What's It Really Like Going Through Chemotherapy?
Ovarian cancer patient Kim Tronic shares her "chemo truths"
REMOVING THE FEAR OF TREATMENT
Being diagnosed with cancer is scary and confusing enough on its own. Add in what may lie ahead—surgery,
Radiation
Chemotherapy
and the fear can be amplified.
Kim Tronic
https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/costumes-empower-recovery.html
knows this all too well. At 36, she was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer and her care team recommended a treatment plan that included 18 weeks of chemo.
Your body and mind are being pushed to the brink right now, but you're resilient and you will bounce back.
Kim has successfully completed her treatment and today she's cancer free. Now, she's determined to help alleviate the fears of other patients and share what she learned about going through chemo.
Kim Tronic's 10 "chemo truths"
It's more uneventful than you think. You ready for some Netflix and chill? Put your feet up, binge watch a new series, or take a nap. Your treatment will likely be laid back (dare I say relaxing?), which means ample time for TV, movies, and laughing with your nurses.
It doesn't hurt. In fact, you won't really feel anything other than sleepiness and maybe an urge to grab all the good snacks from the nurse's station. Pro tip: snag some honey graham crackers before they're gone! Read
Day of Pampering for Breast Cancer Patients
https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/day-pampering-breast-cancer-patients.html You're stronger than you think you are. Yes, cancer is scary, and you're about to embark upon a bumpy journey, but you'll soon discover the depth of your strength. (Spoiler alert: You're a tough cookie.) You're not alone. Remember that you've got a compassionate team of doctors, nurses, and staff here to support you. And there's a HUGE community of cancer survivors out there waiting to welcome you with open arms. Get ready for lots of hugs!
It's not as depressing as it looks on TV. The chemo infusion center at Cedars-Sinai is full of warmth, kindness, and positivity. Everyone is here to help you get healthy! Oh, and did I mention therapy dogs.
POOCH PROGRAM
https://www.cedars-sinai.org/volunteer-services/adults/pooch-program.html Read
Dressing Up for Chemo
https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/costumes-empower-recovery.html
Ovarian cancer patient Kim Tronic shares her "chemo truths"
Everyone reacts differently to the side effects. There are many factors that determine how your body will handle the chemo, but you'll probably react better than you think you will. Sure, some days will be rocky, but that's only temporary. I promise.
The worst thing to fear is fear itself. Chances are your anticipation and fears will be worse than the actual treatments. Try not to let your mind run wild with worst-case scenarios. Thinking positively will have a wonderful impact on your experience.
It affects you mentally. You know about the physical side effects, but you'll probably experience mental/emotional ones, too. Your body and mind are being pushed to the brink right now, but you're resilient and you will bounce back.
Read Bat Mitzvah Project Helps Cancer Patients Celebrate Final Treatment
https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/bat-mitzvah-project-brings-bell-ringing-to-cedars-sinai.html
Art Tostado and Isabella Spar are shown with a newly installed ceremonial bell at Cedars-Sinai that signals the end of treatment. It'll be over before you know it. Time can tick by slowly, but try to make some days special (yes, you should buy that new pair of shoes and get a massage). Treatment rolls by faster when you have things to look forward to. When you're finished, it's the best feeling in the world and also one of the weirdest. During treatment, you feel a sense of safety as your team takes care of you. When you're done, you may experience a "Well, now what?" mentality. Just know that everything will eventually return to normal—and you'll forever remain a hero and inspiration to others.
Our appreciation to Kim Tronic for sharing her experience & advice and to Cedars-Sinai
https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/10-tips-to-survive-chemotherapy.html
Thank you Kim for your inspirational article. I am sharing with several friends!😊
I agree that every person cancer journey is unique. Don’t listen to the horror stories and DONT GOOGLE! It may not be how you react. A positive attitude, drinking 64+ oz of unsweetened green or herbal caffeine free tea or water and trying to stay as active as you can helped me a lot. Also set up meal train (dinner delivery) from your friends and neighbors for day one and day 4 of treatment weeks. It takes the pressure off of feeding your family when you should be resting.