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
I have three small pillows which I find still a year on male sleeping more comfortable with my right breast being oddly shaped after lumpectomy . Really recommend them ( even take on holiday )
I think still tasting chocolate was a small thing to enjoy. Having chemo upset my taste buds and many things just didn’t taste right.
@bluetit11 Little lifts bag for chemo was wonderful and I still use the Tote bag to this day. The contents was so helpful, including plastic cutlery as metal tasted weird.The notebook allowed me to express my thoughts I could say out loud. Three years on I still haven’t read it yet.
This made me smile so much, thank you for sharing. There’s something about noticing the little things like that, the birds, the bees, the garden growing, that you’d never expect to matter this much until you’re going through it. Glad you found something that kept you going, and that’s such lovely advice
It’s lovely how you’re still finding ways to get out even with the heat throwing things off. Evening walks, antique centres, garden centres, all little wins that still count. Hope those good days keep coming your way, and that holiday you’re planning sounds like exactly the kind of thing to look forward to
Your mum sounds incredible honestly That kind of quiet, no complaints support makes such a difference, especially on the days that are already a lot. Glad you’ve had her and her little car through all of this!
This one really got me. I was doing chemo while pregnant during the pandemic too, so I know exactly how isolating that time could feel with hardly anyone around you. I love that the teddy became your version of a hug when you needed one most, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about in that at all. So glad your friend sent it, and so glad your best friend could be there for those weekends. Thank you for trusting us with this
That little pillow sounds like it made such a difference, especially tucking it under your arm like that after a lumpectomy. Love that you still brought it along to gigs too, didn’t let it stop you from doing what you love. Having something comfy to wear alongside it can make such a difference too
What a beautiful thing to be part of, Worry Worms sound like such a simple but powerful way to bring comfort to someone in the middle of treatment. That thank you photo must have meant so much. Thank you for doing this for your community, it really does make a difference, even in the smallest form
It’s lovely that you’ve found something that still helps a year on, small adjustments like that can make such a real difference to something as simple as sleep. Love that you even bring them on holiday, shows how much they’ve become part of your comfort routine
