Resources

Managing impacts of cancer and its treatment

Cancer and cancer treatment take a toll on the body ranging from hair loss and mouth sores to increased photosensitivity (risk of skin damage from the sun) and a compromised immune system. Here are links to things I've found - I haven't used all of them, but wanted to share local resources with fellow Canucks.

General

• Look Good Feel Better (Canadian site). There are LGFB sites for other countries.
• Alert bracelet - I like the LinnaLove bracelets to signal conditions like risk for lymphedema.

Headwear

• I ordered some headwear from I Love My Hair.
• Salons specializing in wigs that were recommended to me:
• Gabi's Wigs
• Continental Hair
• Princess Margaret Cancer Centre has a wig boutique and they also sell lots of headwear and other useful items. This is where I got my wig.
• The Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook Hospital has a wig lending program.
• Continental Hair runs a salon at Sunnybrook and sells their wigs there.
• The Canadian Cancer Society also has a wig lending program for those who cannot afford a wig.

Protecting hands from cuts and infection

• Casabella gloves - Rubber gloves for dishwashing (available at local retailers, such as Kitchen Stuff Plus).
• DEX cut-resistant gloves for food prep

Managing dry mouth

• Biotène products

Food and recipes

• Goes Down Easy - Recipes and food tips from the dietitians at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
• ELLICSR Kitchen

Other

• CaringBridge - A site for centralizing communication and support during a health journey. Operated by a non-profit organization. The site doesn't support some of my specific configuration requirements, but I think it would be useful for others.