SELF CARE TIPS
Read our list of self-care tips for chemotherapy!
- Avoid crowds and/or sick people with colds, as you may be at risk of infection. Report fever or any other signs of infection to your healthcare provider immediately.
- Wash your hands often.
- Use an electric razor and a soft toothbrush to minimize bleeding.
- Avoid contact sports or activities that could cause injury.
- To reduce nausea, eat small, frequent meals and take anti-nausea medications as prescribed by your doctor.
- It is very important to take your prednisone pills as prescribed.
- Follow a regimen of anti-diarrhea medication as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
- Eat foods that may help reduce diarrhea (see managing side effects, diarrhea).
- Avoid sun exposure — wear sunblock (SPF 15 or higher) and protective clothing.
- In general, drinking alcoholic beverages should be kept to a minimum or avoided completely.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Maintain good nutrition.
- If you experience symptoms or side effects, be sure to discuss them with your healthcare team. They can prescribe medications and/or offer other suggestions that are effective in managing such problems.
Additional Resources
“For the first month or two, I continued to swim, though not as much as I had been. I assumed that if I stayed active it would help me through the chemo. I was never incapacitated in that sense. There were a few days where either I didn’t feel well or was really tired, so I didn’t go out and pound the pavement or anything.”