TASTING NOTES

Practical tips from our ride

A great resource that wasn't available when Cyn went through her treatment is the Cancer Choices website. Check it out for the most comprehensive information out there. Our main piece of advice is to live your own version of cancer rather than to get too washed up in tips and recommendations from others. Everyone's diagnosis, treatment, and experience will be different, which is why you can only learn so much from others. But for what it's worth here are some practical bits of information that we hope might be useful.

MANAGING CHEMOTHERAPY SIDE-EFFECTS

My chemo regime was 6 rounds of Docetaxel, Carboplatin, Pertzumab, and Herceptin in three-week cycles.

Hair

The cold cap worked for me. It was painful when it froze on my head so take paracetamol beforehand and try to find a way to distract yourself whilst it's freezing (a girlfriend with a sense of humour helps). You'll need a thin head band to stop the cap freezing onto your skin. I washed my hair once a week and tried to keep the products and blow drying to a minimum. I had a small hair cut a few weeks after my last chemo which made me and my hair feel a lot better.

Eyelashes

I used a protein on my eyebrows and eyelashes (Lipocils). This seemed to do the trick initially but after chemo all of my eyebrows feel out anyway (but then grew back again).

Nails

I read about painting my nails black. I did this to start with and shifted to a water-based nail polish when I read about all of the toxins in nail polish. Towards the end my black nails were just a reminder of the cancer so I wasn't too careful about keeping them painted. I used an organic nail protein oil on my nails too. My nails did stain a bit but they stayed strong.

Mouth

Before you start chemo go to a good dentist for a full check up. Ideally find someone who's used to working with chemo patients. If any work needs doing it needs to be done before you start chemo. I kept good mouth hygiene throughout. I used a bicarb and coconut toothpaste throughout and avoided strong mouthwash. I didn't have any major mouth problems, which I was very grateful for.

Skin

My skin was really sensitive in week 3 of each round (especially the tips of my fingers). I moisturised with shea butter and coconut oil.

PICC Line

I was offered this from the beginning but it didn't feel necessary until round 4 when my veins started to collapse and getting the cannula in was becoming an unwelcome ordeal. The procedure was pretty horrible. But I was glad to have the line from the very next chemo onwards. If you start to have problems with needles then maybe give this a go.

The books we found helpful

Bone by Marion Woodman

Coming home to myself by Marion Woodman

The Cancer Journals by Audre Lorde

The places that scare you by Pema Chodron

Food

When I was diagnosed I had good intentions of moving straight into a very healthy diet throughout treatment. After stocking up on my organic food and pulses the reality of chemotherapy kicked in... during chemo if you can eat then eat. Anything. I spent most of chemotherapy eating like a 8 year old - crisps, sweets, soft drinks... anything with a strong flavour, anything my stomach could handle. Sour sweets helped me, they helped me taste my food again. Whatever I ate the evening before chemo often ended up being a food I didn't like the look of for awhile afterwards.

Sleep and anxiety

We both used CBD oil to help us sleep when we needed something. I was very effective on both of us and remains on standby. It doesn't taste great but it does the job really well.

Alternative therapies

I believe that regardless of how the medical treatment is going it's really important for you to build your own care package around that. Alternative therapies really worked for me. My body would anticipate the chemo and react in all sorts of ways, acupuncture calmed this down and really helped with recovery between cycles. Try to find someone who's used to working with chemo patients.

Exercise

I walked whenever I could. This was good for my soul as well as my body. I also tried to keep up with yoga for the same reason.

Sex

Have as much sex as you feel like. It was part of my healing. Be safe, your vaginal fluid is full of chemo for up to 72 hours so use condoms, gloves, dental dams. Also be gentle because you may be more sensitive than usual.

Our Chemotherapy Playlist

(played at high volume as we drove to each round)

Poison - Alice Cooper

Toxic - Britney Spears

Time on her side - Future Islands

All cried out - Fink version

The day I die - The National

Bad kingdom - Moderat