• Keep moving forward.
• Know that you are loved.
• Keep beautiful things near you that comfort you. Keep things to do with you — puzzles, books, knitting.
• Watch funny movies, read funny books, avoid the news.
• Stay in touch with positive, loving people. Limit contact with those who can’t handle it.
• Think of the future. Make plans to do things you’ve always wanted to do.
• Journal. Manage stress with prayer, meditation, hopeful thinking, visualization.
• Eat lots of veggies, fruits, grains (especially oatmeal), bananas, plain yogurt, flax seed and peppermint tea for side effects. Take vitamin B complex and C. Limit sugar and processed food intake. Drink water.
• For nausea, eat a little something every 30 to 60 minutes. Eating keeps your digestive system busy and staves off nausea. Exercise for five minutes a day.
• Make appointments early in the day when you have more energy. Doctors are likely to not be behind earlier in the day.
• Keep antibiotic cream and Band-Aids on hand. You’re more vulnerable to infection while undergoing chemo.
• Keep a journal of symptoms. Include temperature (get a good thermometer), weight, blood pressure, constipation, rash, tingling. Call your oncologist with any concerns.
• Avoid sick people, crowds, stressful situations.
• Sleep as much as your body dictates.
• Know that this is not bigger than you. While it will be very hard at times, you can get through it.
— Delores Goodrich of Vancouver.
Diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in 2014. Currently no evidence of disease.
