Lashing Out

I am now 2 months post chemo and my eyelashes and eyebrows are back! My eyelashes are almost longer than they were before chemo thanks to Latisse. I have been using it since approximately 1 month after chemo ended, when I started to notice some re-growth. According to the aesthetician where I bought it, there is no point in starting until some re-growth is visible as it will not work.

This product claims to help you grow longer and thicker lashes within 16 weeks and is actually a version of a glaucoma drug in eye drop form called bimatoprost. Some people say that it can change the colour of your eyes but based on what I was told, that would only happen if you put the drops directly into your eyes for a prolonged period. So don't do that! Simply follow the instructions and hopefully it works as well for you as it did for me. I did not need a prescription and got it from a local "medical spa". Here is some additional information:

http://www.latisse.com/WhatToExpect.aspx

Tip: You can also use it off-label on your eyebrows to help speed up re-growth. 

I don't usually endorse products like this but from what I have read, Latisse appears to be safe, as long as it is used as directed. The box that I bought lasts around 2-3 months and I likely won't continue it after that but for a time when all I wanted to do was hide out in my house and avoid any mirrors, it gave me the push I needed to go back out in public and keep living my life. I never thought being able to put on mascara again would make me so happy!

Take Your Vitamins!

After surgery, I started seeing a Naturopath and am so glad I found one with the FABNO designation (Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology). It was important to me that they had this designation because it requires an additional board certification examination in oncology. My Naturopath is familiar with the chemo drugs that I received and has experience treating cancer patients. He recommended high dose Vitamin C IVs prior to surgery to promote wound healing and in high doses, Vitamin C can kill cancer cells. I am skeptical about the second claim but figured there is no downside so it was worth a try. If it does kill cancer cells, great, and if not at least it can help me recover from surgery quicker. If anyone is interested, here are some articles regarding high dose Vitamin C:

http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/vitamin-c-pdq

http://www.oasisofhope.com/cancer-treatments-therapies/vitamin-c/

The Naturopath also suggested some other supplements to take before and after surgery, one of them being Vitamin D. There are many articles showing that the majority of women with breast cancer are deficient in Vitamin D. This is something that my family doctor, Oncologist and Naturopath all agree on (and is probably the only thing they agree on). At the beginning of chemo my family doctor suggested taking 1,000 IU a day even though my levels had never been tested. After 3 months, I requested a blood test which showed that my levels were still below the normal range so my Naturopath has me taking 5,000 IU a day until they increase. I am not saying everyone needs to take this much but I do think it is important to have your Vitamin D level tested! If I wouldn't have questioned it, I would still be taking 1,000 IU a day thinking that was enough, never knowing that I was still deficient.

Seeing a Naturopath is not an option that is available to everyone as it is expensive and not usually covered by drug plans. I am of the mindset that if you can afford it, it is money well spent. The supplements I am taking combined with the lifestyle changes I made have me feeling better than I did before cancer.