Hello everyone:
Having had cancer two years ago, I learned many things to ward off feeling poorly during my treatment. When a friend started chemo this week, I passed along some ideas to her, which I now want to share with you. I am not a medical doctor and am only sharing what I did to help myself get through one of the most difficult times of my life.
Find things that make you laugh. I turned to some YouTube videos about the British royal family. I love reading about them, and listening to some of the more outrageous YouTube videos was worthwhile. I also watched some funny movies, my favorite of which is The Other Woman. While there are some scenes that are poor taste (and should be fast-forwarded through), there are some scenes that make me laugh, no matter how many times I watch them. Find something that makes you feel cheerful and watch or listen to that. You will cry at the weirdest times as you go through chemo, so find something that cheers you up and focus on that. You will get through the chemo more easily and will feel better.
Focus on the fact that this situation is temporary. Don’t make cancer your identity. I was someone who had cancer, but I was so much more. I was a university professor, author, interpreter for the Deaf, choir member, actress in our church’s Christmas show, and writer. I had a friend who introduced me as “my friend Sheri, who has cancer.” After she introduced me that way, I held out my hand and said, “I’m a professor at X University. Nice to meet you.” My friend got the message and never said that again.
Walk. Get outside and enjoy the day, as much as possible. My doctors told me the reason I got through chemotherapy and five hours of surgery so easily (trust me, it wasn’t easy) was because I got regular exercise and kept a positive attitude.
What ideas do you have to share about how to get through difficulties more easily?
Best,
Dr. Sheri