"What next?" she asks. "Whatever comes, I will still be standing."
Not to throw out a giant "bring it on" to the universe or anything (because heaven knows we truly could use a break for a little while), but I am grateful for so much in my life. And nothing that gets thrown at me is going to shake that.
Whatever comes next, we will absolutely still be standing. Together.
This week, I've been doing a lot of research on chemo side effects, and how to deal with nutrition during treatment and the various issues that crop up that prevent you from eating or drinking well. Since I cannot control anything about how my body will react, I suppose that trying to come up with ways to deal with all the possible variables of aftermath is my Type A way of coping.
We've started putting together a "chemo bag," filled with fun stuff like a small travel pillow for napping (optimism at its best, eh?) and a wrap in case the room is super cold, and maybe even a small blanket for the same reason. Eventually, there will also be lots of water, a few light snacks, some unscented hand cream and some lip balm, a small notebook and pen for recording information and symptoms after each treatment, a few hard candies and maybe some ginger ones if I can find some before next Wednesday, and an extra sweatshirt just in case my IV leaks (I've heard lots of "go home in a hospital gown" stories).
If anyone has a good recommendation for a ginger candy, I'd love it. Am planning on at least taking a little baggie of crystallized real ginger chips.
I've loaded a couple of funny books on my kindle, tucked away a couple of as yet unread magazines, and Mr. ReddHedd has loaded some books from Audible that he thinks I will like on my iPhone as well.
If anyone has other tips to share -- from personal experience or from helping a friend or family member -- I'd love them.
(Photo via ashley rose,.)
4 comments:
Lots of your friends posting messages at PUAC at FDL - http://my.firedoglake.com/elliott/2013/05/18/pull-up-a-chair-for-christy/#comments
Candied ginger is the way to go :).
(((Christy)))
Om
Oops, candied ginger is also called crystallized ginger and you can find it in the baking section of the grocery or for sure at any natural foods store.
This is great, Christy. My husband will be starting chemo soon so I hope you don't mind if I steal some of the suggestions here.
Jill - I'll try to do an updated post once I get through the first treatment infusion. I am certain there are things I am missing here. There are a couple of websites I have found really helpful:
http://lovehopethrive.com/tips-for-coping/chemotherapy/
http://www.nccn.com/living-with-cancer/understanding-treatment/931-chemo-bag.html
Hope that helps a little. I am struggling with the unknown of all of this more than anything else, but I am told that is really typical for people who like to plan.
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