CANCER'S DRY MOUTH

Your doctor and nurse may have told you one of the side effects of your cancer treatment is a dry mouth.  But when this hits it affects almost all of your life.  The mouth and digestive tract is made up of fast growing cells.  Most chemotherapy drugs work by killing or injuring fast growing cells because cancer cells are these types of cells. Most cancer drugs can’t tell the difference between types of fast growing cells.  So your mouth may be sore and dry.

Brushing your teeth with a soft toothbrush, a child’s or baby’s toothbrush is best.  Even with a sore mouth keeping it clean is very important.  Infection and or cavities are not what you want ever, especially not now.  Here are some hints for keeping your mouth clean and, by the way, these will help lessen the pain too.  If a toothbrush is too painful, for awhile, ask for Toothettes.  These are soft sponges on a stick used for oral care in the hospital.

Rinse and spit at least 6 times a day with a non-alcohol mouth wash.

Alcohol will burn like fire in your mouth.  There are products on the market which will moisturize your mouth as they clean.  The most popular one I know is Biatene.  They have several products available to help moisturize the mouth; gum and artificial saliva are two of them.  I recommend and solution of salt and baking soda.  Please wait for the recipe!  Many people mix up salt water solutions but if the strength is too potent these will not only burn your mouth but they will injure the tissue in your mouth.  So the correct recipe is:

                   One (1) quart of water

                   One (1) teaspoon of salt

                   One (1) teaspoon of baking soda.

Be sure to rinse and then spit out this solution, don’t swallow this or any other mouthwash.

This is very inexpensive and should be thrown out each day and then mix new day’s solution in a clean container.  This solution will soothe your mouth as well as reduce your chances of infections, such as thrush.

This mixture will help keep your mouth at the correct PH level to keep bacteria at low levels.  At the same time it will restore fluids to the mouth tissue. 

I knew one man who carried a bottle of this solution with him at all times, yes even at work, and he did very well with only slight problems in his mouth.  You can take a water bottle with you anywhere; why not add a mouthwash bottle.  You will be able to find a restroom easy enough, to rinse and spit every couple hours.  This is safe enough to use as often as you want.

It is good to rinse your mouth before you eat as this will moisten your mouth and it will be easier to chew and swallow.  Many people have told me that when they use a mouth wash they do pretty good.

For some this will help but not be enough to get you by.  If this is the case, ask your doctor for help, doctors usually prescribe something called Magic Mouth Wash.  It has 3 ingredients in it that will temporarily numb your mouth and will also help aid in healing your mouth and throat.  This must be used as your doctor prescribes.  You may use the salt and soda or Biatene mouth wash between times you use the prescribed mouthwash.

Papaya is a fruit that contains digestive enzymes.  Many people have found eating small bites of papaya before and during their meals makes chewing easier.  Including wet foods in your diet is a good idea; such as; mashed potatoes and gravy, soft scrambled or poached eggs and puddings.

I recommend you talk to a cancer dietitian at your cancer center or hospital. These dietitians are wonderfully helpful.

There are drugs available that promote increased saliva you may want to talk to your oncologist about these drugs.  Be certain to ask about side effects of these drugs.

Wishing you lots of spit.

God Bless you and keep you.

CANCER DRY EYES

In a past post I mentioned the first rule of being a patient:  Keep No Secrets from the Nurse.  The reason this is so important is, even if you develop some of the side effects of your treatment, the nurse can help you get through them with less problems.

Recently, a patient talked to me about dry eyes.  This sounds like an every day occurrence for some of you, even without cancer or cancer treatment.

But remember the whole point of cancer treatment is to allow you to live a normal life.  Dry eyes can become more than just annoying.  They can become painful.  Some types of chemotherapy can cause dry eyes. 

Not all eye moisturizing drops are the same.  I learned this from my own eye doctor.  My eye doctor recommended “Blink” eye drops or “Restore” eye drops.  Both brands are available over the counter in drug stores and most supermarkets.  These drops cost more than a generic or “cheapie” brands and this is one of the times you really do get what you pay for.  The generics can make your eyes feel gummy and not all that good.  These drops should relieve dry eyes, if they don’t, after a few days, please talk to your cancer doctor to see if you need to go to an eye doctor.  Unfortunately more than one thing can be happening at the same time.  You may have a problem unrelated to your cancer treatment.  Your cancer doctor will be able to tell if this is the case and advise you what to do next.  Most times you just need a good eye drop.

Good Luck and God Bless You.

HAVE CANCER CAN"T SLEEP?

                           

When you have cancer there are many reasons that sleep is difficult, yet it is so important.  During sleep the body is able to heal and regenerate at its most effective.

Causes of sleeplessness, when you are dealing with cancer, are fairly self evident.  You may have trouble shutting off your mind, you have many thoughts of: what if, what now, how can it be, and a million other things.  You may be overtired, you may be on steroids (which can cause sleeplessness on their own), you may have your days and nights mixed up (too long or too many naps during the day), or you may not be getting enough exercise.

I know when I tell people they need exercise I get a lot of dirty looks.  I do understand you may be fatigued (plain old tired) and I also know that exercise can be helpful in relieving that tiredness.  Cancer nurses and patients have known that exercise gives people a sense of well being.  So there have been studies done on the effects of exercise during cancer and cancer treatment.  These have proven that 10 to 20 minutes of exercise every day or every other day help people feel better and improve people’s out look on life and may help you sleep better.

When you have cancer, naps are tempting for sure, and of course, you may nap.  Here are hints for not getting your days and night mixed up.  Your bed is for night time, if you can, nap on the couch or in a comfortable chair this is better for you.  It will help you remember you are napping, not going for a long sleep.  A nap is just an hour or two of rest not a marathon sleep.  When you are tired try sitting at an activity.  This may be watching TV, reading, crafting, or visiting with friends and family.

If you are taking steroids as part of your cancer treatment and they are keeping you awake, talk to your oncology doctor, your doctor is very aware of this problem. The doctor may prescribe a sleeping medication.  You may want to try some of these suggestions in addition to sleeping medications.  Don’t give up, there is help for you.

 Shutting your mind off from the thoughts of dealing with cancer that keep you awake, or wake you up after just a short time sleeping can be a real problem.  It may take awhile to find what will work for you.  Some people find that a routine before bed helps.  A shower or a bath, a cup of chamomile tea, or warm milk along with a set bedtime has worked for many people.

Another thing to try is to set a time earlier in the day to worry and fret about your cancer.  This may sound silly but it works for some people.  Make this time useful by listing what you are worrying about.  Then find ideas that will make these problems smaller.  Your ideas for solutions can be silly; humor can ease stress all by itself.  Laughter is a wonderful thing.  During your worrying time make a point of being positive, this may be difficult at first, when you are dealing with cancer but, it does get easier with practice.  Plan for your future after cancer during your worrying time.  Take care of things that need to be taken care of, this will make your list of worries smaller.  And give you the satisfaction of accomplishment.

If you fall asleep then awaken at night try getting up out of bed.  While you are up try reading, crossword puzzles, TV and my favorite praying.  When we pray we are turning our troubles over to the Lord, He is the One who can take care of everything in the best possible way.

Cancer causes the feeling that you are out of control but you can control how you react to this “loss of control”.  Remember that cancer counseling is available and can be very helpful.  Talk to people at cancer support groups about what helps them sleep and share what works for you.

Cancer is a bump in the road of your life’s journey.  You didn’t plan for it but it doesn’t have to be all there is in your life.

SWEET DREAMS MY FRIEND.

CANCER ANXIETY

Anxiety happens when people are under stress.  A cancer diagnosis is a BIG STRESSOR.  I’m sorry.  It is very difficult to hear the words , “you have cancer”.  Please know that cancer can be cured and you don’t have to be alone during your treatment.  I’ve been a registered nurse for 37 years and my specialty is cancer nursing.  Some form of anxiety hits almost every one when they are told they have cancer.

The first thing I suggest is to take a deep breath.  It sounds simple but people have studied what a good old fashioned deep breath can do for your mind and body.  A deep breath can help reverse the physical effects of anxiety on your body.

You can take a deep breath right now and anywhere… any time.  So take a deep breath and blow out to the count of 6.  With the next breath, breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth (like you are blowing up a balloon) to the count of 6.  Take more time breathing out than in.  You can think of it as blowing away the stress.  As you breathe out let your shoulders come down away from your ears.

Then call your doctor or cancer center and ask to speak to a cancer counselor.  Most cancer treatment centers have a stress management therapist.  I often recommend both, especially to begin with.  They can help you through your entire treatment course and afterwards, too.

Talk to your doctor about your feelings of anxiety and what it is doing to you.  Doctors are familiar with this and your doctor may prescribe something that may help you.

Please remember you are not alone and you don’t need to go through treatment with out a whole bunch of help.  Get to know your cancer team. The doctors, nurses and social workers/counselors are there for you.

Wishing you well.  You are in my prayers.