Treatment tips and tricks
Hello breasty baddies! Jen in OP here. I was originally diagnosed with IDC stage 2, but three out of four lymph nodes were positive after DMX with reconstruction 5/14 so I guess that makes it stage 3? I met with Dr. Corum at KU Olathe campus Friday to go over the plan. My Mammaprint put me in the high risk for recurrence stage so he is recommending four rounds of Dose Dense AC followed by twelve weeks of Taxol, followed by letrozole for 5-7 years and a CDK med for 2 or 3 years. I'll be meeting with Dr. Rhodes-Stark at KU Olathe to talk about the radiation which will follow the Taxol. I had a total hysterectomy in 2014 so at least I have that part out of the way. I'm looking for advice on any part of this journey I'm about to start. Tips, good products to have, how to emotionally handle everything while trying to keep as much normal in the house as possible. I have an amazingly supportive husband and my mom has been coming up from Wichita here and there to help so I'm definitely blessed with help. I am honestly unphased by the idea of losing my hair, I've honestly just accepted it and will shave it when it starts falling out. I asked Dr. Corum if he has seen success with the cold mits for hands and feet to prevent neuropathy and he said he hasn't seen success with that but thought I'd reach out to the baddies who've been there!
Thanks in advance baddies! (I know I overuse that word lol I have teenage daughters)
Jen
Hi Jen! I was on Taxol during my first course of treatment, and I also had to use cold treatments for the second chemo round after radiation. I definitely think the cold treatment helps to prevent neuropathy. I put a flexible ice pack (like the ones you can put on your head for migraines) into a small pillow with a pocket (which can be found on Amazon). I then put my fingers in one pillow with the ice pack and my toes in the other pillow. Note that you can wear thin socks when you ice to make yourself more comfortable. Also, it's important to ice your fingertips and toes, and not just your palms or other parts of your feet. I saw other women with their hands in ice bags, and I think this was a better option. You can also use specially designed ice mitts (which you can also get on Amazon), but again, make sure you are icing your fingertips and not just your hands. I learned this the hard way for my first treatment. Also, if you are doing radiation, make sure you get Aquaphor spray, and put it on after each treatment. This will help to heal your skin. As far as your hair, I would recommend soft bamboo caps or hats with SPF protection during the summertime. Good luck with your treatment!
Ok I like the pillow idea so you can isolate the fingertips! Thank you! ❤️
Hello! I had taxol as well and used ice mittens and ice socks. In theory, it made sense to me for slowing the circulation so that chemo to those area. I figured it would not hurt. You are welcome to borrow mine since it is so short term. 816-509-3972. I recommend doing socks under the ice socks and the mittens I either wore thin gloves or just took them on and off...they get so cold. I am fine in all areas, but my right foot has neuropathy. Feel free to reach out for any reason! I was a stage 2b-I had it in lymph nodes as well....8 tumors total!