Thanks for watching! *Click here for products to help during chemo: www.amazon.com/shop/marinablackford/list/3ODEAJDEV6B64?ref_=aipsflist_aipsfmarinablackford
Thanks for information re chemo help items. Thank God Ihe brought me throughsurgey 4 stage 3a lung cancer now operating on 1&1/4 lung but praise God @82yrs old I'm doing very well says des nurses,& neighbors I feel fine, hang in there & thanks 4 all your help. God bless u.
I was lost when I was diagnosed last month. Thank you for your videos. Your videos are quite informational. I’m ready to beat cancer’s ass! One day at a time.
Hi! I know that feeling! You can feel so alone in this sometimes! I’m so glad you found my videos. I know you can get through this. One day at a time till you’re there. Much love to you!
My mother was diagnosed with stage 1 pancreatic cancer. She starts chemo in a few days. Your videos have been God sent. Thank you for all the invaluable information 🤲
Today is my big day, starting folfirinox chemotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer. I love your video Marina!! And @fatimaageel, I hope all goes well with your mom, WE CAN Fight this!!!!
I go back for chemo tomorrow i got diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia they caught it early... This video was very helpful when it comes to packing my chemo bag
Yes! Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate. Did I say hydrate? Yes, I did. It's SO important. I drank around 96 ounces of water a day. It gets the chemo where it needs to be, and then it flushes out the rest. I never once threw up when I was on Adriamyacin/ Cytoxan, though I was nauseous some.
Wearing a thick robe was my go to to stay warm. I iced but unfortunately I got neuropathy which I’m dealing with. I also had bags of ice in my cooler to keep my ice packs cold or they would thaw out. Also Vaseline is great to use on your hands and feet. These of just a few tips that might help someone.
Thank you for the video..I have stage 2 ductual carsanoma. I had my breast and 3 lymph nodes removed going along my side. My tumor came on fast, size of large grape 4 cm. I have been having really large hematomas that surgeon has been draining 2 to 4 times a week sincey surgury may 30th. I have wounds keep opening up along where surgeon stapled me. I have been bleeding out since then. I have go see cancer dr. Then after that. Go for many months of radiation and chemo. I'm crippled with really bad legs and can't get around much. Please say prayers for me. Anyone reading this. I'm going to try and make up bags to take with me. I did buy cold caps, and spray for radiation burns. And bandana scarf for when loose hair. Thank you so much for info. I'm sending out prayers to anyone else battling cancer too right now.🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
I happened to have a heavy duty canvas tote from my job that was the right size for plenty of stuff. I took my phone, laptop, headphones (borrowed from my husband). Also a small coffee mug size tumbler that was gifted to me from an acquaintance who co-owns a neighborhood restaurant. I also dusted off some coloring pages from 2020 lockdown time. My treatment facility had a handy coffee/tea station with some complementary coffee and tea bags. I packed some light snacks to have on hand if needed. My husband has been able to come with me to my appointments and one of his "jobs" was to go pick up some lunch to bring back to the facility. I did wear a beanie and also packed a light blanket for my legs. The reclining chairs at my facililty were great ; they had a button for vibrating massage and another button for heat if you wanted.I also bought icepacks for my hands and feet ; those work great. I also brought homemade baked goods for the nurses ; I like to bake and my husband doesn't have much of a sweet tooth ;-). I do try to bake healthier stuff but that's just me.
Thanks I will start chemo in a wk & need this advice from all of you all & our Heavenly Father in Jesus name for helping all of us get through this awful condition.. God bless you all.
I just found you today!! You are a Godsend! I have TNBC, getting my port this week, and a year of chemo beginning after Christmas. Thank you so much for this video, you have eased some of my questions and fears.
Dear Marina, Our daughter enters chemo in 3 days... as mom, I am worried beyond belief for her. She is TPBC @ 62 YO. Like you, she is very active and organized. I appreciate your helpful hints you have provided for us. She will be cold capping which adds another layer to chemo equipment. Stay well and thank you for sharing your journey.
Love your videos! Thanks so much for sharing... I’m 27 & I’ve just been diagnosed with stage 1 triple negative breast cancer & your videos are helping me prepare mentally as well as physically lol I’ve got all the things you suggested in my Amazon cart waiting to cash out so when the time comes I’m fully prepared.
@@vjjoseph4421 Whew I’m trying..but yes thank you. Sending positive vibes your way as well. I just did my first chemo last Wednesday & so far I can say I feel completely normal & I couldn’t thank God enough 🙌🏾 I’m going in tomorrow for my second round & I’m praying for another good experience. One step at a time. 💕✨
Thank you so much for doing this video, I have just been diagnosed with breast cancer and I ironically work on a clinical haematology ward, but for many other cancers, not breast cancer and it is very different. So having this information is a god send...thanks so much and best of luck in ur future my lovely 🌹
I love your videos. I had my first Chemo session today. It feels like they were giving away hangovers without the alcohol. I had big time doubts about the ginger candy but when the anti nausea medicine doesn’t work, the ginger candy seems to help. Fortunately, I am not getting any neuropathy symptoms so the cold packs aren’t necessary. I’m 39 and I have been diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer stage 1. I was nervous about today but your videos have helped me prepare mentally, especially the part about being ok if or when I loose my hair. Thanks again!
Hi Anglea! Yes, welcome to the “bar”! Ugh. That hangover feeling minus the fun! That is chemo. I hope everything continues to go well for you! Thank you for looking and I can’t wait to see you cancer free!
This is a dynamic video of knowledge and wisdom from a veteran. Thank you Marina for sharing these valuable tips for making chemotherapy tolerable and safe. Such a blessing!💛
You’re welcome! Thank you for being here. Yes, it can be hard to sleep during chemo due to all the medications. Drink lots of water to try and flush that out. Do your best to get some rest when you can.
I love your videos. They are so helpful and your personality is so warm and welcoming. Thank you! I had my first round of chemo yesterday. I wore an ice cap , cold hand mittens and ice socks. When I took off the ice hands four of my fingers had turned white and were stiff. I couldn’t move them. I suffered with tingly swollen fingers for 24 hours. I do have Reynaud’s syndrome. I do not want to get neuropathy but I am frightened to put my fingers back in the gloves. Any suggestions? Can I only use one side of the ice in the mitten and keep my hands on top? Can I try it for 15 minutes? Any ideas or suggestions are welcomed.
I’m sorry for that! The gloves are cold. I eased into using mine my puting my hands on them, then putting my hands in them after some time. Then I flipped them over when they started to thaw. Don’t do anything that hurts. The cold will help out shouldn’t be painful.
Hi! I did not. My cancer center offered Paxman. This is FDA approved. I’ve heard good things. It involves wearing the cap tightly during and after chemo for about 90 minutes. You could still lose 30-50% of hair but I know some women that were happy to have hair still.
From my chemo education, ice packs may not be ideal as Folfirinox causes sensitivity to cold. So i learned not all chemo reacts the same and wanted to share it here.
Thank you for your videos and the amazon links, they all are in my bookmarks, I will start chemotherapy in two weeks and this will be helpful!! I know I will be okay, and my hair will regrow again! Question, why do you need the cold bed sheet and pillow again? I saw the amazon links at one of your videos. although I'm bad at dealing with cold but I think it's better than having Neuropathy.
Hi Rosey! I recommend the cold sheets and pillow as needed if you experience hot flashes. Hot flashes can be a common side effect of chemo due to hormones being effected and menopausal symptoms. If you get hot flashes you might want to consider those. I pray everything goes well for you! You will be prepared and that can help!
May I ask, since sense of smell is a concern during chemo, what household cleaning products did you find best to use? All my body products I'll switch to fragrance free as well as laundry but need help w/ like items to clean the house
I love using Norex towels to clean; no chemicals needed. I did use disinfectant wipes too though during the cold season. I have a bottle of vinegar, water and essential oil under each bathroom sink to clean the sinks. That works great too.
Starting Chemotherapy Sep 1. Say I don't need port. I'm worried about my veins. I think I'm prepared thanks to your videos. Got a wig, they said hair will fall out. Another advice needed, telling grandkids what's going on with myself. Without scaring them.
I saw people Chemo without a port too. Ask your nurses and doctors as chemo goes on if you should get a port. As for grandkids, I feel like kids can be so understanding. Keep it plain and honest. “I have to take medication to help me heal and my hair will fall it. I will be tired but I will be okay.” Encourage them to ask questions if that want. Them just love on them so they can love on you. It’s all that matters…love. ❤️
Great ideas! I am sorry I couldn't understand the cold pads were for, and what was the name calle it. Can you write it down, please 🙏 God bless you ( My sister started chemo, too)
Hi! Yes, the ice packs are to prevent the side effects of pain or numbness in hands and feet from the chemo. This should be done carefully during chemo. Ask your doctor.
Hi Marina, thank you for your videos it helps me prep for what to take during chemo. I have chemo once a week and I’m taking taxol. My question is what kind of food do you take before and after chemo ?
I like to eat breakfast before chemo, an oatmeal, bagel or egg breakfast. Smoothies are great for after chemo. I swear by a banana for potassium and light snack during chemo before I lose my appetite.
Hi ! I’ve watched several of your videos and I recall 2 things you highlighted . Can you explain more how you used the cold feet covers and hand covers . Did you bring extra cold pads in a cooler ? Like do I need to replace every hour ? Secondly , you mentioned Nail polish helping toot nails during chemo . Can you explain more . Thank you !!!! I really want to help my nails
Hi, thank you for watching! Yes, I would bring ice packs with additional ones in a cooler to switch out after an hour during chemo. This kept the ice packs cold to try and prevent neuropathy. The nails I have heard somewhere that nail polish could help Strengthen or keep the nails less effected by chemo. I don’t know the research on that. I think it would not hurt to try using a nail strengthener on your nails at least.
I tried to get lots of greens in my diet like spinach in smoothies or kale salad. Ultimately my hemoglobin was so low I had to have blood transfusions. I had shots to stimulate my immune system or neutrophils. Usually Nulasta.
I'm one month post mastectomy. I just got my scripts for my port, bloodwork and even for a wig already. I don't know when I start, but I'm guessing it will be soon. I see these videos and soooo much stuff goes in these chemo bags, which I didn't know about, luckily they showed up in my feed lol. My doctor said it was about an hour and a half. Am I missing something, I mean I understand you want to do anything to make yourself feel better, but it seems like a lot of items for a short time. Do some people stay much longer ? Since everything has turned out worse than they initially told me, I'm afraid now it's not going to be this quick hour long visit....ugh...c'est la vie..God bless everyone going through this 🙏
This can seem like a lot of stuff. I don't think you need to take all of this to chemo but to have it to be prepared before and after is good. Like having water nearby to drink, the ginger tea can be drank at anytime around chemo. The wristbands to help with nausea can be work to chemo. All you need is your phone and a good book if you like to read! I pray all goes well for you!
Im so very sorry your having to go through all of this, I will include you in my prayers. I hope you dont mind my asking, my beat friend was just diagnosed, waiting for port appt. As her friend, how can I best support and help her? What was useful and not useful or helpful to you? Best wishes in all this...
So when I start taxol you put the ice packs on for 3 hours straight, is that correct. I did buy replacement packs. My other question is , did you follow more of a plant based diet? Thank you, your posts are very helpful.
I love your videos!! I’m always cold, so I’m not looking forward to wearing ice packs! Lol. I just turned 39 this month and was just diagnosed with breast cancer. It’s still very early in my journey, I have some other testing to do before a definitive treatment plan is in place, but, I do have a question, did you experience nausea/vomiting during the actual chemo infusions? Or is that common? I suffer from pretty much 24/7 nausea due to Gastroparesis, and have all of the meds and home remedies. I also have malabsorption, so even the strongest prescription meds don’t help much, BUT, I have emetephobia, and nausea and vomiting is a total huge deal for me-I’m falling apart over here🤣🤣🤷🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️, so I’m just trying to mentally prepare. I’ve had family go through different chemo’s, and I’m a nurse, so I know everyone is different and everyone’s treatment is different, but I’m just trying to get my mind set. Thank you again for all of your grace and your tips and tricks. I hope your mom is doing well! ❤️
Thank you! Honestly I hate being cold and that’s one of the reasons I did not cold cap to save my hair! But in short, no. I did not feel nauseous in the chair at chemo usually. I never vomited from it either. I almost threw up after my first AC when I got home but that passed once I napped and drank water and had a little food. I never saw anyone throw up at chemo either. And I’m the one that walk around while pushing my IV infusion with me so I saw a lot of people. Everyone is different but as you know the oncology nurses are amazing at walking you through everything. Communicate with them how you are feeling and they can help! I pray it goes well for you! ❤️
I can link my emotional diagnosis video. I found cancer the first time due to being 10 years younger than my mom‘s first diagnosis of breast cancer and I felt an ache in my breast. I found cancer the second time because there was a hard lump where there was not one before.
Yes, I made a video that also explains it can be that simple. I would recommend asking if they have any ice that they can put in a bag so you can ice your hands if possible to prevent neuropathy. I hope you’re doing well! Keep healing! ❤️
My oncologist didn't tell me about the packs. I am in pain and can't sleep at night. I want to cry. My whole legs are affected and I think the nerves in my lungs are as well. I didn't care whether I lived last night.
Hi question about the ice mittens and socks! My sister will be in chemo for 6 hours. How many back up ice packs do you think we should have on hand to get her through all 6 hours? It sounded like you changed them after that not 1 hours.
Hi! I changed mine very hour. I don’t know if that’s doable for you or if the nurses can help put any in a freezer to rotate. Doesn’t hurt to ask. I would go over this with the doctor to make sure it’s safe to ice on/off for that long.
@@MarinaBlackford thanks for replying. I Love your channel. I guess it affects ppl different because I had body aches in doing better now. 11 more treatments to go.
You’re right. I did have body aches but that was from the injection that boosts your immune system to make neutrophils and white blood cells. I took a Claritin to offset the body aches from those injections and it helped.
I've just been told I have uterine and cervical cancer, I see my oncologist early this morning around 9:30am, I will be requesting a port as I am a hard stick, and hyper pain sensitive, oncology Dr. told me about 3 months of chemo then if the tumor has shrunk surgery to remove uterus and cervix, I HAD a UK trip planned and already paid for that I bought last year, and now can't go on, sucks yes, but I'd rather survive cancer, had a ct scan a couple days ago, and hopefully it doesn't show my cancer has spread, never thought that at almost 50 years old, I'd be fighting this, in a literal fight for my life, my fiancé is scared for me, he's also a very big support for me, I don't know how to fight this or what to do, am hyper pain sensitive which is why I'm asking for the port, I am a hard stick, I will be bringing my lap top, portable dvd player, headphones, snacks, my cell with charge cord, dvd's to watch while there, I don't know how to handle this...I have no family support as my ENTIRE extended family does not talk to me, maybe 3 people out of over 300, I'm scared to death of the results of the ct scan showing it spread...won't know till I see her, hopefully it shows it stayed in my uterus and cervix and that chemo will shrink the tumor and I can have everything removed in september, could use good vibes, and hopefully you don't get cancer again, take care and thanks for the video...also am VERY high anxiety so this is gonna royally suck!!
Hi, thank you for watching. It is very scary being told you have cancer. This is something you’ve never done before. I make these videos to help you through your journey. Take any of the tips that I have here. Maybe you will make new friends at your cancer center. It sounds like you have a good fiancé. Do your best to just take it one day at a time.
@@MarinaBlackford I bought a new outfit and about 6 different chemo hats, once my waist length hair starts falling out I plan to shave my head, thank you for your videos they are a huge help to me, may you fully heal and not have to deal with this again 🙏
True! I don’t know what can be done for that. They should ask their cancer center. Some have ice machines and can give you ice bags that you can keep on your hands at least.
PLEASE !! WHO KNOWS - ANSWER! "ALL THE TIME DURING CHEMO YOU SHOULD WEAR GLOVES/SOCKS WITH GLASS" - IS IT DURING CARBOPLATIN AND/OR TAXOL/TAXOTERE AND/OR HERZUMAB (HERCEPTIN) INFUSION???.....MY JOURNEY CAN TAKE UP TO 6 HOURS. IS IT REALLY NON-STOP WEARING? OR IN PAUSES BETWEEN INFUSIONS I CAN TAKE THEM OFF? AND IS IT DURING EVERY LISTED DRUG'S INFUSION? THANKS A LOT!!!
Hi, great question. Ice on and off as much as you can during the chemo infusion. That is not possible for somebody that has six hours of chemo so just do your best. And make sure you ask your doctor if they’re OK with you trying to do that. I did chemo for two hours And I was able to do this. I truly do think it helped prevent neuropathy.
