What did you do to heal your body after chemotherapy?

[JHan]

So I just went through 9 months of chemotherapy. My last cycle was a month ago. I still have trouble sleeping. Great trouble with concentration levels and I am still lethargic. I know I should try to exercise but getting the energy to do it is tough.

What helped you bounce back after chemo treatments, I'd love some suggestions that worked for you.

[lark]

1. So glad you are off chemo.

My dad, during his first remission after chemo ate very healthy, lots of fish and vegetables & fruits, no sugar at all and no grains except whole ones and stone ground. He started walking, the first week it was just to through the garage & back, then to the front yard, edge of yard, etc. He took it very slow and was back walking 3 miles a day by the time it recurred, 22 months later.

Best wishes for good health in the upcoming days.

[JHan]

4. taking it one step at a time then when it comes to exercise.. I'll try.

M diet is mostly protein and veg, some carbs. I still indulge in bad stuff occasionally. I want to come off sugar but it's a challenge since I love cooking and baking. Vegetarianism is increasingly looking like an option for me.

Best of luck to your dad.

[elleng]

2. I have no such experience,

but wish you good luck, JHan.

[JHan]

5. thanks elleng :)

[walkingman]

3. I'm about to start my RCHOP chemo and am very interested in any suggestions or tips.

[JHan]

6. pro-biotic yoghurt helped me a lot during chemo.

Lots of water or liquids. I consumed melon juice ( freshly made) and fruit teas. At times tonic water helped settle my stomach.

[walkingman]

14. Thank you, will do.

[aka-chmeee]

7. I really can't offer any advice,

but can relate that although I know it was unpleasant; radiation, chemo, feeding tube etc., Every day makes the memory of that time dimmer and after 5 years, it is hard for me to even remember feeling sick and weak. Probably becoming able to eat was the biggest milestone to my return to a new normal. Chemo port was removed last month - thought I was going to have to get a fidget spinner to replace it. Best of Luck to you and will be pulling for your side!

[JHan]

10. Great news on the removal of your port! I'm happy the pain is increasingly a distant memory for you.

[Solly Mack]

8. I did what I could re: exercise, errands, etc.. A little more as time went by.

And when I needed to nap, I napped. No apologies.

Had to be hospitalized due to complications a month after chemo/radiation ended and was in the hospital a month. I'm not the ideal at all.

It took time and I let it take the time it needed. Even when I wanted to be getting better faster, I forced myself to slow down and accept where I was and understood I would get better.

Lots of vegetables because I love vegetables. Stopped eating red meat years before but would eat a hamburger when I could after I was out of the hospital. I had to relearn to eat, so I went from liquid to soft to almost normal now.

It was a year after treatment ended before I felt closer to the old me. Going into my fifth year soon and am now as close to the old me as I will get.

So glad your chemo is done and I wish you the very best. You know you better than anyone - do what you can when you can. Sleep (when you can) and rest is something you need so don't feel guilty about it. I'd sit in the floor and play with my dogs - that was exhausting but fun.

Could ask the doc about something to help you sleep. That helped me.

Keep us posted on how you're doing.

[JHan]

11. Almost Five years since..! Congrats on that.

Eating wasn't really a problem for me. My white cell count never dipped either. My Onc said it's probably due to my age (while with older patients, cell rejuvenation isn't robust) Eating was only a problem a few days after a cycle. By the second week, I'd be much better. Yogurt and Kefir really helped.

I really should take things in stride but it's so frustrating. Cancer is so fucking stupid, and unfair.

[Solly Mack]

13. Thanks. Yeah, the doctor said my (relative) youth would help me too.

But I was a 1 percenter. The 1 percent that could go wrong all too often did.

[procon]

9. In my dad's case, he had a lot of digestive problems after all that so we

knew we had to restore the normal gut bacteria and microorganisms that are needed to for the digestive system to work properly. We changed his diet and served all kinds of fermented foods and products with live active cultures. Everything from yogurt and Kefir, even buttermilk and sour cream, sauerkraut and its Korean cousin, Kimchi, and all kinds of pickles and fermented veggies and fruits, miso and natto and soy sauce.

We added fermented cheeses like Gouda and parmesan, feta and and blue cheese. There was also plenty of fermented meats such as salami, ham, and sausages, Pepperoni. Sourdough and rye bread, and of course, beer.

Pops was raised with lots of homemade German foods so he mostly enjoyed the fermented foods we prepared. We made him lots small tapas style portions so he was munching and snacking all day long in addition to having his regular meals. It did keep him interested in eating and helped him gain weighht and settle his digestive system, so it was very beneficial for him.

[JHan]

12. yep the fermented foods really work.

I need to tell my mom Beer is actually good for me, :p haha.

Wonderful advice, thank you.

[PennyK]

15. i took it slow

...but I would say my chiropractor helped more than anything. I had a lost of complications from cancer treatment, and slowly I've made my way back. I still have depression and anxiety. I stretch every day, enjoy cooking healthy dinners for the two of us, immerse myself in mystery novels, and every night we watch something together (usually a murder mystery, because they make you think).
I have breast reconstruction coming up and that will be a big deal in making me feel "all better".

[JHan]

16. keeping you in my thoughts Penny

really it's about taking each day at a time. I do a lot of reading to help with my concentration levels. DU keeps me updated on the political scene, because hunting for articles can be stressful.

My brain just feels tired ( stress related)

I have anxiety attacks but I have some coping mechanisms which help. I'm also angry that I have to deal with this now... just hearing more and more young people getting this stupid disease. I didn't plan for this and I have to come to terms with that. day by day. And take it easy.

Wishing you all the luck in the world

[alfredo]

17. My thyroid was damaged, causing fatigue. Synthroid fixed that.

I just ate as much as I could, slept when I needed it, and tried to get out of the house.

BTW, music helped me take my mind off how crappy I felt. Usually I fell asleep before the CD was done. I used headphones and covered my eyes when napping.

Good luck and a speedy recovery.

For myself, I will never recover from the effects of Chemo and radiation, I just deal with it and enjoy little victories. Last week bacon wrapped chicken thighs was a victory, so was smoked herring.

Be patient, and enjoy little victories.

[cpamomfromtexas]

18. Ketogenic diet helped my husband in a big way. He didnt lose any hair as far as I can tell

[Glimmer of Hope]

19. I think physical therapy should be prescribed for all patients post treatment.

I can't believe how much it helped me.

[alfredo]

22. Second that.

Many of us have weakness in the legs. Walk, even though you might need a walking stick.

When I first start a walk my legs are tired and achy. Walk through that. In a few minutes you will feel stronger.

[Betty88]

20. CBD and THC oil

If you can get it use both if not CBD is available almost anywhere. A good site to get it is CWhemp.com. I did chemo for over 5 years. It's been almost 2 since my last cycle. It has taken a long while to get my body strongish again. Eat well, and have as much fun as possible.

[alfredo]

23. The older you are, the longer healing takes

Be patient I was 71 when beginning treatment.