My top 10 hints for surviving chemo therapy.

Hello eveyone,

 

I recently posted a topic regarding my personal experience with chemo therapy and in that post included a couple of things that would help you cope with it.  I thought that today I might add to that list.  As always, I hope this helps you in some way.  God bless you always.

 

Ok, here we go:

Top 10 hints for surviving chemo therapy:

1.  Drink lots and lots of water the day before, and for the next 4-5 days after a treatment.  Drink at least 64 oz., double that if you can.  Yes, you’ll have to urinate about every ten minutes, but you’ll flush the toxins out of your system sooner, and thats the goal.

2.  Take stool softeners, fiber, or whatever you choose from 1 day before until about 3-4 days after your treatment, as it is common to become constipated from the harsh chemicals in the chemo.  Been there done that.  NOT FUN.

3.  Don’t Plan ANYTHING for the first few days after you receive chemo, as you need to sleep more than usual.  You’ll become a “napper extraordinaire”, 2-3 per day on the worst days, plus a full night or more.

4.  Take your meds., especially ones for nausea at even the slightest hint of nausea, as it can sneak up on you fast, and then it’s too late.  If your meds aren’t working, tell your doctor asap, as they can try different ones.  I myself NEVER threw up, though I had nausea, I took my meds. around the clock, even waking in the night to take them on schedule.

5.  Eat plent of food, as balanced as possible.  Your body will need TONS of regenerating energy, and food is your fuel.  You may feel constant hunger, don’t deny it, nows not the time for that.  Also, for some people, constant grazing can help keep nausea at bay, empty stomach = more chance for nausea.  You probably will gain some weight, THATS NOT IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW, when you are through this, you can get back into shape.  I gained 25 lbs., and this year lost it all and a little more.  I hope your significant other is understanding.

6.  Keep warm, especially your head when your hair falls out.  Other than hot flashes, I was feeling cold most of my chemo months.  I slept with more blankets, wore more layers, and still felt chilled, weird !!

7.  For your chemo treatment days, come prepared.  Wear layers, bring a book, or something to do.  I either knitted while listening to my ipod, or did puzzles, also while listening to my ipod.  I’ve seen some people sleep, but I just didn’t feel that tired.

8.  If your doctor tells you that your meds will cause hair loss, ( some don’t ), have yourself an event with friends and or family to have a head shaving party.  I did it and it felt SO good to take charge of my hair loss and not let it take charge of me.  Don’t worry, have fun with it.  It’s just hair, it will grow back.  I never even cried or felt sad, I laughed the whole time.  Very empowering.  And mind you, I had hair down to my butt before getting it cut prior to chemo.

9.  If you are one who likes to write, then journal.  Later you can look back to see how you did and felt during the darker days, and it helps to let things pour out onto paper.  Pictures can be good too.  I still look at both occasionally.

10.  Remember that it doesn’t last forever, that it will come to an end, and then you’ll feel better, get your hair back, regain strength and everything else will fall into place. 

Most of all, if you ever feel you have no one to talk to, no one who understands, you can contact me at anytime. 

God bless all of you always,

Meredith – RNC