Pass It On

• Purchase a port pillow

  Also known as a seatbelt cushion, this will come in HANDY, especially if the seatbelt goes over the port site. A port pillow attaches to the seatbelt and puts a little bit of padding between you and the seatbelt. Our oncology office had some handmade ones free for patients.

• Set up a method of communication with your tribe

  The last thing a care giver or cancer patient wants to do is repeat how the day went over and over...and over. It gets repetitive and sometimes you may not feel like talking on the phone or texting. We chose to have a private family text chain for the immediate family and this site to continue keeping everyone in our tribe how we are doing. If you don't have a lot of people to inform regularly, you might find it helpful to designate a friend to be responsible for providing updates to others. Some people choose to set up a personal web site to provide updates and share photos. While that is absolutely an option, we went this method since it was already a resource at our fingertips. Besides...it gives us a more personalized way to communicate. A great website that could be used and completely free is www.carepages.com.

• Get a hair catcher for the bathroom drains

  I don't know what your house is like, be we already had a hair catcher between my female long hair and his facial hair the drain used to get clogged monthly. We did upgrade when he was diagnosed to prepare for the inevitable. We were told about 14 days after starting chemotherapy, hair typically begins falling out rapidly. It's not day 14 yet, and we are already seeing his hair thinning out. I suggest before even starting chemo, purchase a hair catcher to put over your drain so your drain doesn’t get clogged with hair. Don't forget the bathroom sink!

• See the dentist

  You would be surprised the changes the body will undergo during therapy. It was suggested that if David needed any dental work done, to schedule an appointment with the dentist before starting chemotherapy. Those going through chemo will be more susceptible to infection and even mouth sores/sensitivity.

• Purchase something for the mouth

  Most people experience a metallic taste in the mouth during chemo treatments. Pick up a strong flavored gum, mints, or other hard candies to mask the taste. I encourage bringing a variety of options as your tastebuds may change or what sounds appealing.

• Bring a Blanket or Layers

  Treatments can cause patients to go from warm too cold on a regular basis. In our case, a friend made him something specifically for chemo appointments.

• Stock up on Lip Balm

  We were told skin will become really sensitive during chemo. Naturally, where is some of the thinnest skin on your body? Your lips! They will probably get extremely dry and crack. During chemo your body has a harder time healing so chapped lips can take longer to heal.

• Stock up on Lotion while at it

  While stocking up on lip balm to protect your skin, grab the lotion as your skin will be more sensitive.

• Just start a shopping list...add Hand Sanitizer

  Since chemo can affect the ability to fight off infection, make sure to have hand sanitizer on hand for regular use after interacting with others. Keep multiple bottles available for use like in the car, when guests come over, or when out in public. You can trust yourself to have good hygiene, but you can't always trust others to be as diligent.

• Bring multiple things to keep you entertained during treatment or wanting to stay home

  We learned this day 1 of cycle 1. Bring multiple forms of entertainment from puzzle books, music, reading books, playing cards, or anything else to help pass the time.

• Soft toothpaste AND toothbrush

  Before the nurse administered the last drug on the first day of chemo she prepared us for mouth sores. Chemo can cause sores in the mouth and even sensitive gums. It was recommended to use a soft toothbrush and toothpaste, such as what they recommend for children.

• Don't Be Hard on Yourself

  There are days, especially right after chemo, where you won't have the strength or endurance to do even the ordinary tasks

• Have an Assortment of Food and Meal Options

  Chemo patients experience a change in taste preferences. Foods they use to enjoy won't sound appealing. While foods they never imaged of snacking on will become a staple in the cupboards.

• Be Prepared and Proactive of the possible side effects

• The scalp to get painful as you lose your hair

• Hair loss (not just the head)

• If you lose your nasal hair, you may have a runny nose or congestion

• Difficulty concentrating and memory problems (AKA Chemo brain)

• Gas...lots of gas (AKA chemo farts)

• Loss of appetite, as the NP said still eat to fuel the body, but maybe only a few bites at a time

• Change in taste preferences

• Dry mouth

• Mouth Sores

• Sensitive Gums

• Fluctuation in body temperature

• Body aches and pains, especially in the bones and muscles

• Dry or sensitive skin

• Nausea and vomiting

• Fatigue

• Constipation or diarrhea

• Shortness of breath, including feeling weak, dizzy or lightheaded

• Bruise easily

• Heart pounding sensation

• High Chance of Infection

• Neuropathy (tingling, burning, weakness or numbness in hands and feet)

• Changes in the finger and toenails

• Retaining fluid

• Mental Health Changes

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