Getting Ready for Chemo

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Tonight is the night, I am starting chemo again.  I decided to write a practical post about preparing for chemo for any readers who are trying to navigate cancer themselves.

  

Are you starting chemo soon?  If so, you have heard this: “How can I help you".  It is so hard to answer, especially if you are feeling overwhelmed by a new diagnosis and intense medical care.  The smartest thing is to come up with some answers.  People will want to help.  Ask them to pick up a couple things you will need so you can save your energy or use it in better ways.

Here are a couple ideas:

• laundry soap (I asked for Tide free so it would be gentle)
• sports drinks
• crackers
• canned soup
• a book/magazine  
• (Note: all these foods can go into the cupboard to be used when you need them) 
•  Got kids?  Make arrangements for someone to take them to a specific activity – if someone takes them to soccer practice every week you don’t have to think about it.  Then, if you feel up to joining – you can ride along. 

Stock up on some comforts for yourself

Today I went to the big-box store and bought extras of some staples plus a few things I think I will want if the chemo makes me feel punky.    

Get sports drinks – the electrolytes are going to help so much if you loose your appetite.  Also, being well hydrated before a treatment will help the chemo move through your system better.  I can’t prove that with science, but I lived it, for what that is worth.   

Get some simple foods; no spice, easy prep, no chewing.  If you get really tired from the chemo you will be so happy to have a quick bite if you feel hungry.  Mashed potatoes and rotisserie chicken always hit the spot for me after chemo.  Think jell-o cups, rice, soup, and crackers.  I also got over-the-counter remedies for some potential side effects of the medicine – ginger ale (yup – that’s medicinal sometimes) and something for loose bowels.   

 PS – ginger is good for a sour stomach – you might pick up a box of ginger snaps.

Feed the family: I bought some easy meals for the kids to make.  Simple meals, snacks, cold cereal – these things keep the world spinning if mom gets sick.  I am so fortunate that my kids can do some meal prep.  Warning: You may not like the smell of cooking food.  Cold cereal, pop-tarts, and juice boxes might be as important for you as the kids. (no smell)

Get your body ready and already gave you my first bit of advice – GET HYDRATED!  Get water, PowerAde, juice, anything in your system.  Really focus on water, but use something else if it tastes better.  Hydration will make injections better.  It gets the medicine into your system better and gets the toxins out better.  (You want to dilute that chemo for when you make trips to the restroom.) Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

Give your body protein to rebuild the good cells that are being killed by chemo.  These friendlies are going to take a hit right along with the enemy cancer cells.  Help defend them.   

Get veggies – they have nutrients that are going to keep you going.  

Get some simple carbs – you will need fast energy for when you are only up to a couple bites every couple hours. 

Eating during chemo – anything you have an appetite for is good – if you want Egg McMuffins, eat ‘em.  If you want pasta, eat it.  If you want apples, bite in!  Chemo is not the time for self imposed restriction dieting.

If you have tips of your own, please share!