wig on.
I know when I went through loosing my hair, I was upset and not very happy in finding that wig so I could continue working. Everyone thought that I had cut my hair short and changed my hairstyle.
I only let close friends know about my situation.
Hope this helps.
Alma, July 14, 2004
I drank so much water I thought I would float! You must drink and drink and drink....preferably filtered water.
I drank 8-12 large glasses a day and I believe this kept me from being really sick. It passes through you much quicker...to help you get on with life before the next round of chemo.
Gidget, April 14, 2004
When I was looking for a medical wig I visited and called several places before
I came across the perfect place.
Called "Truly You" boutique for wigs. They really know how to
treat an individual and they know exactly what the each person
is going through. Pls. make sure if you lose your hair when having chemo,
that you look for a medical wig and not a fashion wig. There is a big
difference between the two.
SD, December 19, 2002
I found mixing 1/2 Gatorade and 1/2 7 UP makes a very soothing drink that
I tolerated even when nauseated. It helps to replenish necessary elements
that we tend to lose when we don't take in enough liquids.
Jeanie, August 10, 2002
Canned Pineapple can sooth a sore mouth and help with the horrible dry throat!!!!!!
bshf, Nov 22, 2001
Peppermints and lemon drops were great for helping with the nausea. Also,
for the mouthsores there is this wonderful all natural mouthwash its called
Toms of Maine. Great stuff.
Colleen, May 28, 2001
... My pharmacist found that Lechitin had an effect on hot flashes.
I purchased one bottle (500 mg) and started taking them.
I, of course, first told my Oncologist about it and what it contained
and he found absolutely no problem with my using it. I cannot tell you
the relief I experienced. I was so excited that I faxed my
doctor the results and he mentioned it to a few of his other patients,
who also found results.
Joyce, April 24, 2001
I was told to rinse my mouth with club soda to prevent sores and it worked! Also helped get rid of that awful dry cotton-mouth feel. Also it keeps the bacteria down.
Cheryl, February 20, 2001
Keep a supply of peppermints on hand. I constantly had a
"metallic/orange" taste in my mouth that interfered with taste of all my
foods. Even if I was hungry, lost appetite when food tasted so bad.
Taste even could make me feel nauseous, found peppermints or strong
fruit flavour (sour lemon, orange, cherry) would at least help
temporarily).
Lynne, January 14, 2001
I am CONVINCED that Tamoxifen causes more dermatological side effects
than reported on the web.....
My mom says if the cancer ever returned, she would opt to instead take Raloxifene because it has even better anti-osteoporosis benefits but is still an anti-estrogen that can keep the cancer away.
Her onc. said it also has none of the Tam. side effects.
James, November 16, 2000
To stop hot flashes while taking Tamoxifen, my doctor suggested 1000 iu of Vitamin C and 800 of Vitamin E per day. I take 500 C and 400 E twice a day. After taking this regularly for three months the hot flashes went away
Diane, March 15, 2000
When my hair fell out, I found the wig to be most uncomfortable. What really helped was to use a long strip of quilter's cotton batting, wrapped around my head, before putting the wig on. It helped cushion against the
scratchiness of the inside of the wig, and was also much cooler (it was summer time when I went through this.) The wig actually fit much better, too, as it was meant to be worn over hair, not a bald head!
Wilma, March 7, 2000
I found that resting religiously every day of the 14 day cycle helped.
I
also drank only bottled water the whole time on chemo.
Drinking lots of water the day before helps your veins to plump up and
makes it easier on the nurses.
These are my hints.
Jan, January 26, 2000
I was a breast cancer patient and underwent 11 chemo's, one thing that
works really well is to take a 75 mg. Gravol at night before bed, this
helps to avoid morning nausea. The residual gravol wards off the
nausea when your waking up.
Take Care!
Patti, November 4, 1999
Great website! I am one of those women who have severe hot flashes and night sweats related to tamoxifen. My oncologist and I have found a mix that seems to help some. I am taking low doses of effexor,
bellamine and drinking about 4-6 oz. of aloe vera juice daily. I've tried the patch and other drugs and this seems to be the only thing that has come close to controlling the severity of the side effects.
Anybody else out there have any suggestions?
kdh, June 27, 1999
My mother has metastatic BC to the lungs, and is having adriamyicin, taxol,
tamoxifin. Her first cycle she had bad mouth sores, and could not eat, she
belongs to a support group Gildas Club, and another women tried a 50/50
mixture of water and Listerine, has worked for the other woman and after 3
cycles using the mixture my mother has had no mouth sores!
David, November 3, 1998
Wanted to let you know that cornstarch did nothing for me, but 1% Silver
Sulfadiazine cream works wonders. It takes away a lot of the burn and all
of the itching. Plus, after I started using it (lightly coating the breast
3x a day) it helped with the swelling.
Sherilee, November 7, 2006
I was one of the lucky diagnosed with DCIS.
I used to apply Aloe Vera right after each RT, then as I got home I was taking a cool shower
and kind of rub away from the breast, next I applied another Aloe Vera and one more time at night
and in the AM before the morning shower.
I never had the slightest burn not even under the lumpectomy.
Mihaela , August 9, 2006
Keep the area as dry as possible. Aloe Vera gel is great. And it feels good
if you keep it in the fridge.
Colleen, May 28, 2001
I have two suggestions for Radiation...I was told to apply cold compresses three times a day. It was so strange to feel the heat transfer to the washcloths. I had no burning at all.
The second hint for Radiation is really for reasons of vanity. As I had to change into a hospital gown before each treatment, I found it difficult to keep my wig on while changing and while being "zapped"
I brought a long, thin scarf to the hospital each day.
I tied it over my wig and under my chin...My wig never moved. I may have looked silly, but I felt better. (Losing my hair was awful for me)
Hope that this can help someone.
Susan R, March 31, 2001
If you take 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/2 cup of warm water and rinse four times a day. It will help with the mouth sores after your treatments . Don't use any fragrant deodorants
or powders, because it will cause reddened areas.
This is what we do for our chemo-radiation patients.
I hope that this will help you...Good luck....
Maria, November 16, 2000
Massage the incision site, it decreases the amount of scar tissue and diminishes the "lumpiness".
Marcia, May 19, 2000
I was told not to use cornstarch under the arm while going through
radiation because it may breed bacteria. I was told that I can use a
natural deodorant such as "Tom's of Maine" and that I could use pure
Aloe Vera in the area to aid the burned area.
Thank you for your helpful information.
Donna, November 10, 1999
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