OzzieKez
member
Reged: 21/06/2008
Posts: 1897
Loc: Queensland, Australia
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Sorry Deb,
What I mean't is that the Body Shop show you how best to make up your face. I don't think there is special make-up. Their philosophy is that you feel better inside if you look okay on the outside. I think they go to hospitals here as well, though I don't know how that works.
Selenium (found in Brazil nuts) is mean't to help with chemo too. You can buy it in tablet form at chemists, but there are some warnings regarding its use.
Blessed be.
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dbverycherry
member
Reged: 24/02/2007
Posts: 3519
Loc: Kent UK
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No worries 
It was silly of me in not reading
what you had said properly.
Thanks for letting me know about it Ozzie.
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dbverycherry
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wisp1
member
Reged: 14/09/2007
Posts: 108
Loc: Derbyshire
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Hi, lots of good advice from the other members, I,m sure she knows you will be there to support her. The only other advice I would give you is just to treat her as you normally would, obviously give extra support when needed, but talk about the subjects you would normally talk about, and if you have problems tell her, she needs to know she can be helpful to other people. Dont be frightened of talking about illness or things related to it, she will let you know if she doesnt want to discuss such things.
Let her known she is still the same person she always was, she just happens to have cancer, but dont let that fact make you treat her differently.
Im sure you will know what to say and do, you are a very caring person.
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Snowy1066
member
Reged: 08/07/2008
Posts: 3057
Loc: Southeast
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Looking at things from the other side, as I was seriously ill this year. I couldn't have got thru it without knowing my family and friends were all behind me, and the phonecalls just to tell me they were thinking about me, were very reassuring. I agree that a nice card/notelet with a few kinds words is nice to receive, and the occassional phonecall.
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dbverycherry
member
Reged: 24/02/2007
Posts: 3519
Loc: Kent UK
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Hi Snowy I am sorry to hear that you were very ill . You say you are through it now and I hope are fully recovered.
I am touched at how so many of you lovely ladies and forum folk have responded to this call for help.
I have found all the advice and suggestions so far overwhelming and just fantastic.
Please keep these all coming as I am sure there are those, like me. and others who sadly will be going through such a situation and will need support from the start, during and hopefully towards the end and while they are in recovery.
I went and got a whole selection of cards/ notelets today and will be posting them out to my friend when and if I feel she has a need for one. To hopefully cheer her up and let her know that I am thinking of her.
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dbverycherry
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dbverycherry
member
Reged: 24/02/2007
Posts: 3519
Loc: Kent UK
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Has anyone had first hand experience of 'cold cap' treatment? How and why is it supposed to work?
My friend has had this and says her head felt cold for hours after. It is meant to to help retain the hair and stopping it from falling out due to the chemo.
How did it work for you?
Also what did you find helped the the smashed, jet lagged feeling after the treatment?
Any help advice or suggestions are welcome and I will be sure to pas them onto my friend to help and encourage her in her fight against the BIG C
Thanks in advance for your help from me dbverycherry
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dbverycherry
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Vicky123
member
Reged: 22/02/2008
Posts: 2143
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Hi Debbie. A couple of years ago I took part in Breakthrough Breast Cancer 60km walk through London. Whilst training I met a brave young woman, Helen, who had battled the big C and she had the cold cap treatment. If I remember correctly her hair thinned but she didnt lose it although the treatment was uncomfortable it was not unbearable. I have just looked for her email address but dont have it but will email another lady who may be able to put me in touch. When and if I do manage to get Helen's email address I will email her and let you have any more information.
Kind regards. V xx
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dbverycherry
member
Reged: 24/02/2007
Posts: 3519
Loc: Kent UK
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Thanks Vicky for that. I am sure you will agree that any feed back and advice is good and I for one can use to help me understand and pass onto my friend when and if I feel she has need of it.
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dbverycherry
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Vicky123
member
Reged: 22/02/2008
Posts: 2143
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Just found a bit more info on a website for you.
The Penguin Cold Cap Therapy System is designed to reduce hair loss while patients undergo chemotherapy treatment. It is a system of cooling the scalp using a specially designed lightweight cap that is fitted to the patients’ head prior to chemotherapy for the duration of the treatment.
Importantly, the system can be tailored by doctors to suit the needs of the individual patients, taking into account their health, hair type, drug type and treatment levels.
Ashford Hospital, South Australia’s largest and most technologically advanced private hospital was the first private hospital in Australia to use the system for its purpose-built Cancer Centre.
How does the system work?
The key element in the success of the cap is lowering the surface temperature of the scalp. Each cap is filled with a special cold-conducing gel to control scalp temperature.
It works by narrowing blood vessels beneath the skin – thereby reducing the amount of drugs reaching hair follicles – and by lowering the metabolism of the follicles, making them less susceptible to damage.
How is the cap applied?
Each cap weighs only 1.5kg and can be applied in less than 15 seconds. No scalp preparation is necessary and there is no need to wet the hair or to bandage the cap in place.
A special feature of the caps is that they remain pliable at very low temperatures and can be adjusted using Velcro tabs. As a result, they comfortably fit all head sizes.
How successful is the cap?
It can prevent hair loss in up to 80% of patients and is particularly effective against the drugs used in treating breast cancer.
How long does it take to work?
The degree of hair loss patients with cancer experience depends largely on the type of chemotherapy drug and the dosage being administered; thus the length of time required for the effective use of the cold caps is also dependent on these factors.
What are the side effects?
Generally cold caps are tolerated very well by patients; however, there are some minor side effects including short-term headache and feeling cold.
Do patients need to use the caps regularly?
To assist in preventing hair loss, cold caps need to be used before and during each chemotherapy cycle.
Regards
V xx
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jennifer36
member
Reged: 16/01/2008
Posts: 444
Loc: West Oxfordshire
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Hi Debbie
My sister had breast cancer over 6 years ago and her way of dealing with it was to talk - non-stop- about it! I was just needed to listen andd offer sympathy, but everyone deals with things differently. Some years ago a friend went through the same thing and didn't want people to know.
My sister had the cold cap treatment and it meant she lost only a very small amount of hair -not enough for anyone else to notice. She said it was uncomforable and meant she had to stay in the hospital much longer for each chemo treatment but she felt it was worth it.
Good luck to your friend.
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dbverycherry
member
Reged: 24/02/2007
Posts: 3519
Loc: Kent UK
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Thanks Jennifer for the personal information and also thanks to Vicky for that website information. I was really after first hand experience and advice that I could relay to my friend but saying this the website gave me a good idea and insight as to how the cold cap treatment is supposed to work. Off to potter in my garden now as I might then pop over and potter and weed for my friend if she would like me to.
We have been textin each other each day and I feel this is personally better for her and rather than continually phoning worrying her. This way she replies when and if she feels like it and it is working fine so far 
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dbverycherry
member
Reged: 24/02/2007
Posts: 3519
Loc: Kent UK
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I noticed this post has had over 800 views and so I can only assume it reflects the large number of ladies on the forum that sadly have personally have been affected by this dreadful disease or knows someone like my friend who has it or had it and been though all the trauma.
I am calling on my friend tomorrow for just an hour or so as her OH has to go out.
My poorly dear friend is feeling low from the treatment, has a cold and is PMT. It is like with everything good or bad it all seems to happen at once. Life
Two good things happened yesterday 
1. I found a tree lupin at a nursery near to a good friend down in Whitstable . I came out with last two Lupinus - arboreus or yellow tree lupin, one for my friend and one for me to take down to my sister's in August as she had one but it gave up on her last year.
2. The same garden nursery had all their fabulous bedding plants reduced to £1.10 per tray. I brought 6 trays of plants 2 of each of the following purple salvias, snapdragons,in soft sweet pea colours, and 2 trays of large flowering double cream marigolds.
I will use half and give the rest to my friend as she to is a keen gardener and can always. find a place that needs filling and brightening up.
Please keep up with the advice and help here as it is helping me and I am sure others in a similar position.
Bye for now from me Debbie
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dbverycherry
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dbverycherry
member
Reged: 24/02/2007
Posts: 3519
Loc: Kent UK
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Another day and more tests for my friend since I last saw her
One was a body scan which I gather was to detect any other tumors that may be hidden but in her body.
Chemotherapy every two weeks. Is this normal and how long does a course usally last?
What are the % of her having a complete recovery?
Anyone know these facts and figures or experienced them for yourself or from a close friend?
Please feel free PM me Debbie if you don't feel able to post on this open forum.
Help and advice is very much appreciated
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dbverycherry
member
Reged: 24/02/2007
Posts: 3519
Loc: Kent UK
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Morning folks and what a lovely sunny morning it is here in this bit of Kent.
So where are all you helpful and supporting ladies?
You carn't all be adding to the CG post and the follow ups surely! :
I know not everyone and like me didn't go to the Covent Garden meet and are still about.
Does anyone know of a good drink that takes the nasty taste away that the chemo has left my friend with. She describes it as a dentist type metallic taste yuck! 
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dbverycherry
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dbverycherry
member
Reged: 24/02/2007
Posts: 3519
Loc: Kent UK
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Thanks to those who today PM me.
The information and advice was helpful and much appreciated.
You know who you are
Best wishes from me
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dbverycherry
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dbverycherry
member
Reged: 24/02/2007
Posts: 3519
Loc: Kent UK
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Tish our forum member posted today on Your Lives about her daughter in law and her having been told she has a brain tumor and needs treatment now.
I am sure Tish and her daughter in law and the family will benefit from all your kind, caring and thoughtful messages and support.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all and for all who are suffering from or know of those who have such a terrible and destructive disease such as cancer.
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dbverycherry
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Springfever
member
Reged: 27/10/2007
Posts: 38
Loc: Edinburgh, Scotland
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Debbie - Scotland calling.
Being there and being supportive, treating your friend as normal, as everyone has suggested is all the best advice. If you need any more in depth info, eg about what type of chemo is she having and coping strategies, please PM me - I am an oncology nurse and deal mostly with breast cancer.
Thinking of you and your friend.
Carole x
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dbverycherry
member
Reged: 24/02/2007
Posts: 3519
Loc: Kent UK
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Thanks very much for that offer Carole in Scotland.
I hope you don't mind but I have PM with a few questions that concern me but that I don't want to trouble or bother my dear friend with.
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dbverycherry
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dbverycherry
member
Reged: 24/02/2007
Posts: 3519
Loc: Kent UK
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My friend popped over today a for a chat and a coffee.
Not good news on the hair loss front and more treatment and tests ahead and due for her and starting chemo again tomorrow. Thats how it goes and life I guess. Often kicks one in the teeth and when you are already down.
Very hard to know what to say or how to support and be of any help.
I felt terrible for her as her hair is so lovely.
She was trying to put a brave face on it but if I feel like this what must she be feeling like deep down poor love 
Other news not looking so good either but feel unable to post a lot more information now and openly as things still need to be checked and re checked just in case, please God, the doctors have it wrong!
Edited by dbverycherry (01/08/2008 00:21)
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Sunbeam
member
Reged: 09/05/2008
Posts: 1856
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You're a lovely friend Dbverycherry, just keep on doing what you are, thank goodness your friend has got you, I'm sure she's glad too..x
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