Undergoing chemotherapy can be a challenge. Here’s a cheatsheet to help you cope from women who’ve been there:
- Learn about your condition. But make sure your information is accurate. If you search your condition online, stick to reputable medical sources. There’s a lot of misinformation out there.
- Buy plastic or bamboo utensils. This will help you avoid the metallic taste in foods.
- Cut your hair before you start chemotherapy. This will lessen the shock of losing it. Also, it reduces harm to your scalp when the hair follicles come out.
- Get your teeth cleaned before treatment begins.
- Don’t get acrylic nails or nail wraps. If you polish your nails, use non-acetone-based remover. Some chemotherapy will turn your nails black (Taxotere is known to do this); you can pre-empt this with dark-colored polish.
- If you can, schedule your chemotherapy on Fridays. That leaves time for you to recuperate Saturday and Sunday.
- Stay hydrated.
- Bring an iPad or a book to chemotherapy. We know folks who have binge-watched several seasons of “Game of Thrones,” “Empire” or “black-ish” while undergoing treatment. Or load your phone with your favorite music. Don’t forget your earphones!
- Suck on ice chips or popsicles during infusions to help avoid mouth sores.
- Stay moisturized. After every shower, slather yourself from head to toe with a high-quality, paraben-free, hypoallergenic moisturizer.
- Allow yourself to be taken care of and relax. Don’t hesitate to ask for help.
- Tell your doctor or oncology nurse if side effects become unbearable. Nurses say they know how to reduce a lot of the side effects you may experience, but they can’t share this information with you if you don’t let them know what’s happening.
