Here are my 10 tips to wellness (and keeping your sanity) during cancer treatments:
A caring environment - You are going to need a listening ear and many hugs during your treatments. So surround yourself with a circle of caring, loving friends who understand the journey you are on. Where you receive your treatments is important, too. Find a cancer center with healthcare professionals who have created a homey environment of love, understanding, and gentle care.
Take a virtual trip - While you’re going through countless CT scans, MRIs and PET scans, close your eyes and pretend you’re on a trip. It can be hard to lie still for 30 to 60 minutes while you’re having scans done. Close your eyes and allow yourself to drift away to an imaginary island where you can create your best ever vacation, complete with drinks, chaise lounge chairs, a gentle breeze and the sand and surf nearby.
Say Yes to meals - When friends and family offer to bring you a meal, don’t hesitate to say, “Yes.” Be specific about what you like to eat because chemotherapy will change your tastebuds. Take this opportunity to allow others to cook and serve you when you’re feeling tired and lousy. Besides, you’ll enjoy the company of a friend stopping by with a home cooked meal.
Chemo buddies - Make a list of friends, neighbors and family members who are available to drive you and spend time with you during your chemo infusions. Rotate the people on the list so you have a different person taking you each time. Make sure you have an alternate available if your primary person has to cancel at the last minute. Plan a picnic. Ask your chemo buddy to bring a lunch, blanket, magazines and a favorite book to share. Your time at the infusion center will fly by if you have a trusted friend to share the experience with.
Spread encouragement - During your chemotherapy or radiation treatments, take a moment to chat with the other patients who look like they need a friend. Introduce yourself and listen to them. Hold their hand and offer a word or two of encouragement. When we reach out to others, it helps us ease out of our own depressed thoughts.
A positive attitude - There may be times when you feel sad and discouraged during your cancer journey. Work on keeping a positive attitude by reading daily affirmations each morning when you rise. Carry a spiritual book in your purse or download an affirmations App for your phone that you can refer to when you feel yourself backsliding.
Monthly massages - Treat yourself to a monthly healing massage while you are going through chemotherapy. The benefit of regular massage therapy will ease your bone pain, take your mind off of your treatments, and restore balance to your well being. Scrimp and save by saying “No” to other items in your budget. By the end of the month, you’ll have enough money saved to enjoy this monthly ritual.
Handicap parking tag - When you’re making daily trips to receive your radiation therapy, you’ll want to make your drive as easy and enjoyable as you can. Apply for a handicap tag application at your police department and then ask your oncologist to sign it. Parking as close to the facility as possible will ease your discomfort especially when you are experiencing painful burns from radiation.
Stay connected - Receiving a cancer diagnosis may make you want to stay home and wallow on the couch. This is self pity. Remember to stay connected to the world during your cancer treatments. You can do this through social media, writing a blog or joining a support group. Reaching out to find friends will make you feel better about your current situation.
Keep a sense of humor - While your losing your hair, eye lashes and eye brows during chemotherapy treatments, you just have to give into it at some point. There is no need to hide under wigs and painted eye brows all the time. Surprise everyone during a dinner party by pulling off your wig and dancing carefree in the middle of the room. This will put a smile of their faces and give everyone a good laugh.
