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Old 11-20-2010, 07:42 PM   #17
NanaJoni
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Elizabethton, TN
Posts: 418
Re: Help with chemo brain

Hi - Kiri is so lucky to have a wonderful mom who wants to help. I feel I have to chime in on the use of supplements - don't suggest or give your daughter any supplements without the approval of her oncologist. I worked with a clinical nutritionist/registered dietician during my chemo and now during my radiation. She instructed me more than once (when I questioned or wanted to try some supplements) to clear everything (including manicures/pedicures/hair color/supplements) with my oncologist. Supplements are unregulated by the FDA and can be widely different compounds in what might seem to be the same thing (name or label). Her oncologist should and must approve anything she takes. Chemo is a very delicate balance of drugs/chemicals and can be affected by the slightest things. What worked for me might be very harmful for Kiri - so encourage her to take all these concerns to her medical team. My cancer center has "patient navigators" who coordinate care between the different doctors and specialties that are involved with cancer treatment as well as giving invaluable personal support. They are very knowledgable about the resources that are available for each individual person. You may want to investigate to see if your daughter's center has a program like this. Good luck and will keep you in my prayers.
__________________
Joni -64 yrs old -
3/01/10: found lump in rt.breast
3/12/10: mammogram/ultrasnd/biopsy-invasive bc & DCIS; 2 tumors (2cm er-/pr-/HER2-& 1.8 cm er-/pr-/HER2+); grade 3;poorly differentiated
3/24/10:sent.node biopsy clear
3/31/10:bi-lateral mx.;atypical ductal hyperplasia-lft side
4/21/10:wound revision-infection/scarring 4/28/10:seromas both sides
5/21/10:port installed,TCH chemo (6 x 3 wks); Herc,-1yr; 33 rad tx after chemo
07/2010: port not working-2nd port didnt'work;3rd port opposite side.
07/2010: 2 weeks after 3rd port surgery, threw 3 pulm. emboli-IVC filter installed; warfarin
08/2010: hospitalizations w/3 of chemos; decision to stop after 4th-on to radiation in Oct 2010;Herc cont.
12/03/2010 - finished 33 rads Hooray!! cont. Herc. every 3 wks
4/2011 - pneumonia ??? Nope-radiation pneumonitis. No more Herc.
5/2011 - NED!!! port out.
8/2011 - clean PET & CT scans.Still NED
7/2012 - Still NED/very blessed.
2/2013 - 6 mos checkup-all clear. CA2729 down frm 13 to 11.
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