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Things that made the treatment tolerable

I received great advice from Ruth, Peter, Anne, Margaret, Lynda and others about how to combat the serious side-effects of the treatment particularly the chemotherapy.

Protect one's hands

Peripheral Neuropathy is a leading side-effect flagged by the consultant and the only side-effect that I was given a separate leaflet about. 

Ruth made clear before my chemotherapy commenced that I would need to protect my hands from anything cold, the contents of the fridge & freezer and cold water. She told me that sensation of touching anything cold would be painful instantly. My solution was to buy kitchen gauntlets that protect from cold down to -50c, hot up to 250c and are waterproof. LANON Liquid Silicone Heat Resistant Glove from Amazon, £27.99

Going outdoor in freezing weather required more than one pair of glover and Peter suggested heated glove liners. My choice was day wolf Heated Gloves Liners Electric Gloves For Men Women Rechargeable Battery Waterproof Hand Warmer at £95.92

There is a lot of going to the toilet and other reasons for hand washing. To have hot water quickly available I purchased a couple of 1lt vacuum flasks to fill with hot water. ThermoCafé Stainless Steel Flask, 1.0 L

Protecting my face and neck. A walk in the open air following my first chemotherapy infusion provided me a shocking sensation of being showered by freezing rain, but it was dry. A scarf was inadequate, so I found a snood from Buff suggested by a Waitrose delivery driver. the first purchased was direct from Buff along with a balaclava I also bought a second snood of different thermal quality from Amazon. Buff Unisex New Polar Multifunctional Fleece Outdoor Tubular Bandana Scarf

On more challenging days with peripheral neuropathy, I worn cotton gloves all day to help keep my hands warm.

Keeping Warm

Long sleeved thermal vests and leggings have kept me warm. With the addition of waterproof over trousers when going out. Also quilted waterproof coat. 

We got fed up with online supermarket bread and bought a breadmaking machine in November.

I used:

Medihoney as a barrier cream.

Omron X3 Blood Pressure monitor

Braun No Touch Plus Forehead Digital Thermometer

Best Naturals Vitamin B6 25 mg 250 Tablets to reduce np.

Silicone Insert for Mask, Bracket Liner Inner Frame

Travel sickness bands from Boots, ginger nuts, ginger ale proved useful for keeping the discomfort of nausea at bay!


 




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