Chemo tips
 

Activities for Infusions: What to Do During Treatment

April 4, 2011
Breast cancer chemotherapy infusions can take several hours to administer. What can you do during this down time? Here are a few suggestions:
Talk to a family member or friend

You may decide to bring a guest with you to an infusion center. Most centers will allow a family member or a friend to sit with you during your treatment process because of the comfort and support it can provide. Children age 12 and under are usually not permitted in an infusion center.
Eat a small meal or snack

Infusion centers may provide meals or snacks, or you can bring your own to eat during your infusion. Food may have an off taste for a few hours after treatment, so bland may be better. Good options include cheese and crackers, nuts, bagels, yogurt and fruit. Avoid anything greasy, as this can aggravate heartburn, and limit sweets, which can increase your blood sugar levels. Don't bring strong smelling foods, as they may bother other patients receiving treatment.
Do something you find relaxing, such as:

• Watch television
• Bring an iPod with headphones to listen to music or an audio book
• Bring your laptop and write in your journal
• Read a book or magazines
• Do crossword puzzles, Sudoku, math puzzles or word searches
• Knit, crochet or sketch
• Get comfortable with a pillow and blanket and nap

Get additional assistance

Throughout your infusion therapy, a nurse will monitor you for any side effects or reactions you may have. Remember, your infusion nurse is an excellent resource for questions about treatment and what to expect during and after your therapy. You can also talk to him or her about any concerns you may have about your infusion.

Exercise Tips for Staying Active

March 18, 2011
If you've recently undergone or are still receiving treatment for HER2+ breast cancer, it may be difficult to think of exercising. But even if you're feeling depleted, talk to your doctor about whether getting some physical activity may help you feel better. In addition to helping you lose weight that you may have gained during treatment, exercise can improve your strength and endurance and reduce fatigue. It can also boost your self-esteem.

The following tips can help you ease back into a fitness routine:

• Talk to your doctor. Check with your Care Team to see if it's okay for you to exercise and what types of physical activities are safe to try.
• Start small and build up. In the beginning, keep exercise sessions brief. When you feel up to it, add on a few minutes at a time. Even a short walk every other day is a good start.
• Set realistic expectations. Comparing your current level of fitness with where you were before treatment may discourage you. Instead, focus on what you can do today.
• Protect your bones. If you've been diagnosed with bone metastases or you have bone loss related to treatment, avoid activities that could add to your risk of fractures, such as running and playing tennis. Instead, try an activity that's easier on your bones, such as swimming or walking.
• Use caution. Be careful about activities that might increase your risk of falling. Instead of running on a treadmill, for example, you might try riding a stationary bike.
• Find an exercise partner. It may be easier to get motivated when you have someone to exercise with. Enlist a friend, family member or neighbor to join you. You can also contact Team Survivor (www.teamsurvivor.org), an organization with chapters nationwide that organizes exercise programs at all fitness levels for women who have or have had cancer.

[Rec'd from Hystersisters Newsletter today.]