Category Archives: Hair, Hands and Feet

The Aladdin's cave at the top of Harrods

Wig heaven 

 

Anyone who has cancer knows the puffed-up blobby feeling you get as a side effect from drugs.  You look in the mirror, and all you can see is a lumpy face and blotchy skin.

And if you need a wig, NOTHING looks good. You end up in a cupboard, trying to see what different wigs look like on you in a tiny mirror.  Or worse, the nurse shows you a small selection, tells you to choose, but won’t allow you to try one on.

So you give up in despair.

Unless you are lucky enough like me to be let loose in Urban Retreat, at the top of Harrods!

And this photo shows you the end result of my visit to Aladdin’s cave when I visited.  Normally I hate my photo – I have lost all idea of glamour whilst undergoing treatment, but I was so delighted with the end result that I went round the corner with my new wig and had Siyrah at Daniel Sandler give me a professional make-up, all ready for a party that evening.

Then when I arrived at the party everyone said how well I looked!

Urban Retreat knows how to treat us

I met the girls from Urban Retreat at the Kensington and Chelsea LINk Wellbeing Event, and Pamela Roberts persuaded me to come to Harrods and see what they could do for me.   I was feeling decidedly non-glamorous, so thought I would try on a few wigs and then make my escape.

Two hours later I floated out, and could actually enjoy looking at myself in the mirror.

Talking about their wig boutique, Pamela says, “from the beginning we have tried to provide the most innovative techniques, progressive therapies, excellent customer service, and worlds’ finest salon brands”, at the same time as offering a sympathetic and helpful attitude to those of us who are less than perfect.

She told me that they are gradually increasing what they can offer at Urban Retreat, from a MinX manicure, a luxurious Crème de La Mer Ultimate Experience, a Daniel Sandler evening makeup, and a ‘new kid on the block’, Antonia Burrell skincare.

Vikki Ullah Wigs

After experience working in the industry, Vikki  started her own wig business. She wanted to ensure that at the core of her business was a nurturing environment, where clients who had lost or were losing their hair for medical reasons, could feel at ease and positive about changes in their life.

At the same time she was intent on dragging wigs from their dusty, old-fashioned image into their rightful place at the forefront of glamour.

Talking over hair problems, I find that different NHS areas have different rules about funding wigs.  Annabelle and Pamela say some will allow a voucher for £60 which can go towards the cost of a wig.  Others won’t allow patients to top up the cost – you have to find a wig that sells for £60 (I have seen these and no wonder they lie are never worn) and that’s it.  It doesn’t surprise me many fellow patients never bother to take their wig out of the box.

If you can actually get your GP to apply to Macmillan on your behalf, you have to go through the GP to get the voucher – but Macmillan say you aren’t allowed to apply yourself.  So with many GPs your application waits at the bottom of the pile and you wait and you wait.  With GPs dependent on a patheric QOF allocation of funds to pay for ‘handling’ cancer patients, it’s not surprising that we are pushed to the back of the queue when our letters go out.

So being an action-kid, I get on to Macmillan, and have suggested that we all work together to get the Dept. Health/NHS to give guide-lines for wigs that are the same across the country, and patient-friendly.  And surely it should be the patient who applies for the wig?

Cost

Annabelle spent ages fitting me with different designs, then we finally settled on a gamin style that really made me feel super glamorous.  The one I chose was one of the more expensive, selling at £198, but they ranged in price from £100 to £200.

Make-up

A glamorous wig deserved proper make-up, so I skipped around the Retreat, looking for someone to give me a make-over to go with my glamorous hair, and Syrah of Daniel Sandler made me feel and look fantastic.  I had been using old-fashioned blue eye shadow, but she showed me how a combination of beige and brown was more up-to-date, and opened up my eyes so you could see them.

A very light touch with foundation and blusher, lots of gorgeous mascara (which she was careful not to get near my eyes) and finally a reallyglamorous reddish lipstick – and I was laughing I was so pleased.  A friend was getting married, and I discovered Syrah also goes out to do special make-ups,  so am going to suggest that she asks for her to do her make-up for her wedding day.

Skincare

Then I was introduced to Antonia Burrell.  She has just developed her own, very small skincare line, and was there amongst all the ‘big boys’ as Urban Retreat knew she had something to offer

Antonia showed me a product that seemed tailor-made for problem skin:  the worlds first 100% natural, emulsifying Cleansing Oil! Refreshing, luxurious and water-soluble, this glorious fresh, zesty oil cleanser transforms into a consistency of a milk. Infused with Cypress and Petitgrain, it heals, brightens and purifies the skin while calming and soothing irritation. Natural glow also respects the natural pH of the skin and does not strip or dry out the skin after cleansing, and helps protect skin from free-radical damage, which also causes accelerated skin ageing, and gives you the deepest, most luxurious cleanse yet.  I bought a bottle home, and am so glad I did as it is turning into a Hero Product. info@antoniaburrell.com

 

Macmillan Information

Macmillan say they are going to revise this information on wigs this year – and about time!

They say you may qualify for free wigs or fabric supports if:

  • you are under 16, or under 19 and in full-time education
  • you are included in an award of:  Income Support; the guarantee credit of Pension Credit; income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance; income-related Employment and Support Allowance; Working Tax Credit with a disability element; or Child Tax Credit and your income for tax credit purposes is £15,276 or less
  •  you receive a War Disablement Pension and need the items for your war disability
  •  you are a hospital inpatient when the wig or fabric support is supplied
  • your weekly income is low enough (see details of the Low Income Scheme)

Wigs and fabric supports in Wales and Scotland are free for everyone.

The HM Revenue and Customs National Advice Service can tell you how to claim back VAT on wigs and other items related to your treatment. Phone them on 0845 010 9000 or see hmrc.gov.uk.

You will need to tell the person who fits your wig or fabric support that you can get it free. You will need to show proof that you qualify, for example, the letter showing which benefits you receive.

So there is plenty there to get sorted out!  So everone can get a wig if they need it.  It shouldn’t depend on factors such as where you live.

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Rescue remedies for hair

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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 30: Prince Willi...

Oh! That glossy hair! daylife

What to do when ‘straw’

hair strikes

 

Watching the Middleton sisters with their glossy hair has made me insanely jealous!  Each time I get put on another drug, my hair rebels and loses all its sheen.

So not only do I end up with dull, lifeless dry ‘straw’ hair, but have also discovered that the colour is leaching out.

Sometimes I am a good girl, and actually read those leaflets they pop into tablet boxes, telling you all the side effects you are going to have.  Pfizer are possibly more honest than some drug companies, and reading the leaftlet that came with the latest batch of their pills, I realised why my hair has gone a ‘colourless’ colour.

At first I thought it was grey hairs creeping up; but it’s not – it’s just my usual colour is going paler, and according to Pfizer this is a side effect.  Heigh Ho! – another side effect that will make my male doctors think I am complaining over nothing – again!

Oils

Hairdressers  tell me that they can give me oil treatments, and when they do this does make a difference for a short time.  But day in and day out this is expensive, so I have been investigating what our ancestors did.  And of course they used olive oil and treated their hair at home.    Which is fine, but hair tends to get in a sticky mess and  leave marks everywhere.

However, there are companies that make oils for the body, and some for hair.  And these make an easy-to-use treatments, which are inexpensive and easy to use – and as oils today are much lighter, they don’t leave greasy marks.

Amazon Series Acai Oil

 

This is made from acai berries, with long claim to fame.  It’s light and a little goes a long way.

I drop a small amount on my hand, rub palms together and spread it on my hair, and it does a fantastic job of smoothing down all those fly-away split ends, without making my hair greasy.

It’s also wonderful for getting rid of frizz.  I have tried several preparations, but this is by far the best.

And thanks to the photo, I now know what an Acai berry looks like – who would have guessed they have such wonderful properties?

£16.99 for a two ounce bottle, which has lasted me a long time.

 

Elemis

This company makes a range of oils, which I had used as body oils – until one day I thought they might help my hair – and they do.

They have lots and lots of fragrances, but none of them are obtrusive, and as they are based on plants it is unlikely they will cause an reaction.  But if you are worried do a patch test;  spread a tiny amount on your arm and wait 24 hours.

So I still use these as body oils, but now carry the good work up and over my hair.

£27 – £30 100 ml

 

Kneipp

Sebastian Kneipp revolutionised naturopathic medicine in the 19th century, and became a pioneer in the field of holistic healing and teaching in Germany;  today the brand he founded has a massive international cult following.

I tried out the Kneipp NaturRenew Organic Body Oil (the Germans are strong on organic products) and this is, again, something that works on my hair and my body.  Very useful when packing for a weekend away.

Incidentally, being plant based and organic it must be suitable for most skin types, and because it is so light I used it as a body moisturiser when we had that hot but short summer (anyone remember that?).  It absorbed immediately, whereas some creams take time to absorb.

The range covers a huge amount of different oil products, and I love choosing ‘which one?’ when I go into our local independent chemist.

Neom

This has been my favourite ‘pick-me-up’ this summer.  I like its light fresh scent, and the oil just sinks in.

I was using this as a body oil, and lots of people commented how nice I smelt!  Then thought I would try it on my hair – and bingo!  It worked a treat.

Yes, it is fairly expensive, but my bottle has lasted and lasted, as you only need a little.  A bonus is that if I use it in a warm bathroom, I don’t need room scents as my flat is filled with a subtle perfume for ages afterwards.

I am not surprised that it has been selected as best buy and won awards, and this is what I chose for the last cheering up present I gave a friend.  Needless to say she was delighted and keeps on referring to it.

And it makes a lovely pick-me-up when I have to face yet another doctor’s appointment.  Give the old boys a treat – I feel!  And their nurses sniff the air when I pass by!

And it is excellent for my hair.  £32 for 100 ml

N.B.  These oils are not as strong as the oil treatments you would have in a salon, but they take seconds to apply, rather than a couple of hours.  And for the cost of a salon treatment you could buy a bottle of each and have money left over!

 

 

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Pay attention to Hands and Nails in Winter

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An example of a French Manicure, acrylic nails...
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HANDS

If your nails keep catching in your clothes, and you find it is painful to get dressed, shake hands, etc. you are not alone. And winter winds just leach moisture out of your hands.

After Chemo or radiotherapy, or when you start on hormonal drugs, you might suddenly find your hands and feet develop horrid horny nails, and / or splitting skin, and you can almost see your fingernails disintegrating as you use them.

You may even develop Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), a side effect of the Anastrazole drug, Aramidex.

When I developed CTS doctors told me this was caused by RSI (repetitive strain injury) and to stop using my computer.  I couldn’t work for three months, but it was still as bad.  So I had a procedure which sounds horrible – they inject you in your wrist with a long needle – but was actually genuinely painless for me.

This cleared it up, but it wasn’t until a year later I discovered that CTS was a side effect of Aramidex, and got the makers to include this information in the information sheet.  I was also very annoyed that I missed out on three month’s work, all because the doctors hadn’t know that the drug they had put me on could cause CTS.

We can feel stupid asking for help;  we see nail problems as minor, and believe doctors will think we are vain if we ask for assistance.   Well don’t.  Nails are an  important part of our body, are there to protect our hands, and wouldn’t be there if they were just for decoration.

Of course you WILL use rubber glovers – won’t you? !!! That is probably the single most important facet of hand care.  Having said that, you will find that drugs make your hands incredibly rough – but products that are really helpful are:

Clarins Hand Cream – There is a lovely story about their hand cream.  After her last visit to Australia, H. M. The Queen insisted she had to get off the plane at Singapore as one of her Ladies in Waiting had told her to buy this wonderful hand cream made by Clarins.

At the Duty Free Shop, Her Majesty, unlike a certain ex-Prime Minister’s wife, believes it is sensible to save money where you can, and bought her own.  The shop assistant was very happy to give it to her, but she insisted that it was paid for – by her Lady in Waiting (The Queen never carries money).  So even The Queen agrees that Clarins hand cream is one of the best on the market!

After radiotherapy I noticed that age spots on my hands were much more noticeable, so recently I have been using Clinique’s Dark Spot Corrector.  It hasn’t got rid of them, but they are much less noticeable – on one hand they have almost disappeared, and on the other hand some of the bigger spots have faded away.

Nails You may find your nails have split down to the bed, and you are having to file them three times a day; this is because the hormonal drugs have removed the top layer of your nail. Cancer drugs often cause the top layer of nails to flake off, which can be painful as nails catch in clothes.

The Royal Marsden Hospital used to have a manicurist, Francesca Manning, who was very helpful and supportive, and made me realise that many others suffer – usually in silence. One thing Francesca recommended was NailTek products, made in the States for cancer patients. They have Crystal Glass Files, soft and gentle and so good I have one by the bed, in my handbag and on my desk – all places where the horrid little hangnails catch. They are also coming into shops, so look out for them at chemists.

NailTek make special base coats; best one for splitting and hang nails is Hydration Therapy II (a nail varnish). If you have horrid thick, horny nails (rather like horses) then their Hydration Therapy III is the right product. They also make a cuticle cream and an oil:  products which feed the nails, and really help them grow again.  Use the oil or cream every day on the nail bed and around the edge, then every day re-apply another coat of the Hydration Therapy, taking it off once a week.

Use their Hydration Therapy clear nail varnish every day, and their cuticle creams at night, and this will help nails develop a white edge – before they become like a serrated saw.

In France they take nail care seriously, and at a recent conference for Oncologists I heard a brilliant dermatologist discuss how effective Evonail was at treating cancer patients’ nail problems.  If you go to article on How the French treat nail problems, this gives more details.  You can order in UK from contact@feelbetterduringchemo.com

You may find that due to a low immune system, you develop a fungal infection under your nails. SkinSure Plus is recommended for this; put a large drop into the palm of your hand, rub palms together then scrape nails across the palms so the lotion gets under the nails. 0800 107 1053. However, my fungal infection was so gross that the only thing that finally worked was Loceryl. This costs around £40 a tiny bottle, but thanks to Dr. Nerys Roberts at my local hospital, I managed to get this on the NHS.

And you are not alone.  In the USA they take these nail problems seriously, and an article in Supportive Oncology March/April 2009 issue on Dermatotoxicity linked to targeted Biological Agents tells you lots more – and proves you are not making a fuss.  See rest of article

http://www.lindiskin.com/v/vspfiles/pdf/SupportiveOncology_Dermatotocicity.pdf

Now I am on Omeprazole (don’t ask – it is to treat after effects from one of the drugs).  However, side effects – split nails, blood blisters, chalky surface, etc. are so painful I am off to see Prof. Johnston to get it changed.  I had almost given up, and was resigned to having split, flaking nails for ever – but had Wahanda MobDeal at Saasha Hair and Beauty Clinic, 59b Crawford Street, London W1.   020 7723 1985.  I bought this for the massage, which was brilliant, but included in the deal was a manicure – so thought I might as well take advantage.

At Saasha, Nishta took my hands in hers, filed the nails right down, and pampered them and painted the nails carefuly so that they looked really glam.

Then she sat me down under a special table lamp, and made me sit there for 15 minutes drying the nails.  I don’t know what was in the lamp’s rays, but my nails stayed ‘put’ for seven days – no flaking – no bits coming off – no nail polish peeling.  They were really brilliant.  I shall definitely be back when I need glam nails for a special occasion.

Now, I feel confident enough to actually give myself a weekly manicure, and a kind friend has given me a box of gorgeous nail colours.  Looking round in waiting rooms, blue, black and dark burgundy colours seem a no-no.  They look gloomy, and when it’s cold make your hands look really ‘grey’.  This friends said what I needed was Flame, coral and bright pink and red colours – and up came a box filled with gorgeous colours such as Orange Squash (a zingy coral), Hot Pink (does what is says on label), etc., made by GLEE and Famous Nails.                                                                                      ..
I like  their colours because they are bright and happy – just the boost we need.  And don’t forget to paint your toe-nails to match – it is a tremendous morale booster! Even the nurses have commented, and although my nails are still short, having such lovely colours with a bright gloss top coat makes me feel so much more glam!

Famous by Sue Moxley Nail Varnishes, £4.50 at superdrugs nationwide

Glee Diva’s Free Your Glee Nail Set is £4.99 at Sainsbury’s

More Tips

QVC, the shopping TVchannel, invited me along one day to view their winter promotions, and incidentally, “would I like a manicure?”  Lovely people!  And Sue gave me a lovely manicure, using OPI products.  Five days, later, even with my horrible flaking nails, only one nail has a tiny chip.

Sue gave me a tip – WAIT and let your nails dry.  At the QVC day they had a clever set-up;  Sue gave one a superb manicure, then passed you over immediately to Louise from Elemis, who sat me down in an Elemis massage chair, and gave me a lovely long facial.  So I lay there with my nails drying harder and harder – and made a vow that I would really make sure I let my nails dry next time I gave myself a manicure – no ‘fiddling’ around!

OPI produces gorgeous cheerful colours that make your hands look so much better, and it has been lovely having bright coral fingertips to cheer me up!  Incidentally, I know many people can’t face going out shopping when having treatment, or when fatigue rears its ugly head, so I will ask QVC to let us know when they have special promotions of suitable things.

Red hands caused by 5FU or Capecatibine

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What patients say when they are on these drugs

A thread from a forum produced lots of information –                                                                                                                                              and a Warning about what can happen when you visit the USA!

One friend reported, “I was on 5FU combined with folinic acid.  A side effect of this chemo                               is rawness of the skin where it’s thin and membranous – such as in the mouth and nose.

Any extremities, such as fingers, toes – and the skin on the palms and soles of the feet – became  really shiny and very red – not red raw, and it did not hurt (but then I never had it on the soles of my feet).

I was given corsodyl mouthwash for the ulcers/rawness in my mouth.

But it wasn’t painful, and didn’t throb, and I didn’t notice anything until one day I saw a sales assistant’s expression when she saw my hands!!

I think if you are given 5FU for a long time then the redness is a more common side effect. I think 5FU causes the cells to renew really quickly, hence the shineness to the palms – but have to say – it made the skin on my face and my hair….fantastic – the one good thing!

They prescribed B6 for the redness – but I didn’t take it, as i felt I could cope with it ok. I’m looking at my fingers now, and I can see they’re slightly red – I can feel it a bit – it’s an odd thing in the fact that the fingers would be really red, you could see clearly where it started from the knuckles.

As the drug accumulated I became very intolerant of it – a good sign because it meant it was working if I had such bad effects from it! My having such profound side effects meant it was working.

Basically you read that soreness and redness of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet  (Sometimes known as palmar plantar or hand and foot syndrome), can happen when 5FU is given continuously or over a long time. It is temporary and improves when the treatment is finished. You may be prescribed vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), which may help to reduce this”.

Another Forum visitor says, “I was on Capecitabine, which I understand is a sort of oral version of 5FU.  I had hand and foot syndrome and was eventually put on vitamin B6.  There was a lot of redness and I lost quite a lot of skin from my feet, making walking (of which I do a lot) very painful and also lost the skin from the tips of my fingers.

However, my treatment finished in January and everything has now healed up and I still have fingerprints”.

Warning! However, others say they have ‘lost’ their fingerprints, so if you are visiting the States, or other countries with less-than-helpful Immigration officials, see the Travel and Insurance category.

Going Blonde is a cheat's way to shiny hair

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Going Blonde can help you look better

Sitting in a Harley Street consulting room, I could tell that the doctor didn’t have good news.

No, he couldn’t tell me what to do about my dry, lifeless, ‘straw hair’.  But – he had a fantastic tip.  Had I tried highlights?

He explained carefully that this could fake the shine, and when I went home and tried this out – he was right.

Highlights won’t restore good healthy shine, but if you use a good product it won’t dry out your hair, and the touches of highlighter will give the impression that your hair has regained its shine.

Then I was sent a bottle of BLONDE-ME BEAUTIFUL, made by a respected name in hair products:  Schwarzkopf.  Their  new BLONDME line is the first and only brand to offer colour, care and styling product in one range for a complete, blonde haircare regime where you can have more fun with your colour.

Each product contains Keratin Protein to reinforce the inner structure of more delicate, lightened hair for restored elasticity and strength, whilst the Silkpowder Complex deeply nourishes and smoothes for illuminating shine and true golden radiance.

You can even choose different products, according to how blonde you want to go.  Me, being a coward, just wanted a little highlighting – but have to restrain myself because it is so easy!  They make a full range, shampoo, Conditioner, Intense Treatment and Illumi Lights (haven’t tried that yet!)

So if you are fed up with the lifeless yuk colour our hair goes, try some highlights and have fun!

To find your nearest BLONDME stockist please contact Schwarzkopf Professional on 01296 314 000 or log on to www.schwarzkopf.co.uk

Searching for a shampoo for dry hair? Bamboo milk could be answer

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Restoring my hair

I think every cancer patient suffers from dry hair, thanks to the drugs we take.  The latest shampoo however might be the answer to dry hair problems that are one of the side effects of these drugs.

Clynol have come up with a Clynol Moisture+ range, designed to transform dull and brittle hair to become healthy, glossy and strong.

And Clynol uses natural bamboo milk:  one of nature’s ‘superfoods’, containing nutrients to rehydrate and strengthen, helping hair to absorb, rebalance and retain higher levels of moisture.

Clynol Moisture+ Hydrate Shampoo (£7.95) is gentle enough for daily use, and I have been using this for the past month, together with its matching Leave-In Conditioner (£8.95).  This you spray into freshly shampooed hair, comb through and leave in to do its work.

And I must say I am impressed.  My hair has lost its ‘straw’ feel, and doesn’t catch on my fingers if I were to run my hands through my hair.  (I do this as a sneaky test, and Clynol has performed well!).

Available to buy from Clynol salons and online at www.hairsupermarket.com / http://www.beautybay.com – for further stockist information please contact 01296 314 000 or visit www.clynol.com.

Toni and Guy get out scissors to help cancer survivors

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39/365: New Hair Cut!
Image by jpre86 via Flickr

Strength and Style

Macmillan have teemed up with Toni and Guy hair salons to help people with cancer affected by hair loss.

Together, they have developed a programme called Strength in Style, to give patients the chance to get expert support in their hair salons.

There, you will receive top tips on hair care, together with wig cutting, and styling from specially-trained consultants;  Macmilllan will have been involved in the training.

As Tony Mascolo, CEO of Toni and Guy says, “providing expert care for people undergoing cancer treatment is something the entire company is passionate about supporting”.

Their salons are spread around the world, from Aberdeen to Amman, in Jordan.

www.toniandguy.com

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How the French treat nail problems caused by cancer

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TREATING ‘DRUG’ NAILS THE FRENCH WAY

When Dermatologist, Dr Geraldine Reynaert,  transferred to an oncology clinic in Marseille, she noticed that nail problems caused by cancer treatments, were similar to those suffered by the psoriasis patients she had treated previously. So decided to try out the Evaux Laboratories product she had been using.

Results were “outstanding”, so she contacted the Evaux Laboratoires research and development team who develop the Evolife range.  They began to work on a specifically adapted Totum Lithium formula, which eventually became EVONAIL, which she then “tested …successfully, on numerous patients.”

Speaking from the ASCO World Oncology Congress in Orlando where Evolife was being launched in the US, Charles Felgate, joint Managing Director of Feel Better Ltd, said: “Up until now cancer patients have had to suffer in silence with little relief from the distressing side effects of chemo and radiotherapy. Now Evonail brings real relief to people who find the simplest of tasks painful because of their brittle nails.”

Dr Reynaert isn’t the only doctor to use the product. Dr Radu Vanica, from the Medical Oncology Department of Argenteuil Hospital, Paris, is a firm supporter, as is Dr Sylvie Delanian from the Hospital Saint Louis in Paris.  One of the Oncologists I spoke to said that she had been so impressed she was now issuing the products to her patients as a preventative, before they start chemo or hormonal treatment – to see if she can prevent side effects.

Trials
Now, the search is on for fifty cancer patients undergoing chemo or radiotherapy to trial Evonail in Britain.

Cracked and brittle nails can be a painful and debilitating side-effect of cancer and radiotherapy treatment making simple tasks like turning the page of a magazine excruciating.

Anyone wanting to volunteer for the trial, or organise products for their patients, simply needs to send an email to contact@feelbetterduringchemo.com.

Range
Evolife has now expanded the range, and makes Evoskin for skin problems on face and body,  and my favourite male tester was given Evomucy spray to try (he had mouth cancer) and says it gives wonderful relief.

Speaking to one of the research team, I took him to task about using sprays.  They had thought this out, and as one of the products is specially formulated to sooth burning from radiotherapy, they had used a spray “as it can be painful to touch the skin”.

Contact These products are regularly used in France and in over 16 countries in the world, but they have only recently been launched in the UK through the website operated by Feel Better Ltd.

The trials are in their early stages – but watch this space.  As the products are available in the UK, perhaps – perhaps there is a hospital here that might think of us – and try the same trials.  Backing comes with scientific papers from the “Journal of Neuro-Oncology, which Evolife can send if you ask by email.  http://www.feelbetterduringchemo.com

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Feet

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Pedicure Day
Image by Rachel D via Flickr

FEET

Fiona Hughes is a very practical Practice Manager at my local GPs.  If you have cracked feet or hands, one of her tips is to get a bottle of baby oil, tip a couple of capfuls out and fill with Lavender Oil (the best quality one).  Shake – then get a bowl of warm water, tip a good splodge into the water, and sit with your feet in this for 20 minutes.  As she says, lavender will heal, is antiseptic and stops infection, the oil will continue the healing, and it smells lovely!

Another of her tips is to eat Manuka Honey (Rowse make a very pure one) – or you can do as they do in New Zealand and spread it on broken skin.  Ask advice first, but it is one of nature’s healers.

FEET ARE SO IMPORTANT – and whilst undergoing treatment, you may find your feet get horrid thick skin, and even what are described as ‘horse nails’ (very thick, calloused nails on your toes).  These come as yet another side effect from drugs.

So you need to have a podiatrist to sort these out – but the NHS tends to have massive waiting lists for them, so you may be better off going privately to somewhere like Shuropody.  They have around 60 salons around the UK, from Aberdeen to Plymouth, so there is bound to be one near by.

Cassie Armstrong from their Coventry branch took me under her wing, and knew all about the problems drugs cause us.  Starting with a lovely foot bath, dead skin was exfoliated off, and we got down to gentle TLC.  Rubbing in special cream, then getting rid of corns that had developed because of the way I was walking after being in bed, she said I should use special cream on my feet after a bath or shower, and before getting in to bed – even better if you wear bed socks to lock in moisture ! She explained that if we get ‘horse nails’, they can even do something about this.

Cassie knows how the NHS works, and is in touch with a nurse treating lymphoedema.  We talked about ‘post code’ lottery, as near where she works there are two PCTs – one providing lymphoedema treatment, the other says patients CAN’T obtain this on the NHS.  If your PCT says the same, look up under Lymphoedema elsewhere in this website, for details of how to sort them out!

If you have cracked, painful skin on your feet, Shuropody have a special Intensive Repair Cream, and gadgets to get rid of ‘build-up’ of skin, corns etc.  The salons offer reflexology too, so you can really have a pampering session, before floating out into the world!  And a lovely tip for summer – blast hot feet with the cold air setting on your hairdryer!

www.shuropody.com 02476-545 545.

Once you have gorgeous feet – keep them that way! After any bath or shower, pat feedt dry and rub in cream. Clinique have a Water Treatment cream which is wonderful and my NHS podiatrist wanted to know what I used! She was also impressed with the lovely citrus-smelling Foot Balm made by Barefoot Botanicals.

But I have found that Flexitol (on NHS prescription) is also very good, and as most people can get this free on prescription in England and Wales, worth asking for. For some reason it is only included on one NHS approval list, but just tell doctors to keep looking: they’ll find it eventually.

Cold feet were a real problem, until Charnos came up with Cotton Modal Tights – modal being a lovely, soft fibre made out of reconstituted cellulose from beech trees (so that’s eco-friendly then!), and 50% more absorbent than cotton.  They have lovely opaque tights in different colours, and – something I would never dare wear ordinarily – ribbed tights.  With swollen ankles etc. I try to keep them hidden, but a friend persuaded me to wear a pair of these, and because they are made of a modal mixture, they aren’t as bulky as wool, but are just as warm.

And if you find it almost painful to walk,or if your feet are cold, or if you just feel like walking on air (and who doesn’t?!) Then I have been trying out Carnation’s Cushion Comfort Insoles (good name).  Not only do they make walking supremely comfortable, but cutting them to size is incredibly easy – you just use a pair of scissors and follow guidelines for each foot size printed on the soles.  If your feet are in a really bad state after chemo, then use the Pressure Relief Insoles – which not only cushion your feet – but have an anti-fungal protection with a lovely smell.

Spa Paradisa (see under Hands) also make a treatment and sell socks to go with this.  Sit on the bed (don’t try to walk in creamed feet!, slather it on, and put the socks on top.  Next morning you should be able to feel a difference. www.spaparadisa.com

Pampering – you deserve it

One of life’s lovely treats is to go to Fortnum and Mason and have manicures and pedicures given by Sophy Robson. Beauty Editors go to here when they need ‘special feet’, and now she gives a gorgeous Medi-Pedi treatment for hands and feet. It takes an hour; all dry skin is removed, nails shaped and repaired, Legs and feet exfoliated using a warm sugar scrub then soaked. Then comes a delicious soothing and relaxing massage, and after that the nails are painted.

Sophy doesn’t mind if you bring your own base coat (I took NailTek) but usually uses Sally Hanson products. I am typing this up after one of her treatments, and three days later there isn’t a chip to be seen; I keep on having to stop and admire my nails. You can book her on the new health and wellness website www.wahanda.com.

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When drugs ruin hair, hands and feet

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fantasy hair style - style & photography Jonat...
The model is taking her five-a-day!   Wikipedia

Rescue remedies !

HAIR

Whoever called this our crowning glory hadn’t had radiotherapy. Or chemo. Or been put on drugs.

You escape one treatment and think your hair is OK, only to find there are tricks up someone’s sleeve and the next round of drugs  gives you grief.

But despair not. There are understanding and helpful people out there who have good ideas to help our hair.

If you lose your hair totally – Charles Worthington is a wonderful person, and a stalwart of Look Good Feel Better. His salons have dedicated stylists who just love to get their fingers into an NHS wig and transform it – until you have seen what magic they work with their scissors you wouldn’t believe what can be done.

If you decide you need a zinging new colour to show the world how you feel, or if you just think your awful thatch could do with a lift, Karine Jackson is one of those really helpful people who understands us.  Scroll down to the Colour section at the end.

Otherwise, you may have dry hair caused by side effects of hormonal drugs : There is

  • Dry, dry hair
  • Straw hair
  • Fish hooks hair

Dry, dry hair

I asked PD (pompous dermatologist) what could I do about ‘straw hair?’ “

“Use a conditioner” was PD’s patronising reply.

Really, what century do they live in?  Any teenager knows to use a conditioner!  So another ‘expert’ was deleted from my book, and I went looking.

Straw hair

Tim Wainwright was ‘Artist in Residence’ at the Royal Marsden hospital for over a year, taking thoughtful photos about how we felt about our cancer journey. Two patients out of the 24 mentioned ‘straw hair’, and you can see their photos on display in the hospital staircase.

Fish Hooks hair

Worst case scenario of all with ‘straw hair’ is when it is actually painful to drag a brush or comb through your hair. Under a miscroscope you can see that the hair has split all along the shaft, leaving ‘bits’ that catch in everything.

Fish hooks hair arrived for me – and I was seething; nasty combination! I had just been to see PD, full of hope as I had managed to get an appointment on the NHS to see this famed Harley Street dermatologist. Ten minutes after entering the great man’s room, I was told to use a conditioner. Trying to tell him that I had tried every one I could, he said he couldn’t help – and I was dismissed.

Seething as I stumped along Wigmore Street, I came across a “Free Advice – Trichology Clinic” sign in the window of the chemists John Bell and Croyden. They couldn’t possibly help – but what had I got to lose? Well, Vanessa soon showed she was made of more intelligent stuff than PD. Said I was clear case of damage from Tamoxifen, and gave me three products made by a firm called Avegen (I think John, Bell are only suppliers); they make a treatment cream (to use before you wash) , a shampoo and conditioner. Altogether the three products cost around £100 for about three month’s supply.

But they are worth every penny; the fish hooks disappeared, and my hair shines like the Middleton sisters (wonder if that’s how they get the shine?).  www.johnbellcroyden.co.uk
50 to 54 Wigmore Street,
London, W1U 2AU.    020 7935 5555.

In between times I use one of the range of Neom‘s oils on my hair.  They smell gorgeous, and as they are flower scents and organic, sniffy nurses can’t turn up their noses about artificial products.  And don’t forget that in many countries flower essences provide the base for some antiseptics.

If I go out into hot sun then I pour a little oil into the palms of my hand, rub them together and spread the oil onto the top of my hair.  This acts as a barrier, and the hot sun makes it soak in, which does my hair more good.

http://neomorganics.com/view-all/bodycare/bodyoils.html

Colour

I very nearly ended up with pink hair – then I thought that wearing the ‘breast cancer’ colour was a bit too Zandra Rhodes – so settled for glorious highlights.

A friend ended up with grey hair after chemo, even though she is much too young, but didn’t dare colour it as she knew that in the past some hair colouring products were very suspect.  But when a friend recommended Karine Jackson’s Hair and Beauty salon in the centre of London, I had to try it out on her behalf, of course!

Karine is one of those lovely bubbly enthusiasts whom you want to hug and trust immediately.  She has studied the effects of cancer drugs on our hair, and is working with other hairdressers to try and develop a network of hairdressers across Britain, who understand our hair, and how it needs help to combat drug side effects.

Previously elected London Hairdresser of the Year, not only does she give clients confidence, but other hairdressers respect her.  Now well-known amongst cancer patients in London, it was another patient who recommended her, as do nurses at Guys and St. Thomas’ Hospital.

Flashing a colour chart under my chin, she mused at what colours did to my skin – then got down to mixing highlights.  Becoming interested in what was actually in hair colours,  she found that many contained Ammonia – not good.  So looked around for someone who made gentler colourings, and teamed up with Organic Colour Systems – who do exactly what it says on the label. Now she can give you colouring or highlights, and days later my hair still looks glossy – as it did BC (before cancer).

Then came a cut;  “best solution to get rid of fish-hooks”, and lots more advice – such as giving your head a gentle massage once a day helps keep hair in condition.

End result was me skipping out of the Karine’s salon, for once able to glance at myself in shop windows and not cringe.

Karine Jackson is in Litchfield Street, just off Covent Garden.  If you go to www.karinejackson.co.uk the site gives prices – which are incredibly low, especially when you take into account the quality and fun of the experience.

And watch her website to see when she rolls out helpful salons across Britain.

The Oncology Site has a useful Nail and Skin Care Tip Sheet. It is a bit ‘talking down’ to us, but at least they are trying! http://www.oncolink.com/coping/article.cfm?c=5&s=75&ss=186&id=991

WIGS – at the One Stop Wig Service For Patients At Guy’s And St Thomas’
Well done the first hospital in Britain to copy the US idea of having specialist shops supplying what we need.  It is tiring enough having treatmen: so who wants to trail round shops talking to dis-interested assistants?

Guy’s and St Thomas’ patients suffering from cancer or permanent hair loss can now buy all the accessories and products needed to maintain their wigs at lower than retail prices during their wig fitting appointment.

The Trust’s wig service currently fits around 500 new wigs a year to patients, many of which are provided on prescription.

This new scheme, provided by the Trust’s Patient Appliances team, will mean that following a wig fitting patients no longer have to go elsewhere to buy shampoos, conditioners, styling sprays, hairbrushes or wig caps, turbans and head scarves. All will be provided at below the retail price. A selection of swimwear and bras will also be available for breast cancer patients to purchase.

Venise Spence, a patient appliance officer at Guy’s and St Thomas’, said: “We want our wig service to be convenient and easy for patients to use, and work to ensure they can choose a wig when they come to hospital for a clinical appointment.

“Now, not only can patients go home with a wig they’re happy with, but also with the other bits and pieces they need. Our enhanced range saves them a trip elsewhere when they may be extremely tired and unwell.”

Blonde Me is a new product they call a Blonde enhancing sun screen.  It helps protect your hair from sun damage, and also gives us light highlights which do wonders for morale!

I have just tried out Schwarzkopf’s Blonde Me (they are one of top companies for hair care).  My hair, although blonde when I was young, got very dark after cancer treatment.  But when I was a kid, the sun always gave me natural highlights – and Blonde Me has given these back to me, so I love using it.  Be warned, though,  At first I used it every day, and friends did remark  ‘have you changed your colour?’

Apparently we should use protection (whatever colour our hair has become) as blondes have fewer melanin pigments in our hair.  These act as protection against UV rays.  So drugs were drying out my hair from inside, and the sun doing the same outside – you can’t win!

Apparently it’s not only Europeans that are blonde, but this hair colour occurs naturally in Indians and Chinese (wonder if this was a legacy from Alexander the Great?)  Apparently blondes have more hair than most, but it is thinner – so prone to problems from drugs.   Anyway, this is a fun product that has given me back the colour I had before treatment, and a lot of fun.

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