Uterine Cancer Support Group

Lincoln-

No problem. I have recorded the Farrah show, but haven't watched it yet.

My husband didn't want me to even have chemo. He was worried that it would be too hard on me, or that I would have an allergic reaction to the chemicals. In hindsight, there was little to worry about.

The way I look at it, it is needed to eliminate the stray cancer cells that were not taken care of by the surgery. All of these chemo drugs have been widely used over many years. They are well tolerated.

My brother is a doctor, and he says that we should just go ahead and expect to live our lives. The chemo should not have a big effect on us. Although I have taken a leave of absence from work, I probably could have worked. In fact, I am getting bored at home.

Your mom may be tired after chemo (days 2-3), so expect that. Sleeping most of the day is normal. My legs/joints ached, so it was hard to sleep. Ask for sleeping pills if your mom can't sleep. I didn't want to use them, so I didn't, but it could help.

Also, stock up on ginger capsules, ginger tea, ginger candy--I have heard that you should start 3 days before chemo. There was an article about this in the NY Times recently. I will try the ginger for the 2nd chemo. Anything proactive that you can do will help.

All the best,
Corgigal

Corgigal....thanks for the ginger tip and additional info.


many blessings

thanks again Corgigal .....below is from the article you mentioned

NEW YORK TIMES

May 15, 2009
Ginger Found to Ease Nausea of Cancer Treatment
By ANDREW POLLACK

Grandma was right when she recommended ginger for an upset stomach — at least for cancer patients.

A randomized clinical trial has confirmed what many people suspect — that ginger can decrease nausea caused by chemotherapy. The effect goes beyond that provided by standard anti-vomiting drugs.

The results will be presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, which begins May 29 in Orlando, Fla. Abstracts of most of the studies to be presented at the conference were made public Thursday.

The trial, financed by the National Cancer Institute, involved 644 patients, mostly women with breast cancer, who were undergoing chemotherapy at 23 oncology practices in the United States.

All patients took a standard anti-vomiting drug on each day of chemotherapy. They also took specially made capsules containing either extracts of ginger root or a placebo for six days, starting three days before each round of chemotherapy.

They then rated the severity of their nausea four times a day. Those taking the ginger had a reduction of about 45 percent in severity compared with a previous round of chemotherapy in which they did not take the ginger. Those on the placebo had almost no change, said Julie L. Ryan of the University of Rochester, the lead author of the study.

Previous studies have yielded inconsistent results. Dr. Ryan said the new study might have succeeded because the ginger was given before chemotherapy.

The best results corresponded to a quarter to a half teaspoon of ground ginger, she said. She added that either the ginger that comes in spice bottles or the ginger capsules sold in health food stores would probably work.

She was less sure about ginger cookies, ginger tea or ginger ale, though they might if they contained real ginger in the proper amount. “It’s a higher dose than you would get in one cookie,” she said.

I am will be in my 4th week of radiation and will start chemo in October..You had some very encouraging words about chemo.. thanks. How are you feeling today? Are you done with chemo now? I am anxious over getting sick, allergy to the drugs, when I will lose my hair..etc....and how every little ache and pain can make you worry. How often did you have to have your treatments?