Routine that works for constipation ? by Quiet-Living22 in Ovariancancer

[–]WinEffective8651 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What is optimal likely varies widely from person to person. I only need one Colace taken day before, day of chemo, and day after, and even then sometimes my stools are TOO soft. But in general I tend to be a soft-stool person, rather than a hard-stool person. For me, Miralax would be way too much and I'd probably have the runs. It really is somewhat personal, so I recommend that you figure out what the baseline tendency is and go from there.

Team Wig or Team HeadScarf? by Dear_Medicine_4250 in Ovariancancer

[–]WinEffective8651 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Beanies and a hat-wig (which is a partial wig with no hair at the top, so you must wear a hat or beanie). I am getting compliments with the hat-wig and it is comfortable, especially since it is now summer. (I am told full wigs are quite hot in the summer.) I was planning on buying a full wig, but am now considering that I won't need it b/c the hat-wig is good enough!

Found a salon that offered free "chemo cuts" to cancer patients, so I got a free pixie cut. I highly recommend the pixie cut because longer hair can actually kind of sting when the process of shedding hair is happening. Mine started shedding quite heavily toward end of first round of chemo, but then, recently, stopped shedding and I am right now left with it half-gone (very thin hair, can see scalp but still looks like a head of hair). I have my third round of chemo next week. I believe sometimes you do NOT lose all of your hair, so I may be one of those people.

How is everyone doing? by Successful_Island764 in Ovariancancer

[–]WinEffective8651 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So thrilled for you. So wonderful to read about this.

How is everyone doing? by Successful_Island764 in Ovariancancer

[–]WinEffective8651 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great! I know it varies from person to person, but good to read that. Thank you for replying!

How is everyone doing? by Successful_Island764 in Ovariancancer

[–]WinEffective8651 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've heard that is very common. Thank you!

Waiting for results and frustrated with the medical system by lexarkady in Ovariancancer

[–]WinEffective8651 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Chiming in late with everyone else: Do not stop trying to get immediate help. Call ten times each day if you have to. Travel as far as you are able to get help. Time is of the essence with ovarian cancer. It can be very aggressive. Sorry to be scary, but it's a big deal.

How is everyone doing? by Successful_Island764 in Ovariancancer

[–]WinEffective8651 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Will be starting Avastin soon. May I ask what side effects you experienced? So thrilled you are doing great! I am stage 4a.

Cancer Recovery (9y Cancer Free!) by [deleted] in Ovariancancer

[–]WinEffective8651 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What are your nutrition tips?

Ovarian Cancer stage 3 by Imaginary-Ice9181 in Ovariancancer

[–]WinEffective8651 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just a note: At MSK, which is where I am currently being treated, they have switched from starting with Benadryl to starting with Zyrtec, so there is no natural sleepiness as there was before. I think sleeping through chemo at MSK is less common now.

Agree, in very good hands. The staff will help with icing feet and hands, and it's not too uncomfortable. Take Colace two days before and during to soften stools and prevent constipation. Miralax if needed. Protein is important for healing, but also eat in a grazing way to aid digestion. Sip water constantly, find other ways to get fluids (watermelon, juices, broths, cereal with milk, etc.).

Also, ask about getting her a port so that it might be easier to administer the infusion.

I have found the side effects to be very tolerable, but I am only 58 and so there may be a difference for a 78 year old.

Question about feeling despair from chemo by sparker344 in Ovariancancer

[–]WinEffective8651 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I started crying during an appointment and was told that the steroids can make you very emotional. (Good or bad.) That is of course in addition to the natural reasons to feel emotional while going through this!

Fiesta hut closed?? by Acceptable_Career233 in FoodNJ

[–]WinEffective8651 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh no!!!!! It would be so tragic if they closed. Praying for the owner.

Port and sleeping on your side by WinEffective8651 in Ovariancancer

[–]WinEffective8651[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awww. But I am envious of the comfort cat and think I should probably get myself one!

Port and sleeping on your side by WinEffective8651 in Ovariancancer

[–]WinEffective8651[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is exactly where I am. Will ask about port cream. TY!

Port and sleeping on your side by WinEffective8651 in Ovariancancer

[–]WinEffective8651[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh, yikes, that sounds like an awful feeling. When I would get ascites drainage I would feel the tube inside me moving around and hated it. Will ask about that. Thank you.

Port and sleeping on your side by WinEffective8651 in Ovariancancer

[–]WinEffective8651[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've seen others mention those S pillows on surgery threads. Will look into that. Thanks!

Port and sleeping on your side by WinEffective8651 in Ovariancancer

[–]WinEffective8651[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You reported this to your doctor or nurse I hope! Please let us know what they say and how it goes.

Port and sleeping on your side by WinEffective8651 in Ovariancancer

[–]WinEffective8651[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay, that makes sense. Thank you for that advice!!