This year I have had to contend with Chemotherapy for Bowel Cancer so I would like to dedicate this blog to tips to survive during treatments. Please pass them to anyone you know who is having chemo.
Cancer Side Effects and how I dealt with them
Listen to your body all the time – when to rest, what to eat, what to drink.
Be as normal as you can, especially on good days. Be with people who are normal and try not to treat you differently. Life goes on and will go on after your treatment is complete.
For sickness
•Understand the difference between indigestion, nausea and loss of appetite and treat each one as a separate symptom.
•Nexium for indigestion and heart burn – turned my life around and let me eat again.
•Eat nuts and dried fruit for loss of appetite to keep something in my stomach and my strength up.
•Ginger – drink ginger tea and eat ginger nut biscuits.
•Drinking water sometimes gets bland so I added, lemon juice, hydrolite tablet or lemon barley cordial.
Mouth Ulcers
•Toothpaste and mouth wash – Biotene was recommended by my dentist when you can’t use normal toothpaste.
•Keep a bottle of salt water in the bathroom and use every time you go to the toilet and wash your hands.
•Vaseline on your lips each night stops your lips drying out.
•Lip smacker – whenever your lips are dry. Use more often than needed.
Hair
•Gentle shampoo, I used baby shampoo
•Natural hair dye – normal dye gave me headaches
•Wash, comb and touch as little as possible
Constipation
•Drink, drink, drink – always have a drink with you – always. Drink in sips.
•Prunes worked for me – just one or two in the morning and at night.
•Prune or pear juice.
•Take your time on the toilet every time, just in case.
Self esteem
•Teddy to cuddle, enjoy the sun and outdoors when you can.
•After you get your pump out – spoil yourself with a long shower.
•Keep a journal as it helps to prepare for each day. Know your good days and bad days.
•On good days, dress nice, smile, have fun.
•On bad days give yourself time and rest. Don’t be alone or plan to do something you like, watch your favourite DVD.
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