The Ultimate Chemo Kit

I'd been meaning to post about this for ages, and in the absence of anything else to write about, here it is, finally.

First of all, a couple of crucial books:

1. Anti-cancer, by David Servan-Schreiber. I honestly think that this man titled this book wrong, as I'm convinced that this is one that should be read by one and all. It's written by a doctor/scientist who got diagnosed with brain cancer - it went into remission and sadly came back four years later, so he decided to undertake research to find out what he needed to do to prevent the cancer recurring. It's been over fourteen years and it hasn't come back. I like this book because it makes me feel like I am in control of my own destiny, and that I do not solely rely on doctors and fatalism.

2. Cancer is a word, not a sentence by Dr Robert Buckman. Great book, as it puts cancer in perspective. Also comes with some retaliation for those who are convinced that cancer can be cured without the use of modern medicine and chemotherapy.

Food:

1. Wheatgrass - vile, vile, vile stuff. No matter what they say and how many recipes they give you, it's still disgusting. Like licking the inside of a lawnmower. But I'm convinced that this is one of the major reasons why I am not experiencing a lot of the normal reactions to chemotherapy.

2. LifeMel honey - could be a placebo, but so far, it's worked for me. One of the most horrifying things that could happen to someone undergoing chemotherapy is for treatment to be postponed, as you just want it over and done with. Supposedly this honey keeps your white blood cell count up, so you are not prone to infections. Funnily enough, I did not take it before yesterday's blood test - and my white blood cell count was down from normal.

3. Female Multiple Multivitamins by Solgar - Pink horse tablets, three a day needed. Good to keep iron levels and other important vitamins and minerals up. Turns your wee a very impressive flourescent yellow.

4. Gallons of water - although during the most nauseous parts of chemo, the last thing on earth you want. But crucial, as it flushes the drugs from your body.

Vanity

1. A selection of hats, turbans and scarves. Although I recently caved in and got a (blonde) wig, I think it will mostly be used for special occasions only. Apart from the fact that the wig is a pretty warm thing to have on your head, you can also accidentally cremate it by opening the oven without taking it off first. So scarves and turbans mostly then.

2. Benefits Brow Zings - although my eyebrows are not all gone, they've definitely thinned so I tend to look either like an alien/Pillsbury doughboy in the mornings. This allows me to draw them back.

3. Nuxe Huile Prodigeuse and Aveeno body creams - lovely lovely stuff. Don't think my skin has been ever been this smooth.

4. Solar Oil - I'm hoping that this is preventing my nails from falling off completely.

5. Jurlique face creams - Taxol has made me break out in spots (augh). Jurlique's natural, biodynamic face creams keep them (sort of) in check.

Others

1. An iPad and a credit card (enough said)

2. A Kindle (or Kindle app on said iPad) or lots of books and magazines

3. Anti-nausea (sea) bands - definitely kept the nausea at bay. I kept these on during FEC sessions and for the week after each one.

3. A sense of humour

And MOST importantly, a strong group of the MOST WONDERFUL FAMILY AND FRIENDS (no link for them as you'll have to get your own)!





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