Sorry that there are a few new people here. Hopefully this will be a good resource for you. While the drs., nurses, and lab technicians are helpful and concerned, sometimes it helps to talk to someone who has "walked the walk."
As there are all kids of cancers and even within a given cancer reactions and problems can be different, some of my tips might not be applicable.
1. If you have a port: wear a blouse, dress, or tee that has buttons at least to your bra line for easy access to your port.
2. Your coloring might change. The American Cancer Society gives makeup lessons taught by licensed cosmetologist. Its a fun cclass.
3. You might feel too tired or too unfocused to drive. The American Cancer Society provides rides to any and all medical appointments.
4. If you feel that you can benefit from talking to other patients face to face, many hospitals have cancer groups. Ask your oncologist for lists of help/resources that is/are available in your area.
5. There are several bbs on the web for cancer patients.
6. Some hospitals and the American Cancer Society have wig banks.
7. Food. Many have trouble eating. So eat very small amounts of food very frequently - I ate maybe 2-3 T of something every half hour, I love to cook but was not interested in food, so I bought many prepared foods - I am fortunate to have many high quality supers in my area. Tempt yourself by having what you consider to be luxury or "forbidden" foods - maybe expensive maybe high calorie. Eat comfort foods or foods that your family prepared for you in childhood when you were recovering from flu, measles, or whatever. (They spell love, comfort, and caring.) Your sense of taste changes so that is one reason why food becomes an issue for cancer patients. Eat your very favorite foods - you will not be able to have much of a balanced diet so just eat your faves because that might tempt you to eat more than you want to. (My dr. did not forbid me to take a vitamin pill so I did that to try to emulate a balanced and nutritious diet. Check with you oncologist about taking a vitamin pill.) Smoothies are a good way to supplement your diet.
8. Your particular cancer might have a group - so breast cancer patients have more groups than they can count. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society helps patients with blood cancers. I volunteer for them so I am familiar with the help they can provide - one good program (I do this) is called First Connection - a newly diagnosed patient is matched with a survivor who had the same cancer, age, and s*x. I cannot give medical advice but I can talk about my experiences and sympathize with their experiences esp. with prednisone).
In case you are wondering - I was a stage 4 non-Hodgkin Lymphoma small B cell cancer patient. My cancer had a 30% cure rate when I was diagnosed, but within 2 treatments that rate had jumped to 60% thanks to Genentech's Rituxan. I was a recent widow and I was 65. I tell you this so that you realize there is hope for all.
My sincere and heartfelt best wishes for all of you newly diagnosed patients.
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