Selene’s Cancer Treatment Tips:
1) Stay positive. Processing a diagnosis is difficult but it is important to talk about your feelings. A counselor or minister can provide unbiased opinions and advice.
2) I recommend doing a daily devotional and reading books that promote positive thinking.
3) Review the chemo drugs with your physician and get the pharmacy’s printed information. It will be beneficial for you to know the side-effects.
4) I cut my hair short because it will start falling out 14 days after your first chemo round. Cutting your hair short before it begins to fall out truly takes the “scariness” out of the situation once you are bald.
5) When you start losing your hair, the hair follicles become very tender. To calm the hair follicles, wash your hair with Head & Shoulders Shampoo. Leave it on for a few minutes then rinse.
6) If you choose to shave your head, do not shave it if your hair follicles are irritated or you see a rash. Calm the follicles first by washing with Head & Shoulders Shampoo for several days.
7) You may want to sleep with a fitted knit cap at night while you are losing your hair. If you do this, the hair will not be on your pillow and bother you while you are sleeping.
8) Scarves are easy and great to wear especially in the Spring and Summer.
9) Pediatric ports are now available for adults to use. These seem to be more comfortable than Regular ports, especially for women.
10) Ask family and friends to sit with you during Chemo. It is a great way to help take your mind off the process by talking about anything other than cancer.
11) I learned early, NOT to run out of nausea medication. They should be taken as prescribed and kept on a prescription cycle.
12) You may initially have to take several different medications and those medications along with the chemo drugs could alter how your body functions. I have found that Miralax works the easiest on your body.
13) I have found that it is really important to eat the right and healthy foods when going through treatment. If you have any questions about foods that you should and should not eat ask a Nutritionist at the clinic for advice.
What Cancer Cannot Do
Cancer is so limited...
It cannot cripple LOVE
It cannot shatter HOPE
It cannot corrode FAITH
It cannot destroy PEACE
It cannot kill FRIENDSHIP
It cannot suppress MEMORIES
It cannot silence COURAGE
It cannot invade the SOUL
It cannot steal eternal LIFE
It cannot conquer the SPIRIT
- Anonymous