Tips To Stay Comfortable During Chemotherapy
If you have cancer, you obviously have a lot on your mind right now. But hopefully you have a positive attitude and with successful chemotherapy or another cancer treatment, you'll be back to your old self in due time. If you will soon be starting chemo, you likely have been warned that it can be hard to adapt to, especially at the start. While you should listen to your doctors first and foremost, here are some tips that might also help as you begin this process.
Figure Out What to Do With Your Hair
It's commonly known that many chemotherapy patients lose their hair. This can be a big mental hurdle to get past, but there are things you can do that might help. One consideration is cold-cap therapy. You wear an ice-cold cap on your head in the days after you start treatment and the cap can actually help you minimize your hair loss. At the very least, it should help preserve your roots which means any hair you do lose will grow back faster.
If you're not going to opt for the cold cap, you should talk to your doctors about when it is appropriate to shave your head and whether or not you want to wear a wig or another cosmetic option.
Keep Your Skin Moisturized
Another serious consequence of regular chemo is that it can seriously dry out your skin. You can prepare for this though by stocking up on skin moisturizer before you begin cancer treatment. Ask your doctor if it's OK to use it before the treatment or if you should wait until you are in the recovery room. With the right lotion or other ointments, you should be able to remain at least a bit more comfortable as your skin retains a more natural feel.
Stock Up on Ice Cream
Chemotherapy can alter the way your taste buds operate, at least for a time. Many chemo patients report a craving for ice cold food and beverage in the days after they start treatment. You can prepare for this by stocking up on your favorite frozen items. Ice cream is a clear choice, but there are plenty of other options. If you want a healthier choice, prepare multiple trays of ice cubes that you can suck on before treatment begins.
Chemotherapy can cause significant changes to your body. But a little advance preparation will have you ready for what's ahead. Talk to your doctor if you have any other concerns about your cancer treatment.