UPDATE: The winner is…Tianna Toups!
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This is the sky right now (my dd took the picture). The clouds look like a pretty, cottony, baby-blue blanket, although the forecast is for heat and sunny skies today. Thought I’d share since I haven’t seen clouds like that covering the entire sky before. 🙂
Just to catch you up… I start chemo on Monday. I had hoped to get a port installed this week, but it didn’t happen. So, I’ll get my chemo on my arm, which I hope doesn’t interfere too much with me using my hands. I had a call yesterday from the nurse at the cancer center to go over what I should expect to happen during and after my chemo.
- The drugs they give me to help my body tolerate the treatment.
- Side effects.
- How shitty I’ll feel afterward and for how long—basically for 5 or 6 days following treatment.
- How soon my hair will start falling out—perhaps as soon as 2 weeks.
- The blood draws I have to have Thursdays before my Monday treatments to see how my white blood cells are doing.
- Drink tons of water/juice/sprite to keep hydrated because that’s a real concern.
- It looks like chemo will continue into December, once every three weeks, followed by immunotherapy every 42 days after.
Hopefully, I’ll respond well to everything. She didn’t say it, but you all have said that attitude is everything. I’m ready to kick ass. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions of what to pack for my first chemo treatment on Monday. I’ve settled on…
- 🧦 — socks, fuzzy ones
- 🛏️ — I couldn’t find a blanket emoji!
- 🎧 — my dd ordered me a pair to use with my iPhone
- 📱 — my iPhone
- 📚 — a paperback book in case the Wi-Fi sucks
- 📔 — a notebook with good paper that I can write in or draw/paint
- ✏️ — pencil for sketching
- 🖊️ — pen for writing (I hate putting thoughts down in something erasable!)
- 🎨 — a tiny portable paint palette with a water-brush
- 🥙 — food
Maybe I’ll add one of the 11-year-old’s Squishmallows to use as a pillow. For sure, I’m going to wear a superhero T-shirt.
For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, what snacks should I pack?
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apples and/or other juicy fruit – they’ll give you good sugars and help with hydration
maybe a Natures Valley protein bar or trail mix if you want something more crunchy salty
HUGS!
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When my son was doing chemo he was told to stay away from all things sugary so he always had beef jerky and proteins afterwards.
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I would have no idea what to suggest. I would maybe consider some slim jims and string cheese to see how they taste. After treatment, you may have something in mind that would taste good to you and hit the spot. Go through 5 below. They have an assortment of the squishmellows and snacks and art supplies… and they ship really fast.
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From a friend: Bring a water bottle, as staying hydrated can help flush toxins out of your body and combat chemo side effects like nausea, constipation and fatigue. Bring snacks (e.g., crackers, fresh fruit, chicken broth, ginger tea) to stay nourished. Chemo can cause dry mouth and taste changes so bring mints, lemon drops, ginger chews or hard candies.
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you will need to make sure and take your phone charger. Mandarin Oranges, Peanut Butter crackers, (Ritz or Cheese). They have those mini tootsie roll pops and those are really good, plus their is chocolate in the middle! Bananas
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Forgive me for not commenting on your last post. It hit me harder than I want to admit. Anyway, Good thoughts and positive vibes coming your way. All the best on your coming journey. As for advice, I am not a lot of help, though I did notice that the nurse talked about staying hydrated, but I didn’t see a beverage of choice included on your pack list. Snacks? All I can say is, I am a propionate of whole food eating with nothing deep fried and little to no sugar. So, take your favorite comfort food. You want that “kick ass” attitude. Hugs! Stay positive!
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That kick ass t-shirt is definitely needed. I’d probably take my huge travel tumbler with ice water. That can always be refilled. For a snack I’d go with the peanut butter cheese crackers. I enjoy those. Or maybe some popcorn. Will be sending you positive vibes to help fight this…💜
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my sister always took juice, water, powerade, fruit, and goldfish crackers.
Positive thoughts!
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I’m thinking as regards snacks you may want to wait to see what you actually feel like eating/drinking on the day.
Many good suggestions above.
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Snacks should be salty and not spicy. Also fresh fruit is good, like apple slices, but be careful of sugar so does not affect your tummy and blood sugar too much. Crackers and Peanut butter, Jiffy makes individual cups that work great.
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granola
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Peanut butter or Nutella (if you are allowed) single serving cups with Ritz or Club crackers. Or be like my youngest teenager before a road trip, take $20 to Dollar Tree and get a wide variety of what speaks to you in the moment.
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And exciting audio book that keeps your attention. Or a good RomCom audio book to make you laugh.
I like the idea of a badass T-shirt someone mentioned. All in the attitude, Baby!
Love you!
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I’d bring some dark chocolate, cheese (probably cheddar) & crackers (probably saltines) plus grapes (seedless)
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Crackers, Chocolate, cheese, cut up fresh fruit.
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A snack that has some protein. (protein shake). Most infusion rooms have crackers, cookies or gingerale.