Tips

So I've decided to compile a list of tips that I've learned so far:

• Dry, scaly, super sensitive skin - My mother in law brought me a big pile of different skin products, all of which were really great. My favorite ended up being Almond Glow. I realized it was my favorite when I noticed it ran out! The downside to it is that it made me smell like olive and peanut oil, and since I put it on my head I kept thinking I should be cooking myself or something. But I found scented ones at Whole Foods so now I smell like Lavender instead.
• Mouth sores - The mouth wash they gave me didn't really work. It was actually just an anesthetic, and local anesthetics have never worked well on me (I always need more before they even begin to have an effect). But hey, better to avoid the mouth sores to begin with! So every day I make sure to at least once or twice chew sugarless gum for about an hour. It makes my mouth more moist (it's dry mouth that causes the sores). Haven't had any sores since.
• Zits!!! - Goodness, that pissed me off. Have to be careful here since chemo makes your skin so sensitive, so no using anything harsh or with alcohol in it. I use Kiss my Face Astrigent (citrus essence) in the morning and at night. Almost no more acne left and my skin isn't peeling, so that's always a good thing.
• More skin stuff - Wear 50 spf suncreen if you ever plan to step outside! No buts about it, just do it. And make sure to use moisturizer on your face.
• Bathroom issues (yeah yeah, the crapper) - 3 Metamucil tablets a day (serving is 5, but 3 is enough for me). If you don't... well... most likely you won't be "going" for a while.
• Hair - It hurts when it falls out. I razored it to about 1 inch long, then razored it even shorter, then shaved it off. Makes wearing hats and scarves much more comfy. Also, you don't look like you just shaved your head for hell of it if you just take it all off instead of leaving stubble behind. If you choose to hide your head all the time then just keeping what's left fairly short should do it. Otherwise an electric razor every day does the trick.
• General stuff - Don't eat crap, try to work out, don't overdo it, take your vitamins.

And here's the biggest one:

Don't dwell on the situation. Talk about it, sure, but don't make it the only thing you talk about with friends. Don't think nonstop "Oh, I'm a cancer patient." See the situation as an irritation more than something traumatic and try to go on as you did before. Instead, I think "Hey, I'm Carina. I'm a graduate student, I love physical oceanography, I have an awesome husband, family, advisor, and friends. I've got a dog and 2 kitties. Oh, and I have cancer, but my bald head looks a hell of lot better than Spears'!" Only now you don't ever have to feel bad about taking a break or pampering yourself!