u/RandomName3025

My sister is the one doing chemo (Taxol/Platin).

She did her first round last week. Had an allergic reaction to the Taxol, which was scary, but was able to finish it after a break and some extra meds. All in all we were there for about 8 hours, when it was supposed to be 5.5.

So far she's been doing all right. Some side effects (constipation/diarrhea is the worst), but she's managing.

She does prefer to have someone with her (plus she needs someone to drive her anyways), so I am planning on going with her to all chemo and radiation appointments.

However, I do have my own health issues, and a bad hip/back is just one of them. She gets a comfy recliner - as she should - but the chairs they have for family/friends are pretty uncomfortable. You can't even really stretch your legs out, as they'd be sticking out into the walkway and be a tripping hazard. I only left her twice to go to the washroom and grab a sandwich and water refill from the cafeteria (once for myself, once for her), and kept having to shift in the chair to deal with the discomfort/pain. I didn't want to get up to walk around, either, as we were way in the back of the room (it's a large open room, with just side curtains between chairs), and I would have had to walk past everyone else, and didn't want to disturb them.

I was thinking of next time leaving for a while in between (e.g. stay for 2 hours to make sure she's good, leave for 1, go back and stay until she's done), maybe get some grocery shopping done, which will give my body a break.

If I ask her, I'm sure she'll say she'll be fine, but I'm wondering how others here feel; whether you prefer for someone to stay the whole time, or if you think it's reasonable to leave for a bit? As I said above, she's not the kind of person who'd prefer to be on her own (that would be me, but we're polar opposites in many ways), even if she's just going to sit there quietly with her eyes closed, and I'm not wanting to be selfish, yet I also don't want to be suffering in pain for hours and hours like last time.

Location: Canada

Room size: ~550 ft^2

Filtration: allergens, wilfire smoke

Budget: C$1000, <$200 annually

We currently have the Rabbit Air A2 in our kitchen/main living area. Honestly, I'm just not sure how well it does. We've got a few people with allergies, and there's plenty of sneezing and coughing, especially now with the wildfire smoke.

We have one cat who has medium length hair.

Is there something that would be better than the Rabbit Air at filtering out particles, but that won't break the bank - neither for the equipment itself, nor the filter replacements?

Wondering how often you do laundry, like towels and bed linen? Or if you don't do laundry right away, how often do you still change it while getting chemo? Same as you would anyways, or more frequently?

My sister is going for her first chemo session tomorrow. We were told it will be 5.5 hours.

Any suggestions on what you found useful during chemo? She's got music, audiobooks, e-books on her phone. We'll take headphones and a charger, of course. The cancer center has cooling mittens and socks, as well as blankets. What are some good snacks to take? Something more substantial line a sandwich for lunch, or better to grab take-out on the way home after?

She is the kind of person who usually prefers to have someone with her, so I'll be going with her and can grab something from a nearby store if needed, but always best to be prepared!

Saw this article about Critter Care in Langley needing supplies like eggs - any suggestions on where to get "cheap" eggs?

Langley wildlife shelter in need of supplies, including eggs

I just learned about soil-based organisms, and how they're different from regular probiotics and can supposedly help with all kinds of gut disorders, possibly including diverticulosis (not healing diverticula, of course, but potentially preventing diverticulitis).

Any thought from anyone who has researched this, or even tried taking them?

Are there any vets in Langley that are good with cats, don't try to push expensive procedures without need - and accepting new clients?

We met one we loved at Langley Animal Clinic, but it's basically impossible to get an appointment with the same vet there twice in a row. Then they're just gone completely, and they won't tell you where they have gone (understandable, I guess).

When we once again had a new vet, she must have mixed up medications, because our cat was supposed to be getting tablets, but the lady at reception came back with a liquid. I questioned it, and she insisted that it was the right one. Then when I got home and looked into it some more, it WAS the wrong medication. I called and complained, but was blamed for taking it home. No apology, no refund.

We did go to Cats at Home in Surrey for a while, and while the vet was definitely an expert on cats, she just wanted to do one expensive procedure after another - some definitely unnecessary - and if you say "no", you're made to feel guilty about being a horrible pet parent.

Looking for any tips or tricks to help with chemo for someone with incontinence.

My LO is starting IV chemo in a few weeks. She has been struggling with incontinence for a while already, and now with the chemo, I'm concerned about keeping her and everyone else (including pets) in the house safe.

Part of the problem is that she doesn't always realize that some urine has dripped onto the seat, down the toilet bowl, or onto the floor. And of course with the chemo, there will be fatigue and brain fog, so I don't expect it'll get any better.

I'm thinking of having a large foot-operated garbage can in the bathroom, and a box with small garbage bags. Used pads go in a small bag. If able, she'll wipe up anything she sees with paper towels (Lysol wipes?), put it in the same bag , tie the bag, then toss it in the large garbage can (with liner, of course). Should the patient be wearing gloves when changing pads?

I'll try to check the bathroom after each use, but honestly, I'm already run ragged and that might not always happen, as she uses the washroom frequently. There's noone else in the house who could do it, realistically. Sometimes it's hard to get everyone to just follow basic hygiene, and to be honest, I feel like nobody will take this seriously enough.

I'm concerned about some urine getting on the floor, being stepped in, and then dragged throughout the house. We can close the door to keep pets out, but that doesn't protect them if anything gets out via shoes.

Am I overthinking this?

Hi everyone, I was a FT caregiver to my mother for many years, but she passed a year ago. I am still living with my nearly 80-year old father and nearly 50-year old older sister, and never went back to work, as I started having several health issues that I'm still trying to get figured it.

Then in April, my older sister was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. She had open abdominal surgery almost a month ago, and in a couple of weeks we have an appointment with an oncologist to discuss chemotherapy. Because of the type of cancer, they have already strongly recommended both chemo and radiation.

For a bit more background, I am child-free by choice, as I have never been the nurturing type. My mother wasn't, either, nor was her mother. My sister is neurodivergent, though never officially diagnosed. She is intelligent and very capable, but it's like her brain doesn't have a working starter? I don't know how to describe it. Basically she needs constant prompts and instructions. She has never moved away from home, and only ever worked in lower-level positions for family, as she is just not independent enough. She also doesn't drive.

In any case, I go to all appointments with her to make sure all information is given/received, and now after the surgery I help a bit with washing, etc. I also have to check that she's taking the right medication at the right time, because that has been an issue in the past.

But to be honest, I'm terrified of what chemo will bring. Of course I'm concerned for the well-being of my sister, but also the more practical aspects. I really struggle dealing with others' vomit and fecal matter. Of course I do what needs doing, but I'm retching all the way. My sister doesn't have a good sense of awareness when it comes to these things as it stands. She has mild urinary incontinence, and sometimes doesn't realize if she is leaking (despite wearing incontinence pads). We have protective covers for furniture, but if I'm washing some, and she decides to sit someplace that temporarily doesn't have a cover, she doesn't think to grab a cover from elsewhere. Then I get to clean up the furniture, because everyone else doesn't think it's a big deal, and a quick wipe with a tea towel would fix it...

Not that I would ever ask my father to do anything around the house. He works in the yard often, and I'm often concerned he is doing too much already, not realizing he is no longer young.

So one of my big concerns is, when it comes to chemo, her urine and other bodily fluids will be contaminated with the toxins for several days after treatment. I'm already so exhausted dealing with my own health and the stress of her cancer, and trying to support her as best I can, I just don't know how to deal with cleaning up even more. Everyone tells me how lucky she is to have me, and they are happy to hand me extra supplies for wound care to do at home (her incision opened up, which meant a number of visits to the ER, and now thankfully some wound care at a local clinic) and the appointment sheet, etc., but it's like nobody realizes I'm drowning myself. I'm afraid they'll see me as an able-bodied FT caregiver, and expect that we can do chemo treatment at home even. I know I'm putting the cart in front of the horse with that, but i know it is becoming more and more common, and I just wouldn't want those poisons in the house, let alone having to handle them (I've always been a bit clumsy, but now with feeling unwell, I'm dropping things left and right).

I know that sounds selfish, and I am desperately sorry that I feel this way. I had posted in the cancer sub asking on advice for how to handle this situation (making it clear I have every intention of doing what needs doing, but I need help! And it'snot as easy as hiring a cleaner to do it), and was told to "glove up and get to it" (I've never felt like my own existence has less value outside of being a caregiver to others) before my post got deleted for whatever reason, and I had also posted in another sub for my sister's particular cancer, but it got deleted there as well, because I don't have cancer myself.

So here I am, hoping those who may understand where I'm coming from a bit better, may have some advice to give me to help my family get through this.

My sister (late 40s) was diagnosed with endometrial cancer back in April. She had surgery to remove everything about a month ago.

At first they said it looked like at least one ovary had been affected, but now they say both ovaries were clear, and the lymph nodes they took out were also clear.

The only info we have about the cancer is tentative, as apparently full results aren't back yet.

Stage 1, MMRd, highly suspicious for Lynch Syndrome. The recommendation is to do both chemo and radiation.

The consultation with the chemo doc is in a couple of weeks, and I'm hoping to get some ideas of what to ask during that appointment. Thank you!

I've always had low iron, and never tolerated iton supplements well, so would take them sporadically. Then, dealing with extreme menorrhagia, my ferritin dropped to <10.

I got the Mirena IUD, and I managed to get it up to 25, but developed GI issues (potentially related to the IUD), so stopped taking iron supplements completely to avoid adding onto them.

I've had the Mirena for a year now, but started bleeding more again in December (nowhere near as much as I used to, but spotting is pretty much non-stop in between "periods" every other week or so) so am getting a hysteroscopy. The plan is to remove the IUD at the same time.

I'm seriously concerned about starting the extreme bleeding again, and would like to get an iron infusion beforehand to at least have some stores in case that happens, especially since I'm not able to tolerate iron supplements at all right now. I have brought it up to my GP several times, but he's always said no. To be fair, I never asked him why, but I honestly don't understand why. I'll have to put on my big girl panties next visit and ask. I can get it done at some private clinic and pay out of pocket, but I just don't think I should have to. Plus, in the back of my head a nagging voice wonders whether my GP has a valid reason (though generally he just likes to say "no")

So for now I'll ask the group if you've ever had an iron infusion, has your experience been positive, or have you had any negative reactions to it?

Dear Lord, I am at max capacity.

Please do not add any more.

How does everyone do with corn? Like on the cob, or out of a can.

I'm nowhere near ready to try, but it is a food I enjoy, and so I am wondering how others do with it.

Someone recommended I try the Specific Carbohydrate Diet for my smoldering dv. She recommended I read the book "Breaking the Vicious Cycle - intestinal health through diet" by Elaine Gottschall.

Has anyone tried it, or heard from others who have?

I've been eating an extremely limited diet since Feb, since I feel like I'm still smoldering (doctor agrees, but just waiting it out until I have a colonoscopy... which I don'teven have a date for yet), so it's been easy to remember the few foods I was brave enough to try, and that didn't sit well.

However, I want to start trying more food, so looking to keep track in some sort of journal on my phone (Android). Anyone have one they use and like?

I got a Mirena progestin IUD for menorrhagia.

It has helped a lot for that.

However, since then I got more and more backed up, which turned to explosive d. then full-on constipation.

I've clawed my way back by taking Fibre4 and Metamucil daily (Miralax/Restoralax gives me horrible cramps), but am otherwise on low residue diet due to my gut obviously hating me. It gets worse (cramps, bloating, the runs, etc.) every time before I start a "period", which is on absolutely no schedule and is sometimes every other week, which with a week of symptoms, means I'm absolutely miserable half the month, especially since anxiety is also invited to the party.

I blame the Mirena/progestin. It's supposed to be localized, but I have other side effects from it as well. The problem is, I've asked my family doctor to refer me back to the gyno to remove it, but he hasn't wanted to. I guess if I insisted and threatened to pull it out myself he'd do it, but his valid point is: what are we going to do about the never-ending torrential bleeding?

My question is first of all, has anyone else noticed that progestin/progesterone has caused constipation? Would adding estrogen potentially help?

I'm seriously considering a hysterectomy (including ovaries), but last time i brought it up, my gyno thought major surgery wasn't the answer, though the IUD was the only solution she offered. I'm just so exhausted of this.

My decision might be made easier as my sister got diagnosed with endometrial cancer that has spread to at least an ovary and is most likely genetic, in which case i guess even my GP and gyno should be easier to convince that it's a feasible option?