Getting Through Chemotherapy Treatment To Ringing the Bell After Chemo
I distinctly remember going to my first chemotherapy treatment. After we checked in, we met two ladies waiting for their man (husband and brother to them) to finish his chemo (see picture below). The man completed his last treatment and ringing the bell after chemo treatment was next. They were so excited and my thoughts were “how was I getting through chemotherapy treatment these next four months?” We were overwhelmed, scared of what to come and didn’t even think about life after chemotherapy treatment at that time. We took the photo not even understanding the true meaning of ringing the bell at that time.
My 5 Tips For Getting Through Chemotherapy Treatment
Unfortunately, there’s not a magical answer or a secret to getting through chemotherapy. Most importantly, everyone’s experience is different. In my case I was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer and that meant four months of chemo! Now that I completed chemo I understand the value of ringing the bell after chemo. For now…. For my regiment, I had chemo treatment every other week. Here’s my 5 tips for getting through chemo treatment and I also used my cookbook, Eating Well Through Cancer and cooked so many recipes for the necessary nutrition. These following tips helped me get through chemo. My goal has been to share my experience to help many of you out there. The tips aren’t in any order.
Tip #1: Family and Friends Kept Me Positive Getting Through Chemo Treatment
If you are fortunate to have family and/or friends support, you are way ahead of the game. My family and friends were exceptional and made sure I was never alone going for ANY of my chemo treatments. A positive attitude is a must and I looked at chemo treatment as my medicine to get better.
Have Someone With You At All Times When Going Through Chemo
Having at least one person by your side helps immensely getting through chemo. I felt so bad for people who were alone. In fact someone commented on my Caringbridge page that from the pics it looked like we were having so much fun. Honestly, if you could have fun going through chemo we did. My husband of 39 years has been by my side, I’m living at my sister’s and brother-in-law’s in Houston and Haley, my youngest daughter (and her hubby) plus Todd and Courtney were at my side all the time. Smothered with love and support-that’s lucky me.
Tip #2: Be Patient And Talk To The Doc About Your Medication
My MD Anderson oncologist said they weren’t doing their job if I felt horrible. After my first chemo treatment, I never thought there could be life after chemo treatment and I felt bad. Remember, stomach cancer chemo you DON’T LOSE your hair so I feel fortunate but I had a feeding tube as I couldn’t eat. I experienced bad acid reflux (never had before), couldn’t sleep as had to sleep sitting up, nauseous and the meds made me sleep. After my 2nd treatment, they solved all my issues and added another premed before treatment for nauseousness, got control of my acid reflux with meds, and changed and coordinated meds for the nausea. I was functioning again.
Tip #3: Walking, Walking and More Walking Getting Through Chemo
I was diagnosed on August 8th and by August 14th I had surgery to put in port, exploratory surgery to see if my cancer spread and a feeding tube. Then, started chemo on that Friday. Right, I sure didn’t waste time. I always exercised but people that know me also knew I didn’t like to sweat. I firmly believe exercise is important and should be part of a lifestyle but you don’t have to overdo it. No dispute from any physician that walking is important so that’s what I did every day. The advice given to me was try to walk 10 minutes at a time on my bad chemo days. Maybe, in the morning and afternoon but walk! It gets your body moving. My goal was 2 miles daily and I did it on most days and the bad chemo days I still walked but not far.
You Don’t Have To Go To The Gym To Walk or Take A Walk Outside
Don’t laugh but I walk miles every day in my house. I started walking every morning when my kids, mom, brother and whomever called and I really packed in the steps. So, every time someone calls me I move away from my computer and start walking around the house. It doesn’t matter the size of your house as you do the path over and over. Start talking and walking and watch how many miles you will walk. Also, my iphone came with the heart app to monitor how far I walked.
Tip #4: Eating Is Important
What to eat when going through chemo? Well, as author of the best-selling cancer cookbook, Eating Well Through Cancer, I am an expert when it comes to this topic. However, now I am using my cancer cookbook as the patient. It is important to eat and hydrate when going through chemo because nutrition is so important to keep your strength up. However, as I understand, your appetite changes and so do your tastes. What you eat can make a difference and I have found my cancer cookbook has given me back control over food and confidence what’s best to eat. Eat light and some of my favorites include: Easy Potato Soup, Bread Pudding Florentine, Chicken with Lemon Caper Sauce, Ginger Chicken, Chicken Soup, Chicken and Dumplings, and Ginger Muffins. The list goes on but you must eat! I did.
Tip #5 Listen To Your Body
I told my kids for years to listen to their body and if they think something is wrong, get it checked out. Now, going through chemo, it is more important to listen to your body. I am an action backed person and not a nap taker. Rest never placed on my To-Do List. Now, I learned to put my computer down and curl up on the couch with a movie. Resting is important and not always pushing through like I used to do in the past.
Using Eating Well Through Cancer As A Patient – Not As An Author!
I sold over 1.5 million cookbooks and Eating Well Through Cancer has always been my most special cookbook for so many reasons. Now, I use my cancer cookbook from a patient’s perspective since I was diagnosed with stomach cancer. What you eat makes a difference as you go through cancer treatment. Even for me, this book gave me back control, answered questions that I wrote but now experienced myself and gave me confidence.
Ringing The Bell And Now A Life After Chemo
I made it through chemo because of my attitude, I took care of myself and of course, a little luck. I also understand better than ever the importance of my cancer cookbook and why everyone thanked me for writing it. I used it myself and enjoyed all the recipes I tested from a different perspective! Getting through chemo is challenging but I did it. Ringing the bell was such an unexpected emotional moment that I’ll always remember. You can do this! Best of all, I did it with family and friends (who surprised me).
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rita heikenfeld
Hi, Holly,
You may not remember me, part of the McAlpins Signature Culinary Team, way back in the 90’s. When both of our families had youngsters – now those kids have kids of their own!
My prayers for you are that you continue to reach excellent health again and to say thanks for encouraging others to do the same.
Blessings,
Rita Heikenfeld
goodcook
Hi Rita, Of course, I remember you and those were fun days. So true about our kids having kids and what a joy. My husband says my grandchildren are my best medicine. It means so much to me to hear from you. Thanks for reaching out and I intend to fight through this journey and hopefully, increase awareness of gastric cancer along the way. I do want to help others also. I hope you and your family are doing well. Holly
Louise
Hi Holly
I’m in the UK and have just come across your story through Instagram. I was diagnosed with stomach cancer on 14th August 2018, I had 4 rounds of fortnightly chemo and total gastrectomy on 2nd January I’ll be having more chemo in a few weeks (unfortunately with my regime I did lose my hair, but it’s a small price to pay!) I’m interested in your book but wondering do you think you’ll be creating more recipes in the future for us with no stomachs? I know the idea is we can eventually return to our normal diet but eating 6 times a day and getting enough calories on board is tough going!
Best wishes for your recovery!
Holly Clegg
Hi Louise, I had 4 months of chemo, a hipec, and then gastrectomy and hipec on January 23rd. You are a little bit ahead of me. They were able to leave 10% of my stomach which they say will help with the quality of life. I also have a feeding tube now. I think my cancer cookbook will be helpful to you in that the recipes are simple and healthy. You should eat low fat and low fiber I assume – that’s what they told me. I know I will definitely do something to help create an awareness of stomach cancer which is rare and more rare for women. I didn’t have to have chemo after my surgery but this hipec (heated chemo inserted directly in your abdomen is a monster of a surgery and I am still in pain. The doc said I will be able to eat more in the next 4-6 weeks. My stomach still gets very full with little now. I will be creating recipes for people without stomachs but that’s in the future or write a book. I am supposed to start eating every two hours. It is quite a process but I am thankful I am here. It is a tough time for sure but we can do this!!!! Holly
Mabyn Shingleton
Holly, At some point I heard about your cancer but I never saw a Caring Bridge. When you hear something like Cancer you don’t want to run up and ask about it. Thanks so much for sharing and congratulations on making it through Chemo.
Holly Clegg
HI Mabyn, Good to hear from you. I decided to share my story in hopes to make a difference. I have my big surgery for my gastrectomy on January 23rd which will be a big surgery but I GOT THIS! Baton Rouge is so good to me and I appreciate all the love, prayers and support. Hope you are doing well, Holly
Judy Bourgrois
Holly, I just had my 5th brain surgery in Boston, Ma. I have a tumor called Chordoma. The only treatments we can have are surgery and radiation. God bless you with His healing love! Never give up! Keep fighting, walking and finding ways to feel better. God is good! He will pull you through this! Love, Judy Bourgeois
Holly Clegg
Hi Judy, You put a BIG smile on my face, and as you, I know I have lots ahead of me but I CAN DO THIS! I get inspiration from your kind and encouraging words. We are a select group, us cancer warriors, and we stick together. I have faith in my docs for this surgery and I intend to give this stomach cancer a big fight! Just like you and many others. Here’s to 2019 to better health! Thanks for taking time to write Holly