Tips and Tricks to Get Through Treatment
Nobody likes the treatment phase. But a little practical advice will make it that much easier to take.
- Bring a friend to doctor appointments to listen, take notes, help ask questions
- Keep a journal with appointments, medications, side effects, feelings
- Keep copies of all your medical records (films, lab results, etc.)
- Talk to a survivor about what helped her (e.g., meditation, massage, etc.)
- Schedule something fun for the afternoon/evening after chemo session, while you still feel good
- Look for a great wig and bring a friend to try it on
- Know about the side effects of medications
- Don’t rely on books over 3 years old
- Wear a camisole to radiation treatments to avoid having to undress completely
- Read the book “Just Get Me Through This” by Cohen and Gelfand
- Remember that each experience is unique – don’t compare yourself to others
- Keep in mind that as bad as each treatment may be, each one is a positive step toward getting healthy again
- Remember to laugh – humor is the best medicine!
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