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A Big Thank You to Pam Breaky For Keeping this List Together and to everyone who's suggested the products.- Susan A.
Helpful Products and Services
March 2006
If you have trouble paying for prescription medications, talk with your onc about samples, ask about drug company programs,
check out www.needymeds.com, and Partnership for Prescription Assistance 1-888-477-2669 www.pparx.org
Many churches have accounts to help their members with things— your clergy may be able help you find an “angel”
to help with this.
1) Clothing
HerRoom.com Nancy Ganz Body Shaping Camisole very comfortable post surgery
Kaufmann's/ Flexees -stretchy camisole trimmed in lace
May Co
Nordstroms Karen Neuburger socks and slippers--fuzzy, pretty, comfortable
Barefoot Dreams, Cozy Chic--bathrobe, incredibly soft and comfortable
Ugg Boots fleece lined, comfy, feel like mittens for the feet, in great colors, available at rei.com $79.83 for classic
short boot, up to $95 with shipping and tax
Maternity slacks accommodate ascites belly, Liz Claibourne available at Target, expandable waist and elastic without
maternity look—Kaye
Silk scarves, soft berets, hats
Silk long underwear is wonderful for the cold. LL Bean and LandsEnd both sell
Swimsuits: Lands End, Sears, and http://www.swimsuitsforall.com/
2) Meditation, Guided Imagery, Tapes
Healthjourneys.com meditation, guided imagery, healing--tapes, CDs Belleruth Naparstek's CDs are wonderful--there
is a 4 CD "cancer pak" that I have found to be just wonderful, Fighting Cancer the best Pam
Christine Lavin's song "The Voice...On The Relaxation Tape" on her "Final
Exam" album - hysterically funny about stalking "the man...with the
voice...on the relaxation tape". Sandy
3)Publications
"Women and Cancer" magazine To get a free one year subscription, go to: www.cancerconsultants.com
"Cure" magazine To get a free subscription go to: www.curetoday.com
“Breast Cancer: Treatment Guidelines for Patients” American Cancer Society
3) Creams-- only use for rad burns once onc or RNs say it is okay
see also Hand/Foot syndrome and rad burns
Vermont's Original Bag Balm – a tad greasy but good for dry skin
Udderly Smooth Udder Cream - wonderful for dry skin, healing scars, etc.
Zim's Crack Creme. Not actually a cream but a thin liquid you rub on the cracked area. Instant relief. Available at most
drugstores. Joanne
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing lotion: thick and penetrating, no offensive
smell. I learned about it from a friend whose skin was very sore from
radiation. Jan T.
Aveda Balancing Infusion—is used with a moisturizer.
Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion—Susan advised by cancer center to use during rads—was helpful
St. Ives-Swiss Formula Lotion, esp Vitamin E lotion—recommended by nurse friend
Burt's Bee's lemon butter cuticle creme & beeswax hand creme - for daytime
care of cracked & dry skin around nails & on hands - smells terrific, not
too greasy - I keep the little tins in my purse to slather on whenever my
hands & finger tips feel dried out or are cracking - especially while
driving! Sandy
Cetaphil Lotion
4) Wigs and Hair Loss
Paula Young--on line source of synthetic and human hair wigs
Talika's Eyebrow Extender--The pen-like brush is filled with clear gel and minuscule black fibers which create faux brows
that won't budge until you wash them off. Available at C.O. Bigelow Apothecary, Water Tower Place, 835 North
Michigan Avenue, between Pearson and Chestnut Streets (312-642-0551);
online at talika.com. Recommended by Sue
Waterproof eyeliner--Blinc Kiss Me eyeliner- the brown color looks so natural—order from www.blincinc.com for
$25 plus shipping or eBay for $17.95 that includes shipping. Recommended by Marsha
Tanning products for newly bald head: Tan Towels; or self tanning lotion, cream or spray. (Pam Drake used body jewels
from the Dollar Store on her head!)
5) Adaptive Devices
Functional Solutions--from reacher/grabbers & raised toilet seats to pill crushers and canes, they have it 800 235
7054 BeAbleToDo.com
6) Mix with pre scan drinks (check instructions for at home prep)
ginger ale
orange juice
7) for Ports and Car safety belts
port protector- donut-shaped foam cushion: order at www.vadguard.com
lambs wool seat belt cover-with Velcro fastener—available at auto supply stores
old shoulder pad in a sox—can be tied around safety harness or bra strap to protect port
8) Prostheses
Amoena Discreen model comes with Velcro tabs attached to the silicon
backing of the prosthesis - but you could add your own with self-adhesive
Velcro strips or dots, available at any fabric shop and some crafts stores.
The velcro can attach to other velcro adhesive strips placed on the chest
wall, for secure hold, or they can be used to attach heat & sweat-wicking
pads or liners, which provide greater comfort.
9) Medical Alert Bracelets (thanks to Karen L.)
www.caseytown.com
www.laurenshope.com
www.911medalert.com. Also has other products
9) For Side Effects
BE SURE TO DISCUSS SIDE EFFECTS AND TREATMENT WITH YOUR ONCOLOGIST—TELL THEM ABOUT SUPPLEMENTS AND OTC MEDS
Pain
Merinol – Rx active ingredient in marijuana—rec by our dear Alley also good for stimulating the appetite
Methadone
Fatigue
Ritalin
modafinal(provigal)
Insomnia
Melatonin-20 mg sublingual rec by Barbara (sublingual=under the tongue)
Nausea
Emend—long acting
Anzamet—long acting
Zofran—short acting
Kytril—short acting
Meclizine: it's supposed to be for motion control sickness, but I found it helps me get through nausea from treatment
and liver mets. It's over the counter now Jan T.
Nexium one hour before meds
Peppermint Altoids
Water with lemon or real lemon and sugar
Loss of Appetite
Nutritional drinks—Ensure, Boost, Unjury protein powder (at unjury.com)
Merinol
Constipation
Prunes (grandma was right!)
Senokot
Benefiber
Slippery Elm an herb recommended by Barbara
Solaray- Total Cleanse-Daily Fiber- 120 capsules for 12.95 on Amazon.com
cod liver oil capsules. Also helps achy joints skin, hair & nails
Sugar free chocolate candy-one or two pieces (Harry
and David sugarfree chocolate covered cherries; Whitman;
Russell; and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory)
Yakima Valley Anti Constipation Fruit Paste
1 # pitted prunes
4 oz senna tea leaves (from health food store)
1 # raisins
1 # figs
1 cup lemon juice
1. Prepare tea; use about 2 1/2 cups boiling water, add to tea leaves and steep for 5 minutes.
2. Strain tea to remove tea leaves.
3. Place the tea in a large pan
4. Add all the fruit to the tea
5. Simmer for 15 minutes
6. Remove from heat and add lemon juice. Allow to cool
7 Use food processor/blender/mixer to turn the fruit mixture into a paste.
8. Place in glass jars or plastic containers and place in refrigerator or freezer. (It will keep for many months in the
refrigerator. It will not freeze, but will keep forever in the freezer.)
DOSAGE: 1-2 TBSP per day.
Suggestions for use: Can be spread on toast, English muffin, bagel, muffin or rice cake. Best to use whole grain products
for the fiber they provide. Good for breakfast, lunch or snack. On an English muffin or a bagel, for variety, first spread
a thin layer of cream cheese and top with fruit paste. Also good mixed with strawberry or raspberry jam for a change of flavor.
Norma says her husband doesn't need it, but uses it anyway because it tastes so good.
Heart Burn/Acid Reflux
Aloe Vera juice or gel, good mixed with grape juice, sold at most health food stores Kaye
Zantac or generic OTC (Walzan is Walgreen's brand, much
cheaper & just as effective as the name brand stuff Sandy
Dry/Sore Mouth, Chemo-mouth
Gel Clair (new product)
Biotene
Oral Balance toothpaste
Club Soda/sparkling mineral water with lemon/lime
Nose Sores/dry nose (didn't see this listing yet!):
Dry/Sore Nose
Steaming, hot water(Bonus: facial),
Vaseline petroleum jelly with a cotton swab just inside the nose, especially just before bed. Doesn't cure, but alleviates
the pain & far fewer nose bleeds.
Fluids
Low sodium carbonated spring water
ginger ale
ginger tea
Propel water
Pedialyte
Joint pain
Celebrex—RX—a lot of us are on it works wonders for some
Glucosamine/Chrondroitin + MSM supplement,
Microlactin (I get mine from Vitacost.com <http://Vitacost.com>, but you can buy these practically anywhere)
Kris
Aleve—naproxen
cod liver oil capsules. Also helps constipation, skin, hair & nails
“Chemobrain”
making lists, word games (crossword puzzles, wordfind), Balderdash, Word Mojo (Yahoo game online - free), journal-writing
memories & current thoughts/feelings, card game "Concentration" - kinda a "use it or lose it" thang!
Sandy
Phosphatidylserine - improved cognition (to offset the effects of chemobrain, again, can get from Vitacost.com
Cymbalta also called duloxetine for peripheral neuropathy
neurontin (600-1200 mg per day) for neuropathy.
little purse-sized notebook & a pen. Not just for your to-do-list! Also good for on immediately recording ???'s you
keep forgetting to ask the onc ,odd side effects that aren't continual & frequency & degree of pain/discomfort.
Hot Flashes
Effexor Rx “treatment of choice” for women who cannot take estrogen
Evening Primrose Oil --I've been taking it twice a day for 8 months and it works terrific! I'm down to about 1-2 a day
instead of hourly Cathy M.
A body cooling neck wrap that does not require refrigeration. It
is basically a fabric bandana with some sort of neat gel crystals in it. You soak it in plain tap water for about 30
minutes or so the first time and it stays cool for up to 3 days! You rehydrate it every 2nd or 3rd day for 10 to 15 minutes.
Tie it around your neck or head, whatever. The Cobber, from Australia is available at www.bodycool.tv. A similar product
is called the Neck Buddy and is sold in the USA at some drug stores and health food stores.
Itchy Skin
Neurotin (Rx)
Hydroxyzine (Rx)
Benedryl cream mixed with witch hazel
Any topical benedryl—cream, gel
Benedryl , 25 mg OTC—talk to onc about how much you may take
Scalp Itch
I used one of those stocking like head covers under the wig, and it felt
comfortable even when the hair began to grow back in. Esther
100% aloe vera gel (clear) at drug stores such as those in Walmart or Longs Drugs. It is about $7.00. Kaye
I used OTC cortisone cream and learned to tie scarves in various ways.
A pencil is a great tool for scratching under the wig! LOL anonymous
Rad Burns
Aquaphor
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Aloe Vera
Glaxal based cream
Hand/Foot Syndrome
Vitamin B 6 100 mg
White cotton gloves/sox to wear over cream at night
xeroform petrolatum dressing-for dressing cracks—great when refrigerated and cold
hydrogen peroxide and tea tree oil to clean lifting nails
Vicks Vaporub for toenail fungus
ResQ cream by Dr. Burt for hands & Almond Milk hand cream by Dr. Burt for feet Char
Working Hands lotion from the drug store
Bag Balm
wet washcloth in a ziplock bag and put it in the freezer. Partially defrost and cover with light towel when you need
a cold pack for feet or hands
Nails
Nails: Surgical gloves while preparing mucky foods
Sally Hansen xtra strength cuticle cream all over the nails, cheap, smells
good & gives a somewhat healthy appearance to ugly nails.
Tea Tree Oil, alone or with Vicks Vaporub
Vaginal Dryness
Replens OTC
Testosterone cream 2.5 mg/ml cream, Rx compounded
Indulgences
Minor
Massage
Manicure
Pedicure
Facial
No guilt chocolate
A glass of Merlot
Electric mattress pad—very soothing
Down comforter—makes a cozy nest
Major
Weekend trips
A new car so you don’t have to worry about repairs
Chrysler Town and Country suggested for comfortable front seats
Prius suggested for dainty appetite at the gas pump
Red convertible for the “inner babe”
Spa or hot tub
A cruise
Suggestions for treating radiation burns (from a Radiation Technologist):
ONLY DO THIS ONCE YOU HAVE COMPLETED YOUR RADIATION TREATMENTS:
Brew some really strong tea - use something like regular Lipton, not a green tea. Let it cool completely, dip a cloth
in it and apply the cloth to the burning areas. This will take the burning sensation away (it's the tanic acid in the tea
that does that). She said some patients with radiation to large areas have even dipped whole t-shirts in it and worn them
to get relief! You can save the tea and reuse it.
She also suggested if you have an area of “weepy” skin to keep it clean and dry and start applying
an antibiotic cream to prevent infection.
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