I’ve reached the last two of my 12 rounds of chemo, and I thought maybe some of the general advice that’s been meaningful to me might be new news and potentially helpful to others. So here goes, for what it might be worth to anyone:-)
- We are all different. ‘My’ advice might not be relevant to you!
- Chemotherapy has evolved significantly even over just the past couple of years. What someone shares about their experience 5 years ago may be totally different now.
- Each round of chemo can result in different degrees and kinds of reactions. Tiredness, pains, etc. don’t necessarily follow any pattern and also don’t necessarily get progressively worse with each round of treatment.
- It really helped me to be able to basically clear my calendar of anything other than medical stuff during the 12 weeks I’m in chemo. I’m still working full-time, but the days and hours I work are (thankfully) very flexible. I realize that not everyone can achieve this, and am super-grateful that I’m lucky enough to do this. Basically, it’s just good to try to keep any necessary obligations as flexible as you can. I’m in awe of people who actually juggle family and work obligations along with chemo. I’d be incapable sometimes, for sure.
Sending my good wishes to each of you, and hoping that my own chemo #12 will be the last one needed.
Best, Deborah