We all struggle with different aspects of cancer and treatment. This page is designed to provide survivors and their loved ones with helpful advice. Some of these suggestions come directly from the book, "The Gown Opens in the Front." See the Products page to order.
Please remember that we are NOT doctors, and that any suggestions made on this website are merely that - SUGGESTIONS!
We are not responsible for any injury, accident, illness or general malaise that may result from following my advice!!
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Survival Tips for April
Do something strange. I have a friend that walks up to people she knows and asks them if they want to feel her boob. When they say yes, she pulls her prosthesis out of her shirt and hands it to them! You don’t have to do something THAT crazy, but try to get some laughs this month.
Use satin or sateen sheets and pillow cases if your skin gets sensitive. They are cooler and softer and they also make it easier to slide out of bed. ( I recommend the sateen sheets rather than satin, they are more cottony and less likely to slide off the bed.
Survival Tip For March
DO NOT exercise by yourself if you suffer from fatigue or pain after surgery or treatments. Even during a light walk, your energy can get away from you. Ask a friend to go with you. If this is not possible, at least take a cell phone with you, and notify someone of where you will be before you leave the house.
Survival Tips For February
Get a massage or healing touch the day
before each chemo. If expense is a problem, the ACS can get you in touch with agencies that will come to your home and do it for free! It makes a HUGE difference in how you feel the next few days.
Don’t expect your chemo side effects
to follow a schedule. They change in
frequency and intensity from treatment
to treatment.
Make a list of the things you CAN control vs. the things that you can’t when you are afraid or stressed. You will be surprised at what you see.
Keep a journal. It doesn’t have to be a diary. Use markers, crayons, draw your emotions if you don’t feel like a writer. Or just color the pages. Let it be a reflection of how you feel at that moment. It will become a cherished possession and an invaluable way to help you chart
your progress.
Let the phone ring if you don’t want to talk, or ask a loved one to run interference for you. Let them answer the phone and say that you are unable to talk. Allow yourself to decide what makes you feel better and act accordingly.
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