YOU SHOULD KNOW THESE 10 THINGS TO PREPARE FOR CANCER TREATMENT
Cancer treatment may include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, medicines and other therapies. The goal of cancer treatment is to cure or shrink a cancer or stop it from spreading. You may receive one treatment or a combination of treatments. As someone who went in blindly into each phase of treatment, I’m here to suggest how you prepare yourself physically and mentally for any or all of these treatments.
Consider A Second Opinion
After your CT, ultrasound or bloodwork, the hospital will connect you with a breast surgeon, oncologist or radiologist. This is most likely the first time you will have ever met these doctors and the first time you have heard a cancer treatment plan. It’s important that you are comfortable with your treatment plan.
There are amazing medical teams and cancer clinics around the world. You should be able to hear what they have to say. It may not always be feasible, and I get that, but if you are able to consider it. I was fortunate to be able to have another oncologist look at my scans and tell me that they would move forward with the same treatment plan. It brought comfort knowing that I was in good hands and 2 amazing doctors had the same plan in mind.Make a list of questions
You are your best advocate! If you are unsure or need your medical team to go over a procedure or process again, ask them to review it with you. You should understand what is taking place now and what will happen next!Each appointment you have 20 minutes with your doctor so have this list of questions with you so you can ask when there is time! If you have a MyChart or other healthcare communicating system, send the questions so they can provide you with answers.
Bring a friend or family member with you to any or all appointments to help take notes or write down questions.
Prepare your body
Ask your healthcare team about services that can help with this, such as nutritional counseling and fitness classes.Many cancer patients face malnutrition because they struggle with nausea or can’t get enough nutrients during treatment.
Drink lots of water.
Take short walks around the block to build up strength.
Look into strength training to support your bone health, metabolism boost and improve mental health. This can look like putting some ankle weights on or lifting 5-8lb weights each day for 2-3 reps!
Consider yoga during or after treatment. Also consider jump rope or trampoline. Jumping helps to strenghten your bones!Get enough sleep
Let your body rest when it’s tired. I always fought taking a nap, but your body is tired and needs rest. Get yourself comfy in bed or on the couch, close your eyes, listen to music or a meditation. Listen to what your body needs! Think about adding some lavender to the room, eye pillow or pillow case.Practice a nighttime ritual, writing down your worries.
Many patients have trouble sleeping after receiving a cancer diagnosis, while others begin to experience fatigue through chemotherapy and towards the end of radiation therapy. Exhaustion and lack of sleep can affect your mood and make it harder to manage the stress of cancer treatment.
Some patients may experience insomnia during treatment. Get tips to cope with insomnia.
It’s important that you talk to your doctor about fatigue and insomnia since these issues often go undiagnosed.
Talk with other people who have cancer
I didn’t know anyone who had cancer other than my grandmother who had metastatic breast cancer when I was 15. Having someone to talk to who has experienced what you will be going through is a way to not feel so alone and to feel supported. Ask your medical team for a list of support groups in person or online. You can also check out Liv and Let’s Library of Resources!Pack your Bags
Chemo Bag:
Bring a water bottle, activity book, reading book, Spotify playlist, headphones and grip socks. Consider a fleece or zippered top for comfort and warmth during treatment.
Ask someone to pack a bag and join you!
Surgery Bag
Pack a bag with comfortable, easy-on clothing. Even if you’re just staying the night, you’ll need something to wear home. If you’re staying longer, you’ll likely grow tired of the hospital gown. Pack some button down pajamas, open-front sweat jackets, cotton or flannel shirts that zip, tie, or button easily — nothing you need to pull on over your head.
For the bottoms, loose-fitting pull-on pants in cotton or silky fabrics. A loose fit is especially important if you’re having reconstruction that uses tissue from your abdomen, as that area will be tender.
Pack comfortable underwear, no-skid fuzzy socks (if you don’t want the hospital-provided ones), or slippers/moccasins with non-skid soles.
Pack a toiletry bag with wipes, lip balm, hand balm, dry shampoo, anti-bacterial hand gel.
Schedule time for emotional support
During your cancer diagnosis and treatment, you’re likely to experience an array of emotions, including anxiety, depression, fear or hopeless. It may help to talk about your feelings with a close friend, family member, chaplain or other spiritual leader, nurse, social work counselor or psychologist. To find a support group in your area, talk to your oncology nurse or another member of your care team. MD Anderson has many support groups for patients and caregivers. There are many support groups that meet in person, over the phone or online. Check out the Library of Resources and Community Happenings on Liv and Let.Create A Registry
Add the goods and explore brands that are supporting cancer survivors. If you are not financially in a place to purchase the goods or if support has asked what they can do for you, this is a great way to get support!
We recommend heading to We Got This and then selecting items from Giv Shoppe and other business to make your experience a little more comfortable. Support small businesses founded by survivors like yourself. (Take a break from Amazon).Stock up on the goods! We’ve curated essentials at GIVSHOPPE.COM.
· Meals: Stock up on healthy foods and freeze meals in advance. You can also ask friends and family to help with cooking and shopping.
· Skin and Body Care
SPF – Face and Body
Explore after surgery and construction bras at Everviolet and Ana Ono
Accessories
Wigs
Explore Integrative & Eastern Medicine
Western Medicine when it comes to cancer is no question in my opinion, however exploring eastern medicine was one of the best things that I could have done during treatment and in survivorship. After my first chemotherapy treatment, I went to the integrative medicine office of my primary care doctor. They offer acupuncture for all patients. I really have no recollection on how I found out about this service, but I’m so happy that I went after my first round of chemotherapy. It helped me to manage my symptoms. It took a few years to have acupuncture again, but those little needs have helped me over the past few years with anxiety, pain and other side effects.
The ancient practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine (aka Eastern Medicine) are all about mind/body balance. Even if you don’t yet know about the fundamentals of traditional Chinese medicine, you’re probably familiar with some of its practices. Maybe you’ve had an acupuncture session, or taken turmeric for arthritis pain, or signed your kid up for a class at the local tai chi studio. Or maybe you’ve just wondered about those circular bruises on the backs of your favorite Olympic swimmers. Each of these practices is based in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which is all about creating balance in the body in order to maintain health and wellness. TCM practitioners use various psychological and/or physical approaches (such as acupuncture and tai chi) as well as herbal products to address health problems.
Modern science doesn’t show definitive evidence of qi or the meridians through which it’s said to flow, but traditional Chinese medicine’s popularity has remained consistent throughout the centuries for improving health and wellness used alongside conventional medical therapies.In my opinion it’s worth talking to your doctors, researching if your clinic has an integrative services center or exploring outside of the clinic available services that support those impacted by cancer. There are various ways of healing that I feel many people aren’t aware of. I want to provide what I’ve learned so that you are able to explore and find what it right for you!
“The one thing you need to remember is that you’re in charge of your care. You have a say in your care.” I think deep down I knew this on February 20, 2015, but the fear that I only kept the blinders on and to not question what the medical team had to say. I immediately turned on the fight or flight mode and began the fight. I didn’t take the time to think about what I wanted or what would be best for me. In the end I believe I did what was right, however I would have benefited from being more knowledgeable, informed and vocal throughout treatment and early on in survivorship. I am now a proud advocate for my health, family and more. I’ve opened my heart so that I am able to have empathy and focus on me, myself and I! This is my hope for you by providing an honest and robust list. Please reach out if you have any questions.