Hi everyone. I went through chemo a few years ago and something I still think about is how it was rarely the big things that got me through the day, it was the small ones I never saw coming.
For me it was having clothes I could get in and out of easily on treatment days. Not having to struggle out of a top with a port in, or feel exposed in a room full of people, made a bigger difference than I ever expected. It sounds small, but when so much is out of your control, those little things really matter.
So I’d love to know, what is one small thing that brought you comfort during treatment that you didn’t expect? It might be something someone else here really needs to hear
I started chemo in Feb and finished in June and I think I really noticed that spending as much time as I could outside really kept me going. Wasn’t really one for bird watching before, but I suddenly took notice of them, and the garden growing and bees and butterflies. I’m promise I’m not a hippy type, but y’know, go get some fresh air in your lungs
It’s funny how seemingly small things can become big things while navigating cancer treatment. I don’t drive and my mum has been an absolute angel taking me to all my treatments and appointments, some of which have been very short notice and some that have involved her waiting around for me in 30+ temperatures. Not having to navigate public transport has made life so much easier for me but it has definitely inconvenienced her and she’s never once complained to me about it even though I know it’s all been quite full on. Bless my mum and her little car!
When in recovery from my mastectomy I loved getting out for a morning walk. Unfortunately chemo started when the first heatwave struck and it has been hot and high UV ever since so I have been waiting until the evening to get out for walks. It is not the same. I have got a few “good” days left before the next chemo, so I try to fill my last week with getting out of my house as I am sick of being inside. Today I am off to a couple of antique centres for a potter and on other days, maybe a garden centre or visiting another town to potter around the shops where i can get inside more than out. My garden needs a good sorting out, but that will have to wait until the weather calms down - luckily it is a courtyard garden so overgrown shrubs can wait. I have also started planning a holiday for later in the year when everything is finished. Just being in a different environment makes a huge difference for me.
I did chemo during Covid times and lived alone. My best friend shielded as well so that the weekend after my chemo she could come and stay with me but other than that, the rest of the time I was on my own. I am a person that loves hugs too so found this very hard but another friend sent me a jellycat teddy. For anyone that doesn’t know what a jellycat teddy is they are incredibly soft and I found it quite soothing to hug instead. (Who knew the power of human touch, it’s a profound thing!)
It’s not my proudest confession being 38 at the time but my mental health took a real beating and this was all I could do to try and help myself. I didn’t have any useful family nearby and none of my other friends were in a position to shield. I was really grateful that my best friend could and offered to.
I hope you are able to get inspiration from what others found comforting. You’ve done wonders for others so far, keep going!
A small (about 30cm across) heart shaped pillow! I had a lumpectomy and a pillow tucked under my arm when sitting or sleeping helped a lot. I go to a lot of live music and took my pillow and a folding seat to gigs for a few weeks.
Being in nature helped. My friend who took me to second screening and to Hospital on my surgery day . Realising that I had a network of people around me who between them had my back - I thought about it as having fallen but someone had put a net beneath me just in time.. That didn’t stop me crying / getting angry /anxious / still feeling lonely at times or having to put up with some unhelpful or insensitive comments and it’s a shame that when you’re going through it those are the ones that tend to stick in your mind but I was very fortunate nonetheless. I wish and hope that everyone con have the support they deserve to get through it all xx
Sorry you said something small . For me it was more lots of different small things from different people that helped me - that was what a I meant when I said a net but after radiotherapy I had a very red itchy and slightly swollen boob. I had the idea to wear a bamboo sock inside my bra to keep the skin surfaces apart beneath my boob - it worked because my skin never broke down or got infected. It also seemed to help with the itching and it was cooling and became a bit of a comfort thing for me . I’m aware that this sounds daft but it really helped . Xx
